A week had passed since the conference.
Roselyn woke up in a room that felt unfamiliar.
"Ah?"
She blinked, then rembered.
"Right."
It wasn't truly unfamiliar. Just new.
After finalizing several business deals, Roselyn had received incentives and advances. In just a week, she had earned enough to move into a better apartnt.
Now, she lived in a cleaner, more secure, private, and slightly more expensive apartnt in the heart of the empire.
Things had been peaceful since Professor Claude's dismissal from the academy.
Roselyn knew she had Professor Vanitas to thank for everything.
While she hadn't yet been elevated to the status of Professor, she was confident it was only a matter of ti.
For now, she had tasks at hand. Tasks she was more than willing to complete.
Stepping out of her bedroom, Roselyn entered the vacant room she had designated as her workshop.
Several boxes filled with alchemy materials and tools were neatly stacked in the corner, waiting to be unpacked.
She approached one box marked with Professor Vanitas's na and carefully opened it.
Inside, she found a dormant trinket coin, two shards emanating magical energy, and a note attached.
She smiled as she read the note, recalling their conversation.
The Professor had ntioned he didn't have a proper dium and asked her to create one for him. He had even offered to pay her, but Roselyn refused.
Without hesitation, she agreed, feeling honored by the request.
"A gauntlet, huh?" Roselyn said, holding the materials in her hands.
Her smile grew as ideas began forming in her mind.
"Okay, I can do that."
***
"We have two months and a few weeks to prepare for the play. Does anyone have any ideas?"
The drama club eting was in full swing. Charlotte sat quietly among the group, surrounded by senior and first-year students.
She wasn't particularly close to anyone. There was soone from her class in the room, though—a boy with cerulean hair and yellow eyes.
Still, she wasn't close to him either.
"Could I write the script, senior?"
The boy raised his hand.
Silas Ainsley.
The club president tilted her head.
"Do you have experience writing scripts, Silas?"
"Not officially," he replied. "But I've done creative writing before. I think I can handle it. I'd appreciate the opportunity."
Another student, a senior with short brown hair, raised her hand. "I'd like to try writing the script too."
" as well," added a first-year girl with glasses.
The president smiled. She appreciated the enthusiasm of this batch of new mbers.
"Alright. Let's do this. Everyone interested in writing the script will have one week to submit a draft. We'll review all the submissions and choose the best one to use for the play. Sound fair?"
The volunteers nodded in agreent, including Charlotte.
"Great! If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out."
A hand shot up from the back of the room.
"Yes?" the president asked.
"What's the the?"
The president paused, tapping her chin.
"We don't have a specific the. But I'd say…. let's aim for sothing unconventional. Sothing that'll surprise the entire university."
It wasn't much to go with, but it left plenty of room for creativity and fresh ideas.
The eting continued, with mbers discussing logistics and deadlines.
Finally, the president stood up and clapped her hands. Clap, clap—!
"Alright, that's settled then. Good luck, everyone! Let's make this play unforgettable."
As the mbers began packing up to leave, Silas suddenly called out to Charlotte.
"Hey, Charlotte, right?"
Charlotte paused, looking surprised. "Yes? What do you need?"
"If my script gets accepted, would you consider playing the lead role?"
"M-?" Charlotte stamred.
"Yeah. I think you'd be perfect for it."
Charlotte hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I... I'm not sure…. I've never thought of playing a lead role this early on…."
"That's fine," Silas said. "Think about it. No pressure."
"Hmm…."
Charlotte pondered, pinching her chin. It was a tempting opportunity, though unexpected.
She had planned to learn from the senior mbers by observing them first, considering playing smaller roles to gain experience.
While she had acted in lead roles before, that was years ago, back when she was just a child.
"I'll consider it," Charlotte said. "But if that's the case, could I collaborate on the script with you? I won't change much, just a few suggestions here and there."
Silas smiled. "Sure. I'd actually appreciate the feedback."
"Alright," Charlotte nodded. "Let know when you've got sothing ready."
"I will. Thanks for considering it."
Charlotte stepped out of the room, feeling a mix of confusion and happiness.
Why had Silas considered her? Maybe it was because she was the only familiar face he recognized.
Still, the idea of being chosen for sothing so significant made her feel…. excited, even if she wasn't sure she'd accept.
