This is the story of a magician and an elf girl.

John was flying in the air without even using his foothold on the ground. He could move in an incredible way just by stepping on the atmosphere. The power he possessed now had already surpassed the level when he first met Linnae. He had several means of movement alone, and slow walking in the air was no problem at all.

If he had meant to do that, Linnae, who was lying in his arms, would have been thrown to death long ago.

So, what exactly does my current action mean?

Why didn't you kill her? Hadn't you made up your mind?

Stop being a selfish person and make choices that are different from others.

For the future of the world, the future of others, and the future of the times.

Sacrificing your own happiness is the right thing to do.

Do you really think so?

The so-called correctness is nothing more than a statement that points out something.

Should I abandon the feelings she has for me just for an unrealistic statement?

Is this really a good thing to do? Trampling on her kindness and trampling on my own feelings.

What can you gain by doing this?

John questioned his purpose.

"……elder brother……"

"..."

"…I'm sorry…I've already…decided…not to let you suffer…anymore…but…I…"

"..."

Linnay seemed to be talking in her sleep, tightly holding John's palm, which should no longer be warm, and staring at her expression with a frown, which looked like she was sleeping and crying.

She knew that she was not a traitor who intentionally gave her body to someone like Hera.

She just wanted to see me again. If it were John, he would definitely make the same decision.

"…Silly girl…How could I blame you…I have always…always…been rewarded by you…How could I possibly hurt you now…It is you who reminded me of the importance of empathy…It is you who made me stop worrying about the sense of unfairness…It is you…who has always been by my side…that is why I have become strong…"

"..."

“There are so many people... but there is only one person like you... I... was tired of it before... I don’t want to look for you anymore... When you appeared in front of me at that time... I was very afraid that you would die because of my existence... The people I have always loved from the bottom of my heart... will all die in misfortune... So the person I wanted to protect at that time... was only you... I wanted to believe in you... I wanted to believe that you were the ‘other side of the light’ I was looking for... I wanted you to inherit the light that I once believed in...”

"..."

John, who was looking at Linnae with his sharp yet gentle eyes, had been with her for so long that naturally there were some things he didn't intend to say in front of her.

"...In the end...I was just like what Hera said...I will never be the light that illuminates this world...My eyes are looking at...a world that is always dark and chaotic...Even if I wanted to use them in the right place...I couldn't do it after all...I even sacrificed myself...During this time...you must have suffered a lot of grievances...It must be very painful...The feeling of loss is not something that everyone can bear...Even so, you still came to this step...Take the pain as a step to growth...No matter when, you are so dazzling in the eyes of others...powerful...strong...gentle..."

"..."

"...Unlike me...Your eyes can always see the glorious world, even in this world corroded by darkness...You will be the light that everyone is looking at...You have such charm and temperament...You will definitely take a different path from me...I firmly believe that you will make a different choice from me..."

"..."

In a short while, the familiar outline of the forest came into view. John, who was about to leave after arriving at his destination, gently kissed the forehead of the girl he loved.

Maybe, this is the last time.

“…So…I’m sorry…I can’t take you with me…The place I’m going to this time…is a place that life shouldn’t touch from the beginning…It will definitely be fun to take you on adventures…I think it’s a very attractive proposal from the bottom of my heart…The two of us can go around and see all kinds of things…travel around and spend every day adventuring…That used to be my dream…”

John, who couldn't let go of her hand easily, hugged her petite upper body tightly and said his final goodbye, his heart filled with reluctance.

"...Actually...if it's really possible...I really want to stay by your side forever...Linna... um..."

Finally, John had to bear it and took off the black robe that had become even more tattered because of her adventure and the dagger named Dragon Tooth Knife in the scabbard.

These two pieces of equipment were originally tailor-made for John, and in the past they could even be said to be symbols of his status as a magician and adventurer.

“I’m afraid our promise… won’t come true… maybe… this might be the last time we meet… it’s so great to finally see you again… Linna… thank you… for giving me all these wonderful things… the time I spent with you… I’m really happy from the bottom of my heart… all this time… no one has ever treated me so gently… so…”

"..."

“Wow… um… so… I’m sorry… I couldn’t keep… my promise to you… Goodbye… I love you the most… Linna…”

John, who was holding the unconscious Linnae tightly, knew very well how reluctant he was to leave her, but even so, he still made the painful choice to let her go, letting the dryads in the sea of ​​trees welcome her back. He then turned to the crescent moon that was as sharp as a ferocious smile and said, "Well... it's time to end it all... the original devil... no - the unclean thing in the Garden of Eden, the 'Satan' who was once called the great devil, your other magic eye, for the future of this world... for the future of mankind... for her future, I will accept it this time without hesitation."

The black irises were illuminated by the indigo light under the magician's overflowing determination, and the pioneer who explored the intellect once again took a risky step to explore the unknown secrets of this world - the hero who mastered all intellect stepped into the darkness.

"...Resurrected... Even killed that hateful goddess... You're quite capable... As expected of a human who stole my eyes - but this time it won't be as easy as last time, come on..."

"Intellectual pioneers, you are betting on human dignity, glory, history, and the achievements of all intellectual life forms. I will respond with your darkness. Struggle, taste despair, and then disappear like dust in the endless darkness. I will wait and see whether you can turn into the same light as you did then and drive away this darkness."

The existence whispering in the darkness seemed to have sensed the crisis it was about to face and bared its ferocious sharp fangs. The battle between darkness and light was about to begin in the near future, and the overlapping reflections of the two people diverged again.