The Birth of Envy

For the second time in his entire life, Shindo was going through a midlife crisis because of a girl.

After removing Hikaru and Aura from the restraints he had set up and listening to their words, Shindo lapsed into silence.

The two girls watched his expression anxiously.

Internally, Shindo was frozen with shock.

Phi was supposed to be suffering from a fatal injury currently? And from the way Hikaru had said it...

The regret in Hikaru's voice had been clear when she spoke. Even now, looking at her expression, Shindo could see the pain in her gaze.

"Mind-blowing what keeping a clear mind can do to you, right?"

Don't come to hasty conclusions yet, Shindo! Before his mind could be reeled off into a land of making insane guesses and overthinking the situation into freaking out, Shindo remembered what Phi had told him not even 10 minutes ago.

Controlling his breathing, Shindo decided to quickly organize his thoughts.

He then turned to look at Aura, who had been staring at him in silence. Swallowing, he asked, "What makes you say she's 'supposed' to be suffering from a fatal wound right now?"

Aura clenched her shirt tightly. "I and she had been together when the attack started. That's when we came across a man in a white suit who was incredibly strong. Before we knew it, it had attacked, and we were separated from each other." Unclenching her hands and dropping them to her sides, she finished out the story. "Just before she disappeared in the storm of rubble, I saw her reeling backwards with a massive wound on her chest.

As he listened to her story, Shindo compared it with what he had heard from Phi. It was similar, and so Shindo felt his anxiousness go away slightly. That was all the way up to the very end.

Phi barely even had scratches on her, let alone the massive wound that Aura was talking about.

"Are you sure it wasn't some illusion or trick of the mind caused by the stressfulness of the situation?" Shindo tried to propose a rational solution to the dilemma that was very slowly arising.

However, his attempt was shot down as Aura shook her head. "Without a doubt, I know what I saw. Phi had suffered a fatal injury; there was blood flying everywhere and everything."

Realizing that speaking about it was making Aura start to fidget uncomfortably, Shindo nodded. Sighing heavily and starting to pace around in the empty room, Shindo began to retell the events of his meeting with Phi.

"Before this tower had been moved to stand here, it was on the outskirts of the campus. I had begun heading there after breaking off with Hikaru in order to confront the person with the strong magic signature we had seen. Just before I arrived, I took notice of a student sneakily making their way towards the tower. I confronted them, and it happened to be Phi. During that short confrontation, she revealed that she was there because she knew the headmaster was being held there."

Both Hikaru and Aura gasped. One of their reasons for heading towards this large tower, aside from the fact that they wanted to follow Phi and Shindo, was because they assumed something important was being kept inside of the tower. Something important enough to warrant the entire tower being moved to the highest point throughout the whole campus.

But to think that the very headmaster himself had been locked away in this desolate tower was more than just a little shock.

Noticing their reactions, Shindo continued to explain. "According to her, the headmaster was being trapped up there."

While Aura was still recovering from her shock, Hikaru's expression contorted into a little bit of confusion.

"How would she know something like that?"

"I had the same thought." Shindo replied, finally ceasing his pacing in the center of the room and turning to look back at the door to the stairway the two girls were still standing in. "When I asked her, she said that Pride was a loudmouth who talked a lot. According to her, in his entire spiel about ego and humility and such, he revealed and began to boast about the fact that he had managed to capture the headmaster at the very top of this tower".

After Shindo finished explaining, Hikaru turned to look at Aura. "Did that really happen?"

Aura shook her head.

"While he did go on a long spiel about being humble and stuff, he never revealed any information about the headmaster."

At the same time, everyone's heart dropped.

"So she lied? Why?" Hikaru immediately posed the question, looking back at Shindo.

Of course, Shindo had no good answer for her. He was just as , if not more, confused and shocked than the two of them.

She lied. She actually lied. But why? What good would that do?

Shindo was already starting to come to some conclusions; however, they were options he didn't want to consider even as a last resort. His mind wasn't ready for it, and he didn't want to believe that they had even the slightest chance of being true.

