Do I love you? My God, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.
Talking about beach, I found myself in a country called Vortavia.
Why? Because my former teacher told me to come.
He promised me some important information I had been searching for.
What kind of information? No idea. Not suspicious at all.
As I sat at a small kiosk, sipping on my orange juice, I watched the world go by—parents playing with their kids, couples getting way too comfortable in public, and children running around like they were on a sugar rush.
Meanwhile, me? Sitting alone. Like a mysterious lone wolf.
Or just a guy with no friends.
My teacher told me to "have fun first." Yeah, sure, great advice.
Except, I knew no one here, and I wasn't exactly in the mood to make friends.
Then, I heard a group of women chatting nearby. "Hey, what should we do first?"
"Hmm, what do you suggest we do first?" One of them responded with a familiar voice.
"I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS!" another one practically yelled.
I figured I should at least enjoy the beach for a bit before dealing with whatever my teacher had planned for me.
I downed the last of my orange juice, stood up, and turned around—And froze.
A group of women froze too.
Our eyes met.
Wait… I know these faces.
Elaina. Amnesia. Avilia. Saya. Mina.
They recognized me too.
The man sitting alone like some tragic protagonist… was me.
Elaina glanced at the girls, who looked just as shocked as she was, and said, "Is that…?"
Nope. Not today. Not when he is coming.
Slowly, I turned my back to them and raised my hand. "Sir! Another orange juice, please!"
"Arche?!"
Almost all of them called out in unison.
I flinched. I got caught.
Calmly, I took my orange juice, sipped it, and then—very dramatically—turned my chair to face them.
"Good morning," I greeted, trying to act like I totally wasn't avoiding them.
"This season is perfect for the beach, isn't it?" I added smoothly.
"You're here too?!" Amnesia stared at me like I was some kind of cryptid.
Mina, on the other hand, immediately hugged herself, her face turning red. Oh. Right. Beach outfit.
Correction: They were all wearing outfits that could potentially stop my heart.
"Well, I didn't come here to play around," I muttered under my breath.
"Of all places… This is the last place I wanted to see you." Elaina sighed dramatically.
"Yeah… coincidences are scary, huh?" I replied, hoping to move the topic along.
She exhaled heavily, clearly uncertain about what to do with me.
"Why are you here?" she finally asked.
I considered telling the truth. "Oh, just here to meet the vice chairman of an evil organization."
Yeah, no. That wouldn't go over well. "Having fun?" I replied instead, playing it cool.
"Yeah, but you're just sitting at the kiosk alone," Mina pointed out.
"Ugh… I was going to play on the beach after finishing my orange juice," I grumbled, then downed the rest of it.
I got down from my seat and approached them. "Listen—"
Then it hit me.
They were wearing bikinis.
My brain short-circuited. My vision blurred. A sudden warmth surged up my face, and before I knew it—
Drip.
A nosebleed. A full-on novel protagonist nosebleed. I quickly covered half of my face, trying to salvage whatever dignity I had left.
"They are so hot…" I thought, because my mouth had completely stopped working.
"A-Arche?! Are you okay?" Amnesia looked at me in concern.
"Uh… what a pitiful man," Mina said, shaking her head.
"I can understand that," Avilia nodded sagely, as if she had seen this coming.
"Hey! The blood is flowing more!" Saya pointed out, genuinely alarmed.
Elaina let out a deep sigh and shook her head, as if questioning why she was even here.
I quickly wiped the blood off my face. "I'm fine."
Correction: I fucking love the beach!
As my focus returned, I glanced at the five of them again. Then, something caught my attention.
Among the five of them, Elaina's chest…
A hard blow landed on my head before I could finish my thought. My world spun, and I collapsed onto the sand.
"Let's get away from this pervert," Elaina said coldly. The group walked away, leaving me in the dust. Well, almost all of them.
Amnesia still looked back, probably because she was worried about my physical (and mental) state.
Buried in sand, I muttered, "Well… flat is justice."
I slowly pulled myself up, dusted off the sand, and let out a deep breath.
"Ugh… well, it seems like I should enjoy this place a bit." I mumbled.
"So, how about we play volleyball?" Saya suggested, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Volleyball? Sure, that sounds like a fun idea," Avilia chimed in, already looking eager to win.
The girls exchanged glances. The competitive spirit was real.
"Two on two, okay? I want to be with Elaina!" Saya immediately latched onto Elaina like a loyal sidekick.
"Sis! If you're with her, who am I with?" Mina protested.
"Huh? Just be with someone else," Saya replied nonchalantly.
"Who? Avilia is with her sister, then who am I with?" Mina complained again.
"Come on, you just be with Mina," Elaina sighed, casually pushing Saya away.
Saya pouted. "Then, who are you with?"
Elaina thought for a moment when suddenly, a hand patted her shoulder.
"What about him?" Amnesia asked, pointing at me.
At that moment, I was gazing at the sea with intense focus, completely immersed in my own poetic world.
"Indeed, humanity is a polluted current. One must be like the sea, to accept the polluted current without becoming dirty," I murmured, my voice deep and philosophical.
Elaina stared at me, her expression a mix of disbelief and silent suffering.
