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nEdward knew most things about Anabelle, and it was vice versa.

nTheir extremely straightforward relationship allowed the young martial artist to know of Anabelle’s ability to use mana, ultimately possessing the potential to perform Magic.

nNo, to simply call it an ‘ability’ would not do it justice. Simply put, Anabelle was talented at Magic. With no tutor, she was able to sense mana freely and even use her Mana core which she established at an early age.

nAnabelle was a genius!

nHowever…

n“I won’t use Magic! It wouldn’t be fair!”

n… Anabelle decided not to sully her rivalry with the inept man who became the famous Great Sage, Lewis Griffith. In her words, she wanted to surpass him using pure wits alone.

nEdward, who couldn’t understand the refusal to use all that existed in one’s arsenal to achieve greatness, tried to protest. However, after seeing the determination in Anabelle’s eyes, and her pure resolve to stick to this ideal, he gave up on the thought.

nAnd so, years passed… Anabelle didn’t practice Magic.

nShe registered as a Scholar and, according to what she told Edward, intentionally scored low on the tests so she could be placed in the Lower-Class.

nThe final part annoyed and partly hurt Edward, since he couldn’t understand why she would go so far to prove something. Unlike her, he wasn’t privileged to choose the class he wanted.

nEdward had skills with the blade, an art he sharpened ever since he was little. But, he couldn’t escape his lack of talent in a qualifier that existed in the Academy.

nHis use of Mana!

nPerhaps it was due to the minuscule amount he possessed, or the fact that he preferred training with the blade and didn’t pay much heed to magic—his Mana Core Grade refused to improve beyond where its current level.

nHis Core Grade was Yellow, but only barely. As a result, it was only to be expected that he would be placed in the lowest class despite the abilities he showed in other departments.

nSo, that was why he was quite upset when Anabelle revealed the intentional part she played in ensuring her placement. Still, though, he endured.

nEdward loved Ana and would always support her. If this was the path she chose to follow… who was he to stop her?

nHe too… had something he wanted to do!

nThat was what he thought of the matter—all he made himself think of it.

nUntil she asked him a question he wasn’t expecting.

n“Do you think I should… have registered as a Magic-User?”

nAt first, Edward’s mind shut down.

nOf all the questions simulated in his brain, none came close to what was playing in his ears.

nDazed and awestruck, Edward took a closer look at Ana, not even hiding the intensity of his observation.

n‘She’s serious… she’s seriously asking me this?!’

nPushing down the saliva that had formed in his mouth, Edward swallowed hard and tried regaining his composure.

n“W-well, I think the decision was up to you, after all, you—”

n“No! I don’t mean that!” Anabelle gave a sharp, desperate cry.

nEdward wasn’t getting it, the true intentions behind her question.

nOf course, he couldn’t understand. The boy hadn’t been there when Jared had spoken to Anabelle. He couldn’t feel the intensity of her burning inquisition.

nRight now, Anabelle was conflicted. Had she been wrong all along? Was it truly the best choice to try beating Lewis Griffith in his own game rather than following her oath and surpassing him in her own way.

nJared Leonard had inspired these questions within her, and now she felt restless. She desperately sought some sort of calm—maybe reassurance.

nIf her best friend, Edward would only speak… perhaps she could finally have some clarity.

n‘I wasn’t wrong, right? I just wanted to be better than—’

n“If I’m to be honest, Ana…”

nEdward’s solemn voice broke through her inner turmoil and bustling emotions. She looked at his face. It was hard, resolute… a bit scared, though.

nEdward looked weird, but the face he made was synonymous only with one thing. He wanted to be honest with her.

n“… I believe a person should use everything they have to get what they want. That’s the only way one can live without giving excuses for failure!”

nNo ‘what ifs’ or ‘If I hads’ or ‘Had I knowns’… one who gave their all to something felt very little regret! It was that simple.

n“Wouldn’t it be better to use your full strength than half your strength? Especially when against a powerful opponent?” Edward asked sincerely.

nAnabelle didn’t say anything, but she knew the answer to that question.

nIt was ‘common sense’ to try one’s hardest in a battle when victory wasn’t certain.

n“You’re up against Lewis Griffith, the best of the best. Don’t you think you need to give all you have at it?”

nThese words resonated deeply in Anabelle’s soul as they aligned with the seeds sown by Jared not too long ago. Her heart beat fast as she received the picture being painted by both boys.

nHer stubborn heart loosened, and she began embracing the possibilities.

n“You’re a Magic Genius, Ana. I’ve known that since we were kids. I think it’s time you owned it.”

nJust like that… the turbulent sea that was Anabelle’s inner consciousness experienced a great calm. The cloudy skies cleared up and brilliant rays of illumination burst forth.

nIt was warm all over her, no, within her. Anabelle didn’t even realize when she had started smiling.

nFirst came a smile, then came tears, then came a voice.

n“Thanks, Ed… I really needed to hear that.

nEdward—who had been a little surprised by his friend’s tears, but quickly realized it wasn’t one of sorrow—smiled at the young, child-like girl, and gave his usual confident smile.

n“You’re welcome!”

nThere was silence for a moment as both friends looked at each other, staring deeply into their eyes. But, Anabelle broke the decorum not long after.

n“Oh, you were wrong about one thing, though.”

nEdward gave a slight raise of his eyebrow, not really understanding what she meant by that.

n“What’s that?”

n“We’re still kids!” Anabelle laughed.

nEdward remembered his earlier statement where he mentioned their ‘kid’ status as though it had passed. It was just like Anabelle to nitpick on such little detail.

n“Pfft, yeah you’re right… I guess we are.”

nAnd so, with their moods raised, the pair resumed walking… this time, with a different air about them. They smiled, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company.

nUnknown to them, and nearly everyone in the whole Academy… these times wouldn’t last very long.

nFor Darkness would consume everything soon enough. After all, it had already arrived!

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