Didn't I Tell You Before?
Serafina hurried back to the dormitory with urgent steps and slammed the door shut.
It was late at night. The door closed with a heavy bang. If this had been the usual Serafina, the noise would have immediately made her think about how she had just violated dormitory rules. But right now, she had no room in her mind for such concerns.
She set the gift she had received from Yohan on the desk and dove straight into bed.
“Aaaaaagh.”
She buried her face in the pillow and let out a long groan.
...Why did I do that?
I thought I wouldn’t see him again, so I just blurted it out, but...
Ah, but if I did that, then...
Aaaaaagh.
Thump.
Whack.
Serafina thrashed about, pounding the pillow. It quickly sprang back into shape.
She rolled over on the bed, turning from where she had been lying face-down to stare up at the ceiling.
“I shouldn’t have burdened someone who’s leaving...”
...Why did I do that?
After pouring out her laments for a long while, Serafina turned her head to look at the box she had left on the desk.
...He must have bought it with the money he received after the incident.
The academy couldn’t simply send him away with nothing.
They would have pressed a substantial amount into his hands.
...Given the circumstances, it was probably money.
“Was it really all right for me to accept it?”
Serafina reached out and took the hairpin from the box.
The brilliant blue jewels caught her eye.
...That might have been the money he needed to live on after leaving the academy.
It could have been used to find a way to heal his throat...
I did say thank you for saving me.
Still, he should have used it for himself.
...Was it really all right for him to use it on me?
Still holding the hairpin, Serafina closed her eyes.
She slowly turned over the conversation she had shared with Yohan in her mind.
“...You saw me often.”
That was back when Yohan had only just enrolled.
So he remembered.
“...Sigh.”
Serafina let out a long breath.
If I had spoken sooner, would things have turned out differently?
Would I have been spared this regret?
Or perhaps...
Yohan might not have chosen to leave.
Maybe I could have become his support.
“...Sigh. What’s the use of these hypotheticals now?”
It’s already decided.
“Riel was right. I should have at least talked to him before I let the chance slip away.”
It was a relationship that had already ended.
Only regret remained, filling her chest.
Serafina placed the hairpin back inside the box.
She wouldn’t be able to wear it outside as usual.
But looking at it in her room was something she could do freely.
For now, she would place it somewhere visible.
Serafina stood the box upright on one corner of her desk so the hairpin would catch her eye.
...He’s someone I won’t be able to meet anymore.
Still, I hope he finds happiness.
Yes, I’m finally regaining my composure.
Yohan answered Zeno in a calm tone.
After returning to the chancellor’s office and speaking with him, he had steadied the heart that had been shaken with surprise and regained his usual composure.
With every matter settled, Yohan returned to the dormitory, packed the belongings he had prepared in his bag, and finished readying himself to leave.
Tomorrow at dawn, he would meet the chancellor, receive the compensation the academy had prepared, and depart without a single lingering attachment.
Yes. That’s how it has to be.
After closing the bag, Yohan sat down on the edge of the bed.
I wonder if I’ll be able to find decent lodging once I’m out there.
Even if I have enough money, it’s uncertain whether anyone would offer a place like this to someone who can’t speak.
As long as I don’t get scammed, that alone would be fortunate.
It was no different from a brand-new beginning. He needed to keep his mind sharp.
Regrets, huh.
Yohan gave a small, wry laugh at Zeno’s question. He understood all too well what the words were truly asking.
Tsk.
Yohan clicked his tongue.
If I said I had none at all, that would be a lie.
But...
But.
It doesn’t seem like the right time for that now. Even if the loop repeats, the answer would be the same.
Who could I possibly meet while living a life like this?
If I fail, I’ll have to return again.
What if I encounter them once more during that process?
I absolutely couldn’t.
I could never do something like that.
If I ever do, it will be after everything is over.
Though I have no idea how many people will still be alive by then.
At the very least, it would only happen after it all ends.
By the way, Lord Zeno, you seem to have changed somewhat lately.
Yohan lay down on the bed and spoke in a playful tone.
It was only natural. When he thought back to the first day he had met this god, the words he heard often these days were nothing short of revolutionary.
You even speak of rest. You used to be so utterly resolute, yet lately you seem to have grown softer.
Yes, understood.
Yohan pulled the blanket over himself. Though it was still early evening, he knew it was best to sleep now if he had to wake at dawn.
I need to rise at dawn tomorrow, so I’ll sleep early.
