Chapter 113

“Hmm…”

Evan sighed as he looked up at the sky, where the sunset was fading away.

‘Time really has passed so quickly…’

He briefly glanced down at his smartphone, thinking about how incredible this device was.

Although he had come to this world equipped with various knowledge and memories to help adapt to life here, it still amazed him.

Aria, beside him, was gazing at the sky painted red with fascination.

Seeing her, Evan thought to himself.

‘This situation… it’s no dream…’

Even earlier that morning, or at least right after his classes had ended, he had doubted whether he was dreaming.

But it wasn’t a dream.

The people walking around looked real, and the scenery as the sun slowly set felt undeniably genuine.

Evan turned to look at Aria.

At first, both of them had been seriously considering what the trial might demand, but somehow, over time, they had both begun casually sightseeing and enjoying themselves.

As the sun began to set, Evan, noticing Aria’s wonderment at the evening sky, remembered their original purpose: to uncover clues that could lead them back to their original world.

However, he found himself thinking that maybe it didn’t matter at the moment.

Even if they were determined to figure out what the trial required, there was no guarantee they would find it.

Evan decided continuing to search daily might only make things more difficult.

Moreover, they had plenty of time, and he wanted to show Aria as much of this world as possible.

He optimistically assumed that by staying observant, perhaps over time, they would stumble upon a clue.

Besides…

‘Contemplating won’t necessarily reveal anything…’

So, it seemed like walking around the area would be the better choice.

No matter how much you know in your head, there’s a vast difference compared to actually exploring the place personally. For instance, even if you took pictures with a smartphone and showed someone who had never been there, it wouldn’t fully convey how it truly feels to be there.

In short, when relying on uncertain memories, it was only natural to want to explore the surroundings directly.

Still…

‘We’ve wandered around for quite a while, and there’s still nothing to show for it…’

Since school ended, the two had walked all over the city sightseeing, yet not only had they not found any clues, they hadn’t even found anything related.

Of course, the city in this magic-developed world was fascinating, and even without finding any clues, they found much to marvel at as they wandered.

Aria was likely no different.

‘Is it because I’m here with her…?’

Although Aria hadn’t noticed herself, her eyes gleamed with wonder as she looked around, betraying her excitement.

She must have never acted spoiled or childish towards anyone, so for her to show her softer side as a young girl instead of a saint was no simple feat.

Especially since her companion wasn’t just anyone, but the hero she would fight the Demon King with — it would be harder for her to let down her guard.

Even after spending more than half a year with her, Evan primarily saw her as a noble and pure saint, only catching glimpses of her cuter side occasionally.

To see another unexpected side of her now brought him pure joy.

Because there’s always joy in discovering a new side of someone you care about.

Regardless, after a long walk, when Aria seemed to be getting tired, they sat down on a nearby bench.

The conversation that flowed easily while walking together earlier now seemed more difficult to maintain.

Somehow, the atmosphere felt strange, making it hard to start a conversation.

‘This can’t continue like this…’

Although Aria seemed unconcerned, Evan felt it odd to just let the moment pass without saying anything.

He knew he should start a conversation, but he struggled to come up with a topic.

After thinking for a long while, his voice finally came out hesitantly.

“That… was fun today?”

…

Evan mentally cursed himself.

Without setting the right mood or achieving anything particularly monumental throughout the day, asking if it was fun while sitting on a bench seemed amateurish.

His mentor would surely scold him for looking pathetic if he saw him now.

‘I really don’t want that kind of criticism from the mentor…’

Despite his own bright future, the mentor had never even spoken to a woman until a certain age, so being scolded by such a person about women would be shameful enough to make Evan want to stab himself with the sacred sword.

Of course, he would stab himself, not someone else.

“… Yes, it was really fun.”

“… Hmm?”

Aria’s answer froze Evan in his position.

Rather than expressing disappointment, her tone was genuinely pleased, which Evan had not expected at all.

After all, the scene they were witnessing would be something Aria had never seen in her lifetime.

Though Evan was similar, Aria’s perception carried a different meaning.

Because this world wasn’t real; it was merely an illusion within the trial.

It wouldn’t be the true world Aria desired to see.

“Yes, it’s different from what I imagined… but even so…”

True to Evan’s expectations, Aria looked up at the sky and continued.

Then, raising her hand as if to catch the floating clouds far in the distance, she extended it.

“Seeing with my own eyes, hearing with my own ears, and being able to speak…”

Aria gazed at the sky with a distant smile, her voice trailing off.

Watching her, Evan’s elated heart settled, realizing his preconceptions had been misaligned.

‘What was I even thinking…’

Aria must have thought a lot after coming to this world.

Even though it was technically a trial and the reality she longed for remained unattainable, the joy of experiencing things she had never thought possible would leave her with complex emotions.

But, if she still felt a sense of loss, it might stem from the recognition that this was merely an imaginary world, not the real one she yearned to witness.

Evan’s expression became tinged with guilt.

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up…’

As that thought crossed his mind, Aria broke the silence.

“There’s no need to look that way, Brother Evan.”

“… Huh?”

“Though this place is indeed within a trial, and not the world I originally lived in, which is definitely a regrettable fact…”

Aria smiled.

“I’m really grateful that you took me around today.”

“Aria…”

“Most of all, I’m glad that now, I can see everyone: Sister Stella, and even Sister Uriel.”

Hearing Aria’s words, Evan was momentarily speechless.

He had assumed she would feel disappointed, perhaps even sad, thinking that even though she could now see with her eyes, this place was just an illusion, far from what she truly wanted to see.

But Aria wasn’t like that.

Aria wasn’t seeing what Evan had assumed she wanted to see.

She was observing something different entirely.

She didn’t want to just see the world with her eyes.

“Primarily… the fact that I can see Brother Evan makes me the happiest!”

Her eyes were not just looking at the surroundings.

No, not just…

“Aria…”

They were looking at me.

The shadowy face of Aria, illuminated by the setting sun, was reflected in Evan’s pupils.

Evan looked down at Aria, who, in return, happily gazed up at him.

Her eyes, closed for much of her life, shone brighter than ever before.