"That's… one way to look at it," she muttered, rolling her eyes slightly.
"Arche! Come here and play volleyball together!" Amnesia called out.
Hearing that, I immediately snapped out of my poetic persona and switched back to normal mode.
"I'm in!" I declared, standing up dramatically.
And so, the teams were formed: Me and Elaina, Amnesia and Avilia, and Saya with Mina.
The first game? Elaina and I versus Saya and Mina.
Let the battle begin.
I started with the serve, sending the ball soaring high into the air. Mina jumped to intercept it, aiming for our side.
Elaina swatted the ball away, sending it drifting through the air.
Without wasting a second, I smashed it towards both of them. The ball was too fast for them to react in time.
It landed on their side, scoring us the first point. Elaina and I exchanged high fives, celebrating our victory.
"Not bad," Elaina complimented.
"You too," I replied with a grin.
"Sis! We can't lose!" Mina said, glaring at me.
Saya nodded, determination in her eyes. "Right! Let's show them what we've got."
The game resumed, and I served once again. Mina responded, bouncing the ball into the air, and Saya followed up with a smash.
Quickly, I deflected the ball, sending it floating mid-air. "Elaina!" I called.
Elaina leaped and slapped the ball with precision, sending it flying, but Saya managed to bounce it back.
Then, Mina went for a smash, and the ball landed on our side, earning them a point.
"We did it, Mina!" Saya said, grinning.
"Of course, we were supposed to win," Mina replied smugly.
Elaina and I exchanged a glance. It was clear: we had to take this seriously.
The game was watched by Amnesia and Avilia, they seemed entertained by the intensity of our game.
We kept playing until we were just one point away from victory. Elaina started with the serve.
Saya returned it, sending the ball into the air. Mina went for a smash, but Elaina deflected it, causing the ball to bounce upward.
I jumped high and smashed it toward their side, confident that this would secure our final point.
But to my surprise, Mina managed to send it back. Then Saya followed up with another powerful smash.
The ball shot toward us at an incredible speed. I reacted quickly, diving to keep it in play, crashing onto the sand in the process.
Despite that, I managed to send the ball soaring. Elaina took the chance, leaping into the air before launching the ball straight to their side.
They didn't have time to react. Before they even realized it, the ball had already landed on their side.
Victory was ours.
Elaina turned around, glancing at me lying on the sand. "Nice work, Arche."
I lifted my hand, giving her a thumbs-up.
Elaina smiled, standing up and looking down at my prone figure on the sand.
"You okay?" She asked taking out her hand.
I accepted the hand, and managed to stand up, I saw their reactions, Saya and Mina looked annoyed because they lost.
Amnesia and Avilia give a round of applause celebrating our victory.
Elaina couldn't help but smirk at their disgruntled faces. "Looks like we won," she said, her voice filled with satisfaction.
The next match was Team Amnesia versus Team Saya. The winner would go on to face Elaina and me.
The game began with Saya serving the ball. Avilia deflected it, sending it high into the air.
Amnesia followed up with a powerful smash, but Saya managed to bounce it back. Mina then struck the ball toward Amnesia's side.
Avilia focused on returning it, positioning herself perfectly—only to realize, too late, that the ball had already slipped past her.
Team Saya scored a point. Avilia looked shocked, and Amnesia quickly approached his sister. "Come on, we can fight back!"
Elaina and I watched from the sidelines, observing the match. Well, at least Elaina was watching.
I, on the other hand, had noticed that it wasn't just the ball bouncing around.
Suddenly, my ear was yanked. "Ow! Ow! Ow!"
Elaina, her expression unimpressed, pulled harder. "You were thinking about something perverted again, weren't you?"
"A-Ah! It hurts! I-I'm sorry!" My ears burned red from the pain.
"Men really can't control themselves, huh?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Sorry for being a man, then?!" I shot back, rubbing my sore ear.
The game continued, and I knew I had to focus—or else Elaina would yank my ear again.
Both teams were now just one point away from victory. Saya delivered a powerful smash.
Avilia quickly returned it, and Amnesia struck the ball toward their side.
The ball veered toward Team Saya's edge, forcing Mina to sprint to the side and send it back into play.
As the ball hovered mid-air, Saya seized the opportunity and delivered a decisive smash to end the game.
The ball shot toward them. Amnesia and Avilia scrambled to find the right position to return it.
But before they could react properly, the ball had already hit the ground.
Team Saya had won.
Avilia let out a long sigh, clearly frustrated by the loss.
Amnesia patted his sister on the back. "We did our best!"
Avilia nodded, looking slightly comforted by his words, while Team Saya celebrated their victory.
"We did it, Mina!" Saya and Mina exchanged a triumphant high five.
"We should've won the last match too," Mina grumbled.
Elaina and I clapped, congratulating Team Saya for securing the win in this round.
"Let's compete again, Elaina! I won't hold back, you know!" Saya pointed at the two of us.
Elaina couldn't help but chuckle at Saya's competitive spirit. "We'll see about that," she replied with a smirk.
The match began with Saya serving, bouncing the ball into the air. Mina quickly sent it flying toward us.
I managed to deflect the ball upward, and Elaina took the opportunity to shoot it to their right side.
