The main reward for clearing
That was why I had it used for the mid-term exam in 3D-ED. It was a conveniently designed Gate for administrative work and performance examination.
Although the city was free to be explored, there weren't any other things around. Just sterile white buildings like the stock models from a development kit for a video game engine. And there was even an invisible barrier at the edge around a mile out that stopped people from wandering beyond the boundaries of what existed in the Gate.
Because of that, I led everyone out through the exit portal, got everyone back in the carriage, and hopped on the horse to take us all back to the academy.
The sun was just starting to set as we headed off. But that was fine.
I was sure that we could get back before curfew, so there wasn't a need for concern. At least, I didn't feel there was any need for concern. But my friends thought otherwise.
Evelyn leaned forward from her place at the front seat of the carriage and said, "Are you truly alright, Alex?"
Roland nodded from the back of the carriage and said, "Yeah. You don't have to bottle it up."
Marisa chimed in too, sitting on Roland's right. "Please. We are here to listen. And we are here for you if you need us." She pursed her lips and then said, "I... know how hard it can be. But." She stared with determined green eyes and said, "You are not alone anymore." She looked at Roland and Evelyn before nodding. "None of us are."
...It still felt strange to be hearing those words from them.
Alexander Smith was someone who didn't exist in the main plot of 3D-ED. In contrast, the others here were essential.
Roland was the protagonist.
Marisa was the female lead.
And Evelyn was the catalyst for the entire plot.
But that had all flipped on its head. After all, I was here now. I had taken Alex's place...
Because he gave it all up for a chance to change everything. Just a 'chance' too. There was no guarantee.
After all, Alex didn't know what type of person I was. And I didn't know the deal he made, but I did know that it was definitely one without any guarantees judging from how saving Betty was just an 'optional' quest and not a mandatory one.
Still, that guy had faith. Alex trusted that someone would hear his prayer and deepest wish.
And that someone turned out to be me.
I subconsciously clenched the reins leading the horse tighter and then said, "I would be lying if I said I was completely fine."
That was true.
Because I wasn't fine. How could I be fine after all of that? I subconsciously glanced down at my hands. At the hands that patted Betty on the head to reassure her. The hands that gently placed
'Dammit.'
It was fake. All of it was fake. It didn't really mean anything.
Hell, Betty wasn't even my real sister. She was Alex's. I didn't have any skin in this game, not really.
Moreover, that had just been an elaborate illusion. A simulation born of Alex's memories. A 'what if' where I- where Alex had access to all the knowledge and skills that I had right now.
So I shouldn't be this bothered. I shouldn't feel like my heart was breaking like this. But...
'How can I not?'
Betty's relieved smile at saving her from that first monster. Her tears at staring at her parents' grave. Her desperate plea for me to not leave. And also the forced smile she had at the end, knowing I couldn't stay...
I clenched my hands tighter around the reins.
It was cruel. Not because it was an illusion. But because it could have been real.
If Alex had known what I did... If he understood magic to its fundamental level. If he had risked his life to combine his mana stars and mana circles...
All of what I was using now... None of it was 'god-given.' It was all 'plausible.'
That was why I was so careful about showing too much. If exposed to the wrong people, especially the wrong intelligent people, everything could unravel or ramp up in difficulty.
That was why it was cruel. Alex was smart. If he wasn't, he wouldn't have been able to get into Starlight Academy with such low physical and magical abilities. He was also determined, reflected by his Talent
The problem was that he was just one leap away.
They said that genius was the ability to make leaps in logic. Intuition that bridged the gap of rationale and skipped over steps.
And Alex had been one leap away.
...No, maybe I was giving him too much credit and me too little.
After all, in that situation I had tools he couldn't have figured out how to create.
But I was pretty certain. If Alex had been just a bit stronger, he would have been able to run. Or at least, he would have been able to throw his life away and save Betty.
Living would have been out of the equation. But if it was that guy, he would have been glad to be able to lay his life down to ensure Betty lived.
I let out a deep sigh.
Evelyn's silver eyes blurred with unshed tears and she murmured, "Alex..."
Roland clenched his hands tight.
Marisa shook her head, her usually impassive expression filled with pain.
"...It's fine." I murmured and fixed my gaze on the path back to Starlight Academy. "It will be fine. Because we need to keep moving forward."
Betty's fate couldn't be changed. Because it had already happened.
What I experienced wasn't real, as much as I and probably Alex wished it to be.
In reality, Betty was somewhere in this world. Either as a member of the Void Arbiters, or maybe even a Villain in the uncharted lands between the ruling powers.
'Or maybe, Betty is already-"
I cut that train of thought off.
It couldn't be.
The system had set a time limit, so that meant that she was alive. But after that time limit... there was no guarantee.
So I had to move quickly. With haste, but not while rushing.
'...I hate this.'
The feeling of having the lifeline in sight...
The feeling of seeing rope that I could use to pull myself out of the hole I was in, but also rope that could slip and become a noose if I wasn't careful...
I hated it. But...
'That's the life of a protagonist. And that's what we'll be from now on. Right, Alex?'
There wasn't a response.
And I somehow knew. From now on, there never would be.
The young man once known as Alexander Smith had vanished along with the illusion he gave his all to show me.
So it was up to me from now on to finish the rest.
It was a heavy responsibility.
...But it was my responsibility. After all, I was the one who set everything into motion, intentionally or not.
Evelyn bit her lips. She looked like she wanted to say more. But after a while, she let out a slow sigh and said, "If you say so, Alex. Still." She let out a sad smile and said, "We are here for you. And... I am here for you. Always. So please, do not bear your burden alone."
I glanced back at her and let out a warm smile. "I know, Eve. And I'm here for you guys too."
...Yeah. I was. Because...
'To ensure a true happy ending. To prevent any further tragedies... Now, more than ever before...'
I turned my gaze back to the front and clenched my hands tight.
There was much to do.
...And there was little time to do it.