Wandering Witch: Penance of a thief

Several years ago at Feohtere Academy, during the new student entrance ceremony.

I sat in the crowd, my mind drifting like a leaf on the wind. The principal was droning on, and let's be honest-whatever he was saying wasn't worth my time.

The man had a reputation, after all. A reputation for being, well, a bit of a pervert.

As I sat there, trying to ignore the absurdity of it all, I couldn't help but think about how I'd come to this moment.

Just as I was starting to regret my life choices-what possessed me to enroll in this academy, anyway?-a gentle tap on my shoulder jolted me back to reality.

"He's a funny principal, right?" a boy next to me said, his voice shaky, as if he'd never conversed with someone his age before.

"Funny? More like perverted, if you ask me." I shot back, raising an eyebrow.

He gulped, his cheeks turning the color of ripe tomatoes.

"W-What is your name?"

He looked so nervous that I could practically see the sweat beading on his brow. Poor guy, clearly had never made a friend before. "Arche. And you?"

As we exchanged names, Little did I know, the bonds we were forging that day would be tested in ways we couldn't imagine.

I woke up in a cold, dark basement, my heart racing as the fog of unconsciousness faded away.

I blinked, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The dim light revealed rusty chains binding my hands and feet.

Panic surged through me as I glanced at the clock-twenty hours trapped in this hellhole.

Despite my half-conscious state, I could hear the faint sound of a woman's laughter echoing through the shadows.

What in the world could make her so happy?

My mind raced; it certainly wasn't because she had a knack for hospitality.

No, this woman was a sadist, and I was her plaything.

She had taken great joy in whipping me repeatedly. Unfortunately for her, I wasn't a masochist.

So, naturally, I hated her with a passion that could rival a thousand suns.

Now, you might be wondering how I ended up in this sorry state.

Let me take a moment to share my thoughts on friendship, a concept I held dear until this very moment.

What is a best friend? Someone you enjoy spending time with? Someone you can trust?

Or perhaps someone you consider as close as family?

In my book, a best friend is like a single soul dwelling in two different bodies.

But right now, in the depths of this dungeon, with the echoes of laughter ringing in my ears and the chains biting into my skin, I realized that I was utterly alone.

What a cruel twist of fate, right?

Right now, I'm enjoying breakfast, and everything feels like a normal day.

"Normal day...? Wait, that's a cursed phrase!"

"Whenever I say that, something disastrous happens!" I mentally slapped myself. It was like tempting fate.

"Ah, well... I've been relaxing for a few weeks in that kingdom in the middle of the desert,"

I mused aloud, a flicker of excitement igniting in my chest. "Bring on the problems! I'm ready for anything!"

After finishing my breakfast, I decided to take a leisurely walk, humming a tune as I admired the morning bustle around me.

You know, the usual-a cat stealing someone's breakfast, a vendor yelling about fresh produce, and an old lady trying to chase a pigeon that clearly had a vendetta against her.

But then, out of nowhere, I was yanked into a dark alley. My heart raced.

"Great, another thug! Just what I need!"

I thought, readying myself for a fight. "I'm so tired of dealing with you damn thugs!"

But when I turned to confront my assailant, I was met not with a burly thug but with a hooded figure.

"Seriously? A hood? Since when did thugs become so fashionable?"

I grumbled.

"Why are you pulling me? Don't give me trouble, damn it!" I snapped.

The figure pulled back their hood, revealing golden blonde hair and striking diamond-blue eyes.

My jaw dropped. "Arthur?!"

"Long time no see, Arche!" he grinned, looking like he just stepped out of a magazine cover for 'Best Friends of the Year.'

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be working? Go to work, idiot!" I was baffled.

"I'm on leave, and my replacement will handle my work," he said, shrugging nonchalantly.

"You always give that poor guy trouble, don't you? If I meet him again, I'll apologize on your behalf."

Arthur waved a dismissive hand. "I'm still too young for that job! A holiday like this is practically my right!"

"Okay, okay..." I took a deep breath and noticed the various expressions from passersby watching us.

Seriously, they looked like they were witnessing a bizarre street performance.

"The important thing is, let's get out of this alley before I get the urge to write a complaint letter to the authorities."

"Aw, come on, Arche! Don't you miss your best friend?" he teased, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm.

"Actually, no," I chuckled, making my way out of the alley. "Let's go!"

"Well, you are a Tsundere, after all!"

he shot back, following me from behind.

Once we emerged from the alley, we strolled through the market.

"So, you hid in the alley just to surprise me?"

"Yep! You were surprised, right?" he said, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Absolutely! I was completely taken aback," I replied sarcastically. But as I turned to see his face, I noticed he had already vanished.

"He... disappeared again? Seriously?! Can't I get a break?"

Arthur burst out of the bakery, his arms loaded with fresh bread.

"Hey, don't go anywhere!" I yelled after him, half-joking and half-worried that he might actually run off with my lunch.

"Sorry, but you know I can't resist the sight of honey buns!" He chuckled, taking a big bite out of a honey bread, his eyes rolling back in delight.

I mean, who needs a balanced breakfast when you can have carbs and sugar, right?

He then handed me a piece of strawberry bread, which I accepted without hesitation. Nothing says 'good friends' like sharing carbs!

As we munched on our treats, I could feel the sugar-induced joy bubbling up.

"Arche, after this, you have to accompany me to buy grilled fish, okay?" he said, crumbs flying from his mouth like confetti.

"Hmmm..." I pondered dramatically, trying to weigh my options like a true connoisseur of fish.

"Sure, why not? I'm always up for fish that doesn't require me to catch it myself."

"And maybe some cake for dinner?" Arthur suggested, his eyes gleaming like a child in a candy store.

"Can you whip me up some honey cake, please?"

"If they have a kitchen we can use,"

I replied, raising an eyebrow.

"And of course, you bought all the ingredients, right?"

Arthur just shrugged, continuing to devour his honey bread. Typical.

While I was busy stuffing my face, Arthur stood up suddenly.

"I need to go to the toilet!"

"Don't take too long! Or I'll look like a lost puppy!" I shouted after him as he hurried off in search of the restroom.

Just as I finished my strawberry bread, two familiar faces approached me, and I nearly choked.

"Ah, long time no see, Arche!"

It was Amnesia and her sister, Avilia. Great. Just what I needed-more people to witness my glorious carb-fueled existence.

"Ah, you two!" I managed to say, wiping crumbs off my shirt like it was a badge of honor.

"Have you just arrived, or have you been here for a while?" I asked, trying to regain my composure.

"We just arrived, looking for a place to stay," Amnesia replied, her eyes scanning the café like it was an all-you-can-eat buffet.

"Near the café, there's a hotel that's cheap but has decent facilities. Perfect for you guys!" I suggested, feeling like a travel agent for a moment.

"Really? Thank you! We'll check it out," Avilia said, nodding appreciatively.

"By the way, what are you doing here, Arche?" Avilia asked, tilting her head curiously.

"I'm waiting for my friend," I replied, trying to sound casual, but I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

"And where is your friend?" she pressed, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Just then, Arthur reappeared, looking triumphant as he approached.

"I didn't make you look like a lost puppy, did I, Arche?" he asked, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

"Oh no, not at all! I was just embracing my new identity as a lost soul in a world of pastries," I replied, rolling my eyes but unable to suppress a smile.

Arthur laughed, and I realized that sometimes, the best adventures come from unexpected moments, even if they start with bread and end with fish.

"You almost-ah, let me introduce you!" I suddenly remembered that I hadn't introduced Arthur to Amnesia and Avilia.

I couldn't have my best friend thinking I was some social outcast, could I?

"This is Amnesia," I said, gesturing toward her, "and this is her sister, Avilia."

"You two, this is Arthur," I finished, feeling a sense of pride in my introductions.

But when I turned back to Arthur, he was frozen in place, like a deer caught in headlights.

"Eh...?"

His mouth hung open slightly, and his face turned a shade of crimson that could rival a ripe tomato.

He was utterly speechless, his eyes glued to Amnesia as if she were a rare work of art.

"Arthur!" I snapped, waving a hand in front of his face. "Hey, wake up! Did you sleep standing up again?"

I gave his cheek a light slap, and he finally snapped out of it.

His face flushed deeper, and I could practically see steam coming out of his ears.

"Ah!"

he stammered, shaking like a leaf.

"Sorry, I... uh, what were we talking about?"

"We're in the introduction session," I reminded him, trying not to laugh at the bewildered look on his face.

"Greetings, my name is Arthur, the closest companion of Arche."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he managed to say, voice quaking like a puppy.

"My name is Amnesia, and this is my sister, Avilia." Amnesia smiled, her eyes sparkling.

"Are you okay? Your face is really red."

"I'm fine! It's probably just overwork," he blurted out, waving his hands in front of him like he was trying to dismiss a swarm of bees.

"Working? If I may ask, what is your job?" Amnesia's voice was soft, genuinely curious.

"He is a k-" I started, eager to share this juicy tidbit.

But before I could finish, Arthur clapped a hand over my mouth like I was about to reveal state secrets.