Saya rushed to intercept, trying to prevent us from scoring. The ball bounced into the air. "Mina!" Saya called out.
Mina nodded and, with precision, went for a smash. The ball soared toward our side and landed perfectly on the ground, scoring them a point.
They both seemed pleased with their first point, but Elaina's expression shifted to something more serious.
"We need to win, Arche," she said, determination in her eyes.
I blinked, surprised by her sudden shift. "Oh? You're aiming to win?"
"Uh... Yeah," Elaina replied, sounding a bit confused by my question.
"I thought we were just having fun," I replied with a teasing grin.
"Having fun, yes, but if we can, we should win," Elaina answered firmly.
"Got it," I nodded. If that was the case, then I had to focus and take this seriously.
The next round began. "Elaina, bounce the ball as high as you can," I requested.
She gave me a curious look, clearly wondering what I was planning, but nodded. "I'll try."
Mina started with the serve, and Saya quickly fired the ball toward us.
Elaina, now fully focused, struck the ball upward with all her strength, sending it soaring high into the sky. That was my cue.
I leaped into the air, positioning myself right beneath it. As soon as the ball came down, I smacked it with all my might.
The ball rocketed toward Saya's direction, moving so fast that Saya didn't even try to hit it—she just dodged. "Nope, not getting hit by that!"
The ball slammed into the sand, sending up a small explosion of dust.
"You trying to kill me?!" Saya protested.
I ignored her, turning to Elaina with a smirk. "We got the point." I raised my fist for a fist bump.
But instead of responding immediately, Elaina just smirked sarcastically.
"Don't get too cocky yet." She left my hand hanging.
We kept playing, each rally more intense than the last, neither side willing to back down.
And in the end, the winners of this volleyball match were…
Team Elaina!
We sat down under the umbrella, catching our breath after the intense game.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead, a satisfied smile on my face.
Saya let out a dramatic sigh, looking like she had just lost a world championship.
"I can't believe you guys won..." she muttered.
"We are an invincible duo," I said proudly, puffing out my chest.
Elaina rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "Invincible, huh?"
"I'm so thirsty…" Saya exhaled dramatically, as if she had just crossed a desert.
I got up. "I'll buy you a drink."
"Ah! I'm coming!" Amnesia quickly stood up as well.
I nodded. "What do you all want?"
"Orange juice!"
"Lemon juice!"
"Anything cold!"
"Me too, orange juice!"
They all spoke at the same time.
"Okay, two orange juices, a lemon juice, and anything cold for the cold Mina," I repeated with a smirk.
Me and Amnesia started walking toward the drink stand.
"Hey, Arche, I'd like to ask something," Amnesia said, walking beside me.
"Ask anything," I replied, being my usual generous self.
"Why are you wearing clothes? Almost all the men here are shirtless," she asked, glancing around at the many half-naked guys on the beach.
"I thought all men liked to show off their bodies at the beach," she added curiously.
"Maybe not anything," I quickly corrected myself.
Truthfully, I had a lot of scars on my body. If I took off my shirt, they'd stand out too much.
Even with clothes, some scars on my arms were still visible. But obviously, I couldn't just say that.
So instead, I smirked and said, "I don't like showing off my body."
"What if the women on the beach suddenly crowd around me?"
Amnesia giggled. "Is that so?" She clearly didn't believe me.
I couldn't blame her.
"Hey, Amnesia, I'd like to ask something," I said, mimicking the way she had spoken earlier.
"Ask anything," she replied, mirroring my words.
"How do you feel wearing clothes like that? Do you feel embarrassed?" I asked with a teasing grin.
The moment she heard that, her face turned red, and she quickly looked away. "M-Maybe not anything..."
I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. I was definitely not expecting such a cute response.
By the time I composed myself, we had arrived at the shop. We bought the drinks they ordered and a few extra for ourselves.
I carried them all on a tray, while Amnesia handled the two glasses for Avilia and Elaina.
When we returned, the girls looked relieved and thrilled to see the drinks.
They grabbed theirs quickly, and I took a sip of mine. The coolness was like a burst of freshness to my body.
"So, what other games do we want to play after this?" I asked, feeling revitalized.
"Hm, I saw someone selling watermelons before," Saya said, her eyes lighting up. "How about Watermelon Splitting?"
"Oh? Sounds fun," Avilia replied, her competitive spirit returning.
After we'd all recharged, we bought six watermelons, a long cloth, and a light bat.
We even played rock-paper-scissors to decide who'd go first.
And, of course, I was the unlucky one who lost and had to be the first player.
I sighed deeply. "Ugh..."
This was going to be a mess.
Elaina glanced over at me with a knowing smirk. "Looks like you're the unlucky one, huh?"
"I'm really bad at luck," I replied, adjusting my blindfold, feeling slightly unsure about what I was about to do.
I gripped the light bat tightly, ready to swing at a watermelon, but completely unsure of what was ahead.
Elaina couldn't help but chuckle at my clumsy appearance. "Don't tell me you'll end up hitting your own foot."
"I have a feeling I'll do that..." I mumbled, a nervous grin spreading across my face.
I spun around five times, the dizziness creeping up on me. "Give me a hint!"