Watching Shindo's silence, Hikaru stepped forward and pressed on with more questions. "Do you remember any moments where her words didn't align with what you knew then or what you know now? Did she act suspiciously at any point? Did she try anything weird?"

With each question, Shindo felt a memory of his time spent with Phi resurface, each one able to fit the bill of Hikaru's questions in some sort of way.

"Anything that I thought might be odd had some sort of logical explanation, though!" Shindo wasn't trying to convince Hikaru or Aura anymore. At this point, he was just trying to convince himself that his own judgment wasn't wrong. Or, more fittingly, 'clouded.' "Whether that be her personality or the lack of information—"

"Was it really a 'logical explanation'? Or just your own self-imposed reasoning that you liked the most."

Shindo did not have a reply to that. He just stood in silence. Internally, his entire mind was on a code red alert. He was desperately going through every last moment of the time he spent with Phi, trying to look for some sort of defensive proof that Hikaru was wrong and that they didn't need to suspect Phi; however, he found nothing.

Slowly, doubt began to creep up into his own mind.

Just as the room felt like it was going to explode from the tension, Aura spoke.

"Let's just go find her! She's up ahead, right?" Anger, shock, confusion, and many more emotions swirled around her face. Before either of the other two could get a proper read on her, she pushed forward and past them and began to head for the next set of stairs.

"Let's just go reunite with her already! Instead of sitting here and second-guessing our own friend!"

As Aura darted up the stairs, Hikaru and Shindo both stood in silence.

Internally, they chided themselves.

Of course! Phi's her very best friend! The one who she had spent nearly her entire life growing up with and spending time together with. They loved each other to the ends of the earth! Of course she'd had to hear me talking about her as if she'd done something horrible! Even if my suspicions have a basis, I shouldn't have been so rash in talking about it!

Mentally berating herself, Hikaru dashed after Aura.

However, Phi is without a doubt suspicious. Aura's own judgment and bias won't let her see that, but I can. So I'll ensure she doesn't get hurt.

Shindo was left in the empty room alone. His mind was reeling from the implications of that short exchange.

"Did I really ignore all of those signs?"

Shindo thought to himself, unable to breathe correctly anymore.

"No. I don't want to believe it, but what about everything that Phi was saying? Talking about how she felt cursed, unable to understand or feel love. Everything she said about Aura deserving better than her. The fact that she knew things she shouldn't, all of the odd things that had happened along the way, like stopping to analyze Pride's ability, the barrier—

About to crack from the pressure of his own thoughts, Shindo quickly dashed after the two girls.

And in his peripherals, he saw the same figure in a white dress.

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The room was small, but unlike all the others that came before it, this room actually had decorations inside of it. A small table adorned with pictures of the same woman stood in the center of the room. Some of the frames had been smashed and flipped over.

A guitar lay on the floor face down. A singular lightbulb in the center of the room flashed on and off constantly.

The wall was pocked with holes that made it evident someone's fist had punched it multiple times.

In the back of the room, the headmaster of the magic academy was chained against the wall, his head dropping down.

There was a miserable expression on his face, and his entire body language was that of a person who had seen so many horrible things that they could go on no more.

"Headmaster?" Hikaru asked in concern as they stepped into the room.

The headmaster's head slowly rose up, and he locked eyes with the group of three who had just entered the room.

They had entered warily, expecting traps; however, there was nothing. As soon as they realized that, Shindo dashed forward, stopping right in front of the headmaster.

"Sir! What happened'? Shindo gazed over him with wide eyes as he saw the headmaster in this...pathetic state.

The headmaster laughed cynically before shaking his head. "Good job. Great job, all of you. Don't be discouraged just yet. Keep fighting."

Shindo stared at him in confusion. The headmaster was acting odd. As if he knew something that the others didn't, something crushing.

"Quickly! We need to get these restraints off of you."

Shindo's voice froze when he felt the cold metal of a gun barrel on the back of his head.

