A dream, still a dream.
What kind of hellish scene is this again?
Shiki Ryougi couldn't help but wonder.
What surprised her, however, was that the scene presented this time was not hellish like before, and she was no longer the protagonist of the dream.
In the next moment, her mind suddenly became much clearer, and the memories suppressed before flooded back to her.
"Roy..."
The figure of that man overlapped with the ghostly face in the dream.
Before she could think much more, the enormous water mirror before she began to play out the life of Shiki Ryougi, which, according to Roy's words, should be... Kara no Kyoukai.
Familiar faces, familiar figures.
The girl named Shiki Ryougi lived a life identical to her own.
Whether it was her grandfather's last words or another Shiki Ryougi, this version of Shiki Ryougi had everything the same as hers.
She had a calm and indifferent temperament, began practicing swordsmanship at a young age, then went to school, and life continued as usual. If it weren't for the subtle differences between them, Shiki would even feel that this was her own life flashing before her eyes just before she died.
However, a change finally occurred at some point in that unchanging life.
This was also the divergence point of her fate.
Although their past lives were the same, this Shiki Ryougi did not encounter the strange guy named Roy that day after school.
She continued to live a two-point-one-line life just like before.
Until not long after...
In a downpour, another Shiki Ryougi found herself before the decapitated corpse of herself, drowning in deep self-doubt.
Everything was just as presented in that earlier dream; this Shiki also believed that SHIKI had seemingly committed murder...
So she began to evade and flee until she met the magus named Touko Aozaki, as well as a boy named Mikiya Kokutou.
Things were developing smoothly, but the figure of Roy did not exist in this world.
Because Shiki always felt that if that guy were around, he would effortlessly resolve these matters.
In truth, when these events unfolded before her, Shiki did not feel particularly moved; she was merely an observer watching another version of her life.
You might empathize with certain scenes and moments in a movie, but you absolutely cannot feel it personally, because you are just a bystander; these are ultimately not your experiences.
Until...
SHIKI's death!!
When she saw the scene of SHIKI dying for her sake, it felt as if countless blades had pierced her heart, a sharp, intense pain lingering in her mind.
She tried to call out to her SHIKI, desperately wanting to confirm that her SHIKI was not dead, but SHIKI did not respond.
Like the SHIKI in the water mirror, she left quietly and silently without Shiki's knowledge.
But it was not that SHIKI did not want to respond to her, or rather, she was unable to respond.
Because a beautiful figure, with the same appearance as hers and stepping lightly through the spring snow, was already standing before her.
As for what happened afterward, whether it was the eyes she gained or the events of finding the murderer, nothing compared to the moment she lost SHIKI that moved her.
She no longer needed to watch; she wanted to know more.
"Is that person me?"
Although she was unclear about the true identity of Void Shiki, she still began to ask the other self that appeared before her, hoping to get the answer she desired from her lips.
"It is you, but that is the you who has not met Roy. You will experience loss and gain in the life to come, obtaining your own strength through death."
Her own strength... that was the pair of eyes that could see through the lines of death.
She of course knew what this self referred to as strength, but if that strength came at the cost of SHIKI's death...
It was not worth anything to her.
She would rather never have that power.
Shiki quickly questioned, "Was that previous dream also you doing?"
"Not me, it was Roy."
In response to Shiki Ryougi's question, Void Shiki answered easily, "He wanted to help you awaken those eyes in his own way, so he wove that kind of dream for you."
Roy? It should refer to Roy.
So it was that guy!
In other words, that reckless trial and battle were also to force her to awaken those eyes.
Shiki quickly pieced together the sequence of events.
But...
"Why? Why would he go to such lengths?"
"Why, you ask? I actually don't know either. Maybe it's because he has a bond with me, so he wants to repay this bond to you, or perhaps he's simply kind-hearted and doesn't want to see you lose."
"After all, he is gentle like that, even a bit self-righteous, always wanting to bear everything alone and not let others know."
It was as if she understood Roy very well, completely unconcerned whether Shiki was listening to her words, continuing to speak to herself.
"Although he had prepared a lot in advance, he still didn't feel it was secure enough, worrying that you would lose SHIKI again in the future. That's why he used such extreme methods to help you obtain the strength that you would only gain in the future, even at the cost of being hated or resented by you."
"He always imposes his arranged redemption on others, just like that tragic saint during the Holy Grail War. But everything he does is based on the best choices for the future. So... please don't hold a grudge against him, okay? Shiki."
Void Shiki slowly approached, gently resting her forehead against Shiki Ryougi's, gazing into her now ice-blue eyes.
"Shiki, according to the plan, I should seal this memory of yours. According to cause and effect, I shouldn't meet you at this moment, let alone say so much to you. But since I met Roy, it seems I've also made some significant changes. So... I've decided to assist his plan and to help you once. Next, I will help you gain that power of the future in advance. I hope you can use these eyes you have obtained to see all the truths and essences. I hope you can walk toward a better future and also hope you can try to keep up with his pace, becoming his support when he is in trouble in some future."
Void Shiki paused slightly as if leaving ten seconds for Shiki Ryougi to react. Only after she nodded did Void Shiki smile and continue speaking.
"It seems you have also made your own choice, Shiki. So please do not let me down. I will watch over your progress from places you cannot see, just like SHIKI, until you reach the true end."
"You must remember, you are Shiki, and I am also Shiki. Be sure to remember that whether it is me or you, or SHIKI and you, we are all the same person from beginning to end."
In the final words, the pale yellow figure in a kimono slowly began to dissipate...
"I will."
Shiki nodded solemnly.
As she looked at the pristine path left by another version of herself, she was preparing to step forward when her attention was drawn to the scene reflected in the water mirror.
That was...