Yes. Please rest as well.
Yohan fell asleep almost at once. After confirming that Yohan was asleep, Zeno spoke.
Yohan did not hear those words.
In the early dawn, after finishing his preparations to depart, Yohan headed for the professors’ building one last time.
...Fortunately, it seems no one is here.
The building door was open as always. Without hesitation, Yohan walked straight to Aria’s office.
Yes. I am allowed to enter.
Stopping in front of the office, Yohan opened the door with practiced ease. It was the door Aria had sealed with magic so that Yohan could enter whenever he wished.
Thanks to that enchantment, he was able to slip inside without difficulty.
The professor told me I could come in anytime if I wanted to look at this formula.
Of course, I never once actually did so.
So this is how it ends up being used.
Once inside, Yohan stood before the wall covered entirely with formulas in Professor Aria’s office.
Yohan tapped the wall in response to Zeno’s question.
In case there remains any possibility that this formula could be completed after I leave.
Yohan nodded.
Yes. At that time, only the final portion remained.
Judging by the previous timeline, completing it would clearly take a considerable amount of time. Still, he had wanted to check just in case.
When I came before, I didn’t examine the formula closely. Now I can see it properly. There is still a long way to go until completion.
He wasn’t sure exactly when the research had begun to accelerate.
After the incident, the last time he had seen this formula was when the final moment was nearly upon them.
Still, at this rate, there should be enough time.
All I need to do is turn back time before someone completes the research at the last second.
If this research were ever completed, I cannot predict what would happen to the current cycle.
Because I have never experienced it.
And for safety’s sake, it is better not to experience it.
I came wondering if there was something I needed to do, but it seems there is no need.
Yes, that’s correct. We have no way of knowing what might happen. That is why I have never used it again until now.
But having confirmed it like this, I no longer need to worry. I can go now.
Yohan stepped out of the room.
Now it was time to withdraw from the academy.
Yohan headed for the academy’s main gate.
The chancellor had already finished all preparations and was waiting for him.
“You’ve arrived, student Yohan.”
Yohan nodded. There was no need to write anything in his notebook.
“First, regarding the withdrawal procedures, they will be carried out step by step after you leave the school. You need not concern yourself with that matter. I will handle it personally.”
“And the compensation has been prepared. Why don’t you check it?”
The chancellor handed Yohan a small pouch.
Yohan opened it and examined the contents.
As expected, it’s money.
Yes, it’s quite a lot. I could probably buy a house with this.
The pouch was filled with a large quantity of gold coins.
It was enough money for an ordinary commoner to live on for a lifetime and still have plenty left over.
“You need not worry that the three expelled students might later seek to harm you. Not only are those three unable to cause you harm, but I have also taken measures to ensure that the nobles will be unable to harm you either.”
For Yohan, these were reassuring words. At least there would be no obstacles standing in the way of what lay ahead.
“It is only what should be done. In truth, I cannot claim that this situation bears no responsibility on my part.”
The chancellor bowed his head.
“This is an academy where talented individuals are meant to gather, yet I bear responsibility for driving such a person away.”
Raising his head once more, the chancellor continued.
“It may not be my place to say this, but I still hope the road ahead treats you kindly.”
“Farewell.”
The chancellor personally saw Yohan off. Yohan passed through the main gate, and soon afterward the gates closed firmly behind him.
It was a gate he would never pass through again in this cycle.
Now it begins.
It’s practically already decided, isn’t it?
Yes.
The place Yohan would head toward was already set.
I must go to the location where the first Giant appeared.
There was still some time remaining before the Giant’s arrival.
There was nothing to lose by moving early.
It will probably take about a month.
Yes. We decided to simply observe this time, didn’t we?
The point at which there had been no interference.
Time in which he could observe from as close as possible and reflect upon it.
He did not particularly want to watch that process.
But it is necessary. It is something that must be done.
Yohan gently closed his eyes, then opened them again.
It was time to move.
Bang.
The door to the chancellor’s office flew open with a violent sound.
Kassian turned his head toward the door. He already knew exactly who had thrown it open so roughly.
“Delmar, what is this I’m hearing? Yohan is dropping out?”
“Celestia, sit down first. I’ll explain slowly.”
Kassian rose from his chair, closed the door, and walked toward the sofa.
“Delmar.”
Aria called his name again, her face rigid. He turned to look at her.
“Celestia, didn’t I tell you before? That it would be poison to student Yohan.”
Aria’s expression twisted.