chapter 32
If it was a dream before, now it was a fragment of memory.
After the incident with Arrieta. Then, the corresponding memories began to flow in as if they were talking to me.
Only then did I know
The monastery had four children, and apart from Arrieta and me, there was a red-haired brother and sister.
I wish I would have found out a little sooner. After all, it was a dream, so I couldn’t look around.
couldn’t connect them.
My dream had already told me about the existence of Alexios and Lena from before, but I didn’t recognize it.
-I do not need.
I saw Oz speaking coldly and coldly.
That contemptuous expression made even me, the one watching, feel guilty.
I watch the situation while floundering in the feelings that I want to stop immediately and the feeling that I have to watch.
-I do not know? you guys are no help
Could it be that those heartless words were not for them?
At least the Oz I knew wasn’t this harsh.
He was arrogant and blunt, but he would not be one to show that kind of contempt.
-Things that are useless.
I couldn’t understand Oz’s heart as he was spitting out those words.
I couldn’t decide if he meant it or if he was deliberately harsh on them.
That much, he showed Oz’s eyes sincerely.
“Strange… … .”
yeah, that’s weird It is very different from the case I saw in my last dream.
As if looking at someone else, I can’t understand the meaning of the words.
No, before that… … .
“… … Who the hell is watching Oz right now?”
vision was low. My body was shaking, either from the chill or from the fear of the unknown.
I was watching Oz hiding in the shadows.
Then, who am I watching Oz?
No, more than that, is Oz right what I’m looking at?
“Oh, did you notice already?”
And at that moment, I met eyes with the guy who kicked Alexios out.
Memories of a different kind began to flood in.
* * *
“Ugh… … .”
I wake up with a sudden onset of headache.
what did you just see?
The moment I met Oz’s eyes, I saw Alexios’ corpse, Lena’s corpse, Mother Superior’s corpse and Arietta’s corpse.
At the end of following him, he was looking at the corpses of those who died after being caught in the past, looking towards the future.
“Damn it… … .”
Did Oz even have future poetry?
I was confused by the sight that I couldn’t understand yet, but I had to come to my senses.
Alexios’ attack was already in front of his eyes.
There was no time to think.
An extremely chilled mind relieves fear. The time slowed down by [Contemplation] becomes even slower.
But it’s still not enough.
You have to approach to reverse the situation where you have been running away all the time to increase the distance.
In order to definitively defeat Alexios, he had to insert his magic as close as possible.
“It’s coming… … ?”
I rolled forward to dodge the frenzied fist that had approached my eyes.
As soon as you raise your body, take a step forward.
Approach Alexios and deploy magic. Even now, the magic I can use is limited to intermediate level.
intermediate magic
[Gust Piercing]
But it’s much smoother and faster.
In the same way as [Magic Bullet], it draws a compositional formula close to two digits at the same time.
[96/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]
[Ruler of Mana] draws the compositional formula of [Stone Cannon], a beginner magic. You should use a bit more.
Send the [Stone Cannon] over his head, not Alexios.
I detonated it with one of the [Gust Piercings] I had drawn in the air and scattered fragments over Alexios’ head. You won’t be able to knock it down like this, but you can make it annoying.
“You’re not doing the same trick!”
Alexios moves a little closer as he sweeps away the debris, extending a fist over his head.
Alexios, who confirmed that appearance, swung his fist on the other side.
He’s a great guy. Even though I stand on this level of superiority, I have no intention of letting them approach me because I do not know my purpose.
the expected sea. Dodge the attack by rolling your fist before it swings.
“Where!”
But before he can get up, another attack flies in.
[97/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]
Beginner magic again. It is [Little Bom].
No matter what you do, it is impossible to block the attack with this.
That’s why I turn to the right and deploy to my left and explode.
Using the shock wave of the explosion, I managed to dodge Alexios’ attack.
“Suck…!”
However, comparing the power between the beginner magic and the [Rain Cloud and Thunder Control], it is a significant gain.
[The Ruler of Mana] didn’t even hurt me, so it couldn’t have been better.
“Okay, it’s complete.”
It shoots 10 [Gust Piercings] completed over a long time at the same time, breaking through Alexios’ attacks.
“Chit.”
Alexios dodges the magic that broke through his attack with a light backstep.
With this, he destroyed the powerful long-range skill, [Flame Cloud and Thunder Power], which can only be used while stationary.
[98/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]
I draw the design little by little.
The moment Alexios’s [Great Collapse] slams down, he uses [Dig] to dig deep into the ground in front of him to block it.
However, I didn’t have enough time like before, so I couldn’t block all the shockwaves.
So, with the magic completed with [Ruler of Mana], offset the shock wave that could not be blocked.
Receive the rest with your body and approach it. Not so much as retreating.
[99/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]
Even if he lost his skill, Alexios blocks me by blowing a wind mixed with the heat of [Death Emperor].
It wasn’t as threatening as [Yeom Cloud Brain Regime], but I couldn’t just ignore the attack.