"I'm a painter!" he exclaimed, his face practically glowing. "I'm making a big painting, and it's taking a long time."

"Is that so? You should rest when you're tired, you know," Amnesia said, her tone kind and motherly.

Arthur's face was a brilliant shade of crimson, as if he had just sprinted a marathon.

He removed his hand from my mouth, looking like he'd just survived a near-death experience.

"T-Thank you very much, I will remember it always..." he stuttered, his voice trembling.

Avilia and I exchanged glances, our expressions a mix of confusion and amusement.

"...." We fell into a heavy silence, but I knew we were thinking the same thing.

"Okay, see you later, Arche! Arthur!" Amnesia waved enthusiastically before turning to leave.

Arthur looked down, still blushing, and I couldn't help but laugh softly.

"C'mon, Arthur. Let's talk!" I said, tugging him toward the café.

Inside the café, Arthur's face was still as red as a ripe tomato. I couldn't help but smirk. "So... you like Amnesia?"

"HEH?! Of course not!" he shouted, his voice cracking in sheer panic.

"Okay, so you like her." I crossed my arms, a knowing grin spreading across my face.

Arthur was as honest and predictable as a clock; I could read him like a book.

"You deny it with a face like that, and I can tell you're lying faster than a politician."

I paused for a moment, pondering if I'd ever done something similar.

"Well... let's just say that's not important right now."

"Does Amnesia have a boyfriend?" Arthur suddenly asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

I shook my head, even though I didn't really know. "I don't think so. But who knows?"

"Do you know what her type is?" he pressed again, now practically bouncing in his seat.

Ah, love makes people so chatty. "Maybe... a simple person?"

"Arche... am I a simple person?" he asked, his voice dripping with hope.

"Hopeless is more like it," I teased, watching him deflate like a sad balloon.

But then I found myself pondering: what type of man does Elaina like? If I think about her nature...

I looked at Arthur and suddenly realized that maybe he fit the bill-handsome, kind, and, oh yeah, rich.

That thought made me inexplicably upset for some reason.

"Hey... Arthur... you bastard!" I exclaimed out of nowhere, my irritation spilling over.

"Eh? Why all of a sudden?" he asked, wide-eyed and clearly confused, as if I'd just accused him of stealing candy from a baby.

But why was I upset? Did I really have feelings for Elaina? Ugh, I had to clear my mind of this nonsense.

We continued chatting in the café, the sun climbing to its zenith as we rambled about everything and nothing.

Before long, it was time to leave, and we headed out with plans to find a hotel since Arthur hadn't booked one yet. Genius move, that.

As we strolled through a particularly dim alleyway, I suddenly felt an ominous tug at my feet.

"Arthur, what are you doing?!"

I yelped, pulling back.

"That isn't me!" he shouted, eyes wide in horror as we both realized our feet were being pulled into the shadows.

In a matter of seconds, we were engulfed in darkness, and I could only guess who had their chains wrapped around us.

Our feet were tied up, and we exchanged bewildered glances as the situation spiraled from goofy café conversations to... well, whatever this was.

"Well, this escalated quickly," I muttered, straining against the chains.

"Next time, let's just skip the dark alleys, okay?" Arthur replied, trying to maintain his composure as panic seeped into his voice.

"And here I thought our day couldn't get any worse. Welcome to my life!"

I sighed.

In the dim alleyway, we found ourselves face-to-face with a woman who had dark purple hair cascading down her back and strikingly bright purple eyes.

That face... we recognized it all too well.

"Ravenna?!"

"Bastard... you're back again, huh?" I growled, annoyance lacing my voice.

"Wow, you still remember me? That makes me so happy..." she replied, her smile both charming and slightly unsettling.

"Ah, actually, I forgot. Who are you? We don't know each other, right? See you!" I attempted to sidestep her, but alas, my feet remained bound. "Ah... this is just annoying."

"What do you want now, Ravenna?" Arthur shouted, his tone a mixture of anger and disbelief. "Haven't you learned your lesson yet?!"

Her laughter rang out, and I squirmed in my chains, desperate to find an escape.

"I'm here for revenge!" she announced dramatically, hands on her hips.

"Revenge, huh...? The classic motive of a criminal," I said, rolling my eyes.

"To be honest, I'm tired of that excuse."

"Arche... I still want to love you..." she purred, stepping closer, her voice dripping with passion.

"Sorry, I already like someone else," I replied, even though I was lying through my teeth.

"Is that so...? Are the traces of our love still on your body?" she flirted, closing the distance between us, a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Disgusting... You mean the scar from your whipping? It's still there, and I really hate it."

In a burst of determination, I finally managed to wriggle my chains free and launched a kick aimed squarely at her face.

But she dodged it with a grace that was both infuriating and impressive.

"Looks like you're getting stronger, huh...? That means... I'll be able to torture you for longer!"

She beamed at me, a mix of glee and lust in her expression.

"Ah... hearing that makes me very happy..."

"Come on... I was once liked by a masochistic woman. I don't want to be adored by a sadistic one like you."

I complained, half-heartedly trying to maintain my composure as Arthur finally managed to free his legs.

This wasn't our first rodeo with Ravenna, after all.

"Maybe you should think about upgrading your equipment, Ravenna," he suggested, unable to resist throwing in a jab.

"Shut up! The chains are just fine!" she shot back, her irritation palpable.

"Arthur, loving her is the right choice because she's not someone like that whore," I pointed at Ravenna, feeling a surge of disdain for her.

She pouted, her lips forming a cute but dangerous shape as she approached me again, but this time, Arthur stepped in.

"Why are you so obsessed with him? You know he doesn't like you like that!"

"Only he can withstand my torture! Physically and mentally!" Ravenna shot back, exasperation lining her words.

"See you, Ravenna!" I said, pulling out a smoke bomb and tossing it at her feet.

"Wait, what?! Arche! I just want you to stay with me!" she shouted, her voice echoing as the smoke enveloped us.

"I'm going to find you again, and I'm going to catch you. You'll be mine forever!" she exclaimed, excitement bubbling beneath her tone.

We made our way to the hotel where I was staying, and after Arthur booked a room, he headed straight to mine.

"What's eating you, Arche? You look like you've swallowed a lemon."

"I hate her..." I grumbled, rolling my eyes.

"Oh come on, I'll tell you a story so you won't be sad," he said, snatching my diary from the bedside table. "What book is this?"

"What kind of kid do you think I am? And don't touch that! That's my diary." I lunged to snatch it back, clutching it to my chest like a lifeline.

"Relax, I'm just trying to lighten the mood. Besides, it's not like it's a treasure map," he teased.

"Arthur... I feel like I'm not safe now. You know how cunning Ravenna is, right?" I shot him a serious look.

"This isn't our first rodeo with her..." Arthur replied, his voice taking on a more somber tone. "Remember the academy days?"

"Academy, huh... That reminds me of those overpriced meals we used to endure."

I chuckled, nostalgia washing over me. "Seriously, who charges ten coins for a moldy sandwich?"

Arthur laughed, shaking his head.

"And I still remember you were easily bribed with money."

"It was like you were some sort of 'Coin-Operated Arche' back then!"

"Oh, please! Do you remember the Panty Thief incident? The chaos it caused was legendary!" I couldn't help but crack up, the memories flooding back.

"Yeah! You were so calm that day!" Arthur leaned back, a grin plastered across his face.

"You always had that poker face, making me wonder if you were joking or just plotting something diabolical."

"Remember when we were in second grade?" I continued, getting lost in the past.

"We divided the class into two camps because we have different opinions. Who knew that would turn into a civil war?"

"Right? And you refused to back down because your pride was on the line,"

he said, a smirk forming on his lips.

"You hate losing, that's for sure. But then in third grade, our class somehow managed to stay united, despite half of our classmates being expelled!"

"Class struggle, betrayal, manipulation... the drama was real," he said dramatically.

"What do you think of our glorious academy days, Arche?"

"You don't have to ask. I was like a target on the run, with people trying to take me out left and right."

"I was basically a fugitive trying to survive!" I turned to him, a grin breaking through. "But... I loved every moment!"

"Me too," he said, returning my smile. "Sometimes, I wish I could go back to that time."

"Are you sure? Do you want to relive the days of constant stress and drama?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes! And you'd be right there, keeping me sane, right?" He said it so earnestly, I almost believed him.

"In your dreams!" I shot back, moving to the window of my hotel room to let in the fresh air.

"You're still a Tsundere, huh?" he chuckled, shaking his head as he leaned against the wall.

"Shut up!" I retorted, letting the cool breeze hit my skin.

"Oh look, it's Amnesia!"

Arthur darted over to the window, peering out like a detective on the case. "Where?"

But honestly, I just wanted to mess with him. "Huh, you really like her, don't you?"

He turned to me, eyes wide with surprise. "You also like a woman named Elaina!"

"W-What?! How-?!" I stammered, completely taken aback. I was sure I hadn't dropped her name in our conversation.

"I saw your diary." He waved the little book triumphantly in the air like it was a trophy.

