I swallowed hard.

And without blinking, I stared at the man.

‘That……’

The ominous aura flowed from his body.

People around seemed unaware of what it was, but I could tell.

Because I had experienced it once before.

‘……Cardien’s magic outburst.’

It was similar to the aura I felt back then.

No, it’s almost identical.

But that doesn’t make sense.

Cardien’s magic outburst is due to his unique constitution.

If everyone could have a magic outburst, Cardien wouldn’t have been so despised in the original work.

‘But that’s clearly a magic outburst.’

What on earth is going on here?

Was there such an explanation in the original work?

Moreover…….

‘Celestina’s expression……’

From people’s view, Celestina’s face would be hidden by the man, but from my position, having moved to a corner to avoid them, I could see Celestina’s face.

Celestina’s expression, frozen terrifyingly cold.

No emotion could be found in that look.

Of course, that could happen.

‘When too nervous or flustered, one might freeze up.’

But Celestina right now, how should I put it? It was a bit different from that.

It’s hard to explain specifically, but it’s as if…….

‘She’s like a doll without emotions.’

I turned my gaze back to the man.

The aura rising from him became even more fierce.

Because of that, Hysterion’s sword, meeting resistance, slowed down a bit.

But that’s just a matter of time.

That man will eventually die by Hysterion’s hand.

For the beginning of Celestina and Hysterion’s narrative.

“Ugh……”

I covered my mouth with my hand.

Though less than before, I still felt unwell.

‘This doesn’t feel right.’

It might be best to leave this place for now.

With that thought, I turned to look at Cardien.

“Um, Your Gra……”

But I couldn’t continue my words.

Something seemed off about Cardien’s state.

“……Your Grace?”

I called out to him carefully, but there was no response.

Just head bowed, not even a slight movement.

“……Your Grace.”

“……”

“……Cardien.”

“……”

I even dared to call his name, but Cardien remained silent.

An ominous feeling swept through my entire body.

I cautiously approached him.

Then I could see Cardien’s face, which had been hidden as he was looking down.

Cardien was staring blankly downward.

His eyes were unfocused, and a dark energy was seeping into his purple irises.

I know this look of Cardien.

“……Sh*t.”

A curse escaped my lips without realizing it.

Cursing in front of Cardien.

It’s something I could never have done normally, but my voice wouldn’t reach Cardien anyway.

Because Cardien’s current state is…….

‘This is a magic outburst, isn’t it!’

Why now of all times? How?

Could it be related to the man’s magic outburst?

‘No, no. What’s important now isn’t the cause.’

I tried hard to calm my breathing.

Don’t waver, Livia Pellington.

If there’s any consolation, Cardien’s condition doesn’t seem too severe yet.

In other words, it seems he hasn’t completely lost consciousness to the magic.

If he had lost consciousness, the area around him would have already been devastated.

But that’s only a matter of time.

‘Should I move him?’

I looked around.

Usually, the balcony would be the easiest option in this situation, but this building doesn’t have a balcony.

There is a private room, though.

‘……That won’t work.’

The entrance leading to the corridor is blocked by a crowd of people.

Then there’s only one option left.

‘Quickly strike and retreat.’

Fortunately, no one is paying attention to this area right now.

Thanks to all eyes being on the man and Celestina.

Moreover, since Cardien’s condition isn’t too serious if we resolve this quickly, it might not escalate.

‘As inconspicuously as possible.’

With minimal force…….

What purpose could he, a dark mage, have with Celestina?

And even now.

‘He’s not doing anything.’

He was just quietly looking at me, not making any threatening moves.

As if claiming his innocence.

‘……If it really is the same magic outburst as Cardien’s…..’

Couldn’t I help?

At least I know how to suppress a magic outburst.

And if this man really is experiencing the same magic outburst as Cardien…….

‘Maybe I could learn more details about Cardien’s magic outburst.’

I stared blankly at him and raised my hand.

Even at that moment, I was conflicted.

‘Is this really okay?’

I know how dangerous my actions are right now.

Regardless of what effect it might have on this man, this clearly goes against the original work.

‘But……’

I tightly grasped Cardien’s hand with my other hand.

It’s an action I wouldn’t dare do normally, but the situation is different now.

‘I’ll just borrow your hand.’

I thought to myself as I exerted my power.

Simultaneously.

Click.

“Wh-what’s going on?”

“I can’t see anything!”

“H-huh, I want to go back now.”

At an unbelievable timing, the lights went out.

I could hear people panicking at the sudden blackout.

Several hurried footsteps mixed in.

It seems that with the confusion caused by the blackout, even Eden and Hysterion who were rushing here had their paths blocked.

And I…….

Whoosh-

A silver light leaked from under my palm.

At that moment, chills ran down my spine.

“Huk……”

Someone’s memories began to flood into my mind.

Like a flashback, the memories quickly passed by.

In the memories, the man was writing something, inserting it into what looked like a library bookshelf, conducting a class, and also…….

‘……Jeffrey?’

There was a familiar face in the man’s memories.

How could I not recognize him?

He was the culprit who kept me awake for a while.

Jeffrey in the memory was smiling brightly.

But the next moment, the scene changed.

A dark and gloomy space.

And those surrounding him there.

‘People with ancient temple symbols engraved……’

His memories abruptly cut off there.

The flow was unnatural, as if someone had forcibly torn out the memories.

Finally, his last memory played.

Having barely escaped outside, he ran blindly toward where light was pouring in.

I want to live. I want to live!!

The first thing that caught his eye there was Saint Celestina.

‘If it’s the Saint, she can save me.’

That’s what the man seemed to think.

But Celestina’s expression towards him was so cold, showing not even a hint of emotion.

The next moment, the man flinched and turned his head sharply.

At the end of that gaze was me, and that’s where his memory stopped.

But the last emotion he felt was clearly conveyed.

‘Save me.’

Help me, rescue me. Please save me.

“Huh……”

I opened my eyes, breathing heavily.

In the darkness, my eyes met the man’s.

“You are……”

That’s when it happened.

“Ah, uwaah….. Aaaaagh!!”

Suddenly, the man clutched his head and screamed, stumbling backward.

At that moment, the lights in the hall came back on, and simultaneously, black energy swirled around the man.