"Is that... Origin Magic?"
Ray, Evi, Elisa, and Clarice—the four of us were watching the semi-finals. Amelia’s match was already over, but the next round was Ariane versus Albert, so we stayed in our seats to see how it would unfold.
However... the outcome was already obvious.
Ariane would win this match. Albert had certainly put in the work, but he hadn't reached the level required to stand against her.
No one understood that better than the man fighting her right now.
He knew. Albert understood that defeat was inevitable... yet he never gave up.
His expression and his eyes both manifested an indomitable will.
Then, Ariane gave a faint smile and did the unthinkable—she discarded her sword. Albert didn’t miss the opening, of course, but he was utterly defeated by the Origin Magic she activated.
She shattered his blade with her bare hands, and with a single swing of her fist, she possessed enough physical strength to effortlessly send Albert—who had been focusing entirely on defense—flying out of bounds. Moreover, that likely wasn't even her full power.
It was probably only a glimpse of her true ability.
"Hey, Ray... was that..."
"Origin Magic. A physical-enhancement type, at that."
"I... I thought so..."
Evi’s voice trembled slightly.
Seeing magic like that, it was only natural to be overwhelmed. Ariane’s limbs were stained a reddish-black, and the Codes running through them were so dense they were visible to the naked eye. The visualization of Prima Materia and Codes is a rare phenomenon, but it does exist.
However, it is a phenomenon that only a select few sorcerers can ever trigger.
To have reached that level at such a young age... I honestly have to take my hat off to her.
Ariane Algren. Her confidence was no bluff. It was precisely because she possessed that ability that she could carry herself with such absolute self-assurance.
But what about Amelia? Would she be alright?
Did the current Amelia possess the strength to stand against her?
If I were asked that... I could only say she did not.
No, she had the skill to fight. She might be overwhelmed, but the path to victory hadn't vanished completely.
Furthermore, Origin Magic consumes a massive amount of Prima Materia. If she could drag it into a war of attrition, a win might be in sight.
I wanted to tell Amelia that... but was I even in a position to say anything to her right now?
I knew she was avoiding me. Perhaps it was better to leave her be. I found myself thinking that... but was I really okay with it? Was it okay to leave Amelia alone like this?
That conflict gnawed at me.
But at that time, I couldn't find the answer.
◇
The next day was a rest day.
And tomorrow, the finals would finally begin. At long last, the Magics Chevalier was nearing its end. For now, on the surface, everything was proceeding without incident.
However, there was no telling when the Grim Reaper might intervene. I needed to remain on high alert.
"..."
Lying in bed, I stared up at the ceiling.
Since this morning, I had worked my job as a vendor as usual. That job ended today. The sales were extraordinary, and my role there successfully came to a close.
All that remained was my work as a member of the Management Committee during tomorrow’s matches... and Amelia’s final match.
I wondered if Amelia was alright.
I had been thinking of nothing else all day. There were moments when I couldn't focus on my work, to the point where Elisa and Clarice had to scold me.
Amelia might have been crushed after seeing that match.
I knew. I understood her abilities as well as, if not better than, she did herself. There was a way to break through. She had the skill to fight.
But if her heart accepted defeat, then everything would be in vain.
Faced with that overwhelming Origin Magic, would Amelia be able to stand her ground?
As her friend, I felt I should... say something. But my body wouldn't move. I simply hesitated, wondering if it was okay for me to touch her heart.
"Amelia... you..."
As I agonized over it, morning arrived. I had been so worried about her that I hadn't slept a wink.
But even without a night's sleep, my performance wouldn't drop.
I decided to handle my work as usual... but when I went to open the door, Elisa, Clarice, and Evi were all standing there.
Why were they here so early?
The moment the question crossed my mind, I realized that everyone’s expression was deadly serious.
"Ray-kun... um..."
Elisa was the first to speak.
"...Is something wrong?"
"Well... actually, you see. We were thinking about all of us going to see Amelia-chan together... but we decided that, in the end, this is something Ray-kun should do."
"...Me?"
When I said that, Clarice and Evi nodded silently.
"I know you're hesitating, Ray. You've been wondering since yesterday whether it's okay for you to go to Amelia, haven't you?"
"It's rare for you to be so distracted at work, Ray. Even I noticed."
Ah.
I see. So that was it.
It seemed my friends had seen right through my inner conflict.
I suppose I have no choice but to honestly admit it.
And so, like a single drop of water spilling over, I bared my heart.
"...I guess I really can't keep secrets from you. To be honest... I was afraid. Afraid of stepping into her heart. I knew that Amelia had been suffering all along. But I... I hesitated over whether it was right for me to step in. I thought that by touching her heart, I might end up breaking it. I kept asking myself if my choice was wrong... and I was running away. Running away from facing her."
Once I started talking, the feelings naturally turned into words.
