Note

Text between " ", thoughts of characters.

Text between «", consciousness or voices of tertiary characters.

PVO POPP

« I'm sorry, Popp! That's the last thing I hear from Dai before he disappears forever»

I wake up with a start, layers of sweat covering my forehead.

For days I have been suffering, reliving the terrible moment when I lost Dai, and the pain has intensified since we met in Papunika to see the place where Princess Leona decided to place his sword.

That time everyone dedicated words to him that showed their desire to see him again, but I could not express myself kindly, (at least not at first), and this is due to the anger I feel for not having been able to go with him to die together.

I know that my magic power had been consumed in the battle against Vearn, however, I should have forced myself to replenish it, but I didn't and now I live tormented by the guilt and pain of having lost the only person who truly cared about me.

A creaking sound coming from the door interrupts my thoughts and when I turn around to complain to the person who dared to bother me, I find Maam who gives me a look that shows me the enormous pity she feels for me.

–Hi, Popp! –she tries to smile, but I notice it's hard for her– I brought you some delicious bread with dulce de leche that my mother taught me to make when I was a child.

I look at the plate with the sweet in her hands for a few seconds, but my depressed mood doesn't help and I turn my face so she doesn't see the annoyed expression I make. If I knew that her concern was because she loves me, I would be grateful. However, I know very well that it is her charitable soul that makes her feel that it is her duty to cheer me up.

–I want to inform you that you will be the first to try this dish prepared by me –the tone of her voice changed to a more cheerful one– in Nayle's village I only cooked meals with vegetables or meat. I rarely prepare desserts, but today I really wanted to prepare one for you because I want to see you smile.

"Seeing me smile?... yeah right!... as if I could smile after losing my best friend and the worst thing is that the only feeling I have managed to awaken in others is pity... I would accept it from anyone, but coming from her it hurts me because it shows me how pathetic I am in her eyes".

Oblivious to my thoughts, she breaks off a rather large piece to offer it to me.

Her smile and the sparkle coming from her eyes mesmerizes me because she looks really beautiful.

For a moment I feel my heartbeat with joy at her loving gesture, but the image of her holding Hyunckel lovingly during the battle against Vearn appears in my mind and brings me back to reality.

Maam waits for me to open my mouth, but luckily, I remember that she said that this was the first time anyone was going to try that special dessert, and I can't let her waste it on me, so I quickly get up and walk towards the door.

–Thank you, Maam! But I'm not hungry.

Without waiting for her to respond, I leave as quickly as my body's weakness from lack of food allows.

Luckily, I sleep in my everyday clothes and not in pajamas, so I won't have to go through an awkward scene where someone sees me disheveled (especially Leona, who spent the first few days complaining about the disastrous way I appeared at the palace).

In the distance I can smell the smell of food.

From the position of the sun, I know it's noon and that means it's time for lunch.

Leona loves to call us to join her while she takes a break, and from the sound of several voices gathered in the dining room, I can tell she's still keeping up that routine.

My stomach growls in clear protest for having left him without food for several days and for a moment I scold myself for despising Maam's dessert, but when I enter and see Hyunckel, (who almost never spends time with anyone and doesn't show up at the princess's lunches), I tell myself that it's an excellent opportunity to help my friend get closer to her special person and with a magnificent plan in mind, I sit next to him and make sure that no one takes the chair on his other side.

–Good morning, Hyunckel! –I greet him with an exaggerated effusiveness that makes him squint his eyes in distrust –Why are you making that face if I just said hello to you?

–We have days when we are worried because you don't even leave your room to drink water, and today you show up with that happy face that is obvious from a mile away that you fake it.

–Hey, of course it's not fake! –I complain, still smiling– I feel better today and I'm so hungry that I'll leave you with nothing to eat if you don't hurry up and help yourself.

An odd silence makes me look around and I realize that everyone is looking at me with a surprised face.

–Is something wrong? –I asked, uncomfortable with so much attention.

–It's just that we have days where we worry about you, silly magician –Chiu answers with a serious face and his arms crossed.