Some are hit and some are canceled out and approached.
Throws a cloak that loses nearly 50% of its defensive magic.
Right now it’s just messing around.
It’s not over yet, so it can’t be transferred like this.
Rather, this dog-like skill makes you hit the ceiling.
When he stacks up, he comes out around the 40th inning and makes people feel like shit and pisses people off.
[Erosion degree 40%]
A perfected spirit, a perfected magic.
In a state infinitely close to Oz, he stretched out his arms toward Alexios.
At this distance, I could definitely defeat him.
[Space Barrier Lv. One]
The [Space Barrier] blocks Alexios’ attack that flew towards the gap.
I knew that the [Space Barrier] would be easily destroyed, so I reached out without hesitation.
[The Ruler of Mana Lv. 2]
[0/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]
And the finally completed SSR grade magic.
My fingertips touched Alexios’ forehead.
“… … Did I lose again this time?”
At that moment, Alexios quietly closed his eyes and relaxed his body.
It’s admitting defeat.
He was possessed by such anger and hatred, but he is such a great guy.
“As you said, we are useless after all… … .”
“Alexios.”
Thinking back on what happened earlier, I know it’s better not to say anything and not to say anything, but I had something to say.
“You are not worthless.”
“Are you going to cheat?”
“no.”
I don’t know Oz’s intentions in the memories I saw earlier, but I could say this.
He must not be that harsh. I just didn’t know how to express it to others.
If you think about it, it was like that from the beginning.
Even on the day Arrieta left, he couldn’t say his vow in front of her.
From then on, Oz was already a talented but stupid laughing bell.
-Things that are useless.
So, that memory is wrong.
I don’t even know if that’s Oz right in the first place, so I’ll do what I want from now on.
Because about 40% of my heart is Oz’s heart.
“You guys were too advanced. Isn’t it a waste to write now?”
“under… … ! You stupid child… … . You should have said that right away.”
[Curse of the Icecap]
“So you wouldn’t have tried to believe in anything.”
And a blizzard that would freeze even the sun burst out in front of Alexios’ eyes and colored the world.
“I’m sorry for not being around you.”
After the unheard words, the relationship with Alexios was concluded.
* * *
Leaving behind the frozen Alexios, I pick up the cloak again.
It would be nice to put it on again as it is, but the magic developed with [Mana Ruler] doesn’t affect me.
“Arrieta.”
“ah… … .”
I additionally put my cape on Arrieta’s shoulder, who was watching from afar, so she wouldn’t get caught up in it.
I think I was a bit cool just now.
Wouldn’t Eleanor approve of this?
“thanks. Mr. Oz.”
look this is an angel
Unlike Eleanor, who is a little devil, doesn’t Arietta give a pure smile even over trivial things like this?
“Did you end your relationship with Alexios?”
“Yeah, what… … .”
It’s embarrassing to say that in front of Arrieta.
I feel guilty because I have cut off my relationship with her.
But now, it is impossible to end the relationship with her with a few words. When we first met, we were so terribly entangled.
And most of all, I couldn’t take Oz’s promise lightly.
Perhaps even if it was Oz himself, not me, the relationship with her would have been cut off.
Because the guy named Oz is sober.
It is clear that he would not have deliberately approached him even though he was in the same place until he achieved his will.
“Oz-sama, your expression is dark.”
“… … Fine.”
So, for the sake of that moment, I’ll be patient.
Until the time I pick you up someday, I’ll keep my promise.
I will surely bring you back from God’s hand.
“… … .”
I close my mouth and think.
moment. Yes, it was a moment.
[Erosion degree 40%]
My mind just got eaten by 40% odds.
And I had no doubts or concerns about it.
got used to it The gap between the two has melted away.
“Oz-sama, your complexion is pale. Are you really okay?”
“Fine… … .”
Actually it wasn’t okay. It’s still chilly down my spine.
I am Oz, and Oz is Nine.
I’m afraid that both of them thought it was okay now.
I’d rather Oz eat away at my sanity and try to claim ownership.
Because of that repulsion, the country would have been able to maintain its existence.
But it was different. We, not me, are getting mixed up.
“Well… … . I’m fine thanks to the cloak Oz-sama gave me, but Oz-sama must have been cold.”
“I’m fine… … .”
My expression is pale not because of the cold, but because of [erosion].
The temperature was rather moderately cool, so it was okay.
That’s why it was the moment he tried to dissuade Arietta, who was unraveling the hem of the cloak that was fastening her body with a rustling sound.
“yap!”
At that moment, Arrieta hugged me and put the cloak on me.
Instead of taking it off, it overlapped.
I felt the warmth while wearing the two layers of cloak together. yes, it’s warm It is such warmth that calms the mind.
That’s when I was able to notice.
“Are you both warm with this? lol.”
“Yes… … .”
Like Arrieta said, I was feeling the cold.
I was feeling a piercing loneliness because of the unspeakable worries in a disconnected world.
