"Ah...!"
Before Hugo knew it, the selection process had finished for everyone except those at the very back of the line.
Dogma, holding the Flame of Judgment, extended it toward the dazed Hugo. "Please, step forward for your screening. In front of all those who look up to you... prove that you are not a reincarnator."
"Ugh...!"
Hugo stared at the lantern and stifled a breath as he imagined taking it in his hand. If he touched that flame, his true identity would be exposed. His lies would be brought to light right in front of his partner, Ryuga, his friends like Melt, and his beloved younger brother, Fee.
What should he do? As Hugo hesitated, unable to reach for the Flame of Judgment, Yui—who was standing just ahead of him—spoke up.
"I understand. Then, I shall go first...!"
"Hehe... how wonderful. Ladies first, then," Dogma said with a playful lilt, likely trying to ease the tension as she handed the lantern to Yui.
Though she was blind, Yui turned her face toward the Flame of Judgment as if she could sense exactly where it was. She faced the flame directly.
As the other students, the teachers, and her older brother, Ryuga, watched with bated breath, the fire inside the lantern turned green. A collective sigh of relief swept through the hall.
"...Has the suspicion against my sister been cleared now?" Ryuga asked, his gaze fixed on Dogma.
"Yes, of course," she replied with a graceful nod and a smile.
"Then... then I'll go next!" Fee added, stepping forward.
Now that Yui’s status as a native inhabitant of this world had been proven, Fee took the Flame of Judgment from her hands. Hugo watched with a racing heart as his younger brother’s hands trembled while gripping the lantern's handle. He gasped in concern, but his fears were soon put to rest.
Without incident, the green flame lit up before the assembled crowd. Fee let out a long, heavy sigh, his body sagging with relief.
"Thank goodness...! I'm just glad I didn't get caught up in some weird misunderstanding...!"
"I am truly sorry," Dogma said. "I didn't mean to put so much pressure on a young boy like you."
"N-No! Please, don't worry about it! Oh, right—Big Brother, it’s your turn. Use the magic item."
"Eh...!?"
Prompted by Dogma, Fee hurriedly offered the lantern to Hugo. Startled by the sudden pressure, Hugo froze, unable to find his voice. However, Yui stepped in to offer him a lifeline.
"Wait, Fee. Would it be alright if we let my elder brother go first?"
"Huh? Oh, sure. I don't mind, but..."
"Thank you. Here, Ryuga."
"Right. Thanks."
Fee nodded, confused by Yui's request to have Ryuga undergo the selection before Hugo. He handed the lantern back to Yui, who then passed it to Ryuga. As the flame drew everyone’s attention back to Ryuga, Fee looked at Hugo with a puzzled expression.
"What’s wrong, Big Brother? You’re acting kind of strange."
"N-No, it’s just..."
Fee had clearly noticed his brother's agitation. While the crowd watched Ryuga, the two brothers spoke quietly, tucked away from the center of attention. Seeing his brother’s worried face and anxious gaze, Hugo felt the words catch in his throat, choked by a wave of guilt.
Unable to find the right way to answer, Hugo looked away, his mind racing.
(What do I do? What can I possibly do? At this rate, everyone is going to find out that I’m not the real Hugo Clay...!)
Fee, who had adored him, respected him, and supported him until this very day, was about to learn the secret Hugo had kept hidden for so long. The thought of Ryuga, Melt, or Marcos finding out was painful enough, but the idea of Fee knowing the truth was agonizing beyond measure.
It wasn't that he hadn't felt guilty before. He had felt the weight of his deception at every major turning point. That guilt was exactly what had driven him to try and be a respectable older brother.
But now, Hugo saw his own weakness for what it was. All those efforts were just sophistry—excuses to justify the fact that he was deceiving his precious brother and his friends.
(...It’s not even a question of "what to do" anymore. The time has come to pay the price for my actions. That’s all there is to it.)
By all rights, he should have told the truth a long time ago. Choosing to live a false life as the real Hugo until this day had been his choice and his alone.
In that case, there was only one thing left to do.
"...Sorry for worrying you, Fee. But I'm okay now."
Hugo took a deep breath and looked up, meeting Fee’s eyes. He forced a smile and gave his usual thumbs-up, his tone light and casual.
"I was just a little caught off guard, that’s all. I lost my cool for a second. But I’ve finally gathered my thoughts."
"Oh, I see. That makes sense. I was pretty shocked too, and I still haven't really processed everything. It's only natural to be shaken up."
Relieved to see his brother acting like his old self again, Fee smiled. As Hugo looked at that smile, he steeled his resolve.
(...I’ll accept my judgment properly. Once the Flame of Judgment provides evidence of being a reincarnator in front of everyone, I’ll tell them the truth and apologize for everything.)