I lunged for it, snatching the diary from his grasp. "Rich people like you should be taught the concept of privacy, you know! Where does your rudeness come from?"

"Your face is turning red..." he observed, his expression deadpan. "And my rudeness comes from being around you too much. It's like a contagious disease."

"Forgive me, oh noble novel main character," I mocked, using the nickname I often gave him because he acted like he stepped out of some storybook.

"Come on, we're not in the academy anymore. Don't you think that nickname is getting a bit old?"

He has a point, because I am the main character.

"Oh, look! It's Amnesia!" I said, spotting her and Avilia strolling together outside.

"Haha, funny, Arche. You think I'm falling for your trick a second time?" Arthur crossed his arms, clearly convinced I was trying to prank him again. "Nice try."

"Heey! Amnesia! Avilia!" I called out, waving my arms like a windmill.

Amnesia and Avilia halted mid-conversation, turning toward the window. Arthur, realizing I wasn't joking, shot over to the window again.

"Hey! Look who it is!" I chimed, but it was too late; he was already blushing like a ripe tomato as Amnesia waved back at him with that radiant smile of hers.

"Hey, red face guy," I teased, hitting Arthur lightly on the back.

"Don't daydream too much! And get out of my room," he protested, clearly flustered.

"Come on... I'm bored..." he sulked, leaning against the window, arms crossed in a classic pout that looked all too familiar.

I leaned in close to Arthur, whispering conspiratorially, "Take Amnesia out for a walk tomorrow. I'll distract Avilia."

"Really?! You'd do that for me?!" His eyes sparkled with hope as he moved in for a hug, but I deftly dodged, causing him to trip and fall flat on his back.

"You really are the best friend!" he exclaimed, a bit dazed.

"Now get out of here!" I barked, giving him a playful shove towards the door.

He hurriedly made his exit, and I slammed the door shut behind him.

But, of course, Arthur wasn't done yet. He cracked the door open just enough to poke his head through. "Uh... Arche?"

I rolled my eyes and tossed him a couple of books about chatting with women and how to plan a good date. "Take it."

"Thank you!" he beamed, retreating back to his room.

I closed the door, leaned against it, and flopped down onto my bed, letting out a heavy sigh.

I took a moment to breathe, my mind slipping back to Ravenna.

"That damn bitch... What is she planning this time?"

I closed the window, trying to block out the world, and started to peel off my clothes.

Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I winced at the scars crisscrossing my skin.

"Do I even deserve to be loved by someone?"

I gazed at my reflection, self-pity wrapping around me like a warm blanket, though one that smelled suspiciously like regret.

"..."

Just as I was about to spiral deeper into despair, a knock at my door pulled me back to reality. "Arche! Are you in there?"

That voice could only belong to one person-Amnesia.

"Ah, wait! Let me get dressed first!" I scrambled to put my clothes back on, fumbling as I tried to rush.

"Eh?!" I could hear her surprise through the door.

Finally, I opened the door to find Amnesia waiting with a bright smile.

"Do you need anything, Amnesia?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual despite the racing thoughts in my head.

"Oh, I just wanted to give this to you." She handed me a bag filled to the brim with chocolates. "This is for you and Arthur."

"Huh? It's not Valentine's Day yet, you know?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah, that's not it! The seller gave us this because we were the 100th customer." Amnesia explained, beaming.

"But since Avilia and I are full, I thought I'd just give this to you."

"Thanks!" I took the bag, feeling a little lighter, but then my mind raced back to my plan. "Ah, by the way, Arthur wanted to talk to you."

"Hm? What does he want to talk about?" She asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I don't know; he's in the room next to mine." I glanced to the right, eyeing the door that separated us.

"Ah... Is that so?" she said.

"By the way, where's Avilia?" I asked.

"Her? She's in our room, totally wiped out." she shrugged nonchalantly.

"You too, If you're tired, you should rest, okay?" I advised, though I wouldn't take my own advice.

"Just think of this as advice from your brother!" I struck a ridiculous pose, arms crossed and chin lifted like a heroic knight-or at least what I thought a heroic knight would look like.

She burst out laughing.

"We don't even look alike..."

I smirked, trying to maintain my dignity. "Eeeh? Our eyes are both green, you know!" I said, feigning disappointment.

"And that's it," she replied, shaking her head with a grin.

"Okay, see you later!" I waved her off as she exited, closing the door behind her.

Once alone, I turned my attention to the bag of chocolates Amnesia had given me. "So... let's see what we have here..."

Meanwhile, Amnesia knocked on Arthur's door.

He opened it, his eyes widening in surprise."A-Amnesia?! What... what are you doing here?"

"Arche said you wanted to talk to me about something," she said, her tone innocent.

Arthur's face fell as he realized I'd spilled the beans. "Arche..."

"Uh, that... um..."

he stammered, clearly flustered.

"Um... actually, I wanted to take you out tomorrow," he finally blurted out, his voice trembling like a leaf in a storm.

"Huh?" Amnesia looked perplexed, her head tilting slightly like a confused puppy.

"Because... we both just came to this city, right? So going for a walk together would be fun, wouldn't it?"

His attempt at lying was as graceful as a hippo on ice.

"Is that so? Okay! Let's go tomorrow!" Amnesia beamed, her excitement contagious.

"T-Thank you..." Arthur stuttered, clearly taken aback by her enthusiastic acceptance.

As Amnesia left, waving goodbye, Arthur flopped back onto his bed, rolling around like a kid who just discovered chocolate for the first time.

"I can't believe it! She said yes! YES!"

I could hear his muffled cheers through the wall. It made me chuckle.

"Good luck, buddy! Just try not to trip over your own tongue!" I called out, enjoying the delightful chaos unfolding from my carefully laid plans.

That night, Arthur and I ventured into a cozy restaurant, the aroma of sizzling dishes wafting through the air.

"What do you want to buy, Arthur?" I asked, scanning the menu.

"Hmmm... I don't know, but I don't want to eat much," he said, his brow furrowing in thought.

As we stepped further inside, I spotted two familiar faces.

No need for a dramatic reveal here; it was Amnesia and Avilia.

"Arche! Arthur!" Amnesia exclaimed, waving enthusiastically.

"Arthur, your luck is still holding strong, huh?" I smirked at him, noticing how his eyes widened in surprise.

"Y-You're right..." Arthur stammered, clearly taken aback by the unexpected reunion.

It was like he'd just bumped into a celebrity or something.

We slid into a booth across from them. "Have you ordered yet?" I inquired, leaning forward with curiosity.

"Yes, we just finished ordering," Amnesia replied, a smile brightening her face.

After placing our orders, I wasted no time digging into my food as soon as it arrived.

"Arche, slow down!" Arthur admonished, looking like he was about to witness a food crime.

"I'm just making sure it doesn't escape!" I shot back with a grin, stuffing another bite into my mouth.

Arthur took a delicate bite of his meal, chewing slowly as if he were savoring every morsel.

He looked so refined and composed, I half-expected him to start giving a TED Talk on table manners.

"This food is quite delicious..." he declared, nodding appreciatively.

"Arthur, you really know your table manners, huh? I'm quite surprised!" Amnesia teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Are you from a royal or wealthy family?" Avilia chimed in, curiosity evident in her tone.

Arthur looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Oh, that..." He fumbled for an answer, clearly uncomfortable with the attention.

"He's just always been taught by his parents about manners," I chimed in, coming to his rescue.

"He's been polite since the dawn of time-or at least since I met him!"

"Huh? Is that so? You seem to know Arthur very well," Avilia remarked, her eyebrow raised.

"Well, we went to the same academy and were roommates for three years..." I shrugged, trying to sound casual, but feeling like I'd just dropped a bombshell.

"Really? Does that mean you two are really close?" Amnesia asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

I took a deep breath, ready to dive into the treasure trove of ridiculous stories from my academy days with Arthur.

"Oh, you have no idea. There was this one time..."

As I regaled them with tales of our misadventures-like the time we accidentally set off the fire alarm during a cooking class-Amnesia laughed so hard she nearly spilled her drink.

Once I finished, I noticed Arthur looking a bit shy, probably wishing for a moment alone with Amnesia.

"Avilia, can we talk outside for a moment?" I said, trying to sound casual.

"Huh? What's wrong? Can't we talk here?" She raised an eyebrow, clearly confused.

"Come on, you're done with your food, right? Just for a sec!" I nudged her toward the exit, and as we walked out, I caught Arthur's grateful whisper:

"Thank you! I'll buy whatever you ask for!"

Once outside, Avilia crossed her arms, ready for whatever nonsense I had in mind. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

I tilted my head back, gazing up at the sky. "The weather is lovely tonight, isn't it?"

"It's night, Arche," she said, rolling her eyes. "You just want to leave Arthur and my sister alone, don't you?"

"Bingo! You're a real detective, you know that?" I said, giving her an exaggerated thumbs-up.

"Seriously, you're wasting my time," she sighed, turning to head back inside.

Just then, she glanced down and spotted the marks on my ankle from Ravenna's chains. "What happened to your ankle?"

I quickly examined it, realizing just how tight Ravenna had tied me up. "Ah, well, you see..."

