LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 194
194. Mira-san’s Past
“You’re noisy. Can’t you call me a little quieter?”
Her tone and appearance were the same as usual.
“Who is this person…?”
Noah looked confused, clearly seeing Mira-san for the first time.
Like a kitten hiding from a bigger cat on the roadside, she tried to use me as a shield.
“This is Ludmilla-san. I call her Mira-san. She’s amazing and can do just about anything… I guess that’s how I’d put it?”
“I can’t do everything, but yeah, that’s about right. So, who are you?”
“I’m Noah! Thank you for always helping Arx-san!”
“Hmm, I like polite kids. …Also, this situation feels strange, doesn’t it?”
Noah couldn’t hide her surprise at how quickly Mira-san saw through her.
“You can tell that much!?”
“Well, I don’t know exactly what’s happening, but it’s clear this is complicated.”
“Anyway.”
Mira-san said, turning to me.
“What do you want?”
“Well… this is a world inside my mind. I’m stuck here because of Zain’s Demon Eye trial…”
I called her here because I thought Mira-san might know something. She’s the only one who has ever overcome Zain’s trial. If anyone knew a way out, it would be her.
After hearing my explanation, Mira-san said, “I see…” then crossed her arms.
“So? Any ideas?”
“I have no clue!”
Mira-san declared bluntly.
“What!? Don’t give up so easily!”
“Can’t help it if I don’t know! Besides, I’m not entirely convinced this isn’t the real world!”
Right, to me, this might be a different world, but to her, it feels like reality.
Does that mean I’m stuck here for good!?
“How did you return to the outside world, Mira-san?”
“I just punched the illusions and tore through time and space, of course!”
“That’s absurd!”
Her over-the-top response left me stunned.
Just when it seemed hopeless, Mira-san added:
“But I can still get you out of here.”
“Wait, you can!?”
“All I have to do is create a gate from this dream world to the real world, right? If I adapt what I did before, I can send someone else through.”
Mira-san raised her hand and started slashing the air, forming a gate as usual.
“It’ll take a little time, so just wait.”
“Got it, thank you!”
“Mira-san is amazing! Are you Arx-san’s mentor?”
The moment Noah mentioned “mentor,” Mira-san’s expression darkened.
“…I’m not anyone’s mentor.”
Her denial carried a weight of finality, as though sealing away something painful.
“Mira-san… can you tell me why?”
“Huh? What’re you talking about?”
“Because you won’t tell me in the real world. If this is going to disappear anyway, please, tell me now.”
I was serious. I wanted to understand why she refused to take disciples.
Maybe sensing my sincerity, Mira-san sighed in resignation.
“…Fine. I’ll tell you.”
She coughed lightly and then looked somber.
“I used to have disciples. A long time ago.”
“So, you did take disciples before?”
“Yes. But I stopped.”
“…Why?”
“They all died. All three of them left me behind.”
The word “died” hit me like a punch to the gut. I glanced at Noah, who also seemed shocked.
“They… died?”
“Think about it. I’m over 200 years old. Even if they lived normally, they’d die before me. But it wasn’t old age. Monsters killed one. Another was betrayed by comrades. The last one was…”
Mira-san’s voice faltered.
“The last was murdered. By someone called Shirayuki.”
When she said that name, Mira-san’s fist clenched tightly, brimming with anger and regret.
“…I’m not strong. I act tough, but I’m just a coward, trembling in fear of losing people again.”
Mira-san’s body trembled as she hung her head.
“To live is to lose. People lose so much as they go on. I was too scared of that, so I decided to live alone in the forest.”
I understood now. Why Mira-san lived in isolation. Why she refused to take disciples.
She was afraid of losing someone precious.
I couldn’t find any words to comfort her. Nothing I said could ease her pain.
More than anything, I was shocked to see this side of her—the strong Mira-san, vulnerable.
“…Mira-san, living isn’t just about losing things.”
At that moment, Noah, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.