-Chapter Twenty-Two-

Heart Break

“Hmm-hm-hmmm~” Aria hummed cheerfully beside Aelius as the convoy moved down its path again.

She clung to his arm and kicked her legs childishly, passing the time by, aware of his annoyance toward her but she purposefully ignored it.

Though she could tell he was annoyed, she didn’t know what he was thinking in his mind.

The boy looked pettily off into the trees with a mild, grumpy groan.

I don’t understand her at all. She frightens me, he thought, recalling when he returned to the convoy and she was already ready to clean him up.

Through Abstergo, he could see through her mask and saw she was wearing a genuine smile.

It all confuses him, for the Aria in his memory was so different.

Nothing frightens man more than the unknown, especially his fellow man with unknown intentions.

And Aelius did not know Aria’s intentions.

She claims she’s just satisfied being by his side, but he was certain there’s something more to it that he missed.

His actions changed her actions from his past life, and there has to be a reason why she decided to follow him out the Academy this time.

There has to be.

Pushing her off him was no use at this point, she’d just obstinately cling to him even tighter.

If there’s one thing he could always praise Aria for in addition to her meticulousness, it was her persistence, or stubbornness.

Soon, nighttime came and the convoy had made good distance through the forest valley.

They set up camp, acted out the patrol schedule, and all was peaceful.

As the small group of three of Lius, Ria and Lia grabbed their dinner and hid themselves back away into their tent again, Lia sat down with a dissatisfied look on her face.

“Hmph,” she pouted as she began to chow down on their dinner, lamb roast for the third day in a row.

“Hah…” Aria sighed, looking at the girl the same age as her, her peer and comrade in arms now that they were travelling companions.

She didn’t actually find Lia so irksome. At least, Lia was more genuine and bubbly than the stuck-up girls from the Academy that followed Aria wherever she went, acting like they knew it all.

“What’s wrong, Lia?” Aria asked, leaning forward.

“No it’s just… I’m soooo boreeeddd,” she complained, averting her gaze away from Aelius.

“Like Aelius said, I’m just sitting in the carriage with the staff all day. It’s been over a week now of doing nothing,” she sighed.

“Right…” Aelius sighed as well at Lia’s complaint and she tensed up.

“I-I’m not complaining, I’m just voicing my feelings,” she nervously stammered as Aelius reached out and she froze, but he ended up just giving her a soft headpatt and she gave a breath of relief.

“I should’ve thought about your situation a little bit. Well…” Aelius narrowed his eyes at Aria.

“Maybe we can start experimenting with your powers a little bit earlier than intended. I didn’t want to draw too much attention from the Mercenaries around us but, as long as we’re discreet, we can teach you Sorcery soon enough.”

“Oh wow,” Aria exclaimed. “Lia’s already strong. If we turn her into a Sorceress on top of that, she’s going to become the archnemesis of the Mage-world.”

“That’s the point,” Aelius chuckled.

“Really!? You’ll start teaching me Magic?”

Lia’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Can we start tonight? Please? Pretty please?”

“Yeah… might as well,” Aelius shrugged. “Let’s head off into the forest after this and find somewhere secluded.”

—-----------------------

In the cover of the night, it had become regular routine for the small party of three to leave the camp at night and disappear into the trees to do Goddess-knows-what.

By the third night since Lia’s practice had begun, the titular eldest son of the Daniesvich family, Damien Daniesvich happened to be outside the main tent, in a foul mood that particular night, sick of the travel, the smell and the company of commoners, when he noticed out the corner of his eye, the three members of the Bemused party leaving the encampment and his gaze narrowed suspiciously.

While they moved alongside each other, talking about something Damien couldn’t hear from so far away, they failed to notice as he began to furtively follow along behind.

What intentions he had in mind, no one witness was there to know.

—-----------------------

Aelius watched with his arms sternly crossed while Aria led Lia through basic magic theory, as they had been the last few nights.

Lia had immense talent for magic and was rapidly learning.

Aria was also a good teacher.

He was concerned at first that perhaps jealousy would get the best of Aria, and Lia would come to some harm, but so far, the two have gotten along very well.

Aelius would even dare say Aria was quite fond of Lia.

But, there was always the possibility that it was an act.

Ever since all the horrors he suffered in his first life, not just at the hands of Aria but at the hands of all man, he’s learnt to never leave things to chance.

If Lia’s life ends up threatened because of Aria, and worse yet, because Aelius commits the same naive mistake yet again which he had already committed so many times over in the past, he has no business trying to save the world; not when he can’t even save his loved ones out of his own stupidity.

No risks. No chances. No tolerance.

He will not allow even a possibility of things going wrong.

He’s had enough of people and their ill intentions.

As Aria stepped back and joined Aelius, giving Lia some distance to put her theory into practice, Aelius could see through Aria’s mask that she was giving a warm smile as she watched her student.

Like the joy of seeing a child grow or a disciple excel, Aria crossed her arms with satisfaction while they watched.

