Chapter 43: Distorted Happy Ending

Chapter 43: Distorted Happy Ending

Ah.

With a short exhale, Aria spoke. Though brief, her voice carried intense emotions.

Didnt most of the souls go into rest?

Knowing that she was already caught, Aria asked, her lips tightly pressed together, and I calmly nodded.

Yes.

A short answer sufficed.

Right now, I needed to gauge how much Aria, who had already entered the second round, knew about me.

I wasnt discovered by the living, but the deceased caught me.

It was Arias oversight not to realize that they could still see her even if she couldnt see them.

Thinking back, its obvious. I must have been too excited about seeing you, Professor.

Aria admitted her foolishness with a sheepish smile. I approached her and waved my hand, which sparkled with blue mana.

[Kyaaa!]

[Deius ugh!]

Too noisy.

The evil spirits fled back to the academy building at my gesture. Their clamor had made it difficult to continue the conversation.

Huh, the professor is still the same.

Arias eyes, slightly hazy with ecstasy, looked up at me. Her gaze was somewhat uncomfortable, but I endured it and asked.

Why did you reawaken the spirits resting in the academy? Did you use the Spirit stone?

Wow! You already knew about the Stone stone? Actually, the precise name is Lemegeton.

Aria took out a small black gem from her bosom.

It was the unique item, Spirit Stone, which I had seen in the game multiple times. It was one of the forbidden artifacts that terrified the Griffin Kingdom and was dangerous enough that only high-ranking nobles and royalty knew of its existence.

The high-ranking people would be trembling in fear, but it wasnt such a terrifying thing from the beginning. Its the stone a child received when they called forth a demon, saying they wanted to see their deceased mother.

With a chuckle, Aria grabbed my wrist. She was so fast that I couldnt even react.

Here you go.

And then, she carefully placed the item on my palm.

I was waiting to see when I could give it to you without being too obvious, but since youve already figured it out, I can give it to you without hesitation.

You mean youre giving this to me?

Yes, with this, youll become several times stronger than you are now.

.

The energy emanating from the palm was formidable, and it felt unusual. It was not a simple in-game stat increase or additional effects, but a strange energy that could only be sensed, not seen.

I have so many other things I want to give you, but Ill get them for you later! There are many surprising items youll be amazed by.

Smiling happily, Aria said as she looked at me, and I furrowed my eyebrows and asked.

Lets get back to the topic. Why did you terrorize the academy?

Oh, right! Its the same reason I gave you Spirit stone. I want you to become much stronger than you are now.

Her black eyes gradually lost their liveliness, resembling a machine that relentlessly executes its programmed actions unless directed otherwise.

The glimmer of madness in her eyes and intensity in her words hinted at something deeper.

The grimoire of basic necromancy I obtained for you was delivered successfully, right? Actually, it was quite challenging to get it.

...

I had to steal it from a tremendously talented necromancers house to give it to you, Professor.

No wonder.

Even if he claimed to be a secretive back-alley merchant selling various items, it seemed too coincidental that he had a book related to necromancy.

So, this was Arias intention.

Yes.

Naturally.

I was relieved to learn that it was indeed the second round. I also felt I knew roughly what I wanted to say to Aria in the first round.

Uttering the elegant words of friendship and love, Aria, the protagonist, should lead the world with her exceptional leadership. However, considering her current state and the fact that this could be the only legacy I left behind, its not for me, but words meant for Aria.

Thats why.

Aria, if you have a next life. At that time...

I easily guessed what I would say and stated it.

Dont look for me.

Perhaps it was something like this.

Yes?

Arias eyes trembled again. She let go of my hand, which she had been holding tightly, and took a step back.

W-what are you saying, Professor? This joke has gone too far.

The utterance came from meIn the same voice, from the same person. It seemed to be a significant shock to Aria.

Its just a guess. If it were me, I would have made sure the second-round you didnt come near me.

W-what are you talking about? Theres no way! Professor! My Professor would never try to distance himself from me!

...

Dont say strange things. I really wanted to meet you. It was only after you sacrificed yourself for me that I understood.

Aria reached out towards me, tears welling up as if she wanted to embrace me.

You were my world, Professor. So, such words...

I pushed her away.

Aria Rias.

A pure, virtuous, beautiful girl filled with love.

You are not yourself anymore.

The protagonist who should save this world, was broken to an unbearable extent.

And it was all because of the disturbing and complicated emotions woven under the name of affection.

I-I am! Its me! This is... this is love!

...

You will understand soon, Professor! If you spend time with me...!

Stop.

I pressed my fingers against my temple, my head aching from sudden exhaustion.

Stop showing such a pitiful appearance.

Ah...

Aria seemed shocked, clenching her lips and crumpling the edge of her uniform with both hands.

Perhaps shes broken because of the sense of loss after my death.

Even though I knew Arias current state, I couldnt just stand by and watch.

Lets forget about the perfect-ending plan for now.

The most important thing now is to bring Aria back to her original nature. To witness the perfectly flawless happy ending of this game, its impossible with the current Aria.

If she continues like this, there is no reason for the second round to exist.

Because with things like this...

Even if its the second round, there wont be a happy ending waiting for everyone.

--- End of The Chapter --

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