1/5

Levie: "Fine, then you'll belong to me from now on."

[Alice]: "Wha..."

With no idea what was going on, I couldn't seem to tear my eyes from his, until…

???: “...[Alice]..!"

I knew the voice that called to me from the distance.

My hand still firmly in Levie's grip, I turned my head toward the mirror behind us.

[Alice]: "Luka!"

[Alice]: "Luka, I'm here! Look into the mirror!"

Shortly before,

just as [Alice] was following the lure of a mysterious voice into the Civic Center…

Worried that [Alice] hadn't gotten back yet, Luka was running around looking for her.

He had stopped at Blanc's house first, hoping to pick her up, but was told that she'd left just as the sun was setting.

Perhaps she had simply made a stop on the way, but he had already checked her usual haunts to no avail.

Luka: "Where else might [Alice] have gone?"

He was starting to get a very bad feeling and decided to check anywhere and everywhere that he could think of.

He set off running again.

But just as he started down a narrow side street,

a single Disciple of Magic appeared and blocked his path.

Disciple (Dalim): "Are you, perhaps, searching for Alice?"

Luka: "Mm?"

Luka's gut told him the man in front of him was dangerous, so he braced himself in case there was a need to fight.

The secret society led by Amon within the Magic Tower had collapsed.

A new system had been put in place under the watchful eyes of the Red and Black armies that ensured the tower remained

peaceful.

The disciple wearing the face-concealing hood in front of him, however,

gave off the same eerie vibe of those who had been loyal to Amon and were imprisoned with him.

Luka: "How do you know that I am looking for [Alice]?"

The disciple's shoulders shook slightly, as if he were laughing.

Luka: "If you know something,"

Luka: "tell me now."

2/5

Luka: "If you know something, tell me now."

Disciple (Dalim): "I cannot tell you for free."

Luka: "You don't deny knowing something about [Alice], then?"

Luka: "If you refuse to talk, I will force it out of you."

Seeing that further talk would be pointless, Luka drew the greatsword at his back and held it out in front of him with both hands.

Disciple (Dalim): "Heh-heh. If you are so quick to draw your weapon, you must be worried about Alice."

As the disciple spoke tauntingly, Luka stared at him in silence. In the next instant, he darted forward.

The disciple pulled a Magic Crystal out of his robe and manifested a whip made of fire to meet the attack.

When the disciple cracked this whip, the edge of his hood fell back just enough to expose a lock of golden hair.

Luka: "Hm?"

Disciple (Dalim): "I am honored to have the chance to fight the Jack of Spades."

Seeing an opening, Luka brought his sword down on the disciple... Or so he thought. The figure he hit turned out to be an illusion.

Luka: "Urk!"

Once his guard was down, the disciple's real arm stretched toward Luka from the front.

He touched his left hand to Luka's chest, right over his heart.

Luka: "Mm?!"

Suddenly, Luka could not move. And, hand still on Luka's chest, the disciple glared into his eyes.

Disciple (Dalim): "In exchange for telling you where she is, I want to do a small experiment on your body."

Disciple (Dalim): "I am no longer allowed to freely experiment on humans in the Magic Tower, you see."

The disciple's left hand began to glow.

The light penetrated Luka's uniform, then his skin. And then a pain like his heart was being broiled in his chest shook his body.

Luka: "Urgh.. Ahhhhhhh!"

The pain was so intense, Luka dropped his sword.

It felt like an invisible hand gripped his heart and yanked it up, into the air.

His head thrown back and his chest lurching upwards, Luka's feet left the ground.

Luka: "Gah!"

Luka's heart beat one, thunderous time, then stopped.

Unable to move his body and not even able to breathe, a primal fear took hold of Luka's mind.

Deprived of oxygen, his vision began to darken.

And then, a powerful shock hit his entire body and his heart began beating again.

Luka: "Haaa!"

As he inhaled sweet, life-giving air, Luka fell to the ground.

Luka: "Wh-What…. did you..."

Too weak to stand, Luka lay face-down on the cobblestones.

A strange, tingling sensation began in his heart and spread to his extremities.

Disciple (Dalim): "I have made you a magic user."

3/5

Disciple (Dalim): "I have made you a magic user."

Luka: "What?"

Still too weak to stand, Luka managed to get on his hands and knees and raise his head.

Disciple (Dalim): "There's no need to fear. I will explain it to you."

Disciple (Dalim): "As the subject of this experiment, you have a right to know how it works."

Luka: “……"

Disciple: "The humans known as 'magic users' are those who were born with innate magical power."

Disciple (Dalim): "It is imbued into the very blood that courses through their veins, forming what we call a 'magic circuit.'"

For a normal human, the circulation of blood and oxygen was what kept the body alive.

Magic users, however, required one additional component to survive-- magic power.

That is why natural-born magic users, like Lancelot and Harr,

would die if they used up all of the magic power contained within their bodies.

Disciple (Dalim): "After many years of studying this rare magic circuit, I have discovered a way to open a circuit within normal humans."

Luka: "You're saying you have opened a 'magic circuit' inside of me?"

Disciple (Dalim): "Yes. But we are still in the experimental phase, so there are flaws in the process."

Disciple (Dalim): "For example, your body has been sapped of so much energy, you are unable to stand."

Luka: "Mm..."

His brow furrowing, Luka tried with all the strength he could muster to push himself up.

Disciple (Dalim): "Though I have opened a magic circuit, it is currently only a pathway."

Disciple (Dalim): "It is not able to create magic-infused blood, which means..."

Disciple (Dalim): "If you do not get regular transfusions of magic power from an outside source, your organs will eventually fail and you will die."

The disciple held his left hand out in front of Luka and placed a small Magic Crystal on the ground.

Disciple (Dalim): "Go to the mirror room inside the Civic Center. And look into the largest mirror you find there."

Disciple (Dalim): "Do that, and you will find Alice."

Luka: "A mirror?"

The disciple stood up and turned away, fading into the depths of the alleyway.

Luka dragged his hand across the ground to grab hold of the Magic Crystal.

Luka: "Wait…”

As soon as he held the crystal, he felt strength returning to his body and staggered to his feet.

When he picked up his sword, it felt unusually heavy in his hands.

Disciple (Dalim): "Oh, yes."

Luka's strained cry got the disciple to stop and look back.

Disciple (Dalim): "I forgot one thing."

Disciple (Dalim): "Though a magic circuit has been opened within you, that does not mean you will be able to use magic spells."

Disciple (Dalim): "I apologize if I got your hopes up."

With a casual wave of his hand, he turned his back once more and walked away.

Who was he? How did he know about [Alice]? Why did he open a magic circuit?

What was his ultimate goal? Luka had a mountain of questions he wanted to ask the disciple.

But there was something much more important filling his thoughts at the moment.

Luka: "[Alice]..."

Instead of chasing after the disciple, Luka raced for the Civic Center. Because, even if it was a trap, he had to go.

4/5

By the time he'd run from the alleyway and covered the short distance to the Civic Center, Luka was already out of breath.

Luka: "Haa... haa..."

But Luka didn't even slow down as he raced into the empty Civic Center and found a room with an open door.

When he entered the room that was filled with mirrors, he shouted her name at the top of his lungs.

Luka: “…[Alice]…!"

And then he heard it.

([Alice] off screen): "Luka! Luka, I'm here! Look into the mirror!"

[Alice]'s voice emanated from the largest mirror in front of him.

When he hurried over and touched it, a spiral of light appeared within the glass.

And then...

A spiral of light appeared in the mirror behind me,

and then Luka emerged from that light.

[Alice]: "Luka!"

On the verge of tears, I reached out the hand Levie wasn't gripping toward Luka.

And Luka reached for me as he raced closer.

But just when we were a few steps away from touching, Levie launched a magical arrows of light that blocked Luka's hand.

Levie: "Don't touch my property!"

Luka: "Mm?!"

The glowing arrows fell like a curtain of rain, hiding Luka from sight.

[Alice]: "No! Levie, stop!"

When I pleaded with him, struggling to hold back tears, Levie's shoulders trembled as if he were surprised or troubled.

And his hold on my hand loosened.

(Now's my chance!)

Wrenching my hand free from Levie's grip, I broke the magic arrow spell as I ran to Luka's side.

Luka: "[Alice], are you hurt?"

[Alice]: "No."

Luka: "Thank goodness you're okay."

Luka had been grazed by the arrows in several places, but a warm smile appeared on his face as he put his hand on my arm.

[Alice]: "Luka, you found me..."

Before I could tell him 'thank you,' I became too choked up to speak.

But Luka showed me a soothing smile.

Luka: "The streets are dangerous at night, so I came to pick you up."

I was sure his casual tone was meant to reassure me.

His kindness helped me calm down enough to say…

• "Thank you."

[Alice]: "Thank you."

I was finally able to get the words l'd wanted to speak out.

Luka: "Let's get out of here."

[Alice]: "Yes."

• "Sorry for worrying you."

[Alice]: "I'm sorry for worrying you."

Luka: "It's okay. I'm just glad I finally found you."

• "I've been waiting."

[Alice]: "Yes, I've been waiting for you."
(I believed that he would come for me.)
Luka: "Sorry to keep you waiting so long."

I took a handkerchief from my skirt pocket and dabbed at the shallow cuts Luka had sustained.

Luka: “……”

(He doesn't look so good. And I want to treat these wounds properly.)

(We need to get out of here quickly.)

Just then, we heard an annoyed shout from behind us.

Levie: "What do you two think you're doing over there? Alice belongs to me. I won't let her go anywhere!"

Another rain of light arrows flew toward us,

causing Luka and I to gasp in unison.

5/5

Levie: "What do you two think you're doing over there? Alice belongs to me. I won't let her go anywhere!"

Along with Levie's angry shout, another rain of light arrows flew toward us,

causing Luka and I to gasp in unison.

(I need to protect Luka!)

[Alice]: "Luka, leave this to me!"

Luka: "Yes."

Understanding what I meant to do, Luka put his back to mine and drew his greatsword.

I raised my right hand to the oncoming arrows and broke the magic spell, making them vanish before they could reach us.

Not giving Levie a chance to fire off another spell, Luka swung his sword.

Levie: "Yikes!"

Levie just barely managed to dodge Luka's attack,

then fought back with more magic spells--snaking streams of flame and sharp shards of ice.

Luka: "After the next spell you break, go right."

[Alice]: "Got it!"

We only need to exchange a few words to understand our plan.

Since we'd started dating, I had been joining Luka during his training sessions.

We wanted to make sure we'd be able to keep each other safe if we ever needed to fight as a pair.

(I didn't think we'd need to use what we'd been practicing so soon, but l'm really glad we did the training.)

Luka: "[Alice], let's rush him."

The instant I cancelled out an oncoming attack, Luka darted forward and used the hilt of his sword to strike Levie's solar plexus.

Levie: "Urgh!"

Levie staggered and his magic attacks stopped.

Luka returned to my side and we got back into our battle stance.

[Alice]: "This is our first real battle. Think it's going well?"

Luka: "It's going perfectly. I feel like you and I are moving as one. All our training has paid off."

Luka kept his back pressed to mine and his eyes on Levie, who had dropped to his knees on the floor.

Luka: "There isn't a woman in this world or any other that's as beautiful and reliable as you."

Even though we were in the middle of a fight, I couldn't resist stealing a glance at Luka's face.

(That's really sweet of him to say, but I won't have time to enjoy it until we're out of danger!)

I quickly trained my eyes on Levie again as he slowly got back on his feet while clutching his chest.

Levie: "Stop whispering amongst yourselves and ignoring me!"

Luka: "Oh, sorry about that."

Levie: "Gr-- Geez you're infuriating!"

Luka: "My name is Luka, actually."

Luka remained perfectly calm.

Levie: "Huh?"

Luka: "And I do not want to fight you. I just want to go home with [Alice]."

Levie: "I won't let her go!"

Luka: "I see..."

Luka exuded a cold air as he moved toward Levie,

his greatsword at the ready.

(He's incredible!)

I held up my hand, ready to break any magic spells, as I watched Luka's fight in awe.

He moved so lithely as he swung his sword, it was like he had sprouted wings. He didn't even give Levie the chance to use magic.

Levie: "You're weird. How are you able to move like that?"

Levie: "You're definitely weird!"

Luka: "I don't know what's so strange about it, but..."

Luka: "When I need to protect someone, I can summon ten times my normal strength. That's just how it is."

Suddenly, Levie reached out to grab Luka's arm.

Levie: "I'm gonna give you the shock of a lifetime!"

Luka: "Mm!"

1/5

As Luka wielded his sword, Levie reached out to grab his arm.

Levie: "I'm gonna give you the shock of a lifetime!"

Luka: "Mm!"

(What does he mean by 'shock'? He must have some kind of powerful spell up his sleeve!)

As I prepared to use my power, Levie grabbed hold of Luka's arm tightly without using any magic.

Luka: "Uh!"

And then... nothing happened.

Luka & [Alice]: "Huh?"

Luka and I both made a perplexed noise and exchanged a look.

Levie, however, looked completely bewildered.

Levie: "Y-You... can be touched by me? And you're... You're absorbing my power!"

Luka: "Um? I have no idea what you're talking about."

Luka swatted Levie's hand away and backed up.

Levie stood stock-still, staring intently at the hand he had just been touching Luka with.

(Come to think of it, Levie was also acting odd when he grabbed my wrist.)

(Sounds like he was surprised because he could touch us. Does that mean he usually can't touch people?)

(But why not?)

As I was pondering the situation, Luka took my hand.

Luka: "Now's our chance. Run, and don't look back."

[Alice]: "Yeah."

The moment I took a step, however, Levie fired a bolt of lightning.

Luka: "Duck!"

I didn't have time to break the spell, so I lowered my head as Luka told me to.

He leapt over to shield me and the full force of Levie's attack hit Luka's back.

[Alice]: "Luka!"

The smell of something being burnt to a crisp filled the air around us.

Luka: "Gr…”

A pained grunt escaped Luka's throat, but he looked down at me with a smile.

Luka: “…Are you okay?"

• "I'm fine."

Even when Luka was the one in pain, he always thought about me first.

And this time was no exception.

[Alice]: "I'm fine. But, Luka, are you..."

Luka: "I'm... okay."

• "What about you?"

[Alice]: "What about you, Luka? You're hurt!"

[Alice]: "Please don't ignore your own pain."

Luka: "…Yeah. Sorry.."

• "I'm sorry..."

[Alice]: "I'm sorry I wasn't able to stop that attack."
(My powers just aren't strong enough. And because or me, Luka's been injured.)
Luka: "...Don't apologize. It's my own fault..."

As Luka spoke his knees buckled and, unable to support his full weight, I fell to my knees with him.

[Alice]: "Luka! Luka!"

Levie stared down at us as he approached.

Levie: “……"

Hugging Luka tightly, I glared up at Levie's face.

[Alice]: "Why are you doing this?"

[Alice]: "First, you try to claim that I belong to you out of the blue. And now you've hurt Luka..."

When I shouted at him, a sorrowful expression appeared on Levie's face and he averted his eyes.

Levie: "It wasn't out of the blue."

Levie: "I've been waiting for you... for 100 years."

2/5

Levie: "It wasn't out of the blue."

Levie: "I've been waiting for you... for 100 years."

Levie murmured quietly with a sorrowful look on his face.

(Did he say 100 years?)

Levie: "I decided way back then that, when I finally found you, I would make you mine no matter what."

Levie: "And I would show no mercy to anyone who got in my way."

(But what he's saying doesn't make sense. How could that be possible?)

As questions swelled within me, Luka grit his teeth and managed to sit up under his own power.

Luka: "I will not... let you have [Alice]."

Levie: "Man, you're stubborn. This is your last warning!"

As Luka's voice grew louder, a huge amount of magical energy began pouring from his body.

Luka and I gaped in silent shock at the sight.

Something flickered at Levie's core, like a mighty flame.

The air around him frizzled and just being near him made my skin hurt like I was being burned all over.

(He's not even using a Magic Crystal. I didn't know people could possess this much magic power.)

(If Levie attacked with his full strength, I don't think there is anything Luka or I could do to stop him.)

(In order to save Luka, is my only choice to tell Levie I'll stay here with him?)

When that thought crossed my mind, Luka squeezed my hand tightly.

[Alice]: "Hm?"

Without saying a word,

Luka shook his head.

(He knows what I'm thinking.)

The look in his eyes and the heat of the hand holding mine made it clear that he wanted us to go home together or not at all.

(He's right. I can't give up yet!)

(I returned to Cradle so that I could live with Luka.)

(I don't want to make the choice to leave him unless I absolutely have to.)

Though Luka was surely in more pain than I, he helped me to my feet.

Turning his face so Levie couldn't see what he was doing, Luka whispered to me.

Luka: "Focus solely on blocking any magical attacks."

[Alice]: "What will you do?"

Luka: "We're less than 10 steps from the mirror. I'm going to pick you up and leap through."

3/5

Luka: "We're less than 10 steps from the mirror. I'm going to pick you up and leap through."

The stress that would put on Luka's already injured body made me hesitate for a moment, but I quickly made up my mind.

(Neither Luka nor I will last much longer if we have to stay here and face him alone.)

If we can make it out of the mirror, at least we'll have the chance to call for help.)

(I don't know if this will work, but we don't have time to waste wondering.)

Luka: "......"

Exchanging a silent signal with our eyes, we were about to put our plan into action when–

Amon: "What's taking so long, Levie?"

Amon: "With your power, getting rid of one interloper should be a simple job."

The door burst open and a man entered, his long robe flowing behind him.

When I saw his fine, pale hair and beautiful, androgynous features that seemed etched from glass, my eyes went wide with shock.

(No, it can't be! How is he here?)

[Alice]: "Amon?"

Luka: "Hm!"

(I thought he had been captured and put in jail while I was back in London!)

The flickering flames of magical energy that were bursting from Levie's body disappeared.

And he glared as Amon approached him.

Levie: "Don't interfere!"

Amon: "I'm not interfering. I am simply giving you advice to help you realize your dream."

I could not hide my shock at seeing Amon standing next to Levie.

[Alice]: "How did you get here? Don't tell me you escaped from your prison?"

Luka: "He couldn't have. We would have receive word if he escaped."

Luka: "But, since he is here, I will deal with him."

As Luka raised his greatsword, Amon scoffed.

Amon: "Deal with me? What could you possibly hope to do by yourself?"

Luka: “……”

Amon: "If you want to catch me and lock me up again, you had better go get the entirety of your army."

Amon: "Though you won't be fighting me. You'll have to face the most powerful magic user in history-- the Black Rabbit, here."

(But why would Levie fight for Amon?)

Levie remained silent,

neither acknowledging nor refuting Amon's claim.

Luka: "Levie, you..."

Luka: "Do you know how dangerous that man is? Amon is a threat to us all."

Levie: "I don't know what he's done, and I don't need to. All I know is that we have a deal. "

Levie: "If I let him hide out here and chase off anyone who comes after him, he's promised to give me Alice.”

Levie: "And I want Alice. That's all there is to it."

Being treated like an object filled me with a mixture of anger and sadness.

Luka put his hand on my back gently as he glared daggers at Amon.

Luka: "How dare you offer [Alice] up in exchange for your protection."

Luka: "You have no right!"

I was proud and grateful to Luka for expressing my feelings for me.

But Amon spit his words back at him.

Amon: "No, I have every right."

4/5

Amon: "No, I have every right."

Amon: "Because, Alice, you took from me first."

[Alice]: "Hm?"

Amon: "You just showed up here one day from the Land of Reason. And then you stole everything from me."

Amon: "My position and my authority. My plans and the progress I'd made toward creating a new world. You stole it all."

Amon: "Because of you, there is no place in Cradle where I can live my life in peace. I don't even possess a single Magic Crystal."

Suddenly, a smile appeared on Amon's face.

Amon: "When someone takes from you, you have the right to take from them. This time, it's my turn."

Amon: "Isn't that right?"

With that, Amon threw his arms open and laughed maniacally.

(He's conveniently forgetting all the terrible things he did to put himself in this position. He is just too conceited.)

Luka: "You're as self-deluded as ever."

Paying Luka's words no mind, Amon continued.

Amon: "Alice. Even if I weren't offering you to him, you belonged to the Black Rabbit from the very start."

Amon: "You are the one person who can touch and be touched by him. The only being who can stay by his side."

(What?)

Seeing the confusion on my face, Amon smiled with satisfaction.

Amon: "The Poems of Cradle foretell, 'Gaze through the mirror, and into his den you'll fall within.' You were always destined to be his."

Levie: "He's always prattling on about complex stuff like that. But it basically means that you are mine."

Levie shifted his eyes over to Luka.

Levie: "So, you will leave Alice here and go away."

Not breaking eye-contact with Levie, Luka took my hand.

Luka: "I would never leave her behind."

I squeezed Luka's hand back.

[Alice]: "I will battle you to the death before I let you tear us apart."

Levie: "Mm!"

Levie looked startled for a moment and took a step back.

But then he grabbed my arm roughly and tried to yank me away from Luka.

Levie: "You're getting in my way!"

Gathering fire in the palm of his hand, Levie raised his arm to strike Luka.

Luka: "Urk!"

(There's not enough time to break his spell!)

But an unexpected source rescued Luka from the danger.

Amon: "Do not be hasty, Black Rabbit."

It was a word from Amon that made him stop.

5/5

Amon: "Do not be hasty, Black Rabbit."

(Why is Amon stopping him? This keeps getting more and more confusing.)

Luka and Levie were just as surprised by Amon's behavior as I was.

Luka: “……”

Levie: "Huh? Why'd you stop me? Isn't he one of the ones you wanted me to chase away?"

Though there was a very disgruntled look on his face, Levie extinguished the flames in his hand.

Amon: "He is. But think about it. If you kill this man now and claim Alice for yourself,"

Amon: "Alice will begrudge you for as long as she lives. She will never open her heart to you."

Levie: "I don't care about her heart. I just want her here."

Amon: "You may think that is enough for now, but humans are a deeply greedy species."

Amon: "Once you claim her physical body, next you will want her heart. I guarantee it."

