Hidden Danger?

"Eugene, are you still in pain?"

Eugene frowned and ruffled Timber's hair.

"Stop worrying about me. I'm just tired earlier, this won't happen again."

Saying that... he's actually scared that he is still affected by the heavens and that he is still restricted despite having thought of breaking the shackles. Who wouldn't? when out of nowhere the voices inside his head started to remind him of those higher existences?

And also, what's up with these red threads floating around?

It's so bothersome to look at, especially since these threads are wrapping him and are moving in waves, floating around.

"Still, you should not move around."

Eugene sigh, Timber was probably scared when he suddenly collapsed. How could he worry Timber like this? Timber shouldn't care too much about him because that will just increase his need to take care of Timber to the point of being unable to control himself.

But strange...

In the past few days he's been thinking of dying, but now...he's actually accepting his reality and just wants to change things and live with it.

"Come to think of it, Timber why would Duke Viltaria visit the academy?"

Timber pouted, "Have you forgotten about the selection? One of the judges would be Duke Viltaria and they have meetings today."

"Really? I've forgotten."

"Really..." Timber sighed, "Anyways you need a rest, better not leave this bed for the time being since the teacher said that your eldest brother would come here."

"Brother Euric? Why?"

"I don't know, maybe about your condition."

Eugene stiffen.

He is still uncomfortable facing his eldest brother and now that he collapse, his brother would probably be worried again which he doesn't like. Making Timber and his brother Euric worried and not what he wanted, so he can't help but hated his weakness.

"I see."

Timber sat on the bedside and lean his head on Eugene's shoulder.

This made the red string floating around wrap both of them.

'What are these annoying threads?'

"Eugene I'm really worried about you. The changes in you keep me questioning everything and I always felt like I neglected you and I didn't know why suddenly I had this feeling of losing you."

"Eh?"

Eugene lowered his gaze and look at Timber's fidgeting fingers.

"I'm afraid, especially when you suddenly collapse."

Eugene bit his lips and hug Timber tightly, feeling guilty for letting Timber feel such a thing. Too bad that he couldn't explain his situation because no one would really believe that one should is capable of traveling in another dimension and that's all? in those thousands of years, he's been suffering without no one to tell his story.

And even if he did meet someone who understand him.

In the end, there is no saving.

He was still killed by the person he trusted the most.

The things that he did to others in the past are coming back to him in ten folds and now, he understands that no one rests in peace. They either curse or favor to experiencing different things.

In his case, he was cursed by the heavens, so he continue to suffer.

Such a thing...

It's just...

Too miserable.

He wanted to make Timber secure but things are going opposite his wishes.

If it's past then he is careless about others' feelings, the easiest for him. But now is different. Just one tear from Timber, and he'll be full of self-blame. With just one look from his eldest brother, he can't help but dislike himself.

He doesn't want to become a good person.

He just want to become better for those people whom he cared for.

It doesn't matter to him what others think. They can hurt him and everything but once they step on someone he cared for, whether it's his brother or Timber, then he can go back to his past self and kill those people..only to protect them.

What redemption? He won't care for all he cares.

And might even battle with heaven just to stay in this world.

"I'm sorry, I make you worried again."

"Eugene, you really can't tell me your problem?"

Eugene close his eyes and shook his head, "I'm sorry."

If only he can, but no. He must not step on the line and make Timber stand on the edge of danger because he's sure that heaven won't like it if anyone other than him had consciousness in this world.

The only way to make this world safer for Timber is to make sure that Timber's ignorance would stay, and he? His plan is to keep Timber innocent about the world's harshness.

Frowning, Eugene's attention fell on the red strings that moved.

He follow the direction and saw it coming towards the door which made him confused.

Knock...Knock...

A knock was heard and Timber raised his head to see the person and saw the school infirmary doctor entering with Euric, his friend's eldest brother, and the person he also dislike like Eullian. After all, whenever Eugene suffers he doesn't seems to see this eldest brother's role make sense. This made him even realize that his annoying stepbrother is way better than this man so whenever Euric is around, he would keep sticking to Eugene, interrupting Euric's upbraiding.

Timber: Another annoying person hmp.

Eugene didn't see the dislike in Timber's wrinkled face because his attention was caught by the red string that wrapped his eldest brother's body while slowly reaching and wrapping him.

Now, three persons are tied and the red strings keep dancing around.

Seemingly to tell him something.

But one thing made him sure, and that is, this red string would come to people who had a deep connection with him.

[What if your threads are entangled with so many people? that become the reason why you suffer? Do you still want to change it?...or accept the fact that no matter what you do, you cannot escape from the fate that was bestowed upon you.]

What would you desire?

"Ngh."

Eugene hiss when a sudden headache struck him.

"Eugene!"

Broth Timber and Euric panic when Eugene show a painful expression.

The infirmary doctor [healer] who saw it immediately come forward to touch Eugene's head and tried to cast magic but to his surprise, he was repelled.

The infirmary doctor was shocked and immediately backed away.

"This is..."

Eugene hardly opened his eyes and look at the doctor with sharp eyes.

"No need!"

Timber is doubtful while Euric is confused about what happened. However, Eugene who is aware that this person is trying to alter his memories couldn't help but feel threatened. The doctor is the same infirmary doctor just like in the past, but this is the first time he became suspicious of this healer magician, especially when an electric shock makes the other person back away.