"Go straight!" Elaina instructed, her voice full of mischief.
I started walking in the direction she pointed, trying to keep my balance. Then, a voice came from behind me.
"A little to the left!"
I turned to the left, following the voice.
"Go straight!"
"A little to the right!"
"You're almost there!"
"Go straight!"
The constant barrage of directions was making my head spin. Before I knew it, I started walking completely off course.
"No, no, too far! Go back!"
"Wait! That's the ocean!"
"Swing anyway and hope for the best!"
"What do you mean?!" I protested, bewildered by the sudden change in strategy.
I turned around, now completely disoriented, and started stumbling forward again.
"Go straight!"
"Go straight!"
"Just one more step!"
"Swing now!"
I took a deep breath and swung my bat, putting all my hope into that one swing.
I heard a satisfying crack, and as I pulled off the blindfold, I saw it—the watermelon split clean in two.
"Wohoo!" I shouted, raising the bat triumphantly.
"So you didn't hurt yourself, huh?" Elaina said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I'm really good at this," I replied, grinning from ear to ear.
Clearly, my luck wasn't as bad as I thought. "Uh... Arche, your clothes," Avilia pointed at my outfit, a look of mild concern on her face.
I followed her gaze and saw the bright watermelon juice splattered across my new clothes.
I froze, speechless. "Ah! My new clothes! I just bought these today!"
"A-Ah... Arche, you can wash it later," Amnesia said, noticing my obvious annoyance.
"He's overreacting..." Mina muttered, not really understanding the gravity of the situation.
"You just have to take it off," Saya said with a shrug, as if that was the simplest solution.
I felt a wave of frustration. I didn't want to draw attention to my scars—walking around like this would only make it worse. But there was no other choice.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and started to remove my clothes.
The moment they saw my body, covered in scars, they went silent. It was like they didn't know how to respond.
Elaina was the first to break the silence, stepping closer to me.
"Geez... you're really unlucky, huh? That watermelon even hit your new clothes."
She didn't mention the scars, though. I couldn't help but feel a bit... relieved.
Geez, she's going to make me love her more...
Avilia, always blunt, spoke up next. "Arche, I knew you had a muscular body..."
"But I didn't expect you had an eight-pack," she added, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Uh? Because I always exercise," I replied, scratching the back of my neck awkwardly.
Amnesia then approached me with a smile, the shock from earlier fading into a thoughtful expression.
"A lot of exercise, huh? It's no surprise," she said, her eyes lingering for a moment.
"You exercise that much? Sheesh, you really like to work out," Saya added, crossing her arms as she eyed me skeptically.
"Clearly, you're a gym rat," Mina teased with a mischievous grin.
"Is that a compliment or an insult?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's kind of both, I guess," Mina responded with a smirk, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
Elaina, Amnesia, Avilia, and Mina all nodded in agreement, Elaina looking particularly entertained by the whole situation.
As I stood there, I started to notice more women glancing in our direction. The attention made me a little uncomfortable.
"Not to be modest, but I'm not that hot for them to look at me like that," I muttered under my breath, trying to deflect the attention.
"Sounds arrogant to me," Elaina said with a smirk, clearly amused by my words.
"Come on, let's continue playing," I said quickly, trying to change the subject before I said something more embarrassing.
"Alright, let's continue," Elaina replied with a nod, her smirk softening into a more casual expression.
The others agreed, and we dove right back into the game.
We played watermelon splitting until we were all exhausted, the sun now high in the sky, signaling that it was already noon.
"I think that's enough, huh?" Elaina said as she wiped the sweat from her forehead, her face flushed from the heat.
I stood up, stretching my arms out. "I'm going to the toilet for a minute."
"Sure, go ahead," Elaina replied with a casual nod.
I walked into the beachside bathroom, the salty air lingering on my skin as I passed through the door.
I stopped in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. A strange feeling crept over me, like I was being watched.
I couldn't shake the sense that someone was lingering nearby.
"Good noon, Hero," a voice suddenly broke the silence, its casual tone sharp enough to make me freeze in place.
I turned toward the voice and saw a familiar figure leaning against the wall, a smirk plastered on his face.
"Long time no see, Valth the bastard," I greeted, keeping my tone cool, though inwardly, I was far from relaxed.
"Language! A hero like you should be above such crude words," he said with mock offense, raising an eyebrow as if he was disappointed in me.
"I'm amazed you're still alive after I stabbed you."
"You don't seem to have changed much," I replied, crossing my arms as I assessed the red-haired man.
"You really can't grow old, huh? That's not just your nonsense," I added with a teasing tone.
Valth chuckled, straightening up from the wall and crossing his arms.
"Can you blame me for being ageless? I mean, look at you," he said, clearly enjoying the exchange.
I raised an eyebrow. "Why? Are you surprised that the once easily manipulated boy is now the hottest man alive?"
He rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh, please," he muttered, but his smirk gave away his true feelings.
"Hottest man alive, huh? You have a knack for stroking egos, I'll give you that."
I leaned against the sink, not bothering to hide my smirk. "So, you want to talk about your information here?" I asked, my tone turning a little more serious.
Valth raised an eyebrow, seemingly entertained by my change in mood. "Why? You're not a fan of bathrooms?"