–That's true! –Leona jumps up from her seat and hits the table –I know that we are very sad about Dai, but Lon Beruk already told us that he is alive, that's why I don't understand the reason why you locked yourself in your room. If it weren't for the fact that Maam is very stubborn and breaks the lock to get in to see you, we would assume that the one who no longer exists in this world is you.

The others nod in agreement and I wonder if it's true that I've been acting even dumber than usual.

–You've had poor Maam on the verge of anguish –Leona continues.

–Merle has also been very worried –Crocodine says and I turn to look at her.

Merle's face is flushed and I notice that unlike Maam's gaze, there is not a drop of pity in hers and I smile at her in gratitude because, despite being an idiot for not being able to reciprocate her feelings, Merle, like Dai, are the only people in this world who do not see me as a useless person that everyone should pity.

–I'm sorry for worrying you, Merle! –I extend my hand and she takes it nervously– you are very special to me, that's why I promise I will never cause you pain again.

We both smile at each other and I feel the need to tell him how much I appreciate his support.

–Maam! –my master's voice calling my battle partner interrupts what I would say to Merle next.

Looking in my friend's direction, I see her frowning and I have a feeling that I'm going to have a bad time because she walks quickly towards me without stopping to give me an angry look.

The blow of his fist to my head is hard and due to my weakness I am unable to hold on to the table and fall to the floor.

–What the hell did I do now? –I shout excitedly while rubbing my head.

–You're an idiot! –His scream is louder than mine and I shudder at the combat stance he takes.

My master Avan rushes to hold her before she hits me again, but Maam elbows him, making him writhe in pain. However, that doesn't stop her and with her fists she grabs my shirt to pull me until our faces are almost glued together.

–I've been begging you for days to go back to being the Popp you always were, but you care very little about what I feel, do you? You're not even capable of apologizing to me.

" Apologize?... What should I apologize for?... I miss my friend and I feel bad for not being able to help him, it is logical that I behaved like that."

–You won't say anything? –Maam applies more pressure and I feel like I'm short of breath.

–I... I don't know what you want me to say... –I can barely get the words out because of his grip.

Suddenly I was petrified to see tears running down Maam's beautiful face and I realized that having a charitable soul makes her suffer the suffering of everyone she meets and surely my behavior was desperate for her.

–I'm sorry, Maam! –she looks at me in surprise and to my relief the tears begin to disappear as a shy smile replaces her sadness –thanks for being a good friend.

The air begins to enter my lungs again as Maam releases it and I am about to congratulate myself for having said the right words when guilt rises again as I see that she is no longer smiling but crying again.

I feel like a miserable person because lately I've only caused her grief, but I remember my grand plan and take her hand to lead her to sit next to Hyunckel, (who is in the middle of the two of us).

–Where is the delicious dessert you prepared? I would like to try it – I say while making a face that shows that I am hungry.

–Do you really want to try it? –A charming sparkle appears in her eyes again and I am speechless before her radiant smile –From the stupid face you just made, I can tell that you do want to eat it... Wait for me! I'll bring it right now.

Maam rushes out of the dining room and returns in less than a minute with the dessert.

There's a slight blush on her face, which I assume is from the race. Her gaze doesn't leave mine and it's thanks to that that I manage to direct her to her seat next to Hyunckel, (I saw that she was going to sit next to me, but that would ruin the plan).

Even with the obvious ruse of bringing her together with her lover, Maam ignores her and takes the piece from earlier and then offers it to me.

–I hope you like it! –she says, her cheeks blushing.

The aroma of the dessert makes me salivate because it smells really delicious and I almost forget what's next in my plan, but Hyunckel's awkward throat clears me from the spell that was enveloping me.

– I don't think this dessert is just for me, is it, Maam? –I take the second step of the plan –why don't you start serving the others –I urge her to do so, but she doesn't move –at least give a piece to Hyunckel... the poor guy is obviously hungry and since the princess rations our food, he needs a delicious dessert to feel satisfied.

–Hey! I always order kilos of food for each of my guests – the princess complains.

Maam looks at Hyunckel as if looking for confirmation of my words and I see them sharing those knowing glances that they always give each other and that show us all how much they love each other and how stubborn they are in not accepting it.

