Published: January 24, 2026
I have only lived for about twenty years, but even so, there is one thing I have come to understand.
That is, “A life without regrets—such a thing simply doesn’t exist.”
Even when you think you’ve made the best choice, failures are inevitable.
But at the same time, there is much to be gained from those very choices.
That’s why, when you’re uncertain, it’s more constructive to think about what you will gain by choosing a certain path.
And most importantly, once you’ve chosen a path, you must give it your all.
Keep striving so that you gain enough to feel satisfied.
Enough so that you don’t have to imagine the future you didn’t choose.
...And yet, if I were ever given the chance to start over, I would—
I stood in an unreal space where the endless white land stretched out and the dawnlight faintly illuminated the sky.
A silver-haired woman standing beside me smiled, her amber eyes directed at me.
“Well then, let’s go, Orun!”
The silver-haired woman—Shion—spoke with a bright and determined tone.
“—Yeah. Let’s go break this world apart, Shion.”
After those words, my consciousness began to fade away—
◆　◆　◆
“—Heavy...”
The day after the battle with the “Doctor,” an executive of the Cyclamen Cult, which stemmed from Sophie’s engagement scandal, and the condemnation of Former Count Claudel, I woke up feeling as if something heavy was pressing on my abdomen.
“...Huh?”
I raised my head to check what it was and found Fuuka lying face down on my stomach, sleeping contentedly.
(Huh!? Why is Fuuka in my room!?)
Panicked, I checked the time—it was just before seven in the morning.
Not particularly late.
It was unlikely she came to wake me up because I overslept.
“Mm... mmm...”
As I was confused, Fuuka stirred and sat up.
“Good morning... Orun...”
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and greeted me.
“Ah, ah. Good morning... Wait, that’s not it! Why are you here, Fuuka?”
“...? Is it bad?”
Still not fully understanding the situation, I asked her, but Fuuka tilted her head, looking puzzled.
“...It’s not that it’s bad, but it’s not good for a girl to come alone to a guy’s room.”
“Yeah, I’ll be careful next time. But more importantly, how do you feel?”
“How do I feel? ...I feel like I’ve slept quite a long time... but I’m perfectly fine.”
I didn’t know why she suddenly asked that, but I checked my own condition and honestly shared what I felt.
“I see.”
Fuuka nodded at my reply.
Her expression was as inscrutable as ever—I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
After a moment, she spoke again.
“Orun, I want you to listen to me.”
Her expression was no longer sleepy but the most serious I had ever seen from her.
“...Alright.”
Faced with her demeanor, I naturally straightened my back.
“Have you ever doubted your own memories?”
“...Huh?”
I wasn’t sure what kind of story Fuuka was about to tell, so I braced myself.
Still, her words were enough to stop my thoughts completely.
The slight drowsiness I had left immediately vanished.
At the same time, the words left by Gary O’Ryle, a former member of the hero party, crossed my mind.
— “You came into contact with Philly about ten years ago.”
— “Question your own assumptions... It’s highly likely that what you think is truth is distorted.”
Gary was affiliated with the Cyclamen Cult before he died.
And earlier this year, when I was guarding His Highness Lucilla from the Royal Capital to Tsutolairu, he was the one who tried to assassinate her.
“...Ugh, ugh...!”
Recalling his words, a headache washed over me.
“That reaction means you already know you’ve been subjected to cognitive alteration. Then this will be quick. Don’t you want to know the truth about your past?”
Fuuka asked me, looking straight into my eyes.
“Will you tell me?”
When I asked, Fuuka shook her head.
“I don’t know the details, so I can’t tell you. But I can introduce you to someone who does.”
I consider myself quite curious.
That’s why I spend my free time devouring books and deepening my knowledge of magic.