Chapter 4

I still can’t forget the moment when Master passed away. Back when I was young, immature, and foolish…

I trusted an enemy who disguised themselves as a friend, and I fought with Master, who warned me to be cautious of that “friend.”

“How many times have I told you I had a bad feeling about that girl! Don’t get close to her!”

“Why are you insulting my friend, Master?! I wish you’d just crack your head open and die, you stupid Master!”

I spat those words and stormed out of the house. There were countless times I wanted to tear my own mouth for saying such things.

“Ah, you’re here?”

“You even abandoned your Master to come here… How foolish.”

After a long runaway, the friend I found betrayed me. When the shadow of death loomed over me, I was ready to give up everything, regretting ignoring Master’s words.

“Tsk… You really are a handful…”

“Light, become my shield.”

Suddenly, Master appeared and dispelled the shadow of death looming over me.

But the trap set to kill me was too elaborate, and even Master couldn’t escape its effects.

Master dealt with all the enemies but, perhaps exhausted, allowed a sneak attack to land.

Bleeding from the forehead, Master, even while dying, patted my head one last time.

“Why are you crying… You foolish disciple… I’ve always been a bad Master, bossing you around and tormenting you.”

What are you saying? You were always by my side… Always saving me… You filled the void left by my parents. Why aren’t you scolding me? Why don’t you curse me, saying it’s all my fault?

“Ah… Master… Please don’t speak… Let’s get you treated…!”

“It’s fine. You’re hurt too, so don’t waste your magic… *cough*…”

“Please don’t speak! I’ll take you to the healing center!”

I carried Master on my back. The body that once radiated a sun-like warmth was trembling. The warmth was turning cold.

“I guess I’m broken, Airi…”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Please don’t leave me alone!”

Tears streamed down uncontrollably. It’s my fault, my fault. I was so pathetic, so foolish. I couldn’t bear the thought of Master dying for someone like me.

“Airi… You’ve grown so much…”

“Master, please…”

Those words felt like a final farewell, and I didn’t want to hear them. I couldn’t accept that Master’s voice, always so strong, was now trembling weakly.

“You’re a good child… Now go find your parents… Your older brother will surely love you too…”

“Master, please…”

“Become a great adult, different from me… Airi, I’ve always loved you…”

With those words, Master’s breath stopped. Because of my foolish actions, my immaturity, Master was gone.

It’s my fault. All of this is my doing. It felt like some unknown someone was whispering that all of this was my failure. No matter how much I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t.

“Master, you’re joking, right…? You’re just messing with me, right…?”

I kept asking Master, who had stopped breathing. But Master didn’t answer.

“You’re just sulking, right? Your cute disciple is begging you, so please answer…”

Master’s body was cold. For a long time, until I fainted, I just cried endlessly.

[“I wish you’d just crack your head open and die, you stupid Master!”]

I kept slapping my own lips that had spat those words. Maybe those words became a curse, and Master died with a cracked forehead.

For a while, I didn’t even want to speak. After such a long time, my father, who had been searching for me, looked at me indifferently.

“You’re here. I entrusted you to Werner, but where is he?”

But when Father heard of Master’s death, his pupils shook.

“Werner… Our youngest… is dead…?”

Father couldn’t believe Master’s death. And when Master’s comrades heard of it, they all hated me.

“You got our youngest killed, and you dare show your face around here? Even if you’re the commander’s daughter, I won’t accept you.”

“Get lost. You were nothing but a burden to Werner, and now you’re bothering us too?”

“…Move. Who are you planning to kill next after Werner?”

“My daughter will be sad… I won’t hold you responsible, but it’s still unsettling. Let’s not meet outside of missions.”

“Our youngest died like this…”

They grieved Master’s death and blamed me. Some even attacked me in their grief. Father stopped them, but even he didn’t look at me favorably.

“…I only feel sorry for our youngest. I shouldn’t have entrusted you to him.”

In the end, I had to work twice as hard to earn everyone’s recognition. Only then did they start to acknowledge me a little.

But even so, the void in my heart remained unfilled. Without Master, every sound felt like noise, every creature felt like a pest, and every smell felt like a stench.

After all the wars ended, I received a palace-like home. I could live with Father and Mother.

But I still missed the old house where I lived with Master. I missed the rye bread I shared with Master more than Mother’s cooking. I missed Master’s embrace more than my parents’.

Then one day, I read a story in a magic book about someone who turned back time. It was usually dismissed as nonsense, but I needed that hope, even if it was a lie.

I left home and secluded myself, researching time-reversal magic. I skipped meals and sleep, dedicating myself entirely to the research.

I gathered everything I needed. But even if I turned back time, Master’s soul had already left for another world. Ordinary souls might linger, but Master’s soul was special and had already moved to another dimension.

But I wasn’t one to give up so easily. Master wasn’t someone to be stopped by mere dimensional walls. If Master had reincarnated in another world, I would just summon that reincarnated soul.

“Time… Please grant me a second chance.”

My plan was successful.

An eternity that felt like an instant of darkness came. When I lifted my heavy eyelids, I saw a familiar ceiling. The old wooden ceiling with its creases and the old magic lamp. It was the everyday scenery I had dreamed of.

As I stared at the familiar ceiling, a familiar voice reached me.

“The sun’s high, and you’re still not up, you foolish disciple.”

The familiar thump of a knuckle hit my head. Seeing Master’s face, which I had missed so much, brought tears to my eyes.

“Hey, why are you crying…? You’re not sending a letter to your father, are you…? This is just a joke, Airi…”

Ah, Master… My one and only Master. This soul is Master’s. Even if the memories are different, the essence of the soul is the same. I adjusted it to retain some memories of me and knowledge of this world.

“Hitting your cute disciple’s head… I really hate you.”

I hated you for leaving me. I hated you for making me feel so alone.

I hugged Master tightly.

“Hey, I can’t breathe! You’re as strong as your father…!”

“This is the punishment for hitting your cute disciple’s head!”

This is the punishment for leaving me behind, so accept it gladly.

“Alright, alright, I’m sorry. What do you want me to do to make it up to you?”

Stay by my side forever.

“Then teach me swordsmanship!”

I’ve already mastered swordsmanship and magic. But just being with Master is a huge reward.

So, in front of Master, I had to remain a weak and foolish disciple. The adventurer guild’s measuring tools? I can manipulate those old things easily.

“Alright, I got it.”

Master patted my head as always. The warmth of that hand alone made all the hardships worth it.

“Slowpoke disciple, what are you doing? Hurry up!”

“Yes, I’m coming!”

Moving in sync with Master made me feel like I could fly.

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Late at night, Master drank and fell into a deep sleep.

Probably nothing would wake him. I cast a strong sleep spell on the alcohol.

As I touched Master’s cheek, which I had longed to touch, memories of touching Master’s cold, lifeless face came back.

“Master, I’ve actually done something terrible to you.”

I kissed Master’s cheek.

“So this time, I’ll protect you.”

This time, I won’t let Master die.

And please, stay by my side. Give your attention only to me. Give your heart only to me.

I love you, my Master.