“Thanks to you, it’s not cold anymore… … .”
Thanks to her, I could feel the warmth of my heart for a moment. Yes, I could understand Oz’s heart.
He was also cold.
This little warmth must have been so precious to him, who had seen so much. To the point where I really want to get it back from God.
“Oz. When I’m tired, sometimes I think I need to rest somewhere. It’s a tough world to endure alone.”
Arrieta comes to me with her face buried inside her cloak. It was like a priest.
Unknowingly, I spoke as if I was confessing.
“Do you have times when you want to rest, too?”
“of course. Because she is a saint, there must be times when she can lean forward and rest.”
Arrieta started tapping me on the forehead from inside the cloak as if to scold me for my stupidity.
Of course, it was cute if it was cute, but it didn’t hurt.
“Because in order to be someone’s hope, I have to have hope for someone too. I can’t give you what I don’t know.”
Come to your senses.
Arrieta’s talk seems a bit serious.
“I still have hope. The hope that even if it is cut off, we will be able to reconnect.”
The story about the mission she shouldered as a saint was honestly not to my liking.
I didn’t like the fact that so many people had to pin their hopes on one girl like this.
I’m sure Oz thought so too.
“There are difficult times for me too.”
Arrieta takes one step closer to me.
The distance with her is already infinitely close, but it gets closer than that.
“There are times when I want to lean on someone.”
It clings to the hem of my clothes as if hanging on to it.
“So that’s the point. Today is a bit… hard.”
As if you want to lean on it.
In a way, it was natural.
I didn’t know how it would end, but I had settled my past with Alexios.
I don’t know if he’ll still be against me when he wakes up or if he’ll have a more positive relationship than before.
However, his relationship with Arrieta is different. Our relationship is still cut.
The depth is too deep for me, who is not Oz, to resolve it at will.
“Is it okay for me to look forward to today? Oz.”
this is probably jealousy
She is jealous of Alexios because of her relationship with me, which is still cut off.
“Arie… … .”
“uh… … Well… … . I’m sorry I’m busy, but are you okay for a second?”
At that moment, a familiar voice was heard from somewhere.
As if it was very awkward, Arrieta fell away at a tremendous speed at the sound of somehow appealing her presence.
“… … I’m really sorry to interrupt you over there, but can I talk to you for a second? Oz.”
“Yes, the head of the academy… … . I thought it would come soon.”
“Even so… … no. done.”
The moment Tia was about to say something, she stopped when she saw Arrieta withered to the point of pity.
Even the bad-tempered girl doesn’t seem to want to bully Arietta.
“… … .”
Arrieta was covering her face with a two-layered cloak.
I don’t see the world with my eyes anyway, so it wouldn’t matter, but I feel uncomfortable even from this side as I look so uncomfortable that I can’t breathe.
“… … Have a chat.”
“Yes… … .”
“I-I’m sorry. Would you have come a little later?”
“Please don’t bother me with such words anymore. Head of the school.”
“Uh… … yes. ah! Come to think of it, there seems to be a patient over there who needs treatment. Can I ask for that?”
“Yeah.”
Arrieta hurriedly avoided the seat. His face was completely sealed with a cloak, but his movement seemed to be fine.
“Aww… … .”
And Arrieta, who realized that the target the head of the academy pointed at was Alexios, embraced the fact that she had forgotten him.
Even if I couldn’t see it, I could tell she was embarrassed.
“uh… … Hmm, hmm. Oz?”
“I am listening.”
“… … You haven’t said anything yet.”
Tia scratches her cheek and murmurs. If you’re going to be that uncomfortable, I’d rather not say anything. I’m just making other people uncomfortable.
“Is that what you did?”
Tia points to the fallen Alexios and asks. It’s a very troubled face.
“It’s fine.”
When I answered with a shrug, Tia rubbed her eyes in agony.
“I’ll be thrilled… … .”
That’s right.
Even though I was wearing her magical tools that reduced the power of magic, it was a design mistake on her part that such power came out.
There is no one in the world who can condemn her, but her authority will be damaged if left alone.
As a dragon, having your authority compromised would be an unbearable humiliation.
“driving me crazy… … . How did you pierce this bastard?”
“… … The head of the academy must have neglected to make magic tools.”
“Such a dog… … .”
There was a clear method called [the ruler of mana], but revealing it now would be an idiot’s business.
Besides, people can’t believe that I have a way to exceed the dragon’s ability.
Tia can’t prove my means anyway. Even if you prove it, people won’t believe it.
It would be like acknowledging an existence as threatening as her.
In the end, people will think it’s the result of Tia’s moderate personality.
“Principal, if you are in trouble, would you like to make a deal with me?”
“… … What are you thinking?”
The snowstorm is still blowing today. Finally I got the upper hand against this lizard.
“… … Why are you laughing so much?”
“do not worry. Head of the academy. It won’t be a bad thing.”
The time has finally come to destroy [Myungwang]’s plan.