The penthouse suite of the exclusive dorms reserved for the top ten of Starlight Academy.
Marisa stepped out onto the balcony and stared at the vast starry expanse in front of her. As she did, she held out her hand, watching as roiling mana crackled before coalescing into a smooth stream. "...The reward really was an unrestricted rank up in power."
It was unexpected. Unimaginable even.
Marisa had known that Gates could give unimaginable rewards. They were beyond normal understanding, after all, and the reason why the world suffered such strife. It was only natural that such a curse brought at least some blessings.
Even so...
"...My debt to you grows by the day, Alex." Marisa murmured and then let out a deep sigh.
It had been a whim.
Marisa had followed after Alex one day because she was curious. Such a reckless yet incredible feat of shattering his magic circles to cast magic beyond his means... it was natural for her to be curious when she was seeking any hint she could find to attaining her Domain and the path to reaching Rank 8.
A lot had happened since then.
And Marisa had learned a lot too. Especially since Alex was a genuine magical genius. One whose only lack was time. Time and proper training.
"...But even now you are closing that gap, Alex." Marisa murmured and subconsciously glanced towards the northeast.
There, Alex was no doubt continuing his research. After the events of the day, he was undoubtedly continuing to refine his skills and pursue further avenues to advance himself.
Marisa hadn't understood it in the beginning. She didn't know why Alex had been so reckless, so... loose with his life. But now she knew.
"...For the sake of the sister you couldn't save. In the hopes that she is still out there, somewhere..."
That scene had been hell. Truly hell.
Marisa shuddered as she recalled the Dragon Fear from the monster they fought. The primal terror that gripped her soul and shook her very mana.
And then she recalled how easily Alex had slain that monstrous creature. Even if it was a recreation, a simulation, it was still an incredible feat. But...
'He must have gone over it again and again...'
Marisa knew.
The abilities that Alex had showcased in that advanced trial were unnatural. And he would likely be unable to do the same at the current moment.
The only reason he had been so powerful, so unthinkably strong was because he had reviewed it in his mind countless times.
"If I had another chance... if I was in that place with what I had now... if I fought those enemies once more..." Marisa murmured. "That was what you thought, wasn't it, Alex?"
Alexander Smith. An unremarkable student whose only boon appeared to be his encyclopedic knowledge of Gates and monsters. But who was slowly blossoming as time advanced.
Time.
All that Alex had ever needed was time.
Marisa looked up at the moon and murmured, "But you never had it, did you, Alex?"
He must regret it. Although Alex hid it well, he must regret it even more now.
"If I had started training sooner... if I had just been a bit more prepared... Are those thoughts echoing through your mind, Alex?"
There wasn't a response.
Of course, Marisa was just voicing her thoughts, not really expecting one. Still... she hadn't expected it.
Alex was just so... confident. Put together. Although he lacked in magic and physique, he made up for it with ingenuity. And now he was even shoring up what he lacked by entering Gates with Professor Endless and utilizing the resources he could gather there.
"But to think the reason behind that was something like this..." Marisa murmured. "The wish to save someone close to you. The regret that gnawed at your heart to this day..."
Marisa's parents had been lost in an incident involving a Gate.
However, Marisa wasn't to blame. She was just a child, and though she felt those emotions of wishing she had been strong enough to help them, she knew that those emotions and thoughts were irrational. There was nothing she could have done at the time to save them. And it wasn't like they were people who needed to be saved.
Both of Marisa's parents knew the danger and walked towards it with their own two feet.
Although Marisa was doing her best to become strong enough to save them, that was because of her personal wish and emotions. The 'responsibility' didn't truly fall on her.
Not like with Alex.
Marisa could still recall it. The agony in Alex's face as his arms remained outstretched to hug Betty. The confusion and then bitter regret in his eyes as his mouth was opened to say words he never got the chance to in reality.
"...Life truly is never fair, is it?" Marisa murmured.
The only saving grace was that Evelyn was there to comfort Alex.
Although Marisa understood Alex and sympathized with him... she could never hold that place in his heart. Nor did she wish to.
Not that Alex was a bad candidate for a lover or a husband. It was just...
Marisa's heart raced a bit as she thought of the one who she had already given her heart to. But then she let out a long sigh when she realized how long a path there still was to go for that man. "Rolo... Are you really that dense, or do you just not like me?"
"Ho ho ho. You still have a habit of talking to yourself while looking at the moon, I see."
Marisa flinched and instinctively spun around, sending a blast of razor wind at the speaker.
But her mana froze and dispersed, turning the wind into a harmless breeze.
Words were already on Marisa's lips, preparing a spell. But then she stopped when she saw the person standing there. Her emerald eyes widened and she said, "Grandfather?"
A man with long and flowing gray hair, tinged just the slightest green. A black robe with golden embroidery, and an infinity symbol emblazoned over his chest. One of the few Rank 8 mages in the world, and the one who oversaw the United Mage Tower, housing the greatest magical researchers in the world...
Marzin Sagewind, the Boundless Gale. A man who could come and go as he pleased anywhere in the world... save for the Gate where his daughter and son-in-law remained trapped.
Marisa relaxed her mana and then frowned. "What are you doing here? Did you not say you were going to be occupied until the new year with a research project?"
Marzin chuckled and said, "I am indeed occupied with many tasks. But how can I ignore my granddaughter when she has become the youngest Magitry in the last millenium?"
Marisa blinked. "Magitry?"
Marzin clicked his tongue and said, "Right. You children just use simple numbers these days. To think the majesty of mage titles have been reduced to being called a mere Rank whatever mage..."
Marisa blushed and said, "I-I knew that! I was just... preoccupied."
Marzin waved his hand, bending space and summoning a pair of chairs. "Come then. Sit with your grandfather a bit and alleviate your burdens. It may feel relieving to speak to the moon, but she hardly answers, you know?"
Marisa sighed and sat down. "I know, Grandfather. It is just..."
"Yes?"
Marisa hesitated, wondering if she should ask her question. But then she decided that she might as well. "...How can I get a boy to notice me?"
"...Pardon?"