I looked at her with a sigh, eyes heavy with emotion, my gaze laced with an expression that could only be described as mournful. Then, I spoke slowly, my voice purposefully low and cold, crafted to fool her.
"I'm sorry, Lucy..."
Her lips curled into a gentle smile behind that mysterious blue blindfold. Despite the blindness, she always seemed to see through everything.
"Good. It seems you've finally made your decision," she said softly, her voice calm and understanding, but tinged with something more—perhaps sadness?
She stepped forward, her footsteps soundless as she approached. Then she explained in a tone void of emotion, like she was reciting a ritual.
"You need to obtain at least one of her belongings. Just one. And only one life can be sacrificed."
And with that, she vanished again, like a shadow at sunset. The white staff by my side said nothing. It remained still and silent, as if agreeing with her, as if convinced that I had already chosen.
I looked up at the ceiling in silence.
I should enjoy my time for the next week... No. Not enjoy.
Train.
I needed to get stronger—faster.
I let out another sigh and sat down cross-legged, closing my eyes as I began to comprehend my spells. Slowly but surely, their depth unfolded before me, layer by layer. Throughout the night, every Spell I had learned, became more refined—more efficient.
The Exorcist Form... it was finally complete. I had achieved perfect comprehension.
With this form, my Power will be 6x Stronger
Morning came quietly. Golden sunlight streamed into the room. As I sat immersed in the flow of mana, my focus absolute, I heard rapid footsteps. Then a body slammed into mine with a tight embrace.
"Akashi!" Lucy's voice sang as she hugged me tightly, her tall frame engulfing mine like a protective cocoon.
I smiled bitterly but kept my expression warm. Slowly, I asked, my voice soft and genuine, "Can you give me... your most important belonging? Maybe... a lucky charm you keep?"
My tone was laced with sincerity and warmth—so perfectly faked that even I almost believed it.
It was a façade I had practiced over the sleepless night. The black lines around my eyes, now well-hidden beneath the surface, were invisible to her.
It was all an act. A necessary deception.
Even as she held me tightly, her face buried into my neck, sniffing me possessively, I couldn't stop the thoughts that plagued me.
Does a million lives truly outweigh what I'm doing?
Why I'm Fated hero? Isn't a hero supposed to protect everyone?
I clenched my fists, suppressing the trembling in my hands.
Then, slowly, she pulled away and held out a small ring. Its silver surface gleamed faintly under the morning light.
"I found this when I was a child... It came in a pair. One had the image of the moon, the other of the sun. I kept them both, always."
She smiled, genuinely. It was a beautiful smile—pure and unguarded.
I looked at the ring. Hers had a golden sun etched onto it, while mine bore the soft glow of a silver moon.
I smiled back—this time, not bitterly.
"Thank you," I whispered and hugged her back tightly, as if afraid to let go.
Then I leaned close, brushing my lips near her ear. "Can you help me forget everything again?" I asked in a voice that was both teasing and seductive.
She froze. She'd never heard me speak like that. It startled her—and yet, it drew her in.
Still holding me, her breath caught slightly. Her hands trembled. Something inside her warned her that this wasn't right. Something felt… off. But when she looked at my face, all she saw was warmth.
A smile spread across her lips, and then she kissed me—softly, suddenly.
And I surrendered to that kiss.
The week passed in a strange blur. A fragile illusion of peace.
Lucy stayed by my side, giving me comfort, trying to shield me from whatever weighed on my heart. We shared laughter, warmth, even moments of intimacy.
But I didn't waste time.
I pushed my body past its limits, pouring everything I had into my training. I broke through, reaching the early layer of 3-Star rank. I was already nearing the mid-layer.
I perfected nearly all of my spells. Only two remained—the legendary ones, which were my Proficiency is still 50% at best
Lucy told me I didn't need to participate in the upcoming 1st competition anymore.
Since I've already Won in the 2 Star Round which mean she won the first Round
She invited me to watch the competition anyway, hoping we could enjoy it together.
But I shook my head.
She insisted, but I remained firm. My tone was final.
She sighed, clearly disappointed, but accepted it in the end. Before leaving, she kissed me on the cheek. After she was gone, I touched the spot where her lips had brushed my skin, and I smiled bitterly.
Night came.
And so did Izumi.
She appeared without warning, standing in front of me. She smiled as she saw the ring on my finger, her blindfold shifting slightly as if she were staring at it.
"Good. It's good that you've already made your choice," she said, her voice filled with warmth for the first time.
I nodded, cold and unreadable.
I still didn't know if she was truly the enemy. Maybe she wasn't. Maybe she, too, was simply playing a part in a tragedy written long before us.
She gave me a choice—one final choice.
The real enemy wasn't her. It was the Emotions.
Suddenly, everything changed.
We were teleported again—to the site of the prophecy. The ancient ruins. A desolate place haunted by fate.
In the center, a vast pit yawned before us. A hole so deep and dark it felt like it could swallow the world. Next to it was a large, glowing red button.
Two choices.
Press the button—and half a million lives would be lost.
Or throw the ring into the abyss—and sacrifice the one I cherished most.
Izumi stood behind me, silent now. She had said everything she needed to say.
I laughed suddenly. A hollow, bitter sound that echoed through the ruins.
Izumi flinched. She didn't expect that.
I walked toward the hole. Step by step. The ring tight on my finger.
"Stop...!" she shouted. Her voice trembled.
Even without eyes, her expression turned to panic.
"NO! DON'T TELL ME—STOP!!"Before she could restrict me on moving
it was already too late.
I stepped off the edge.
And fell.
Into the darkness.
A single sacrifice. That was the rule.
Lucy would live.
The ring would be along with me for my Lucky Charm it was a Gamble but atleast
the millions of Lives... would survive.
[Anyway would love y'all Opinion so Far TvT]