Flashback – Elda's POV
He was walking beside me.
Head tilted, eyes flicking around like he was counting invisible doors that weren't there.
His steps were measured but too light like someone pretending they belonged in a house that had already spat them out.
He had no memory to lean on, no weapon to raise, no allies in these halls. And yet, he walked as if the ground was his, as if he'd already rehearsed this exit.
That was what unsettled me most.
He was erasing himself deliberately. The boy I'd once known reckless, arrogant enough to bleed himself if it proved a point was tearing out pieces of his old self one by one.
What remained was stranger: careful in his carelessness, blind in his clarity.
Truth?
If I let him go right now, he'd loop back to the dining hall, sit down, and make it look like he'd meant to be there all along.
How is he even going to survive out there? That was my first thought.
But then,why does he look like he knows something I don't?
So I guided him toward the exit.
Not just because he'd lose himself otherwise, but because I wanted to see if he noticed the weight pressing on these walls.
The Blake House was more than a maze of polished corridors.
It was built to strip away pride, to remind its heirs that every step was being measured.
Even silence was an accusation here. The walls knew when you hesitated.
Every time I asked him something, he grew more comfortable.
It was small at first,a shorter pause before answering, a smile that lasted longer than it should.
But I felt it: despite everything, he trusted me more than anyone else left in this house.
A trust I hadn't earned, nor one I needed at this moment.
"Why is this place built like a maze?" he asked suddenly. His tone was casual, but I caught the edge.
"Every hallway looks the same.
Every turn leads nowhere. I doubt even that father of mine could find the front door without getting lost."
His lips curved, but his words were barbed.
"This isn't built as a home but like it's a trick. Built to make you forget where you came from or where you're going."
I didn't answer. I could have told him the truth. Instead, I let his words hang.
He glanced sideways at me.
"What else would you call it, Elda? Don't tell me this is just architecture."
Then came that smile of his.
Not a smile something stretched thin over what he really felt.
His lips bent upward, but the eyes stayed flat. Still. Watching me more than the corridor.
I found myself studying him.
He was careless, but not blind.
He asked the wrong questions, laughed in the wrong places, and yet, he moved as if he belonged.
I said nothing.
Just walked a step ahead, letting him think he was keeping pace. Because part of me wanted to see just how long his strange luck would hold.
At last, we stood side by side as the exit doors rose before us.
Tall. Ornate. Stained glass spilling fractured sunlight across the floor like a verdict waiting to be read.
The air here was different - lighter, almost clean.
He let out a long breath. Relief softened his face for the first time.
"Thanks, Elda." he said quietly.
"Guess this is where we part ways.
Not to brag but without you i would have been circling this horror story of a building until I meet elya again tomorrow morning."
I stepped forward. "Master Lynn… just… consider a request of mine."
He arched a brow, grin already tugging at his mouth.
"Anything other than staying here."
My hesitation betrayed me, and his grin widened, like he already expected me of asking it.
"Not gonna happen," he said. Playful voice.
I pressed. "Stay. For your own good. You won't last alone."
He answered like he wanted to get something off his chest, sighing deeply.
"Which father casts his son out at sunrise, then changes his mind by just because the son can't find the door?"
His humor cut deeper than rage.
"And my sister?" He gave a bitter laugh. "She was glowing at the thought of me leaving.
Don't rob her of her joy, Elda.
If I had been more comfortable i wanted to ask her "what was her real problem with me?
It's definitely not out of jealousy,i think."
I steadied myself.
"Lady Lore will understand eventually. Your father has his reasons too, so don't hate him too much."
"I won't hate him, Elda.
I never will.
How could you hate someone you don't even know?"
His voice was steady, but his eyes carried that tired glint of someone who had argued too many times.
"But do tell him- if he's so desperate to explain his mindless facts, he should try a mirror. Might be the only thing polite enough to nod along."
The words cracked something in me. Just for a heartbeat, I faltered.
And in that narrow space, his smile changed- softening, slipping free of the mockery.
His smile shifted to less mockery, more warmth.
Warmth aimed at me.
"Sorry, Elda," he murmured.
"But this is one request I can't grant.
It's not like we are close enough to grant requests for each other.
If stones had a face and heart,then it would be you.
Anyway, see you… if fate hasn't gone blind."
He turned toward the door,placing his hand on the handle.
"…I am sorry too, Master," I whispered.
My fingers flicked. A silver dart flew, slicing the heavy air with deadly grace.
CLANG!
Not a thud. Not a pierce.
A metallic bounce.
The dart snapped midair, as if it had struck an invisible wall.