“…”

Aelius took in a deep breath, turning away and looking back to Lia, who excitedly practised her magic.

How can I go about this?

Aelius wondered, shutting his eyes and thinking profusely for a moment.

I want to know what changed between this life and the past. Why did Aria follow me out of the Academy this time, but not the last time? Why, in this life, did she suddenly decide to stop acting indifferent towards me? When we were at the Academy, she always kept her distance. Now, she clings to me. There’s got to be a way I can get it out of her.

“…Let’s have a talk,” Aelius suggested, turning to girl his age who stood beside him.

“Sure,” Aria turned with a beam, tilting her head cutely.

“Let’s talk. What about?”

“…Our time at the Academy. I still don’t understand why you followed me when I decided to leave. I don’t understand why you decided to use your blessing on me out of nowhere.”

The topic of conversation proved to be much more serious than Aria had expected and she quickly pursed her lips, looking away.

“You didn’t want anything to do with me while we were there. I had long thought you had abandoned me, but suddenly you turn around and act all chummy. It’s suspicious!” he continued, almost desperate to hear what response she would give him.

“If I tell you the truth, will you believe it?” she softly asked and Aelius inhaled sharply.

“If what you say is believable, I will, but if it’s unbelievable, naturally I won’t believe it. That’s all there is to it,” he spoke.

“I see,” Aria smiled an almost sad smile.

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“I can understand your confusion. Where do I begin? Goddess, I don’t even know.”

Aelius eyed Aria intently as she looked up to the starry sky overhead, wearing a somewhat melancholic smile.

“While at the Academy, you were treated less than human. Do you remember? It wasn’t all that long ago.”

Aelius thought back to his memories, over ten years in the past for him now.

“Yes, I was bullied and harassed. I was the subject of mockery and I was spat on everywhere I went in the Academy. Is that why you wanted nothing to do with me? To keep your reputation?”

His tone was apathetic about his mistreatment at the Academy.

Aria could sense he was more concerned with her than about himself.

She could tell from his voice that he no longer cared about all the harassment he had received, it was but mere dust on his shoulders.

Instead, he seemed to be adamant on receiving a good answer about her perplexing actions.

“I never cared about my reputation,” Aria genuinely shook her head.

“Do you remember what happened every time I got close to you? People would step on you and say you’re not worthy of me.”

He heard Aria’s voice break.

“Even if I wanted to be with you, I only ever hurt you. Because you were too weak back then, it was like, I wanted to hug you as much as I could, yet I would end up breaking your ribs.”

At her words, Aelius’ thoughts began to spiral. At her words, he couldn’t help but doubt everything he had thought about her.

Her story felt real.

That was what always frightened him about Aria.

He’s played into many people’s hands before in the past, and since then, he’s learnt to recognise the signs, pick up on the inconsistencies.

He had become a master at detecting lies.

But with Aria, he could never tell.

Was he wrong the entire time?

There he goes, doubting himself yet again.

He refuses to believe it. He refuses to let her sway him.

“At first I looked forward to an Academy life with you. I was bright-eyed, and after I quickly realised reality, I-I…”

Aria’s voice trembled.

“I didn’t know what to do, and eventually I came to terms with the fact that while we were at the Academy, or at least until you get strong enough to stand on your own two feet, I have to keep my distance. That way, you’ll be hurt far less,” she continued to explain before giving him a warm smile.

“And that day came far sooner than I originally thought; the day that we could be together.”

Aelius clenched his fists, his heart began to pound.

It can’t be true. There’s no way he’s misunderstood her intentions all his life.

The atrocities she committed against in his past life still weighed heavily on his mind.

She has to be playing a game.

She was always playing a game. Right now it was also nothing different.

He has to try and draw out more from her, lock down on any inconsistencies, anything that could be a lie.

Though his mind was swirling, he kept on a staunch act.

“…Why me? You can have anyone you want, so why would you go through all of that torment just for me?” he calmly asked her and she gave him a look he couldn’t decipher.

It was merely a smile, with no hidden intention behind it.

A pure smile of emotion, that he never knew Aria was capable of.

“Have you never loved someone?”

She said those words again and they rang in his mind.

For that instant, Aelius didn’t know what to think or how to react.

His hand reached up to rest on his chin as his thoughts flooded over and for the longest time, he was silent.

Aria simply patiently waited for his answer, until finally, words fell from his lips, quiet and subtle, like a breeze in the night.

“I don’t- I-I can’t believe you.”

At his words, Aria blinked before the meaning made their way home and her bright eyes saddened as she looked to the ground dejectedly.

“You mean, you find my answer something unbelievable?”

Her voice was ladened with hurt.

“It’s believable, but it just doesn’t make sense. I just can’t believe it,” he shook his head with a conflicted sigh.

“Why!? It was the truth. Is it so unfathomable that I love you? What could I even ever do to make you believe me!?” she shouted.

At her raised voice, Aelius felt anger overtake him.

