61. It Was Quite An Experience 

The moment the Voidwalker vanished, the oppressive aura that had filled the surroundings dissipated, as if swept away by Randy's loud laughter.

As if responding to the fading presence, the area that had been bathed in a sinister red hue began to return to normal. 

The shattered walls of the corridor slowly repaired themselves, as though the destruction was being reversed in time. 

Meanwhile, the scattered desks and chairs disappeared one by one into the void, following the Voidwalker.

"Oh, this is—"

"It seems we can leave now," Ellie sighed, stepping into the classroom.

As she had pointed out, the normal life scene outside the window had vanished, replaced by a warped, twisting landscape that distorted like rippling water.

"So, how about it? Do you believe me a now?"

Despite having defeated the Voidwalker in what was likely the most absurd way Ellie had ever seen, Randy remained completely unfazed. 

He had cut, headbutted, and punched his way to victory. 

Even in ancient times, there were warriors as fierce as Randy, but none, as far as Ellie knew, had ever accomplished such a feat.

"Even if you go out of control, I'll stop you." Randy flexed his arm, showing off his biceps, then added with a grin, "Though I wouldn't headbutting you, of course."

It's not confidence—it's resolve.

Remembering those words, Ellie felt her cheeks flush slightly and turned her gaze away in embarrassment.

"W-well, I suppose that's acceptable. If it were me, I would've handled it in under a minute," she muttered, still avoiding his gaze.

"Is that true?" Randy leaned closer, peering into her face with a skeptical expression.

As his eyebrows furrowed, Ellie recalled another of his lines echoing in her mind.

"It's not about whether I can or can't do it. It's that I'm going to do it."

True to those words, Randy had accomplished what she had thought impossible. He had proven that he meant what he said. And the next thing that implied was…

"When the time comes, I'll live alongside you."

At the time, she had dismissed it as the foolish boast of a reckless brat. But now, remembering it, Ellie's ears turned red as well.

"Hey, why are you blushing?" Randy teased.

"B-because you're… approaching me half-naked, that's why!" Ellie snapped, quickly putting some distance between them.

Seeing her flustered reaction, Randy grinned mischievously. "Heh, so you are just an old virgin after all."

"Did my beautiful physique charm you?" he added, advancing toward her with a smug expression.

"Ugh, stay back! You reek of sweat!" Ellie protested, pouting as she stepped back once more.

"It's not sweat—it's pheromones," Randy declared proudly, his grin widening.

"Shut up, you idiot," Ellie retorted, glaring at him.

"Anyway, if you can't handle a hundred of those weaklings with ease, you're useless," she huffed, puffing her cheeks in frustration.

"Geez, looks like I've got a long road ahead," Randy said, clicking his tongue, though his expression remained cheerful.

(He proved it, didn't he?)

(Hmph. He still has a long way to go.)

As Ellie struggled to suppress the slight smile on her lips, Randy noticed her flushed face once again. "Hey, your face really is red."

"It's because of the sunset!" Ellie retorted, punching Randy in the stomach as he laughed.

"No, it's dark right now—"

"It's because of the sunset!"

"No, but it's dark—"

"Ugh! At least act like you feel some pain!"

Cecilia watched the two bicker from the end of the hallway.

"Lord Randolph… he's not just a stupid, is he?" she murmured, her gaze fixed on Randy.

"Yeah, he's a big big idiot." Luke nodded in agreement beside her.

"Ultra super big idiot… Honestly, just when I think I've caught up, he pulls ahead again. What an annoying guy," Luke added, though a satisfied smile tugged at his lips.

Noticing this, Cecilia teased him with a grin, "You look quite pleased, don't you?"

"Well… you might call me stupid, but this is the moment where new possibilities opened up."

Luke smiled as he watched Ellie and Randy. 

Ellie's skillful use of magic, and Randy's feat of cutting through the dimensional barrier—both were achievements far beyond Luke's reach for now.

For now. That was the key phrase. 

After all, giving up was not part of Luke's dictionary. 

If another human could reach such heights, then there had to be a path for him to reach it too, even if the road he took was different.

He had climbed mountains before, step by step, to get this far. Turning back now was simply not an option.

"Magic, swordsmanship—everything—there's still so much room to grow. There's nothing better than knowing I can keep moving forward. There's a path ahead… and if I can see it, I have no choice but to climb."

"You're just as much of an idiot," Cecilia remarked as she watched Ellie and Randy, before turning her gaze back to Luke. "But—"

"As my knight, you'd better reach the summit."

"That's quite the challenge. I'll do my best," Luke replied, smiling.

The two looked at each other and exchanged smiles, a moment of mutual understanding passing between them. Just then, Randy and the others returned from the ruined classroom.

"Randy."

Luke extended his fist, and Randy, grinning, bumped it with his own.

"You really saved me back there."

Thanks to Luke's efforts in holding the line, Randy had been able to fight at full power without worrying about his back. 

Without Luke, defeating the Voidwalker alone would have been impossible.

"You went on ahead without me, huh?"

"Of course I did. I'm the captain. No way am I letting my subordinates surpass me."

Luke pressed his fist forward, and Randy responded by pushing back, the two locked in a playful but firm show of mutual respect. 

Cecilia smiled warmly at the sight, while Ellie sighed in exasperation.

"Everyone, look outside—"

It was Corey, pointing toward the window, raising his voice in alarm. 

The twisted, distorted space that had previously filled the view was now replaced by something entirely different.

What lay before them was…

Neither the school building bathed in the glow of sunset,

Nor the sport teams diligently practicing,

Nor the students hurrying back to their dorms.

　None of those familiar sights greeted them.

"What's that huge tower?"

Randy rushed to the window, his eyes locking on a colossal tower standing where the school's sports field should have been.