The young figure projected in the water mirror was Roy, but who was the one in green clothing, laughing heartily with a seaweed hairstyle?
Connecting this with what had just happened, she guessed.
Was this his life projection?
Seeing this, Shiki no longer hurried to leave, choosing to stay in place and watch the past that belonged to Roy unfold.
...
"To think you really waited for me outside."
Having detached from the dream world ahead of time, Void Shiki borrowed Shiki's body and was sitting on the bed, looking down at Roy, who appeared helpless below.
Shiki was still captivated by the projection of Roy's experiences during the Holy Grail War, which she had intentionally shown him before leaving. She knew she wouldn't be out for a while, so Void Shiki decided to take this opportunity to borrow Shiki's body and have a little fun.
And tease Roy a bit.
"Yes, yes, how could I dare disobey your orders?"
Not only was he unable to defeat Void Shiki in strength, but rationally, his body was remade by her; even his magic was obtained with her help. It could be said that his entire life back in the real world was granted by her.
For both emotional and logical reasons, he wouldn't go against Void Shiki.
"This is how it should be. I've already helped Shiki activate her mystic eyes. She's still asleep now and won't wake up for a while. During this time, I want to talk to you about something."
Then, Void Shiki opened Shiki's icy blue eyes, and her aura instantly changed.
Her originally short hair transformed into long hair, and her outfit became the iconic pale yellow kimono.
Once locked in by her gaze, even Roy felt the threat of death, his body instinctively wanting to retreat.
However, Void Shiki bent down, easily grasping Roy's arm, and casually halted him.
The two locked eyes again, and the atmosphere felt slightly awkward.
"..."
A small action caused such great harm.
"I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. After all, you're not facing Shiki, but me. It's natural to instinctively feel fear when looking into these eyes; it's not your fault."
Void Shiki shook her head, deactivating the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, which finally made Roy's body stop reacting.
"But..."
"Roy, I helped you complete your plan, and I also improved your image in Shiki's mind. Shouldn't you give me some compensation to be fair?"
Void Shiki smiled as she got closer.
Compensation?
Roy's heart raced, and his brain desperately considered what he could offer.
Power? She was several realms stronger than him; even a Beyonder might not be as powerful as Void Shiki. Could he really give her power? Besides, his power was granted by her.
Money? She didn't seem to need it; anything Void Shiki wanted could be summoned with a thought. Moreover, he was quite poor.
Authority? All phenomena in the world stemmed from the Root; she practically controlled the authority of the world's judgments. Did she need him to provide that?
For a moment, Roy's mind fell into an unresolvable loop.
"Hmm? Is this compensation really that hard to think of? I can give you a chance; if what you propose can move me, I'll grant you a small wish."
Seeing Roy's distressed expression, Void Shiki suddenly leaned in closer, tilting her head with a slight smile.
Her long black hair was like ink, exquisite and beautiful, complemented by her stunning face and aura, making Roy's heart race faster at such a close distance.
Her hair smelled of ink.
Void Shiki's eyes, now devoid of icy blue, resembled underwater pearls, carrying a hint of mirth as she looked at him and asked, "Go ahead, let me see if you can offer something that can touch me."
How should he compensate? What could he offer to impress her?
Roy pondered.
But he soon exhaled and answered earnestly.
"I've already thought of the compensation."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
Void Shiki's face showed a hint of anticipation.
"I will take care of you, whether it's Shiki or SHIKI. I will do my utmost to look after them and help them. Regardless of the enemies and challenges, I will lend a hand until they find true happiness. I know you're incredibly strong, but sometimes you can be playful. If you want, I'll accompany you in your fun and mischief until you're happy and satisfied."
"That's about all I can do, Shiki."
"I just enjoy wandering around; it's not that I'm playful."
Void Shiki looked surprised, then retorted with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"But... are you serious about that?"
"Of course."
Roy nodded.
"Very well, this compensation... is perfect."
Void Shiki smiled, then lightly tapped Roy's head with her fingertip, asking,
"Roy, do you have any wishes you want to fulfill? As long as they're not too outrageous, I can help you achieve them."
"I have one, and I've wanted it for a long time."
"Oh? So soon? Don't you want to think it over a bit more? As long as it's not something like traversing the universe or directly becoming a Beyonder, I can achieve it. Even resurrecting the dead and attaining immortality is possible!"
No wonder Void Shiki was much more useful than the Holy Grail...
"No need for that; I'll rely on my own means to achieve the wishes of becoming a Beyonder and returning to my world. Immortality is not a reward but a punishment, and resurrecting the dead isn't necessary for those who have died naturally."
"You see through it quite thoroughly."
Void Shiki shook her head, her curiosity piqued as she asked, "So what is your wish?"
"Please tell me the secret of Fujino Asagami's painless syndrome and the treatment method."
Without hesitation, Roy answered.
However, at this moment, Void Shiki's expression seemed to undergo a slight change.
"Are you really willing to use this wish for a girl you've only met once?"
"Yes, because even after thinking for a long time, not even Touko could find the true cause of her painless syndrome. I'm a bit worried about her, so..."
Just worried, huh...
Really, to use a wish so easily for such a reason, you truly are...
Void Shiki shook her head but didn't say much more. Her fingertips rippled softly, and soon all the information about Fujino Asagami flowed into Roy's mind.
"So that's how it is…"
"No wonder I couldn't find the reason through magecraft; it turns out to be like this."
With the help of Void Shiki, Roy quickly understood everything.
He looked at Void Shiki in front of him, gently nodded, and was about to express his gratitude when she stopped him.
With a soft laugh, she revealed her stunning beauty once more and said, "Didn't you just say you would play with me and make me happy? Since Shiki hasn't woken up yet, can you take me to see the cherry blossoms?"
"Of course, I'd be happy to serve."
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