Mistress Of The Evil Forest

'My heart is only for Silaerob,' huh...

''Hah...''

Claire will be baffled once she finds out who I am. More than that, however, I am concerned about her reaction at that point. It might very well just be her natural reaction to being teased like that, but on the off chance...

I'm honestly stuck. I don't really know how to think about it. Would people normally get this many love interests following them? I don't think so.

As expected, I do need someone to consult. Someone with proper love experience...

But aside from Claudia, who is no better than me, do I even know anyone? The principal? I've met the principal a few times, and I can see her listening to my problem, but... given her appearance, I don't think she has dated anyone. I hope she hasn't. She looks too much like a child.

Either way, I can probably put this off for later. As of now, I still need to find out the meaning of 'nothingness.' More accurately, the way to reach it, I suppose, since nothingness is just... well, nothingness.

As it has turned dark, I switch back to my main body and resume my swordsmanship training while tackling my problems. However, even after a whole night, the answer still seems far.

Nevertheless, a new day dawns, bringing an unusually sulky Clarie onto the train back.

''...Hey.''

''Hm?''

''What did you do to her?''

Catching my wrist, Chloe interrogates me. Hiding behind her smile is a cold rage, which unintentionally lashes out at me through the strength of her hand. It seems she has already deemed me guilty.

However, if I put myself in her shoes, I think I am indeed guilty. So, naturally—

''I didn't do anything.''

''...Really? Then why is she like that?''

Both of our gazes turn toward Claire, who only pretends to look at the passing scenery out the window but is actually glancing this way occasionally. It pains me more because I didn't expect the seemingly solid Claire to have this side to herself. I mean, it is cute, but...

''Seriously, I have no idea.''

Shrugging Chloe off might be more complicated than I thought. I will need to be careful after this.

Either way, after everything calms down, the discussion of the newly erased illusion emerges between Claire, Chloe, Scarlett, Skylar, and me. The question for now is obviously how to correct history.

''My child, since I am here, you will not need to worry about deviating ever again. My existence itself is the only nemesis to Buerizth, the demon.''

Technically, Neveah should be able to deal with it... because she is a goddess, but Skylar's proud claim does help stabilize the situation.

''Then, Skylar, how do we restore history?'' Claire asks. ''I want to find out about my past. My... real past.''

''To correct history, one needs to first swim against the current to witness true, unadulterated history, starting from the point it deviates. In other words... we need to determine when it deviated.''

''I see... but how?''

''There are certain people with such ability to look into the true past. We merely want to wake them of this wicked dream before suggesting they use their power.''

At this point, Scarlett chimes in.

''You say that so easily, but what skills do we exactly want? I wouldn't imagine they're common.''

''...Indeed. However, there is one candidate known to have such 'eyes.' No, should I say... one lineage?''

''Stop teasing, just say it.'' Scarlett puffs out, seeing Skylar deliberately giving it a pause.

Successfully building up a sense of suspension, Skylar confidently opens her mouth.

''You see, the—''

''The Miko of Yugen, isn't it?'' Chloe interjects. ''She is described as having eyes unusually sharp, which enable her to look at the essence of things, and that includes a timeline.''

''...''

''Oh, the Miko, huh.'' Scarlett rubs her chin, seemingly deep in thought. ''That's fortunate, then. I heard she will transfer to our class when the second semester starts.''

''R-Really? Can you help me bridge the story to her, Scarlett?'' 

''Of course. We're friends, after all.''

''Hey, I am also here?''

''A-Ah, right. Lady Luminous, too... can I trouble you for it?''

''Hmph. Of course.''

Clasping her hands together, Claire thanks everyone before sighing as if pushing her worries out.

''I... know the upcoming times will be hard, but it's honestly reassuring to have everyone with me. As the heroine, I will make sure not to let you down!''

''Well said, my child.''

''Heheh... now, I feel like whatever is ahead, I can blast it all away!''

Blast it all away, huh...

Hm...

Suddenly, my mind kicks back to the fundamental problem—a wall that denies me the power of nihility. In the end, how can I reach 'nothingness'?

I wish I could just... blast everything into nothingness like Claire. But... what is stopping me?

''...''

Wait. In the first place, is Kyomu's 'nothingness' even real? If he simply keeps cutting everything, logically speaking, there will still be matters left. 

Is his 'nothingness' what he considers it to be?

If so, do I merely need to 'think' that way?

Do I... blast everything into nothingness?

''...!''

For a brief moment, a surreal wave of something spreads from the back of my head—at least, it feels so. Nevertheless, a sudden realization hits me. I think I just got it.

The way to achieve nihility.

That night.

Standing somewhere inside the Backrooms, I clutch the Sword of Black Dawn. 

''Whew...''

Sitting in front of me is a big chunk of West Zircon log, one that looks quite pale and saturated. Slowly, I bring my sword upward, preparing for a straight slam.

Closing my eyes, I convoke a sizable chunk of mana before weaving it onto my blade in the form of icy cold frost.

''Please remember, Miss, the power of nihility is merely a concept.''

Now, I think I truly understand what that means, Kyomu. To not bound it with anything else, and to let it manifest the most natural way...

Sharpening my mind, I force all my attention to the target before me, and with all my intentions to utterly destroy it to oblivion, I swing my sword.

With a brief and sharp screech sound, my sword rips through the air, blasting out a half-circle force of ice that squarely hits the log. A straight streak of ice is then promptly embedded into it.

The next second or so seems unusually slow.

A bleach-white flash bursts from the base of the ice crystals, quickly enveloping everything in its way as it erupts forward. Once everything settles down... there is no log left.

Strangely, a strong force suddenly sucks me toward the middle of the impact, but it's only for a moment.

''...Oh.''

I... succeeded.

A grin blooms on my face as I proudly observe the aftermath. Even if one looks at it from every angle, the log has completely evaporated. This is revolutionary. No, that might even be underselling it. This will become one of my trump cards.

''Hm...''

But... the MP consumption is quite egregious. Maybe my efficiency is not there yet. 

In any case, I should be glad with this for a while.