How could Saphira be dead? Brian was supposed to save her. That's how it went in the game. I'm the one who created Path of Destiny. There's no way I could've misjudged such a crucial moment.
"Sister?"
I heard footsteps approaching from behind—a first-year student hurrying toward us.
"No... no... no!"
The student rushed over to Saphira's body, collapsing beside her. Judging by the way he held her so tightly, this must be her brother the one we discussed earlier. If I recall, his name is Roland.
"Sister! Wake up! Please!" His voice cracked with desperation. "Someone call a priest! My sister can still be saved!" Roland's tears fell freely down his cheeks.
Yet, despite his pleas, the other students only watched with pity. They knew, as I did, that Roland was in denial.
"Sister Saphira... you promised you'd be there when I became a knight. We said we'd be the best together, didn't we?" Roland's words hung heavy, filled with hopelessness.
I clenched my fists tightly; this was agonizing to witness.
In the game, losing a side character would never have affected me like this. But this world—it's real. Their feelings, their lives, their dreams... they all matter here. This isn't just a game; it's reality.
I never imagined such a small event could cause this much pain. And if something like this hurts so deeply, what about the larger tragedies yet to come? Thousands will die, and millions will suffer.
This world isn't the Path of Destiny I created in my past life. It's real. And I'm responsible for all the calamities that are bound to happen.
I crouched down next to Roland, looking him directly in the eyes. "Your sister is gone," I said softly but firmly. "Let her rest." I gently closed Saphira's still-open eyes.
Roland's body trembled as he absorbed the finality of my words. Slowly, he reached down and closed his sister's eyes, acknowledging the truth.
"What happened here?"
A voice interrupted the heavy silence. It was Brian and Ariel, arriving too late. Ariel gasped, covering her mouth as she saw Saphira's lifeless body—likely the first corpse she'd ever seen.
Brian, on the other hand, wore his usual perplexed expression.
Where were you? Weren't you supposed to save her? You're the hero—always there at the critical moments. So why now?
But why am I blaming Brian? Is it because he got beaten up yesterday? Did I mess up the story because of that?
I don't know. But I do know I let Saphira die, and that's the reality now.
"What killed my sister?" Roland's voice was barely a whisper.
"A monster," one of the students replied. "It looked like a bear with a horn. It attacked her while she was sitting quietly, then fled toward Eldwood Forest."
Roland stood up and turned to me, his eyes filled with fierce determination. "Can you take my sister's body somewhere safe?" he asked.
"What are you going to do?"
Don't tell me he's going to hunt it. He'll get himself killed. But telling him that now would be useless. Grief clouded his judgment.
"I'm going to kill that monster and avenge my sister," Roland declared, his voice shaking with resolve.
"Wait! It's dangerous to face that thing alone," Brian interrupted. "Let me help. The wild monsters near the Academy are deadly."
Roland nodded, grateful.
"I'll come too," Ariel added, stepping forward. "With my healing magic, you won't need to worry about injuries."
"Thank you," Roland said, his voice soft.
The three of them set off toward Eldwood Forest. I removed my academy uniform and draped it over Saphira's body before carrying her to the infirmary.
But... is it really okay to let them face that monster alone? Can Brian defeat it like he was supposed to in the game?
No, I can't make the same mistake again. There's no guarantee Brian will win. I've already altered the course of this world.
After handing Saphira's body to the medical staff, I rushed back to my dormitory.
There, I opened the chest hidden beneath Raul's bed.
Inside was the sword my father gave me and the anti-magic mask Raul wore when he massacred the academy at the end of Chapter 3 in Path of Destiny.
This time, I won't make the same mistake.
---
Ariel's POV
Brian, Roland, and I headed toward Eldwood Forest, armed and ready.
That was the first time I'd seen a human corpse. If Brian and I had been there, could we have saved Roland's sister?
At the time, we were busy looking for Raul. Brian had been eager to challenge him to a rematch, upset that Raul had bested him in front of the other students. I tried to stop him, but Brian's always been stubborn.
He's wanted to be a hero for as long as I've known him, driven by the pain of losing his family to monsters and his sister to a cruel nobleman.
That's why Roland's loss hit him so hard. He knows what it's like to lose someone to a monster.
