Chapter 177
The feeling of meeting someone you like is just a continuous thrill.
Rev Denec, who has disappeared and reappeared several times…
Still, Aria and Yeriel can’t bring themselves to hate him.
That’s what it means to be in love.
…
Drip.
When the door to the hospital room with “Rev Denec” written on it opened,
He was there, lying on the bed.
With a slightly awkward smile on his face.
“Hehehe. Lily is number one~.”
Ignoring Lily, who was clinging to Rev,
“Rev…!”
“Rev, sir…”
The two girls walked towards Rev, one on each side.
“Really… how many times is this now…!”
“Aria is right…! Rev needs to be punished!”
Yeriel, cheeks puffed up, began to scold Rev.
“It’s the dormitory supervisor’s authority…! Starting today, Rev Denec, you are under curfew. Please stay in Raphae Cheong-gwan for a while…!”
“Wise words. I agree.”
Even though it might be a bit harsh… Rev could only smile awkwardly.
Rev…?
Normally, he’d be joking around, but…
Seeing Rev, who was just smiling without saying much, made Yeriel feel a hint of discomfort.
He finally spoke up.
“I’m glad… you two are safe.”
“Um… yes. Rev, you’re okay too, right?”
“Of course.”
His kindness was just like before.
He didn’t seem to have any major physical injuries.
He definitely said “you two,” right?
Just as Yeriel was thinking this, Aria asked with a serious expression.
“Rev, do you remember the first gift you gave me?”
“Huh?”
“It was either candy or a ribbon. Which one was it?”
A truly random question from Aria.
“Aria, what’s wrong?”
Yeriel also watched the conversation with a puzzled expression.
“Please answer.”
Seeing Aria’s serious face, Rev turned his gaze away and answered.
“Maybe it was a ribbon.”
…
Reading the slightly darkening expression on Aria’s face, Rev put his hand behind his head.
“Sorry! I just woke up, so my head’s a bit hazy…”
…
The correct answer was chocolate.
It was what Rev had given Aria after his mock duel with Gaelon Sharptie.
Her first gift from someone other than her family…
So, she couldn’t possibly forget it.
Aria murmured in a tone that lost its spirit.
“You’ve… forgotten about us…”
*
Whoosh…
A cool breeze flows in from the window.
“Ah, that’s…”
Caught in Aria’s insight, I could only look at the floor, speechless.
Is this going to be the ending of a K-drama…?
Memory loss of the lead character…
Who would have thought it’d be me?
What I had lost through a demon’s contract…
Was the most precious memory I held, which was about Aria and Yeriel.
At that moment, Lily, who had been clinging to my leg, looked up at me.
“What? Did Rev lose his memory?? I don’t remember either!”
“I remember…”
“What does Lily like?!”
“Summoned beasts, golems…”
“Wrong! What Lily likes is Rev! I really think he lost his memory!”
When Lily turned her gaze towards Yeriel and Aria, the two stood frozen, looking shocked.
What’s going on…
Edwin, Lily, Selena… even Violet… Saint Psyche…
I could remember the fight with the Great Demon crystal clear.
The reincarnated hero’s fundamental heroine, healer Aria.
And the heroine Yeriel Artina, who bears the curse of the Tarchangel.
Only their memories were meticulously erased, like a few missing puzzle pieces.
“Rev…”
…
Seeing how much the two liked me, it was clear that I had properly raised the flags.
Even knowing I’d get caught eventually, seeing the two heroines approach me with such enthusiasm made me feel ashamed for trying to hide it.
As the atmosphere settled, Yeriel began to comfort me.
“It’s okay, Rev…! Your memories will come back soon. You don’t need to be anxious…”
“Thanks.”
“Yes. As long as Rev is alive… we can wait as long as you need…”
“Yes! Even if Rev can’t remember, we’ll always remember everything about you…!”
So, I was left to receive the awkward comfort of the two.
*
Nearby the Administrative Hall, the cafeteria.
“Did you say Rev seems to have lost his memory…?”
Edwin, who had been stuck in the Administrative Hall for reports on the Demon King’s castle incident, finally had time to meet with Yeriel and Aria.
He was recognized as an honorable hero for his contribution in defeating the Great Demon Baal.
Though there were still mountains of Great Demons to deal with, at least he had taken another step closer to his dream.
“Yes, for now, I’ve only told Selena and a few others.”
“Whoa…”
Edwin’s head began to spin.
Accepting that Rev had become the Demon King was one headache,
Hiding it with Sinatis added another layer of complexity, and dealing with the power loss of Psyche made everything more difficult.
“Rev… why…”
He was someone Edwin recognized as a comrade.
Of course, he had been somewhat eccentric and reckless when they first met…
But ever since, for whatever reason, he had treated Edwin, a commoner, with no discrimination and had helped him grow.
Moreover, there were countless dungeons they had cleared together while training at the village’s request.
Well, at least… I’m relieved…
On the other hand, Edwin was glad that Rev hadn’t forgotten about him.
“What’s Rev doing now?”
“I think he’s wandering around the Academy, trying to regain his memory…”
“Is that alright…? Isn’t it dangerous?”
“That is true, but…”
Aria’s surveillance magic no longer worked on Rev.
According to the hierarchy of demons, he had become her master now.