Amon: "And I don't want you claiming I failed to fulfill my promise to give you Alice when your desires are not met after the fact."

Levie: "What are you trying to say?"

Amon: "Why not show them some mercy?"

Levie: "Mercy?"

Amon: "When you want to bend people to your will, the carrot is just as important as the stick."

(Amon blames us for what happened to him, so why stop Levie and tell him to be merciful? What is his end game here?)

Luka was staring at Amon intently, as if trying to figure out that very thing.

Luka: “……"

After giving it some thought, Levie spoke again.

Levie: "Okay, I'll show them this 'mercy' thing you mentioned."

Amon: "That is a very wise decision. It will benefit you in the end, you'll see."

Amon turned to the two of us.

Amon: "Thanks to the Black Rabbit's boundless generosity, you will be given some time to deliberate."

Amon: "You have until the next time the passageway to this world opens, one month from today on the night of the new moon, to decide."

Amon: "Will you calmly hand Alice over? Or will you choose the path of most resistance and fight the strongest magic user of all time?"

Amon: "I'm sure you've already realized that he is much too powerful for the two of you alone."

Amon: "If you do foolishly choose the second option, I suggest you come prepared with the full strength of both Red and Black armies."

Amon: "When the armies are defeated, Cradle and everyone living there will be wiped cleanly from existence. Something I wouldn't mind."

A warped smile on his face, Amon chuckled to himself.

(Is he serious?)

(If I don't let Levie have me, then it won't just be the armies,)

(but the whole of Cradle that will be dragged into this fight.)

Sacrifice myself or everyone in Cradle... I didn't need scales to weigh those options.

Levie: "This is getting so bothersome. If I just used my full strength, I could make Alice mine without waiting another second."

Amon: "Like I said, you shouldn't be hasty. It is important to let her choose her own fate."

Amon turned a sharp gaze on me and Luka.

Amon: "Because when the ultimate outcome depends solely on you, you will not be able to blame anyone else."

(I don't like the thought of having to choose between a terrible fate for myself or one for everyone else.)

(Perhaps forcing this choice on me is part of Amon's revenge.)

I looked over at Luka. He seemed like he was struggling to endure the situation as our eyes locked.

(Luka must be thinking about the same thing. Not only are we unable to capture Amon while in this place,)

(we're being forced to make this unreasonable agreement.)

(All we can do right now is accept the terms, though. That is the only way we can both make it out of here alive.)

I hated to admit it, but it would be impossible for Luka and I to fight off Levie, capture Amon,

and make it out of this strange world in one piece on our own.

I nodded to Luka.

(The most important thing right now is to get home safely.)

Inferring what I meant, Luka nodded back at me before turning to Amon.

Luka: "We understand. We will give you our answer in one month's time."

And so, a deal was struck that would alter my fate and Luka's,

as well as the future of Cradle itself.

1/5

As Levie watched [Alice] and Luka return to the outside world through the mirror, his brow furrowed silently.

Levie: “……”

Amon: "Why do you look so upset? The mind-bogglingly long time you've lived in isolation comes to an end in just one month."

Amon: "And on the off chance that they do resist..."

Amon: "You can just destroy all of Cradle so that no one can ever get in your way again! Never again!"

Amon: "I know you have the power to do it, Black Rabbit."

Levie: “……"

Levie turned his face away from Amon with disgust and left the mirror room.

Amon: “……”

Amon watched him go without another word. But as soon as he was out of sight, a warped smile appeared on Amon's face.

Amon: "Heh."

Amon: "You don't even realize that you're nothing but a replacement for my Magic Crystals. Foolish Black Rabbit."

Amon once had well-laid plans to return Cradle to nothing so that he could create his ideal world from its ashes.

He had even gathered enough Magic Crystals to do it and hid them in the ruins deep within the Forbidden Forest.

But then [Alice] came and united the Red and Black armies,

who subsequently destroyed the Magic Crystals and all of his hard work.

Now, however, Amon had found a source of power that surpassed what he'd lost.

The strongest, and saddest, magic user in all the world-- Levie.

The bottomless pit of loneliness in the boy's heart had provided Amon the perfect opening to slip inside.

Amon: "Alice stole my greatest ambition from me."

Amon: "But I will take it back by using Alice and those who wish to protect her."

Chuckling to himself, he balled his hands into fists beneath his robe.

Amon: "What is so terrible about wanting a place where I belong? The world that rejected me is in the wrong, not I!"

Amon: "And wrongs are meant to be righted. Isn't that so?"

Amon's shoulders trembled as his maniacal laughter filled the room.

Even outside of the mirror room, Levie could hear Amon's laughter in the distance. It made him grimace.

Levie: "There's something about that guy I don't trust..."

He let his eyes drop to the palm of his hand.

He tilted his head quizzically as he remembered that he had been able to touch Luka as well as [Alice].

Levie: "Does this mean that Alice isn't the only one?"

Levie's murmured question faded into the darkness without being heard by another soul.

2/5

Holding hands tightly, Luka and I emerged from the mirror.

As soon as we set foot on Cradle's side, the tension drained from our bodies and we both fell to our knees.

[Alice]: "Woah!"

As I continued to pitch forward, Luka caught me in his arms.

But Luka was still weak from our ordeal,

and so we fell to the floor together.

That was the last thing I remembered before we both passed out.

I was roused from my dreamless sleep by the sound of a voice calling my name.

Luka: “...up, [Alice]. [Alice]? Wake up."

Luka's voice grew louder as my eyes slowly fluttered open.

[Alice]: "Mm... Hm?"

Luka was sitting on the floor, cradling me in his arms so that my head rested on his shoulder.

Luka: "I think we were both unconscious for a while."

Luka: "We should get out of here, though."

Luka's weary voice brought everything that had just happened rushing back.

(That's right.)

(We need to move away from this mirror so Levie can't reach us.)

(And we need to tell everyone that Amon has escaped from prison.)

[Alice]: "Yes, let's go back to headquarters."

When Luka and I got to our feet, I realized that one of my shoes was missing.

[Alice]: "Oh, hold on. One of my shoes fell off when I entered the mirror."

I looked around for it, but the room was too dark and I couldn't see it anywhere.

So, Luka scooped me up into his arms.

[Alice]: "Wah!"

Luka: "Getting you to a safe place is the most important thing right now."

Luka: "We can find you new shoes after we get home."

Not giving me a chance to argue, Luka took off running with me in his arms.

When we exited the Civic Center, we discovered that dawn had broken.

[Alice]: "It's already morning?"

Luka: "I guess we were unconscious for longer than I thought."

Luka: "But Levie did not chase after us. It seems like he was being honest when he said he would wait a month."

Luka fell into a contemplative silence after that, so I spoke up.

[Alice]: "Luka, I can walk on my own even without a shoe. Go ahead and put me down."

[Alice]: "Your back was injured in there, remember?"

I hadn't gotten a clear look at it,

but the back of his uniform was ripped to shreds in the place he had been hit with magic when he shielded me.

I couldn't see any blood on his shirt, but that didn't mean the wound wasn't serious.

Luka: "No, I don't want you hurting your foot. I'm fine. Just hold on tight."

[Alice]: "Well, sorry for the trouble. But thank you."

The resolute look in Luka's eyes stopped me from protesting further.

I hooked my elbows behind his neck and held on tight.

Luka carried me to the main street, where we were able to flag down a carriage.

Once we were seated inside and the carriage started moving, we could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Without a word,

we both leaned toward each other at the same time,

pressing our foreheads together.

Luka: "I'm so glad you're safe."

3/5

Once we were riding inside a carriage, Luka and I pressed our foreheads together.

Luka: "I'm so glad you're safe."

• "Because of you."

[Alice]: "Only because of you, Luka."

Luka: "I'm just happy I found you in time."

• "I was scared..."

[Alice]: "Yes. I was a bit scared, though. Scared that I might never be able to make it back to Cradle."
Luka: "But you were really brave while we were inside that mirror."
[Alice]: "I'm happy you think so."

• "Glad you're safe."

[Alice]: "And I'm glad you're safe, Luka."
Luka: "Yes..."
Luka: "We were able to make it out of there because we combined our strengths."

We pulled our faces apart enough to gaze into one another's eyes.

(But we've only escaped temporarily. And now everyone has been pulled into my problem.)

(At least until we get back to headquarters, though, I just want to sit here and be thankful that Luka and I are both safe.)

I squeezed Luka's hand.

When our carriage pulled up in front of headquarters, we saw soldiers running around frantically outside.

Luka: "It looks like something has happened here, too."

As we exited the carriage, Ray and Sirius spotted us and rushed over.

Ray: "Luka, I know you just got back, but you need to rally your men immediately."

Ray: "Amon has broken out of his prison."

I leaned forward and spoke up quickly.

[Alice]: "We actually wanted to talk to you about that."

Ray and Sirius both turned to me with wide eyes.

Ray: "What do you mean? Explain."

Luka: "Of course."

Luka gave a brief report about the fact that we had passed through a mirror,

and found a magic user named Levie and Amon on the other side.

Ray: "There's another world inside a mirror. And Amon has escaped into it?"

Luka: "That is correct. I know it's hard to believe, but..."

Sirius: "It is a wild story. But coming from you two, we know it's the truth."

With that, Sirius gave orders to a nearby soldier.

Sirius: "Tell all soldiers who've gone to search to head for the Civic Center. And send a message to the Red Army telling them the same."

Black Army Soldier: "Yes, sir!"

Ray turned back to Luka and I.

Ray: "I want you to fill me in on all the details later."

Ray: "For now, we have to focus on capturing Amon. Luka, lead me to the room containing that mirror."

Luka nodded resolutely.

Luka: "The magic user who was inside the mirror with Amon, Levie, possesses more power than I've ever seen."

Luka: "We should bring all the Magic Crystals we have with us."

Ray: "Okay, we'll get them ready."

A soldier brought their horses over and the officers mounted up.

[Alice]: "I'm going with you."

I held my hand out to him, but Luka shook his head firmly.

Luka: "Stay and look after things here."

Luka: "Please. For everyone's sake."

(Uh...)

Luka knew that I had no strength left in me.

(If I insist on going with them, I'll only slow them down.)

[Alice]: "Got it."

I pulled my hand back without argument.

[Alice]: "But we haven't had a chance to tend to that wound on your back, Luka. Promise me you won't push yourself."

Luka: "Okay."

[Alice]: "Be careful, everyone!"

Ray & Sirius: "We will be."

After Ray and Sirius gave me their assurance, they all galloped off until they were lost from my sight.

Several hours later,

an emergency meeting of the Red and Black armies had been called in the Garden.

I arrived with Luka and Ray. We sat down at the table to wait for all officers from both armies to arrive.

Before the meeting began, Luka had time to tell me that, when they arrived at the mirror it was just a normal mirror again.

In other words, they were unable to get inside.

Hearing that reminded me of something Amon said.

*flashback*

Amon: "You have until the next time the passageway to this world opens, one month from today on the night of the new moon, to decide."

*flashback ends*

(Sounds like the door in the mirror is only open for the duration of one night, during the new moon.)

Edgar, who had gone to the very edges of Cradle to search for Amon, was the last to arrive and take his seat.

Edgar: "First, I'm told Amon escaped and stay up all night searching for him."

Edgar: "Then, I hear an outrageous story about him hiding inside of a mirror world."

Edgar: "And when I come racing back, I find that the way through the mirror is already closed. Did I get all that right?"

Jonah: "Yes. It's ridiculous, I know. We have been playing catch up this whole time."

Jonah: "How did the soldiers guarding Amon's cell fail so spectacularly?"

4/5

Jonah: "How did the soldiers guarding Amon's cell fail so spectacularly?"

Jonah's sharp voice cut through the pleasant atmosphere created by the blooming red and white roses of the Garden.

Seth: "The soldiers on guard at the time report that a large fire broke out in the building where Amon and his followers were held."

Seth: "They had to evacuate the prisoners to fight the fire. And during that time, Amon vanished like smoke on the wind. Literally."

Fenrir: "Amon's hands and feet were shackled and two soldiers were restraining him. But it seems they were put to sleep in an instant."

Lancelot: "So, magic was involved."

Luka: "And likely someone from outside assisted in his escape."

Luka: "Before I went to the Civic Center, I actually ran into a man who reminded me of a senior disciple in the Central Quarter."

Luka: "But I let him get away."

Jonah leaned forward with such force, his chair clattered.

Jonah: "What?! The only reason you would fail to capture someone is if they did something terrible to you! Have you been injured, Luka?"

Luka: “……”

Luka shot his older brother an annoyed glare and shook his head.

Luka: "He just told me that [Alice] was inside of the mirror and then ran off."

Luka: "That is how I was able to find her."

Luka went on to explain what had transpired in the mirror world in detail to the officers. As described in the Poems of Cradle,

in the Land of the Looking Glass there lived a Black Rabbit-- a magic user of unparalleled strength named Levie.

Once out his prison, Amon had escaped to this land where he knew he could live free.

In exchange for helping him claim Alice for himself, Levie had agreed to keep Amon safe.

And we had been given until the next new moon to make a choice. Hand Alice over to Levie, or fight him.

Amon had also hinted that Levie's wrath would be turned on Cradle and all its inhabitants if we resisted.

After Luka finished, silence surrounded the table for several minutes.

(Amon is enough of a threat on his own. But now he's also got a fearsome bodyguard in Levie.)

(And it seems there's someone else out there helping him, too. The problems keep piling up.)

The heavy silence was broken by Fenrir.

Fenrir: "Well, maybe Amon simply wanted to escape from a life in chains?"

Ray: "His pride is as great as the Magic Tower is tall, so that was probably part of it, but…”

Lancelot: "He is not the type of man who will be satisfied with simply finding a place to live in peace."

Amon had once attempted to use a huge amount of Magic Crystals to destroy all of Cradle.

So, we couldn't know what his true goal was now.

Zero: "Something else doesn't add up."

Zero: "Let's say that the disciple Luka spoke with is the very person who helped Amon escape."

Zero: "Why, then, would he lead you to Amon's hiding place?"

Luka: "I don't know."

Kyle: "We just don't have enough information to draw any conclusions yet."

As Kyle said, we did not have much to work with. So, there was little left to debate.

(If I had just turned around instead of going into the Civic Center, this wouldn't be happening.)

(That wouldn't have prevented Amon from escaping. But it would take away the reason for their collusion-- me.)

(There's no point in regretting it now, though. I need to focus on finding a solution.)

Pushing my conflicting emotions to the back of my mind, I stood up.

And everyone turned to look at me.

[Alice]: "I am going to gather more information, even if I have to talk to every man, woman, and child in Cradle to get it!"

Luka: “……”

5/5

[Alice]: "I am going to gather more information, even if I have to talk to every man, woman, and child in Cradle to get it!"

Luka: “……”

When I suddenly jumped to my feet, all eyes were on me.

[Alice]: "When I was inside the mirror and witnessed Levie's fearsome power with my own eyes,"

[Alice]: "for a split-second I considered staying behind. I thought I could deal with my own suffering,"

[Alice]: "as long as it meant Luka and everyone else in Cradle would be safe."

[Alice]: "But then I remembered that, no matter what they were facing,"

[Alice]: "Luka and the Black Army would never choose to sacrifice a single person. They would not hand over a friend so easily."

[Alice]: "That is why I decided to come back instead of staying in the Land of the Looking Glass."

At this point, I did not want to even consider the idea that l'd made the wrong choice.

That was why I was so determined.

[Alice]: "I will do whatever I can to help fix this."

(I've caused a huge problem for Cradle. But I will work to make up for it a hundred times over.)

As I let my feelings flow, Luka showed me a warm look that made me feel like he was hugging me.

Luka: "If you're feeling guilty at all... don't."

Luka: "Even if you had volunteered to stay behind, I never would have allowed it."

Sirius: "Luka is right. You made the right call, little lady."

Seth: "Totally! Alice, do you think we would have been happy if sacrificed yourself?"

Seth: "Our pillows would be soaked with tears right now!"

[Alice]: "Aw, you guys..."

The warm words of the Black Army brought tears to my eyes.

Edgar: "May I say something?"

Edgar grinned.

Edgar: "The Red Army would also never hand over a poor, defenseless woman to save ourselves. We aren't cowards."

Edgar: "Isn't that right, King Lancelot?"

Lancelot nodded thoughtfully.

Lancelot: "We also owe Alice a debt."

The Red Army offered me kind gazes as well.

[Alice]: "Everybody, thank you so much. I promise to put everything I have into fighting alongside you!"

From his chair next to mine, Luka gazed at me with a proud look on his face.

Luka: "......"

(Just as they strive to protect me, I will protect them.)

(So if, at the end of the fight, their lives are still in danger, I'll go into the Land of the Looking Glass without hesitation.)

(I will not be the only one who is safe at the end. I will not waver on that point.)

I made that secret decision and tucked it safely into the back of my mind.

Ray: "So, it's unanimous. We will not give [Alice] to him."

Lancelot: "We won't give Amon any peace, either. We will capture him and make him pay for his crimes."

Lancelot: "And we will show no mercy to anyone who aides him or gets in our way."

After discussing what our next move would be, we broke into two

intel-gathering squadrons that were a mixture of Red and Black.

One group would look into the person who helped Amon escape.

The other would look into Levie and the Land of the Looking Glass.

When the meeting ended and Luka stood up, he staggered and bumped into my shoulder.

Luka: "Urk…”

Holding [Alice]'s hand tightly, I stepped out of the mirror with her.

(It's too late now, but did we do the right thing?)

I knew getting [Alice] out of that world inside the mirror was the most important thing to do at the time.

But now we would have to choose between giving her to Levie, or pulling all of Cradle into a fight against him.

Making such an important decision without consulting the others first was beginning to weigh heavy on my shoulders.

(But there's no use in dwelling on that now.)

(Even though Amon said we could have a month to think, Levie could always change his mind and come after us.)

(Right now, I need to focus on getting out of here and bringing [Alice] to a safe place.)

As soon as my foot hit the ground on Cradle's side, however, a fierce pain shot through my back where the magic attack had hit.

I felt the strength leave [Alice]'s body as well, and we both fell to our knees.

[Alice]: "Woah!"

(No... we don't have time to rest here...)

(I need to keep [Alice] safe.)

[Alice] pitched forward, so I wrapped her in my arms.

Luka: "[Alice]..."

(She must have used too much of her Power to Break Spells.)

I wanted to support her.

But my strength suddenly failed me, like water rushing out of a broken glass.

(What's happening?)

My vision steadily darkening, I fell onto my back with [Alice] still in my arms.

Luka: "Ugh..."

When my eyes next opened, I found myself in a dark, unfamiliar room.

(Oh, yeah. [Alice] and I came back through the mirror, but then...)

As my focus sharpened, I looked down at my chest.

[Alice] was laying against me, still unconscious.

(How long have | been out?)

(It doesn't look like anyone followed us. But I still want to get out of here as soon as possible.)

Cradling [Alice] in my arms, I sat up.

But my body felt even heavier than it had just before I passed out and my eyes could barely focus.

Luka: "Urk--"

(I actually started feeling a bit better once I had entered the Land of the Looking Glass, but now...)

It wasn't as bad as immediately after the mysterious Disciple of Magic had cast a spell on me,

but the numbness in my legs reminded me of that moment.

(What is happening to my body?)

(I'm not confident I'll be able to keep [Alice] safe if this keeps up.)

(I know I pushed myself too far while inside the mirror, too.)

If we wanted any hope of fighting the powerful magic user Levie, we would definitely need [Alice]'s power to break spells.

(Together, we were able to make it out alive. At the very least.)

(If I had to be turned into a magic user, though, I sure wish I actually gained the power to use magic.)

(Then I could have fought back against his magic with my own.)

(And [Alice] would not have had to work herself to exhaustion. I could have protected us both.)

As frustration over my lack of strength brewed within me, [Alice] began to stir.

[Alice]: "Uh... mm..."

Luka: "Wake up, [Alice]. [Alice]?"

Eventually, her eyes fluttered open.

[Alice]: "Mm... Hm?"

I could see my own face reflected in [Alice]'s big eyes.

(Good, she's awake. And the color is returning to her cheeks.)

Relieved that she was okay, I pulled [Alice]'s head against my shoulder.

Luka: "I think we were both unconscious for a while."

Luka: "We should get out of here, though."

(Once I get [Alice] to safety,)

(I will come straight back here with the others so we can capture Amon.)

[Alice] nodded in agreement.

[Alice]: "Yes, let's go back to headquarters."

I helped [Alice] to her feet and started for the door.

But then [Alice] suddenly stopped in her tracks.

[Alice]: "Oh, hold on. One of my shoes fell off when I entered the mirror."

(If she's not wearing a shoe she could hurt her foot.)

We scanned the area, but the room was so dark we couldn't find the missing shoe anywhere.

(But we can't waste any more time.)

Putting one arm on her back and the other behind her knees, I scooped [Alice] up into my arms.

[Alice]: "Wah!"

Luka: "Getting you to a safe place is the most important thing right now."

Luka: "We can find you new shoes after we get home."

With that, I took off running.

When we left the Civic Center, I was surprised to see that dawn had already broken.

[Alice]: "It's already morning?"

Luka: "I guess we were unconscious for longer than I thought."

Levie: "But Levie did not chase after us. It seems like he was being honest when he said he would wait a month."

(If Levie had really wanted to, he could have defeated me and taken [Alice] by force.)

(So, why did Amon stop him? There must be some reason I'm not seeing.)

(I really don't think he was simply showing us mercy. He has some ulterior motive, I'm sure of it.)

As I was pondering the situation, [Alice] loosened her hold on me.

[Alice]: "Luka, I can walk on my own even without a shoe. Go ahead and put me down."

[Alice]: "Your back was injured in there, remember?"

It was true that my uniform had been shredded. And, though I wasn't bleeding, I felt a fierce throbbing pain like a big bruise.

(But I'll be fine.)

Luka: "No, I don't want you hurting your foot. I'm fine. Just hold on tight."

When I reassured her, [Alice] hooked her elbows behind my neck again firmly.

We got to the main street and I flagged down a carriage.