After a very awkward moment for me, Maam finally breaks off a piece of dessert and offers it to Hyunckel, but again she directs her eyes towards where I am.

–Can you try it now, please! –The tone of her voice is nervous and although she looks at me, I know that the person she is addressing those words to is our fellow warrior.

Several gazes fall on me again, (including Hyunckel's), and I honestly don't know what the hell is making them focus so much on me, but even their scrutiny won't get me to take a step back from my goal of helping the woman I love have a chance at winning the heart of the man she adores.

–Okay Hyunckel, let's take a bite on the count of three... 1, 2... –Hyunckel quickly breaks off a piece and brings the spoon to his mouth–... 3.

Hearing the number three, Hyunckel bites into the dessert and savors it. I congratulate myself because with this I can boast of being the first to try a dessert that Maam had never made for anyone in the past.

A general exclamation spreads through the dining room and as I look, I see everyone looking at me reproachfully, but as I look at Maam, I am frightened by the aura of fury emanating from her being.

–You are such an idiot! –Maam screams at the top of her lungs and approaches me with her fists clenched.

I cover my head with my hands and wait to feel the most terrible pain of my short life, but the blow never comes and when I open my eyes I discover that Maam is crying.

The atmosphere turns cold and the pain in Maam's eyes saddens me.

Distressed by her reaction, I get up to go to her side, but she is faster and leaves the dining room at full speed.

–Damn fool! –Chiu gives me a slap on the head –do you like to make Miss Maam suffer?

–And why do you think I made her suffer? –His accusation angers me because everything I do, I do so that she is happy.

–You are selfish! –Leona pulls my ear with a force that surprises me because it is quite fragile –you were not satisfied with having Maam worried about you all these days, now you also destroy her illusions.

"Destroy her illusions?... What are you talking about?"

The others don't say anything and get up to leave the dining room, but not before giving me a reproachful look again (even Merle looks at me like that).

–I hope for your own good that you fix this or else you'll have to deal with me! –Leona threatens me and then leaves me alone... or so I thought.

–As soon as it was dawn, Maam got up to look for the ingredients she would need to prepare that dessert –says my teacher Avan from his seat– A few days ago, Leila came to see her and told me that Maam avoided making desserts because when she taught her, she told her that if in her heart there was no desire to make someone happy, the taste could be bitter, so she decided that she would never try it... This was the first time Maam had the desire to make a dessert and it was only to make you happy... We all tried to help her because it is noticeable that it is a little difficult for her to follow a recipe, however, she refused to let us touch even one ingredient... While she was working, she said that she would not allow her dear Popp to lose his smile and when she finally managed to finish it, she expressed her wish that you be the first to try it... Maam wanted only you to eat it... not Hyunckel... not even Leila or me... just you.

As my teacher spoke, I could imagine Maam preparing the dessert.

If you never wanted to do one and today you only tried to get me out of my depression, it means that your brotherly affection is genuine.

Maybe I am the brother she always wanted and could never have because of his father's premature death.

–I'm sorry, master! –I said with shame.

–It's not me you should apologize to... Can you imagine how painful it was for her to see someone else try the dessert she made especially for you?

–Yes, I know... although it wasn't that bad... maybe her dear little brother didn't try it, but her great love did... I think I'll give her some time to accept it and when he realizes that nothing went wrong, she'll forgive me and everything will go back to normal.

I said, laughing to keep my heart from breaking at the mention of "her great love" and with an exaggerated pose of a winner (although in reality I felt like the biggest loser in the world).

–You are very naive, dear Popp!... in Maam it is understandable why, being charitable with everyone, she confuses affection with love, but for anyone who knows how to observe, they realize that her great love was not the one who tasted that dessert and deep down she knows it, that is why her tears... you are the one who has no excuse... You know perfectly how love feels and yet you do not understand her.

–I understand her, master, and I promise that I will make her discover and accept the love that lives in her heart – I placed my closed fist on my chest to reaffirm my promise.

–And how will you do it if you don't know the name of the person she's in love with?