I blinked in surprise. "What kind of joke is that?" I asked, my confusion evident in my voice.
"Oh, you definitely don't want the woman you like to know, right?" he teased, his grin widening.
My heart skipped a beat. "Let's see... Oh, that flat-chested woman, right?" he said, his voice dripping with mockery.
I scoffed, not willing to let him get under my skin. "She's not that flat, though," I replied, a sly smirk forming on my face.
"And hey, flat-chested women are like dessert. There's nothing there, but they're still hot," I said proudly.
He shook his head, "Hey, I didn't teach you that," He said with a wink, matching my playful tone.
I cleared my throat, the tension in the air palpable as I straightened up.
The playful banter had faded, and a more serious undertone seeped into my voice.
"Behind that booth is one of your men, right?" I asked, keeping my gaze locked on Valth.
He raised an eyebrow, the amusement still lingering in his expression.
"Sharp as ever," he acknowledged, his voice light, though his eyes betrayed something darker. "So, what if there is?"
"If I attack you now, your man will immediately come out and restrain me, right?" I continued, my words measured.
"But, I could have killed that person using just my own hands, you know."
I could see a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, just for a second, but it was gone as quickly as it came.
"Have you ever seen someone being choked to death?"
"Do you want to experience that too?" I added, my voice colder now.
To emphasize my point, I kicked the bathroom stall door, the sound echoing through the small space.
Valth chuckled, clearly amused by my threat. "Oh, really?" he said, grinning.
"You think you can beat my men with your bare hands? Go ahead, give it a try."
The moment his subordinates emerged from the room, they rushed at me, but I was already a step ahead.
Without breaking a sweat, I tilted my head to avoid the first strike.
I moved quickly, kicking the attacker square in the stomach.
He was sent flying back, crashing into the wall before slumping to the ground in pain.
I grabbed his neck, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.
His eyes widened in shock, but I wasn't interested in killing him—not yet, at least.
"Impressive," Valth begrudgingly admitted, though his eyes showed a hint of pain.
"You've become far more skilled than you used to be."
I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I tilted my head, staring at him for a moment.
"But now, let go of that person," he added, his voice suddenly more serious.
"You don't want a murder to happen in the toilet, right?"
I released my grip, throwing the man back into the room with a swift movement, closing the door with my foot as I turned back to Valth.
"Yeah, I don't need to bother killing him anyway," I said nonchalantly, my voice smooth. "You'll kill him eventually."
Valth's expression hardened for just a moment before he nodded.
"You're awfully perceptive," he remarked, his tone shifting. "Follow me."
Valth started walking out of the bathroom, his pace steady and deliberate.
I followed him closely, my steps almost silent as we moved through the crowded beach.
The laughter of Elaina and the others filled the air, but I remained focused, my eyes locked on Valth's back.
He didn't look back, and there was no conversation between us as we walked in silence.
We reached a beach house, its rustic charm standing out amidst the busy seaside atmosphere.
Valth entered without a word, and I followed suit. The door creaked shut behind us, the soft click of the lock echoing in the quiet space.
Inside, the house was simple but comfortable, a sharp contrast to the chaotic beach outside.
Valth dropped onto a couch in the living room, his posture casual as he leaned back with a smug smirk playing on his lips.
I took a seat across from him, mirroring his relaxed posture but keeping my guard up.
"Comfortable?" Valth asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at me, his smirk never leaving his face.
"Well, it's better than the toilet," I replied, a dry humor slipping into my tone.
"Touché." Valth chuckled, clearly amused by my quick retort.
I didn't waste any time. "So, what kind of information do you want to give me?" I asked, my voice steady, but the curiosity gnawing at me.
"Quite straightforward, aren't you?" he mused, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Alright. I'll cut to the chase."
He leaned forward slightly, his expression turning more serious.
"Do you know who Zero One is?" he asked, his voice low, as if the name carried weight.
I frowned, thinking for a moment. "No, all I know is that Zero Two and Zero Three were killed by Zero One," I replied, my mind racing.
"And, you're the one who told me that," he added, his tone sharp and knowing.
"Correct again," I said, leaning back slightly in my seat. "You always were a good listener."
Valth nodded, almost as if to himself, and then reached into the pocket of his vest.
He pulled out a folder, placing it on the table between us with a deliberate motion.
I raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised you could fit that in there," I remarked, taking the folder from him.
"I have pockets, you know," Valth said with a smirk, clearly enjoying my comment. "Read away."
I opened the folder, the sound of paper rustling filling the room.
Inside were detailed documents—biodata, reports, and other classified information about Zero Two and Zero Three.
"Hm... Zero Two is a woman, and Zero Three is a man, huh?" I muttered to myself as I skimmed through the pages.
"They stayed with you until the very end of their lives," I read aloud, the words heavy with meaning.
"They were loyal to the very end," Valth affirmed, his voice carrying a sense of finality.
"The two of them were the only ones who never ran from me."
"Unlike some people," he added, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, nodding absentmindedly before a realization struck me.
"Wait, two? Are you saying Zero One ran away from you too?"