"Spit it out, Arche. I don't have all night," Avilia urged, her impatience palpable.

"There's a criminal in this city," I began, lowering my voice dramatically.

"She likes to kidnap and torture people. Real horror story stuff."

Avilia's eyes widened.

"She tried to kidnap you?"

"Yup, but I managed to escape," I replied, puffing out my chest a bit. "So you need to be careful out here."

"Oh, I see..." Avilia said, her expression shifting from concern to understanding. "So, basically, you dragged me out here to warn me about a psycho while playing matchmaker?"

"Guilty as charged!" I grinned, relieved that she was on the same page.

"Now she's after me, so... if I disappear, you know what will happen to me," I said, a chill creeping up my spine.

My instincts screamed that something was off. "Arthur knows about this, and he also understands about this torturer named Ravenna..."

"Okay, I understand,"

Avilia nodded, her expression serious. "Are you okay, Arche?"

"Hm? Don't worry, I'm fine," I said, trying to convince myself more than her.

Not really, though... "You don't have to worry about me."

Just then, the door swung open behind us, revealing Arthur and Amnesia stepping out of the restaurant.

"Ah, did you guys wait long?" Amnesia asked, her bright smile momentarily easing my nerves.

"No, we had a great chat," I replied, forcing a grin.

"Well, not really," Avilia interjected, crossing her arms.

"Arche, let's go back," Arthur suggested, looking ready to flee the awkwardness.

I nodded, and we started walking toward the hotel where we were all staying.

"You guys go first, okay? I want to enjoy the night," I said, waving them off as we walked.

"Eh? Are you sure? It's dangerous at night, you know?" Amnesia's worry resurfaced.

"Do you need me to accompany you?" Arthur asked, concern etched on his face. I shook my head.

"Come on, I just want to relax on someone's roof," I replied casually, as if that were a normal thing to say.

"And Arthur, you have to take them both to the hotel."

"As the best sword user in Feohtere Academy, you must protect them!"

I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't waste your title!"

"Don't worry, he's one of the best graduates," I reassured Amnesia and Avilia with a wink.

"See ya!" I called, and with a quick flourish, I sprang into action, parkouring up the side of a building like some overzealous ninja.

"If I don't answer in the morning, it means I'm sleeping."

"Arche! You shouldn't stay up so late, you know!" Amnesia yelled after me, her voice laced with concern.

"Just this once! I promise!" I shot back, my heart racing as I dashed across the rooftops.

Once I felt sufficiently distant from them, I spotted a bell tower in the distance.

A figure was perched there, relaxed and calm. Squinting, I recognized her silhouette.

You guessed it-Ravenna. She was holding binoculars.

"You noticed me?" she said, her voice dripping with amusement as she jumped down, landing gracefully thanks to her trusty chain.

"I have good instincts, you know..." I replied, inching closer, trying to maintain my cool while my heart thudded like a drum in my chest.

"Why do you always keep your distance from me, Arche? Wouldn't it be easier if you just gave up?"

Her voice was soft and sweet, yet there was a hidden threat behind it.

She continued to stare at me, as if she truly enjoyed every second of the hatred flowing between us.

I swung my dagger, spinning it in my hand while keeping my distance.

"I'm not running away; I just can't stand the sight of your face."

"You know, Ravenna, there's only so long someone can hold back their vomit." I replied sharply, my eyes never leaving the movement of the chain in her hand.

Ravenna always made me feel dirty just by being near her.

She chuckled softly, her steps drawing closer. "Don't be like that, Arche. You know you're the only one who can endure my torment. It makes you... special."

"If you think that's an honor, you're dead wrong." I smirked, but remained alert. She was sadistic, obsessed, and she thrived on violence.

That was why she kept hunting me-because I refused to bow to her.

The chain suddenly moved, darting swiftly toward me. I jumped aside, dodging the deadly swipe of metal.

The chain struck the roof, shattering the tiles beneath it.

I rolled, quickly getting back to my feet with my dagger raised, ready to fight. Ravenna smiled wildly, her eyes radiating madness more clearly.

"You're really entertaining, Arche. The more you resist, the more I want to destroy you," her voice was almost a whisper, yet filled with horrific desire.

The chain shot forward again, faster this time. I shifted, barely avoiding it, but kept my focus on one goal-finding an opening to strike back.

Each failed attack only drove her further into insanity.

"You're too slow, Ravenna," I taunted, even as my breath began to quicken. "Getting a bit old?"

Her expression changed, the smile on her lips fading for a moment, but that crazy look in her eyes remained.

"Then I'll get serious."

She swung her chain once more, and this time I didn't wait to dodge.

As fast as I could, I closed the distance between us before she could regain control of the chain.

Before she realized what was happening, I jumped and kicked her in the stomach with all my might.

"Take this!" I shouted as my foot struck her body.

Ravenna was taken by surprise. My kick threw her off balance, her body careening backward, crashing hard onto the roof before finally falling several meters back, far from where I stood.

She gasped, her breath coming in quick bursts, while I stood tall, trying to catch my breath.

"Don't think this is over," Ravenna hissed angrily, though her voice sounded slightly weakened.

I felt certain that this time she wouldn't be able to fight back.

However, just as I let my guard down, the sound of chains ringing softly reached my ears from behind.

Before I could react, the chain suddenly shot out, wrapping around my body quickly.

"What?!" I gasped, trying to struggle, but the chain was so strong, constricting tightly around my arms, my body, even my legs. I couldn't move. Damn, I was too careless!

"Never think that I'm done, Arche," Ravenna's voice was cold in my ear, laced with hatred mixed with her obsession.

She drew closer, a smile on her face despite the blood still trickling from a small scratch on her cheek.

"Did you really think you could just escape from me?"

I thrashed about, but the chain was too strong. My movements were restricted, and my dagger fell from my hand.

"You bitch... let me go!" I struggled, but it was in vain.

She moved even closer, and suddenly something cold and sharp touched my skin-a small bottle with liquid dripping slowly.

"Don't worry,"

she whispered softly in my ear.

"I just want you to sleep for a while... and when you wake up, we can have some more fun."

I tried to move my head, trying to resist, but it felt heavier by the second. My vision began to blur, my consciousness fading quickly.

"Ravenna... you..." My words faltered, and then everything went dark.

When I woke up, the air was thick with the smell of dampness and despair, and my surroundings felt claustrophobic-a basement, perhaps?

"Ugh... Again?" I groaned, realizing I'd been caught by Ravenna once more.

My mind raced back to how careless I had been; the last time, she'd threatened to torture Arthur to get to me.

As I looked around, I found myself tied to a bed with cold, unyielding chains. "Where are you, Ravenna?!"

I shouted, my voice echoing in the shadows.

She appeared slowly, almost theatrically, gliding into view like a dark specter.

She perched herself on the edge of the bed, her presence both intoxicating and terrifying.

"Why... do you miss me already?" she teased, her voice sultry and playful, sending chills down my spine.

"Let me go, you bitch!" I spat, fury boiling within me.

"You must be crazy if you think I would do that," she replied, a wicked smile curling her lips.

With deliberate slowness, she began to peel off my clothes, her fingers grazing my skin like fire.

Her eyes widened as they traced the scars that marred my body.

"Oh... Isn't this the scar I gave you before? You keep it well, huh?"

Her fingers lingered on one of the deeper scars, and I flinched at her touch, an involuntary shudder coursing through me.

"Your body is getting better, huh? You even have an eight-pack now..." She pressed her fingers against my abs, her touch both unsettling and electrifying.

"What do you want now, Ravenna?" I glared at her, a mix of hatred and something else-something I refused to acknowledge-bubbling beneath the surface.

"I want to splash you with very, very cold water... but the water isn't ready yet." She turned her gaze away, an enigmatic smile playing on her lips, before fixing her eyes back on me, intense and predatory.

"So, tonight I want to have fun with you."

"Oh... fuck..." I breathed, the weight of her words settling in.

My heart raced, panic clawing at my chest as I realized the implications of what she meant.

The next day, Arthur was buzzing with nervous energy as he prepared for what he thought was a big date, even though it was just a casual hangout.

He stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his collar for the hundredth time, trying to convince himself that he looked good enough to impress Amnesia.

Dressed in neat, crisp clothes that highlighted his rich-boy charm, he walked over to my room and knocked on the door.

"Arche, I'm leaving!" he called out, his voice a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Okay... Arthur, you can..." I could hear him trying to calm himself down. If only he knew how clueless he looked.

When he stepped outside, he spotted Amnesia waiting for him, a radiant smile lighting up her face.

"Ah? Arthur!" she greeted, her eyes sparkling.

Arthur approached her, his heart racing. "Amnesia, have you been waiting long?"

"No, don't worry. By the way, your clothes are really nice!"

She admired his outfit, completely oblivious to the fact that he was a rich guy.

"I feel like my clothes are too ordinary."

"You look good, Amnesia!" he stammered, shaking slightly under her gaze. He was hopelessly bad at flirting.

If it were me, I'd have teased her by saying, 'You look beautiful, Amnesia... oh wait, you always look beautiful.'