It's also why Brian and Raul can never get along who is a arrogant nobleman.
"We're here," Brian said, stopping at the forest's edge. He pointed to a patch of fallen trees. "It went that way."
We followed the trail for a few minutes before spotting the monster—a hulking bear-like beast with a horn—feasting on the remains of a deer.
It turned to face us, its bloodstained snout and bared teeth dripping with gore.
Grrr...
The sound of its growl sent shivers down my spine. But Brian was here, so it would be fine.
"Get ready, Roland!" Brian shouted, drawing his sword. "Ariel, support us with your magic!"
"Got it!"
The beast charged, swiping at Brian with its massive claws. He parried, though the force knocked him back several meters.
"I'll avenge my sister!" Roland cried, slashing at the monster.
His attack barely left a scratch.
The monster roared and turned its attention to Roland, who met it head-on, casting a strengthening spell to block its next blow.
"Now, Senior Brian!" Roland called.
"On it!"
Brian leapt toward the beast, sword in hand, and unleashed a devastating combo.
"Dancing Sky Dragon!"
His sword struck seven times, each blow forcing the monster back. Then, with a final swing, Brian sent it flying.
"We did it!" Roland cheered.
Brian grinned, though he was clearly exhausted.
"That was one of my best attacks, you know!" said Brian, panting. It seemed that executing that attack had taken a lot of energy.
-Grrr...
The three of us fell silent at the sound of the monster's growl. The bear was still able to rise after taking Brian's powerful blow. Its eyes turned red, and its horns and claws began to extend.
Is this what they call monster Evolution?
We were taught that some monsters could evolve into stronger forms when their bodies received many wounds.
-Groaaarrr!
The monster's roar was louder than thunder during a storm. It beat its chest and then turned its attention back to Brian and Roland.
The monster targeted Roland, aiming its sharp claws at him. He hurriedly jumped to the side, but a gash appeared on his left leg.
"Healing Magic: Minor Healing!"
I quickly healed Roland's leg with my healing magic. His leg was illuminated by divine light, and soon after, it healed as good as new.
"Thank you, Senior!"
On the other side, Brian was fighting the monster. He tried to dodge the relentless attacks launched by the beast.
"Damn! This monster is getting stronger and faster!" Brian complained.
The monster swung its arm violently toward Brian. Seeing this, Brian activated his speed magic and swung his sword at the monster's hand.
"Gaghhhh!"
Brian was thrown back, crashing into a tree. His strength was not enough to withstand the monster's attack.
"Brian!" I called out, worried for his condition.
The bear charged at Brian again. However, Roland dashed in from behind to attack the monster. But the creature suddenly turned toward Roland and launched an attack at him.
"Aghhhh!"
Roland's body was thrown back; he didn't have time to dodge because he had run at full speed to save Brian.
"Damn monster!" Brian got back up and attacked the creature again.
I rushed to Roland's body. He appeared unconscious.
I crouched down to examine his wounds. A large tear had formed in Roland's chest. Blood flowed, soaking his body, and I could see his bones clearly. With a wound this deep, he would die if not given immediate help.
"Healing Magic: Maior Sanatius."
I placed my hand on Roland's chest and activated a strong healing spell. A light appeared in my hand and spread to Roland's chest. Soon, his wound began to close.
"Hah... Hah... Hah..."
After using the strong healing spell, my body began to feel tired. I turned to see Brian still fighting the monster.
"Accelerate!"
Brian activated his speed magic, and sparkles of light shone from his feet.
The monster resumed its relentless attacks on Brian. However, with his speed magic, he was able to dodge the monster's strikes.
But merely dodging wouldn't kill the monster.
Still, I believed Brian could defeat it. He always worked miracles in situations like this. Just like back when he was able to injure an instructor during the entrance exam, I was sure he would win this fight.
Brian dodged another attack from the creature. His sword began to emit light; it seemed he was about to use his signature move that could shatter an instructor's sword.
After evading another swipe from the monster, Brian jumped, holding his sword with both hands.
"Take my strongest move! Raging Blade!"
His sword began to glow, and Brian then executed a vertical slash toward the monster's head.
Crack!
Blood flowed from the top of the monster's head, trickling down to its mouth. However, after taking Brian's strongest attack squarely, the monster didn't flinch at all.