“Fine, it is unbelievable, okay? It is! The Aria I knew was incapable of empathy and human emotion. Your ‘truth’ goes against everything I’ve experienced,” Aelius spitefully spat back at her.

“Just because I kept my distance at the Academy!?” Aria repeated, flabbergasted.

No, because of the future you. Because after it all, I vowed to never let history repeat, Aelius thought, unable to explain, but felt his heart ache for some reason.

“Why do you have some sort of bias towards me? It’s obvious! It’s evident! You barely knew Alea, you barely know Lia, but for some reason while you’re nice to them, you treat me like shit!”

Before Aelius could say any further, Aria spun around and stormed off into the trees.

He wanted to chase but he didn’t know what to tell her after stopping her.

No words could come to mind. Instead, only what felt like heartbreak clouded his mind.

His hand was outstretched but as Aria’s shadow disappeared, his hand dropped to his side again and he took a deep breath.

The heartbreak quickly disappeared and he felt his rationality return.

His nerves re-steeled themselves and he turned away, albeit in a foul mood, but also feeling somewhat refreshed.

He remembers this feeling.

The last time this happened, he fell back into brutality.

And he has now likely relapsed.

I stopped pulling my punches, he remembered the words he wrote in his diary from his last life and looked at his two hands, deep in thought when suddenly another pair appeared and softly took hold of him by the fingers.

“I don’t know what goes on between you two but I hope you get along. Aria is a good person. I might be naive and stupid but I know good when I see it. I want us all to be happy together,” Lia who had appeared before him spoke.

But Aelius could only stay silent. Yet again, he didn’t know what to say, and suddenly, the younger girl reached up to ruffle his hair.

“Whatever it is you’re going through, I want to help whatever way I can to repay all you’ve done for me. We’re in this together.”

“Lia…” Aelius softly uttered, touched by her sincerity.

“I’m always willing to listen to anything you have to say, but for now, I’m going to go check on Aria, okay?”

Aelius nodded.

“...Do as you like,” he answered, his tone running cold.

“Be right back.”

—-----------------------

Damien Daniesvich let fly a curse under his breath as he tripped over a tree root, almost collapsing into the soil but just barely managed to regain his balance.

He looked around his surroundings as he rose back to his full height, scratching the back of his head.

The three had lost him and now, the young master was aimlessly wandering through the trees, in search of them.

As he decided to dwell deeper, the chatter at the camp of the commoners faded and was replaced by the soothing crickets of the night.

Another dozen or so metres further into the camp and his ears perked up as he subtly heard something strange.

It was indistinguishable at first, but he was able to lock on the direction and trudge closer.

Gradually approaching it, the noise grew louder in his ears and soon, he could tell it was soft sobbing and crying.

Overhead, the tall trees obscured the moonlight but he soon came to the edge of a small clearing where one of the trees had fallen, and sitting on the capsized trunk was a girl his age.

Damien felt his heart skip at the majestic, almost ethereal sight of the fairy-like girl in the moonlight, her mask discarded to her side as tears flowed from her cheeks.

Stunned, captivated, Damien felt his cheeks begin to flush.

Beneath her light blue hair, her golden eyes glowed magically, sitting above her small, wet nose.

Damien swallowed a gulp, snapping himself back into reality.

“Why… what did I do to deserve this…” her shoulders shook as she reached up to wipe the tears, but they never stopped.

Mustering his courage together, Damien was about to step out and make his approach when he heard another set of footsteps running up and crunching through the leaves, closing in quickly.

“Aria~!” another girl’s voice called and Damien felt his heart freeze.

He stayed deathly still for but a moment as the black-haired girl appeared through a bush, and he took a nosedive into cover, peeking into the clearing as quietly as he could.

“Aria! There you are!” The black-haired girl approached Aria from behind.

“Could you just… please give me some time alone?” she asked through her cries, her voice broken when the black-haired girl put a firm hand on her shoulder.

“Aria…” she reached up and removed her mask, revealing her concerned face and Damien’s jaw dropped.

They were both heaven-sent beauties.

He watched in tension as the black-haired girl pulled Aria into a hug and gave her heartfelt pats on her back.

“You’ve had it rough,” she simply sympathetically told the blue-haired girl, who simply continued to softly weep.

Her cries were controlled and quiet, and couldn’t be heard very far into the trees, but continued for quite some time until she gradually began to calm down.

The black-haired girl pulled away, giving Aria a firm gaze.

“Stay strong, okay? Stay strong.”

Softly, Aria responded with a few nods, swallowing her saliva pitifully.

“I guess it’s too much for someone like me to be greedy,” she softly chuckled and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes.

“Thank you, Lia. Can you give me some more time alone?” she asked.

Lia nodded, quietly donning her mask again and rose to her feet.

As she returned to the direction she came from, she gave Aria a final, concerned glance and then disappeared into the trees.

Damien watched as now, only the girl named Aria remained.

Now was his chance.

He mustered his courage, rubbing his hands together with a lick of his lips, and took a step out into the open.

Can’t score if you don’t shoot your shot.