But alas, Arthur needed some serious lessons in the art of charm.

"Is Arche not coming?" Amnesia asked, scanning the surroundings.

"Ah... he's still sleeping. Do you remember what he said last night?" Arthur replied, completely convinced that I was following through with my plan to distract Avilia.

Just then, Avilia appeared from behind a corner, smirking mischievously.

"Ah... what a shame," she teased, clearly enjoying Arthur's awkwardness.

"Avilia, you're here too?!" Arthur exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Of course! I want to accompany my big sis. Do you have a problem with that?" Avilia shot him a sharp look, and Arthur quickly averted his gaze.

"N-No, of course not..." he stuttered, trying to regain his composure while secretly wishing he could disappear into the ground.

The three of them began walking through the bustling streets of the city, with Amnesia and Avilia chatting animatedly about shops and sights.

Arthur's heart raced with every step, especially when he noticed how effortlessly charming Amnesia was.

As a true gentleman, Arthur insisted on paying for everything, much to Amnesia's delight and Avilia's mock disapproval.

"Are you sure you can afford all this, rich boy?" Avilia teased, nudging Arthur playfully.

"Of course! I'd pay a thousand gold coins for a smile from Amnesia," Arthur blurted out, blushing furiously as he realized how cheesy he sounded.

Amnesia giggled, her cheeks flushing slightly. "That's sweet, but you don't have to go that far!"

And as they wandered through the vibrant marketplace, Arthur couldn't help but steal glances at Amnesia, silently hoping that this awkward outing would somehow lead to something more.

While they were having fun, I found myself in a much darker predicament, chained to the cold, unforgiving wall of a dimly lit basement.

"Hey, you damn bitch... let go of me!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the stone walls, but my defiance felt hollow in the face of my reality.

Ravenna sauntered toward me, a wicked smile dancing on her lips.

"You really have a dirty mouth, don't you?" she purred, her fingers curling around my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze.

"You don't know how happy I was to see you all chained up and helpless. I've been waiting for this moment~"

My heart raced as she revealed a whip, the leather glinting menacingly in the low light.

"Do you miss this...?" she asked, her voice a sultry whisper that sent shivers down my spine. I had endured this torment before.

"Not at all," I shot back defiantly, my voice firm despite the rising fear inside me.

A chilling laugh escaped her lips.

"Heh... then I should increase the level a little bit."

Her smile was pure malice, and I felt my blood run cold as she traced her gaze over my body, appraising me like a predator eyeing its prey.

"Looks like that strong body of yours can withstand a lot of physical pain, huh?"

Without hesitation, Ravenna swung the whip, the crack of the leather slicing through the air before it connected with my skin.

I growled in pain, the sharp sting igniting a fire within me. She continued, her expression one of twisted pleasure as she relished in my torment. "You bastard..."

"And you..."

she taunted, her eyes glinting with satisfaction, "You still stand strong. It seems your body can endure quite a bit of pain."

She moved closer, her fingers grazing my chest and abs, her touch both infuriating and unsettling.

"I see you've gotten stronger, more muscular. You're getting hotter and hotter, my boy~"

"Don't touch me! You dirty whore..." I gasped, my breath ragged from both exertion and anger.

Her laughter rang out, a cruel melody that sent a jolt of unwanted desire through me. "Hahaha... What a stubborn attitude. Let me fix that later~"

With a glint of mischief in her eyes, Ravenna turned to fetch a bucket of ice-cold water.

"You're not even breaking a sweat... It's almost like you're enjoying this, huh~" The words hung in the air, charged with an unsettling mix of power and longing.

As I stewed in my predicament, her twisted excitement both infuriated and captivated me.

"Shut the fuck up..." My glare could have pierced through steel, filled with a seething hatred that burned in my chest.

Ravenna tilted her head, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

"I'm happy you still have that fire in your eyes... I'm almost starting to like you."

With that, she lifted a bucket of ice-cold water, the sloshing ice making my stomach twist in anticipation.

"But I will put out your fire."

Before I could brace myself, she doused me with the freezing water.

An electric shock coursed through my body as the icy liquid enveloped me, instantly freezing me to the core.

I couldn't utter a word, the cold stealing my breath and turning my limbs into lead.

Ravenna's laughter echoed in the dim space, a sinister melody that filled me with dread.

"Ah... That's my favorite reaction~"

She leaned closer, her face inches from mine, savoring my suffering.

"Looks like you can't even say anything due to the cold~"

My heart raced as she retreated momentarily, only to return with another bucket, this one brimming with insects.

I could see the glint of mischief in her eyes, and a wave of nausea washed over me.

"Don't you dare..." I warned, my voice trembling.

"Oh? And what are you going to do about it, huh~?"

she taunted, relishing my fear.

"I can see the panic in your eyes~"

Without warning, she upended the bucket over me, and a torrent of writhing bugs cascaded onto my body.

A scream ripped from my throat as the cold, squirming mass enveloped me.

I thrashed wildly, my skin crawling with revulsion as the insects scuttled across my flesh, each tiny movement sending waves of horror coursing through me.

"Look at you!" Ravenna shrieked with glee, her laughter ringing in my ears.

"You can endure the pain of a whip, but you can't handle these little creatures, can you?!" Her amusement only fueled my desperation.

I shouted and writhed, trying to shake off the horrid little things clinging to me.

They crawled into my clothes and under my skin, and no matter how hard I tried to dislodge them, more just kept coming.

The combination of cold and crawling terror was overwhelming, my body paralyzed with fear and revulsion.

"Oh wow! You're really scared of these little things, aren't you?!"

Ravenna continued to laugh, her eyes alight with sadistic pleasure as she sat back and watched my panic unfold.

Time blurred in my mind as I struggled for what felt like an eternity. I was caught in a nightmare, helpless and utterly exposed.

Each second stretched into an eternity as I fought against my own body, overwhelmed by the insects crawling over me.

After what felt like an hour, the insects finally began to disperse, but the feeling of their presence lingered, leaving me trembling and breathless.

The cold seeped into my bones, and I could still feel their phantom touches long after they had vanished.

My heart raced, each beat a reminder of my vulnerability, and in that moment, I was nothing more than a plaything for Ravenna's twisted enjoyment.

I was panting, my breath coming in ragged gasps, exhausted from the relentless screams that had escaped my throat.

Each one had been laced with pure terror, a reflection of my despair that Ravenna savored like a fine wine.

She approached me again, her presence suffocating. With a sickening gentleness, she took my chin, forcing me to look into her eyes.

"That was a delicious scream of terror I heard... Your fear is really very enjoyable~" Her voice dripped with malice, and I felt the weight of her gaze pressing down on me.

"You really are scared of these little things, huh? It's funny~"

The way she said it, with that infuriating smirk, made my stomach churn.

I wanted to scream back, to defy her, but the words clung to my throat, suffocating me.

As if sensing my silent rebellion, she grabbed my hair, yanking my head back painfully, forcing me to look up at her.

"What's wrong, huh? Cat got your tongue~?" The mockery in her voice twisted like a knife in my gut.

Her finger slid under my chin, bringing my face closer to hers, invading my personal space with her sickly sweet smile.

"I like that terror in your eyes... It's attractive~" The way she reveled in my fear made my skin crawl.

She glided over to a nearby table, her movements graceful yet predatory, and picked up a bottle containing a swirling potion.

She returned to me, a wicked glint in her eyes. "Do you know what this potion is, Arche?"

I glanced at her, my heart racing, but words escaped me. The fear was too overwhelming, gripping me like a vice.

Seeing my silence, her smile widened, an unsettling satisfaction lighting up her face.

"I'll tell you then... This potion can make you remember all your bad moments in the past. I want to see your mental breakdown~"

She held the bottle to my lips, but I refused to yield, my resolve hardening even as my body trembled.

"...Go to hell..." The words slipped out in a hoarse whisper, barely audible but laced with defiance.

Her laughter echoed around the cold, dark room, a haunting sound that made my heart sink. "Looks like you're not very good at following orders."

With a swift, brutal motion, she struck my stomach, knocking the wind out of me.

My mouth opened in a gasp, and before I could recover, she seized the opportunity, forcing the potion down my throat.

I struggled, choking on the bitter liquid, but she held the bottle steady, ensuring I swallowed every last drop.

"Good boy~" she cooed mockingly, running her fingers through my hair with a twisted tenderness that made my skin crawl.

"Now... Let's see what you'll remember~"

As the potion began to work its dark magic, a wave of memories surged through my mind-images of pain, despair, and moments of weakness I had long tried to forget.

My heart raced as I felt my grip on reality slipping away, and all I could do was brace myself for the onslaught of my own past.

It made me so sick.

Ravenna stepped back, a sinister anticipation glimmering in her eyes, as I felt the wave of nausea crash over me.

The memories, fueled by the potion, surged forth, and I couldn't hold it in any longer.

I threw up, a violent eruption that expelled all the dark moments I had tried so hard to bury.

She stood back, savoring the grotesque scene, her grin widening with delight. "Oh wow... It seems like it's working, huh?"