–I don't ignore it... if you say you are very observant, you will already know who your disciple's beloved is.

–Yes, I know... he's a clueless fool who thinks he's a genius, but ends up destroying the opportunities that would make them both happy.

–You forgot to say that the guy is very arrogant and the guilt he feels for his past is the real cause of his nonsense.

–The guilt of having lost Dai is great, but Popp, you must overcome what happened or you will remain trapped in the darkness and you will see even less that you have a wonderful woman at your side who is just waiting for you to decide to fight for that love that could be the true salvation of Dai and the world.

–I think we've gotten off topic, master... The guilt I feel for allowing my best friend to disappear will end when I find a way to bring him back... I still can't stop to think about my feelings for Merle, but having Dai with me, I'll be able to focus on my future with her, whether as a couple or as friends.

–Oh, Popp! –he let out a loud sigh. –You really get on my nerves.

–But that's how he loves me, master –I said mockingly, and as incredible as it may seem, he smiled kindly.

–Well... I recommend that before you think of a plan to bring Dai, you first go and please a powerful warrior who won't stop breaking rocks until her beloved Popp returns her smile.

–Don't worry, master. The best little brother in the world will comfort his cute little sister and make her smile as always.

– Younger brother? –I nodded to confirm– I doubt Maam loves you like a brother.

–She said it herself... for Maam I am her beloved brother –I couldn't help but say it with pain –she only loves me that way and that will never change.

–Popp... –my teacher was going to comfort me, but I was faster and ran towards the exit of the dining room.

–We'll talk later, master!... now I have to go sort out my nonsense.

Without stopping to listen to him, I ran with all my might.

Telling myself a thousand times that I am Maam's younger brother has not helped to take away the pain of knowing that I will never be able to hold her in my arms.

My heart is completely broken in half.

First Maam grants me the beautiful place of brother and finishes off my hopes with her absurd request that I wait for her to discover if she can see me in another way when we both know that her heart has already decided to love me as a simple little brother, but what ended up destroying me was having lost my best friend.

Dai is more than a friend, he is my real brother and I know that along with Merle they are the only people who love me as I am.

"Popp!" Dai's voice can be heard along with the sound of the wind.

–Dai?... is it really you? –I shout to the void in desperation.

"Help me, Popp!" His plea is pitiful and I imagine it's because he's hurt.

–Daiiiiii ! –I scream with more desperation and fall to the ground while hitting the hard surface with my fists –I'm going to bring you back, I swear!

That moment brought back a whole week of intense depression.

I didn't even keep my promise to fix things with Maam, because I just had no mood to do anything.

Despite this, my dear friend came to visit me several times a day. Her loving compassion was so great that many nights she would lie down beside me and hold me close.

The warmth emanating from his body calms me and fortunately my heart has not misinterpreted his actions with absurd displays of love.

My mind and soul have finally managed to accept the place I will always have in Maam's pure heart and I have also been able to receive her attentions without my perverted side coming to light, even though I am very aware of her generous breasts behind my back, and Maam has the habit of hugging me too tightly and does not lessen it even when she is asleep.

Her sleep is interrupted if I move away from her to go to the bathroom or get some water, and although I try to take advantage of those occasions to keep my distance (especially because of the overly intimate way we usually sleep), it is Maam who tries to unite us and we almost always wake up hugging each other, but this ends one day when I went out to clear my head and found Hyunckel looking sadly at my bedroom window.

–Nothing has happened between us, don't worry – I say seriously to a surprised Hyunckel who now looks at me with bewilderment –Maam doesn't love me... She sees me as a brother and that's why she's been with me all this time.

–Don't you realize that he doesn't see you as a brother? –he says with a tone of pain that I understand perfectly. –I can be by her side and she doesn't even notice me because in her mind there's only you.

– That happens because her soul is charitable and as long as she sees me sad, she will be with me.

Suddenly a revelation occurs in my mind.

"That's right!... As long as I keep allowing her to see me like this, she will never abandon me and lose the chance to be happy with Hyunckel."

