I was stunned, but soon my spine felt cold. Some scenes flashed through my mind like a slide show.
The moment before I regressed— in other words, the 'moment before death'.
"…Mana drug?"
At that time, I devoured Mana's drug. To be precise, it was a 200g crystal that purely separated and compressed only the 'essence' of the drug the 'Womb'.
Right after eating it, my neck pounded as severed by a Knight's sword and when I opened my eyes, it was 2012.
Then, what was that phenomenon just now?
What is the reason for this effect that feels like the Perion I swallowed before regressing is being 'sent' to my body?
"Memory…."
The '■Memory' folder in the 「Journal」.
If I infer from the memory folder that I don't remember creating.
"The Journal… remembers."
Could it be that my 「Journal」 remembers the mana drug that I swallowed whole before I died?
Like saving a file in the 「Journal」, could Mana drug have been saved too?
[10 / 100]
■ Diary
■ Memory
└untitled
It looks a bit more interesting now.
"The Journal remembers."
Let's add one more sentence after that.
"If it remembers, it can be recalled at any time…."
After pondering while stroking my chin, I changed the name of the file [．Untitled].
[10 / 100]
■ Diary
■ Memory
└Mana drug
It was an intriguing discovery that could potentially change my fate.
As I stared at the entry titled "Mana drug" in my Journal, a spark of determination ignited within me. The memories of my past suffering, the pain, the injustice, and the betrayal, all surged through my mind.
"I'll make them pay," I muttered under my breath, my voice filled with newfound determination. "For all the suffering I had to endure, for the years stolen from me, for the lies and deceit... I'll make them pay, one way or another."
The Journal had become my weapon, my ally in this mission for revenge. It held the key to my past, the memories of Perion, and the knowledge that could bring the mighty Aulria family to their knees. And I was ready to unlock its secrets and use them to exact my vengeance
"…Kevin. What are you doing over there?"
A voice suddenly emerged as I was deeply engrossed in the 「Journal」.
I turned to look at him.
"You seem troubled."
It was Roan, the fencing instructor from the orphanage and caretaker. There was only one knight in this orphanage, so he came to mind instantly. I used to follow him quite a bit.
I responded briefly.
"I'm thinking."
"About what?"
Thanks to Libra, the 「Journl」 seemed to have developed a bit, and I was wondering how I could use it to topple Aulria.
I altered the words swirling in my mouth and spat them out.
"Thinking about how I can become a great knight, things like that."
"...That's commendable. But it's simple."
He paused for moments and continued.
"You just have to win in this match. The orphanage holds a significant tradition in Austria. The direct descendants of the main family will be watching."
Direct descendants.
Upon hearing that, I turned to look at Dent. Dent coughed awkwardly.
"Hmm. The youngest one will come. Don't get your hopes up too high."
The youngest one.
Neither the eldest son, nor the second son, nor the eldest daughter, but the youngest, 'Sia', meaning the youngest.
Sia Aulria...
The youngest will become the most significant person in the future.
I'm aware of the history of Sia, who started with a mere 2 million dollar, inheritance and usurped the great family known as 'Aulria'.
"Really? That's fascinating. The youngest one is coming."
She is a mystery to me.
As much as I despise her, I also admire her.
Born as an illegitimate daughter in this desolate great family, she grew up without any foothold, killed her siblings and countless elders and relatives, pushed them away, exiled them, and eventually monopolized them.
"That's right. So work hard. Not just standing still like now..."
After all, it seems like Roan came to push me.
Of course, they don't know that I have a Brain tumour again and it's in the last stages.
Even I was in the denial stage at this time. I mean, the five stages of any terminal illness: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
"Kevin. You grew up here, so you know. The orphanage is a heritage that must not disappear, and it is the humanity that Aulria holds. So-"
"Yes. I will try."
I'm now accustomed to uttering words I don't mean.
"That's right. Kevin, you are a loyal knight of Aulria."
This damn—
I barely suppressed the words that were about to burst out like a cough.
With my lips tightly bitten, I just bowed my head deeply, and Roan patted my shoulder and left.
* * *
As Roan left, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions stir within me. Loyalty to Aurila, the orphanage that had raised me, and resentment towards the family that had betrayed me.
It was a complicated web of emotions that I couldn't easily untangle.
But in the midst of all this, I couldn't ignore the presence of the 「Journal」. It was a Blessing that had given me power, a power that I could potentially use to bring down Aulria.
And as much as I despised them, I couldn't deny that there was a part of me that wanted to prove myself, to show them that I was more than just a loyal knight.
I took a deep breath and refocused my thoughts. I needed a plan, a strategy to defeat Aulria in the upcoming match.
I knew that Sia, the youngest descendant, would be watching, and I wanted to leave a lasting impression on her.
But as I delved deeper into my thoughts, I couldn't help but feel a nagging doubt.
Was this truly the right path? Was revenge the answer? I couldn't deny that Roan words about the orphanage being a heritage that must not disappear struck a chord within me.
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to find clarity amidst the chaos. And that's when I heard a voice, a voice that seemed to speak from deep within me.
"Kevin, remember why you're doing this. Remember the pain, the betrayal. Use that as your motivation, but don't let it consume you. Seek justice, not just revenge."
Use Revenge for justice instead.
It was a reminder, a reminder that revenge wasn't the sole answer. I needed to find a balance, to use my power to bring about change, not just for personal vendettas, but for a greater cause.
And as I opened my eyes, determination filled my heart. I would use the power of the 「Journal」 not just to defeat Aulria, but to protect the orphanage, the heritage that Roan spoke so passionately about.
The upcoming match would be my chance to prove myself, to show the world that I was not just a pawn in Aulri the game. With a renewed sense of purpose, I stood up from my seat and began to prepare.
I may be surrounded by darkness, but I would be the light that shines through.