I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Sui**de

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Their end was rather empty.

But that was only because Hana had sacrificed her life force to create a miracle.

So, it is a fact that should not be overlooked, but it’s clear that the academy’s board possessed tremendous power capable of shaking humanity to its core.

They were certainly not an opponent to be taken lightly.

I even thought about ignoring their summons and disappearing, but that didn’t seem like a good choice.

Without knowing the exact purpose of the summons, I couldn’t predict what kind of danger it might bring to Hana.

To protect Hana, I had to act decisively.

Before heading to the top floor, I contacted Longinus.

The conversation wasn’t very long.

“I see.”

“Uh-huh. Be careful.”

“Shin Woo too.”

The discussion had already concluded before I knew it, as I had informed her in advance knowing I would disappear around this time.

“I hope we can meet again.”

“…Yeah.”

Still, it was natural to feel various emotions at the moment of farewell.

After spending a year with Longinus, we had grown somewhat close.

Despite her peculiar nature and silence, she was definitely a good girl.

There was no more time to hesitate.

I moved straight toward the academy’s main building.

As expected, the old men who ruled the world were waiting for me in the same dark space as last time.

“You’re late.”

“I apologize. It took time to tidy up the place.”

“Do you know why we called you here?”

I shook my head and replied.

“No, I don’t.”

“A teacher was discovered to be a Mage not long ago and was killed. Do you remember?”

“Yes. Of course, I remember.”

I had not expected this topic to come up again here.

I could already guess what the following words would entail.

“Mages have distinct black blood, which is practically the only way to identify them.”

“I see.”

“That’s why we conducted a health check this morning. And…”

The old man’s monotonous voice echoed around us.

“We have confirmed your black blood.”

“………”

How should one react in such a situation?

First of all, my blood is definitely not black.

Which means the other party is lying.

Is this the Vice Principal’s scheme? Did she deceive the old men through illusions?

Or are the old men merely fabricating false justifications to eliminate me?

“Moreover, we found out that you conspired with the teacher who was a Mage.”

“………”

Regardless of what it was, it seemed clear that any excuse I made would fall on deaf ears now.

“What do you intend to do with me?”

“First, hand over control of Longinus.”

“That’s not something I can give just because I want to. She must choose it herself.”

The old man replied nonchalantly.

“Then we’ll have to cut off your head and take your brain for control.”

“Haha…”

It sounded less like a simple joke and more like a deadly warning.

I thought that would be sufficient for such authors.

Of course, if I die without escaping this crisis, all plans will be in vain.

I had to find a way to get out of here no matter what.

“Fine then. But I need to meet Longinus directly to persuade her.”

“Can you guarantee that you can hand over control if you do that?”

“Of course. If you’re doubtful, just tie me up and call Longinus here.”

“Hmm.”

In the end, they had no choice but to accept my proposal.

For their plan, they needed Hana’s death.

In other words, they absolutely required Longinus’s spear for her.

“Understood. Call the Holy Spear here.”

“…Understood.”

For now, I had to pretend to comply.

If I attempted to escape recklessly here, I had no idea what variables might arise.

As soon as I called her, I truly got bound and captured.

Were they not going to give me any openings?

The man in military uniform who subdued me looked quite strong.

He was surely at least an A-rank hero.

Before long, Longinus arrived at the top floor.

The board issued commands in mechanical voices.

“Hand over control.”

There was no such control.

She was not a biological weapon that simply followed my commands.

Longinus acted based on her own free will.

I merely met her gaze and nodded.

That alone seemed to make the girl roughly understand the situation.

“Alright then.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Now she will only follow your orders.”

“Hmm. Then we need to test it.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, they ordered the girl.

“Kill that Mage.”

“………”

Immediately, Longinus’s eyes slightly flickered.

Such a situation wasn’t in any book, and I had never told her about it.

She must not have predicted this moment at all.

Our gazes met.

It was as if she was asking me what to do.

I simply nodded without saying a word.

Did she truly understand what that meant?

After a while, Longinus finally moved.