I set [Alice] down carefully on the seat inside and sat beside her.

As the carriage lurched into motion, a wave of relief washed over us.

And our expressions softened.

(Phew. At least we made it out and got away from the mirror.)

The tension brought on by adrenaline began to leave my body as we both leaned forward and pressed our foreheads together.

Luka: "I'm so glad you're safe."

(I know this is only a momentary respite.)

(I won't truly feel that [Alice] is safe for another month.)

(Not until we win the fight against Levie, recapture Amon, and ensure that peace returns to Cradle.)

(But no matter what happens to me during that time, I will protect you. Even if it means losing everything else.)

(I will never give you up.)

Keeping those passionate feelings to myself, I gazed into the eyes of the person I loved more than anyone in the world.

1/5

When the meeting ended and Luka stood up, he staggered and bumped into my shoulder.

Luka: "Urk…”

[Alice]: "Luka, are you okay?"

I grabbed Luka's arm to support him.

Luka: "Thanks. I'm fine now."

[Alice]: "Does your back hurt?"

Luka: "No, it wasn't that. Don't worry."

With that, Luka stood up straight with his own strength.

(It wasn't his injury that caused him to stagger?)

(That reminds me, his face looked really pale when he entered the mirror.)

[Alice]: "Is something else bothering you besides that injury on your back?"

Luka: "I'm just tired."

(Is that really all it is?)

Luka was always worrying about me, but he also had a tendency to downplay his own problems. That was concerning.

[Alice]: "Then, let's get you home so you can rest."

Luka: "All right."

As Luka left with [Alice] and the other Black Army officers,

Jonah stared after him with a piercing gaze.

Jonah: "Hmm..."

Kyle: "Hey, are you coming or what?"

Jonah turned and walked over to Kyle slowly, lowering his voice to a whisper as he spoke.

Jonah: "Could you make up some excuse to give Luka a medical exam? And without mentioning that I asked?"

Kyle: "Do you have a reason to be worried about him?"

Jonah: "I'm not sure. That's why l'm asking you to do this."

Jonah: "I can't really explain it, but I have a bad feeling. Call it a big brother's intuition."

Kyle gave Jonah's words some thought before replying.

Kyle: "I can't be sure without getting a closer look,"

Kyle: "but he did look a bit pale. I think I can convince him to have a checkup."

Luka and I left the rooftop Garden and exited the Civic Center.

Just as we were about to climb onto our horse, Kyle called after us.

Kyle: "Hey! Luka! Can you come by for a medical checkup tomorrow?"

Luka: "Mm?"

2/5

Kyle: "Hey! Luka! Can you come by for a medical checkup tomorrow?"

Luka: "Mm?"

Luka seemed startled by Kyle's sudden request.

[Alice]: "Luka, you really should have a doctor look at your back. Even if you're not in pain anymore."

Luka: “……”

For some reason, Luka seemed hesitant.

Kyle: "I'm not trying to scare you or anything. But you just travelled to a new, unknown world."

Kyle: "As a doctor, I'd be remiss if I don't investigate the toll that may have taken on your body."

Kyle: "And since we're both guys, I figured you wouldn't mind me giving you a thorough exam. Please?"

Luka: "Fine."

(Oh, good. I feel much better knowing Kyle will be taking a look at him.)

Kyle: "Okay, see you tomorrow!"

Kyle waved languidly and went on his way.

Luka: "We should get going, too."

[Alice]: "Yeah."

Luka got on his horse, then helped me climb up.

I sat sideways in front of him, and he wrapped his left arm around my waist while holding the reins in his right hand.

Luka: "Hold on tight."

I held fast to Luka's waist as the horse startled trotting.

After returning to headquarters and walking [Alice] to her room,

Luka went to his own room and practically collapsed into his desk chair before taking off his hat.

Luka: "Whew…”

A thought hitting him, he dug around in his pocket.

He pulled out the Magic Crystal the disciple had given him after opening his 'magic circuit.'

The magical energy it possessed had already been used up, so it was now nothing more than a lifeless rock.

Luka: "Is that why my body feels so heavy?"

Luka: "I guess I need to find myself a fresh Magic Crystal."

3/5

Luka: "Is that why my body feels so heavy?"

Luka: "I guess I need to find myself a fresh Magic Crystal."

Luka's hand fell open listlessly on the desk and the empty Magic Crystal rolled off his palm.

Magic Crystals were a precious commodity. The crystals the Black Army had were kept locked up in a secure location.

If Luka wanted one, he would have to record it in the log book.

Luka took a look around his room, then stood up and removed the Magic Crystal from the ceiling light.

As soon as he held it in his hand, he felt power rushing into his body.

Luka: "Looks like it's true that I require an outside supply of magical energy."

Letting out a sigh, Luka turned to his desk in the now dark room.

He sat back down to write in his journal as he always did.

[ As long as I have a constant supply of magical energy, will I be able to live a normal life? ]

[ Or will I cause problems for those around me? I need to do some investigating. ]

[ I know that my silence is going to worry [Alice]. ]

[ But until I can explain it myself, I am not going to tell anyone about the change that's taken place within me. ]

[ If this ends up turning me into some kind of monster, though, will I be able to handle things alone? ]

[ That is the one thing that has me scared. ]

Luka quietly shut his journal.

And he wrapped his arms tightly around himself, as if trying to contain the strange power that was pumping through his body.

The day after Luka and I returned from the Land of the Looking Glass, the Black Army officers gathered in the King's office.

Ray: "Yesterday, we decided to form two, joint-army squads to carry out our investigations. Our squad assignments are as follows."

Luka and I were assigned to the squad that would be looking for Amon's collaborator and coming up with a way to foil Amon's plot.

Once everyone had their assignments,

Luka got the okay from Ray to go see Kyle, so he and I set out for Red Army headquarters together.

Riding double on Luka's horse, we were on a road that passed through the forest, when–

(Huh?)

[Alice]: "Do you hear that?"

Luka: “Yes.”

We could hear several male voices arguing from around a bend.

Luka slowed the horse to a cautious trot.

As we got closer, we discovered a carriage with a fancy crest on the door that was surrounded by bandits.

[Alice]: "Look at that carriage!"

Luka: "That's the Clemence family crest!"

4/5

Luka was startled when he saw a carriage with a fancy crest on the door surrounded by bandits in the forest.

Luka: "That's the Clemence family crest!"

(Then Luka's family might be in there!)

[Alice]: "We need to go get help!"

From our distance, we counted at least five men around the carriage.

Luka: "There's no time for that. You stay here."

Luka dropped me off behind a large tree, then turned the horse around and galloped toward the carriage.

As two of the bandits tried to pull the driver down from his seat, Luka arrived and kicked them away.

Still on his horse, Luka drew his sword and pointed it at the rest of the men.

Bandit: "Oh no, it's the Jack of Spades! Run for it!"

Dragging their fallen comrades with them, the bandits ran off into the trees.

Once Luka sheathed his sword and got off his horse, I breathed a sigh of relief and ran over.

• "Well done."

[Alice]: "Well done. I should have known you could handle them on your own."

Luka: "Well, they didn't have any serious weapons on them."

Luka spoke humbly, but his reputation as the fearsome Jack of Spades preceded him.

That was why the men ran away instead of fighting.

[Alice]: "I still think you're amazing, Luka."

• "Glad you're safe."

[Alice]: "Luka, I'm glad you're safe!"
Luka: "Sorry for worrying you."

• "I was worried."

[Alice]: "Luka, you aren't hurt, are you? After yesterday's injury, I was worried."
Luka: "I'm fine."
Luka: "I got a good night's rest, so I'm not even tired anymore. And those men lost the will to fight quickly."

As Luka and I were talking…

The door of the carriage opened.

(Oh!)

Sitting inside was a dignified looking gentleman.

And as soon as Luka saw him, his face tensed.

Luka: "It has been a long time... Father."

(What?)

My heart leapt into my throat.

(This is Luka's dad? I can see a resemblance in their features.)

A waspish expression on his face, Luka's father remained silent.

Luka, meanwhile, averted his eyes sheepishly.

And a very un-familial and tense atmosphere descended between them.

(I'd heard that he and his father don't really get along. But it's so bad they can't even say hello to each other?)

Just then, his father's eyes shifted to me.

Father: “……”

[Alice]: "Uh! Nice to meet you, sir. My name is [Alice] and I live with the Black Army."

I felt like a frog being eyed by a snake as I gave an awkward introduction, but then he took his eyes off of me without a word.

After another moment of staring straight ahead, Luka's father sighed.

Father: "A Clemence wearing a Black Army uniform."

Father: "And dyeing your hair, too. Is this your way of rebelling against the family?"

Not bothering with pleasantries or so much as a word of thanks for the rescue, his father spoke to Luka reproachfully.

(That's so mean.)

I looked over at Luka nervously.

Luka: “……”

His father's cold words did not appear to make Luka sad or angry.

His face was devoid of emotion, as if he'd flipped a switch that turned off his feelings.

Father: "At this point, I do not expect you to tell me where you have been or what you have been doing."

Father: "But do not bring shame upon the family or your brother, who will become its next head."

Luka: “……”

5/5

Father: "At this point, I do not expect you to tell me where you have been or what you have been doing."

Father: "But do not bring shame upon the family or your brother, who will become its next head."

Luka: “……”

Luka remained perfectly silent as his father berated him.

(I wish I could yell at his father for him, but that would probably just make things worse for Luka.)

Anger was seething in my chest,

but I forced myself to hold back and stay quiet.

(He'd told me about the way his parents treated him, but I never imagined it was this bad.)

I thought back to when Luka had talked to me about his family situation.

*flashback*

Luka: "The eldest son undergoes very strict training and education in order to become the Queen, and he carries all the hopes of the family, of everyone around him."

Luka: "I was the second son. My parents never so much as looked at me, and neither did anyone else in my family."

Luka: "I was never anything more than a spare, a backup for the eldest son. I was given basic education for that reason, not because anyone cared."

Luka: "It didn't matter what I did -- there were no expectations, and no disappointment, either.”

Luka: "I've had so few conversations with my parents I could count them on one hand. I have no memory of them ever embracing me."

Luka: "It wasn't just love they denied me- they never even offered me so much as a smile."

*flashback ends*

My heart ached as I recalled the sad expression that was on his face that day.

And then Luka's father spoke once more without bothering to look our way.

Father: "Close the door."

Luka: "...Yes, sir."

Luka did as he was told and, as soon as the door was shut, the carriage started moving.

(Well, there he goes.)

Luka: "Get on."

Luka hopped back on his horse and pulled me up after him and we followed the carriage at a fair distance.

Luka: "I'm going to keep watch until they're safely out of the woods."

[Alice]: "That's a good idea."

Luka: "Thanks."

(Even after that cruel treatment, Luka refuses to abandon his father.)

(I wish his father would return just a little bit of Luka's kindness.)

When we reached a road with lots of other traffic, Luka brought his horse to a stop and watched the carriage go.

Luka: “……”

As he stared after it, I detected a hint of sadness in Luka's eyes.

(All I can do is be here to comfort Luka. But I hope his relationship with his father improves someday.)

Suddenly, Luka hopped down from the horse.

[Alice]: "Luka?"

He looked up at me with a smile and held out his hand.

Luka: "How about we walk the rest of the way?"

Luka: "Come on, [Alice]!"

Luka suddenly hopped down from the horse and offered me his hand with a smile.

Luka: "How about we walk the rest of the way?"

Luka: "Come on, [Alice]!"

On horseback, we were mere minutes from the Red Army's headquarters.

(I think Luka wants some time to calm down.)

(I don't know enough about their relationship to give my thoughts on the matter, but I can take Luka's mind off of it.)

Hoping to cheer him up, I spoke in a light-hearted tone.

[Alice]: "Sure! Kyle said we could come by anytime and the weather is lovely today!"

[Alice]: "It will be nice to have a little walking date."

Luka: “……"

(Even if it's only for a little while, I want Luka to forget about what just happened.)

I smiled at him and Luka's eyes crinkled happily.

Luka: "Yes, a date."

I took his hand and he helped me down from the horse.

Just before my feet touched the ground, Luka wrapped me tightly in his arms.

[Alice]: "Oof!"

My eyes widened in surprise at the sudden embrace.

Luka: "The ground is wet here."

Holding me up, Luka did a 180 spin and set me down on dry ground.

[Alice]: "Thank you."

Luka: "You're welcome."

(Of course there was a reason for it. He wouldn't just hug me on a crowded street.)

I was embarrassed by how excited I had just gotten.

As we started walking, Luka used the hand that wasn't holding the horse's reins to take mine.

His grip on my hand was loose, but I could still feel the warmth of his skin.

Luka: "I'm glad you came with me today."

[Alice]: "So am 1. Seems like I failed to make a good impression on your father, though."

Luka: "Don't take it personally. He treats everyone he doesn't see as useful to the Clemence family like that."

Luka: "I'm sorry you had to deal with him."

[Alice]: "It's okay. I'm sure that was a lot worse for you than it was for me."

Luka: "I could tell you felt angry on my behalf."

[Alice]: "Not that my anger made the situation any better."

Luka: "Actually, it did. It made me feel better, at least. It was nice having someone get angry for me."

Luka: "I'm so used to that sort of thing, it doesn't even upset me anymore."

(He's used to being treated like that? That's sad, but not surprising.)

(Just because the pain lessens, though, doesn't mean the wound has healed.)

I squeezed Luka's warm hand reassuringly.

[Alice]: "There is no reason in the world that could excuse his hurtful words and cruel treatment of you, Luka."

[Alice]: "So if you want to get angry at him, you should. And if you're unable to feel the anger,"

[Alice]: "I will get angry for you. I'll tell him to leave my beloved Luka alone!"

Luka: "Mm!"

A faint flush appeared on Luka's cheeks.

And he put his hand on my back, steering me into the shadow of a building.

[Alice]: "Luka? What is it?"

Luka gripped the horse's reins tightly as he looked me straight in the eye.

And his face grew redder as he murmured awkwardly.

Luka: "How are you always able to make my heart throb like this?"

[Alice]: "Come again?"

Luka: "Even the most casual things you say are imbued with your feelings for me."

Luka: "And it makes me feel like my heart's been wrapped in a tight embrace."

Luka placed his hand on his chest as he spoke.

Seeing his bashful yet happy expression brought a flush to my face as well.

[Alice]: "You always make my heart throb too, Luka."

(Even when he doesn't speak, I know how he feels about me because of the look in his eyes and the warmth of his hand.)

Luka: "Oh, I see."

A proud smile touching his lips, Luka set his hand on my shoulder.

Then he leaned forward until his forehead was touching mine.

Luka: "Thank you for always thinking of me and for getting angry for me."

[Alice]: "You don't have to thank me. When you get hurt, I feel pain, too. So I only did what I wanted to."

Luka: "Still, thank you."

Pulling his head back,

Luka picked up a lock of my hair.

And then he pressed a kiss to it.

His bold move made my eyes go wide,

and Luka gave a start when he saw my reaction.

Luka: "I'm sorry!"

[Alice]: "No, it's okay. You just surprised me."

(Getting a kiss from Luka could only ever make me happy.)

Next, I reached out to touch Luka's dark lavender hair.

And I was suddenly reminded of something his father had said.

*flashback*

Father: "And dyeing your hair, too. Is this your way of rebelling against the family?"

*flashback ends*

(Luka's father spoke disparagingly, but...)

[Alice]: "I like the color of your hair, Luka. It reminds me of the sky just before dawn."

Luka: “……”

I had only found out recently that Luka used magical hair dye to change his natural color.

And Seth helped him dye it in the bathroom of headquarters.

(Luka's hair is his way of showing that he can persevere using only his own strength, even without the Clemence name.)

As he gazed at me,

Luka's eyes narrowed as if looking into a dazzling light.

We both leaned in until our lips were nearly touching.

Luka: "I'd like to keep talking, but we'll have to stop there."

[Alice]: "Hm?"

Luka glanced over at the entrance to the alleyway bashfully.

Several people had come to a stop and were looking at us because we were blocking the way.

(How long have they been there?)

[Alice]: "Y-Yeah, let's go."

Luka: "Uh-huh."

Staring down at our feet, we quickly exited the alley.

We arrived at Red Army headquarters not long after that and were shown to Kyle's infirmary.

Kyle: "All right. Strip."

Luka & [Alice]: "Huh?"

Luka suddenly hopped down from the horse and offered me his hand with a smile.

Luka: "How about we walk the rest of the way?"

Luka: "Come on, [Alice]!"

On horseback, we were mere minutes from the Red Army's headquarters.

(I think Luka wants some time to calm down.)

(I don't know enough about their relationship to give my thoughts on the matter, but I can take Luka's mind off of it.)

Hoping to cheer him up, I spoke in a light-hearted tone.

[Alice]: "Sure! Kyle said we could come by anytime and the weather is lovely today!"

[Alice]: "It will be nice to have a little walking date."

Luka: “……"

(Even if it's only for a little while, I want Luka to forget about what just happened.)

I smiled at him and Luka's eyes crinkled happily.

Luka: "Yes, a date."

I took his hand and he helped me down from the horse.

Just before my feet touched the ground, Luka wrapped me tightly in his arms.

[Alice]: "Oof!"

My eyes widened in surprise at the sudden embrace.

Luka: "The ground is wet here."

Holding me up, Luka did a 180 spin and set me down on dry ground.

[Alice]: "Thank you."

Luka: "You're welcome."

(Of course there was a reason for it. He wouldn't just hug me on a crowded street.)

I was embarrassed by how excited I had just gotten.

As we started walking, Luka used the hand that wasn't holding the horse's reins to take mine.

His grip on my hand was loose, but I could still feel the warmth of his skin.

Luka: "I'm glad you came with me today."

[Alice]: "So am I. Seems like I failed to make a good impression on your father, though."

Luka: "Don't take it personally. He treats everyone he doesn't see as useful to the Clemence family like that."

Luka: "I'm sorry you had to deal with him."

[Alice]: "It's okay. I'm sure that was a lot worse for you than it was for me."

Luka: "I could tell you felt angry on my behalf."

[Alice]: "Not that my anger made the situation any better."

Luka: "Actually, it did. It made me feel better, at least. It was nice having someone get angry for me."

Luka: "I'm so used to that sort of thing, it doesn't even upset me anymore."

(He's used to being treated like that? That's sad, but not surprising.)

(Just because the pain lessens, though, doesn't mean the wound has healed.)

I squeezed Luka's warm hand reassuringly.

[Alice]: "There is no reason in the world that could excuse his hurtful words and cruel treatment of you, Luka."

[Alice]: "So if you want to get angry at him, you should. And if you're unable to feel the anger,"

[Alice]: "I will get angry for you. I'll tell him to leave my beloved Luka alone!"

Luka: "Mm!"

A faint flush appeared on Luka's cheeks.

And he put his hand on my back, steering me into the shadow of a building.

[Alice]: "Luka? What is it?"

Luka gripped the horse's reins tightly as he looked me straight in the eye.

Luka: "Thank you."

Smiling softly, Luka touched my hair.

The gesture reminded me of something his father had said.

*flashback*

Father: "And dyeing your hair, too. Is this your way of rebelling against the family?"

*flashback ends*

(Luka's father spoke disparagingly, but...)

I reached out to touch Luka's dark lavender colored hair.

[Alice]: "I like the color of your hair, Luka. It reminds me of the sky just before dawn."

Luka: “……”

I had only found out recently that Luka used magical hair dye to change his natural color.

And Seth helped him dye it in the bathroom of headquarters.

(Luka's hair is his way of showing that he can persevere using only his own strength, even without the Clemence name.)

As he gazed at me,

Luka's eyes narrowed as if looking into a dazzling light.

We both leaned in until our lips were nearly touching.

Luka: "I'd like to keep talking, but we'll have to stop there."

[Alice]: "Hm?"

Luka glanced over at the entrance to the alleyway bashfully.

Several people had come to a stop and were looking at us because we were blocking the way.

(How long have they been there?)

[Alice]: "Y-Yeah, let's go."

Luka: "Uh-huh."

Staring down at our feet, we quickly exited the alley.

We arrived at Red Army headquarters not long after that and were shown to Kyle's infirmary.

Kyle: "All right. Strip."

Luka & [Alice]: "Huh?"

1/5

The first thing Kyle said when we entered the infirmary, with a completely straight face, came as a big shock.

Kyle: "All right. Strip."

Luka & [Alice]: "Huh?"

Kyle: "Take it all off. And once you're in your birthday suit, lie down on the bed."

Luka & [Alice]: "Uh!"

Though we knew it was because of the medical exam, neither Luka nor I could hide our surprise at the request.

I shifted my gaze to look at Luka to find him looking back at me and we both blushed furiously.

Kyle: "What? As if you two have never stripped for each other. Geez, you're making me feel embarrassed for you."

As Kyle rolled his eyes at us, I was shaken back to my senses.

[Alice]: "Um, yeah... I'll just go wait outside."

Luka: "Thank you, I appreciate that."

[Alice]: "Kyle, please take good care of Luka."

Kyle: "You got it. And don't worry, this shouldn't take too long."

Kyle: "Once l'm done with Luka, l'd like to give you a quick exam, too."

I stepped out of the infirmary to wait.

??? (Edgar & Zero off screen): "Hm? Do my eyes deceive me?"

I wasn't standing in the corridor for long before Edgar and Zero happened to walk by.

Edgar: "I didn't know you were here, [Alice]. Welcome."

[Alice]: "Yes, thanks for having me."

Zero: "You're here to see Kyle?"

[Alice]: "Not me, actually. Luka is getting a checkup. I'm just waiting for him."

[Alice]: "Kyle wanted to examine him to see what kind of effects going into the Land of the Looking Glass might have on the body."

I expected he would also take care of the injury Luka sustained from Levie's magic attack.

Zero: "I see."

Zero: "We know absolutely nothing about that world.

It is a good idea to thoroughly investigate the kind of toll it takes, if any."

Edgar: "You entered the mirror as well, right [Alice]?"

[Alice]: "Yes."

Edgar: "Have you been feeling sick or noticed any changes?"