He couldn’t be treated as a target of her magic.
Of course, having surveillance magic doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways…
Yeriel answered in response.
“We’ve become strangers to Rev… so forcing him to be around us would only make him anxious. We have no choice but to wait.”
–…
While the group fell silent,
Clack.
“Hmm~. Should I help?”
?!
A woman with long black hair approached them.
“I know. About how to help my junior find his memories.”
!!
It was Liris Larochelle, the student who had just gotten out of suspension.
*
Once again, at the designated shooting range for the Marksmen division at Claris Academy.
Click.
The platinum-haired elf, Selena Windforce, was tidying up her belongings in the empty Saro, now that all the students had left.
“Whistle.”
“Right.”
“Anyway, it was a good competition.”
“Likewise.”
Her duel with Violet had gone on for quite a long time.
The result was a perfect draw…
They ended up splitting the meals equally as a conclusion to their match.
“…? ”
While organizing the items she had brought, a small note caught Selena’s eye.
Rustle.
—————————————————
Dear Selena,
Cutting straight to the point.
Rev has woken up.
However, for some reason, it seems he has lost part of his memories.
Even if it’s a bit shocking, I hope this doesn’t cause any misunderstandings, which is why I’m contacting you.
-Aria Bluebell.
—————————————————
Though the writing was neat and formal, the content was somewhat shocking.
Rev Denec… lost his memories…?
She had suspected something had happened at the Demon King’s castle, but to think he lost his memories…
It was bewildering.
No way… did he forget even me…
Just as Selena was feeling sad,
With a stealthy presence,
A familiar ash-haired man stood beside her.
“Hello, Selena.”
…
Pfft!
An arrow flew towards the target.
Thud!
And lodged itself solidly in.
The two inadvertently found themselves engaged in practice rather than just exercises.
When Selena glanced at Rev’s target,
It was spot on as expected.
Even without any room to catch my breath…
Even more cleanly than her own shots.
Soon after, he sighed with relief.
“At least I haven’t forgotten this…”
“Thank goodness. I would’ve given you quite a scolding if you’d forgotten how to shoot.”
“Well, it’s not something you can easily forget… It was hard to learn from you.”
“Do you remember that day…?”
“Huh? Of course.”
…
Memories of the days when he suddenly switched to being a Marksman and learned archery from her flooded back.
It feels… close, but…
Just focus on shooting when you’re shooting.
The memories of practicing together late into the night, sharing breaths, came rushing back like a tide.
It was a relief.
Without needing to ask more, Rev Denec remembered Selena Windforce.
That single truth eased Selena’s heart.
“Still, I suppose this won’t bring back his memories…”
Selena casually asked, trying to hide her emotions.
“Are you okay physically?”
“Yeah. Physically I’m fine, but the problem is mentally, right? My memories have vanished.”
…
“My memories of… Yeriel and Aria.”
“……!”
Selena hated cowardice and underhandedness.
Playing unfair wasn’t her style.
But, funny enough…
Having spent so much time with humans…
I’m being cowardly.
Deep down, she knew she shouldn’t feel this way, but strangely, she was somewhat pleased with the current situation.
That the human male she had fallen for remembered only her, not Aria or Yeriel.
Ha. What does that even mean…
Cowardice couldn’t earn true feelings.
From the beginning, Selena had no intention of giving up on her feelings for Rev.
So, even if the outcome wasn’t good, she wanted a fair competition.
Clack!
Letting out a gentle sigh, Selena began to tidy up her belongings again.
“What? Are you leaving already?”
“I’m heading for an expedition next week. I think I need a break too.”
With Selena’s chilly tone, Rev scratched his bandaged forehead and muttered.
“Such a pity…”
“…What?”
“Well, you were the first one to help me… and I’m sure of my memory about you… I thought being with you might help some of my memories return.”
-… Clack.
Upon hearing his unexpectedly hesitant words, Selena bit her lower lip.
“Still, thank you. I should have said thank you sooner. It feels like I’m just now saying it. If you hadn’t taught me Wind Archery… I wouldn’t have made it past the Demon King, let alone before that. Thank you, Selena.”
“Haah.”
“Sorry, am I sounding a bit anxious…? Huh?”
At that moment.
Selena’s lips met his.
Slurp.
Followed by a deep, lingering kiss…
Enchanting and crimson.
So red…
Swish.
Selena smoothly placed his hand on her chest.
And, pulling back just enough, whispered.
“Now, remember. Your memories.”
!!
From the trembling of his hand, various emotions crossed.
At the very least, she was proud.
Of her beauty, which was praised even among elves.
Still teasing him with a sultry voice, she provoked.
“This is a problem… What if innocent Lady Aria happens to see us? Is that okay?”
“…Huh?”
Rev’s eyes widened at those words.
Looks like he doesn’t remember that either.
Aria and Yeriel seemed a bit regrettable.
If things had gone according to plan, she wouldn’t want to commit such a foul…
But this time, Rev Denec had started this first.
She couldn’t help but say this one line.
“Elves live longer than humans.”
“Huh? Oh… that’s true?”
“Which means I can wait, Rev Denec.”
“Selena…?”
“For me… it’s okay to take your time.”
With those words finished, their lips joined once again.