I can never do anything alone. Even when I met Master, she was the one who saved me.
And now, I was seeking help from my friends.
If it were the old me, I would have rejected even this.
But now... precisely because I was in front of these trustworthy companions, I could voice my feelings naturally.
As I bared my soul, Elisa softly took my hand in hers.
"Ray-kun... I'm sure that right now, you're the only one who can reach Amelia-chan's heart. If we all go together, she'll just put up a front again. She'll force a smile and walk into the finals like that... But, just like how you told us, if you say what's on your mind... I think it will reach her. Amelia-chan is waiting. She's been waiting for you all this time, Ray-kun. We've been turning a blind eye to this too, but if it's not right now... it'll be too late. And the only one who can do it... is you, Ray-kun!"
"That's right. It's just like Elisa says. Ray, you should go. It's okay. I'm sure Amelia will open her heart... I believe that."
"...I'm not really one to talk, but... Ray. I knew you were agonizing over this. We share a room, after all. But I think this is your only chance. I'm sure it's terrifying to stand against that Ariane Algren. But that's exactly why you can be a source of strength. Just like how you believe in us, I'm sure Amelia believes in you too, Ray."
Ah. I see.
It seems my choice wasn't wrong after all.
My words will reach Amelia. No, I will make them reach her.
I was afraid. Afraid of baring my inner self and being rejected.
But everyone believes in me.
And Amelia is searching for something.
Knowing her, she might be curled up in the corner of her room right now, crying all alone.
I knew.
While Amelia was the eldest daughter of House Rose, the head of the Three Great Noble Families, she was also just a fifteen-year-old girl.
There was nothing special about it. Just like any other human, she had her weak side.
So it was okay to stay by her side.
Just like Master did for me long ago, there was something I could do for Amelia.
I won't make excuses for myself anymore. The waiting is over.
It's okay for me to move forward. This choice is not a mistake.
Everyone proved that to me.
So all that's left is for me to support Amelia as my heart desires.
"Everyone... thank you. I'm going. I'll tell Amelia how I feel."
"Yeah...!"
"Off you go!"
"Ray... good luck!"
I started running, passing between Elisa, Clarice, and Evi.
Right now, I simply wished to reach Amelia as quickly as possible... and with that wish, I left the dormitory.
◇
"Amelia... so you were here."
"H-how... did you know?"
"I've known all your hiding spots since our training."
"N-no. But... but... I..."
I found her. I had searched everywhere. In a place with so many people, it was difficult to track only Amelia’s traces.
But I felt certain she would be here.
Amelia wouldn't run away. But deep down, she surely wanted to.
After seeing Ariane’s Origin Magic, it was only natural to be terrified. So, thinking that Amelia would be grieving alone in this place, I came here.
Approaching Amelia, who was clutching her knees, I sat down beside her. I lowered my gaze to hers and took her trembling hand in mine.
"Amelia. I... I was afraid."
"Eh...?"
My hand was also trembling.
How pathetic. Even though I had resolved to face her, my heart was still afraid.
I realized once again just how terrifying it is to truly face another person.
But even so... I would tell her.
Because that was the reason I came here.
"I knew. No, it wasn't just me... Elisa, Clarice, and Evi—everyone who sent me here—we all knew that you were agonizing and suffering, Amelia."
"I... I see... Everyone knew... H-haha. So... were you disappointed? To see the eldest daughter of House Rose in such a state... it's laughable, isn't it?"
Amelia was crying while forcing a smile.
No, it wasn't even a smile. She was simply distorting her face, staring at me as if trying to gauge my reaction. Even though she was shedding tears, she was trying to put up a front with a hollow smile.
It was an incredibly painful sight to behold.
I laced my fingers through hers, gripping her hand firmly once more... and continued.
"Amelia. Talk to me. I want to know what's in your heart... I want to reach it. I don't want to run away anymore. I don't want to have regrets. So, please... speak honestly. There's no longer any need to put up a front, or wear a mask."
"I see. So Ray really can tell after all. I see. Ahh, I really am... hopeless, aren't I?"
Then, bit by bit, Amelia began to tell me about her past. What she had thought as she lived her life until now, and how she had ended up reaching this point.
"You see, I... I've just been playing the version of 'Amelia' that everyone wanted me to be... imagining the self that others expected and acting accordingly... all to become a daughter worthy of House Rose. It was always like that. Comparing myself to others, to Rebecca-senpai, and especially to Ariane... I was always, always being compared. And so, I worked hard, and hard, and hard, and hard to get this far. But, haha... compared to your past, Ray, something like this is really just pathetic... isn't it? It's such a trivial thing; compared to your tragic past, I'm just..."
Amelia spoke dazed, simply looking down.
Her overflowing tears fell to the ground.
Seeing her like that, I wove more words together.
