23 Twenty-three stories, Revenge Ghost.

"Elysia, we need to talk"

The day before the joint exercise.

After school, I spoke to Elisia after the Executive Committee was over and about to go home to her student dorm.

"What? I'm busy, though. Or maybe you were willing to deal with a special training opponent?

"I don't deal with special training. I just want to talk to you about what Elysia is going to do in tomorrow's joint exercise."

When I said that, Elicia looked at me with surprise.

"... even if they say what they're trying to do. Tomorrow, we usually just do the committee's work."

"There's more."

I don't know what you're talking about.

Elysia tells with the usual look.

I called out to her again, turning her heel back and trying to walk away.

"Elysia-Esperand (...)"

In that name, she stops.

"Say it again. I want to talk."

"... I'll change places."

That's what I said. The place Elisia headed was in the courtyard. It's where I talked to Elicia a few days ago about the need for revenge.

Elysia opens her mouth just as she sat on the bench last time.

"How do you know me?"

"I have an informant I know."

"You finally stopped hiding your suspicions."

Elicia stared at me, and I lost my sight.

I have trouble being pursued about that source... but right now, I don't want to talk about that.

"The purpose is to avenge Roberto-Tergande."

"... yes"

Surprisingly, Elisia admitted it softly.

"... When Zeke took the duel, did he endorse it because he had feelings as the same avenger"

"Yes."

I remember that time. Elisia changed her attitude as soon as Sieg used the word "revenge". I thought Elisia agreed to that duel to make sure I was strong, but I wasn't. It was a simpler, year-to-year emotional reason.

Abort the plan.

In short, I tell you.

"What you're about to do now is ruinous revenge. Even if you succeed, you can't survive after that. The Knights of Zhenghong or the group that admires Roberto will kill you after you've been scattered."

"It's not a lot of talk. You know nothing of my plan."

"I would be willing to assassinate you during a joint exercise. I also ran for Executive Committee to get a little closer to Roberto that day."

Elysia shut up. Looks like a picture star.

Most importantly, it's easy to deduce from her behavior these days.

"I don't know what the exact plan is... but I guess the truth is that even myself, I realize I'm unprepared? So it was just a matter of time ago, and you asked me to be your special training partner.... Now that I've specially trained, nothing is going to change. You just wanted to distract yourself from the uncertainty of the day - that is, from anxiety."

In other words, it is a reality escape.

If you are confident that you will succeed in your plan, you will not escape reality.

"... you have no choice. Such a one-of-a-kind opportunity will never come again. Roberto basically doesn't leave the Duke's territory, and he's the kind of cautious guy who always puts his escort aside. I rarely get a chance for a man like that to show up in front of the masses.... Even I really wanted to come to revenge after gaining strength in school. At the very least, I wanted to be strong enough to fight the Knights of Phosphorus against each other."

"Mutually with the Knights of Zhenghong, huh?... By the way, it took years to figure it out."

"A year."

I can't hide my surprise in response to the boulder. I lost my voice and was flabbergasted.

In just one year, were you going to be strong enough to fight the Knights of Zheng Phosphorus against each other?

As far as I could make it, there was a point. That makes sense and stoic.

"Enrollment, it's only been a month. Shortening a year to a month is impossible for a boulder."

"I can't, but I have to. Worst of all, even if I'm going to die."

"I told you before. There's nothing left in that way later."

"I'm not willing to leave anything behind.... I remember everything you told me. Still, I'm not going to be able to enjoy this emotion."

Elisia squeezes her fist hard so that she can indulge in hatred.

But be not consumed by its power.

"It's not always easy to die. You could die tragically."

"Be prepared. I'll accept whatever it takes to get revenge."

"What happens to those left behind? What about Mize? What about Gran? I'd be sad to hear that Elisia's dead."

"That's us, it's only been a month since we met. You'll soon forget about me."

"... are you serious?

Do you seriously think those two are the kind of people who rate their friends in the days since we met?

There's no way. Elicia knows about those two personalities, too.

I regretted it now.

I should have tried to convince you before when we had a conversation about revenge.

In the last few days, Elisia has consolidated her determination to avenge herself. The vengeance, at the earliest, is so burning that not even Elisia herself can control it.

"It's not like we're leaving family or lovers behind. I will not stop for that reason. Or..."

Elysia's approaching me.

- Will you be my lover?

At a distance where each other's noses touch each other, Elysia said.

In front of me, I have Elysia's warped eyes. Feeling the hatred in there, I answered.

"So if Elicia will stop,"

each other, slowly bringing their faces closer together and mouthing them.

Me and Elysia, we're not closing our eyes.

Elysia slowly let go of her face as she let her lips touch each other for about thirty seconds.

"That's your attitude toward your lover?

"About what?"

"I can't believe I didn't show you one gap, even while I was kissing you"

"I'm nervous."

"... that's what I'm gonna do for you"

Elysia leaves with regret.

- When I showed the gap, I was definitely under attack.

I'm the one who wants to know if that's how you behave towards your lover.

"Bye, Too Eight. See you tomorrow."

That's what I say, Elicia turns back on her heels.

But before I walked away, I said it without turning around here.

"If possible, don't stop"

One last word of that, Elisia left the courtyard.

"... I can't stop, so I'm in trouble."

I shrug in a sigh of sight after I completely lost sight of Elisia.

I talked and understood. I can't stop her. No, probably no human being in the whole world can stop Elysia.

We can seal the motion forcefully, but that's only a temporary solution. That hatred won't go away until Roberto dies.

"Can't help it, can you?"

Oh - I can't help it.

I felt heavy and I put my hand in my pocket.