–I... –I say with a voice trembling because of the reproaches my mind makes me– I'm going to fix this, Hyunckel.

I make my way back to my room determinedly and find Maam arranging her sleepwear next to mine.

When he notices my presence he smiles at me and hurries to my side.

–I saw you went out and I'm glad... do you think we should go together to the lake behind the castle forest?

I just nod and she immediately links her hand tightly with mine before heading towards the lake.

For a moment I thought about using Ruura to stop us from holding each other like that, (more for Hyunckel than for me), but this being the last time we'd be together, I opted to enjoy her warmth.

The lake is wide and full of light thanks to the large amount of sunlight that covers it.

–That light reminds me of the beautiful green glow that your courageous soul gives off –Maam says as she pulls me down so we can sit on the shore of the lake– But you know what I like most? –I shake my head –I really like your smile... When we met we had a fight and I thought you were an ogre, however, I changed my mind once I started getting to know you and that's how I discovered that you have the ability to cheer up anyone who is sad because you are funny, loving and very noble... You are able to forget your pain to lift the spirits of anyone who needs it... Not even I can do that... Being a disciple of love, I have not been able to make you smile, much less when I show you that it hurts me to see you sad, but even though you are suffering, you always comfort me and give me back my joy and that is why I feel that I...

–Listen, Maam, right now all I can think about is how to find Dai –I interrupt her before she can say that she loves me like a brother.

–I... –she wanted to speak again, but I raised my hand to ask him to let me continue.

–Maam, don't worry anymore. That day when you asked me for a chance to discover your feelings, you had actually already answered me... There's no way you'll fall in love with the person you consider a brother –I tell her with a tender and understanding look –Back then we were risking our lives fighting against the Demon King Vearn and that's why I didn't want to give you more trouble by telling you this, however, my mind and heart accepted that we will never be a couple in love –the smile I show on my face was very difficult to do because I was telling the biggest lie of my life.

–Does that mean you only see me as a sister now?

–It's not easy to change feelings from one day to the next, but I can assure you that today I see you as a great friend –I concluded smiling more, and with a gentle caress on her head, I said goodbye to her telling her that she would go to a meeting with Princess Leona.

"That time was the last time I talked about my feelings."

The excuse of going to see Princess Leona was not a lie.

I was determined to stop feeling sorry for myself and start searching for my best friend, so I asked the princess to support me by informing the other kingdoms that I would be investigating places that had ancient books about the underworld in their possession.

I had a bad feeling that that damn cyclops hadn't died because according to what Maam and my master told us, it didn't disintegrate when they attacked it, but rather, it seemed to have used Ruura and if their suspicions were true, that means it escaped to the underworld to warn Velzar of the result of Dai's battle against Vearn. After all, that evil dragon was waiting for Vearn to lose so that it would have a clear path to destroy the human world and thus proclaim itself the winner of the bet they both made.

Hyunckel joined the small board, followed shortly after by Maam, Merle and Larhart.

Together with the immortal warrior we decided to split into two teams.

–Would you like to come with me, Merle? –I asked the fortune teller, using the most charming tone of voice I know to convince her. –I promise I will protect you from all harm. –I gave her a reassuring smile, and she smiled back.

–Then I will protect you –I heard Maam speak firmly.

For a moment I thought she was saying it to Hyunckel, however, when I looked at her I realized that her eyes remained fixed on me and from the seriousness of her face I discovered her enormous determination, but even with all that, the feeling of frustration invaded me and it is obvious that she thinks I am a useless person who needs to be protected.

–I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself –I couldn't help but use a cold tone because of disappointment.

–I know your strength perfectly well and that's why I want to go with you –Maam answered with the same coldness– I wasn't present in the battle against Baran, but if you risked your life the same way you did in the battle against Vearn, I won't be calm... Popp, I just want you to be okay, I couldn't bear for you to get hurt or... die –her gaze crystallized and she said the last thing in a softer tone.

–I'm just going to look for Dai, what danger could there be in that? –My annoyance didn't diminish one bit even though I noticed that she became sad, and it's because the more she worries about me, the more I realize that she doesn't trust my abilities at all.