Valth's expression darkened as he muttered, "Zero One did try to break away from me..." His voice grew softer, almost reluctant to speak of it.
"But I wasn't going to let her go so easily."
I caught a strange glimmer in his eyes, and as he glanced over my shoulder with a subtle smile, I felt an odd chill run down my spine.
Turning around, I expected to see someone, but there was nothing—just an empty, silent space behind me.
"So, let's get to the main topic," Valth said, raising his voice unexpectedly.
I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone.
"Yeah, so... what exactly do you want to tell me?" I asked, though my mind was already racing, trying to anticipate his next words.
How to defeat their leader? The location of their base? My thoughts were a blur, preparing for any possibility.
But then, Valth's next words hit me like a punch to the gut.
"I know where your mother is."
For a moment, the world around me seemed to freeze. My breath caught, and I stared at him, completely blindsided.
The words didn't compute. My mind couldn't process them.
I was frozen in place, the silence in the room almost suffocating.
I couldn't speak. My hands started to sweat, and my heart began to thud painfully against my chest.
"What... did... you say?" My voice barely came out as a whisper, shaking.
"You heard me," Valth replied coolly, a sinister grin spreading across his face, dark amusement dancing in his eyes. He was enjoying this—my shock, my confusion.
A surge of emotion hit me all at once. Without thinking, I jumped to my feet, fists clenched, ready to strike.
But before I could even land a blow, he moved. His leg shot out with lightning speed, landing a powerful kick to my stomach that sent me crashing back into the couch.
I gasped for air, the impact leaving a dull ache in my abdomen. I sat there, stunned, trying to steady my breathing.
Valth chuckled, shaking his head in mock disappointment.
"Impudent," he muttered, clearly unphased by my failed attempt.
"Bastard!" The word exploded from my mouth, the anger bubbling over.
"What do you mean, you know where my mother is?!"
Valth raised an eyebrow, as if my outburst was nothing more than an amusing distraction.
"Language," he said with a disapproving click of his tongue. "Do I need to remind you who's in charge here?"
"You son of a bitch!" I was beyond furious now, my fists slamming onto the table with enough force to rattle it.
"If you know where she is, tell me NOW, asshole!"
Valth's eyes glinted with mild amusement, completely unaffected by my fury.
"Feisty as ever," he mused, crossing his arms. "Calm down, and I'll tell you."
I took a shaky breath, forcing myself to sit back down. My pulse was still racing, but I knew I had to get a grip. Yelling wouldn't get me answers.
"That's better," Valth smirked, clearly pleased with how I was trying to regain control.
"Your mother is Zero One, and now she's part of the organization," Valth's words landed like a thunderclap in my ears.
I froze. Every part of me was still, but inside... my heart hammered in my chest, each beat louder than the last.
Two pieces of information—two truths—hit me at once, and I couldn't process them fast enough.
My mind went blank. I'd never felt this lost before. He tossed a photo at me.
I barely reacted, but somehow, my hands moved on their own, catching it.
The photo felt cold against my skin as I looked down at it.
The image was a punch to my gut. There, in the frame, was my mother, standing beside Valth.
I was struck dumb by the sight. She looked... annoyed, as though she didn't want to be there.
And yet, they stood side by side, posing for a photo. Valth's voice broke through my stunned silence. "Surprised?"
I couldn't respond. I was too busy trying to comprehend what I was seeing.
Valth chuckled darkly, clearly amused by my shock as he watched me closely.
"Iris... a beautiful woman, one I raised longer than you," he continued, his words laced with an unsettling pride.
"The first test subject for my perfect human creation," he added, almost casually.
"Her real name is Zero One."
"I named her."
His words struck me harder than any blow. I couldn't even raise my head, my mind reeling, crashing with the weight of it all.
The world around me felt like it was tilting. Valth watched me struggle, no doubt enjoying the chaos unfolding within me.
The silence stretched, unbearable and thick, as I tried to gather the pieces of my shattered thoughts.
"Speechless, are we?" he teased, a mocking glint in his eyes. "No witty comebacks or insults?"
He had expected a reaction, but getting met with a blank stare was unusual.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself... but it was impossible.
Every part of me was in turmoil, and no matter how hard I tried to calm down, my mind wouldn't stop racing.
I knew, deep down, that any rash move right now would only make everything worse.
But there was something else. Something I couldn't ignore. I was afraid.
It was the first time I had ever admitted it to myself. After Valth had kicked me, the fear had settled in, cold and unyielding.
I didn't want to fight him again—not like that. It wasn't just about strength... it was about something deeper.
But amidst the fear, there was something else that burned brighter than anything else: I wanted to meet her.
I wanted to see my mother again. I wanted to bring her back, to take her away from this nightmare, and live together again.
The thought consumed me, a desire stronger than anything else.
Valth, of course, was enjoying my inner chaos. His smirk was dark and amused as he leaned back, crossing his arms lazily, clearly watching me like I was nothing more than a show for his entertainment.
"You look like a mess," he taunted, his voice laced with mockery. "What are you thinking of doing?"
I remained silent, staring at him, the weight of my emotions pressing down on me.
I couldn't find the words, and even if I could, I knew I wasn't ready to voice them.
Valth raised an eyebrow, his grin widening as he observed my silence.