"I-I don't know… but—"

Annabelle, who was also gazing outside, carefully observed the tower and turned back to the others.

"It looks very similar to the Seventh Mystery we've heard about—the Tower of the New Moon."

Everyone gathered at the window, staring up at what Annabelle identified as the Tower of the New Moon. 

It rose high into the sky, piercing through the purple clouds, its top vanishing into the unknown beyond.

"That's definitely one of the Seven Mysteries… not just of the academy, but of the entire world."

A mysterious tower existing between dimensions—its presence left everyone stunned. Just as they stood frozen, the tower faded away, and a brilliant white light engulfed the surroundings.

"W-What's happening now?"

"Don't panic. It's the energy of dimensional travel becoming visible," Ellie calmly explained as the white glow enveloped them.

Amid the dazzling light and the echo of everyone's voices, Randy furrowed his brow. Strange scenes began flashing through his mind:

A man and a woman talking in a classroom at twilight.

A man slumped over a desk in sorrow.

Ghost of a woman appearing before him.

The man's rejoiced, while another woman pointing at the ghost while screaming.

A flood of emotions.

Rumors.

Malice.

Fear.

As these scenes raced through Randy's mind, he sensed something within the white light. He turned toward it, catching sight of a woman standing at the edge of the classroom. She looked somewhat familiar.

Though she resembled the Voidwalker they had just fought, her clothe was different.

[Thank you… for avenging me…] she said softly.

"Avenging?" Randy tilted his head, confused. 

Before he could ask further, the woman approached him and whispered, "That one…"

In that moment, everything clicked into place for Randy.

(Ah… so that's how it is…)

The scenes that had flooded his mind earlier were her memories.

The woman standing before him wasn't the cause of the Seventh Mystery, though she was linked to it. In fact, she may have been the one holding the evil presence in this place all along.

(A female student abandoned by her lover, who then took her own life… That was how the story went.)

　According to the memories that had flowed into him, it seemed that the woman had merely lived out her natural lifespan.

[Thank you… but I must go now…]

"Yeah. Hope you can reunite with your boyfriend over there," Randy said with a smile.

The woman smiled back, and her body began to glow, slowly lifting off the ground. Wrapped in light, she grew even brighter until she appeared blurry. 

Standing beside Randy, Ellie watched the mysterious phenomenon unfold.

"A soul, huh? Looks like she wandered this world for quite a long time," Ellie said with a gentle smile.

The woman glanced at Ellie, whispering, [You too…] before vanishing entirely.

"Ellie, that woman just now…?"

"She was a lonely girl, nothing more, nothing less," Ellie replied with a sly grin.

Almost immediately, the light that had enveloped them began to fade, and the group found themselves back in the dim corridor of the old school building.

Outside the window was a familiar view—an evening sky painted with the setting sun, the campus, and the bustling voices of students cleaning up after class.

"We… made it back?" Luke said, tilting his head in confusion. 

He placed a hand on the window and slowly pushed it open. The creaking sound of the stiff window frame was soon followed by the clearer, livelier chatter of students from outside.

"Looks like we're back," Annabelle said, her legs giving out as she collapsed to the floor.

"Annabelle!" Corey quickly rushed to support her.

"I'm so sorry… it's all my fault… Everyone—"

Before she could finish, Randy interrupted her with a reassuring smile, his tone was relaxed.

"Don't worry about it. It was a precious experience going up against such a tough opponent, and besides, I got stronger because of it."

"L-Lord Randolph…" Annabelle's eyes glistened as if she were about to cry.

"But, well… since it was a ghost, technically, there were no bones to make it tough," Cecilia teased with a smirk.

"Yeah, exactly, idiot Randy," Luke added with a mocking grin.

"You're the one who started it!" Randy snapped at Luke, who merely shrugged with a feigned look of innocence.

"Who, me?"

"Alright, you've got guts… Today, I'll finally knock that smug attitude out of—"

"Randy, no fighting here," Liz said, her voice exasperated as she returned and immediately intervening.

Seeing how natural the banter between the four was, Annabelle and Corey stared in bewilderment, with mouths opened.

Liz, noticing this, offered Annabelle a gentle smile and extended her hand.

"Lady Annabelle, for us, something like this is no different from our usual day."

Liz's kind lie maintained the cheerful atmosphere that Cecilia and Luke had created up until now.

"So, don't hesitate to invite us again. Even I'm curious about the Seventh Mystery."

Liz's warm smile seemed to ease Annabelle's nerves, and she unconsciously nodded.

"Still, if that tower is one of the Seven Mysteries, I wonder if it's full of ghosts inside," Randy said with a mischievous grin.

Liz visibly flinched at his words, her smile stiffening slightly.

"And since it's getting darker, the ghosts around here might become more active—"

"L-Let's just go home for today!" Liz hastily interrupted, grabbing Randy's hand and pulling him along in a rush.

Their usual antics drew laughter from Annabelle and Corey, who couldn't help but giggle at the sight.

"S-Sorry…" Annabelle began, embarrassed by her impoliteness, but Randy cut her off.

"Come on, Lady Annabelle, let's head back."

"Y-Yes," she replied, nodding slowly as she stood.

"Let's take tomorrow off and continue investigating the day after."

"Yes… That sounds good. I'd like to rest tomorrow."

As Annabelle agreed, she still found herself apologizing for the trouble she felt she had caused. 

Yet Randy and the others, smiling and chatting, assured her it had been a valuable experience. Together, they began their walk back.

"Is it okay for me to head home like this? I'm still half naked."

"…Hey, why's everyone suddenly moving a little farther away from me?"

"Luke, aren't we friends?"

"Don't touch me! Don't put your arm around me! People will think I'm a pervert too!"

The crisis from earlier seemed to have faded away, and the old school building was filled with lively sounds of laughter.

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