I Possessed the Villain’s Childhood Friend – Chapter 95

“Just what do you think you know…?”

I found myself completely overwhelmed by Charlotte.

As something built up inside me burst forth, I realized I had thrown a punch at Charlotte.

“For crying out loud.”

With that derisive laugh, she slammed my head onto the table.

“Can you really call yourself a Knight aspirant when you get this worked up so easily?”

I could have shaken it off if I concentrated.

Even though she had my neck pinned down, she wasn’t using any magic.

But I wondered, would shaking it off actually change anything?

That question lingered in my mind.

“Why are you getting so excited anyway? Did I say something wrong? In the end, all you’re trying to do is run away.”

Charlotte sighed, utterly unimpressed.

“It would be easier if you were blinded by revenge. If we fought together, you’d make a fine combat power if used right.”

“….”

“But right now, you’re just turning your back on everything, using the excuse that you feel a sense of responsibility in some strange place, right? Your master didn’t sacrifice himself hoping to see you act like this, did he? So what’s the conclusion? You’re a coward, and everyone who’s seen you has been wrong. Can you refute that?”

“You don’t know anything.”

As Charlotte said, I couldn’t muster any counterargument.

I could only repeat what I had said.

“Ah, right. I don’t know. It’s only been less than a week since I last saw you, so what would I know? But I will say this: I don’t blame you.”

“…What?”

“Your master is dead. He sacrificed himself for you, for the students of Arcana. The guilt you’re feeling must have some reason behind it. But I don’t blame you. Even if your plan went wrong and that’s why your master died, my feelings wouldn’t change. He lived for his students for half his life and died for them too. I don’t want to insult that will.”

How could she say such a thing?

She should rather blame me.

Curse me for having a flawed plan that got Ender Dean killed.

Why is she forgiving me?

“And you’re mistaken about something: The one who sacrificed for you was not you, but your master himself. It’s only natural for us to protect you who haven’t even come of age yet. I don’t know what plan you have in mind, but remember this.”

The grip Charlotte had on my neck loosened slightly.

And then she gently patted my head.

As if to comfort me.

“…I, too. I wanted to do better.”

“…Yeah.”

Whatever I felt from that touch, I found myself starting to spill my true feelings.

“I don’t just know about Avatarara. I’m not a prophet, but I know the future of this world. I know everything from why the war with those guys starts to how it ends.”

“Yeah.”

“And in that future, Reina doesn’t exist.”

Reina appeared as an antagonist in the original story.

“I hated that. Why does she have to die? She’s cold, inflexible, strict, but she works harder than anyone and is actually kinder than anyone! Why does she have to become the villain and die?!

…So I thought, let’s change the future. I thought I could change it by trying my best, even if it seemed out of place. I swore to make sure Reina survives and finds her happiness.

But before I knew it, I started to gather precious people around me. I had formed valuable bonds with so many who had once been nothing.

Once I realized that, I decided to try harder and harder, to give it my all and create the perfect ending. I thought I could do it since I knew the future.

But look at how it turned out. People who shouldn’t have died in the future I knew are dead now. It’s turned out like this because a guy like me tried to change the future.

Why did it have to be me? There are so many greater people out there, so why was it me!?

…I should have realized from the start that nothing would get better, no matter how hard I tried. I should have noticed that it was too late by the time I finally did.

The dead can’t come back.”

I slowly raised my head to look at Charlotte.

She was still looking down at me with an expressionless face.

“So, I’ll give up. Starting now, I won’t do anything and will just wait until everything is over. That’s the best choice I can make.”

“…Yeah.”

After listening to all I had to say, Charlotte slowly stood up.

“There were some parts I couldn’t understand, but if that’s your true feelings, then I get it.”

“Thank you.”

“But let me say one last thing. If everything you said is true, then your actions right now are merely turning your back on your responsibilities.”

“I know.”

“If, by any chance, you change your mind, come to the Dean’s office. I plan to stay at Arcana at least until this week. Next week, I’ll likely be busy with the aftermath.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“…Lastly, I’m sorry for being so harsh. If your words are true, then you must be in a tougher situation than I am right now.”

With those final words, Charlotte exited the room.

I had laid everything bare, yet I felt no relief.

In fact, I felt even more trapped.

I couldn’t understand why.