The sadistic pleasure in her voice twisted the knife of humiliation deeper into my gut.

Pain, suffering-every unpleasant feeling clawed at me from all directions.

It was overwhelming, suffocating, as if I were drowning in my own despair.

"You made me have to clean that," she remarked with a casual indifference, pointing disdainfully at the mess I had made.

"Help me... Arthur... no... Arthurius..." The names slipped from my lips, a desperate plea that echoed in the emptiness around me.

I was so tired now, my body and spirit both battered beyond recognition.

Ravenna's smile turned even more malicious as she relished my suffering. "You do know Arthur isn't coming for you, right? How pathetic~"

Her words were a dagger, twisting in my heart, amplifying the isolation that closed in around me like a vice.

As night fell outside, the shadows deepened, and I was subjected to yet another round of torment.

Ravenna delighted in her cruelty, using every method at her disposal to break me further.

Each lash of pain was accompanied by her mocking laughter, each moment stretching into eternity, leaving me feeling more like a ghost than a person.

Time lost all meaning as the darkness of my own mind mirrored the physical torture I endured.

All I could cling to was the fading hope that maybe, just maybe, someone would realize I was gone and come to save me.

But deep down, I knew that hope was slipping away.

"Thank you for paying for everything we bought, Arthur," Amnesia said with a sweet smile, her innocence making the moment feel almost serene.

"Anytime," Arthur responded, though his mind was elsewhere. Something was off. He glanced around, brow furrowed.

"By the way, I haven't seen Arche for a while... Usually, he's the first one to find me when it's time to pay for his food."

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. "Wait... don't tell me..."

Avilia's eyes widened as the memory of last night's conversation flashed through her mind. "Arthur... you're thinking the same thing I am, aren't you?"

Without another word, Arthur bolted towards the hotel, the urgency in his movement infectious.

Amnesia, confused but alarmed, followed close behind with Avilia quickly explaining everything as they ran.

Bursting into the hotel, Arthur wasted no time, heading straight for my room. The door was locked.

"Damn it!" he cursed under his breath, before pulling out a hairpin from his pocket.

The thief tricks I taught him hadn't gone to waste after all.

With a satisfying click, the door swung open, and they rushed inside, only to be met with an eerie emptiness.

The bed was untouched, the room void of any sign that I had been there recently.

"Ah crap..." Arthur muttered, his fists clenching. "I should have realized this sooner."

"Is Arche okay?" Amnesia's voice trembled, her worry evident.

Arthur's expression darkened as he grabbed his sword from his room, strapping it to his side with swift precision. "No... Arche's in trouble."

Determination burned in his eyes as he turned to leave, but Amnesia's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"We're coming with you."

Arthur spun around, shaking his head in immediate refusal. "No, no. Ravenna is dangerous. I can't let you two get hurt."

"If she's really that dangerous," Avilia interjected, her voice sharp and logical, "wouldn't it be better if you had help? Three is stronger than one, Arthur."

Arthur hesitated, her words making sense, but the thought of putting them in harm's way weighed heavily on him.

Before he could protest again, Amnesia stepped forward, her face set with quiet determination. "Arche said it himself, didn't he? You'll protect us."

Those words struck deep, resonating with Arthur's sense of duty.

His eyes flicked between them, realizing he had no choice. He exhaled, resigned. "Alright... if that's what you want."

With his heart pounding and time running short, they left the hotel together.

The streets were growing darker as Arthur, Amnesia, and Avilia scoured the city, searching for any sign of me.

The tension in the air was thick, and every moment that passed felt like a countdown to something terrible.

Amnesia's voice trembled with worry as she spoke. "I'm not sure we can find Arche quickly... We don't even have a clue where to look!"

Arthur's face remained resolute, his eyes focused as he led the way.

"Don't worry. This isn't the first time Arche has been kidnapped by Ravenna. I know the kind of places she'd use."

He spoke with an eerie calmness, as if he'd been through this before.

He made a sharp turn and stopped in front of a shop-closed, old, and seemingly abandoned.

"What are we doing here?" Avilia asked, eyeing the dark windows suspiciously.

Arthur ignored the question, heading straight inside.

Without hesitation, he pushed aside a dusty shelf, revealing a large patch of carpet underneath.

He yanked the carpet back, uncovering a secret door made of iron.

The door looked ancient, padlocked tightly, but Arthur was unfazed.

"Found it," he murmured. With a hairpin, he picked the padlock, the faint clicking of tumblers echoing in the quiet room.

The door creaked open, revealing a dark, ominous passage leading underground.

Without wasting a moment, Arthur jumped in, landing softly below.

Amnesia followed, and Arthur caught her mid-jump, lowering her gently to the ground. Avilia followed, and he caught her just as effortlessly.

They moved silently, the cold air of the underground pressing in on them.

In another room, Ravenna, who had just finished torturing me, suddenly paused.

Her ears perked up at the faint sounds of movement outside. A slight cracking noise sent her curiosity piquing.

"Hmm...?" she muttered, narrowing her eyes as she tilted her head toward the door.

Ravenna walked closer, listening carefully, her sadistic smirk never leaving her face.

Pressing her ear against the door, she could hear faint whispers. Her smile grew darker.

Slowly, Ravenna opened the door and stepped into the dim corridor, her eyes locking onto Arthur, Amnesia, and Avilia, all standing just a few feet away.

Her presence was suffocating, and the three froze for a moment.

Amnesia's eyes widened, and she whispered under her breath,

"So... that's Ravenna...?"

Ravenna's cold eyes flicked between the three, amusement dancing in her gaze as she realized they had found her hideout.

"Ah... So, you've come to rescue him, have you?" Her grin widened, stretching into something cruel. "Too late. I've already had my fun with him~."

Arthur's face hardened with rage. "Release Arche, Ravenna! Now!"

He unsheathed his sword, the sharp blade gleaming in the faint light of the underground chamber.

The space was large enough for a fight, but the close quarters made it even more dangerous.

But Ravenna was unfazed by the threat of his weapon. In fact, she laughed-a low, mocking sound that echoed in the cold space.

"Release him? Why would I do that when I'm still enjoying myself?" Her voice dripped with malice, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of cruelty.

Arthur's grip tightened on his sword. The tension in the room was unbearable, and the air thickened with the looming confrontation.

"You came to save your friend again?" Ravenna's voice dripped with mockery, but before she could finish, Arthur cut her off sharply.

"He's not my friend."

His words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. Even Amnesia and Avilia glanced at him, eyes wide in surprise.

For a brief moment, Ravenna was taken aback, but she quickly recovered, her lips curling into a twisted smile.

"Oh? Then why did you come all this way to save him, if he's not your friend?"

Arthur's eyes darkened as he fixed his gaze on her, his voice calm but laced with fierce determination.

"I don't consider him a friend anymore."

Ravenna's smile faltered slightly, sensing the shift in his tone. Arthur took a step forward, his presence commanding the room, his voice rising as he spoke.

"He's my brother."

The words cut through the tension like a blade, sharp and resolute. Ravenna's smile wavered, her confidence visibly shaken, but she forced out a laugh, trying to cling to her sadistic facade.

"That's ridiculous..." she muttered, but even she knew there was something different about Arthur now.

Arthur didn't flinch. His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword as he prepared for the fight ahead.

"Pathetic or not," he said coldly,

"you'll regret ever laying a finger on him."

Ravenna struck first, launching her chain with incredible speed. Arthur quickly deflected it with his sword, sparks flying as steel clashed against metal.

Amnesia moved in from the other side, slashing toward Ravenna, but the woman agilely leaped back, pulling her chain with a serpent-like precision.

Avilia wasn't idle. With a wave of her hand, a cold gust of wind swept through the room, slamming into Ravenna from behind.

But with a swift motion, Ravenna cracked her chain against the ground, causing a loud thud that momentarily disrupted Avilia's balance.

"You'll have to be faster than that," Ravenna mocked with a sly grin.

Arthur lunged again, this time coordinating with Amnesia. Their strikes came in quick succession, their swords moving in perfect harmony.

Yet Ravenna was no ordinary opponent. She expertly used the length of her chain to keep distance between them, spinning it with deadly elegance.

Every so often, the chain would lash out, nearly ensnaring one of them, but Arthur and Amnesia dodged with sharp reflexes.

Behind them, Avilia began to prepare another elemental spell.

This time, the ground beneath Ravenna started to tremble.

Small rocks rose and then hurled toward her from all directions.

Ravenna tried to evade, but a few stones struck her, making her stagger.

"Now!" Avilia shouted.

Arthur and Amnesia charged simultaneously. Ravenna had no choice but to defend, spinning her chain rapidly around herself, creating a metallic shield of sorts.

Arthur's sword managed to pierce through slightly, but the chain's rotation threw him back.

Amnesia attempted to stab from another angle, but once again, the chain deflected her attack with graceful precision.

Then came a critical moment as Avilia sent a burst of flames from her wand. The fire shot forward, and though Ravenna dodged, the end of her chain began to heat up.

The brief moment of distraction was enough for Arthur to slip in close, swinging his sword in a horizontal slash that almost landed a hit.

