A Companion
From Ophelia's perspective, the talent Ruen possessed might seem like a blessing from the heavens. But to him, it was nothing more than a curse. If everything that had happened began with nothing more than this wretched gift, then it would have been better if he had never had it at all.
"……You probably don't understand yet, but this is a talent on par with my own."
Ruen nodded, accepting her words. Of course he didn't understand. He had never once given spirit arts any serious thought, nor did he know the first thing about them. Naturally, he had no idea how extraordinary the talent dwelling within him truly was.
Even so, whether he understood its greatness or not, he simply felt that he didn't need it.
"I never wanted it. Not even once."
A remarkable talent for spirit arts? He had never desired such a thing. Even if it meant being ordinary, he had only ever wished for talent in magic. If he hadn't possessed this extraordinary gift for spirit arts—if he had even a modest talent for magic instead—
"Perhaps none of this would have happened."
His grip tightened around the doorknob until his knuckles turned white, as if he meant to crush it. But the handle Ophelia had crafted was not so easily broken. Letting out a long breath, Ruen placed it back on the desk and calmly met her gaze.
The moment their eyes met, Ophelia flinched despite herself. Though he tried to appear composed, the bloodshot eyes staring back at her were terrifying.
"……Perhaps you're right."
Of course, if one considered only the circumstances, Ruen's words were little more than wishful thinking. His parents had died because of his uncle, and the fall of his house stemmed largely from that same cause. Even if Ruen had possessed ordinary magical talent, the tragedy might still have occurred. A fifteen-year-old boy could hardly have held a noble house together on his own.
Yet something about the situation still felt off. That was why Ophelia simply acknowledged his anger without argument. Perhaps he was right after all.
"But because you have this talent, you can at least take revenge, can't you?"
"……I have no intention of seeking revenge with something like this."
At his reply, Ophelia finally fell silent. It was a childish, impulsive thing to say, and as a mage who valued rational thought above all else, she found it deeply unsatisfying.
"I plan to request aid from the neighboring territories. Could you help me with that?"
What Ruen had in mind was to borrow the strength of the surrounding lords—while he still held a legitimate claim—and drive out Calcento before the man could fully seize control of Calbrandt. A greedy man like Calcento had likely already laid groundwork with the neighboring territories, but surely there was at least one lord willing to help him. That was Ruen's judgment.
"……Do as you wish."
Ophelia didn't think it was a particularly good plan, but she respected his decision nonetheless. She was not his nursemaid. She acknowledged that his talent could satisfy her curiosity, but that did not mean she could take responsibility for his life. All choices were his to make, and he alone would bear the consequences.
"I'll send the letters."
"……Thank you."
Expressing his gratitude for her consideration, Ruen began to walk slowly toward the door. Watching him prepare to leave the cabin, Ophelia let out a small sigh and spoke.
"Stay one more night. That much is fine."
"……I'll gratefully accept your kindness."
Ruen, who had been about to step out, paused at her words and nodded. Venturing into that dark forest was a frightening prospect.
@
"……"
Even after darkness had settled deeply and the moon hung high in the sky, Ophelia could not sleep. She had fulfilled all of Ruen's requests. Letters bearing his name had been sent to the neighboring territories, and replies would arrive soon enough. Of course, she already knew what those replies would say.
Lying on the uncomfortable sofa, she pulled a blanket over herself and gazed quietly at Ruen, who had fallen asleep the moment he lay down. Making sure he wouldn't hear, she let out a deep sigh.
"Ha."
Ophelia suddenly let out a hollow laugh and shook her head. It was absurd, even to her, that someone rumored to care for no one was now troubled by such matters.
She hadn't taken an interest in the boy named Ruen. What had caught her attention was Luana. Hamel had been interesting as well, but he was merely another bearer of that brilliant golden light, just like her. Whatever he had achieved, she could achieve as well. That was why Luana had been special.
Normally, Ophelia wouldn't have spared a second glance at a violet talent, yet the girl had captivated her with her extraordinary mind. If Luana hadn't been the kind of woman she was, Ophelia might even have courted her. That was how deeply she had fallen for her.
It was for that reason that Ophelia—who had never once stayed in someone else's home—had remained at the Calbrandt estate for four days. Her wandering through forest after forest in search of spirit arts was also because if she didn't keep moving—
'It felt as though she would destroy the Calbrandt house.'
That was why Ophelia could not leave Ruen alone. She had no intention of living his life for him, and had planned to simply watch, but from the moment she met him, he kept catching her eye. She let out another deep breath.
'Well, if I'm going to research spirit arts, I'll need that boy anyway.'
The proud Ophelia refused to admit she was helping someone for such a reason, but regardless—
Snapping out of her thoughts, she stared quietly at the sleeping Ruen.
'He resembles Luana.'
Looking at the son of her dearest friend, she sighed once more. Though he was still just a boy, and though the situation would have broken most people, he struggled to maintain a composed front before others. His expression looked ready to crumble at any moment, yet his tone remained perfectly calm, creating a strange dissonance.
Even after losing everything, he was desperately trying not to tarnish his name as a noble, nor the names of his parents. Even Ophelia, who was hopelessly ignorant when it came to the emotions of others, could see that much at a glance.
That was why her gaze would not leave him. At first, her interest had been fixed on his spirit arts, but afterward, it was his expression that drew her attention. The way he tried to endure all his pain, suffering, and anguish alone was exactly like Luana, her only friend.
That was how she arrived at the conclusion that she could not leave Ruen to fend for himself.
As an archmage, Ophelia was free. No one could bind her, and no one could easily give her orders. Yet at the same time, she was not completely free. The moment she took someone's side, that balance would collapse. Thus, she was both free and not free—because every move she made drew the attention of countless powerful figures.
Even so, Ophelia didn't care. If she wanted to do something, she did it. If she wanted to help someone, she helped them. That was who she was.
Her thoughts continued—to her future actions, and to what she should do with this boy. From the time the moon rose in the east until it set in the west once more. Until the sun reclaimed the darkness and light returned to the world, Ophelia remained seated in the same spot, thinking.
And finally, just as her thoughts began to settle—
"……"
Ruen woke up.
Blinking slowly, he frowned at the cold sweat on his forehead and sat up.
'It wasn't a dream.'
The nightmare that was reality tormented the boy even in his sleep. Having thrashed about in his dreams, replaying that day's horrors, Ruen let out a deep breath and looked around. The cabin. And the sight that didn't quite match a cabin. Recalling yesterday's events, he blinked slowly and turned to Ophelia.
She met his gaze for a moment before slowly rising and looking out the window. Though the cabin had only one window, and even that was covered by a curtain, she seemed able to see beyond it.
"You're awake. Perfect timing."
"What do you…… mean……"
Still groggy from sleep, his voice cracked as he answered. But when he saw the small smile on her lips, he flinched.
"It seems a reply to the letter you sent has arrived."