GalaxyTL
After that, we immediately headed for Schel-san’s room. My heart was pounding as we followed Pipi-san. Of course I’d be nervous! It’s true that I was able to clear up some misunderstandings after talking to her, but that image of him is still stuck in my head.
What if he says he doesn’t even want to look at me? I’m sure he’ll say that…! If it was just that, then it would be fine, but what if he kicks me out of the Village? Th-That would be bad.
Pipi-san, seemingly oblivious to my anxiety, chuckled and said it’ll be fine, confidently walking. Aaaaahh! Wait! But maybe it’s better if I’m just forcefully taken. It’s better than agonizing over it.
“Here we are. …Huh? It seems like he’s not here.”
Schel-san’s room, or rather, cabin, was built near the entrance to the forest, a short distance from the Village. Pipi-san opened the door without hesitation, but he wasn’t there. I was somehow relieved.
“He probably sensed that we’re coming and went into the forest. I knew it! I’ll go after him!”
“Eh, ah, wait!”
I hurriedly followed Pipi-san, who’d clenched her fist and headed for the forest. Or rather, he ran away because he sensed we were coming? So I am being avoided!? I was in shock, and then a hand was placed on my head. Gil-san’s hand.
“It’s fine, It’s not like it’s been decided that you can’t meet him.”
H-He’s right. I can’t be negative. And I can’t give up this easily. I won’t give in! I lifted my head with renewed determination and jogged after Pipi-san. Gil-san? He’s walking? It can’t be helped, my legs are short, so I have to run! It’s because I’m a child, they’re not normally this short! And stop looking at me like you want to pick me up! Gil-san!
We jogged for a few minutes. This place, a place I’ve never been to, is full of large trees. And one particularly magnificent tree caught my eye. It took my breath away. The trunk’s so thick, it would take at least ten adults, hand in hand, to surround it. The air is incredibly pure, it’s as pure as the spring, I thought.
The person we were searching for was standing quietly beneath that giant tree. His long silver hair was flowing down his back without a single strand out of place, that perfect posture, as always. He must have realized we were here, and yet, he showed no sign of it. It seemed like he was staring at the tree, his back to us.
“Schel.”
Pipi-san called out to him. He can read minds, so I’m sure he knows everything, even why we’re here. Schel-san slowly turned to face us at her words.
“Ah, um…!”
It’s true that he can read minds, but this is my issue, so I thought I should at least ask. But I was cut off by his hand.
“Come here.”
And that’s all he said. He really doesn’t use a lot of words, does he? I looked at Gil-san and Pipi-san, bewildered. Gil-san was glaring at him, not even bothering to hide his wariness, and Pipi-san was puffing up her cheeks, saying, “Honestly, that’s just like you!” Um, so… what should I do?
“Schel… how about being a bit more considerate?”
“Hmph. You’re the ones who need something. Why would I need to be considerate of the likes of you?”
“Ugh! That’s what’s wrong with you!”
Pipi-san vehemently protested, but his attitude remained unchanged. Well, if he changed that easily, then we wouldn’t have struggled so much back then. Okay, I’ve decided.
“Meg!?”
Gil-san hurriedly called out to me as I took a step forward. I smiled at him and looked back.
“It’s fine, Gil-san, I believe in you. Believe in me, okay?”
“!”
I believe that he’ll help if anything happens, and I’m not the same as I was back then. And besides, I truly believe it’ll be okay. Maybe those feelings were conveyed, because Gil-san pulled back the hand he’d been reaching out with and nodded slightly. Even that overprotective Gil-san! I’m a bit touched.
Well, putting that aside, I immediately turned around and walked straight towards Schel-san. Behind me, Pipi-san was reassuring Gil-san, saying it’ll be fine because she can also use her ability if anything happens. Nice follow-up.
“…It’s been a while, Schel-san.”
I stopped, just barely within reach, and greeted him. I looked him in the eye, and he furrowed his brows. He doesn’t have to be so displeased! No, no, don’t be discouraged, Meg. Just ask him.
“Please, will you investigate my special ability?”
I’m honestly grateful that there’s no need for explanation. Because I can just ask him directly like this.