She decided she'd consider it, depending on the script's contents.
Nodding to herself, Charlotte headed toward the newly renad Arcane Research and Developnt Club.
Previously, Astrid and friends.
Upon reaching the clubroom, Charlotte pushed the door open and imdiately froze at the scene before her.
"...."
——Hold still, commoner!
——Ah, she's here. Chevrolet, help !
"Uh…."
What's going on?
Astrid stood in the middle of the room. A floating needle was chasing a frantic Ezra.
"I was right all along! This shitty princess wants to sacrifice !" Ezra shouted, running from the needle.
"Uh…."
"I told you!" Astrid said. "Your mana is, for so reason, the purest among us! I just need a sample! Just one!"
"Fuck no!"
Charlotte tilted her head, crossing her arms.
"....Should I co back later?"
***
"Uekh!"
Vanitas retched, gripping the edge of the sink. Blood stained the white surface.
"Tsk."
He clicked his tongue in frustration, staring down at the ss with a deep frown.
He knew his body was failing. Everyday, he felt weaker, and there were often tis he felt light–headed.
Yet, he pushed through, day after day.
Wiping his mouth, he straightened and looked into the mirror. His pale face and tired eyes stared back at him.
"I'll be fine."
Ever since he uncovered Vanitas Astrea's connection to the death of the Imperial Queen, Julia, a sense of unease had lingered in his mind.
It was due to the fragnts of mories that didn't belong to him.
Vanitas Astrea coldly killing Vanessa that day.
"Uekh…!"
He retched again, unable to bear the nausea he felt any longer.
After retching a few more tis, Vanitas rinsed his mouth and stepped out of the bathroom. Turning to a corner, he spotted Margaret staring out the window.
She turned when she noticed him.
"Ah, Vanitas. I an—Professor."
"Hey," he greeted casually, as if he wasn't in agony a few monts ago. "What are you doing here? How are your lectures going?"
"They're fine. I think I've pretty much adjusted," Margaret said with a smile. "I ca here to drop off so reports. What about you, Professor? You look a little…. pale."
Margaret glanced from the corner of her eye.
"I'm fine," Vanitas said. "Just a little stomach ache."
"Is that so?" Margaret frowned. "You should try ginger tea with a bit of honey. It works wonders for digestion and stomach pains."
"Ginger tea?"
"Yes. It's simple to make, and it might help. Do you want to bring you so later?"
"I'll manage. But thanks for the suggestion."
Margaret nodded. "Alright, but if it doesn't get better, you should see soone about it."
"I'll keep that in mind," Vanitas said, turning to leave.
Just as Vanitas took a few steps, he stopped. Sothing clicked in his mind.
Though his cancer wasn't the conventional kind, he recalled reading about ginger's potential benefits in reducing inflammation and fighting cancer cells.
It was far from a cure, but it had properties that might alleviate symptoms or slow progression.
He had never tried this redy before. He had tried other treatnts, and if ginger tea worked even a little, it was worth a shot.
"On second thought, I wouldn't mind trying it if you're offering."
Margaret blinked in surprise before smiling.
"Of course. I'll bring it to your office later."
"Thanks," he said, before heading down the hall and entering his office.
Sitting at his desk, Vanitas pulled out a stack of docunts. Karina wasn't around. She was busy helping Roselyn move into her new place.
He began drafting his lecture for Wednesday.
Ti passed unnoticed until a knock at the door broke the silence.
To— Tok.
Vanitas glanced up. "Co in."
Margaret stepped inside, holding a small thermos.
"I brought the tea," she said, setting it on his desk. "Drink it while it's warm."
"You didn't have to rush."
"It's no trouble. Try it. If it doesn't help, let know."
He picked up the thermos and took a sip. The warmth and slight spiciness of the ginger settled in his stomach.
He closed his eyes briefly. The nausea he'd been ignoring for hours began to fade, and his breathing felt smoother.
"....Surprisingly effective."
"Really?" Margaret's eyes sparkled. "That's great."
Vanitas set the cup down and looked at her.
Margaret.
A Grand Knight who would one day face betrayal, see her order dismantled, and fall into despair.
Depression and illness would consu her if events unfolded as they had in the ga's narrative.