2/5

Edgar: "Have you been feeling sick or noticed any changes?"

[Alice]: "Kyle is going to give me a checkup too, just in case."

[Alice]: "But I didn't feel any different being inside the mirror or out."

[Alice]: "Luka, on the other had, got hurt while he was protecting me inside that other world."

[Alice]: "And after leaving it, he seems to be feeling under the weather."

(He claimed that he's just tired, but...)

As I was talking about it, my worries intensified again and my gaze dropped to the floor.

Zero: "Kyle is an excellent doctor."

Zero: "If anything is making Luka sick, he will find the source and come up with a treatment. Try not to worry too much."

Zero's kind and reassuring words drew my eyes back up and brought a smile to my face.

[Alice]: "Yes, you're right."

Edgar: "And if there is anything we can do to help, just ask."

Edgar: "Kyle can take care of Luka's health."

Edgar: "But we are happy to assist you with other troubles or concerns you may have."

Edgar:"The Red and Black are no longer enemies. We are collaborators working together for the sake of Cradle."

[Alice]: "Thank you."

Just as I thanked Edgar and Zero, Kyle called to me from inside the infirmary.

Kyle: "Hey! You can come back in now!"

(I guess the exam is over.)

[Alice]: "I'd better get in there."

Edgar: "Yes."

Zero: "Mm-hm."

I left Edgar and Zero in the corridor and went back into the infirmary.

Luka: "Thanks for waiting."

[Alice]: "So, how does it look?"

There was a trepidatious waver in my voice, but Luka's face softened as he stood up and put his coat back on.

Luka: "There's nothing wrong with me."

[Alice]: "Phew, thank goodness."

I hadn't realized how tense I was until relief made me unclench.

Kyle: "The magic attack that hit him left a minor burn on his back."

Kyle: "But, thanks to how physically fit he is, he suffered no serious injuries."

[Alice]: "That is a big relief. Oh, but then why was he feeling under the weather?"

Kyle: "I can't be sure, but when a normal human is suddenly exposed to large amounts of magical power,"

Kyle: "it can leave them feeling extremely fatigued for some time. Luka's symptoms are similar to cases like that."

[Alice]: "We were definitely exposed to a lot of Levie's power. I guess that's the reason why?"

The question Edgar had asked me popped into my head.

*flashback*

Edgar: "Have you been feeling sick or noticed any changes?"

*flashback ends*

[Alice]: "But I was exposed just as much and I didn't feel sick or tired at all."

[Alice]: "That must have something to do with my 'Alice powers.’”

Kyle: "Hmm..."

With a thoughtful murmur, Kyle waved me over to sit in the exam chair.

After a looking me over briefly, Kyle declared that there was nothing wrong with me as he scratched his neck.

Kyle: "I don't know the specifics of how it works,"

Kyle: "but I think your Power to Break Spells really worked in your favor here."

Listening quietly by my side, Luka's eyes narrowed affectionately as he looked at me.

Luka: "I'm relieved to hear you haven't been negatively affected."

• "Get better soon."

[Alice]: "You work on getting better soon, Luka. Then we can both feel even more at ease."

Luka: "Yes."

• "Glad you feel that way."

[Alice]: "I'm glad you feel that way, Luka. But I want you to think about your own health first."
Luka: "Yes. I will heal as fast as I can, so you can feel relieved."

• "If only I could share."

Kyle: "As long as you don't put any more stress on yourself. Got it?"

[Alice]: "Understood. Thanks, Kyle."

After thanking Kyle for his help, I was prepared to leave the infirmary behind.

But, for some reason, Luka kept standing there in silence.

Luka: “……”

3/5

Though our exams were finished, Luka made no move to leave the infirmary.

Luka: “……”

(Is there still something that's bothering him?)

[Alice]: "Luka?"

When I called to him, Luka gave a start.

Luka: "Oh! Sorry. Should we go do some investigating?"

[Alice]: "Yeah... sure."

(What was that about?)

I was still curious, but I decided not to press him for answers. Instead, I left the infirmary with Luka.

After [Alice] and Luka left, Kyle was the only one in the infirmary.

And he left out a heavy sigh.

Kyle: "[Alice] was counting on me, but I've let her down..."

When he remembered the pure look of relief on her face when she heard there was nothing wrong with Luka, his heart ached.

It was true that the bad condition of Luka's body was caused by magic power.

But the reason he'd given [Alice],

that it was because Luka had been exposed to a large amount of magic, was not exactly correct.

He still did not know the cause of it, but an unimaginable change was taking place within Luka's body.

That was the only thing he knew for sure at the moment.

Kyle had told Luka everything without trying to sugar-coat it.

But then Luka had asked him to hide the truth from [Alice].

Kyle: "I'm just glad he didn't tell me to keep it a secret from anyone besides [Alice]."

Kyle copied one section of the medical report he'd just written into a letter and sealed it inside an envelope.

When Luka and I left the infirmary, Edgar and Zero were still outside.

Zero: "Luka. How did your checkup go?"

Luka: "Fine. There was nothing out of the ordinary."

Edgar: "I'm glad to hear that."

Edgar: "By the way, Kyle made a house call to Dean the other day."

Edgar: "It seems he had a terrible migraine that completely immobilized him."

(Dean is sick?)

Luka and I exchanged a surprised look.

Luka: "Is he going to be okay?"

Edgar: "The pain stopped before long and then it was like nothing was wrong with him at all. Kyle couldn't figure out what caused it."

[Alice]: "That's pretty scary…”

Edgar: "Yes."

Edgar: "I was thinking we could go check on him in the near future."

Edgar: "We're supposed to go ask Dean for his assistance in our search eventually anyway."

Luka: "Sure. We can move that appointment up and go see Dean with you."

[Alice]: "That's a good idea."

Like us, Edgar was also part of the group charged with looking for information related to Amon.

Zero: "I have something else to investigate, so l can't go with you. But please tell him I'll stop by when I have a chance."

Edgar: "All right."

We parted ways with Zero and Edgar in the corridor and headed for the exit.

Luka: "I just remembered something I need to do. Could you wait here a minute?"

[Alice]: "Hm? Sure."

A look of sudden realization on his face, Luka turned around and went chasing after Zero.

4/5

Luka: "I just remembered something I need to do. Could you wait here a minute?"

[Alice]: "Hm? Sure."

A look of sudden realization on his face, Luka turned around and went chasing after Zero.

Luka caught up to Zero and then the two of them started talking about something.

(I wish I could hear what they're saying.)

After a short conversation, Luka jogged back to me.

Luka: "Sorry for the wait. Let's go."

[Alice]: "What was that about?"

Luka shook his head once.

Luka: "Just sharing some information."

[Alice]: "Oh? Okay."

When we stepped out of Red Army headquarters, my feet came to a sudden stop.

(That was everything we needed to do here, right? I feel like I'm forgetting something...)

No sooner had that thought struck me than a shrill voice called to us from behind.

Jonah: "You! Stop right there!"

[Alice]: "Jonah!"

Luka: “……”

We turned to look back at the same time, but Luka quickly turned his face away again.

Unperturbed, Jonah circled around to Luka's front and put his hands on his own hips.

Jonah: "You come here then leave without saying one word to your brother? Be as rebellious as you like, but you don't have to be rude!"

Luka: "I was hoping to escape before you knew I was even here."

Luka murmured under his breath, but Jonah still heard him.

Jonah: "You still have a long way to go before you can outwit me."

Jonah's proud smirk was quickly replaced by a look of concern.

Jonah: "By the way... Are you feeling all right?"

Luka: "I'm fine."

Jonah: "Okay, if you say so."

Luka was as curt to his brother as he always was.

(Shouldn't he at least tell Jonah about what happened on our way here?)

(That their father's carriage was attacked by bandits?)

Knowing it was hard for Luka to talk about his family, I decided to do it for him.

[Alice]: "Jonah, there's actually something you should know. When we were on our way here..."

When he heard his father's carriage was attacked within Red Territory, Jonah narrowed the amber-colored eyes he shared with Luka.

Jonah: "Thank you for telling me. I will begin a search for the criminals at once."

Jonah called over a nearby soldier and gave him a laundry list of orders.

(I should also let him know that Luka saved their father all by himself.)

I was waiting until Jonah finished talking to the soldier to tell him,

but then Luka surreptitiously put his finger up to his lips in a shushing motion.

5/5

I was waiting until Jonah finished talking to the soldier to tell him,

but then Luka surreptitiously put his finger up to his lips in a shushing motion.

Luka brought his face in close to mine to gaze intently into my eyes, making my heart thump loudly.

(He doesn't want me saying anything more about it?)

I nodded silently to tell him I understood and Luka pulled his face back with a relieved expression on it.

(Judging by his father's attitude, I don't think he'll tell Jonah what Luka did himself.)

(I wish Jonah knew about his brother's brave feat, but I won't go against Luka's wishes.)

I was a bit disappointed about it, but I kept my mouth shut.

Jonah kept coming up with things to talk about to keep Luka around longer,

but we finally managed to extricate ourselves from the Red Army

headquarters.

And then we began making the rounds, gathering the tools we needed for our investigation.

First, we went to the Magic Tower to get a copy of the registry listing the names of all the disciples.

At the Civic Center, we collected copies of the visitors log and guard's logbook for the jail Amon was kept in.

As we entered the streets of the Central Quarter,

Luka slowed our horse's pace.

Luka: "Should we pick up groceries for dinner while we're here?"

The documents we had gathered were already tucked inside a lockbox.

All that we had left to do today was take that box back to headquarters.

[Alice]: "Good idea. Things are going to be really busy from now on as we prepare for the next new moon."

[Alice]: "We should make a really big dinner tonight to give everyone lots of energy."

Luka: "So, something meaty?"

[Alice]: "Definitely!"

(Staying fit and healthy is important right now. Especially for Luka who's already been injured.)

(Cooking a nutritious meal for everyone is one thing I can do to help.)

As the sun began to set, Luka and I split up to gather the ingredients for a hearty dinner.

Luka carried our precious box of documents as he got the meat and wine. Meanwhile, I was in charge of the vegetables.

(I bought potatoes and mushrooms for the side dish, now I just need...)

I had stepped to the side of the road to double-check that I had everything, when…

Dum: "Hello there, Princess."

Out of the blue, Dum, the tavern barkeep, called out to me.

The sweet smile that had all the ladies in Cradle wrapped around his little finger appeared on his face.

Dum: "Doing some shopping?"

[Alice]: "Yes, groceries for dinner tonight. Are you out shopping for the tavern, Dum?"

Dum: "No. Actually, l've decided to close the tavern for a while. Something has come up."

[Alice]: "Whoa, really?"

I was surprised to hear it, because his tavern was the most popular spot in the Central Quarter.

(He only gave me a vague reason for it, too. I probably shouldn't pry.)

[Alice]: "I'm sure everyone will be disappointed to hear that. But you'll open up again eventually, right?"

Dum: “...Yes. I would like to, anyway."

(Hm? What was that pause for?)

I was certainly curious, but it was getting late.

[Alice]: "I'm supposed to be meeting up with Luka now. So, I have to get going."

[Alice]: "Dum, take care--"

Before I could finish saying goodbye, Dum cut me off.

Dum: "Ah, yes. I heard that you and Luka were dating."

[Alice]: "Mph?!"

Dum: "I didn't mean anything by it. You said his name just now and reminded me, that's all."

[Alice]: "Umm..."

(Someone must have talked about us at the tavern.)

I was embarrassed that the news had spread so far, but I nodded. And Dum leaned closer with a teasing smirk on his face.

Dum: "So, it's true. Tell me, what is it you like about Luka?"

[Alice]: "Huh?"

(What do I like about him?)

1/5

I was feeling bashful as Dum leaned in with a teasing smirk.

Dum: "Tell me, what is it you like about Luka?"

[Alice]: "Huh?"

(What do I like about him?)

The question made me even more embarrassed, but l answered as a list of reasons came to my head.

[Alice]: "I like that he's hardworking, compassionate, and is always so kind to me."

[Alice]: "I like that he's good at cooking and, even though he's usually very reserved, he steps up and takes charge when the need arises."

I continued to name things I liked about Luka until Dum cut me off with a wry smile.

Dum: "Is it fair to say you like 'everything' about him?"

My cheeks burned as he hit the nail on the head.

[Alice]: "Yes, I guess you could say that."

(I had never thought about the specific reasons I liked him before.)

(Taking the time to do so makes me realize just how much Luka means to me.)

As an image of Luka appeared in my mind, I felt my expression softening.

Dum: "You truly love Luka, hm?"

At Dum's sudden use of the word 'love,'

my mind went blank for an instant.

Dum: "Since you have experience with it, I would appreciate if you could explain to me what love is."

[Alice]: "Um, what do you mean?"

(Dum is full of hard to answer questions today.)

I was a bit confused, but I gave his question some thought.

(What is the difference between 'liking' someone and 'loving' them?)

I had never seriously pondered the concept of 'love' before, so I found no immediate answer.

Dum: "You don't need to give it too much thought. It's not like there is a right or wrong answer."

Dum: "I just want to hear what your definition of 'love' is."

2/5

Dum: "You don't need to give it too much thought. It's not like there is a right or wrong answer."

Dum: "I just want to hear what your definition of 'love' is."

[Alice]: "My definition, huh?"

I thought about Luka again,

because doing that seemed to be the best way to give Dum an answer to his complex question.

[Alice]: "For me, 'love' is... When you're always thinking about each other and you put the other person first without a second thought."

[Alice]: "And you are both happy to do whatever you can to be together. That's what I think, anyway."

When he heard my answer, Dum fell silent for several seconds.

Dum: "If that's what love is, then I know absolutely nothing about it."

[Alice]: "Hm?"

His mumbled words made my eyes widen in surprise.

(Dum is definitely acting odd today.)

He had teased me and asked bizarre questions out of the blue.

And now he suddenly had a very serious expression on his face and a forlorn tone in his voice.

As I was wondering about it, Dum's usual, calm look returned.

Dum: "Your 'love' is different from what I consider 'love,' but I believe it can save the world."

Mumbling as if talking to himself, Dum turned away from me.

Then, he looked back over his shoulder.

Dum: "Sorry for keeping you. Goodbye."

He flashed me one last smile before hurrying away.

[Alice]: "And there he goes..."

I was left standing there, confused, as I watched Dum shrink into the distance.

(Why was he asking me about love anyway?)

(People around here found Dum so charming, they even called him a 'preacher of love.' Shouldn't he know more about it than me?)

(Maybe he just wanted to hear someone else's opinion on love?)

I stood there wondering about it for some time before I regained my senses with a start.

(That's right! I'm supposed to be meeting Luka now!)

Clutching the groceries I had bought tightly, I ran toward our meeting spot.

Luka: "There you are. I was getting worried."

3/5

Luka let out a relieved sigh when I arrived.

Luka: "There you are. I was getting worried."

[Alice]: "Sorry I'm late. I ran into Dum on my way here and we got to talking..."

The moment I mentioned Dum's name, Luka's eyes widened and he let go of my hand.

Luka: "You saw the barkeep?"

(Why does that surprise him?)

[Alice]: "Yes. He told me that something has come up so he has to close the tavern for a bit."

The questions Dum had asked me were too embarrassing to repeat, so I decided not to mention that part.

Luka: “……”

A pensive look on his face, Luka lifted his hand to his chest and balled it into a loose fist.

[Alice]: "Luka, is everything okay?"

(Is he having trouble breathing or something?)

Luka: "Yes... Everything's fine."

[Alice]: "Are you sure?"

Despite what he said, it still looked like something was bothering him.

(If he's not feeling unwell, then is there something about Dum that's troubling him?)

(I feel like something has been on Luka's mind ever since we went into the Land of the Looking Glass. Maybe this is related?)

I broke the silence by offering Luka some encouragement.

[Alice]: "If something's on your mind, you can tell me."

[Alice]: "I want to help you however I can, Luka."

Luka: "...Yes, I know."

Luka nodded and I nodded back.

(Even if he feels like he can't tell me what's troubling him right now,)

(I know Luka will tell me when it's the right time.)

(I will just continue to be here for him while I wait for that.)

After that, we hurried back to headquarters to get started on dinner.

Standing next to Luka in the kitchen, I was enjoying the rich aroma of pork roasting in the oven,

the pleasant sound of chickpea and tomato stew bubbling on the stove,

and the bright smile on Luka's face as he finished decorating the dessert.

I was bursting with happiness as I gazed with glittering eyes at the completed meal.

[Alice]: "It all looks so delicious! I can't wait for everyone to eat it!"

Luka: "Let's set the table and call the others for dinner."

[Alice]: "Yes!! bet my stomach is going to start growling while I set the dishes out, though."

I touched my stomach as I smiled at him jokingly.

And Luka held out a bite-sized, heart-shaped pie he had made with leftover pie crust.

Luka: "It's only a bite made from leftover scraps, but have this to tide you over. Just don't tell the others."

4/5

Luka: "It's only a bite made from leftover scraps, but have this to tide you over. Just don't tell the others."

Luka gave me a heart-shaped, bite-sized pie he had made with leftover pie crust dough.

• "You're too sweet."

[Alice]: "You made me a snack?"

Luka: "Uh-huh."

I took the buttery-smelling pie.

[Alice]: "You are too sweet to me, Luka!"

[Alice]: "And everything you make tastes so good, I always eat way too much."

Luka: "That's good, eat as much as you like."

I brought the mini pie to my lips.

• "It's so cute!"

[Alice]: "It's so little and cute!"

Holding it between my forefinger and thumb, I couldn't help but exclaim.

[Alice]: "It's so cute, it seems a shame to eat it."

I held it up next to my face as I looked at Luka, and his cheeks turned red.

Luka: "...So cute."

[Alice]: "Pardon?"

Luka: "Uh! N-Nothing!"

[Alice]: "Hm?"

Tilting my head to the side quizzically, I gazed at the heart-shaped pie.

• "It's a heart!"

[Alice]: "It's a heart!"
When I took the mini pie with my forefinger and thumb and exclaimed, Luka smiled bashfully.
Luka: "...Try it."

(When did he even have time to make this?)

The little surprise present filled me with joy.

[Alice]: "Thank you."

I popped it into my mouth and the tart lemon jam filling it made me purse my lips in delight.

[Alice]: "Mmm! It's so yummy!"

Luka: "I'm glad you like it."

The sight of Luka's smile made the lemon jam taste sweeter.

As [Alice] and Luka set the dinner table,

Seth and Sirius were secretly watching them from a distance.

Seth: "Hey, Sirius?"

Sirius: "Mm?"

Seth: "You can also see those two sweet angels who blush every time their eyes meet, right?"

Sirius: "Yes."

Seth: "Thank goodness!"

Seth: "It's such a heavenly sight, I thought perhaps it was a vision that only the most pure-hearted among us, yours truly, could see ☆”

Sirius: "They've been dating for quite some time now, but they're still so lovey-dovey."

Seth: "I know! They're always together, like a pair of cherries!"

Seth: "From the bottom of my heart, I wish for those two to find happiness."

Seth: "Because they are like an adorable little sister and brother to me."

Sirius: "It's up to us to protect their happiness. The older generation should look after the younger, after all."

Seth: "That's true."

There was a spring in Seth's step that nearly had him skipping as he approached the table.

As Luka and I were setting the table, Seth came over.

Seth: "Whoa! What is this sumptuous feast ♪”

Sirius arrived behind him as well and looked at the table with wide eyes.

Sirius: "You really went all out tonight."

[Alice]: "Since things are going to get really busy, Luka and I wanted to cook a big meal to give everyone strength."

Luka: "We should eat while it's still hot. Could you call the others for me?"

Before long, the rest of the Black Army officers had gathered and we began our impromptu dinner party.

Halfway through the meal, Sirius tapped his fork against his glass.

And the jovial voices brought on by the food and drink fell quiet.

Sirius: "The boss wants to say a few words."

When Sirius made eye contact with him, Ray got to his feet.

5/5

Sirius: "The boss wants to say a few words."

When Sirius made eye contact with him, Ray got to his feet.

Ray: "I said this during the meeting in the Garden, but I want to say it again."

Ray: "No matter what we end up facing, we will stick together to keep [Alice] and Cradle safe."

Ray: "We will try to avoid a fight if we can."

Ray: "But if there is no avoiding it, we will be ready to fight for everything we hold dear. Won't we?"

Ray's stirring words were met with a resounding 'yes!'

Fenrir: "You can count on me! I'm always ready for a fight!"

Seth: "Alice is our precious friend!"

Sirius: "We won't lose her to anyone."

Luka: "That's right. We will protect you, no matter what."

Their warm gazes centered on me.

(Banding together to keep even a single ally safe and refusing to give up. That's the Black Army in a nutshell.)

(And I am a part of that.)

My heart felt full as I stood up and looked at each of their faces in turn.

[Alice]: "Thank you all so much. I will do my best with the investigation, as well."

Ray: "Good."

Fenrir: "Hey, let's do a toast!"

When Fenrir jumped to his feet and raised his glass, the others followed.

Ray: "Everyone ready? Chee--"

Luka: "Wha!"

Just as we were about to cheers, the largest lamp in the room went out.

It seemed the Magic Crystal that had been lighting it had suddenly run out of power.

[Alice]: "I'll go get a new Magic Crystal."

Sirius: "Hold on."

[Alice]: "Hm?"

Sirius: "I just used our last one this afternoon."

An order for new Magic Crystals had already been placed that would arrive the following morning.

[Alice]: "I suppose we can deal with having a little less light until tomorrow."

Luka: "I have a spare in my room. I'll go get it."

Sirius: "Really? Thanks."

Luka nodded and walked quickly out of the room.

But just then–

Seth: "Eek! This one's gone out too?"

One of the wall sconces had also gone dark.

Fenrir: "When one goes out, more are sure to follow. Isn't that what they say?"

[Alice]: "I'll go ask Luka if he has another spare."

Following after Luka, I left the dining hall.

When I arrived at Luka's room, I found the door ajar.

[Alice]: "Luka, we actually need another..."

I stepped into Luka's room and found him holding a leather pouch bursting with Magic Crystals.