We stared at each other for a while. I’m so nervous!
“…Close your eyes.”
“Fueh? Ah, okay.”
I couldn’t help but to make a strange noise, but obeyed. I remember when I became able to see spirits, Schlie-san told me to close my eyes and relax, when he cast his magic. It’s probably the same.
“…To think you’re not even a bit doubtful. What a foolish child.”
Did he just call me a simpleton? Ugh, it’s true, so I can’t say anything! But I’m sure I’m not as bad as Juma-nii. Ah, that’s irrelevant right now. Schel-san sighed, probably having read my mind. I’m sorry.
Immediately after that, wind enveloped me. It’s his nature magic. Schlie-san’s wind was gentle, but this… it feels like he’s not used to it. It’s like he doesn’t know how to control it properly. I was soothed by how there was no malicious intent. Ah, stop clicking your tongue, Schel-san! Sorry for thinking about irrelevant things!
The wind suddenly subsided after a while. It seems like he’s finished investigating my special ability. I cautiously opened my eyes, and Schel-san was looking at me, his eyes slightly wide. Eh, Eh, what?
“…Dream Walking.”
“Dream… Walking…?”
As expected, he said just that. “No way,” Pipi-san muttered.
“Ah, um, what kind of ability is Dream Walking?”
I’m a bit scared to ask, but now’s my only chance. Of course, I’ll research it myself later, but it’s always good to get more information. Schel-san sighed again, furrowing his brows, after I’d stared at him. He’s reading me…!
“Exactly as it sounds. You can see all kinds of things through dreams. The past, the future, even the dreams of others, you can travel through them, see them, and interfere. It’s a superior ability, one above precognitive dreams and past dreams.”
“Superior…?”
“It’s a better ability than precognitive dreams, which can only see the future. Do you not even understand that?”
H-He’s so harsh! And he’s even slightly dissing Yenna-san’s precognitive ability. But that’s also an amazing ability, you know? But Dream Walking huh… in that case…
“But, I also see them when I’m not sleeping…”
That’s right, it often happens when I’m just living my life, when I’m not even sleeping. Dreams are something you see when you’re sleeping, right? I asked because I thought that, and he let out an incredibly long sigh. You’re sighing too much!
“You’re walking through dreams, so there’s no need for you to be asleep. Dream Walking is about being able to travel through dreams at any time. But it is easier to see them when you’re sleeping.”
Ah, so that’s what it is. Apparently, even precognitive dreams and past dreams can happen when you’re not asleep. Come to think of it, that’s how it’s been for me too. I guess it makes sense for him to sigh. I’m sorry.
“That’s… an unexpectedly amazing special ability, Meg-chan.”
“Eh? But in the end, it’s not that different from before, is it? It’s just that the number of things I can see has increased…”
Or rather, it’s harder to figure out which is which because there are more now. It would be easier if I knew if it was the future or the past. But the explanation that followed made me realize how naive I was being.
“It’s not the same! You can interfere, not just see! That means… you can even influence the past, the future, and people’s hearts.”
“Eh…”
Um, so, what does that mean?
That I can change the past and the future, just by doing something? That means… it also affects people’s lives, right…? And what about hearts? It’s about dreams, isn’t it? I mean, wouldn’t I be able to make someone mentally ill, or break them…?
Wh-What? That’s terrifying. I realized just how terrifying my ability is, and then I recalled something and felt my blood run cold.
“Ah, u-um, I… in my dream, the other day, I touched someone’s shoulder…”
That’s right. It was Father-sama’s dream. About his past. I unconsciously touched his shoulder. I was just worried and wanted to cheer him up, but what if that small action had influenced him? And what if it influenced him in a bad way, not a good way, that he’s still suffering?
Because I don’t know what will affect what, and how.
“Ah… what should I do…?”
My hands were trembling. No, my whole body was trembling. This ridiculously large amount of magic power that’s still increasing. And on top of that, this special ability.
What? That means… if I really wanted to… I could mess up people, and even the world.
────I’m scared of myself.
“Meg!!”
I heard Gil-san’s panicked shout.