–If that evil dragon is the culprit of Dai's disappearance and realizes that you want to find the entrance to the underworld, he will surely want to destroy you –her desperation almost makes me reconsider, but my pride does not allow me to understand her.

–If that happens it will be easier for me to find Dai, so I hope that damn dragon realizes this... For Dai I am capable of doing anything and if I need to give my life to get my friend back to the world he loves so much, I will do it with great pleasure.

Maam falls silent after hearing my own determination.

I feel victorious because even though I am physically weaker than her or Hyunckel, my intelligence helps me win the battle of wills.

I'm about to turn around to leave the palace meeting room, when Hyunckel stops my departure with his intrusion.

–If you want to have an advantage over Velzar, you must take Maam with you. Her strength, combined with your intelligence, will help you both stay alive, and the bond that unites you will give you the strength you need to defeat any enemy.

I have to give him a point on that. Maam is too powerful and her hand-to-hand combat skills would be of great help to me, but I also start to think that I won't be able to concentrate 100% because I'll be worried all the time that something bad will happen to her and with my little physical strength I won't be able to save her, while Hyunckel, even with his injuries, is a thousand times more powerful than me and with a simple movement of his sword, (just made by Nova with Lon Ber uk's instructions ), he is able to destroy any enemy.

–Maybe you're right, but there's no healer in your group and whether you like it or not, you're going to need someone to tend to your wounds and who better than Maam to support you in that... Remember that you can barely fight because you have broken bones all over your body and you require healing spells constantly.

–With Larhart helping me, I doubt I'll need to fight. We're both warriors, and even though we don't use spells, Larhart's strength is superior to either of us and he'll be able to protect me.

I can't argue with that. Trying to do so would only lead to a long verbal confrontation in which Hyunckel would end up winning because it's true that there's no one in our group who can outdo Larhart, so with a sigh of resignation I accept that I lost, (although it was more because of the murderous look the leader of the dragon warriors is giving me).

Maam smiles at my failure and out of hurt pride I choose to leave the room without saying a single word.

A few steps away I hear Princess Leona calling me and pulling me by the arm before running me to a room where there is a huge trunk containing an outfit similar to the one I was wearing before (with the difference that this one has white pants and the sleeves of the shirt are short).

Without giving me any privacy to change, she demands that I get dressed immediately, (she turned his back on me, but it was still awkward).

Dressed in my new clothes, I indicate that he can turn around and he smiles when she sees me.

–You look great! –she begins to circle around me as he assesses my outfit. –You just need to put on your cape.

The princess takes a white cloak that I hadn't noticed and covers me with it. The colors she chose for the clothes make me look more elegant than before and with a wizard-like bearing that matches the title I chose during my fight against Sigma.

–You... you look very handsome –Merle says with his usual shyness as she enters the room with Maam and I thank him for her words with a smile.

–And you, Maam? –asks the princess –won't you say anything?

I look at her and find her somewhat lost in her thoughts, (she probably already realized that she actually wanted to go with Hyunckel).

–Mmmm! –I sigh and scratch my head– if we hurry maybe you can catch him .

–What? –Her expression is one of surprise and I find the blush that begins to appear on her cheeks amusing.

–Let's go! –without waiting for her answer, I grab her waist and teleport us to the entrance of the castle.

There is no one outside and I mentally scold myself for not being able to sense the presence of the beings around me, (I sense some evil forces, but I don't have Dai's or Hyunckel's ability to perceive any living being).

–Damn it! –I exclaimed furiously at my mistake –I'm sorry, Maam!

–What are you sorry for? –Her arms surround my waist and I swallow at the warm touch that awakens in my soul the longing I so desire to bury.

–Nothing special! –I immediately let go of her waist and walk away quickly –I'm going to my mentor to let him know about our trip!... tell Merle to please prepare her things. When I return, we will go to Ringaia.

Not daring to look at her, I cast Ruura and within seconds I'm standing next to my mentor's bed.

–I had a feeling you were coming to see me –he says without opening his eyes, but with a smile that reassures me because it shows that his health is stable. –Aván came to tell me that he is worried about your love relationship.

