◆ Avangarde Castle, Research Facility, Specimen Storage ◆
“Me…?”
“Indeed, you may possess that power.”
Sage Hast spoke again with a voice full of confidence, despite the uncertainty of his words. Kurinka, looking bewildered, had no idea how to respond to such a sudden declaration.
“Thanks to your healing magic, I have returned to my prime in terms of magic. I won’t be shortening my lifespan with magic for a while now.”
“N-No way. I can’t possibly have such power…”
“If my predictions are correct, you likely possess the ‘Power of Regeneration.’ It may only manifest once every few hundred… or even thousand years. I cannot say what kind of talent or trait it is, but there are those born with extraordinary abilities.”
As he gazed at the damp wall, Hast took a deep breath. The flickering light cast an eerie shadow on his face.
“That Hero lineage also possessed such power. That is why they are heroes; conversely, they are seen as heretics. They bore a fate and an end due to the extraordinary powers they held, which ordinary people do not. A hero with the power of ‘Courage’ never succumbed to any formidable foe. The strength that overflowed from them was indeed the power to stand against anything, perhaps born from completely overcoming fear.”
“But I’m not that remarkable of a person.”
“Well, that’s just my speculation. But tell me, is it wise to limit your own potential?”
Kurinka was inherently shy and not overly confident. She had changed quite a bit since traveling with me, but I believed her core remained the same. I sometimes realized I was still a child myself, and growth was a challenging endeavor. Yet, as Sage Hast said, if you think you can’t do something, then you won’t be able to do it. I had come this far because I never thought I couldn’t. While my desire for revenge was undeniable, I believed that winning in spirit was not wrong.
“At the very least, you have accumulated experiences beyond my imagination, haven’t you? You overcame them alongside Lua, didn’t you?”
“But how do I even use this regeneration…?”
“If you reflect on your past experiences, the answer should reveal itself. That’s all I can say. The rest is up to you to decide.”
What should I say in a moment like this? Telling Kurinka she could do it felt a bit irresponsible. But what else was there to say?
“Lua-chan, what should I do…?”
“Just give it a try. Even if it doesn’t work, no one will blame you, Kurinka.”
“Really…?”
“I have a hunch that the purification you performed on the undead in the Ghost Ship and the Demon Lord Castle’s underground was due to that power.”
“But that was because Exorcism is a magic that does that…”
“I’m not well-versed in magic, but is it possible for someone who has fallen to the undead to return to being human and express their gratitude?”
“Exorcism is merely a spell to eradicate the unclean. I had no idea such an intriguing phenomenon was occurring…”
I appreciated Hast’s support. Even though Kurinka had grown, she was still a shy child who had always looked down. She must have been thinking about how she would feel if she couldn’t restore them and, worst of all, if she caused someone to die. So, I wouldn’t say something as irresponsible as “You can do it.” That would only add pressure.
“I’ll give it a try.”
“Kurinka…!”
In this dark space, a glimmer shone in Kurinka’s resolute eyes. She gripped the Staff of Scorching Tales and approached the iron bars. I could only imagine what thoughts were racing through her mind as she gazed at the writhing black monster within. Those people had been suffering in this place for over ten years. The strong will and pressure of possibly being able to save them filled Kurinka.
“Lua-chan, can you break this wall? I might need to get closer.”
“Sure, if they attack, I’ll handle it.”
“Thank you, I’m counting on you.”
She gently struck the wall with her fist, as if knocking on a door. She paid careful attention to ensure the debris wouldn’t hit the monster. After creating just enough space for a person to pass through, Kurinka slipped through.
“…Angel Heal.”
The high-level healing magic I had seen countless times was quietly unleashed. I had heard that even among priests, the healing effects of this spell were worlds apart. While it could heal wounds, it often left lingering aftereffects. Yet, Kurinka’s Angel Heal could completely heal even the gravest injuries. It had fully healed Tiferia’s shoulder, which I had wounded. If the Power of Regeneration that Hast spoke of was indeed at work here, perhaps something miraculous could happen.
A soft light enveloped the monster. Startled by the sudden brightness, the creature shuddered before becoming still. For a while, there was no change in its body.
“Hast-sama…”
“Silence and watch.”
As the light intensified, the black monster’s skin began to change color, becoming clearer against the now-visible wall. Its prickly, hardened exterior softened, and it started to regain its original form from its fingertips and toes. The claws shrank, and its limbs returned to a normal skin tone.
“W-What is this?”
“Calm down; we may still be in the early stages.”
I was so captivated that I forgot to blink. I didn’t want to miss this miraculous moment, no matter how brief it might be. The muscular chest of a human emerged, and the remaining features began to shape into recognizable human traits—eyes, brows, and jawline. By the time Kurinka exhaled and relaxed her strength, the monster was nowhere to be found.
