The Departing Child and the Lingering Truth
On the table lay a tattered nun's habit, its left sleeve completely torn off, with dirt and bloodstains starkly visible across the fabric... as if bearing witness to yesterday's brutal ordeal.
"The monster that attacked you all... it was a Grill Bear, one of the most dangerous beasts you can encounter around these parts."
I glanced cautiously at the abbess, but she didn't seem intent on grilling me harshly—she wore a relatively gentle expression.
"Chased by a monster... and you lost consciousness?"
"Yes."
"Then... there must be many questions, like what happened to the monster chasing you, or why you're unscathed..."
I nodded carefully. She then picked up something beside the nun's habit and showed it to me.
"To cut to the chase, this talisman saved you."
It was the amulet from Vivian.
"While you were unconscious, I looked into the talisman a bit. It's an incredible item, crafted to unleash dozens of high-grade spells—including powerful attack magic—all at once when the owner faces mortal danger. The Grill Bear was probably felled by one of the attack spells it triggered."
So that light back then was it.
Huh? Wait... dozens of high-grade spells?
I couldn't help but stand up abruptly, raising my voice to ask her.
"By any chance... were there healing spells among those magics?"
"Indeed there were."
She seemed to think my recovery from injuries was thanks to the healing magic. Vivian sis, you're the best—thank you! I cheered inwardly and sent her my silent gratitude... but on the outside, I kept a straight face, sitting back down without a hint of it showing.
"Only a handful of mages on the continent could craft a magic item like this. As expected of the great mage Vivian."
I widened my eyes and tilted my head slightly.
"Great mage? You mean Vivian sis?"
"You didn't know? Vivian Kline—one of the three who brought you here—is one of the only four grand mages on the continent. And the youngest in history to achieve that title, a genius beyond her era."
"...Wha?"
Her gaze lingered briefly on the nun's habit on the table before returning to me. Suddenly, she stood and approached.
"It seems it can activate one more time. Since it saved your life, keep it safe."
"...Thank you."
As she handed back the talisman, she slowly studied my face.
"You came this close to disaster."
The abbess gently raised her hand and placed it on my head.
"...Uh, um?"
"I'm just glad you're safe."
Unlike the last time I'd been dragged to her office... she wasn't scary at all. I could vaguely sense her worry for me.
Still... why do people keep wanting to pet my head? It wasn't that I hated it...
It just tickles... like, what was it... my mind goes all fuzzy?
Especially when I needed to stay tense... it melted away my focus, leaving me unable to think straight.
"Even so, just in case, rest up today. If you feel anything off with your body, go straight to Sister Vanessa."
"...Yes..."
The interrogation seemed effectively over. Before standing to leave, I asked one more thing.
"What about James and Marco... and the other kids?"
"They'll all be excommunicated from the monastery."
"Even James?"
"There was room for leniency with him, but he wished for it himself."
"...I see."
"The others still need more investigation, but he's set to leave this morning."
... .. .
I considered heading straight back to my room after leaving the abbess's office... but the morning breeze felt so nice, so I took a stroll in the monastery courtyard to soothe my mood. That's when I spotted James at the gate entrance, standing with a battered travel bag.
"...Teresa."
I hesitated on what expression to make, then unconsciously furrowed my brows and glared at him a bit.
"You really leaving?"
"Yeah."
It's no easy feat for a powerless kid to survive alone without anyone's help. I knew that better than anyone.
"How about begging for forgiveness now? I can vouch for you if you need."
"No need."
His voice was firm, his eyes steady with resolve.
"Sigh... Fine, you got somewhere to go?"
"Yeah. One of Grandpa's acquaintances visited recently. He's an herbalist like Grandpa and offered to provide room and board if I work under him."
I felt like I'd worried for nothing and lost out somehow.
"What... that's it? I worried over nothing..."
James suddenly smiled faintly, his voice carrying a hint of relief.
"Anyway... good timing."
"...?"
He set his bag down briefly and pulled something out to hand me.
"I was worried I wouldn't get to give it to you personally."
What he held was... a small box. Inside were a few shimmering silver petals.
"What's this?"
"It's a box enchanted to delay flowers from wilting. I put petals of 'Luminares' White Blossom' inside. It should keep them fresh for about a week."
I peered curiously into the box, tilting my head.
"For me?"
"Yeah, please take it. As an apology for luring you into that trap... and thanks for saving my life."
"But this... wasn't it like your grandpa's heirloom?"
"I can't grow it anymore anyway... so might as well use it like this."
I held the box for a moment, staring at it, then looked up at him steadily.
"So... how do you use it? Eat it?"
"No, float the petals in bathwater and soak. They say it'll give you flawless skin that stays youthful until death."
"...Isn't that a bit exaggerated?"
"Haha... I only know from Grandpa and books, so it might not be certain."
"Still... there must be some reviews from people who've tried it?"
"There were. The most recent was a queen from some kingdom 100 years ago. But she was executed in a coup before anyone could verify the effects, and most records of her are gone—including details on the White Blossom she used. So..."
I listened blankly, then cut him off in sheer disbelief.
"Hold on... the most recent use was 100 years ago? Is this flower that rare?"
"Yeah. It's said to bloom once every century."
"...At that rate... this thing's gotta be worth a fortune... You're really giving it to me?"
"Yeah. Like I said, apology for betraying you and payment for saving my life. If you don't use it and sell it, that's up to you. But sell quick—the box only holds it for a week max. And..."
He hesitated, then continued.
"Legends say bathing in water with 'Luminares White Blossom' under a full moon grants special powers. If you use it, try on a full moon night. Next one's in five days."
With that, he picked up his bag again.
"Well, I'm off."
"Huh? ...Uh, um...?"
My head felt blank, like I'd been smacked hard.
"Oh, Teresa."
"Yeah?"
"Watch out for... Annette."
With those final words, James left the monastery.
... .. .
Meanwhile... in one of the monastery's infirmary rooms.
Vanessa quietly prayed beside the beds where Marco and the two other kids lay. She lifted her head, peering through her habit at the waiting abbess, and answered cautiously.
"It's certain. There's evidence of tampering in the children's memories and personalities."
After a brief breath, she continued in a low but confident voice.
"Someone cast illusion magic on them."
The abbess nodded gravely, furrowing her brow deeply.
"Any chance they were ensnared outside the monastery?"
"The kids only left recently—to Eggnew Village yesterday. But they'd been under the illusion before that."
The abbess closed her eyes briefly, sinking into quiet thought as if in prayer. Then she opened them, speaking calmly but firmly.
"It seems someone who shouldn't be here has infiltrated the monastery."