I sat down, trying to mimic Petra's position, but I felt uncomfortable.
"Are you comfortable?" Petra asked.
"Not really..."
"Then sit in a way that's comfortable for you. There's no set way; just sit in a way that feels good."
Hearing this, I sat in a diamond.
"Is that really comfortable for you?"
"Yes, miss."
"Even your posture is strange," Marie commented with a mocking smile.
For someone with her background, she sure talks a lot.
"Marie."
"What?"
"Despite your looks being easy on the eyes, your presence is useless, so please leave. Someday, I want awake and show the world I'm not what some say I am."
Marie raised her eyebrows slightly and spoke.
"Why? Why do you need to 'show' the world? You are who you are, not what people say. If you are who they claim, fine; if not, that's fine too."
"It makes sense, but my situation is different. My life's at stake. If I were to call you a 'bitch' around, even if it wasn't true, it wouldn't kill you. My situation isn't like that."
Marie didn't respond, just stared coldly me. She probably killed me ten times in her mind just now.
"Enough, let's get to the point."
"Yes, let's get to the point, master."
"I told you, I'm not your master. Alright, first of all, close your eyes, breathe in and out, try to forget the outside world, and focus within yourself—on your mark, original point."
"His eyes are open, Mom."
Hearing Marie, Petra opened her eyes.
"Why aren't you following what I said?"
"Since it requires focus, I thought I'd listen first and then try it. It's hard to concentrate while listening."
Petra just huffed and continued explaining.
"It's not hard; almost everyone can do it. Think of each point as a seed. Instead of water and sunlight, it needs attention, patience, and, most importantly, will to grow."
"—"
"The path to open each point is like I said: breathe in and out, concentrate on your original point where source of your TED. Once you feel it, imagine it spreading through your body… Gradually, reach another point, like a root seeking water."
"Your explanation is poetic, beautiful, and captivating, Miss Petra!" I exclaimed, giving her a thumbs-up.
"When you sense one of these points, even if it's barely noticeable, don't rush the process. That's the key; it's not brute force—it's patience. Picture the point opening, like a flower blooming, with patience and your desire to grow."
"—"
"Most of the time, the points open gradually. Be patient; it's not hard. Anyone can do this."
"Alright."
"Now try—"
"Sorry, Miss Petra, but I have to go now. My mom must be worried."
"Momma's boy."
"At least I have a mom who cares, and—"
Before I could finish, I covered my mouth, remembering Marie's past. Damn, I'm such an idiot.
Marie didn't say anything; she just lowered her head, and I saw her eyelashes tremble slightly.
"Alright, y-you can go," Petra said, noticing the heavy atmosphere.
As I passed by Marie, I tried to avoid the subject instead of apologizing right now. Maybe it's just my thinking, but apologizing on the spot can sometimes make things worse.
"Will you get home safe?"
"After what happened at the gate… I'm a bit anxious…"
"Marie."
"Yes?"
"Escort him home."
"Alright."
No complaints? Odd. She then pulled up a hood and grabbed a sword.
"Why the hood?"
"I don't want to be recognized."
"Hm?"
"We'll take a different route."
"You know where I live?"
"Who doesn't?"
True. Who doesn't know where the 'cursed' one lives?
-----
We've been walking for about five minutes now. The path had some hills but was lined with cherry blossom trees. A peculiar scene. It's fascinating to see things from another world here.
"They're coming."
Marie, who had been silent the whole way, spoke. I turned my gaze away from the cherry petals and saw two men approaching.
"Stop. I don't know if you knew or thought you'd pass unnoticed, but—"
"Who are you?"
"Are you idiot? Isn't it obvious? We're robbers."
Does everyone think I'm an idiot now?
"If you're robbers, what about those others coming?"
Both men reflexively looked back—a fatal mistake, as the moment they did, Marie moved swiftly toward them, sword in hand, and decapitated one of them.
!
Her throat erupted like the last breath of a star.
It looked like it was about to rain; the wind was so strong it blew blood from the cut through the air, creating a series of hauntingly beautiful sights.
But it wasn't over. Marie crouched between them, and with a quick movement, spun like a beyblade.
"AHHHHH!"
The one still with a head screamed in terror, but it was useless.
After collapsing with only half his body, Marie, with the world's greatest grace—I mean, the greatest indifference—placed one hand on his head and, with her sword in the other, slashed his throat.
A stunning sight, but what fascinated me even more was when Marie planted her sword in the ground and opened her hand to feel the light drizzle.
Her face, covered in blood, surrounded by the falling cherry petals from the strong wind—it was one of the most beautiful sights I'd ever seen.
Her expression was indifferent, yet I could see her sadness, like flames devouring a forest or lava engulfing everything in its path—a visually stunning sight, but profoundly sad. That was Marie at this moment.
Instinctively, I walked toward her. When I looked at her, she, who had been looking at her hand, turned to me.
"I know, you know, everyone knows you're beautiful, but here, now, in this setting… you're even more beautiful."
I said this with a smile and gently plucked a cherry blossom petal stuck to the blood on her face.