This Makes It Impossible Not to Love You
Right now, in front of Ludenberg, Ashytara was eating with a happy expression. He watched her and smiled. Their eyes met, and the two of them laughed.
"Luud, you eat too. This is really good."
"I should."
Every time he entered the world of trials, excessive pain had followed, but this trial brought none of that. All he had to do was enjoy life with Ashytara.
Even in his mind, doubts crept in—Is this really okay?
The two walked together down the street, browsing the small shops that lined the roadside as usual. They didn't need anything grandiose. In this world of trials, his position as the empire's knight commander and hers as the empire's high priestess granted them more than enough wealth on their own.
What they craved was the simple everyday charm, free from luxury. They smiled at children's toys and such trivial things. She donned a bizarre mask and asked what he thought. Ludenberg wasn't one to enjoy such antics normally, but with Ashytara, nothing could be more delightful.
It was a vacation brimming with fulfillment.
Heading home, a touch of regret tinged their steps. Yet even so... Ashytara smiled. Probably because happy memories as precious as that regret had etched themselves into her heart.
She chattered the whole way back about the day's events, as if they were the funniest things ever. She'd burst into laughter forcing a ridiculous mask onto Ludenberg. She'd pin cheap trinkets from street vendors to her hair and ask how they looked. She'd snatch up and devour roadside snacks, declaring them delicious. And through it all, she always looked at him with a smile.
All Ludenberg could do was laugh at her words and actions. Just that simple act filled his chest with an overwhelming sense of fullness. What is this?
"Today was so much fun. It's been ages since I relaxed like this—I got all excited like a kid."
Her words, laced with lingering regret, echoed in Ludenberg's ears.
"...Yeah. Me too."
"Ahaha. You just got dragged around by me the whole time. Must've been annoying..."
"Still fun. I never knew you liked stuff like that."
"Then... wanna go again next time?"
"Gladly."
Ludenberg answered readily, and Ashytara's face lit up. Suddenly, she threw her arms around his neck.
"See? This is why I can't help but love you."
At those words, Ludenberg felt his heart drop.
His face flushed red on its own, his chest fluttering wildly. Just being together felt this good, and now hearing that... For a moment, he didn't want to leave this world.
Then—
Snap.
The sound of fingers clicking rang out.
Ah.
Ludenberg knew it was the signal.
Sure enough, his vision darkened.
When it cleared moments later, Raha stood before him.
"Really. It's just a mere trial world, and you're already this immersed—what do you plan to do?"
Her reprimand, tinged with a sigh, reached his ears.
"...No excuses."
Her eyes widened slightly at his unusually sullen tone.
"No, you don't need to take it that seriously..."
Ludenberg shook his head.
"No. I was pathetic. It was Liberatus and Amora's story in the end, but I started seeing it as mine and Ashytara's. I shouldn't have."
"I get it. Even if it's recreating Liberatus and Amora's past actions, seeing it through you and Ashytara now naturally stirs confusion. Don't blame yourself. The trial was designed to provoke that reaction from the start."
"...Right."
"Trials bring growth. The deeper you immerse in that story, the greater what you'll gain."
"Is that so? But just now you said not to get too immersed..."
To him, Raha's words seemed contradictory.
"That's true too. But there's a slight difference."
She continued.
"Immerse yourself, but don't lose yourself. Don't get so drunk on the sweetness that Ludenberg and Ashytara paint there that you forget who you are."
"...Don't lose myself."
"Yes. Through that, you'll learn to control yourself. If the first trial was about controlling the body and wielding conviction, the second is for mastering the mind."
"Got it."
"Anyway, how was the trial world? I can already guess your answer."
"It didn't even feel like a trial. It was just... good."
"What was so good about it?"
"That."
Suddenly, Ludenberg's words halted. For someone whose expression rarely changed to show such a reaction, the conversation in the trial world must have hit hard.
In the trial world, Amora—no, Ashytara—had said it to Liberatus, to Ludenberg.
I love you.
"Hehe."
Raha laughed, watching Ludenberg who couldn't muster a reply.