The bear licked its own blood and then smiled mockingly at Brian.
"No way—Bugghh!"
Brian's voice was cut off as the monster struck him hard, sending him crashing toward me.
"No... Brian!"
I rushed to check on Brian's condition.
His mouth was bleeding, and it seemed his ribs were broken. Brian was unconscious, and I hurriedly began healing him with my remaining mana.
-Ggrrr...
My body froze as I turned to see the monster walking toward us. Its gaze seemed to say, 'I will eat you alive.'
My body started to tremble; I didn't know what to do.
"Brian! Brian! Wake up!" I tried to rouse Brian, but it was no use.
The monster was getting closer.
What should I do? Run away?
If I run, everyone here will die. The monster will devour both of them. What should I do?
Grrrr...!
The monster was now in front of us. I mustered the courage to stand in front of Brian.
Up close, I could clearly feel the terror and intimidation radiating from the horrifying creature.
The monster began to lift its hand; its sharp claws were terrifying. I was scared... I wanted to escape from this situation, but I couldn't abandon them.
-Grrooaarrr!
I shut my eyes.
Anyone... Please help me...
"Temper ...."
Bam!
I heard the sound of something colliding. However, I didn't feel any pain from the monster's attack that was about to kill me.
I slowly opened my eyes...
In front of me, a mysterious man with white hair and a black mask suddenly appeared.
"Who?"
Ignoring my confusion about what had just happened, the man quickly ran toward the monster. It seemed I had just been saved by this mysterious man.
The monster attacked the man with its claws.
"Accel…"
I heard the man mumble a word. Suddenly, he began to run faster, easily dodging the monster's attack.
The man then launched several strikes at the monster. He moved skillfully, outmaneuvering the creature with ease. It was as if he already knew the monster's movements.
Who is he really...?
-Grooaaarr!
The monster's body grew larger.
Can the monster evolve again? Hard to believe! What kind of monster is this bear? There has never been any record of a monster evolving twice in a row!
However, seeing the monster evolve again, the man remained calm and unfazed.
-Groaarrr!
The monster pounded the ground and threw chunks of earth at the mysterious man. But the man easily dodged all of the projectiles.
"Sterben…"
Again, he muttered a spell I didn't recognize. His black sword began to emit runes—magical letters. If I'm not mistaken, Only one who is already a knight can use runes.
The man dashed toward the monster.
-Groarrr!
The monster also charged at the mysterious man. The bear then launched a claw attack at him. But he easily dodged.
He then thrust his sword into the monster's neck. The creature's body trembled violently, and blood began to flow from its neck.
"Release..."
-Bommbbb!
After the man murmured something, suddenly the monster's neck and head exploded. Its massive body then collapsed to the ground.
He defeated it... easily.
Who is he really?
The man then turned to face me. It was hard to tell what expression he was making behind his black mask.
"Thank you... Who are you?"
Upon hearing my gratitude, the mysterious man simply stared at me in silence. He then turned to look elsewhere as if he realized something. After that, he jumped up into the trees, leaving me alone.
He is incredibly strong... Could he be one of the instructors? But he was wearing an academy uniform. However, it's impossible for an academy student to possess such power; he even seemed stronger than third-year students.
I don't know; what's certain is... I'm grateful that we came out of that life-and-death situation like that.
---
[Raul PoV]
After saving Ariel and the others, I hurried back to my dorm room through the open window. Once inside, I walked toward a mirror mounted on the wall.
"It's true, Brian isn't as strong as he is in the game."
I removed the mask I was wearing.
In the mirror's reflection, my white hair changed back to black, just like before.
"The Masquerade Mask... A mask that can conceal the user's identity, even from Clairvoyance magic, making it impossible for them to see the user's true identity."
This mask is an S-class artifact that is quite rare in this world. I don't know how Duke Alvaro obtained this mask. Such details were never explained in the game.
I suppose if I can return to my original world, I will arrange the game details so players can better understand the world of Path of Destiny.
After removing my clothes, I collapsed onto my bed.
It has been a tiring day... I nearly exhausted my mana while fighting that monster.
It seems my mana foundation hasn't increased to the level it reached at the end of Chapter Three in the game.
"I need to get stronger..."