The morning training left my body aching in the familiar, comforting way.
Muscles sore. Breath steady. Mana circulation smooth, almost obedient. I pushed myself harder than usual—longer sword drills, tighter mana compression—until sweat soaked through my clothes and my arms trembled when I finally stopped.
Pain helped keep my head clear.
After returning to the dormitory, I washed up properly this time. Cold water ran down my face, washing away sweat, exhaustion, and thoughts I didn't want to entertain yet. I dried my hair roughly with a towel, then stood in front of the mirror longer than necessary.
"…Still handsome," I muttered.
The reflection stared back with calm eyes that didn't fully belong to me. Same face. Same sharp features. Same silver-gray pupils.
Different weight behind them.
Just as I was about to turn away, my mana communicator buzzed.
Once.
Then again.
I frowned, walked over, and picked it up.
Viola:
'Hey Rias, let's go shopping. I'm waiting at the academy gate. Hurry up and come.'
I blinked.
Then checked the time.
"…She's already there?" I muttered.
A strange feeling crept up my chest. Not surprise exactly—more like something tugging at an old thread that hadn't been touched in a while.
"She finally remembered I exist?" I said quietly. "Or… remembered that I'm her fiancé?"
The word felt heavy.
Awkward.
Like wearing someone else's ring.
I exhaled and shook my head.
"Forget it. She's already waiting."
I hurriedly dressed in casual civilian clothes—nothing noble, nothing flashy. Just a clean shirt, dark trousers, light boots. My hair was still damp, messy from the towel, but I didn't bother fixing it properly.
I grabbed my communicator and left.
The academy gate was busy as always—students going in and out, carriages stopping briefly, mana-powered transports humming softly nearby.
And there she was.
Viola sat on a stone bench just outside the gate, legs crossed neatly, posture relaxed. Chestnut hair fell over her shoulders, catching sunlight in soft strands. She looked… comfortable. Like she belonged wherever she sat.
Her attention was fixed on her mana communicator. Whatever she was looking at made her expression soften in a way I hadn't seen directed at me in a long time.
I walked closer, slowing unconsciously.
She looked beautiful.
And that fact didn't make me happy.
"Hey," I said when I was a few steps away.
She looked up, eyes brightening slightly.
"You're late, Rias."
I raised an eyebrow. "Am I? You messaged me two minutes ago."
She puffed her cheeks and looked away. "Just accept it."
I snorted softly. "That's not how time works."
Instead of replying, she stood and stepped closer. Before I could react, her hand reached up and gently brushed through my messy hair.
"…Oi."
She leaned in, concentrating, fingers light and careful. Too close. I could hear her breathing. Feel the warmth of her body. Smell faint floral perfume mixed with mana crystals—subtle, elegant.
My heart didn't race.
But something inside me stirred.
A quiet, aching sensation that didn't belong to me.
She's close.
She's always been like this.
Why does it feel… different now?
After a moment, she pulled back and nodded, satisfied.
"There," she said. "Now you look a little more human."
I stared at her. "Human? What did you think I was before? A monkey?"
She laughed softly, covering her mouth. "You're insufferable."
"Yet here you are," I replied.
She rolled her eyes, then turned. "Come on. Let's go."
I fell into step beside her as we walked down the main road leading away from the academy.
"…So," I said, "where exactly are we going?"
She walked a few steps before answering, tone casual.
"Tomorrow's Aurelius's birthday."
My stride faltered for half a second.
"…I see."
"I want to give him a good gift," she continued. "But I don't know what to buy."
She glanced at me. "That's why I brought you. Help me choose."
My smile froze.
Just for an instant.
Something stirred inside my chest—sharp, sudden, and unfamiliar. Not jealousy. Not anger.
Pain.
Raw and old.
Her smile wasn't for me.
It never was.
The original Rias's consciousness stirred faintly, like ripples under still water.
So… she's happy.
That's good.
Right?
I swallowed and forced my face to relax.
"Sure," I said. "I'll help."
She smiled brightly, completely unaware of the storm that had briefly passed through me.
We walked in silence for a while.
The city outside the academy was lively—shops open, mana lamps glowing faintly even in daylight, voices overlapping in warm chaos. Yet everything felt distant, like I was watching through a glass pane.
We entered a jewelry shop filled with softly glowing display cases.
Viola's eyes lit up as she looked around.
"Ooh… look at this one," she said, pointing at a sleek mana-watch encased in silver filigree.
I leaned closer, examining it properly.
"Good craftsmanship," I said. "Simple, but expensive in the right way. It suits him."
She looked relieved. "You think so?"
"Yeah," I nodded. "Aurelius prefers things that don't scream status."
She smiled again and nodded enthusiastically.
We bought it.
The entire time, I felt… empty.
Not angry. Not bitter.
Just hollow.
As if I was fulfilling a role that had already ended.
After that, we went to a café.
She talked.
A lot.
About Aurelius.
About his habits, his training, how hard he worked, how lonely it must be being a prince, how kind he actually was once you got to know him.
I listened.
I nodded.
I smiled when expected.
Inside, the original Rias's emotions surfaced more clearly.
She used to talk like this to me… once.
About books. About classes.
About things that didn't have another man's name attached.
My grip tightened slightly around the cup.
She didn't notice.
When we finally left and walked back toward the academy, the sun had begun to dip. The shadows grew longer, softer.
At the gate, I stopped.
"Viola," I said.
She turned. "Hmm?"
"Let's go to the garden."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
We walked.
The garden welcomed us with familiar quiet. Birds had settled. Water rippled softly in the pond ahead.
We stopped near the edge.
I turned to face her.
She noticed the shift in my posture.
"…What is it?" she asked.
I inhaled slowly.
"Viola," I said, voice steady, "let's end our engagement."
Silence.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…What?"
"I'm serious," I said. "Let's end it."
She stared at me as if I'd spoken a foreign language.
"…Is this a joke?"
"No."
Her brows furrowed. "Did someone say something to you?"
"No."
"Did Aurelius—"
"This has nothing to do with him," I interrupted gently.
She went quiet.
The air felt heavier.
"…Then why?" she asked.
I looked at her.
Really looked.
"You don't look at me the way you're supposed to look at someone you love," I said softly.
She opened her mouth, then closed it.
"I don't resent you," I continued. "And I don't blame you. Feelings aren't crimes."
She clenched her fists. "Rias—"
"You're happy when you talk about him," I said. "And when you talk to me, you're… comfortable."
I smiled faintly. "Comfort isn't love."
Her eyes trembled.
"…I didn't want to hurt you."
"I know."
The original Rias's emotions surged briefly—regret, longing, quiet acceptance.
She chose.
And that's okay.
"I don't want to be the thing that ties you down," I said. "Or the name you feel guilty about."
She looked away.
"…You're cruel," she whispered.
I nodded. "I know."
Silence stretched.
Finally, she asked, "Was there ever a time you loved me?"
I paused.
"…Yes," I said honestly. "He did."
She looked back sharply. "…He?"
I smiled gently. "Don't worry about it."
I stepped back.
"This is goodbye, Viola."
She reached out instinctively.
But I was already turning away.
I walked out of the garden without looking back.
The original Rias's emotions settled slowly, like dust after a storm.
Thank you, a faint voice seemed to whisper.
I didn't reply.
I just kept walking.