CHAPTER 66: I LOVE YOU

"Ash, I want to apologize for what happened between us."

Aimer spoke to her friend. It was uncomfortable, but she pushed herself to say it.

"Until now, I thought there was something wrong with you. But now... I think you’re actually a good person."

"Is that so? Feels strange hearing that from you, Aimer. You don’t have to apologize, hehe. I’m definitely not as good as you’ve been thinking."

Aimer leaned back against the wall, arms crossed.

"You say you were a dark priestess in your past life? A shame history didn’t preserve events from that era."

"I think that’s for the best," Ash smirked. "I wouldn’t want to find out I was a sadist spreading terror across the land."

"Well... how do I put it..." Aimer scratched her head. "Even now, if you had the chance, I think you wouldn’t pass it up."

"H-how rude! Aimer, you should be less honest. In any case, I don’t know anything about my past. Just like Atheron, I have no idea whether I was a good person or a bad one."

Aimer let out a short laugh.

"What next? What will you do?"

"I’ll seek power. Ever since I was reborn, I’ve dreamed of remembering my past. To me, it’s always been a mystery... one that until now felt untouchable."

But today, an opportunity appeared. Ash thought that with the help of the Onmyoji, she might get closer to the truth.

"Ash. Who’s your summoner?"

"Hm? That... I’ll leave unanswered. But don’t worry — this person doesn’t attend the academy."

"Then why did you bother enrolling in the academy?"

Ash fixed her with those spiraling, fiery eyes.

"What do you mean why? To study, of course! Darkness was all I knew. In this world, you can’t survive on that alone."

...

Some time later, Ash arrived alone at the quarters of one Onmyoji.

Knock-knock.

"Come in."

Ash entered.

"Ah, it’s you, our little guest-meow. Good timing, I was just about to head to my quarters."

"Don’t you live here, Lady Nishitani?"

"No—meow. The dojo is a place where warriors gather to train their abilities. On weekdays the rooms are filled with fighters—meow. So, what brings you to me—meow? I’m curious."

How fitting. Two cunning foxes meeting each other.

"Please, take me as your student. I’ll give anything to gain your power."

"Hmm. You’re that interested in me? Unfortunately, I can’t give you my power. More accurately, I can give you my knowledge. But why exactly do you want my power?"

"Well... the system of modified souls seemed interesting to me."

"Hm. Wait, aren’t you a high spirit? Ahhh, so that’s how it is—meow."

Nishitani gave her a sharp, knowing look.

"You want to regain your essence and break the summoning restriction?"

Ash smirked back. Tilting her head, she replied:

"I just want my life back. Don’t summons deserve the same kind of life as everyone else?"

"Can’t argue with that—meow."

Nishitani was wearing a robe with a slit, revealing her bare, slender legs.

"You have an interesting idea," she rose to her feet. "Very well."

From that moment, Ash became Nishitani’s student.

...

Meanwhile, Aimer stood by the window, watching the crimson sunset.

’This whole world is so much like ours. Amazing how they kept it hidden from people...’

She was captivated by the nature outside.

"This place is full of mysteries, isn’t it?" I spoke from the doorway.

"Ah, Atheron..."

"You look more beautiful than usual. May I come in?"

She smiled and nodded.

"This view... it reminded me of the days when I didn’t think about any of the things that fill my head now. I’m amazed at how much has changed lately."

She rested her head on my shoulder.

"But still, I’m glad I can live in peace, knowing all of you are alive."

"Yeah. Remember when you told me to never refuse people? At this rate, we’ll go broke in the future. I won’t be able to say ’no’ to anyone asking for money."

Aimer laughed at my joke.

"So you’re already thinking about our future? I didn’t expect that from you, Atheron."

"What? I’m just a regular guy in everyone’s eyes, protecting his little sister."

"I hope your life will be as peaceful as you imagine it. What have you decided? What does Lirael say? I imagine it’s hard for her now. She wants to find her missing family."

"Yeah. I plan to help her look for them. But first, I need to become stronger..."

My fists clenched. I remembered my fight with Saddler, who almost killed me.

"Just the thought of how powerful some beings here are drives me crazy. I want to become as strong as them. Only then will I know for sure—that I can do whatever I set my mind to."

I’d dreamed of that ever since my summoning. The Path of Mado would give me a huge push toward it.

Aimer looked at me.

’Interesting... He, too, strives for extraordinary strength. Ash, Lirael... I don’t understand where you all get this drive from...’ she thought to herself.

"Wherever you go," she told me, "I’ll always be by your side. So, Atheron, make your dream come true."

Hearing her sweet voice, I took her hands. I pulled her toward me, and we stood in the middle of the room.

"Would you grant me a dance? In that robe, you look like a dream."

Aimer blushed slightly. She laughed and nodded.

"Do you even know how to dance?"

"Me? How could a summon, only a year old, know how to dance? I’ll just copy you."

"Alright. If your heart is pure, then let your deeds reveal it."

I stepped forward, and our fingers intertwined more tightly. Aimer tilted her chin up, her eyes glimmering with something between playfulness and shyness.

We moved slowly — me following, her leading.

Her bare feet glided across the floor so smoothly it seemed she was floating. The soft, silken sway of her robe, the flick of her hand, a turn — and I could already feel her breath brushing my cheek.

I realized too late that I was lingering in each moment, instead of counting the steps.

I tried to mimic her movements: step forward, pivot, graceful half-jump. I was clumsy in places, but she laughed — softly, with that warmth that could melt any armor.

I lifted her by the waist, and she trusted me enough to stretch upward, as if reaching for the moon outside the window. For a moment, her hair shimmered in the lamplight and fanned out around her — and I almost believed I was holding not a girl, but a piece of some faraway, unreachable dream.

There was no music, but the rhythm was set by the beating of our hearts.

In that moment, there was no war, no blood, no magic. Only her gaze — pure and serene, like the breath before a kiss.

"I love you."

...

When the sun had set beyond the horizon, in one of the open corridors of the dojo, Payton was sitting quietly. His calm gaze swept over the garden and the bamboo-lined river.

His peace was broken by an uninvited guest. Me.

"So, you’ve decided to approach me after all, Atheron il Ataraxia?"

His voice was neutral, but full of perceptiveness.

"Were you expecting me?"

"I watched your fight. It wasn’t hard to guess you’d come."

I smirked. In my usual style.

"Become my mentor, Sir Payton."