Chapter 121 (1) - A Depressed Kendo Player Possesses a Bastard Aristocrat

And so, several days passed.As I stood for a moment, basking in the warmth of spring, a season I was experiencing for the first time, I realized a week had already gone by since I arrived at the Duke's residence.

The days had flown by.

Fortunately, in that short time, I had managed to mend my strained relationships to some extent.

However, a tinge of regret lingered.

It was time for me to return to the Lishite Dukedom.

"I'll be on my way now."

I bowed politely to Raymon.

Standing before the carriage, seeing me off, Raymon wore an expression of regret.

"I wish you could stay a little longer."

"The Academy will be starting soon. It's time for me to prepare for the new semester."

"I know... If it were up to me, I'd have you stay with our Margaret. But I know that would be too much to ask."

"Lady Margaret will be fine. She's a strong girl."

"Yes, I certainly hope so."

Despite my words, I couldn't help but worry.

Margaret wasn't in her right mind.

Guilt and obsession stemming from me had taken a toll on her mental state.

I'd suggested she stay at the Lishite estate for a while, like Lucy, thinking it might be better for her to be near me.

However, she refused repeatedly.

She wanted to face others, to clear up misunderstandings...

'But she's so adamant... It wouldn't be right to force her.'

Perhaps she needed more time to prepare herself mentally.

We would meet again at the Academy once spring arrived. It was best not to rush things.

I shook off my swirling thoughts and approached the silver-haired girl, her expression stiff.

"I shall see you at the Academy, Lady Margaret."

A faint smile touched my lips.

"Until then, please take care."

Margaret said nothing, her gaze fixed on me.

Her clear, crimson eyes seemed to reflect the image of a certain black-haired boy.

Her gaze held a quiet intensity as if lost in thought.

I waited patiently for her to speak.

Finally, she parted her lips.

"...You as well."

May her life be filled with a peaceful light from now on.

Her last words scattered and faded with the gentle breeze.

As the fragments of consonants and vowels dispersed, I turned away, forcing my feet to move.

Step by step.

I boarded the carriage with measured steps.

My steps were steady, unwavering.

As if my heavy legs were light as air, I raised a hand.

"Farewell, then."

Like a spring flower blooming after a long winter, the season of snow transformed into a single seed, drifting away from the Phyler Dukedom.

.

.

.

-Rattle...

Inside the carriage, the only sound was the rhythmic clatter of wheels.

I gazed out the window at the rapidly changing scenery.

I wasn't really paying attention to the view. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts.

I tapped my fingers on my sleeve, finding comfort in the repetitive sound.

After a while, I let out a deep breath and raised my head.

"Status window."

A single command escaped my lips.

A familiar mechanical sound rang out, followed by a blue screen materializing before my eyes.

-Ding!

[The system has been restored.]

I stared at it silently.

"......"

Right, the status window.

I'd been doing my best without it.

During the past few months, while the system was dormant, so much had happened.

I'd been so busy that I barely had time to think about it. But now, as my hectic life calmed down, it had returned.

-We told you, didn't we? Someone tampered with your memories.

-Who do you think it was?

I had so many questions about it.

About my past life, about this life, I believed to be a possession, and about everything that had led me to this point.

I wanted to desperately ask if it had deceived me.

If all those words of encouragement and comfort, all those things that had kept me going for the past six months had been nothing but lies.

I wanted to ask... but...

"How have you been?"

-Ding!

[The entered question is not valid.]

Something was wrong with the system.

I'd been trying to talk to it for days, but it wasn't responding properly.

It was like its consciousness had been emptied out.

No matter what I asked, all I got were stiff, mechanical responses.

This wasn't the system I knew.

Before, it felt like a 'being' with its own personality.

Now, it felt like a lifeless 'machine'.

Maybe it was pretending.

I'd spent a whole day poking and prodding, trying to get a rise out of it, but to no avail.

It was as hollow as an empty shell.

'......How cowardly.'

How could it just disappear like this?

I'd hoped for at least an explanation.

I chuckled bitterly, fiddling with the blank blue screen.

What had just happened?

To me, the system had been a friend I could rely on.

Was I so easily disposable to it?

I felt like a discarded toy.

"I guess I... relied on you quite a bit."

I bit my lip, feeling a pang of betrayal.

But I shook my head, pushing the feeling aside.

Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I turned back to the window.

The carriage continued on its journey.

Sinking deeper into my seat, I muttered wearily,

"Well... at least the system's back, even if it's different."

It stung that the 'someone' I'd connected with beyond the screen was gone.

But the system's return was a relief.

It would undoubtedly prove useful in dealing with the incidents and accidents that would soon plague the Academy.

For now, life was peaceful.

But once the semester started, the original story would resume, bringing with it a wave of dangers.

"...Right, think positive."

I emptied my mind and closed my eyes, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over me.

I leaned back against the seat, hoping to catch a little sleep.

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