The dark hair, thick brows—how could I forget? This was Uncle Bongo, who lived next door. He was close with my father and often came over to drink together. I remembered feeling bored, listening to their adult conversations that I didn’t quite understand. Eventually, I would fall asleep, only to wake up in the morning. My mother would always carry me back to bed during those times.
Amidst the vividly resurfacing memories, I thought of my father and mother. Even though I had cried earlier, tears threatened to spill again.
“Uncle… Uncle!”
“He may be weak from the ordeal…”
“Ugh, mmm…”
Like someone waking from a drunken stupor, Uncle Bongo slowly opened his eyes. He turned over as if to look at the ceiling, appearing dazed and confused.
“…Where am I? And who are you?”
“Um, first, please calm down and listen. Do you remember what happened last in Ikana Village?”
“Ikana Village… Ah, that’s the village I live in. Wait… why am I here? I was definitely in the village… hmm?”
He pressed his head as if suffering from a headache, lost in thought. He seemed to be waking up in a daze. It seemed he had no memory of what had happened. If that was the case, he might not remember us either. No, wait a moment. It wasn’t just that he didn’t remember; I was overlooking something crucial.
“That’s right, an assassin from the kingdom came to the village to kill us. We tried to protect the village… but I can’t remember anything after that. What on earth happened? Who are you?”
“Allow me to introduce myself; I am Sage Hast. You must have heard of the Sage of the Wizard Kingdom at least once.”
“Sage Hast… His reputation and writings have reached even a remote place like Ikana Village. I never expected to meet you.”
“I will explain what happened to you later. Kurinka, can you assist the others?”
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
“Kurinka… Now that I think about it, there was a child with the same name in my village…”
It’s not just the same name; it’s the same child. I thought about saying that, but it might only confuse him. I understood Hast’s intention in stopping me from introducing myself to Uncle Bongo.
I desperately suppressed the urge to say something. Uncle Bongo, while staring intently at Kurinka’s mysterious light, kept glancing at me. Inside him was only the five-year-old version of me, so if I said I was Lua, the girl who lived next door, he probably wouldn’t believe me right away.
Then it hit me. The same could be said for my father and mother. Even if they returned to their original selves, they might not recognize me. The thought of being treated like a stranger by the two people I loved so dearly made anxiety swirl in my chest. My heart raced, and I had almost forgotten about Kurinka, who was still struggling.
“W-What is this place…?”
Everyone reacted the same way as Uncle Bongo. As more people returned to their original forms, the villagers began to check on each other. Thanks to Hast introducing himself, the confusion was somewhat alleviated, but no one here seemed to understand what was happening to us yet.
Once again, I looked at Kurinka. I had already broken down all the walls; only four people remained. What if these four weren’t our parents?
“Ugh…”
“Kurinka!”
“I’m okay. I’m still holding on.”
“I’m providing support with recovery magic, but don’t push yourself too hard. It might be better to take a little break,” Hast said, his voice filled with concern.
“I can do this, so please let me continue,” Kurinka insisted, determination shining in her eyes.
“I see…”
There was no way she could be fine, especially when she was on the verge of collapsing. The exhaustion was far greater than I had anticipated. Should I really let her keep going like this? Since Kurinka is so important to me, maybe it would be best to let her rest for a moment. I felt a wave of frustration at my inability to use recovery magic. I realized I wasn’t particularly skilled. The number of skills and spells I could use was limited, and when it came to capability, the Five Elites and Tiferia were far superior. Their versatility was mesmerizing. If only I had that kind of talent, I might have been able to navigate the Abyss Cave with ease. But regretting it now wouldn’t change anything.
“Kurinka…?”
“Dad…?”
“No, I must be mistaken… I’m sorry. My daughter is only five years old… But you look so much like her.”
“I’m Kurinka!”
A murmur spread through the crowd. To my surprise, two of the four people were Kurinka’s parents. Kurinka’s father was bewildered as she hugged him tightly, while her mother seemed at a loss for words, merely comparing the two of them.
“What on earth is going on?”
“I-I’m sorry! I was just so happy… Could you wait a moment?”
“Uh, sure…”
She seemed embarrassed for getting carried away in her joy. I could tell she was trying to be considerate of me. If I were in Kurinka’s position, I wasn’t sure I could have done the same. She quickly went back to the last two people. The sweat trickling down her forehead was a clear sign of her exhaustion. I felt like a selfish person. I couldn’t fully rejoice in Kurinka’s reunion, yet I didn’t stop her from pushing herself. I was taking advantage of her kindness. I wanted to tell her, even just once, that it would be better to rest. But just a little longer…
“Kurinka…”
“Be quiet. Just a bit more…”
She might not know how to respond to my concern. But I could see her determination; no matter what I said, she wouldn’t stop. Behind her, Lord Hast was gradually explaining the unusual situation to the villagers, managing to convince them despite the bizarre circumstances. Some among them had faint memories, which helped ease the confusion.