"Still quiet, huh?" he mused, clearly finding my struggle entertaining.
"Cat got your tongue?" Valth taunted, his grin widening.
"So, here's the thing," he continued, his voice smooth, almost too calm.
"I'll make you an offer." His smile turned sly, his words deliberate.
"Come back to our organization, and you'll meet your mother again."
The words hit me like a tidal wave.
Meet my mother again...?
For a moment, everything in me froze. I stood there, stunned.
The offer... it was so tempting. The one thing I wanted more than anything was to see her again.
It was everything I had been fighting for, everything I had hoped for.
My heart raced, my mind scrambled with the thought. Yes, I wanted to meet her... I would do anything to be with her again.
I opened my mouth to speak, ready to accept the offer.
But then—
"Stop!"
The voice cut through the air like a blade, interrupting me just as I was about to answer.
I spun around in surprise. There, standing in front of me, was a woman in beachwear.
Elaina.
"Witchie...?" I muttered, barely believing my eyes. Valth's grin widened, as if he had been expecting her.
"You finally showed yourself, huh?" he said, his tone mocking.
Elaina stood there, arms crossed, her expression stern and unreadable.
Her eyes flicked between me and Valth, assessing the situation with a practiced calm.
"Nice little meeting we got here, huh," she said dryly, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Without thinking, I rushed to her side, standing protectively in front of her.
"What are you doing here?!" I demanded, my heart still pounding in my chest.
Elaina blinked, clearly a bit surprised by my sudden move.
But she quickly regained her composure, locking her eyes with Valth in a fierce, unyielding stare.
"I could ask you the same thing," she shot back, her tone sharp and steady.
I couldn't find the words, and my eyes involuntarily turned to Valth.
I suddenly remembered the moment when he had glanced behind me earlier.
"Since then, huh?" The realization hit me like a thunderclap.
"Why did you let her hear that information on purpose?!" I shouted, my voice rising in anger.
Valth only chuckled, his expression unfazed by my accusation.
"Oh, I did it on purpose," he said, the amusement clear in his voice. "I wanted to see your reaction."
I gritted my teeth, my frustration growing. "You should know that was a blunder, right?" I shot back.
Valth feigned innocence, a smug smile curling his lips.
"Oh, it wasn't a blunder at all," he said, stretching out his words as if savoring every moment.
"I was quite enjoying the show."
The tension was unbearable, but Valth wasn't done. His mocking smile deepened.
"So, will you accept my request to return to the organization, Zero Four... oh, what was your real name again? I seem to have forgotten."
I stayed silent, sweat beginning to bead on my forehead. I wanted to see my mother again more than anything.
The temptation was almost too much. But just as I felt myself on the edge of making a rash decision, something grounded me.
Elaina, sensing the storm raging inside me, stepped forward. Her hand landed firmly on my shoulder, her touch calm but certain.
"Hold on," she said, her voice firm and steady. "There are things we need to consider before making any hasty decisions."
Her presence was like a lifeline, pulling me back from the brink.
Slowly, I felt the storm inside me start to settle. Valth was dangerous—he couldn't be trusted. I couldn't be impulsive.
I took a deep breath, reminding myself of the promise I made to Elaina.
I couldn't let my emotions lead me into a situation that might put my life at risk. I needed to stay strong.
I stood taller, my resolve hardening.
"My name is Arche, the Sin Redeemer!" I said, my voice steady, my finger pointing at Valth. "And I refuse your offer!"
Valth raised an eyebrow, his amusement clear as he watched my defiant response.
"So, you've decided to defy me?" he asked, his voice dripping with mocking challenge.
I didn't flinch. "I don't bow to threats," I said, my voice steady. Then, a small smile tugged at my lips.
"I do want to meet my mother... but I'm sure she's a strong woman."
I could feel the weight of my words, but something else began to surge within me—confidence.
"But still, Valth," I continued, my eyes narrowing, "I can attack sooner or later."
Valth's smile didn't fade, but his eyes sharpened. "Are you declaring war?"
Elaina, sensing the rising tension, intervened quickly. "Arche, wait—"
But I wasn't backing down. "Yeah, just think of it like that," I replied, matching Valth's challenge.
Valth chuckled, clearly entertained. "I didn't expect that..." His grin deepened, as if savoring my boldness.
"I thought there was still an eight percent chance you'd accept after seeing her."
He paused, studying me with a twisted amusement. "But I guess it's only ten percent, huh?"
Elaina, still shaken by my bold declaration, shot me a concerned look.
Her eyes were filled with worry, but there was also something else—determination.
"You can't just make such bold statements and expect to walk away unscathed," she warned, her voice laced with concern.
But my resolve was unwavering. "I've already accepted the consequences," I muttered under my breath.
Suddenly, before I could react, Valth lunged forward.
In an instant, I pushed Elaina back, shielding her from his attack.
His fist slammed into my stomach, sending a wave of pain through me, and I doubled over.
Without warning, he grabbed my collar, lifting me off the ground and forcing a potion into my mouth.
I choked as the bitter liquid slid down my throat, and an immediate pain twisted in my stomach.
Elaina reacted quickly, her hands glowing with magic as she aimed a powerful strike at Valth.