(Hm? I didn't know he had so many!)

Magic Crystals did not come cheap.

Luka glanced over his shoulder at me and pulled two crystals out before pushing the pouch under his bed.

[Alice]: "Um, what are all those Magic Crystals for?"

My surprise was met by Luka's usual, calm tone.

Luka: "Nothing in particular. I just have them in case of emergencies."

[Alice]: "Oh, that makes sense."

(It's like his secret stockpile of crystals?)

Seeing no need to question his reasoning further,

we took the Magic Crystals back to the others.

The lively party came to an end a little while later,

as the night grew late.

Luka was still hard at work, however, doing his daily training exercises.

But then he was joined on the training ground by someone unexpected.

Ray: "May I join you?"

Luka: "Hm?"

1/5

Though the night had grown late, Luka was still up, doing his training exercises.

Ray: "May I join you?"

Luka: "Hm?"

Ray usually hated staying up late, so it was already past his bedtime.

Luka: "You're not tired?"

Ray: "I always feel restless before a fight."

Smiling softly, Ray drew his sword.

Ray: "Come on."

Luka: "Mm..."

Holding his greatsword near his hip, Luka darted forward.

Just before closing in on Ray, he raised his sword and swung down hard.

A metallic clang filled the air as Ray blocked with his own blade.

Ray: "You seem even more pumped up than usual."

Luka: "So do you, Ray."

They swung and parried with all their strength, and soon both men were sweating.

As their swords became locked in a fierce clash, Ray met Luka's eyes.

Ray: "Luka."

Ray's tone was serious.

Ray: "You don't have to bear it all alone, you know? We will always have your back."

Ray: "That means we are ready and willing to share your burden."

Ray: "Because we're friends."

Luka: “……”

In that instant, Luka understood why Ray had come to see him so late at night.

He had sensed that Luka was trying to cope with something while keeping it a secret.

And he wanted to let Luka know that,

even if he couldn't share that secret now, Ray would be there for him when push came to shove.

They pushed against one another with all their might, leaping back at the same time to put distance between them.

Luka let out a sigh,

and then looked directly at Ray.

Luka: "Thank you."

Luka: "Should we call it here for tonight?"

They hadn't been sparring long, but Luka was already panting heavily.

Ray: "Sure."

Luka: "Goodnight."

After putting away his sword, Luke strode swiftly back inside.

Ray: "Hmm."

Ray watched him go thoughtfully.

Then he sheathed his own sword and started walking toward the building.

But he noticed a drained Magic Crystal on the ground and stooped to pick it up.

Ray: "Did Luka drop this?"

Ray's murmur reverberated across the silent training grounds.

The next day, Luka, Edgar, and I went to the boarding school.

We were there to check in on Dean and ask for his assistance.

[Alice]: "Are we going to ask Dean for his help because you think he has information on Amon?"

Edgar: "No, I'm sure we know more about Amon than he does."

Edgar: "But our investigation will go much smoother if we learn about the Land of the Looking Glass where Amon is hiding."

Edgar: "Right, Luka?"

Luka: "Yes."

Luka: "Since Dean is a history teacher, he might know something about that place."

2/5

Luka: "Since Dean is a history teacher, he might know something about that place."

(That reminds me...)

Luka's comment made me think of the other day when Dean taught me a poem about the Land of the Looking Glass.

*flashback*

Dean: "Those are verses from one of Cradle's poems."

Mousse: "They say the Dark Mirror leads to the Land of the Looking Glass."

Mousse: "A strange place where everything seems to be the opposite of what it should be... as though it had been turned upside down."

*flashback ends*

(Dean told me about the Land of the Looking Glass before I even went there.)

(I bet he knows more about it besides that poem.)

When we arrived at the entrance to the school building, Luka paused and looked up at it.

Luka: "It's been a long time since l've been here."

Edgar: "And coming with an old classmate kind of makes it feel like a mini reunion, don't you think?"

Edgar flashed me an amused smile.

Edgar: "This place is full of memories. Luka and I did all sorts of things together back then."

[Alice]: "All sorts of things? Like what?"

(I want to hear about their school days!)

Luka: "Mm!"

Luka: "Ed, you're going to give her the wrong idea!"

Edgar: "No, I'm not. I'm sure she wants to hear more..."

Luka huffily turned his face away from Edgar's grin and ushered me into the building with him.

Edgar: "Leaving me behind? You're so cruel, Luka!"

A wry smile on his face, Edgar followed after us.

[Alice]: "What were you like as a student, Luka? I do want to hear more about it."

Luka: "I've told you before. My life here was completely normal."

(I was quite shocked when Luka told me a story about cutting class before.)

Edgar piped up in a cheerful voice.

Edgar: "Yes, he was a completely normal student. Doing things like watching the pigeons I fed on the roof while writing poetry."

Edgar: '"On feathered wing, where doth the pigeon fly?'''

Luka: "Ed!"

His face bright red, Luka actually raised his voice.

Luka: "Zip it!"

Edgar: "We've all done embarrassing things in the past. Isn't that right, [Alice]?"

[Alice]: "Yes, I suppose so."

(We all have memories that pop up when we're trying to sleep and make us want to kick ourselves for being so ridiculous. Right?)

I could sympathize with Luka's feelings, so I decided to drop the topic.

Edgar, on the other hand, continued to grin as he hinted about Luka's past.

Edgar: "Do you still have that notebook?"

Luka: "No, I threw it away ages ago!"

Edgar: "That's a shame."

Edgar: "Next time we're alone together, I'll tell you more stories about Luka's school days."

Before I could react, Luka spoke to Edgar in a deep, warning tone.

Luka: "Stop it. Seriously."

3/5

Edgar: "Next time we're alone together, I'll tell you more stories about Luka's school days."

Before I could react, Luka spoke to Edgar in a deep, warning tone.

Luka: "Stop it. Seriously."

Edgar: "Hee-hee. If it actually upsets you that much, I will stop. Even though I don't want to."

A smile touched the edges of my lips as I watched the two of them talking.

(They've been close ever since they were young. It's sweet.)

• "Childhood friends..."

[Alice]: "Having a childhood friend must be nice. You two share so many memories from your school days."

Edgar: "Yes. My youth just wouldn't have been the same if Luka wasn't there with me."

Luka: “……"

Edgar: "What's that? Did I detect the hint of a smile?"

Luka: "You're imagining things."

Edgar: "Uh-huh, sure."

(Aw, they're such good friends.)

• "Tell me a story, Luka?"

[Alice]: "Will you tell me another story like that sometime, Luka?"

(Honestly, I am super interested in hearing more about his poetry. But he's clearly embarrassed about that.)

Luka: "Okay."

• "You two are having fun."

The three of us continued to chat as we walked down the school hallway.

And before long, I spotted a familiar person walking toward us.

Dean: "I should have known it was you two making such a ruckus. The Pretend Prestigious Pupil Pair."

Luka & Edgar: "Hello, sir."

[Alice]: "Good afternoon."

Dean: "I am glad to see that you are still so spirited. Maybe even too spirited."

Dean: "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?"

Luka: "We heard Kyle came to examine you because you got a terrible headache the other day. We wanted to come see how you are doing."

Dean nodded.

Dean: "Oh, I see. The migraine passed and I haven't had any problems since."

Dean: "Thank you for coming out of your way to see me, but there is no need to worry."

(I'm glad he's feeling better.)

Luka: "That is good to hear."

Edgar: "We do have another reason for coming here."

Dean: "I suspected as much."

Dean crossed his arms and smiled nonchalantly at them.

Luka glanced at Edgar before broaching the other topic we were here to talk about.

Luka: "We'd like you to tell us everything you know about the Poems of Cradle and the Land of the Looking Glass."

Dean: "Mm?"

We had strict orders not to mention Amon's escape or Levie's existence outside of the armies.

But Dean seemed to sense a deeper meaning in Luka's words as he turned on his heel and started walking.

Dean: "Come with me."

We followed Dean into an empty classroom.

Dean: "Have a seat."

Both: "Yes, sir."

[Alice]: "Okay."

The three of us sat side by side in the front row of desks.

(I feel like l'm back in school.)

Edgar and Luka seemed to be feeling the same way.

Edgar: "This sure brings back memories."

Luka: "Yes."

Dean: "No talking during class."

Luka & Edgar: "Mph!"

His back to us, Dean wrote the poem he had recited for me on the blackboard.

"’When the darkness deepens,'”

“'the Black Rabbit beckons therein. Gaze through the mirror, and into his den you'll fall within.’”

Dean set down his chalk and turned to face us.

Dean: "This is an excerpt from the Poems of Cradle, chapter 2. It was written 100 years ago by an unknown author."

Dean: "It tells of a world inside a mirror--the Land of the Looking Glass."

Dean: "Whether this other land is a real place, or a figment of the author's imagination, is,"

Dean: "unfortunately, not made clear."

(I can tell you from personal experience that the Land of the Looking glass exists inside of that mirror, Dean.)

Since we'd been sworn to secrecy, however, I could not tell him that.

(And, just like it says in the poem, I was 'beckoned' by a voice and ended up 'falling within' the Land of the Looking Glass.)

While I was thinking back on the night of the new moon, Dean drew an arrow pointing to the Land of the Looking Glass on the board.

Dean: "This suggests that the people back then knew the Land of the Looking Glass was a very dangerous place."

Dean: "That is why they created the poem--as a warning to stay away from that world."

Dean: "Unfortunately, the original text containing this poem has been lost. But it has been passed down via oral tradition until today."

Dean: "Anyone born in Cradle is sure to have heard the poem at least once as a child."

Luka and Edgar nodded along with his words.

(So, it's a poem that everyone's familiar with. Come to think of it...)

4/5

(So, it's a poem that everyone's familiar with. Come to think of it... it seemed like Amon knew it, too.)

I recalled something Amon had said when we faced him inside of the mirror.

*flashback*

Amon: "Alice. Even if I weren't offering you to him, you belonged to the Black Rabbit from the very start."

Amon: "You are the one person who can touch and be touched by him. The only being who can stay by his side."

Amon: "The Poems of Cradle foretell, 'Gaze through the mirror, and into his den you'll fall within.' You were always destined to be his."

*flashback ends*

(Amon knew the land mentioned in the poem was real. And that the doorway leading to it was a mirror in the Civic Center.)

(I don't know how he knew all that, but he did.)

The chalk in Dean's hand eventually paused.

He glanced over his shoulder at us to add another tidbit.

Dean: "By the way, scholars have been researching the lost first chapter for a long time and have concluded it was likely a love poem."

[Alice]: "A love poem?"

Dean's comment startled me,

as I was reminded of the question about love that Dum had asked me the day before.

Dean: "Well, that is all I can tell you about the poem."

Edgar: "A love poem. Sure sounds romantic. Huh, Luka?"

From his seat at the end of the row, Edgar looked at Luka and me with a meaningful gaze.

Luka: "Don't ask me."

[Alice]: "So... No one has ever figured out exactly what the first chapter said?"

I tried to keep the conversation on topic, and Dean nodded.

Dean: "Correct. It remains lost to the ages."

Dean: "After all the painstaking searching that's been done, the original text has yet to be found."

Dean: "That suggests the author may have chosen to erase it. Perhaps because it was too embarrassing."

Dean: "Imagine if it said, 'The power of love can surpass magic itself,' for example."

Dean's half-joking comment made us all remember the story of Luka's poetry.

Luka's ears had turned bright red and Edgar was chuckling.

Edgar: "The power of love can surpass magic itself?"

Edgar: "To imagine a verse like that, you must be quite the romantic poet yourself, Professor."

Edgar: "And we can see your influence in one of your former students..."

Edgar's gaze shifted to Luka.

Luka: “Ed!”

5/5

Edgar: "To imagine a verse like that, you must be quite the romantic poet yourself, Professor."

Edgar: "And we can see your influence in one of your former students..."

Luka: "Ed!"

I smiled as I watched Luka. When he was with Edgar, he allowed more of his emotion to show on his face.

(Love, hm?)

It felt like everyone was talking about love lately, and that got me thinking.

(My concept of love is still kind of fuzzy. The difference between love and like feels vague to me, too.)

*flashback*

Dum: "Your 'love' is different from what I consider 'love,' but I believe it can save the world."

*flashback ends*

(What did Dum mean when he said my love can save the world?)

(He was probably just teasing me, right?)

Our special lesson with Dean over, we left the classroom.

[Alice]: "Thank you for today."

Luka: "Your explanation has been a big help."

Edgar: "Can we come visit again?"

Dean: "Yes. As long as you do not make a ruckus in the hallways."

His eyes narrowing affectionately, Dean headed for his next class.

After that, Edgar left us to return to the Red Army's headquarters,

while Luka and I made our way back to the Black Army's.

When we arrived…

[Alice]: "Huh?!"

The sight of a rare pair of visitors made me exclaim.

Harr: “......"

Loki: "Alice!"

Harr and Loki were standing just inside the entryway.

Loki waved amiably and came over to me.

Loki: "We brought all the Magic Crystals you ordered!"

[Alice]: "Thanks. We ran out last night, so we really need them."

Loki: "Where should I put them?"

[Alice]: "I'll show you."

After showing Loki where the storage vault was, I went back to the entryway.

As I approached, I saw Luka go over to talk to Harr.

(I don't think I've ever seen Luka make an effort to strike up a conversation with Harr before.)

The rare sight made me pause at a distance.

Luka: "...tomorrow…”

Harr: “...Yes, that's..."

I couldn't make out much of what they were saying, but they both wore stern expressions on their faces as they spoke at length.

(What are they talking about?)

I was curious, but I didn't want to interrupt, so l just stayed where I was.

Before I knew it, Ray, Sirius, Seth, and Fenrir arrived.

Forming a semi-circle behind me, they stared over at Luka as well.

[Alice]: "What's up?"

Startled, I looked back at them and Ray lowered his voice.

Ray: "I have a special job for you. Investigating Luka."

1/5

As I was watching Luka speak to Harr from a distance,

Ray, Sirius, Seth, and Fenrir suddenly arrived,

forming a semi-circle behind me as they also stared over at Luka.

[Alice]: "What's up?"

Startled, I looked back at them and Ray lowered his voice.

Ray: "I have a special job for you. Investigating Luka."

[Alice]: "You want me to investigate him?"

When I exclaimed in surprise, Ray quickly covered my mouth with his hand.

Ray: "Quiet. Luka can't know about this."

[Alice]: "Mmm?"

(Why do we need to hide this from Luka?)

Ray: "Come with me and I'll explain."

Ray kept his hand over my mouth as the others ushered me into the office.

Once we were safely inside, Ray finally let go.

[Alice]: "Phew..."

After catching my breath, I looked up at Ray quizzically.

[Alice]: "Okay, what are you talking about? What does 'investigating Luka' mean?"

Ray: "Luka has been acting strangely ever since the night you returned from the Land of the Looking Glass."

[Alice]: "Oh!"

Ray's assertion made my heart lurch in my chest.

(Just like Ray said, there have been times I've noticed Luka acting odd.)

(Something seemed off with his reaction when I told him about running into Dum while shopping.)

(And he's hoarding all those Magic Crystals.)

It turned out I wasn't the only one who'd been feeling that way.

[Alice]: "What weird things have you guys noticed?"

Ray took a letter from the desk and passed it to me.

Ray: "Kyle sent me this. It contains the results of Luka's recent medical exam."

(The exam? But I thought there was nothing out of the ordinary?)

Dread began creeping through my chest as I read the letter.

[ In addition to showing symptoms of someone exposed to vast quantities of magical power, there's something else I can't explain. ]

[ Luka is also showing symptoms that magic users like Lance do when the balance of magical energy within their body is unstable. ]

[ He asked me not to share the second set of symptoms with [Alice], so I kept it from her. ]

[ But I think you should keep an eye on Luka for the time being. ]

I looked up slowly from the letter.

Ray: "I assume he wanted to keep it from you so you wouldn't worry."

[Alice]: "Yes, but still..."

I squeezed the edge of the letter tightly with my fingertips.

[Alice]: "Why would someone without magic powers like Luka show symptoms only seen in magic users?"

2/5

[Alice]: "Why would someone without magic powers like Luka show symptoms only seen in magic users?"

I knew Kyle was a first-rate physician, but this had to be some sort of mistake.

Fenrir: "That's been bugging me, too."

Fenrir: "But if even the doctor doesn't understand it, how are we supposed to find the answer?"

Ray: "That's why we want you to keep an eye on Luka and try to find out if he's hiding anything else."

Seth: "You're the best person for the job, Alice, because he won't find it suspicious if you spend all day with him."

Seth: "You'll probably want to go to bed and take baths together, too. Tee-hee ☆"

A strained smile on his face from Seth's teasing, Sirius placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

Sirius: "All jokes aside, we believe that you can do this."

Sirius: "That is why we showed you the medical results even though he wanted them kept secret from you."

Ray picked up where Sirius left off.

Ray: "If there ends up being nothing to it, that would be great. And if there is something Luka can handle himself,"

Ray: "we will just keep pretending not to know and leave it to him. But..."

Ray: "If you think that Luka needs help, please tell us right away."

[Alice]: "Ray..."

(It's not that he suspects Luka of anything bad.)

(Ray and the others are just worried about him.)

Recognizing the strength of their feelings,

I balled my hand into a tight, determined fist.

(I don't like the idea of sneaking around. But if that is how I can help Luka, I'll do it.)

(I'll do whatever I can for him!)

[Alice]: "I understand. I will take the job."

Ray: "Thank you."

3/5

[Alice]: "I understand. I will take the job."

Ray: "Thank you."

I agreed to monitor Luka's health and try to find anything he might be hiding. And to report my findings to Ray and the other.

Once I was on board, Ray gave me my first set of orders.

Ray: "Tomorrow, Luka is going to Harr's house alone."

Luka had already come to Ray asking permission to go to the Forbidden Forest, saying,

‘I want to go alone to talk with the wizard, Harr, as part of our investigation.'

Ray: "We could certainly do with the aid of someone as well-versed in magic as Harr."

Ray: "So, I gave Luka permission to go and tasked him with asking Harr to cooperate with us."

Sirius: "But Luka has never really interacted with Harr before."

Sirius: "Doesn't it seem odd that he would specifically ask to go alone?"

Fenrir: "It would make more sense to bring another soldier working on the same investigation squad or [Alice] along."

(Ah, Luka must have been discussing his plans to visit Harr's house with him just now.)

Ray: "So, you need to follow him in secret to find out what they talk about and how Luka is behaving."

• "I've got this!"

(I already agreed to do it, I can't back out now.)

[Alice]: "I've got this!"

Sirius: "I appreciate your enthusiasm. But this mission is a lot to put on your shoulders alone."

Sirius: "So, we've arranged for someone to help you."

• "Can someone come with?"

[Alice]: "Can someone come with me?"

[Alice]: "I'm worried that if I don't have someone who can cover for me if I mess up, things won't go well."

Seth: "We already thought of that and have someone who will go with to help you ☆."

• "I'll try my best, but..."

[Alice]: "A helper?"

(Who?)

As I was looking at the others curiously, the door to the office burst open.

Loki: "I'm gonna be your helper, Alice!"

After delivering all the Magic Crystals to the storage vault, Loki made his grand entrance.

[Alice]: "Loki?"

Loki would make the perfect accomplice for sneaking around Harr's house,

but it was a bit surprised they'd chosen someone from outside the Black Army.

Ray: "Loki's already been filled in on the night of the new moon and about the chance we'll have to do battle with Amon and Levie."

Ray: "And he already said he would help Harr support us on the magic front."

After Ray explained the situation, Loki came over to me with a big smile on his face.

Loki: "Just leave everything to me! This is gonna be fun, Alice!"

[Alice]: "Yes, thank you for your help!"

Loki and I exchanged a firm handshake.

My conversation with Ray and the others over, I went looking for Luka. It seemed he had been looking for me, too,

because a relieved smile appeared on his face the moment we spotted each other in the hallway.

Luka: "There you are."

[Alice]: "Have you been looking for me this whole time?"

Luka: "Yeah, for a little while anyway."

Luka's smile grew sheepish.

[Alice]: "Sorry to make you search."

Luka shook his head at my apology.

Luka: "No, you know how I worry too much. Anyway, do you have some time right now?"

[Alice]: "Yes. Why?"

If I acted weird at all, I knew Luka would realize I was hiding something.

So, I did my best to put any thoughts of the secret mission I was on out of my head.

Luka: "Do you want to come to my room?"

When we got to his room, Luka pulled something wrapped in cloth out of his dresser drawer.

He brought it over to the sofa and sat down beside me.

Luka: "I'd like you to have this."

[Alice]: "What is it?"

Luka pulled back the cloth to reveal a golden hand mirror with ornamental flowers made of pale-purple crystal.

I took it from Luka's hand and gazed at it admiringly.

[Alice]: "The decorations on this are exquisite. It's a lovely mirror."

Luka: "This mirror has the power to ward off evil, so it's like a protective charm."

4/5

Luka: "This mirror has the power to ward off evil, so it's like a protective charm."

He'd bought the mirror for me the other day when we split up to buy groceries.

Luka: "As our investigation progresses, you and I will have to split up to do different duties sometimes."

Luka: "I just wanted to give you a little bit of protection for when I'm not around."

(He's even trying to keep me safe when he's not with me.)

Luka's kind, warm feelings filled my heart with joy.

(Luka is always protecting me.)

(That's why, this time, I want to do something to keep him safe.)

Ray's words echoed in my mind.

*flashback*

Ray: "If you think that Luka needs help, please tell us right away."

*flashback ends*

(Ray and the others feel the same way. That's why they gave me this mission.)

[Alice]: "Luka..."

Emotion swelling within me, I wrapped my arms around Luka.

[Alice]: "Thank you so much. I will take good care of it."

Luka: “……"

(I hope the feelings I have for him can help keep Luka safe when I'm not around.)

As I poured that wish into my embrace, Luka gently hugged me back.

His arms tightened gradually, until his cheek was nuzzling my hair.

Luka: "[Alice]..."

Finally, he brushed his lips against my cheek before letting go.