“I see, we couldn’t control our power, and that’s why we…”
“What happened to the village? How much time has passed since then?”
“All the children are here. No, we’re missing two. That’s right, the Juke couple’s daughter!”
“Pamela, is your child here?!”
“Kurinka is… um…”
It seemed the girl still there didn’t realize she was her daughter. And it was a sad fact that while we had all grown, we had been the same age back then. We must have played together, yet now we looked at each other like strangers. But this wasn’t just the case for the children; everyone felt the same way.
“Just a little more…”
The dazzling light enveloping the last two made me instinctively shut my eyes. There was a sound like something bursting, and the space darkened for a moment. Forcing my eyes open to confirm, I saw Kurinka lying there.
“Is she… is she okay?! Lord Hast! Kurinka! Kurinka—!”
“Calm down. She just overexerted herself; she needs to rest for a while,” he reassured me.
Seeing the beads of sweat cascading down her face filled me with guilt. She had pushed herself so hard, and I had merely stood by. In moments like this, I felt utterly powerless, lacking the vast magic and knowledge that Lord Hast and Yuyu possessed. All I could do was defeat monsters. It was a familiar feeling of helplessness since the Abyss Cave.
“Kurinka… I’m sorry.”
“Rua… are you there?”
The two figures released from Kurinka’s light slowly rose. That deep, calm voice reached my ears after ten long years. In that instant, an indescribable warmth spread from the center of my being. I felt a shiver of excitement, a scene I had dreamed of for so long. There they were—my parents. They wore tattered clothes, looking as if they had just woken up, but they were undeniably there.
“Do you… do you recognize me?”
“Wait, this could be a dream. Just give me a moment. Right, Mom?”
“Y-yes…”
I didn’t have the luxury of time to spare. I leaped between them without hesitation, tears flowing so freely that I couldn’t speak.
“Dad! Mom! It’s me, Rua! You remember, right?! I’m fifteen now!”
“There were times I raised my voice and scolded you. Do you remember what those were for?”
“Um, when I dug a big hole in the garden and when I broke a plate and didn’t say anything… and…”
“Is… is Kurinka doing well?”
“W-Who’s that?”
“That girl you were closest to. Don’t you remember?”
“I don’t know anyone named Kurika! Kurinka is right here! Wait, could it be…”
“Pfft!”
They both burst into laughter, as if they had rehearsed it. Perhaps they were teasing me by mentioning Kurika. My father wasn’t one to talk much, but he would occasionally joke with me like this.
“So, are you really Kurinka…?”
“Yes, Dad. It’s been ten years…”
Kurinka, who had been lying down, sat up to talk with her parents. It seemed she could no longer afford to rest, just as I was too excited to see my father and mother.
“Is that Rua-chan over there? You’ve grown so much!”
“A lot has happened since then. We escaped from the village… Rua even took ten years to conquer the Abyss Cave!”
“I-Is that true?!”
My mother only knew the old me, so she must have found it hard to believe. Finally, with Uncle Bongo and the others, they were starting to believe we were Rua and Kurinka. They surrounded us, bombarding us with questions.
“Rua?! No way! You haven’t grown any bigger up top!”
“But Kurinka has filled out nicely, right?”
“So, is this the real deal?”
Despite the long-awaited reunion, I had to suppress the urge to lightly smack the kids on the head. The size of my chest didn’t matter, but it was infuriating.
“I have many questions, but… you are undoubtedly Rua, right?”
“Absolutely!”
“Rua… I’m sorry. It’s because of our inadequacies…”
“Why would you say something like that… ugh…”
In front of the crowd of villagers, I finally broke down in tears. At that moment, I couldn’t contain my emotions any longer. I wanted to savor the reality that this wasn’t just an illusion from Mist Village; it was undeniably real. Because I had finally met them. I had thought they were long gone, and now it felt as if my parents had come back to life. There was nothing else that could bring me such joy.
“Rua, you’ve grown up…”
My father’s rough hand, familiar after ten years, touched my head. Just like he had done with five-year-old me, he gently patted me. His clumsy affection only made my tears flow even more.
◆ Shin Report ◆
I wanted to write something, but I can’t write at all.
Because the report is soaked with tears,
And strange marks won’t stop flowing from my eyes.
My heart feels like it’s being squeezed tightly.
There’s no way I can write like this.
I’ll just leave it here for now.