Chapter 78 - The Scars of a Blossom Reaper

[You have received Rank-A Character: Mira Springfoot - Blossom Reaper.]

[You have received a duplicate. The character has been converted into a Memory Shard.]

Memory Shard?

The transparent figure shattered into pixel-like fragments, which floated in front of Atlas before forming into a card. He picked up the card and saw a picture of Mira holding a hoe in one hand and a carrot in the other.

"My Lord, what did you just get?"

"Is that an item to upgrade Mira?"

"Yeah, it's like in a gacha game."

"What will happen to Mira?"

Even Mira, now standing at the very front, glanced at Atlas with a puzzled expression.

Atlas inspected the item again.

[Mira Springfoot - Memory Shard]

[Activate the card to access Mira's past memories.]

[Receive 320 Arcane Shards upon activating the card.]

[Upgrade Mira to +1 after activating the Memory Shard.]

Mira's past memories?

Atlas paused for a moment.

"Jackpot, tell me precisely what will happen if I activate this card?"

[Host, it's simple. You'll be transported into Mira's memories, which are embedded within the card.]

"How does that work?"

[It's like you'll fall asleep temporarily. Think of it as a dream, but vivid and crystal clear.]

"So, you're saying I'll actually fall asleep if I activate this card?"

[Yes.]

Atlas nodded, then turned to address everyone.

"Alright, this card will upgrade Mira, but who knows what else might happen. My system says I'll need to sleep for now," he explained with a grin.

"Sleep? Why sleep, My Lord?"

"Yeah, we're curious about what's going to happen."

"Well, I'll tell you more tomorrow," Atlas said, signaling the end of the evening.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow, Mira," he added with a reassuring smile.

With that, he dismissed the group and headed toward his room.

Once inside, Atlas activated the card. For a moment, nothing happened, leaving him puzzled. He glanced at the card, then decided to lie down and close his eyes. Almost immediately, his consciousness was drawn away, as if carried into another world.

When he opened his eyes again, he squinted against the sudden brightness. The light was glaring, as if it were morning. He could hear the murmur of people talking. Blinking to adjust to the change, Atlas found himself inside a small house with white walls and matching furniture.

The voices of an adult man and woman chatting drifted from the direction of the living room. Meanwhile, Atlas found himself standing in what appeared to be the kitchen. He glanced down at his hands and torso, realizing his body was translucent.

Of course—this was just Mira's memory.

He scanned his surroundings and his gaze landed on...

A bunny girl?

From his position, he could only see her back, but it was clear the girl had a pair of rabbit ears perched on her head. She was a beastkin rabbit, appearing to be around 12 or 13 years old. Her outfit was neat, resembling a school uniform—a short red skirt and a navy-blue blazer.

Atlas stepped closer, observing the girl. She was preparing a lunch box filled with an assortment of carrot-themed creations.

His brows furrowed in disbelief.

This girl... Is she Mira?

From her face, there was no doubt—it was Mira. Yet this version of her was wearing glasses? And where was the cheerful, playful expression she always had?

This Mira looked completely different. Her face was serious, her demeanor quiet, and focused as she sliced the carrots.

A short while later, young Mira joined the dining table, where two adults—her father and mother—were seated. Let's call them Dad Mira and Mom Mira.

Dad Mira was engrossed in reading something on his tablet, using a spoon to eat absentmindedly.

"Ah, damn it!" Dad Mira suddenly slammed the table. "This idiot! Ruining my morning already!"

"Jealous people," Mom Mira chimed in. "Do something to put him in his place. Anything that'll teach him a lesson. I'm sick of hearing about your colleague's crap behavior."

"I'll make sure he regrets it! Damn it!" Dad Mira growled.

Still visibly annoyed, he turned his cold gaze toward Mira.

"How did your exam go?"

"Uhm…" Mira hesitated, looking up timidly. "It's… an A."

"An A?" Dad Mira let out a heavy sigh. "An A isn't good enough! I'm spending a fortune on your education! Aim higher! Stop being so lazy about this!"

Mom Mira added her own cutting words. "And quit wasting your time with that ridiculous carrot gardening. It's pointless and won't make you any money. Focus on your studies!"

"If you fail to get the top score again," Dad Mira growled, "I'll destroy that stupid carrot garden of yours!"

"Yes, Dad. Yes, Mom," Mira murmured quietly.

Atlas, watching from the sidelines, let out a heavy sigh. Experiencing the tense atmosphere firsthand felt utterly stifling.

After that, young Mira left the house with her head lowered, walking briskly as if eager to escape. Her expression was stiff, tense, and unmistakably uncomfortable.

So this is what you were like in the past, Mira?

Atlas took a deep breath, his thoughts swirling as he compared the Mira he knew now to this version of her. The cheerful, lively girl he was used to seemed worlds apart from this somber, withdrawn young girl.

He decided to follow her as she walked through the cobblestone streets of the city. 

The world around them was... unexpectedly peaceful. People sold goods along the roadside, chatting and bustling with activity. The atmosphere was bright and carefree, filled with the laughter and energy of daily life.

It was such a stark contrast to the world Atlas had come from—a place where people lived under the constant shadow of fear and danger.

Have the floating islands existed here as well?

He glanced up at the sky, squinting against the sunlight. Sure enough, a few small islands hovered high above. 

This world, too, had floating islands.

After a while, Mira reached a grand, elite-looking school building. Students filled the grounds, all dressed in polished, well-tailored uniforms. Atlas couldn't help but notice the girls in their mini skirts—charming and undeniably attractive enough to briefly catch his attention.

Among the crowd, he spotted several beastkin, a clear indication that this world also embraced a diverse mix of races.

However, Mira seemed completely detached from the lively atmosphere around her. She neither greeted anyone nor made eye contact, moving swiftly with her head bowed. Occasionally, she glanced up, but only to avoid colliding with others before lowering her gaze again.

Atlas trailed behind her, observing as she entered the school building, ascended the stairs, and came to a halt in front of a classroom door. From within, he could hear the cheerful sounds of laughter and lively conversation.

Mira stopped, frozen in place.

What's she doing?

Atlas paused, watching as she hesitated. Her left hand slid into the pocket of her blazer, gripping something tightly.

What's that?

Finally, she opened the door, and—

The students inside turned toward her, their faces lighting up as if they had been eagerly awaiting her arrival.

Oh? Maybe she's actually doing fine here? He thought, a flicker of hope crossing his mind.

But that hope was crushed in an instant.

Those very same students—most of them girls—spat at her as she stepped into the room.

"Ugh, disgusting!"

"Get out of here!"

Their contempt was punctuated with the sound of spitting.

Mira moved past them, her head still bowed, enduring the torrent of humiliation. As she walked, they struck her on the back of the head, kicked at her legs, and even spat directly onto her face.

Damn it! These little pieces of—!

Atlas's fists tightened, his whole body trembling with fury.

I'm going to kill them. Every. Single. One of them!