The next day,

Luka left by himself just as Ray said he would.

After he'd gone, Loki climbed into my room through the window.

Loki: "Alice, are you ready to go?"

[Alice]: "Loki?! But we're on the second floor!"

My surprise was met by a big smile as Loki sat on my windowsill, kicking his legs back and forth playfully.

Loki: "Uh-huh. And you're about to fly out this window too, Alice!"

[Alice]: “Fly?"

Hopping down to the floor, Loki took my hand in one of his and wrapped the other around my waist.

Loki: "Okay, here we go!"

Loki's eyes turned red and wind began to swirl around us.

[Alice]: "Whoa!"

I felt my body leave the ground along with his and in the next instant we were flying out the window and into the sky.

Riding the wind, we flew in a straight line all the way to Harr's house.

Loki: "And... we're here!"

(The power of magic is truly something. We got here in not time!)

After we landed on the ground near Harr's house,

Loki pulled a red, hooded cloak out of his bag.

Loki: "Here, put this on."

[Alice]: "Uh, okay."

(But why? Even if this hides my face, I'll still be super noticeable in this color.)

Curious, I put the cloak on as he'd instructed. And then I found out what it's true purpose was.

[Alice]: "Wha?"

As I watched, my body turned invisible.

[Alice]: "I can't see myself! Is this magic?"

Loki: "Yep. The tiny Mad Hatter invented it. It's a magical cloak of invisibility."

(He's talking about Oliver, right? He really is a genius to come up with an invention like this!)

Loki: "Not only does it hide you from sight while you're wearing it, it also keeps people from sensing your presence."

Loki: "With these, we can go right into the house and listen to everything Harr and Luka talk about. Pretty slick, huh?"

Loki put on his own cloak and disappeared from sight.

Loki: "It can't erase the sound of your voice, though. So be careful not to speak."

Loki was right, I could hear his voice perfectly as it came from what appeared to be thin air.

[Alice]: "Got it."

And so, we snuck inside the house.

(Sorry for dropping by like this... Wait, no one is here?)

Loki and I held hands so we didn't lose each other as we stood against the wall of the living room.

Before long Harr and Luka entered from the next room,

and sat down at a table a short distance from us as they continued to chat.

5/5

Unaware that Loki and I were there in invisibility cloaks,

Harr and Luka entered the living room while chatting,

and sat down at a table a short distance away.

Harr: "You're saying that, after running away into the mirror world, Amon has joined forces with a magic user living there named Levie?"

Luka: "Yes."

(Sounds like he already told him what happened on the night of the new moon.)

Harr: "Please tell the King of Spades that I will do whatever I can to help."

Luka: "Thank you."

Harr: "And you said there was also something personal you wanted to ask me about?"

There was a silent pause before Luka nodded.

And then he spoke.

Luka: "I want to ask you about magic circuits."

(What is a magic circuit?)

It was not a phrase I was familiar with.

(I'm having trouble hearing them, too.)

Harr and Luka were both soft-spoken, so l carefully crept closer to the table to make sure I wouldn't miss a word.

But then my foot hit a pile of books on the floor, knocking them over with a crash.

[Alice]: "Ah!"

Loki did not make a sound as he quickly covered my mouth with his hand,

but it was too late.

Both Harr and Luka had turned to look at the exact spot I was standing.

Harr: "Loki, show yourself."

(We've been caught!)

Loki took off his invisibility cloak without argument.

Loki: "Oopsie."

I took my cloak off as well and Luka's eyes went wide.

Luka: "[Alice]?"

[Alice]: "Um, I'm sorry."

I stared down at the floor sheepishly.

Harr: "What were you doing there?"

[Alice]: "We were listening in on your conversation. Sorry."

Luka: "Let me guess. The others asked you to?"

Clever Luka figured out what had happened right away.

For a split-second I considered keeping the others out of it, but then I realized it was best to come clean.

I looked at Loki and nodded to show I would handle it before telling the truth.

[Alice]: "Luka, you've been acting strange since we came back from the Land of the Looking Glass and everyone has been worried about you."

[Alice]: "They thought maybe you were hiding something from them."

[Alice]: "So, the others asked me to follow you and try to figure out the truth."

I made sure to mention that I had agreed of my own volition before finishing what I had to say.

[Alice]: "Luka, if you are struggling with something by yourself and you're worried you can't deal with it alone, I want to help you."

Harr: "Is that what's been going on?"

Luka: "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hidden this from you."

I was startled to hear Luka's words.

I was hoping that my investigation would reveal that there was nothing wrong.

(But it turns out he really was hiding something.)

While I stood there waiting for him to go on,

Luka averted his eyes nervously for a moment before finally looking at me.

At last, he started talking.

Luka: "The truth is... Before I found you inside the mirror, I ran into a senior Disciple of Magic on the street."

Luka: "He was wearing a deep hood, so I couldn't see his face."

Luka: "But that disciple told me exactly where to find you. And then..."

Luka spoke in a quiet, but clear voice.

Luka: "He gave me magic-- turned me into a magic user."

1/5

Luka: "That disciple told me exactly where to find you. And then..."

Luka: "He gave me magic-- turned me into a magic user."

(Um, what?)

His words just did not make sense at first.

I was overcome with shock and confusion, so all I could do was stare at him blankly.

And even more shocking words followed.

Luka: "Since then, I have had to keep a Magic Crystal on me at all times."

Luka: "Because my body cannot survive without a constant, outside source of magic."

That was enough to make Loki and Harr gasp in shock.

[Alice]: "You mean you can't live without it?"

My mind went blank for a moment.

I was worried that Luka was feeling ill, but I never imagined that the problem might be life-threatening!

I gestured to Loki, suggesting that we should sit down, so we joined Luka and Harr at the table.

(The reason Luka has so many Magic Crystals in his room is because he needs a supply of magical energy.)

The staggering news threatened to make my hands shake, so I balled them into fists as I found my voice.

[Alice]: "Is it really possible to turn someone into a magic user?"

Humans born with innate magic power

were rare.

It wasn't possible for those lacking the gift to cast spells without using a Magic

Crystal. At least, that is what l'd been told.

(I've never heard of a magic user needing an outside source of magical energy either.)

I hoped that this was some sort of misunderstanding, and I imbued that hope into my pointed question.

That hope, however, was swiftly dashed by Luka's answer.

Luka: "I can't say for sure whether I have become a magic user or something else entirely."

Luka: "I can't actually use magic spells. But the disciple definitely cast some kind of magic on me."

He said that it felt like his heart was burning to a crisp in his chest when the spell had been cast on him.

Luka: "When a Magic Crystal l'm carrying runs dry, I feel my body grow so weak it becomes difficult to stand."

Luka: "And as soon as I pick up a fresh Magic Crystal, I'm suddenly fine again."

Luka: "All the stress and pain evaporates, as if it was never there."

When Luka finished, silence filled the air around us for some time.

(Luka's life now depends on whether or not a supply of magical energy is available.

I can't believe this.)

After contemplating with a grim look on his face, Loki spoke to Harr.

Loki: "I've never heard of a magic spell like that before. Have you, Harr?"

Harr: "...Yes. Though I did not know it had been worked into a usable form."

Luka: "What do you mean?"

Harr: "You know that, in the past, the Magic Tower did all kinds of experiments on people. One area of research involved..."

Harr: "was opening magic circuits in people without magic power. In other words, turning normal humans into magic users."

Harr: "They wanted to construct a pathway in a body that magic could circulate through, allowing one to acquire magic powers after birth."

Harr: "But the experiments never went anywhere. Even after forcing open a magic circuit, the subjects still could not use magic."

Harr: "And most of them could not withstand the magical power flowing through their body. So, the research was put on hold.

After that..."

Harr: "they switched focus to the amplification of magical powers and began to experiment on natural born magic users instead."

Harr: "That was also a failure. The subjects were left with weakened immune systems requiring medication for the rest of their lives."

[Alice]: "Oh dear!"

Luka: “……”

2/5

As Luka listened to Harr's tale of the horrifying experiments the Magic Tower once did,

he did not seem shaken or scared. He wore a quiet, solemn expression as he soaked in the truth.

Luka: "......"

[Alice]: "Do you mean that the research was never completed back then?"

I pried further, hoping to glean some more information from Harr.

Harr: "That is what I thought."

(But that very magic spell had been used on Luka.)

Luka: "Is there a chance someone continued the research in secret and perfected the spell?"

Harr: "Maybe. It would be impossible for most, but perhaps a senior disciple with first-rate knowledge and skill could do it."

Luka: "Well, the fact that the spell was used on me is proof that the research has been completed."

Harr: “Yes…”

Harr answered in a dejected tone.

Resisting the urge to tremble, I squeezed my cold hands into fists on top of my lap.

(If he knew a way to break the spell, I’m sure Harr would tell us.)

(Since he’s not mentioning it… That means there is currently no way to break it.)

It wasn’t just my hands that wanted to tremble, I felt shivers race through my entire body.

(What is going to happen to Luka?)

Just as my fear began to give rise to panic, Luka placed his hand on top of mine.

(Mm?)

Luka: "I am sorry I hid this. I didn't understand what was happening myself, so I wasn't able to explain it to the rest of you."

Luka: "I thought telling you what happened with no other information would be even worse than not telling. That's why I stayed quiet."

Luka: "But my silence ended up worrying you all anyway. I'm really sorry."

As Luka continued to apologize, I shook my head.

• "I forgive you."

I did not think he'd done anything that required forgiveness,

but l wanted to reassure him that it was okay.

[Alice]: "I forgive you."

• "No need to apologize."

[Alice]: "There's no need to apologize."

[Alice]: "I'm sure I would have done the same thing if I were in your situation, Luka."

(He just wanted to solve his own problem so that he didn't need to worry us.)

[Alice]: "But..."

[Alice]: "Now that I know what's going on, I'd like to work with you to solve this problem. I want you to tell me everything from now on."

• "I understand."

[Alice]: "I understand why you did it. I know how it feels to not want to worry people, so don't give it another thought."

Luka: "Hearing you say that makes me feel a bit better."

Luka: "Thank you."

Luka squeezed my hand and my trembling stopped.

Now that I was calm, my head was clear.

(This is no time to let fear or panic take over.)

(Now that I know what the situation is, we just have to work on finding a solution.)

My desire to protect Luka gave me the strength I needed to forge ahead.

[Alice]: "Thank you for telling me, Luka."

Luka: “……”

Luka and I smiled at each other,

until Loki leaned in between us with a smirk.

Loki: "Hold on, are you two in looooove?"

[Alice] & Luka: "Mm!"

The atmosphere changed in an instant and the temperature of my cold hands rose along with the rest of my body.

Despite our embarrassment, we continued to hold hands and Harr cleared his throat uncomfortably.

Harr: "I appreciate your attempt to lighten the mood, Loki. But you need to be quiet now."

Loki: "Okey-dokey!"

(Looks like we're making Harr uncomfortable.)

I didn't want to let the awkward silence drag on,

so l voiced a question that had been bugging me this whole time.

[Alice]: "Why would that disciple want to cast a spell on Luka in the first place?"

Luka: "I've been wondering that myself."

3/5

[Alice]: "Why would that disciple want to cast a spell on Luka in the first place?"

Luka was the first to respond to my question.

Luka: "I've been wondering that myself."

Loki: "I heard about it from Ray yesterday."

Loki: "The disciple who turned you into a magic user also told you that Alice was inside the mirror."

Loki: "And you all suspect that he's the person who helped Amon escape?"

Luka: "Yes, though we do not yet have proof."

Loki: "But if that is true, it's really weird."

Loki: "Amon offered to give Alice to Levie in exchange for being allowed to hide out in the Land of the Looking Glass, right?"

Loki: "But his ally, a Disciple of Magic, urged Luka to go save her, even though doing so meant Amon would be found out. That's weird."

(Loki has a point.)

The same query popped into all of our heads.

(First he helps Amon escape, then he tells someone where to find the escapee. That is quite a contradiction.)

After staying silent up to that point, Harr finally spoke again.

Harr: "If the person who helped Amon break out and the one who cast the spell on Luka are one and the same,"

Harr: "then it's likely Amon has other motives that we do not yet understand."

(There's more to his plan than just hiding in the Land of the Looking Glass?)

Harr: "This is all conjecture, of course. We have no way of answering that question ourselves yet."

Luka: "We need to gather more information. All we can do is continue our investigation."

Harr: "Yes. Loki and I will help by investigating people connected to the Magic Tower."

Luka: "Thank you."

Once that was settled, I brought up another question that was on my mind.

Alice: "Harr, I just want to confirm... You don't know of a way to break the spell that was cast on Luka, do you?"

I figured it was a long shot, but I had to ask anyway.

Harr: "No, I do not. I'm sorry."

[Alice]: "It's okay. You don't suppose my Power to Break Spells could work?"

Harr: "Once a spell has already been put in place, it can't be broken so easily."

(In other words, there is nothing I can do right now.)

As a terrible sense of powerlessness struck me, I shifted my gaze to Luka.

[Alice]: "Luka... I'm so sorry that my power can't be useful when it really counts."

(And I'm super frustrated that I can't think of any other way to help.)

Luka: “……”

Luka: "[Alice]..."

Running his fingers through my hair, Luka gently tilted my face upwards.

Luka: "You are my constant source of strength."

4/5

Luka: "[Alice]..."

Running his fingers through my hair, Luka gently tilted my face upwards.

Luka: "You are my constant source of strength."

[Alice]: "Hm?"

Luka: "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even care about breaking this spell. I would have simply given up already."

Luka: "Having to always carry a Magic Crystal with me is inconvenient, but it's not a death sentence."

Luka: "So, I would have just decided to deal with it."

Luka: "And, if it ever became too difficult to get Magic Crystals, even knowing my life would be extinguished,"

Luka: "I would have accepted that as my fate. I would not have cared about myself enough to do anything else."

Luka's hand slid down to my cheek.

Luka: "But I vowed to live with you and to always keep you safe."

Luka: "So, if this spell might prevent me from keeping that vow, then I will stand up and fight it."

Luka: "With all of my heart, I wish to break this spell."

Luka's words made the depths of my heart tremble.

But not out of fear or panic like before.

(I am a pillar of support for Luka.)

(Knowing that I motivate him to cherish himself makes me unbelievably happy.)

[Alice]: "Oh, Luka!"

I wanted to thank him, tell him how happy he made me, and say all kinds of other things.

But my heart was so full, all I could manage to do was say his name.

As my lips twitched slightly, Luka pinched my cheek playfully.

Luka: "Smile for me. Your smile gives me strength."

I nodded and gazed into his eyes.

[Alice]: "Let's find a way to break this spell!"

[Alice]: "Otherwise, the cost of all those Magic Crystals will mean the two of us have to live the rest of our lives in the poor house."

Wanting Luka to smile as well, I made a joke.

Instead of laughing, though, a look of extreme surprise appeared on his face.

Luka: “……”

(Did I say something strange?)

Luka: “...The rest of our lives... you mean..."

[Alice]: "Um..."

As Luka murmured awkwardly, I finally realized the gravity of my words.

(I didn't think anything of it as I spoke, but that makes it sound like I'm already planning for us to marry.)

A jolt of embarrassment made me want to scream, so I quickly tried to explain it away.

[Alice]: "I-I didn't mean anything serious by it."

Luka: "...Yes, I know."

5/5

Luka set his hand on my shoulder. The smile still on his face, he gazed deeply into my eyes.

Luka "......"

(He looks really, really happy for some reason.)

I was gazing back at him, trying to discern the reason behind his smile, when Harr cleared his throat again.

[Alice] & Luka:"Urk!"

Loki: "You two sure are having fun."

Harr: "Would you like us to give you some privacy?"

[Alice]: "Uh, no, that's not necessary."

Luka: "Sorry."

After we apologized, Harr got the conversation back on track.

Harr: "I will include finding a way to break the spell in my investigation."

Harr: "Also, I think I might know the disciple who did this to you, Luka.”

(He has an idea?)

Harr: "I cannot give you any details right now, but if you leave it to me, I should be able to find some answers."

Luka: "Okay, I trust you."

And so, we secured the cooperation of the magic and Magic Tower expert, Harr.

After thanking Harr and Loki countless times, Luka and I set off for home.

Standing in the doorway as [Alice] and Luka rode away on horseback, Loki murmured quietly.

Loki: "Hey, Harr? Can a normal human with an open magic circuit really survive as long as they keep absorbing magical energy?"

Harr: “...No. The process of taking in and consuming magic puts intense strain on the body that gradually wears it down."

Harr: "Recovery time will take longer and longer, until the body is unable to replenish the magic it consumes quickly enough."

Loki: "You mean that, in the end, his body will become so weak he won't be able to absorb any more energy... and he'll die."

Harr nodded silently.

Harr: "Unless something makes him lose control of the magic within and he self-destructs first."

Loki: "Are you sure you should have kept that from them?"

Harr: “……”

Harr: "When people think a situation is hopeless, they stop trying. There's still time. I don't want them to lose all hope yet."

Loki: "You really are a kind and compassionate guy, Harr."

Embarrassed by the compliment, Harr turned his face from Loki and announced he would go to the Magic Tower.

Harr: "We don't have time to stand around talking nonsense."

Loki: "Yeah, yeah."

Smiling to himself, Loki followed after Harr.

When we were almost back at headquarters, I spoke to Luka.

[Alice]: "Hey, Luka?"

Luka: "Yes?"

He slowed the horse so it would be easier for us to talk.

[Alice]: "Do you mind if I tell the others about what we learned today?"

Ray and the rest were awaiting my report.

When I told him that, Luka gave it some thought before responding.

Luka: "I'd prefer if you held off on that report for now. I want to tell them the truth myself."

Luka: "Because I also need to apologize for not telling them right away."

(I suppose they would prefer to hear it directly from Luka, too.)

[Alice]: "Got it. Then, I'll just tell them that you have something you want to talk to them about."

Luka: "Thanks."

With a relieved sigh, Luka looked up at the road ahead.

Luka: "Um, [Alice]?" 

[Alice]: "Uh-huh?"

Luka: "Want to take a little detour?"

1/5

Luka: "Um, ‘Alice?’"

Alice: "Uh-huh?"

Luka: "Want to take a little detour?"

Luka brought the horse to a stop.

Luka: "I know times are tough right now, but we're back earlier than I expected so we have a little time."

Luka: "Before we return to staring at documents all night, let's take a little breather."

Lately, our afternoons were spent out investigating and our evenings were spent at headquarters looking through papers.

(We haven't had a real break in a while. Even though we're really busy, I don't think a short rest would hurt.)

And so, I nodded in agreement.

Alice: "As long as you're feeling up for it, let's go."

Luka pulled two Magic Crystals from his pocket and showed me.

Luka: "These will keep me feeling fine."

Seeing that he had an extra Magic Crystal in reserve brought a relieved smile to my face.

(As long as he doesn't run out of Magic Crystals, Luka can keep living as if nothing has changed.)

Alice: "So, where do you want to go? Should we head back to the Central Quarter?"

As soon as we decided to take a break, my heart suddenly felt lighter and there was a cheerful tone in my voice.

But Luka shook his head for some reason.

Luka: "We could do that... But there is someplace nearby that I've been wanting to take you."

Luka: "Is that okay?"

Alice: "Yes, of course. Someplace around here, though? Where?"

Luka: "I'm going to keep that a secret for now."

As Luka adjusted his grip on the reins in front of me,

a mischievous smile appeared on his face for the first time in a long time, making my heart skip a beat.

(Luka is smiling. Just that is enough to make me feel supremely happy.)

I was sure Luka hadn't been able to let go of his worries and relax since the night of the new moon.

(This is a rare chance for Luka to let off some steam. We may not have long, but I want to make sure he feels refreshed.)

Luka ended up bringing me to a spot halfway up the side of the small mountain behind Black Army headquarters.

Alice: "Wow, what a gorgeous view!"

Atop a cliff that jutted out over the ocean was a sprawling field full of colorful flowers.

Flowers, the ocean, and an endless sky. It looked like a beautiful painting.

As I breathed in the fresh, floral scent and squinted at the dazzling light on the water's surface, Luka smiled happily.

Luka: “You and I have travelled all over Cradle together.”

Luka: "but we had yet to come here. And I always wanted to show this spot to you."

Alice: "I had no idea there was a place like this so close to headquarters."

Luka: "It's a bit of a trek to get up here, so few people even know about it."

We'd had to leave our horse behind and climb up the last part of the way on foot, leaving me out of breath when we arrived.

Alice: "But the effort of climbing a mountain is worth it for a beautiful sight like this."

Luka: "You mean you like it?"

Alice: "Yes, very much."

Alice: "Look how the flowers cover the ground like a carpet as far as the eye can see."

Wanting to get a better view of the ocean, I started running through the field.

But Luka quickly caught up and wrapped his arms around me tightly from behind.

2/5

Luka: "Careful!"

Alice: "Hm?"

I looked back at him, confused, and Luka stared up ahead as he spoke.

Luka: "The edge of the cliff is hidden just up ahead. The danger is why not many people come here, even though it's beautiful."

(The cliff edge is right there?)

I carefully peeked forward at what I thought was a gently sloping hill,

only to find that the ground suddenly disappeared only a few steps further on.

Alice: "Whoa! Th-Thank you!"

(If Luka hadn't stopped me, I would have gone tumbling right off the edge.)

The thought sent a shiver of fear down my spine.

Luka: "Sorry, I should have mentioned that sooner." We moved away from the edge and sat down among the flowers.

A gust of wind blew my hair into my face, but Luka brushed it back gently with his fingertips.

Luka: "The wind is stronger here next to the ocean."

Alice: "This is like a secret refuge guarded by a steep mountain path, treacherous cliff, and strong sea breeze."

Luka: "Yes."

Luka scooted closer and rested his head on my shoulder.

Luka: “……”

Since we started dating, I'd come to realize something.

When Luka casually snuggled up against me like this, it meant that he was feeling truly relaxed.

Luka: "Looking at this scenery, it's hard to believe Cradle is in the middle of a terrible crisis right now."

Alice: "Yeah, really."