It fell to the floor harmlessly, spinning once before lying still.
I froze for a second.
…Huh?
That dart wasn't meant to fail.
I clearly aimed at the centre of his back.
Yet against him, it had bounced off like glass against steel.
Just what… the hell!
He froze too, only for a moment. Then he turned his head.
Our eyes met.
His smile was gone.
There was no signs of rage nor grief in his face but only something wordless.
"Now I'm genuinely happy, Elda" he said softly.
His words carried softness.
"You didn't betray my expectations.
You've proven you weren't worth trusting."
No anger. No rebuke.
His words only carried pity in it.
Then he turned and walked forward. Calm. Straight-backed.
As though nothing had happened.
And me?
My thoughts splintered into one desperate thread:
I should have just let him go.
He paused at the door once more, hand on the handle.
"I won't be having anything to ask you again.
Officially my role here is done since everyone in this house has let me down and out.
So ...Elda....Sayanoraaa."
The last word hung there,drawn out, almost mocking.
It's something i haven't heard before.
His voice was quiet but unshakable.
"I have things to do. Leave me to myself from now on."
The iron groaned, the door swung wide—
DANG.
And just like that, Lynn Blake walked out of the Blake House.
...
Lore reclined, voice bored but her eyes flicked toward Elda.
"So just because your skill failed, that doesn't prove he still has mana.
All it proves is your hand slipped, Elda."
Her dismissal stung the atmosphere.
Glenn chuckled, smooth and mocking. He leaned back in his chair, one hand trailing lazily along the armrest as if this entire meeting were entertainment for him.
"Dawn, it sounds like your son would rather burn himself out than let anyone keep him here.
What did you do to make him run this fast?"
Dawn sat silent, unreadable.
Glenn pressed on.
"Well, glad to hear this straight from you, Elda. Now I see reason enough to take him back to the academy. If he still has his spark, he'll rise.
If not, he'll break.
Either way, the truth shows."
Dawn's voice finally came, low, firm.. "Do as you like, Myrial.
Just don't use me or mine as part of your game."
Glenn smirked, but his fingers tapped once on the table. He'd been waiting for any crack in Dawn's composure, and found none.
"Cold words, Dawn.
If I was in your son's place, I'd have cursed you before walking out."
Elda spoke before she realized it.
"He did say something."
"He said—
'Tell that father, sister or anyone who wants me back or who likes to screw me over… they can try. But none of them ever will.'"
Lore's lips tightened, but she forced a scoff through her teeth and stood first, brushing invisible dust from her dress as though the words hadn't touched her.
"Delusion. Nothing more."
She left with a clipped step that betrayed more than she wished.
Glenn didn't move right away. He let the silence breathe, then gave a low chuckle.
"That boy's tongue is sharper than half the blades in my academy.
But gentle though.
Careful, Dawn. If he learns to make people believe him, you'll have more than a runaway on your hands."
He rose slowly, adjusting his collars and left behind a curl of sly amusement that lingered even after he was gone.
And then it was only Dawn and Elda.
The lamps hummed. Dawn's stillness
pressed on the room.
At last, his voice broke it.
"Tell me,Did you hesitate?"
"Yes."Elda answered back.
"I believe i asked you to stop him.
Yet he walked out untouched.
You should be proud.Elda.
All that care you put to effort didn't go to waste.That boy can still get on your good side even with no brains."
"I tried,but.....I had the thought that stopping him by force wasn't going to do this family any more good."
Elda replied with low voice.
His silence was sharper than words. The faint hum of mana stirred the air, restrained but unmistakable.
"You think he still has his power."
Elda shook my head.
"I can't sense mana in him.
But something is there.
Something that shouldn't be.
Like it's foreign."
"Foreign? Huh." His voice softened, heavier.
"So Elda,What do you suggest?"
Should I just let him be like he said or....
Elda forced the answer.
"All I saw is Uncertainty.
His actions don't add up.
Whether he has his memory or not is something only he can tell."
Elda hesitated.
"But today I genuinely felt like he is pretending too hard not to get caught up in anything.
More like he was in a hurry to do something.
I don't know if I am right or not, but… pardon me,I think he left because he lost his trust in us."
Dawn leaned back, closing his eyes, breath slow. But the stillness wasn't peace.
When his eyes opened again, they were with intent.
"Contact Frederick.
Tell him to keep an eye on him.
Discreet. No interference."
"If that son of mine wants to speak as if he carries worth…"
Dawn's lips curved into something that wasn't a smile.
"…then I'll measure it myself."