He wanted to help her—not out of kindness, but because Margaret would be an invaluable ally in the future.
Though exposing the traitor would be difficult.
'No, perhaps there is a way….'
He wasn't sure it would work, but it was worth a shot. That person…. he would definitely be riled up.
"Margaret."
"Yes? Do you need more tea?"
"No," Vanitas shook his head. "Are you free right now?"
"Ah?" Margaret blinked. "I have a lecture at 4:30. Why?"
"Would you like to play League of Spirits?"
Margaret's eyes lit up with interest. Vanitas knew she enjoyed the ga, even if she wasn't particularly skilled at it.
"I guess I could play," Margaret said with a smile. "Still, that's unexpected. You've never played this ga with anyone before."
"I took a liking to it during our ti apart."
"Ti apart…." Margaret mumbled, perhaps taken aback.
"Shall we?"
Margaret nodded eagerly. "Alright, but don't bla if you lose."
Vanitas pulled the League of Spirits box from the cabinet and set it on the desk. He had played this ga plenty of tis with Karina during their free ti.
As the cards were drawn and the ga began, Vanitas started a conversation.
"Your Crusade Order," he said, placing a card. "Did you heed my warning?"
"Warning?" Margaret blinked and set down her own card.
Then, she rembered.
"Oh…. Can we not talk about that?"
"Apologies," Vanitas said calmly as he attacked her unit.
"I don't know if you were joking or not back then," Margaret continued, defending her unit. "But there are no traitors within my Order."
Vanitas nodded and defended against her counterattack.
"Have you been visiting them?"
"Yes," Margaret nodded again, counterattacking. "I'm still overseeing their training whenever I have the chance. They're quite independent, actually."
Vanitas nodded once more, drawing a card.
"Clevius, was it?" he asked, setting down another card. "Your second in command. He seems quite capable."
"Yes," Margaret said, drawing a card. "He's the one holding things down while I'm gone. I appreciate him."
"Is that so?"
The ga continued as they conversed.
In the end, Vanitas won.
"...You too?" Margaret muttered, glaring at the board.
"It was a good ga."
Margaret pouted her lips, fixing her eyes on the board, before sighing and nodding in defeat.
Noticing her reaction, Vanitas suggested, "Do you want to play again."
Margaret's eyes lit up. "Yes, please. I won't lose this ti."
Vanitas chuckled. This was the Margaret he rembered from the ga, always competitive in everything she did.
The cards were shuffled, and the second match began.
"In the past," Vanitas began. "How was I?"
"Ah?" Margaret blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Well… you were stern and cold. At least, that's how others perceive you."
"Others?" Vanitas placed a card on the table. "What about you? What did you think?"
"To , you often looked…. sad. Like you were masking it behind that cold deanor of yours. It felt like you were hiding sothing."
Vanitas didn't respond imdiately, instead drawing another card.
"Sad, huh?"
"Maybe it's presumptuous of to say, but that's how I saw you. I never really disliked you, though."
"What about now?" he asked. "What do you think of now?"
Margaret's gaze drifted to the ga board as if lost in thought. She didn't respond right away.
Finally, she spoke. "You've changed….."
She hesitated, her words trailing off before she shook her head.
"No, change isn't the right word. It's more like…. you've reverted. To your younger self. Like—"
She stopped mid-sentence and gave a small smile.
"Never mind."
Vanitas's curiosity piqued, but he didn't press her. Instead, he played his next card.
"It's your move."
In the end, Margaret lost again.
"....I'm never winning," she said, before slumping on the desk.
***
It was visitation day. Silas entered the ntal asylum and sat across from his sister.
"Arwen."
She looked up at him. Her expression seed hollow with a tinge of paranoia. She didn't respond, simply staring.
"You'll get the justice you deserve. I'll make sure of it."
He leaned forward, his voice even colder than before.
"I'll expose him. In his weakest mont, I'll make him realize the reality of his actions. You don't have to suffer alone, Arwen. I'll destroy Vanitas Astrea."
"...."
Arwen didn't react at first. But the mont the na "Vanitas Astrea" left his lips, her blank expression shifted.
Her eyes widened, and tears began to fall silently as she stared at him.
Silas frowned, contorting into a look of disgust as he watched her.
"Even now, you're still an idiot," he muttered.
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