I hadn't forgotten for even an instant that it was my fault Cradle and its people had been put in danger.

I had exposed them to a new threat from Amon and Levie.

A nagging thought was constantly at the back of my mind. Could I have done more to prevent this on that day?

At the same time, rather than waste energy blaming myself, I knew I had to focus on finding a solution.

The reason I was able to stay positive was because the Black Army and everyone else who was working with us remained positive.

Seeing their confidence that we would solve this problem made me feel optimistic as well.

And Luka, who now had to rely on Magic Crystals to live and had it harder than anyone, never even complained.

Instead, he put everyone else before himself and worked late into the night on our investigation.

(I want to be like the others, too.)

After we'd been gazing silently at the ocean for a while, Luka lifted his head from my shoulder.

And we locked eyes with each other.

3/5

After we'd been gazing silently at the ocean for a while, Luka lifted his head from my shoulder.

And we locked eyes with each other.

Both: “……"

There was a troubled look on Luka's face as he stared at me.

(What's going on? He seems nervous about something.)

I waited patiently for Luka to say something, and eventually he did.

Luka: "Before..."

Luka: "At Harr's house, when you said something about being together for the rest of our lives..."

*flashback*

Alice: "Let's find a way to break this spell!"

Alice: "Otherwise, the cost of all those Magic Crystals will mean the two of us have to live the rest of our lives in the poor house."

Luka “……"

*flashback ends*

The memory of my easily misinterpreted words made me blush as Luka continued.

Luka: "You said that you didn't mean anything serious by it, but..."

As he spoke, Luka's face steadily grew redder.

(Hm?)

Luka: "I think... someday... I hope that becomes a reality."

Alice: "You... Hm?"

(He means he hopes we get married someday?)

My eyes as wide as saucers, I continued to gaze at Luka.

(Every day since Luka and I got together has been unbelievably happy. And I really do love him.)

(I'd be lying if I said I never pictured what our future together could be like.)

But I didn't think we would be talking about marriage this soon into our relationship.

(How should I respond? Should I tell him I feel the same way?)

(But right now, protecting Cradle together is more important than our personal plans.)

Conflicting thoughts running rampant through my head, Luka peered at me with concern.

Luka: "I don't mean right now. But one day, when the timing is right for both of us..."

Luka: "So you don't have to worry about it just yet."

(Yes, that's right. It's not like he proposed we get married today.)

I was embarrassed at myself for getting so flustered.

Alice: "It's okay. I'm not worried. I was just surprised."

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

Then I looked straight into Luka's amber eyes once more.

Alice: "I've thought about it, too. Someday, if you and I... If that ends up happening, it would make me really happy."

I was far too embarrassed to actually say the words 'get married.'

(Yes, someday.)

(Once we've overcome the problems we're facing now, Luka and I can think about when that someday will be.)

(For the sake of both Cradle's future and our future together,)

(we must find a solution for the problem with Amon and Levie.)

Luka: "Mm."

My words brought a soft smile to Luka's lips.

He plucked a small, light-purple flower from the ground and tied its slender stem into a ring.

Luka: "Someday, I promise to say it to you. I don't have the words to properly tell you right now."

My heart was pounding so hard, it felt like it had moved into my ears.

Luka: "But when the time comes, I will let you know how I feel. I promise."

Luka took my left hand.

Alice: "Oh!"

Hesitating to put it on my ring finger, he slid the looped flower onto my index finger instead.

Luka took my left hand and hesitated for a split-second before sliding the ring he'd fashioned from a flower onto my index finger.

Luka: “……”

4/5

Luka took my left hand and hesitated for a split-second before sliding the ring he'd fashioned from a flower onto my index finger.

Luka: "......"

(I guess he wants to keep my ring finger free for that future 'someday.')

Alice: "Thank you. I'll be waiting for that day."

Luka: "Good."

Luka leaned in slowly and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips.

Alice: "Mm..."

• Hug him.

As we kissed, I wrapped Luka in a hug.

(I know we need to get back to headquarters, but let's stay like this just a little longer.)

Luka: “……”

Luka pulled back slightly, a somewhat bewildered look on his face, before kissing me again.

• Touch his arm.

While our lips were still pressed together, I touched Luka's upper arm.

Luka squeezed my hand gently before ending our kiss.

Luka: "Let's stay a little longer before going back."

[Alice]: "Okay."

We gazed longingly at each other, regretting that we didn't have more time.

• Touch his cheek.

As Luka slowly pulled away, I reached my fingers after him and touched his cheek.

Luka: "Mm?"

[Alice]: "Just one more."

Luka: "...Okay."

Luka gave me one more, sweet kiss.

As we enjoyed a brief respite for our bodies and souls,

we failed to noticed the dark clouds rolling in on the horizon.

The weekly joint-army progress meeting in the Garden was coming up.

So, for the next several days everyone was running around gathering information.

Half of us were looking into Amon and his co-conspirator, while everyone else researched the Land of the Looking Glass and Levie.

It was the night before the meeting,

and Luka was doing some solo-training like always,

when he suddenly cried out and dropped his greatsword.

Luka: "Urk!"

He stared at his hand as it trembled. Try as he might to pick up his sword, his hand just didn't have the strength to do it.

Luka: "I guess this is my limit for today."

Muttering regretfully to himself, he picked up the heavy sword with both hands and walked slowly back to his room.

Once he was there,

he took the two Magic Crystals that had been sucked dry from his pocket.

And he pulled three new crystals from his chest of drawers to replace them.

Luka: “Phew…”

5/5

His hand wrapped around three Magic

Crystals, the boulder-heavy weight that had settled onto his body was immediately lifted.

Luka: "Phew...

He then sat down at his desk and opened his journal.

[ l am using up the Magic Crystals faster and faster every day. ]

[ And every once in a while, I feel a surge inside of me, as though the magic power coursing through me is trying to break free. ]

[ I have been putting my faith in everyone... and myself, believing that we will find a solution. But so far, nothing. ]

[ For the first time, I feel frightened of the changes taking place in my body. ]

After sealing his faint-hearted feelings into the journal, he set down his pen.

One of the Magic Crystals he was gripping had already lost its shine.

It was the day of the progress meeting.

But when it came time to go to the Garden, Luka was nowhere to be seen. Worried, I went to check for him in his room.

Alice: "Luka? I'm coming in."

I knocked and then opened the door. Luka was sitting hunched over on his bed.

Luka: "Mm!"

He sat up straight as soon as he saw me, but his face had a sickly pallor.

Alice: "Are you feeling ill?"

Luka: "I'm fine. I just grabbed a new Magic Crystal."

Luka held up a hand that was clenching a Magic Crystal and showed me a reassuring smile.

Alice: "Oh, okay."

(It seems like he's going through Magic Crystals faster lately. Is he really okay?)

Luka got up and put on his uniform cap.

Luka: "See, all better."

Alice: "Yeah..."

(Hmmm. I just hope he's not pushing himself.)

Just then, a soldier arrived to deliver something in a long, wooden box.

Black Army Soldier: "Luka, something came for you from the Clemence household."

Luka: "Thanks."

After the soldier left, Luka placed the box on the table.

There was a card attached to the top.

[ Please accept this gift as a small token of my gratitude for the other day. ]

Alice: "This must be from your father!"

(He didn't bother to thank Luka at the time, but now he's sent a gift to show his appreciation.)

Luka: "Yeah, maybe..."

Luka didn't even look at the card and left the box sitting unopened on the table.

Alice: "Aren't you going to open it?"

Luka: "I'll get around to it. We should get going."

(He's not curious about the contents at all?)

Being reminded of the situation with his father made me sad and I was worried Luka wouldn't even bother to look at the gift.

As I was staring at the lonely package, Luka took my hand.

Luka: "Let's open it together after the meeting."

Alice: "Sure."

Relieved to have one less thing to worry about, I headed for the door with Luka.

Outside, Luka and I got onto his horse and I held on tightly to his waist.

Alice: "Luka, are you nervous?"

Luka: "Just a little."

Luka had decided to tell everyone at today's meeting about what had happened to him.

Luka: "I know I already said this once. But I want you to remember that, no matter what happens, I'm on your side."

Luka: “…Thank you."

There was still a hint of anxiety in Luka's smile,

reminding me of another night when he had shown me an uneasy expression...

Sitting on Luka's horse with him and looking at his anxious smile,

reminded me of the first time he had shown me an uneasy expression.

It was the night after Luka had taken me to see the field of flowers overlooking the ocean.

After our short break, we'd returned to headquarters and poured over documents until the middle of the night.

I rubbed my word-weary eyes as I got ready for bed and placed a glass of water on the windowsill.

Removing the flower ring l'd been wearing the whole time, I straightened the stem and stuck it into the water.

Alice: "It was starting to wilt, but this should perk it back up."

Luka looked up from the cookbook he was reading in bed with a soft smile.

Luka: "Come here."

He pulled the blanket back invitingly,

and I climbed in beside him.

He put the blanket on top of both of us and laced his fingers through mine beneath it.

Luka: "I'm sure it will look fresh and cheerful again in the morning."

Alice: "Yeah."

Smiling and nodding, I looked down at the cookbook that lay open in Luka's lap.

Alice: "You checked even more documents than I did, but your eyes can still focus enough to keep reading?"

Luka: "Recipes are something I like reading, so it doesn't bother me."

(We worked late into the night and then he insisted on going out to train for a little while.)

(Plus, he has to get up early tomorrow to cook breakfast for everyone. Luka is too impressive!)

I couldn't help but feel awed by his resilience.

Alice: "Were you thinking about tomorrow's menu?"

Luka: "Yes. And l've made a decision."

Alice: "Oh, show me! What are you making?"

When I questioned him eagerly, Luka snapped the book shut.

Alice: "Huh?"

I was still gaping in confusion when Luka stole a kiss.

Alice: "Mm!"

Luka smiled brightly at me,

like a kid who had just pulled off a hilarious prank.

Luka: "Did you want to keep talking about food?"

The innocent smile he'd been wearing mere moments ago was gone,

replaced by the charming grin of a handsome man that always made my heart rate spike.

(Every once in a while, Luka gets bold and assertive.)

I could feel my temperature rising, turning my face, ears, and neck red, as I shook my head.

(We can talk about food another time.)

Luka put the cookbook down and flipped the switch to turn off the lights.

Wrapping our arms around each other, we exchanged countless kisses.

Alice: "Mm... ah..."

Luka stroked my hair gently as he kissed me, sending an excited shiver down my neck.

I nipped at his bottom lip, we pressed our foreheads together, and even bumped noses when we misjudged the timing of a kiss,

all the while giggling with glee.

Luka: "Is your nose okay?"

Alice: "Yes."

We shared one more, long kiss that made it feel like time was standing still,

before pausing to gaze into each other's eyes at close-range.

Suddenly, Luka pushed my shoulders so l fell back onto the bed.

Luka climbed carefully on top of me and then traced the curve of my cheek with his fingertip.

A sweet shiver of anticipation traveled from my face to my neck and onto my chest.

Luka: "I can't help but feel nervous whenever I touch you."

Luka: "Am I really allowed to touch someone so beautiful?"

(Aww, he thinks l'm beautiful.)

His compliments always made me blush and filled me with joy at the same time.

I reached up to brush a lock of lavender-colored hair away from his smooth-as-porcelain cheek.

Alice: "I'm nervous too, you know? Wondering if I'm failing to make you happy."

Luka: "That could never happen."

Luka slid his hands under my back and gave me a tight hug.

Then he kissed my ear as he whispered,

Luka: "I care about you so much. You are so very precious to me. I want you to always feel happy enough to smile."

Luka: "I'm not sure how to put this feeling into words, but..."

Luka searched for what he wanted to say.

(My feelings for Luka can't simply be summed up by saying l 'like him a lot,' so l understand.)

The heat of our bodies and the racing beat of our hearts seemed to do a better job of expression our feelings for us.

Alice: "I don't think we need words right now."

Luka: “……"

Luka: "You're right."

Luka pressed a warm, playful kiss to my lips.

We continued to kiss as he started pulling my nightgown down over my shoulders, but just then…

Luka: "Urk--"

Luka suddenly clutched at his chest and his face contorted with pain.

Luka suddenly clutched at his chest and his face contorted with pain.

(Oh no!)

Alice: "Luka?!"

I quickly sat up and made Luka lie down on his back.

(His Magic Crystal has run out of power!)

Alice: "Luka, hang on!"

I leapt out of bed and raced over to his jacket to pull out a spare Magic Crystal.

As Luka lay on the bed taking rapid, shallow breaths, I pressed the crystal into his hand.

Luka: "Mm... thank... you..."

His breathing slowed, the color returned to his face, and he sat up. Suddenly, it was as if I had only imagined his symptoms.

(Thank goodness.)

I let out a sigh of relief.

Alice: "I think we should turn in for the night."

(Even if a Magic Crystal can cure his symptoms, he still needs to get proper rest.)

Luka: "I'm sorry."

Alice: "Why are you apologizing? Just having you by my side is enough to satisfy me."

As Luka stared at his hands, I put my arms around his shoulders and pulled him down onto the bed with me.

Luka: "At the next meeting of Red and Black Army officers, I'm going to tell them what happened to me."

Luka spoke matter-of-factly.

Alice: "I'm sure everyone will understand and accept it, Luka."

Luka: "Yes... But when they do,"

Luka: "that means they will all start worrying about my health. They might even try to keep me from doing my duties."

A hint of uneasiness appeared on Luka's face.

(For Luka to wear such an anxious expression...)

(He must be scared he's going to lose his place in his beloved Black Army.)

I understood Luka's feelings. I also understood that the others wouldn't want him pushing himself so hard.

I couldn't decide what was best for him.

(Even so...)

Alice: "No matter what ends up happening, I am on your side."

Luka: “……"

I reached around to Luka's back and stroked it soothingly.

And a small, somewhat relieved smile appeared on his face.

Sitting on Luka's horse with him and looking at his anxious smile,

reminded me of the first time he had shown me an uneasy expression.

It was the night after Luka had taken me to see the field of flowers overlooking the ocean.

After our short break, we'd returned to headquarters and poured over documents until the middle of the night.

I rubbed my word-weary eyes as I got ready for bed and placed a glass of water on the windowsill.

Removing the flower ring l'd been wearing the whole time, I straightened the stem and stuck it into the water.

[Alice]: "It was starting to wilt, but this should perk it back up."

Luka looked up from the cookbook he was reading in bed with a soft smile.

Luka: "Come here."

He pulled the blanket back invitingly,

and I climbed in beside him.

He put the blanket on top of both of us and laced his fingers through mine beneath it.

Luka: "I'm sure it will look fresh and cheerful again in the morning."

[Alice]: "Yeah."

Smiling and nodding, I looked down at the cookbook that lay open in Luka's lap.

[Alice]: "You checked even more documents than I did, but your eyes can still focus enough to keep reading?"

Luka: "Recipes are something I like reading, so it doesn't bother me."

(We worked late into the night and then he insisted on going out to train for a little while.)

(Plus, he has to get up early tomorrow to cook breakfast for everyone. Luka is too impressive!)

I couldn't help but feel awed by his resilience.

[Alice]: "Were you thinking about tomorrow's menu?"

Luka: "Yes. And l've made a decision."

[Alice]: "Oh, show me! What are you making?"

When I questioned him eagerly, Luka snapped the book shut.

[Alice]: "Huh?"

I was still gaping in confusion when Luka stole a kiss.

[Alice]: "Mm!"

Luka smiled brightly at me,

like a kid who had just pulled off a hilarious prank.

Luka: "Did you want to keep talking about food?"

The innocent smile he'd been wearing mere moments ago was gone,

replaced by the charming grin of a handsome man that always made my heart rate spike.

(Every once in a while, Luka gets bold and assertive.)

I could feel my temperature rising, turning my face, ears, and neck red, as I shook my head.

(We can talk about food another time.)

Luka put the cookbook down and flipped the switch to turn off the lights.

Wrapping our arms around each other, we exchanged countless kisses.

[Alice]: "Mm... ah..."

Luka stroked my hair gently as he kissed me, sending an excited shiver down my neck.

I nipped at his bottom lip, we pressed our foreheads together, and even bumped noses when we misjudged the timing of a kiss,

all the while giggling with glee.

Luka: "Is your nose okay?"

[Alice]: "Yes."

We shared one more, long kiss that made it feel like time was standing still,

before pausing to gaze into each other's eyes at close-range.

Suddenly, Luka pushed my shoulders so l fell back onto the bed.

Placing one hand on either side of me, he carefully climbed on top.

Just as he started to pull my nightgown down over my shoulders…

Luka: “Urk--"

Luka suddenly clutched at his chest and his face contorted with pain.

(Oh no!)

(His Magic Crystal has run out of power!)

[Alice]: "Luka, hang on!"

I leapt out of bed and raced over to his jacket to pull out a spare Magic Crystal.

As Luka curled into the fetal position on the bed, I pressed the crystal into his hand.

Luka: "Mm... thank... you..."

His breathing slowed, the color returned to his face, and he sat up. Suddenly, it was as if I had only imagined his symptoms.

(Thank goodness.)

I let out a sigh of relief.

[Alice]: "I think we should turn in for the night."

(Even if a Magic Crystal can cure his symptoms, he still needs to get proper rest.)

Luka: "I'm sorry."

[Alice]: "Why are you apologizing? Just having you by my side is enough to satisfy me."

As Luka stared at his hands, I put my arms around his shoulders and pulled him down onto the bed with me.

Luka: "At the next meeting of Red and Black Army officers, I'm going to tell them what happened to me."

Luka spoke matter-of-factly.

[Alice]: "I'm sure everyone will understand and accept it, Luka."

Luka: "Yes... But when they do,"

Luka: "that means they will all start worrying about my health. They might even try to keep me from doing my duties."

A hint of uneasiness appeared on Luka's face.

(For Luka to wear such an anxious expression...)

(He must be scared he's going to lose his place in his beloved Black Army.)

I understood Luka's feelings. I also understood that the others wouldn't want him pushing himself so hard.

I couldn't decide what was best for him.

(Even so...)

[Alice]: "No matter what ends up happening, l am on your side."

Luka: “……”

I reached around to Luka's back and stroked it soothingly.

And a small, somewhat relieved smile appeared on his face.

1/5

[Alice]: "No matter what ends up happening, I am on your side."

I reached around to Luka's back and stroked it soothingly.

And a small, somewhat relieved smile appeared on his face.

Luka: "You’ve given me the courage I needed. Thank

To show his gratitude, he kissed my forehead.

[Alice]: "Luka..."

• Kiss his cheek.

A giddy feeling in the depths of my chest, I gave Luka a kiss on the cheek in return.

[Alice]: "Goodnight."

Luka: "Yes, sleep well."

With smiles on our faces, we closed our eyes.

• Press forehead to his.

The sensation of his soft kiss still lingering, I pressed my forehead to his.

[Alice]: "You will be okay, Luka. I believe in you."

Luka: "Thanks."

Holding hands tightly, we closed our eyes.

• Smile and nod.

A bashful smile rising to my lips, I nodded.

[Alice]: "You are very welcome."

Luka: "......"

Laying our heads on the pillow so we were facing each other, we closed our eyes.

*flashback ends*

As I thought back on the night after he'd taken me to the field of flowers overlooking the ocean, 

my silence made Luka curious and he peered quizzically at my face.

Luka: "[Alice]?"

[Alice]: "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about something. Let's go.”

Luka: "Okay."

And so, Luka and I set off on horseback for the Civic Center.

We arrived just before the meeting was scheduled to start.

When we stepped into the rooftop Garden,

we found the Red and Black Army officers as well as the official record keeper, Blanc, in attendance.

From my seat at the far end of the table, I kept one eye on Luka as he sat at his place further up.

(It seemed like he was getting tired as we were coming here. I hope he's feeling okay.)

When the meeting began, I turned my gaze away from Luka so I could pay close attention.

Ray: "The squadron in charge of investigating the Land of the Looking Glass and Levie will give our report first."

Ray: "I thought it would be best to hear from the person who knows the most about the mirror world in all of Cradle."

Ray: "So, I asked him to be here today. Please, go ahead."

With that, Ray nodded to Blanc.

Blanc: "Certainly."

Blanc: "I'm not sure that I know the most, but I am familiar with all official records from the time of Cradle's founding to today."

Blanc: "So, I will tell you everything about the Land of the Looking Glass that is recorded in our archives."

After giving us that caveat, Blanc began.

Blanc: "Accounts of the Land of the Looking Glass can be found in documents dating back more than 100 years."

Blanc: "And it is noted that other countries refer to the place as the 'Land of the Dead.'"

Luka: "Land of the Dead?"

(That sure is a creepy name.)

Blanc: "Yes. It is said that the Land of the Looking Glass is bursting with magical energy, filling it from the ground to the sky above."

Blanc: "So much magic that a normal human body cannot withstand it. As for what would happen to someone who entered such a place..."

Blanc looked over at Kyle.

Kyle: "I believe a magic user would be able to tolerate the atmosphere for a while. But the moment a normal person sets foot there,"

Kyle: "their body will start to feel heavy. They'll grow weaker until they can't move, suffer loss of balance and dulled senses..."

Kyle: "until, ultimately, all of the body's strength will be drained, making them too weak to even breathe and leading to death."

(If magic users can withstand the effects of that place, then...)

Kyle's explanation connected the dots for me.

(The reason Luka could move inside the mirror was because he'd already been turned into a magic user, so had some tolerance.)

(That also explains why Levie was so surprised.)

*flashback*

Levie: "You're weird. How are you able to move like that?"

Luka: "I don't know what's so strange about it, but..."

*flashback ends*

(People normally can't move around inside that world, but Luka could. That's what had Levie confused.)

(Did the mysterious Disciple of Magic cast that spell on Luka in order to give him some resistance to the Land of the Looking Glass?)

That, however, led to all kinds of other questions. Why would he do that? Why do something that would put Amon at a disadvantage?

Is the disciple even on Amon's side?

(This is just making things more confusing!)

As my mind reeled, Blanc continued.