But he dodged with terrifying speed, tossing me aside like a ragdoll, and the force of it left me crashing to the floor.
I barely registered the pain as Valth turned, his voice mocking and cold.
"Nice to meet you, Witchie."
He didn't even spare me a second glance. "I hope we can meet again... and say goodbye to Zero four."
With that, he left, his footsteps echoing through the house.
Elaina rushed to my side, her eyes wide with panic as she knelt beside me.
"Arche!" Her voice cracked as she gently lifted my head, concern flooding her face. "Are you okay?"
I could barely focus through the haze of pain, but I managed to force a smile, even though it hurt.
"I'm... fine. I'll be fine," I whispered, though the uncertainty in my voice betrayed me
I felt something inside me—something vital—begin to fade. It wasn't just a feeling; it was like part of me was being torn away.
And then, it was gone.
The moment it disappeared, a strange sensation washed over me.
My body felt... lighter, almost as if the weight of the world had been lifted.
I blinked, dazed, and slowly, I managed to sit up, my body still trembling slightly from the shock.
Elaina's face was the first thing I saw, her expression a mixture of relief and concern.
She let out a shaky breath as she watched me sit up, her hand instinctively reaching for my shoulder.
"Thank goodness," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You frightened me."
Her touch was warm, grounding. "Are you feeling alright?"
I didn't answer immediately. My gaze was distant, my mind racing, trying to process what had just happened.
My heart pounded in my chest, an uncomfortable rhythm of both confusion and surprise.
I looked at my hands, feeling... empty. My fingers twitched as I reached for my broom, hoping for something, anything, to confirm that I wasn't imagining this.
I muttered the incantation in my mind. "Do not appear."
Nothing happened.
The weight of it hit me like a ton of bricks.
"I lost my magic," I finally said, my voice barely more than a whisper.
Elaina's eyes widened in disbelief, her face freezing in shock.
"You... you lost your magic?" she repeated, her tone full of astonishment and worry.
I didn't answer, just stared at my hands, the realization sinking deeper.
After what felt like an eternity of silence, we made our way back to the beach.
As we approached, I could see Saya, Mina, Amnesia, and Avilia waving at us from the distance.
Elaina gave me one last, lingering look before she gave me a reassuring smile.
Saya, always the cheerful one, greeted us with a bright smile.
"Hey there! We were starting to wonder what was taking you two so long."
Amnesia, ever observant, asked with genuine curiosity, "Did you come to pick up Arche, Elaina?"
Avilia's question followed quickly, her tone lighter but still inquisitive. "Where are you guys from?"
Mina, with her usual bluntness, added, "You guys didn't walk from the bathroom."
Their questions came all at once, each one a reminder of the life I had to pretend was normal.
I smiled—forced, empty—and began answering their questions with quick, carefully crafted lies.
Elaina, sensing my struggle, stepped in to help, her calm demeanor making our stories sound more convincing, but I could feel the tension between us.
Saya, with a playful glint in her eye, raised an eyebrow. "You two looked pretty serious back there though."
I could feel the weight of her observation, like she was seeing through the cracks in my facade.
I quickly looked away, trying to hide the storm brewing inside me.
The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, and I grasped for any distraction to ease the pressure.
"It's already evening, huh?" I said, changing the subject abruptly.
Elaina glanced up at the sky, her expression softening as she hummed in agreement.
"Time flies quickly when you're having fun, doesn't it?"
"Isn't it beautiful?" Amnesia asked softly, as if the sunset held all the answers.
"Yeah," Avilia replied, her voice gentle. "It feels nice to watch the sunset together like this."
"Mhm! I agree!" Saya chimed in with a bright nod.
Mina, ever the realist, muttered, "It's just an ordinary sunset," though even she couldn't entirely hide a trace of wistfulness.
Elaina's gaze drifted from the horizon to me, finding me seated on the sand.
I stared at my hands, the loss of my magic weighing on me like an unseen chain.
I couldn't help but think, I can't use magic anymore, can I?
Saya, ever perceptive, caught the change in my demeanor. "Arche! You okay? You're awfully quiet all of a sudden," she called out, her tone laced with concern.
Before I could answer, Amnesia nudged me playfully, "Stop daydreaming and let's watch this sunset together, Arche!"
"Hey, don't be so gloomy. Enjoy today for a moment," Elaina encouraged, extending a hand as if to pull me back from my own dark thoughts.
"Come on, Arche."
A small smile began to form on my lips. Even though my magical abilities were gone, I realized something important: I still had my body, my mind, and my will to keep moving forward.
I might not be able to cast spells anymore, but I could still face the challenges ahead on my own terms.
I rose slowly, feeling the cool sand beneath my feet, and joined the others in watching the sun sink lower.
As the sky painted itself in hues of gold and crimson, I allowed myself a moment of reflection.
This sunset—this fading light—was like my own happiness.
And though the day was ending, I knew that even if the sun set, the promise of a new dawn remained.
In that quiet, bittersweet moment, I embraced the truth: I might have lost my magic, but I hadn't lost myself.
Even if the sun sets on my powers, I will rise again—stronger, with my own strength to face what's ahead.