The room descended into silence.

No one spoke. No one moved.

No one even breathed.

Letting out a shaky breath, Shindo turned around and saw the last thing that he wanted to.

Phi was standing behind him, holding a gun to his head.

Their eyes met. Shindo stared into Phi's sky blue eyes. Phi stared right back.

Shindo smiled and let out a shaky laugh.

"Nice one, Phi. How long have you been planning this elaborate prank? From the very moment we meet?"

However, Phi's expression did not lighten. The hardened look in her eyes remained serious.

"The signs were all there. You just weren't thinking rationally enough to see them."

Shindo's eyes widen in absolute horror as he realizes that this isn't a joke. That this was really happening right here right now. His heart ceased beating, and his blood ran cold.

Phi had betrayed them.

Instantly, the first thing that Shindo tried to do was use his aura to execute a spell or shatter the internal workings of the gun; however, he couldn't.

A cold, horrifying feeling descended over his body as he realized he couldn't use any mana whatsoever.

In fact, he couldn't feel the mana in his body at all. It was all gone without a trace.

Turning his gaze back to Phi, he asked, "So everything?" All of those words, your past, and what you told me about Aura. They were lies?"

At some point, the stress and fear and shock and all of the emotions of the situation made tears well up in his eyes.

Phi's cold expression showed no signs of wavering as she spoke. "No. That was the truth."

"Cut the bullshit!" Shindo shouted as he tried to lunge forward.

However, he couldn't. His legs and arms and everything were bound by an invisible force.

Phi didn't even flinch. "I was telling the truth. I really was separated from Aura. Everything about my past and our meeting was true too. Even the curse."

"CURSE?" Aura shouted from behind Phi. "Listen, Phi. It isn't okay to joke like that, you know. Just cut it out already. It stopped being funny a bit ago. Are you okay? I'm sure you're still hurt from that wound you sustained. Let me check you out."

For some reason, Aura could still move.

She was hysterical. The look in her eyes suggested that she was only moments away from losing it.

And why wouldn't she be?

Her one and only best friend, who she had spent nearly her entire life with, was now acting as if she was on the enemy's side.

That couldn't be true, right?

Phi turned around, and when their gazes locked, something flitted over her expression too fast for Shindo to notice.

However, Hikaru picked up on it.

"Phi. How long have you been on their side?"

"Don't say that!" Aura turned around and snapped at Hikaru.

Ignoring Aura, who was still in denial, Phi addressed Hikaru.

"Ask Shindo. He was the one who bore witness to everything, and yet he still couldn't figure it out."

Shindo turned his head away in shame, realizing that she was right. He had seen it all. However, his own naivety had convinced him that it wasn't true.

"Of course, you couldn't have known that I lied about Pride. However, what about my suggestion to handle things on my own when it came to him? How about when I stopped our moment to waste time analyzing the ability of an opponent when we could have been freeing the headmaster? What about all of the subtle hints I dropped that I knew things I shouldn't have? Talking about a curse and Raiden? How about the barrier? You didn't notice the spell that I placed there? The mana absorption spell, as well as setup for the magic sequence that binds you now."

With every sentence, Shindo was forced to play back the memories of each moment and realize that the signs were unbelievably clear. They were right there for him to see. He had just chosen to ignore them.

His breathing quickened. Faster and faster. He was beginning to hyperventilate.

Phi leaned in. "For all of your strength, you really are foolish. You failed to remain rational, and so you missed everything. She delivered the killing blow, causing Shindo to grit his teeth and stare into the ground, trying to surpass his rage and hurt.

"Phi. Phi. PHI!" Aura shouted at Phi before rushing at her and grabbing her shoulders, forcing her to spin around. "Get a hold of yourself! What did they do to you? Was some sort of illusion spell cast? And what is this curse you're talking about? We can't help you if you don't explain things correctly!"