Ravenna's sharp gaze fixated on them. She began to recognize the weaknesses in their formation, especially with Amnesia and Avilia, who seemed less experienced in facing her tactics.

The chain in her hands moved with increasing agility and menace, its sound echoing ominously in the narrow underground chamber.

With swift determination, Ravenna focused her attacks on Amnesia and Avilia.

The chain whipped toward Amnesia, and while she managed to deflect the first strike, Ravenna's movements were too quick.

The chain wrapped around Amnesia's wrist, yanking her forward until she nearly stumbled.

"Crap!"

Amnesia shouted, struggling to free herself, but Ravenna wasn't giving her a moment's respite.

Avilia, witnessing her sister in peril, immediately launched her elemental magic.

A powerful gust of wind surged toward Ravenna, attempting to push her back, but the woman was already prepared.

With a lightning-fast motion, the other chain was hurled at Avilia, ensnaring her legs and pulling her to the ground.

Avilia gasped, caught off guard by the speed of the attack.

Ravenna let out a small, mocking laugh.

"You're too slow. Not like Arthur here..."

Her eyes briefly flickered to Arthur, who, despite appearing calm, was clearly struggling to fend off attack after attack.

Arthur, having fought Ravenna before, was able to read her attack patterns better.

He skillfully avoided several strikes of the chain, moving nimbly and maintaining distance.

However, his focus was divided between defending himself and protecting Amnesia and Avilia.

He knew that if Ravenna managed to concentrate her attacks on his two companions, they would soon find themselves cornered.

"Come on, get up!" Arthur shouted to Amnesia and Avilia, trying to refocus their attention. But Ravenna wasn't granting him any time.

With a swift motion, she struck again, the chain slicing through the air with lethal force, knocking Avilia back against the wall.

Amnesia, who was trying to counterattack, now appeared exhausted.

Ravenna's chain once again struck her wrist, restraining her movements and forcing her to kneel.

Arthur leaped forward to save them, but Ravenna had already devised another plan.

"I already know your moves, Arthur," she coldly declared as she tugged on the chain wrapped around Amnesia, making it increasingly difficult for her to move.

Seeing Amnesia, the woman he like, injured by Ravenna's attack ignited a fierce anger within Arthur.

He felt a powerful surge inside him; his blood boiled, and his determination hardened.

With a roar that signified his seriousness, Arthur launched a rapid assault toward Ravenna.

This time, there was no room for her to breathe. His sword strikes came faster and stronger.

Ravenna, who was used to playing with her opponents, now had to withstand the pressure of Arthur's suddenly lethal attacks.

"Don't you ever touch them again!" Arthur shouted as he pressed Ravenna back. Every slash of his sword was now almost unavoidable.

Ravenna, who had initially been confident in controlling the fight, began to lose her footing.

Her chains no longer moved as quickly as before; every time she tried to strike, Arthur was one step ahead.

In one swift movement, Arthur leaped to the side, severing one of the chains that bound Amnesia.

The chain clattered to the floor, metal ringing sharply as it fell.

Without hesitation, Arthur used the momentum to attack the other chain restraining Avilia, freeing her with a precise cut that caught Ravenna off guard.

"Are you both okay?" Arthur asked, his voice steadier now but still tinged with concern.

Avilia and Amnesia, though panting, quickly rose, ready to fight again.

They knew Arthur had opened the way for them, and now this battle was far from over.

Ravenna, realizing she was on the defensive, understood one thing clearly-her opponents were now far more serious than before.

Avilia quickly reached for Amnesia's hand, channeling her healing magic to mend the wounds on her sister's body.

With intense concentration, a soft glow began to emanate from her palms, enveloping Amnesia in a healing aura.

"This will be over soon, Sis," she said gently, trying to reassure Amnesia, who was still panting heavily.

Meanwhile, Arthur seized the opportunity to confront Ravenna, who was now cornered.

With each step, he approached the woman, his sword raised high and ready to strike.

But Ravenna, unwilling to back down, smirked, sensing she had a backup plan.

As Arthur launched attack after attack, Ravenna deftly produced a whip made of chain, skillfully twirling her weapon.

When Arthur's sword came near, she quickly swung the whip, striking Arthur's blade with tremendous force.

"Did you think you could win so easily?" Ravenna taunted, her eyes glinting with challenge.

Arthur staggered slightly but quickly regained his footing. He wouldn't let Ravenna thwart his assault.

"I won't let you hurt them again!" he shouted, his spirit blazing.

However, Ravenna refused to back down. With surprising speed, she began launching attacks using both the chain and the whip.

The chain whirred through the air while the whip lashed out, creating a sense of pressure around Arthur.

He had to move faster, dodging the relentless onslaught of attacks.

Arthur did his utmost to anticipate Ravenna's moves, evading and blocking with his sword.

Each time he tried to close the gap, Ravenna greeted him with a precisely aimed whip strike.

The sounds of metal clashing and the scraping of chains filled the dungeon, creating an increasingly tense atmosphere.

Meanwhile, as Avilia continued to focus on healing Amnesia, the noisy battle around them heightened their tension.

"Sis, get well soon! We need you!" Avilia shouted, determined not to be distracted by the fight unfolding before them.

Amnesia, feeling her strength returning, began to rise despite still feeling a bit weak.

Seeing Amnesia begin to move, Arthur felt a renewed sense of confidence.

"Amnesia! Avilia! Let's finish this together!" he called out, signaling them to prepare.

Ravenna, noticing Amnesia rising, began to feel the pressure mounting, and she knew she couldn't let them unite.

"No one will stop me!" Ravenna shouted in growing anger, then launched another assault with her chain and whip, trying to separate them before they could strike as one.

With her strength restored, Amnesia stood up and took her place beside Arthur, ready to fight.

They exchanged glances, bolstering each other's confidence.

"Let's do this!" Amnesia exclaimed, her spirit reignited.

Arthur nodded, and together they charged toward Ravenna. Amnesia attacked with quick slashes, while Arthur followed with coordinated moves.

Ravenna could no longer afford to toy with them. Their sword strikes came one after the other, creating mounting pressure.

Behind them, Avilia wasn't idle. Utilizing her telekinesis, she focused her energy on Ravenna.

With a wave of her hand, she lifted small stones from the floor of the underground chamber and hurled them at Ravenna, creating long-range attacks that disrupted her concentration.

"Ravenna! Feel this!" Avilia shouted, controlling the rocks with precision.

The stones shot forward at high speed, slamming into the walls and diverting Ravenna's attention from Amnesia and Arthur's assaults.

In that moment, Ravenna struggled to evade, but not all of Avilia's attacks could be dodged.

With each slash from Arthur and Amnesia that followed, the pressure on Ravenna intensified.

Now, their attacks seemed more balanced.

Amnesia managed a sweeping strike that forced Ravenna to retreat, while Arthur delivered a thrusting attack that startled her.

Ravenna attempted to swing her chains and whip in retaliation, but Avilia continued to apply pressure.

Using her telekinesis, she lifted two large stones and slammed them forcefully toward Ravenna.

"Now!" Avilia shouted, taking advantage of Ravenna's confusion as she was cornered.

Arthur and Amnesia immediately continued their assault, pushing their opponent further back.

Ravenna's chains rattled as she struggled to maintain distance, but the coordinated assault from the three allies left her little room to maneuver.

"This is the end for you, Ravenna!"

Arthur launched his final attack with unwavering determination.

His sword flew swiftly, targeting a weak point in Ravenna's body.

The strike hit its mark, inflicting a serious wound on her.

Blood flowed from the injury at her side, and the woman staggered back, shock and anger etched across her face.

"No... it can't be!" she groaned, her eyes blazing with anger and frustration.

She sank to her knees, feeling the power drain from her.

"Why? How could you defeat me again?" Ravenna gasped, her voice filled with bitter defeat.

"I won't be able to torment you again... Arche..." She glared at Arthur with intense hatred.

"I was enjoying torturing him. But unfortunately, I have to retreat for now."

Suddenly, with a swift motion, Ravenna reached for a small orb in her pocket and threw it to the ground.

With an explosion of smoke, the underground room filled with a thick fog that enveloped everyone.

In the chaos, Ravenna disappeared from sight, leaving Arthur, Amnesia, and Avilia in sudden silence.

Amnesia and Avilia coughed, trying to adjust to the billowing smoke.

"We can't let her get away like this!" Amnesia yelled, but Arthur raised his hand, stopping her.

"She's gone. We have to save Arche first!" Arthur said, although frustration and anger still burned within him.

When I managed to pry my eyes open, I saw blurry figures approaching. My vision was hazy, but I could just make out their voices.

"Arche, are you okay?!" That was Amnesia, her voice trembling with concern.

"Your body... it's a mess..." Avilia's voice followed, filled with disbelief.

"Arche, we're getting you out of here." That steady, reassuring tone could only belong to Arthur.

But before I could respond, the exhaustion overwhelmed me again, dragging me back into the depths of unconsciousness.

My mind, however, was far from peaceful. Memories-painful ones-haunted me in the darkness.