–There is no romantic relationship, mentor – I answer with complete calm.

–Denying your crush won't change the fact that your heart is hurting.

–My heart is already completely broken and part of it is because of the loss of my best friend... As the useless man who allowed him to give his life for us, it is my duty to search for him even in hell to bring him back.

–That's what I told Avan –I'm surprised by his words– we are sorcerers and to date I don't know a powerful sorcerer who has a family, and you have surpassed me at this moment, that means that your destiny could be just as lonely as mine.

–I suppose that solitude is necessary if we want to protect all our friends... As sorcerers we are the weakest physically and our help is based on the intelligence we use in combat, but at the end of the day, we are not indispensable, and our death gives a chance of life to the people we love – I finish my analysis with a seriousness that I did not have.

–You have described it very well... I didn't know before that after battles, the sorcerer is the least important to the others... We are easily forgotten because he is the hero that everyone remembers, and it is logical. The hero is the one who suffers the most during battles, so I am happy just knowing that I was able to help him carry his heavy burden.

–Something I wasn't able to do for Dai –I clench my fists out of anger at my weakness– but I swore to myself that I will find him and make sure he has the peaceful life he so deserves.

–You also deserve that peaceful life and you also deserve to be loved... My wish is that you break the curse of the sorcerers and that you form the family that I once wanted for myself.

–I won't be the one to break that curse. Even though I'm younger than the woman I love, I have very clear feelings for her and I know that even if I were to love Merle, it would never compare to the love I feel for Maam.

–And since you don't want to make her life miserable because of the guilt of not being able to reciprocate you, you've decided to disappear, either by dying for Dai's sake, or by moving away once you manage to bring him back, isn't that right?

–Yes, that's right... Right now my only wish is to find a way to bring Dai back to the side of the woman who loves him and whom he loves too... Seeing him happy will make up for my suffering and if for that I have to destroy myself, I will do it without hesitation.

–My heart tells me to stop you... You are like my son and I don't want to see you suffer, however, I am aware that there is no absolute happiness for us sorcerers and even less when we obtain more power than our body can handle and if I am not mistaken, you will begin this journey seeking to first increase your magical power because that way it will be easier for you to face any enemy that has taken Dai.

–I can't beat your intelligence, mentor –I say, winking.

–Increasing your magic power will reduce your human life.

–And my goal is to increase it beyond the middle of my life.

–If you succeed, you may not live longer than I have left.

–Dying before you isn't so bad... I couldn't bear to see you die, mentor.

–And do you think I'll be happy if you die first?

–I promise to wait for you in the afterlife... In that place we will keep each other company and take care of the descendants of the people we love.

–Make sure you keep that promise in heaven... If your soul goes to hell, I won't follow you.

–It all depends on where they have Dai.

My mentor gives me a sad look. In his eyes you can see the trace of tears that he is trying to hide.

–Don't jump to conclusions, mentor –I say conciliatory –perhaps nothing will happen to me and I'll be able to bring Dai back without a scratch.

–You better be right!... you have to be with me in my final moments.

–I will always be with you.

I kneel down beside him and take his hand in mine.

No one says anything after that depressing conversation.

The peace that reflects on his face encourages me to want to keep my promise and my mentor Matriv is very important to me.

My teacher Avan will always have a special place in my heart as well as my father whom I love very much, but my mentor is the guide of my soul and is the one who freed me from becoming a pathetic magician without value or use.

–I may not be with you when you leave this world –I say, noticing that he has fallen asleep –but I reaffirm my promise not to leave you alone in the afterlife.

With that last promise I get up to cover him up and then I use Ruura to pick up my companions and thus begin our search for my friend.

"Dai, don't worry... very soon I will bring you back to the world you love so much."

*****

Hello again!

In this chapter I realized that the translation app treats everyone as male. I tried to correct some mistakes, but it's possible that I missed several. I hope this doesn't confuse you.

I have a question; have you already read it in Spanish? Do you think a translation is necessary? (mostly because it's not well done).

It would be good to know your opinion to decide whether it should be translated or not.