"That's exactly what I meant by being careful. The trial world is ultimately an illusion. Everything there—the words you heard, every place you wandered today—is fake. So you can't afford to drown in it and lose yourself."
"...I know."
"But how does it feel experiencing it firsthand? Even knowing, you can't help falling for it, right?"
"Yeah."
Ludenberg nodded, covering his flushed face with his hands.
"This place... yeah. Think of it as a dream. One that's happy, but also sad. In this second trial, living their story will be incredibly tough on you."
"I figured."
He nodded at her words.
"A fated tragedy awaits them. Even knowing it intellectually, witnessing it will carve profound sorrow into your mind. But you must overcome even that."
"Understood. Though... you say overcome it, but can you tell me how exactly?"
"You'll know it yourself. That's all for today."
"I'll know it myself?"
As Ludenberg sought to resolve his final doubt with Raha, his vision blurred. The trial world was ending.
Don't be satisfied with dreams. Make dreams into reality.
Ludenberg opened his eyes.
The moment he escaped the trial world, his first action was to cover his face with both hands.
A burning sensation prickled his skin. His senses were already sharp, and now—like back when he couldn't control them—his heartbeat thundered in his ears.
"Damn it."
Ashytara's words from the trial world still lingered in his ears.
This is why I can't help but love you.
His hands clenched over his face. Only then did Ludenberg realize it.
His feelings for Ashytara weren't mere curiosity or fondness from rational affection.
What he wanted from her wasn't shallow.
So that's why everyone smiled so awkwardly. Why they looked at me like they were teasing.
"Haa."
A sigh echoed through the silent room.
How am I supposed to face Tara from now on?
"Damn it. No idea."
Muttering to himself, he headed to the bathroom to cool the heat surging through his body, splashing cold water over his head. The chill seeped in, easing the fever somewhat.
But it was fleeting. As the heat rose again, he clutched his face once more.
The awkward boy had finally caught his belated fever of first love.
As Ludenberg and Ashytara had predicted, Dalia Retiu and Seia Shahain, along with Eil and Illiana Nadiel, successfully advanced to the semifinals.
Thus, the semifinalists were:
Eve Arcadia, Meia Andem.
Ashytara Solenute, Ludenberg Lavante.
Dalia Retiu, Seia Shahain.
Eil, Illiana Nadiel.
During the quarterfinals, Ludenberg and Ashytara naturally analyzed how the other two pairs fought in earnest. But as expected, it was all information they already knew—no new insights.
Then came the three-day break.
Idleness greeted them the moment rest began. They'd finished all their analysis, and syncing with swords had reached an instinctive level. No matter what move Ashytara made, Ludenberg read her intent, and vice versa.
In the end, they were left pondering the same thing.
What do we do?
The question hung over them, aimless.
"Luud."
"Yeah?"
"What should we do?"
"Dunno..."
"Nothing to do, right?"
"Wanna stroll around the academy?"
"We've kinda already done that?"
"Just for the walk."
"Sure, let's."
Ashytara realized Ludenberg's attitude had grown strangely proactive these past few days. Before, she was always the one initiating. When she suggested something, he'd hesitate briefly then nod.
Now it was reversed. He was the one actively proposing things—even simple meals out.
And above all, lately, he'd been blushing far more often when looking at her. Once, it only happened when she held his hand or linked arms. Now, even a mere glance made his face turn red.
Even when their eyes met incidentally—when she peeked at him—he was already looking her way.
Meaning, whenever they were together, Ludenberg's gaze stayed fixed on her.
Realizing that, Ashytara felt a pleasant ache in her chest. And she could finally be certain.
Luud definitely likes me.
The plain fact that Ludenberg liked her.
But no hasty confession escaped her lips. Voicing it would mean losing these glimpses of her adorably flustered Ludenberg for a while.
Besides, a touch of mischief stirred in her. How many times had she fretted over him? She wanted him to feel it too.
Only then would he truly grasp how precious this bond was.
Sorting her thoughts, Ashytara turned to Ludenberg with a mischievous grin—the same sly look he'd worn just days ago, teasing her about her past.