"I wish I never gave birth to him..."

That voice, the one that still tormented me, echoed in my mind. I jolted awake, breath catching in my throat.

"...Mother?"

Blinking, I realized I was no longer in that hellish basement. The soft light filtering through the window told me I was back in the hotel room.

I turned my head slightly and saw Arthur standing by the window, lost in thought.

"A-Arthur...?"

He spun around at the sound of my voice, his face lighting up with surprise and relief. "Arche?!"

Arthur rushed to my bedside, his smile wide but his eyes betraying his worry. "Thank the gods, you're awake. I'm so glad you're okay."

Before I could respond, Amnesia and Avilia burst into the room, carrying a tray of water. The moment they saw me, their eyes went wide with shock.

"Arche?!" Amnesia nearly dropped the tray in her rush to reach me.

"Are you okay? What did she do to you?"

I forced a weak smile, trying to ease their worry.

"Sorry... for making you all worry."

My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.

"My body... it's so sore."

"That's putting it lightly," Amnesia muttered, her face a mixture of concern and anger. "You've been through hell."

"I can barely move," I admitted, raising a trembling hand to my temple.

"And my head... it's pounding."

Arthur knelt beside me, his expression growing serious.

"Ravenna got away, but you're safe now. We'll deal with her another time."

"Of course... she always manages to slip away." I sighed.

"Your mentality is still unstable, right?" Avilia's voice was gentle, but her eyes were sharp with concern. "You must-"

"No problem, I'm fine." I forced a smile, even though I knew I was lying through my teeth.

"You don't need to worry. With my current condition, I could still climb trees!"

The three of them just stared at me, and their expressions were unreadable-somewhere between worried, confused, and maybe a little doubtful.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?"

I turned toward the mirror, and my face instantly flushed.

I was practically naked, only in shorts with a blanket half covering me. "AH!"

"Arthur, get me some clothes!" I shouted, realizing that Amnesia and Avilia had been standing there this whole time, probably getting a full view of my bruised and battered body.

Arthur raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "But your body-"

"Never mind about my body! I'm fine!" I snapped, my face burning with embarrassment.

The truth was, I didn't want anyone to see all the wounds Ravenna left. "Just get me the clothes, quickly!"

Arthur sighed, clearly not wanting to argue. He handed me a shirt, and once I put it on, I felt a bit more like myself-at least on the outside.

"Are you really okay, Arche?" Amnesia's voice cut through my false sense of normalcy.

Her concern was palpable, and it only made me feel worse about pretending.

I suddenly remembered what Rufina had told me about sharing my problems. I hesitated, then forced another smile.

"I'm fine... I just need to have a little chat with Arthur."

"Hm, okay." Arthur nodded, already sensing that I had something serious to say.

Avilia, understanding the unspoken cue, gently nudged her sister.

"Let's give them some privacy."

Amnesia lingered for a moment, still looking at me with those big, worried eyes. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me, okay, Arche?"

I couldn't help but smile at her concern, trying to sound upbeat despite everything.

"Yes! Amnesia is indeed reliable!"

After they both left the room, I let out a deep breath, finally feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me.

The pain, the exhaustion, and the memories were all still there, simmering under the surface.

"That damn bitch..." I mumbled under my breath, frustration boiling beneath the surface.

I could still feel the ghost of Ravenna's touch, the lingering pain from everything she'd put me through.

"You must not be okay, Arche,"

Arthur said softly, sitting at the corner of my bed, his eyes filled with concern.

"What has Ravenna done to you?"

"That damn Ravenna..." My voice trailed off as I forced myself to relive it all-the torture, the humiliation.

I told Arthur every detail, watching his expression harden as I spoke.

"That's how it is..."

"Ravenna... she's such a jerk," Arthur muttered, shaking his head. His reaction almost made me smile-almost.

But something else had been weighing on me, something deeper than just the physical pain. I hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"And... actually, there's something I want to tell you... It's not about Ravenna though."

Arthur's gaze softened even more.

"You can tell me anything, Arche."

Damn, that good and positive nature of his.

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of my words before I even said them.

"So... um..." Slowly, I began to vent to him about the stress I had been carrying, the guilt, the fear, and Arthur, being Arthur, gave me some advice that was surprisingly helpful.

"And about Luna..." I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. Arthur's eyes widened, surprised to hear that name.

"Luna, huh...? Are you still thinking about her?" he asked cautiously.

I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. "Do you think Luna's death was my fault?"

"Of course not, Arche."

His voice was firm but gentle.

"At that time, the terrorists came to our academy because they wanted to take over the island. It wasn't just Luna who died that day."

"But... I promised to protect her..." The words felt heavy as they left my lips, a burden I hadn't been able to shake.

Arthur leaned closer, his voice steady and calm. "Arche, everyone can break a promise, but not everyone is capable of keeping one."

His words hit me like a punch, cutting through the guilt I had clung to for so long.

I sat there in silence for a moment, processing what he said. Maybe he was right.

Maybe I was the one who had been wrong all along-blaming myself for something I couldn't control.

Confiding in Arthur had lifted a weight off my shoulders, something I hadn't realized I needed until now.

He was always good at listening, at knowing what to say.

"Thanks, Arthur." I smiled faintly at him, feeling a flicker of gratitude. He really is my best friend.

"No problem, Arche. You know I've got your back." He chuckled lightly, and for the first time in a while, I felt a little lighter.

Even though my mentality wasn't completely stable yet, Arthur's presence helped.

The next day, we spent time together, like we used to back at the academy.

Walking around, talking about nothing and everything-it made me feel... normal again.

Like the weight of the past was starting to lift, just a little.

We hung out with Amnesia and Avilia too, and for a moment, it felt like old times. But then, as all good things do, it had to end.

A few days after the whole Ravenna incident, it was time for Arthur to head home. His day off had run its course, and duty called him back.

The three of us-me, Amnesia, and Avilia-stood in front of the towering walls that enclosed the country, watching as Arthur's luxurious horse-drawn carriage pulled up.

"I'll miss you guys..." Arthur said, though his gaze lingered a little longer on Amnesia than on me or Avilia.

"It was nice spending time with you," Amnesia smiled sweetly, her sincerity as clear as ever.

"See you later, Arthur," Avilia added, her tone warm but composed.

Arthur turned his attention to me last, and before I could protest, he hugged me. Tightly.

"Stay alive,"

he muttered, his voice soft but firm.

"This is embarrassing..." I mumbled, feeling heat rise to my face. Still, I patted his back.

"But thanks. You too-don't die from overwork." I shot back, trying to lighten the mood.

Arthur chuckled and waved before climbing into his carriage.

As it started to roll away, I watched him disappear into the distance, leaving behind the usual ache of a friend departing.

"Arthur must be really rich, huh? He even has a personal servant," Avilia commented, watching the fancy carriage fade from view.

I glanced at her, a mischievous smile tugging at my lips.

"Oh, you guys don't know Arthur's real job yet, do you?"

"Eh? Isn't he a painter?" Amnesia's face was a mix of surprise and confusion.

I smirked, knowing full well Arthur would probably groan if he heard what I was about to say.

But hey, it's not like I'd keep his secret forever. "Painting is just his hobby. He's actually... a king, you know."

The silence that followed was almost comical. Both Amnesia and Avilia looked at me like I'd grown a second head.

"K-King?!" Amnesia gasped, her voice higher than usual.

"Yeah. If I'm not mistaken, his kingdom's name is complicated-uh, Havenvale, I think?" I scratched my head, trying to recall it exactly.

"Havenvale?!" Avilia exclaimed. "I've heard of that kingdom!"

I chuckled, savoring their stunned reactions. "Surprising, right? Yeah, I was shocked too when I first found out."

"Imagine being friends with a king and not knowing it."

My mind drifted back to a memory from long ago-one of those rare king meetings Arthur had to attend.

Other kings arrived with squads of imposing, armor-clad guards.

Arthur, on the other hand, strolled in with just me by his side, dressed in my usual casual getup.

After the meeting, some of those guards-clearly underestimating me-challenged me to a fight.

Let's just say they weren't prepared for what happened next.

As I chuckled to myself, Amnesia's voice snapped me back to reality.

"What are you daydreaming about, Arche?"

"Nah, it's nothing," I replied, pulling out my flying broomstick, ready to leave.

"Arche!" Amnesia called out again. I turned to look at her.

"Which country are you heading to next?"

I casually mentioned the name of the country I had planned to visit.

"Eh... surprising! We're going to the same country!" Amnesia exclaimed, her face lighting up.

I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

"Really? Well then, let's go together!"

"Let's go!" Amnesia cheered, and Avilia joined in by pulling out her own broomstick.

As we prepared to take off, Avilia couldn't help but ask,

"I wonder... what was it like when you first found out Arthur was a king?"

I grinned, the memory still vivid in my mind. "Ah... where do I even start?"

And with that, we took to the skies, flying toward our next destination, as I recounted the story of discovering Arthur's true identity.

It was one of those rare moments where life felt light again, where friendship eased the weight of the past.

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. And Arthur's was one of those people