She slowly approached me, grasped her spear, and glared at me.

Thud.

A sharp pain surged through my side.

I couldn’t even scream from the burning heat as if I were being seared.

My vision gradually blurred, and dizziness intensified.

And then I lost consciousness.

*

“How reckless.”

I woke up to the girl’s voice.

It was a dark space I didn’t recognize.

I momentarily confused it with the top floor, but I soon realized it felt different.

While it was completely dark around, there was an inexplicable sense of warmth and comfort.

“You are…”

I was startled when I recognized the identity of the girl who spoke to me.

In front of me stood Sophie, the red-haired girl who should have been dead.

“Sophie.”

“Hello. It’s been a while.”

“Where are we…?”

“Well, if I must say, it’s the border.”

The border between life and death.

Was this the space Hana had mentioned?

Sophie spoke with a complex smile.

“I never thought you would make such a bold attempt. Did you really think you could fully replicate Hana’s ability?”

“…I wasn’t sure. But I had no other choice.”

It was a gamble of sorts.

The board must have had their reasons for using me as Hana’s substitute.

The result was successful.

Through my ability to replicate, I imitated the Savior’s ability.

I followed resurrection.

“It wasn’t perfectly successful.”

“Then?”

“If it weren’t for Longinus’s death, it would have been absolutely impossible. In fact, you are still dying in real-time. If you continue like this, you will completely pass away before crossing the threshold of resurrection.”

Indeed, the ability gained through replication had to be imperfect compared to the original.

But contrary to her words, the fact that I was still intact meant…

“You saved me?”

“It’s slightly different. But similar.”

“You were the one who pushed Hana off the rooftop, weren’t you? What are you now? Are you alive, or are you a ghost?”

Sophie shook her head.

“I am a miracle.”

“A miracle?”

“The desperate hearts of Hana and Sophie manifested through the power when Hana became a god. And it was a miracle that was created through the gap when you regressed.”

“…Is such a thing possible?”

I had already strayed far from realistic circumstances, but I couldn’t fully comprehend that explanation.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

No matter how far apart, the idea that if we share the same heart, we are together came to me.

“To put it more simply, it’s a system created by a god. I exist to recreate this world just like the flow of the original world line.”

I thought for a moment.

The purpose she spoke of aligned with what I desired.

My goal was also to maintain the flow.

“Then you…”

“When Hana fell from the rooftop, even though you caught her, unnatural wounds appeared, right?”

Sophie’s eyes were filled with sorrow.

The moment I saw that, I realized.

Our goals were entirely different.

“I must make everything ‘the same.’ Including the future that Hana and you failed.”

Just because we were moving in the same direction doesn’t mean we have the same destination.

The purpose of my maintaining the flow was ultimately to change everything.

But the flow she maintains should never be allowed to change later on.

“But why do you do that? You want Hana to be happy more than anyone else, don’t you?”

“I am not Sophie. I’m merely something borrowing her appearance. Sophie is already dead…”

“………”

“Maintaining this self is only possible in the loose unconsciousness, dream, and illusion of the world. When appearing in reality, I’m just a machine acting according to a predetermined system.”

“I only mimic Sophie, relying on Hana’s wish.”

It was a horrifying tale.

At least, to me, her words did not resonate at all.

“You are clearly Sophie. If not, you wouldn’t be crying so sorrowfully.”

“………”

“While still caring for Hana more than anyone else. I believe there’s no need to deny that.”

Sophie wiped her tears, saying.

“Thank you for saying that. But nothing will change.”

“I’ll make it different. Not just for Hana, but for you too. I’ll create a world where everyone can be happy.”

Only then did Sophie show her characteristic bright smile.

“Okay. I’ll believe it.”

Slowly, light began to penetrate the space that had been filled with darkness.

As it did, Sophie’s figure began to blur gradually.

“I hope this will be the last. Don’t give up.”

I see. So this regression wasn’t the first one.

But that’s okay.

What matters is when the end will be.

I walked into the bright light and responded.

“Of course. This is the last.”