Blanc: "As Kyle said, normal humans cannot survive in that place. However,"

Blanc: "there is a story about a magic user living in that world for several months and returning alive."

Blanc: "It seems that, whether one possesses magic or not, the effect that world has on the body varies from person to person."

Blanc: "After all, ‘Alice’'s Power to Break Spells protected her from any adverse effects."

Blanc: "And Luka was able to be there for more than 10 minutes without issue. Isn't that right?"

Luka still hadn't revealed that he'd been turned into a magic user, so he paused for a moment before answering.

Luka: “Yes."

(The severity of effects depends on the person.)

I thought of Amon, who had remained in the Land of the Looking Glass.

(Amon always had to use Magic Crystals. He doesn't possess his own magic power.)

(Will he suffer any consequences from living there for a month?)

Blanc: "Even if there are some miraculous exceptions... Generally speaking, the environment in the Land of the Looking Glass..."

Blanc: "makes survival difficult for any living thing. That is why it was known as the Land of the Dead."

Luka: "That means, though we need to recapture Amon,"

Luka: "it would be inadvisable to send troops from Cradle into the Land of the Looking Glass."

2/5

Luka: "That means, though we need to recapture Amon,"

Luka: "it would be inadvisable to send troops from Cradle into the Land of the Looking Glass."

Luka's observation made a heavy silence fall over the table.

Sirius: "We were thinking about charging into the Land of the Looking Glass to take Amon when the pathway next opens."

Sirius: "But simply entering that world would mean heavy casualties for our side."

Zero: "It seems we only have two options. Wait for Amon to emerge. Or draw him out somehow."

Fenrir: "Aw man! Why'd he have to pick such a bothersome hiding place?"

Just then, Edgar muttered half to himself.

Edgar: "But why didn't we know about that bothersome world before?"

Luka: "What do you mean?"

Edgar: "The second chapter from the Poems of Cradle is meant to be a warning to stay away from the Land of the Looking Glass."

Edgar: "That's what Dean told us, right? And we've all known that poem since we were children. Doesn't that seem odd?"

Edgar: "That the vast majority of people do not know about the existence of the Land of the Looking Glass that the poem talks about?"

(He's got a good point.)

Blanc chimed in to answer Edgar's question.

Blanc: "It is because the Magic Tower has suppressed that information."

Seth: "The Magic Tower doesn't want people to know? But why?"

Blanc: "Because... of something that began long ago, when the most powerful magic user Cradle had ever seen was born..."

The boy possessed such a vast amount of magic that simply touching another person would result in injury.

Because of that power, his mother died during childbirth.

Unable to control his magic, he hurt people and destroyed things indiscriminately.

Blanc: "Feared as a 'monster,' the man was eventually exiled to the Land of the Looking Glass."

At that point, I knew exactly who the 'monster' in Blanc's story was.

He was the same person that had called my name in the Land of the Looking Glass.

(That story is about Levie.)

I gulped down the lump that had formed in my throat just as Blanc lowered his eyes and finished the tale.

Blanc: "It was the Magic Tower that led the call to banish him."

Seth: "It makes sense. The tower would never allow someone with that much magical power to roam free."

Seth: "And they probably wanted to keep him to themselves so they could study him, which is why they suppressed the story."

Seth: "After many years, the truth faded from people's memory. And all knowledge of the Land of the Looking Glass disappeared with it."

Edgar: "The only thing that was allowed to remain was a poem warning of a 'frightening place inside a mirror."'

Edgar: "They put fear into people's hearts and used it to distance us further from that other world."

Once Edgar had spoken in a gruff tone, Ray looked at Blanc again.

Ray: "Thank you."

Blanc: "Don't mention it. I just hope my knowledge can be of use to you."

(He was chased from his home, forced to spend his life in isolation within the Land of the Looking Glass.)

(I'm beginning to think it's not me, specifically, that Levie wants, but an escape from his loneliness.)

As I was pondering Levie's motivations, Ray announced we would move on to the next part of the meeting.

It was time to for the group tasked with learning about Amon and his co-conspirator to report.

So, Luka and Edgar stood up.

Luka: "We have discovered that the person who set the fire in the prison holding Amon and aided in his escape during the ensuing chaos,"

Luka: "was a senior Disciple of Magic-- Amon's right hand-- who evaded capture during our last battle with them."

Luka and I had discovered this by painstakingly comparing the prison visitor's log to the list of disciples from the Magic Tower.

Edgar: "We have investigated the background of this senior disciple thoroughly."

Edgar: "But it seems he was rarely seen even by other disciples within the Magic Tower."

Edgar: "Unfortunately, we have not been able to discover his current whereabouts, associates, or even his name."

Edgar: "We will continue the investigation."

Ray: "If he hid his identity even from the other disciples, then he is an extremely cautious man. Your investigation will not be easy."

When Ray sighed in frustration, Luka spoke up.

Luka: "But we have learned one important thing."

Luka: "The real reason Amon escaped into the mirror,"

Luka: "and made a deal giving ‘Alice’ to Levie in exchange for protection,"

Luka: "was not so he could to gain himself freedom in the Land of the Looking Glass."

3/5

Luka: "The real reason Amon escaped into the mirror,"

Luka: "and made a deal giving ‘Alice’ to Levie in exchange for protection,"

Luka: "was not so he could to gain himself freedom in the Land of the Looking Glass."

(Hm?)

I'd been helping with the investigation, but it was the first I was hearing of this.

Fenrir: "What are you talking about?"

Luka: "We questioned the disciples that were imprisoned with Amon. And the day before he broke out..."

Amon: "Wait for my return. I will set you free, so that you may serve me once again."

Luka: "They all said he told them that before escaping."

As my eyes went wide, I heard the others gasping.

(He's coming back? To Cradle?)

Zero: "I knew Amon did not intend to spend the rest of his life on the run."

Sirius: "But then, knowing the risks, why did Amon run and hide in the Land of the Looking Glass in the first place?"

Sirius: "With the aid of someone powerful enough to break him out of jail and help him escape,"

Sirius: "why risk his life in such a dangerous place when he could have just as easily fled to another country?"

Lancelot: "Because Amon had a reason to go to the Land of the Looking Glass that was worth the risk."

Sirius: "Like what?"

Luka: "Amon's greatest desire is to hold dominion over Cradle. He wants to stand above all others, so he can create his ideal world."

Lancelot: "Even if he must first reduce this country to ash to do it."

During our last battle with him, Amon was plotting to destroy Cradle. But we stopped him.

It seemed, however, that he still wanted the same thing.

Ray: "That's what he's after? He would need a huge amount of Magic Crystals if he wanted to take over Cradle, or fight us."

Alice: "But you guys destroyed the stockpile of crystals Amon had hidden in the old ruins."

As we discussed the situation, we narrowed in on the heart of the matter little by little.

Luka: "...Amon entered the Land of the Looking Glass in order to use Levie's magic power in place of those crystals."

Zero: "But if he hopes to do that, he will not want ‘Alice’ to actually go to the Land of the Looking Glass."

Fenrir: "If Levie gets [Alice] as promised,"

Fenrir: "he won't have any reason to use his power for Amon's sake anymore."

After staring at the table, deep in thought, Luka lifted his head as if he'd just figured something out.

Luka: "Amon knew what we would do and what Levie would do. He predicted our every move."

4/5

Luka: "Amon knew what we would do and what Levie would do. He predicted our every move."

Luka: "And he's planning to use our moves against us."

Jonah: "You mean, he knew from the start that we would never hand ‘Alice’ over."

Jonah: "But he gave Levie hope by telling him that he could have ‘Alice’ in order to gain his support."

Jonah: “Now, when we make our choice once the month is up,"

Jonah: "Levie will turn his anger over being denied ‘Alice’ into a weapon."

Jonah: "But he won't be pointing that weapon at Amon. He'll be pointing it at us."

Edgar: "Once it comes to that, Amon won't even have to order him to fight us. He'll come rampaging through Cradle,"

Edgar: "demanding that we hand over Alice. And he'll be doing exactly what Amon wanted all along."

Luka: "That's why Amon went out of his way to calm Levie down and convinced him to let us come home for now."

Luka: "He knew putting it off one more month would make Levie even angrier."

Jonah nodded knowingly as he listened to Luka's words.

Jonah: "I know the feeling. Because you're always putting me through the same thing."

Jonah: "When I'm denied the chance to see you despite how hard I struggle, it makes me miss you even more."

Jonah: "Until I decide that I will do whatever I have to in order to see you."

Luka: “……”

Luka did not look pleased about Jonah's example.

But his explanation made it easy enough for the rest of us to understand.

Kyle: "Now, Amon's plan is starting to come into focus."

Kyle: "But what about the disciple that first helped Amon escape, then told Luka exactly where to find ‘Alice’?"

Kyle: "His actions don't make sense. What is he really after?"

Sirius: "This is just a guess, but maybe he sent Luka to rescue the little lady in order to get Levie more riled up?"

Fenrir: "Yeah. Seeing someone else take possession of the thing you want right before your eyes probably would make you want it more."

Edgar: "As I said before, we need to continue our investigation into the disciple."

Edgar: "At this point, we can't be sure of anything."

After Edgar spoke, Lancelot held up his hand, asking for everyone to be silent.

Lancelot: "Conjecture will get us nowhere. We will end today's discussion here. Next time, l expect we will have more facts."

Lancelot: "And then we can come up with a concrete plan for counteracting Amon and the Black Rabbit."

Ray: "Yes. Both squads will continue their investigations."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

(I have to keep working hard.)

As I encouraged myself silently, I watched Luka sit back down with Edgar.

That's when I noticed a change come over him.

(Hm?)

Luka's head was drooping and his hand was clenched in a tight fist on top of the table.

His lips were pressed firmly together, as if he was trying to withstand pain.

Luka had been planning to tell the others his secret after the meeting,

but this was more than just nerves over that.

(Has his Magic Crystal run out of energy?)

(Or is this something else?)

I was wondering if I should wait for the meeting's closing words to say something, or run over to him immediately.

But in the next instant, the decision became irrelevant.

When I noticed that Luka was acting odd,

I sat wondering if I should wait for the meeting's closing words to say something,

or run over to him immediately. But then–

Luka: “Urgh!”

5/5

When I noticed that Luka was acting odd,

sat wondering if I should wait for the meeting's closing words to say something,

or run over to him immediately. But then--

Luka: "Urgh!"

Luka suddenly clutched at his chest and doubled over onto the table.

I gasped,

but was too shaken to say a thing.

Luka: "Urk... Gah..."

Luka stood up so quickly, his chair toppled over and his hat fell off.

The shocking sight had me and everyone else jumping to our feet.

jumping to our feet.

Alice: "Luka!"

Sirius: "Whoa! What's wrong?"

Just as Sirius was about to put his hand on

Luka's shoulder,

a wind began swirling around Luka like a miniature tornado.

(Huh?!)

The wind began gusting outwards from Luka, sending all of the dishes on the table flying.

Surrounded by the sound of shattering glass and porcelain, broken shards grazed our hands and faces.

Next, even the heavy chairs were lifted from the ground.

Sensing the danger, the others backed away from Luka.

Alice: "Mm!"

The wind threatened to push me back as well, but I manage to stand my ground.

I held my arms in front of my face to shield myself from the wild wind as I approached Luka.

Alice: "Luka! Luka!"

(Is this happening because his Magic Crystal got used up?)

I had secreted a spare Magic Crystal away in my skirt pocket, but this was different from anything that had happened before.

The wind grew even stronger and I heard someone shouting for me to get away from him.

Luka was only 10 steps away, wrapped in the swirling wind, and our eyes locked.

Luka: “……”

Alice: "Mm?"

The sight before me seemed unbelievable, but there was no mistaking it.

Luka: “……"

Luka's amber-colored eyes had turned as red as Loki's did when he used magic.

(What is happening to Luka?)

(Regardless, if I can get this Magic Crystal to him...)

Believing that the crystal would return him to his normal self, I took another step forward.

Ray: "Get back!"

Ray grabbed hold of my arm and pulled me away.

Alice: "But..."

Ray: "That is no ordinary wind. It's made of pure magic. It could rip your arm clean off with one touch."

Even as Ray dragged me away, I kept my eyes locked on Luka.

But Luka's head drooped, his chin hitting his chest, so he couldn't see any of us.

Alice: "Luka, I have a Magic Crystal! Use this-"

His brow knit with pain, Luka looked up and cut me off.

Luka: "…Ru... n."

(What?)

The magic exploding from his body formed countless arrow-like shapes that burst outwards.

When several of them fell to the ground,

a blinding light filled our surroundings.

Alice: "Ah!"

A shockwave crashed over us and I felt my body being flung backwards.

Just before I hit the ground, Ray and Lancelot caught me from either side.

Alice: "Mm... thank you…”

Once I was standing on my own two feet,

Ray and Lancelot let go of me and got into fighting stances facing Luka.

Lancelot: "That magic power is out of control."

Ray: "How do we stop it?"

Lancelot: "It can't be stopped."

Lancelot: "All we can do is wait for him to use up the magic until it shrinks to an amount that he can control himself."

Lancelot: "I'm sure you, of all people, understand how it works."

Ray: "Mm..."

(Is he serious? The only thing I can do is watch as Luka hurts the others with his power?)

Luka staggered slowly closer.

And then he pointed the swirling might of the magic surrounding him at us.

(I have to protect them!)

Alice: "Everyone, get back!"

I stepped forward and waved my hand at the oncoming wave of magic.

The spell-breaking wall I created absorbed the wave until it disappeared completely.

Luka: “……”

1/5

Alice: "Everyone, get back!"

As the magic swirling around Luka's body crashed toward us, I waved my hand at it.

And the wall of spell-breaking power I created absorbed the wave of magic that threatened us until it disappeared completely.

Luka: “……”

Alice: "L-Luka…”

Luka hit me with an icy cold look I had never seen on his face before, sending stabs of pain through my chest.

(That is Luka, but he's not his usual self.)

(When magic runs rampant, does it take over his mind as well?)

After being flung behind us by the previous shockwave, Sirius got up from his knees.

He stared intently at Luka, actually allowing his voice to rise with emotion for once.

Sirius: "Wake up! Do not succumb to the power!"

Jonah joined him in shouting.

Jonah: "Luka! Open your eyes and look at who you are about to hurt!"

Even the words of his two big brother figures failed to get a reaction.

Luka: “……”

(Can he not hear us?)

His face an emotionless mask, Luka slowly raised his right hand.

Edgar: "Here it comes."

The magic-imbued wind swirling around his body transformed into thin strings of light.

Snaking through the air, they flew toward all of us.

Alice: "I'll stop it!"

The few strings of light my power failed to cancel out were thankfully repelled by Fenrir's pistols and Seth's daggers.

Alice: "Thank you!"

Seth: "You shouldn't have to do all the work, Alice!"

Just as Seth nodded to me reassuringly…

Luka: "Urgh-- Ugh-- Ahh..."

Luka clutched at his chest again and cried out in pain.

Alice: "Luka!"

(What do we need to do to stop him?)

Groaning in agony, Luka drew the greatsword at his back.

And he took a big stride toward us.

Then he spoke in a strangled voice.

Luka: "Run…. away..."

2/5

Groaning in agony, Luka drew the greatsword at his back and took a big stride toward us.

Luka: "Run…. away..."

In contrast to his strangled words,

Luka charged forward and swung his sword at Seth.

Seth: "Urk!"

Seth leapt agiley to the side, evading him.

Luka whipped around, swinging at Fenrir and his raised pistol.

Fenrir: "Yikes!"

Fenrir jumped backwards, narrowly avoiding the attack.

Rapidly switching targets, Luka attacked relentlessly with blade and magic.

(Luka is moving too fast! I can't break all of his spells!)

Kyle: "Hey! I'm a non-combatant, don't take aim at me!"

Lancelot: "It seems he can't tell any of us apart.

We're all his targets now."

Lancelot: "Our voices cannot reach him either."

Edgar: "Gr! In other words, Luka isn't himself right now!"

Zero: "But if we treat him with kid gloves, we won't last long."

Everyone had been in defensive mode, not wanting to hurt Luka.

But now they switched into offensive stances.

(I hate the idea of them fighting each other. I need to stop Luka somehow!)

But I had no idea how to do it.

The only idea I had was to keep pleading with him.

Alice: "Luka! Please stop this! Luka!"

Luka: “……”

Keeping a wall of spell-breaking power up in front of me, I walked toward him.

But Lancelot grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back.

Lancelot: "It's no use."

Lancelot: "Once one's magical power begins to go wild, it's nearly impossible to resist the urge to destroy."

Lancelot: "He's out of control and he will hurt anyone in his path without mercy. Even you."

Nearby, Ray nodded along with Lancelot's words.

Ray: "Yes. In that state of rage, he can't stop himself even if he wanted to."

(Then what will happen to him?)

I was afraid of what the answer would be, so I kept that question to myself.

Meanwhile, Fenrir dodged Luka's attacks as he leapt over to Ray's side.

Fenrir: "Okay, we know that he's on a magical rampage. But how does Luka have magic power in the first place?!"

Fenrir continued to fire off warning shots as he voiced the question that must have been on all of their minds.

Alice: "Because…”

3/5

Fenrir continued to fire off warning shots as he voiced the question that must have been on all of their minds.

Fenrir: "Okay, we know that he's on a magical rampage. But how does Luka have magic power in the first place?!"

(Luka said he wanted to tell them himself, so I had avoided saying anything so far.)

(But I think the truth needs to come out now.)

Alice: "Because…”

Just as I was about to explain, a blast of magic burst from Luka's body and headed straight for us.

Alice: "Gah!"

I shielded us with my power as I rushed to answer the question.

Alice: "Luka was..."

Alice: "On that night of the new moon, he was forcefully turned into a magic user by a spell."

Ray and Fenrir gasped in unison,

while Lancelot wore a quiet, shocked expression.

Everyone was left stunned by the news.

Alice: "There's no time to go into detail right now, but Luka was planning on telling you himself today."

Ray: "I see."

Ray: "Normally, I wouldn't believe that a normal human could be transformed into a magic user."

Sirius: "But seeing Luka like this, I have no choice but to believe."

Just then,

another mighty burst of magic exploded from Luka's body.

It split the ground open as it rushed toward us.

And the spell-breaking wall I had put up to shield us shattered like it was made of glass.

The magical blast that was powerful enough to shatter my spell-breaking wall closed in on me quickly.

(I... I can't move!)

Jonah: "Look out!"

Jonah leapt to my side, wrapped one arm around me, and leapt away again, pulling me with him.

We crashed to the ground together and I looked up at him in shock.

Alice: "Jonah..."

Jonah: "Luka will be a wreck if anything happens to you. Pull yourself together."

Alice: "Yes, sorry."

The shockwave caused by my wall breaking had sent the others tumbling to the ground as well.

And Luka advanced, dragging his greatsword behind him.

His steps had grown slow and heavy,

as though his body was exhausted.

Seeing that gave me hope that this would soon be over as I struggled to my feet.

(His body was transformed against his will, and he's trying to hurt his friends and allies without realizing it.)

(When he finds out what he's done afterwards, Luka is going to be crushed.)

Alice: "I am going to stop Luka!"

Ray: "How?"

Alice: "King Lancelot. You said that this rampage will stop once he's used up enough power to take control again, right?"

Lancelot: "Yes."

Alice: "I am going to get him to use up all his magic power."

Seth: "Alice... what are you thinking?"

Alice: "I'm going to move toward him, breaking all of his spells as I go."

Alice: "Luka will surely try to shatter my shield again by hitting it with a steady stream of spells."

Fenrir: "You mean you're going to draw his fire on purpose? But that's too dangerous!"

Alice: "I don't care. I will do anything to save Luka!"

4/5

Fenrir: "You mean you're going to draw his fire on purpose? But that's too dangerous!"

Alice: "I don't care. I will do anything to save Luka!"

(If the roles were reversed, I know Luka would do this for me.)

(I don't want Luka to suffer any pain. So, I will do whatever it takes!)

(I will protect Luka's mind and body.)

My passionate words made Fenrir and the others stare in blank amazement.

Fenrir: "Mm! ‘Alice’..."

(I'm not sure if this will work or not.)

(But even if I fail, I have to at least try. I'll regret it for the rest of my life if I don't.)

While the rest of us were talking,

Zero and Edgar crossed swords with Luka to buy us time.

Lancelot: "I think Alice's plan just might work. Luka's magic has grown considerably weaker."

Seeing that my resolve would not waver, Lancelot gave me his support.

And Jonah stepped up to look me in the eye.

Jonah: "I hate to admit it, but you are the only one who can stop Luka now."

Jonah: "We will lend you all the support we can, so you just focus on breaking those spells."

Jonah: "And failure is not an option."

Alice: "Got it."

Pouring all my energy into keeping the spell-breaking shield up, I advanced gradually toward Luka.

Jonah: "Edgar! Zero! Get Luka's sword away from him!"

Without his sword, he would have to use magic to attack.

Edgar: "You make it sound so easy. It's taking everything I have to keep from losing my head!"

Edgar: "But, okay, if it must be done... Zero, let's do this."

Zero: "Yes."

Edgar and Zero charged at Luka from either side.

While Zero distracted him, Edgar knocked Luka's sword from his hands.

Ray and Lancelot urged me on in unison.

Ray & Lancelot: "Go!"

As Luka sent wave after wave of magic, trying to knock me back, I tried speaking to him.

Alice: "Luka, you need to take back control."

When I was only a few steps away from Luka, the magical wind surrounding him disappeared.

(Did he use up all the magic power?)

Alice: "Luka!"

Continuing to use my power, I wrapped my arms around Luka, hoping to push his remaining magic back down.

Luka: "Urgh..."

Magic was still trying to escape his body,

but the power I was giving off as I hugged him slowly quelled the storm.

(If I lose focus for even an instant, I'll be blown away. But if I can keep control...)

Luka struggled, trying to shake me off, so l called out to him…

• "Come back."

[Alice]: "Luka... Luka! You don't really want to hurt the people you care about, do you?"

[Alice]: "So, come back to us!"

Luka: “……”

Luka stopped moving for an instant.