"Oh, that thing? It's easy."
Hold on, what do you mean by 'easy' here?
"Do you truly understand the meaning of the question just now?"
"Yes, it's related to the contract."
"If that's the case, please explain the contract."
"Alright."
"First, after the kiss, the contract had been established, but it still wasn't finalized."
"Yeah, I already know that, you silly. But how do we finalize it?"
"Oh, so that's the real question…"
Such a slow processor.
I was tired of spending so much time with this cunning woman — especially being stuck for about 3–4 hours with a girl who would later become my sister.
As if no one else was suitable but her. Ugh, no thank you.
I was fine being the only child, until she ruined it.
"Are you done muttering to yourself, Kairi my dear?"
"Yes, quite satisfied. Just so you hear the screams of frustration in my heart."
I remained lifeless as usual, expressionless.
However, my anger was obvious no matter how much I tried to conceal it.
"Oh, really? I'm so happy to hear that." Her face was serene and calm.
So calm that I felt like pouring an ice bucket over her head.
"Alright. To finalize the contract, all that's needed is to connect our hands as a symbolic gesture of the magical bond."
Wait, is that all? Really?
Out of all the explanations she had given, this was the only part that didn't seem complicated at all. Maybe because it was about magic, though.
"This symbol of the magical bond can be understood as something that strengthens the energy connection based on its identity code."
"Oh, so... does this mean I have to hold your hand? That's it, right?"
"That's it. But you must remember the consequences."
"Yeah, I do. No worries."
"Uh, what about later after this?"
Ah, right...
That was an interesting question, since she'd already explained earlier that I would be clueless about everything that was going to happen in the future — including everything that had happened in this stasis up until now.
"Maybe."
If Selene's theory was true, then the return-by-memory would allow me to do that.
"It seems you understand," she smiled, looking genuinely pleased.
"Okay, don't act like my older sibling for now."
Honestly, I still wouldn't want to accept it.
But what could I do? There was nothing I could do. This was my fault for kissing her so carelessly. But still, everything seemed to align with the vision I had.
"Oh, so it was on purpose? Just say if you wanted a twin sister."
"No. But at least this still aligns with your goal, right?"
"Sadly, yes."
She looked so reluctant.
Hey, if I'm being honest, she should be thanking me for this — not the other way around.
"By the way, about the definition of time I explained earlier…
Would you like to think it over carefully?"
"Honestly, I'm not interested, but you could look it up in a field called quantum mechanics."
She only nodded, her face grave.
"And by the way… the one with memory loss is me, right? Not you?"
"Nope, it also means I'll lose my memory of what happens in the next five years."
"And what's that?"
"Destruction, everywhere."
Oh, so this is why she came here.
"What do you mean by destruction?"
"Do you still remember the soliloquy I have about the demon race?"
Oh, that was still clearly echoing in my head.
Their ferocity and lust, as well as how cutthroat and sly they were.
"It is related to that."
"Maybe such a future will be erased from my memory."
"However, that doesn't mean it will never happen."
She continued, her tone cautious,
"Ains Ein Doa will be destroyed at the hands of someone."
"Who is he?" I tilted my head slightly, my voice curious.
"His name is..." a dramatic pause added to her reply. She seemed hesitant.
"Zeichen."
Wait, does his name even matter here?
However, for a few seconds, Selene's composure cracked. She shuddered, as if even speaking his name summoned a dreaded nightmare.
"No, I mean... his identity."
"Oh."
"In that case, I have no idea. But one thing for certain."
"He belongs to the demon race, also the strongest warrior they have ever had."
"I had struggled against him, because the magic energy I possessed was insufficient when it came to stamina for combat. Meaning that I couldn't hold him any longer."
"Oh, really? Wouldn't you be able to use Alchemistry to handle those things."
My tone flat, even though it's supposed to be a question.
"It's not that simple."
"I can utilize this ability so long as I understand the mechanism of the said object."
"Meaning that since I am not a healer, I hardly grasp the way energy in body works."
"Not to mention the magic flow and energy are not essentially things-related."
"And that's where the weakness lies. At the beginning of the fight, I almost had the upper hand immediately, forcing him to hide somewhere safe."
"But that's where his cunning attitude came in. Zeichen… he deliberately drained my stamina with a counterattack by launching a single strike to my abdominal region."
"I managed to dodge, but my staff broke, my wand out of power. My hand no longer channeled magic. As for the sword, I couldn't use it because I'm not really good at it."
So, she had weaknesses too.
I hadn't realized that before. From her weak stamina to her lack of swordsmanship, I suppose these were the flaws that made her character all the more interesting.
"Oh, by the way," I said.
"I want to know one more thing before we… well, connect our magical energies."
"What is it?"
"Do you often get sick?"
She seemed taken aback by the question, possibly confused by such a sudden 'diagnosis.' But from her tall yet fragile posture, it's as if a single touch could make her tumble, it was clear that what limited her as a Nakanarian elf descendant wasn't magic.
Instead, it's something that must be medical-related.
"Yes, I spent most of my life at home than outside."
"My parents always say it's dangerous for my health to go outside."
"And when I tried to mimic what my father did, it only worsened my condition, and I'd be sick for days. Not being able to recover fully until a week or so."
Anemia? Maybe. Or congenital heart disease, perhaps even something with the lungs?
Oh, so that's it. It's not that Selene wasn't unable to use healing magic… rather, her body was too weak for such energy-draining tasks. And while Alchemistry could be used to heal, it wasn't as precise as being a healer who needed careful observation when treating others. In other words, she is the one who needs to be healed.
"Selene, can I hold your chest?"
"Huh, what for if I may ask?"
"Don't worry, I'm not doing anything silly. This is also part of my expertize as a healer."
"And you never reported this to me. How lame."
"Because it's a secret, you know. I cannot tell this, not even to someone like you."
As I mentioned earlier, I intentionally kept my track records hidden, including the fact I hunted leeches in the forest. Because this is considered an ethical code for a doctor… or rather, a healer too. At Aethelgarten Akademiya, it was also taught by the professor that no one should know the healing techniques you possess, except yourself.
"Oh, I just remembered that rule. But honestly, I'm curious right now."
"Do you want me to demonstrate it?" I said, preparing to diagnose her.
"Alright, hold my chest tightly, my dear Kairi..."
Her tone was half-teasing, as if we were engaging in something so sinful.
I ignored her words and proceeded to touch her chest, then chanted a healing spell.
"K'sem Avchon Mitkadem... ten la'rof le'havin… et tiv ha'neshamah."