[58.3] The Last Fortune

As I carried him through the yard, avoiding the guard's carefully laid out paths, I mulled over his words.

I can't figure out if he's friend or foe.

From what I've heard, he would be described as a reluctant enemy.

But isn't that only because Vira forced him to be? Shouldn't it be fine now since she doesn't have him anymore?

Ugh! I can't figure it out. I will just hand him over to the Headmaster and have him decide.

Once I got him safely over the stone fence, I laid the elderly man down on the ice chunk. "It might not be comfortable."

"Compared to what I've been using, it's quite comfortable."

I gave him a pitying smile, "R-Right… And heights? I will have to fly high to avoid being seen by people on the ground."

He chuckled, "I will just close my eyes."

Watching him do so, I raised into the air and started flying. "I'm going to get you to someone who can heal you-"

"No." He suddenly grabbed my wrists, "That won't work."

"You don't need to worry. I know someone who can heal you just like brand new and they won't tell a soul."

"No. These wounds cannot heal. They are made from Holy Magic. When you removed that golden blood from my arm, my time already started counting down. There's nothing to help me now."

"O-Oh.. That certainly complicates the situation." I furrowed my brow, "Why didn't you tell me not to remove it sooner?!"

He gave a weak smile, "Removing it was the only way to escape and it's not like I had much of a life like that… To be truthful, young Reika. I only have one wish with this life of mine. Can you make it happen for me?"

"M-Maybe. What is it?"

"Can you bring me to your father's house? There is something very important I have to say to him."

I studied his face closely. It was covered in soars and bruises, even the white scraggly hair would fall out with the slightest of touches. I looked closer into his dull eyes and whispered, "Your face seems very familiar to me."

"Heh… And you remind me of my wife. She was very sharp, but her memory was terrible."

…Is that a compliment?

I pulled my gaze away and changed directions, "I will grant your wish, but don't make me regret it."

I was already intending on taking him to the Headmaster anyway.

He smiled, revealing his missing teeth, "I am so glad to have met you, Reika."

His grip on me loosened and he closed his eyes once more. When I got to my house, I lowered the ice chunk carefully, making sure not to damage the already damaged old man. I opened the door and carried him inside using my ice chunk as a crutch. I closed the door behind us with my foot and shouted, "Papa!"

The Headmaster rushed down the stairs with my mother close behind. His eyes were bloodshot and his shirt was untucked. He was so frazzled as he ran towards me, "Reika! I-I was so worried when you weren't here! I thought-"

He froze staring at the elderly man leaning on me for support.

My mother looked between the two of us, "Reika. Who is that?"

The Headmaster's voice croaked, "D-Dad…"

My eyes shot open, "Eh?"

The elderly man started sobbing, "Little Ali… I'm so happy… I'm so happy."

I turned my head in shock, "Y-You're?!"

"You're… You're supposed to be dead." The Headmaster shook his head then turned to glare at me, "You. Did you use necromancy again?!"

I shook my head quickly, "No! I didn't!"

"Then how-"

My grandfather interrupted, "-She found me in the Ophelio family's dungeon. She rescued me."

He let out a sigh, "Oh. She rescued- WAIT! WHERE?! WHAT?!"

I clicked my tongue, "Thanks, Grandpa. Now I'm going to get in trouble."

The Headmaster took him from me and shot me a glare, "We will talk about this later. For now, let me get you in bed Father."

My mother shouted looking incredibly flustered, "I-I will prepare something to drink!"

I followed him and the Headmaster up the stairs to the spare bedroom. I stood in the doorway as I watched the Headmaster treat him so gently. My mother soon joined us with a tray of food and drinks.

She handed one to my Grandfather, "H-Here. I hope it's to your liking."

He took it with trembling hands and offered a kind smile, "Ah. You must be my son's wife."

My mother fixed her hair while blushing, "O-Oh my! I wasn't expecting to meet my husband's father. If I had, I would have put on something much more suitable."

He laughed, "It's okay, my dear. I can only see shapes now. It wouldn't matter what you were wearing-"

He suddenly broke out into a coughing fit, spilling the drink all over the bed. Blood was coughed up, dying his lips red.

The Headmaster panicked, "D-Dad!"

My Grandfather smiled weakly, "Aldrich… I… I'm sorry to say, but I don't have much time left."

His eyes watered as frost started to spread across the ground, "Dad…"

"Where is Gonza? I'd like to see him before I have to leave."

The Headmaster shook his head, "I have no idea."

I answered for him while using my heat magic to dissolve the frost, "He's in the Macabre forest. Vira used a killing curse on him so I transported him there because I know a tiger family who specializes in curses. They managed to save him, but he can't use his lower body anymore. He's there recovering while he also hides from the Opehlio family."

My Grandfather's eyes drifted down, "Ah. What a shame."

I offered, "Maybe I can send him a letter? Papa can go grab him if I tell him where to go-"

"-No." The old man smiled weakly, "I won't last that long."

My face turned pale, "You won't?"

He turned to face the Headmaster and pat his hands, "Aldrich. I have something important I must tell you. Will you listen?"

He nodded, "Of course, father. I will always listen."

My mother gave me a look and elbowed me, "Let's give them some space."

I nodded and went over to the bedside to give the man a hug, "It was nice meeting you, Grandpa… I'm sorry it was so short. I would have loved to hear your stories."

He smiled at me, "Reika, my darling grandchild. I am so proud to see how you've grown up. Thank you for saving me. You've granted this old man's wish so now I may die without regrets. For that, I owe you so much."

I forced myself to be cheerful, "You can pay me back in the afterlife."

My mother smiled and placed her hands on my shoulders, "We will leave you now."

"Reika wait." My Grandfather grabbed my arm holding me as I turned to leave. He emphasized each word, "Do NOT use your chaos magic. Don't even try. Promise me this."

I blinked in confusion, "I-I don't understand what you mean."

"Promise me!"

"Okay, okay! I promise." I pulled my hand away and mumbled, "Although I don't understand how I ever would."

I don't even know if I have any chaos magic to begin with!

He let out a sigh filled with anxiety, "The day will come when you'll be lost to time… When that happens, you won't exist anymore… And yet you'll exist everywhere."

I tilted my head, "What do you mean?"

He shook his head weakly with a smile, "It's nothing… Just… Let me allow you to impart my last fortune."

I nodded and patiently waited for him to continue.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "Darkness is borne from the depths of one's heart. The line between friends and enemies will blur as time reverses and rushes forward. There is a monster waiting to be released…"

A monster?

Just like in that prophecy I read as a child?

He continued, "His burning orange eyes has seen so much suffering that it can no longer remember a world without it… When you encounter the monster, look inside yourself and you will find all of the answers."

Wait… Does this mean that the monster is…

He finally opened his eyes and offered a somber smile, "If you slip into that darkness, remember that the string will bring you home. Unfortunately, this fortune is the only way for me to try to make up for all these wasted years."

"W-Well… I will remember and cherish it." I stood up and left the room, leaving the Headmaster alone with his father to share his last moments in peace. I closed the door and went down the hall with my mother.

At least my father will now have closure.

…But as for that fortune, just how should I interpret it?