Confession

Ethan looked at how skillfully she checked the gun, and Leta after ensuring that the gun was unloaded, too sat down beside him and returned the gun.

"You are truly bold, darling. What would you do if I were really someone dangerous?"

"Don't forget, I'm Mage. I would use 'mana blast' to knock you down and run away, calling for help."

"Not only bold, but also cunning. I underestimated you, darling."

"You are praising me too much."

"Still, it's true."

The atmosphere between them was getting weirder, so 'Ethan' forcefully changed the topic.

"But why have you tried to approach me in such a way?"

He was very curious about it.

"I thought you would trust my words more if I told you all of them about myself after showing my skills."

"It would be weird if I was able to trust you after you scared me in such a way first."

"Eh?!"

"So don't do it in the future."

"I understand. I won't do it if you don't like it."

She said it dejectedly.

"Hm, you can use such an interesting skill; are you perhaps a mage?"

"No, I'm not awakened if you're asking about using mana. It's just the technique I was taught at that stupid 'training camp', when I was younger. It's not required mana, though it also won't work on someone powerful."

"Can you teach me?"

"Of course. But why? It's just a weak technique for ordinary people."

"I think it will be useful."

"Alright, but I need some time to think about how to teach you."

"Okay."

Silence descended between them. 'Ethan' checked his left mana, and only slightly more than quarte was left.

"By your words, it looks like you're not very loyal to your boss."

"Why should I? It's only because of this stupid oath."

She spat out angrily. Though her behavior was different from her usual self, 'Ethan' prefers it more because she was more honest this way.

"But you know..."

She continued playfully.

"I'm thankful for it. If not for this oath, I wouldn't be able to meet you, my darling."

And before 'Ethan' was able to react, she kissed him on his cheek. After it, she stood up and went to the door.

"Good night, my darling."

"Um, good night, My Dear Leta."

At his words, Leta's eyes widened, and she giggled, covering her mouth.

"Hehe, you have become more honest, my darling."

She bowed and left, leaving dumbfounded 'Ethan' behind.

'Huh, really?...'

He continued to look at the door silently.

'Though she's quite cute, I shouldn't have such feelings... It looks like this kid's body is affecting me.'

'Ethan' sighed.

'In the future, I shouldn't control this kid's body if it isn't necessary. And...'

He took out the remaining pieces of mithril and the mana-restoring potion.

'Though the enchantment draft of this artifact isn't finished yet, I should make it.'

'Ethan' gulped down the potion.

***

It was almost midnight when Ethan regained control over his body. He looked around confusedly when sudden drowsiness attacked him. It was because of mana depletion. It would be good if he just laid down on the bed and slept, but there was one thing he wanted to know before it happened.

[Um, teacher, what happened?]

[If you are curious, just recall the memory as you did earlier.]

[Um, okay.]

It was his second time recalling, so he was able to finish it quickly.

[So Leta was a spy, and she killed Mr. Brick...]

His voice trembled at the end.

[Yes. Are you feeling guilty, perhaps?]

[Um, no...]

He wanted to deny it, but...

[It was because she was worried about me that she killed him. Because of me, Mr. Brick is now dead!]

At first, his voice was quiet, but with each word, he became louder, turning to scream at the end. He felt guilty, and he was angry at himself.

[Heh, you're really foolish.]

[I'm not foolish! I understand that it's all because of me!]

[Huu, you're dumb, not because you understand that he was killed because of you, but because you feel guilty about it.]

[Why shouldn't I feel guilty if it was because of me?! Why I'm wrong?!]

[Stop shouting; it's annoying.]

[But!]

[Shut up.]

His teacher's voice became low.

[If you want to know, I will tell you. So listen closely, without skipping words.]

The voice was scary, stopping Ethan's feverish shouting. He was only able to gulp his saliva and pay attention to his teacher's words.

[Let's say that in the alley, you didn't give control over your body to me. You might have received a severe beating, but knowing that my memories are affecting you, that wouldn't be the case. So you would struggle against those kids successfully, but only until Mr. Brick joined. He would quietly approach you, and when you least expected it, throw his rusty sword through your guts, seizing your ring at the same time.]

Ethan was able to imagine it vividly.

[After that, he would run away. And kids, seeing it, would run away too, leaving you with fallen-out guts in a pile of your blood.]

It reminded Ethan of the nightmare he saw—the moment of his teacher dying.

[At that time, you might think that you can use some potion to heal yourself. But your ring is stolen, and your only hope would be to wait for someone to come and save you. Though it won't happen, because at that time that young knight only came because he heard a gunshot, it didn't happen this time. So it would be the end of your struggle, and my soul would regain its freedom. Very good outcome, if I said it to myself. But I won't be able to fulfill my promise.]

He became silent for a moment.

[Hm, judging by how quiet you become, if such a thing really happened, it would be a nightmare for you, ain't I right?] 

[Yes.]

Said Ethan quietly.

[Heh, it's how it should be for a kid of your age. But, you know, it's not the end of a nightmare, but the beginning.]