Chapter Forty-Six

IF MY SUSPICIONS ARE CORRECT, WHY DID BOB STEAL MY MAGIC BUT lend it back to me when I was about to die? This his conscience got heavy? Was it all part of a big plan? Was he the mastermind or just another pawn?

There are so many questions, for Mikla's sake. It makes my head hurt like hell.

First things first, let's think about what I can do now. I can't find Bob now, but I can deal with the mess I created by using magic in the snake. I removed Kallisto from the belt on my hip and sliced the snake into dozens of pieces, which was an easy task now that it was frozen.

Then I used Des, one of my twin long daggers on my tights, to cut a piece of my shirt to whip the blood from Kallisto. Otherwise, it would be strange if someone were to see my sword tainted with black blood like this. And I also cleaned the arrow I used to kill the beast.

Hiding the piece of tissue under one of the many bushes around the trees.

But it wasn't long until I was lost in my thoughts again.

If Bob and the person who sent me back here are both the same... Does that not mean Bob also had time magic at his disposal, which is even rarer than seeing a human with wings (again, obviously impossible)? Well, I'm not complaining.

Ultimately, it was the Goddess who gave me another chance, and it was the time magic wielder who allowed me to return to retaliate. Or maybe Bob and the time magic wielder were working together?

Also, if the last was the case, the time magic-user could pretty damn much be Stradivarius K'hir, the Legendary Mage of the Archipelago K'hir. He is the only person known to have this rare type of magic. Which makes him a human touched and blessed by Goddess Mikla!

The only human in the history of our race, to have such magic.

And the only magic rarer than time is that of darkness. Usually called shadow magic too. The magic of chaos. No one was ever heard to be able to have this. This is good because we know nothing about it. It could potentially bring the destruction of the Padaman sphere.

Which we don't want it.

In the case where Stradivarius was indeed related to what happened to me, why would a guy like him be bothering to do this for me?

Damn, I wish someone who knows about this could help me with it. I'm not the type to like others helping me out with my problems, but this is bigger than me. I would gladly accept help. But it's not like I can't trust anyone with this information.

How the heck would they act if they know I'm from the future? That I know how many of them could possibly die. The fact that the Padaman sphere might get soaked in the blood of innocents killed in a future war... How troublesome.

They would likely lock me up and never let me see the sunlight again, worried that I would cause panic among the peasants. Probably freak out thinking it's another proof that I'm the bringer of destruction. Blah blah blah, all that shit I can predict.

Not worthy.

I headed to where I left Moondust, still trying to understand what the heck was happening to me and how. After petting Moondust's head, I sat over her. With the bow crossed over my chest and the arrows on my back.

Now, where does the owner of the ruby-red eyes fit in all of this? Theo...

If my suspicions prove correct, and he IS the executioner, could he be the one who did all of this to me and for me? Could he be Bob? But if not, how can he be related to Bob?

The way the executioner acted wasn't evil. Rather than that, he seemed sad because of my death. Why? Why was he like that? Why did he Goddess-damn apologized?

I can't stop thinking about it. Fuck.

Yes, I know I should be thankful. And believe me, I am. But sooner than anyone, I had to learn the hard way that everything people do is because they have a reason behind it. Thoughtless kindness does not exist. And I am the type to overthink things.

So, I can't stop trying to figure out why were they so good to me, bothering to give me a second chance? What did I do to deserve that? What exactly did they see in me?

Is there a possibility of Theo and the executioner not being the same person?

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to organize all the conflicting thoughts in my head. I passed my fingers through my hair, messing with the braids. Not being able to vent my frustration.

And if Theo and that guy who beheaded me are the same people... Even though I was planning to stay away from Theo, if they are the same, I'll have to find a way to contact him! To know more about him. I'll get the information I need, even if I need to contact the Information Guild.

Nodding to myself, I stared at Moondust, who was just waiting for me, to start heading back.

But the probability of that happening is too low. I mean... Of Theo and Bob being one. Because Theo is probably three to four years older than me. If he's the one responsible for stealing my magic powers, he would have done that when he was seven or eight years old, and I don't believe in that at all.

Still, I can't shake off the feeling that he is somewhat connected with all this. Either to the person who sent me back or to Bob. The connection I felt as if I was being pulled towards him must mean something. Especially when it was the same strange attraction I felt towards the executioner.

It can't be a coincidence. Not when they have the same eyes.

But what doesn't sit well with me is that, if it was Theo, why would he apologize and look so sad like that? I don't remember ever meeting a guy with ruby-red eyes in my past life. I'm sure of it. So, why...?

Ugh! Overthinking is definitely going to drive me mad.

Now, I must keep this a secret from everyone and not tell even Kate. No one must know about this! Nor about the boy, nor the fact that I'm not from this time. I need to learn how to control this magic while also being extra careful when using it.

To be honest, my biggest concern at this moment is how am I possibly going to hide my magic from Valerian. Either way, I trust him with my life, but I'm only going to tell him if I don't have any other option.

And after looking around me to confirm that I was alone, I headed back to Greenhall Castle before they started noticing that I am not there, "Let's go, Moondust!" She neighed in agreement, and we went on our way.