"Amelia. There's no point in comparing your past to mine. By thinking your suffering is light compared to my past... did you find any relief?"
"That's..."
"Exactly. It doesn't work like that. That suffering won't be healed by comparing it to someone else’s. I know, because I've experienced it too. A person’s worries and suffering are absolute things. So, comparing them is meaningless. You've been suffering all this time. Haven't you?"
"Yes. That's... exactly right. All this time. It's always been painful... it was agonizing. I kept wondering why I was living if I had to feel like this. I thought that... all the time."
"..."
"I thought that after meeting everyone, and meeting you, Ray, I'd finally be able to grasp something. I thought that if I could win this tournament, I could finally become someone. Yes, that's what I thought, but... haha... in the end, I can't beat Ariane. No matter how much time passes, I'm just... a Bird in a Cage. Hey, Ray. Why... why am I even alive? I deceive myself, I play a part, I embody an ideal. And yet, I can't reach her. I'll never reach her. Does a life like mine even have meaning? Hey, tell me, Ray... Why... am I... alive?"
Hands overlapping hands.
No, what was overlapping now were our hearts.
As I thought, Amelia had been bottling everything up. It wasn't that there was a single dramatic event in her past, but her suffering had continued for over a decade. That pain wasn't relative; it was something absolute, something only Amelia could know.
Since I was stepping into it, I wanted to tell her what I felt she needed to hear.
I might not be able to put it into words very well.
But even so, as someone who wished to touch her heart... I wanted to show her that just as someone had done for me once, I could save someone too.
I wanted to choose a way of life where I didn't just take lives, but could also save them.
So, I just had to put these feelings into words.
"Amelia. For a human being... there is no inherent meaning to life."
"What does that... mean?"
"...For us, for humans, there is no meaning. Everything humans create has a purpose beforehand. Based on those wishes called purposes, humans have created many things. But for us, our existence comes before any purpose. Just as I had no choice but to experience that war, you cannot step outside the frame of your nobility, Amelia. Because there is no sublime meaning for us. There is no meaning to being alive. Even I don't understand such a thing."
"N-no. But if that's the case, then I... what should I do? If even Ray doesn't know, and there's no meaning, then why do we live? Hey, why?"
I hugged her. I didn't care about appearances anymore; I simply acted on my emotions. Because looking at those pleading eyes, at her dyed in despair, I simply wanted to save her.
Come to think of it, I had never become this emotional before.
That was because I was afraid. Afraid of what would wait for me after baring these emotions. I was afraid of being rejected.
But it was the same for Amelia. That was exactly why I would bare these emotions, just for now.
I would simply turn my thoughts into words, exactly as I felt them.
And, hugging Amelia with all my strength, I continued.
"But Amelia. We—humans—can find a meaning to live. There is no meaning to being born. The meaning of living doesn't exist from the start either. But... but we can find meaning. You should create the meaning of your life yourself. So, I want to search for it with you... and let's search for it together with everyone else. I'm weak too. Humans are that kind of creature. There's no such thing as a perfect human. Everyone has a weak side. That's why we reach out like this and let our hearts overlap. Is that... not enough? Can't searching for a meaning together become your meaning for living?"
I had wanted to tell her this all along.
Not someone else’s borrowed words; I wanted to tell her what I truly felt in my heart.
I wished to move forward together.
Leaning on each other, moving forward. I never imagined that putting that into words would be so difficult, so terrifying, and take so much time.
However, once I made up my mind, the words came naturally.
I felt a sensation as if my heart was touching Amelia’s.
She remained silent for a while, shedding tears, before she spoke again.
"Ugh... hnn. Is it... really okay? For someone like me... to be by your side? Even someone as cowardly and as much of a crybaby as me, is it okay? To be with everyone, to be by your side, Ray... is it really okay? Is it okay if I don't pretend anymore, if I'm just myself, if I stay my weak self?"
"Of course it is. It's okay for you to be here. It's okay for you to be alive. So let's live together. Let's find it. Both you and I are still works in progress. So, let's go. We'll move forward together. While suffering, while grieving, let's live together with everyone. Let's find the meaning of life together. Let's live while supporting each other's weaknesses. I want to move forward with you."
"Yeah...! Yeah...! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Amelia wailed, simply crying her heart out.
And from my right eye, a single tear fell as well.
That's right.
We are all searching for a reason to keep living.
But if we're alone, our hearts will surely break.
That's why we reach out. We seek the hearts of others.
And by exchanging words, we let our hearts overlap.
One can never know another's true heart until it's put into words. That's precisely why we turn these overflowing feelings into words and reach out to one another.
That's how we grow.
Not just as sorcerers, but as human beings.
Amelia. It's alright now. By your side, there are your friends... and there's me. So let's find the meaning of life and live on together. From here on out, let's move forward together.
Toward the horizon beyond—