Though the shock was not caused by him...

He knew one reason why this doctor was repelled.

The heaven that keeps burdening him mentally would reject any outside forces to make him feel peace. And the infirmary doctor who wanted to alter his memory in disguise of healing him unconsciously collided with the forces of the heavens, thus warning was made.

But this warning is just known to him.

After all, if his memories were erased then the previous warning from the heavens would also be forgotten by him.

He didn't expect that this kind of thing would make him find clues about the hidden danger around him. Eugene had no idea who ordered the infirmary doctor to touch his memories but it wasn't a wise move in this life, because now he knew who to keep his eye on to find out everything and solve the mystery that he left in the past after dying.

So to not be suspicious...

He must...

"I'm sorry Doctor, my mana is probably unstable so it affected you."

The infirmary doctor is sweating but sighs when he heard what Eugene said before letting out a fake laugh.

"Hahaha. It's fine, It's normal to reject other's magic with your condition."

Keep it normal.

Smiling, Eugene secretly clenches his fist, preventing himself to punch this stupid old man's face.

"It looks, painful. Eugene how about you wear this?"

Euric suddenly remembers the jewel that Duke Viltaria gave him. He doesn't want to give it to Eugene because he's afraid that his little brother won't be able to use magic again but now, seeing Eugene's painful expression, his heart shook, and could only choose to trust the aid of the restraining magic tool.

After all, Duke Viltaria is the strongest magician on the continent, it's their family's honor to be given such a gift from the duke himself.

"Brother, this is?"

"It's a magic tool to keep your mana stable."

Eugene stare at the ring on his hand and couldn't help but get attracted.

The jewel's color looked exactly like his eyes and it was shining so brightly. this kind of gem is not rare but its beauty is enough to make it look so expensive.

"It's so pretty."

Euric smiled, "You like it? It's good because you need to wear it every time as you won't be able to take it off once wearing so it could restrain your mana from running havoc."

Eugene nodded in understanding.

He doesn't really care about his magic now that he's unstable as long as he can still use healing and teleportation in the future. Besides the amount of mana he can feel from the jewel is not that much and he doesn't sense anything strange at all so he was assured that nothing is wrong with this magic tool.

"Did brother thank the duke for me?"

Euric patted his little brother's head.

"Yes. Also, we can't tell father that duke Viltaria gives you these."

Huh?

Eugene looks confused but still agrees. it's not like his father has time to talk to him. Even looking is unbearable so talking to each other? I'm afraid it's not possible. It surely can but not a peaceful talk.

We all know that there is no such thing as peace in that household.

Wearing the ring...

His eyes widen when the red strings around disappeared, and couldn't help but draw the ring off again but he couldn't pull it out.

He frowns but didn't bother to keep pulling lest he hurt his finger.

"Timber, I already feel better, this ring is so amazing!."

Timber laugh, "Really? That's good! I want to thank his excellency for giving you such a treasure!"

The infirmary doctor stares at Eugene silently before sighing. Now that his mission is done, though he didn't manage to manipulate the young man's memories just like what was ordered, at least the ring is now finally worn by its rightful owner.

"The duke care so much about Marquis Shradinza's son."

"Well, I don't think I'm still qualified."

"Is it about the young master's potential?"

"No, it's just a matter of identity."

"Since this student is finally recovered, you can stay and leave as you want. I still need to make reports so I'll be leaving. If you feel something feel free to go back and consult with me."

Euric nodded, "Thank you, doctor."

Eugene didn't speak while Timber sincerely thank the doctor and keep repeating the line of wanting to thank the duke if time would allow him. This makes Eugene helpless and just held Timber's hand all the time making Euric frown.

He thinks that his little brother is too attached to Timber which is not good.

"Brother, are you leaving now?"

"No, I'll take care of you, you still need to rest. You don't need to take class tomorrow. I will ask your advisor for leave."

Eugene grinned.

"Thank you, brother."

Timber pouted, "I won't attend class too."

Euric let out a stern look and said to Timber, "Kids should continue to learn."

Timber got angry, "Who did you call a kid?!"

Ready to pounce on Euric, Eugene hugs Timber's body while laughing.

Euric: "Kids that are so lively are so annoying."

Timber: "Shut up old man!"

Euric: !!!

Leaning, Euric pinched Timber's ear with his lips twitching.

"Who are you calling an old man?"

"Aw, Aw, Aw. Let go! Let go of my ears!"

Eugene watches Timber and his brother mess around and talk back to each other and couldn't help but laugh out loud making the two stop and look at him with tenderness and helplessness.

Euric: "Eugene, you can't keep playing with a fool."

Timber: "Eugene, I think you also need to change your eldest brother."

Euric/Timber: *throw daggers at each other.

Euric/Timber: What did you just say?!

Eugene peeked at the two who stare at each other and couldn't help but cover his eyes with his palm while saying, "I heard two people who argue a lot would end up being married to each other."

Timber and Euric froze and look at Eugene who is peeking at them with one eye visible through his fingers.

Euric/Timber: Marry who?!

Euric: I won't marry a fool person!

Timber: I won't marry an ugly person!

Timber: I'm a fool?!

Euric: You just said I'm ugly?!

Eugene sigh but the playfulness in his eyes can't cover his enjoyment upon seeing the two argue.

This scene, it's not new.