"What were you thinking? Jumping into the midst of the battle when you yourself didn't know whether that device would be useful or not?! Whether it could protect you or not?! Where do you keep that outdated brain of yours! I.. AHHH!" he yelled in frustration, messing up his hair before turning back to me, walking closer and pointing at my chest forcefully.

"You! You gave me a heart attack! Someone who is just a lost memory, getting a heart attack! Do you realize how nonsensical that is?!"

"Sorry. I'm just worried Celine might hurt, so-"

"So what! Jumping in and using your body as a shield? Stop pretending to be a hero, you hypocrite!

When you left the city, you didn't help those who clearly needed assistance at all! And now you're protecting someone who doesn't even need your help? Is it because now you have something to rely on? Is that it?

You're a loser."

"Hey! That's going too far, Z," I said angrily.

"Too far? And what you did wasn't too far? Saving someone who would only get hurt and not saving those who were clearly going to die? Hmph! Damn it, I'm ashamed to have you as my other self," he replied sharply with a smug grin that felt truly different this time.

"Do you think I didn't want to save them? Do you think I'm not tormented every night? Ever since then, I've been haunted by guilt that feels like it's driving me crazy! My head feels like it's going to explode! I can't do anything because what can I do?!

What can I, an ordinary person without any abilities, do? HUH!!

Do you think I feel comfortable with all of this? I'm trying to be good! You should know what has happened and understand because you are me... "

I take a long breath that feels like it's pulling my soul out. "You know what? Forget it. I'm sorry, I won't repeat it again."

Z remained silent, watching the figure walk away, and only then did he realize how lonely Zent appeared from behind.

In the outside world, Zent's body was being taken care of in a room of the mansion, upon Mr. Anderson's orders, who didn't want his daughter to worry upon hearing the news that Zent was admitted to the hospital.

Instead, he called upon the best doctor in the city, who had often treated the royal family, to come and provide intensive care for Zent so that he could recover quickly or Luna would possibly cry if Zent didn't woke up soon.

Fortunately, the doctor reassured them that Zent was fine, attributing their condition to exhaustion, which raised a question in their mind.

How could someone who forcefully exerted themselves to the point of exhaustion using a Tier 6 mana shield still be alright?

It's not that they were ungrateful, quite the opposite, they were very happy to hear that.

However, Mr. Anderson finally chose not to dwell on it too much, saying that it might be a miracle for Zent, which was later agreed upon by his three knights.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

The doctor also chose to affirm and provide some medication to help maintain Zent's body until it returned to optimal condition before bidding farewell and taking their leave.

"Not only does he have high regeneration, but he can also withstand a counterattack using Tier 6 magic without mana.

An ordinary person should have lost their life... He truly is full of mysteries," Rayven said while observing the figure lying silently on the bed.

"Mysteries full of wonders!" Rio exclaimed enthusiastically. "Body regeneration, surviving mana attacks! I'm starting to wonder if he's a disguised member of another race," she pondered curiously.

Mr. Anderson sighed in relief, then turned to his three knights. "Rest now, you've had a long day. You can provide the information about the golem tomorrow. It's already midnight, and Zent needs peace and quiet to recover.

Rest assured, this room will be locked so Luna won't enter, and you should also remain hidden. My daughter only knows that you're still on your way to the forest."

"In that case, we'll leave before sunrise to quickly reach the forest. At least this way, we won't endanger Zent's life again, and Mr. Anderson won't have to worry. The three of us are in our best condition and ready to carry out the mission promptly," Rayven stated firmly.

Celine wanted to stay with Zent a little longer, saying, "He might wake up, and someone needs to be by his side when that happens." Understanding her concern, her two companions bid farewell and left Celine alone with the peacefully sleeping Zent, his breath steady.

The knight stared at him in awe for a moment before snapping back to reality and taking a seat beside the bed.

"I'm sorry, Zent. I should be the one taking care of you, not the other way around," Celine said softly, cradling his face with her left hand as she observed his features up close.

It was difficult for her to resist the urge to caress his cheek. "I... I was really worried about you, even though you didn't have to do it. Yet, you still chose to protect me without hesitation. Thank you."

Z's eyes widened upon hearing her words, stealing glances in my direction that I intentionally avoided, knowing that his characteristic smile would appear.

But I didn't expect to hear Celine say thank you.

Not because she is a cold-hearted knight or anything, but more because I thought she didn't like me.

Could it be that what Z said was true?

Ah, no, she was just expressing gratitude.

Who do you think you are? Do you think you deserve someone's feelings like Celine's, who seems like a dream come true?

Wake up, Zent, it won't happen.

I could see from the corner of my eye that Z looked annoyed, searching for something to throw at me. But finding nothing, they could only clench their fists and hop around like a patient in a mental hospital.

Besides, why were they so enthusiastic about this?

I myself don't really care... Or do I?

Or as Z said, maybe I'm just a coward who is afraid.

Perhaps he's right.

I am nothing compared to Celine, who is a respected knight here. It is not fitting for someone like her to be with someone like me, who's just an ordinary man.

"However, may I ask you one thing?" Celine approached closer, lowering her voice almost to a whisper. "Why do you wear a mask?

When I first met you, I had no intention of pointing my sword at you. However, as soon as you opened your eyes, the original figure I observed was instantly replaced by an imposter, someone who made me think you were a deceitful and wicked person.

But after spending time with you, even it was only for a short while, I felt that you were not someone like that at all. Instead, you were someone full of love and warmth.

But the mask you wear, it tries to hide every one of those feelings behind a fake smile filled with pain.

I know you're not listening to me right now. But if I may, I want to be the place where you can lean on, the place where you can pour out your heart so that you don't have to bear all that burden alone.

I understand that we have just met, but from now on, I want to follow the calling of my heart, just like you have protected me. So, rest assured, I will always be by your side."

Both of our eyes widened as we witnessed what was happening.

Z let out a loud scream while repeatedly glancing towards me, frozen in place with a tomato-red face, unable to process the scene unfolding on the screen.

Celine gently held my head and planted a warm kiss on my forehead, causing my heart to race so fast that I couldn't hear Z's screams anymore. I became completely focused on the warm feeling spreading throughout my body, as if a long-extinguished fire had been reignited.

"I... I like you, Zent," Celine confessed softly.