Continuing to avoid the hurt and frantic gaze of Aura, Phi spoke to Hikaru. "To answer your question, it was back when I and Aura got separated. I did end up taking that major blow, and just when I thought I would die, I saw HER."

Hikaru felt a chill down her spine.

Phi continued. "She came up to me. She explained that I was cursed. Unable to ever feel love and affection for others. And then, she offered me the means to answer my questions. She told me who was responsible for the curse and then offered me the power to come to an understanding of what love was. I accepted her hand, and she gave me the power to figure it out for myself."

Shindo's eyes widened. He remembered Phi's sudden inquiries on the rooftop. Just another sign he had missed. Foolishly. He truly was despicable.

Hikaru's expression of shock only grew further with each second of Phi's explanation.

"You made a contract with the witch?"

Phi smiled.

At that moment, even though it was a completely clear sky outside, thunder struck.

The lightbulb flickered out for a moment, and when it turned back on, a new guest had entered the room.

The presence this person exuded was so raw, powerful, and illogical that everyone inside the room aside from Phi was literally brought to their knees.

As they gazed at the figure who had suddenly appeared in the room, their minds filled with thoughts of HER.

Their breath hitched, and everything around them seemed to pause. The air chilled to below subzero temperatures.

And their minds threatened to collapse, as all of their thoughts were ejected and replaced with HER.

HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER. HER.HER. HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.HER.

Their minds threatened to shatter under the sheer weight and volume of her prescience. Her very existence threatened to devour their minds and their beings.

She was sitting along the windowsill, leaning against the wall. In her hands, she held a heart. A human heart that pulsed up and down. Beating. Her white dress was perfect, save for a single streak of red.

She was barefoot and had a blue ribbon in her white hair.

She looked down at everyone in the room. No one could look up and meet her eyes. They felt that if they did, their heads would actually explode. This was the Witch of Vainglory.

Still on her knees, Aura began to scream at Phi, who had turned her back to leave. In her hands, she was holding the pair of lollipops.

"PHI!!!" Her screams were gut-wrenching. A mix of pain from the witch's presence to pain from Phi's betrayal. "PHI! Please! Come back! Quit this sick joke already! Curses, not knowing the meaning of love?" Tears began to stream down her face. "DON'T DO THIS! ARE YOU SAYING THAT EVERYTHING WAS FAKE? ALL OF IT?"

"A void."

Aura was lapsed into momentary silence by Phi's reply.

"That's all I've ever felt. An empty voice. Even when I was with you. Look at how things turned out. I only ended up hurting you, just like I thought I would. You deserve better, Aura. Until I can understand what love is, until I can truly feel it, I can't be your friend. Not until...."

"STOP! DON'T GIVE ME THIS BULLSHIT! WE'RE FRIENDS! LET'S TALK IT OUT! TELL ME EVERYTHING! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME EVERYTHING! I CAN HELP! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! JUST CALM DOWN AND WE CAN FIGURE THIS ALL OUT! PHI! PHI, I LOVE YOU! YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND! JUST LET ME HELP YOU, PLEASE! YOU'RE NOT HURTING ME! I'M THE ONE WHO DOESN'T DESERVE YOU! SO JUST STOP AND LET US FIX THIS!"

Aura painfully screeched until her voice went raw and she could do no more. However, her words did not convince Phi.

Phi turned back and gave her one more sad look.

"Not until I can find my answers. And then you can help fill this void."

Aura continued to screech. Bawling her eyes out!

However, no one responded. Everyone just watched in shock as Phi jumped out of the window and escaped.

The witch lingered for a moment longer. She analyzed all of their faces as she caressed the still-beating human heart in her hands affectionately. She rubbed her cheek against it, blushing.

And then she left, just as quickly and suddenly as she had arrived.

Her presence immediately alleviated the mental strain that it placed on everybody in the room.

However, the silence that it left them in was even more painful than her presence could ever be.

Aura continued to scream. And scream. And scream. And scream.

Until she could no more.

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At that moment, a disaster was born. One driven by its endless envy.