Mistress Of The Evil Forest

N-A 3: Changing worlds, unchanging beliefs.

Amidst the crowd of students, whose attention is wholly focused on the beautiful Duchess, Bianca, and the adorable grandmaster, Ulaika, only my gaze remains on a certain girl standing afar.

Aurora, with her slit orange eyes that seem to glow under the tree's shade, solemnly carries herself throughout the principal's speech.

''...''

I thought all was going well.

In retrospect, I probably just wanted to believe it... that I was going to enter her life with a brand new identity—an identity that hopefully should help me get even closer to her heart.

Yeah.

I knew something was terribly wrong with the existence called 'Aurora.'

Even ignoring the subtle incongruities coming up here and there, at the instinctual level, I felt something off about her. There were times when I felt as though 'Aurora' wasn't Aurora. Times when I was crept out by that sense of alienation.

But even with all of that... I couldn't help but yearn for her.

I want the real Aurora. No, she might not even be the real Aurora. I want the always carefree, always aloof, always daydreaming Aurora—the one I love.

These days, my heart feels weak. A slow, faint, yet unpleasant sensation seems to be following me. 

A gentle foreshadowing of departure. 

Somehow, my mind is already sure of a day when the Aurora I know will disappear—the peaceful picture of her and me wholeheartedly laughing together... all gone.

It's terrible. I hate it.

More than anything, I hate that my Aurora is seemingly being dragged into something big.

Rumors about Amelia Luminous's prophetic calls.

Increasing speculations on Silaerob's true identity.

Fears of the doomsday.

Demons' infiltration.

Ravenous Moon's eerie silence.

In this vortex of events that will surely lead to a dramatic conclusion, I'm sure the small and insignificant maid, Aurora, will be carried along the winds somewhere.

Should I... kidnap her? It might be possible if I borrow my cousin's power.

Right. Right.

It's for protecting her. The world out there right now is dangerous. I can release her later once everything calms down. Until then, she can be with me...

All of a sudden, an unusually vivid montage of Aurora waking up on the same bed as me, eating the same meals with me, and spending time doing the same things alongside me comes to mind.

As I immerse myself in a daydream like that, the speech has already come to an end.

Immediately, I chase after Aurora, ignoring the fuss everybody makes around the two celebrities. However, just as I take a step in her direction—

''...!?''

There it is again. The sense of alienation I feel when Aurora stops being Aurora.

''...''

Biting my lips, I turn away.

Now, with heavier steps, I tiredly search my way toward a place to gather my thoughts. How long should I keep doing this? Why can't I confront her with the question, 'Who are you?'

''Oh, isn't this our favorite bird senior?''

''Huh?''

Lifting my gaze, I see a grinning—almost smug—pink-headed, twin-tailed girl. 

Saintess Luxia Neveah—the tragic heroine of the Neveah incident that happened a while ago. I haven't had many chances to speak with her as Amelia's maid.

''...Greetings, saintess.''

''Hello, hello~!''

Somehow, my heart feels lighter, seeing that silly smile of hers. Next thing I know, she has already pulled me along to a bench near the park.

''Here.''

''Oh, thanks...''

When did she get the ice cream...?

''...''

''...''

Both of us spend time silently gazing at the trees and the birds, eating our dessert. Then, without a specific trigger, the saintess speaks up.

''Y'know. I really admire ravens.''

''Huh?''

Within her relaxed yet meaningful eyes, bright star-shaped marks gleam.

''I heard ravens will only have one mate for the entirety of their lives. Isn't that impressive?'' She says, giggling.

''Um...''

''Most other birds won't do that. Many humans won't, either. Their attention scatters all around, going to this woman and that woman...''

''...''

For some reason, Luxia's tone at the end sounds resentful. Maybe she has trouble with romance.

Hahah... I wish I could be so carefree, having only romance problems.

''Well? Here is what I've learned, Raven Senior.''

''Yes?''

''Romance is an all-out war. If you don't pour everything you have into it, you won't succeed. Don't separate romance from anything else. At the end of the day... mhm... you get the point.'' 

''???''

Leaving behind another cone filled with mint ice cream, Luxia whisks away like a cotton ball.

But... I don't eat mint ice cream...

''Hm? Isn't this Her Highness, the imperial princess?''

''Oh, Lady Heisenberg.''

''Spare?'' Scarlett points at the mild green ice cream. ''May I have it?''

''Sure....''

In a short moment, my talking partner has changed. Now, it's Scarlett Heisenberg sitting beside me. As she chomps on the food, her red eyes also make a turn in my direction.

''Is there something bothering you?''

''...Is it that obvious?''

''Maybe.''

With a grin, Scarlett pats my shoulder reassuringly.

''Don't worry. I'm bothered, too.''

''...Yes?''

It is precisely at this moment that I realize—weird people surround me. It might have shown on my face, considering that Scarlett is laughing.

''No, I mean... I'm bothered by the recent stuff. You know, demons and such.'' She says bitterly. ''I was a bit proud, standing just short of entering class A, but look at what I am now...''

''You're only a freshman. I'm not sure how to say this, but... you're shooting too high, Lady Heisenberg.''

''Maybe,'' She shrugs. ''But there's also Amelia Luminous. That girl can seriously fight. With how fast she's advancing, I think we might see the first master who's still attending school.''

''...''

Amelia... Luminous. 

My biggest adversary, the one I used to consider a failure of a human. From that certain day onward, she changed. It is as though she became another person. 

Someone who shines above all others.

I wonder if Aurora is drawn to that glorious look of Amelia.

''It's like she's in a different world that's above us.''

Scarlett's right. Compared to her, I...

''I wonder how long it would take for me to reach that same place.''

''...''

...Huh?

The moment I turn my gaze, which is fixed on the ground, to the side, the heiress's smirk greets me.

''You won't get anywhere if you never took the first step.''

''I...''

''Thanks for the ice cream. That was delicious.''

With that, Scarlett Heisenberg walks away with light steps, whistling along the way. I spend the next minute staring at her shrinking silhouette and then at my palms.

The wind blows gently.

Strands of black hair enter my vision, resonating with my fluttering feathers.

My immaculate, spotless palms.

''...''

Yeah. Maybe it's time for a changed Nydia, one that can match this changed world.

Perhaps she won't like the new me, but as long as I stay this weak, this uninspiring... I won't be able to move her.

In the end, she and I will both change, but my beliefs won't.

My heart will stay with you, Aurora.

Forever.