RONA'S POINT OF VIEW
I knew all too well that she could be attacked at any moment. When Rhein asked for permission to go out, I couldn't help but worry, so Dylan and I secretly followed her. Our praciens also joined us in trailing her, but they stayed outside the mall, keeping an eye on the surroundings.
It was obvious how spaced out Rhein was as she wandered around. She even ended up in the men's underwear section of the department store.
I could only bury my face in my hands. "You're so embarrassing, Rhein," I whispered, trying hard not to laugh.
"Cute," my companion whispered beside me.
Since we were far from where she was, we burst into laughter when a saleslady started teasing her. Her face turned bright red as she quickly walked away from the area.
She wandered around again until she decided to enter a fast-food chain.
"Wow, that food looks so good. Princess, I want some of that too. Let's take a break."
I quickly elbowed Dylan in the side. "Stop. She might spot us."
"Then let's just say we're on a date. Simple solution."
I elbowed him again, harder this time, making him yelp in pain. "This is not the time for messing around, Dylan."
"Okay, fine." He pouted like a child. That kind of pitiful act wasn't going to work on me, so I ignored it.
"You're heartless," he muttered under his breath.
I shot him a glare. "Shut up. Just buy everything you want later. For now, we need to prioritize Rhein's safety."
When Rhein came out of the restaurant, we also stepped away from the wall where we'd been hiding. She started walking again and eventually ended up in the arcade.
My brows furrowed when I saw her crying.
"Why is she crying?" Dylan asked.
The thought to read her mind crossed my mind—and so I did. I gave a faint, sad smile. She was reminiscing about what she believed were treasured bonding moments with our family.
"Memories," I answered. "Memories in that place."
We quickly followed her inside the arcade, but once we were in, we couldn't find her. We searched the entire place, but she was nowhere to be found.
I used my mnarill to sense her presence. A deep sense of dread filled me when I realized I couldn't feel her anymore.
"I can't sense her. She's gone," I said. I turned to Dylan, who was panting just like me. "You are a meithimnarillaza, right? Try rewinding time. Let's see what really happened to her earlier."
I wasn't sure if I was just seeing things, but I clearly noticed how his expression darkened.
"W-why?"
"Yes, we—meithimnarillazas—can control time," he said. "But rewinding or speeding up time is beyond our power. We can only freeze time."
No wonder he looked like that.
"I understand." I sighed deeply. "She's been attacked." I shut my eyes tightly and looked up at the white ceiling.
"We have no other choice now. I have to ask them to end this trial."
RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
"W-why... how...?" My eyes widened in utter shock at what was happening around me.
The entire arcade had transformed into towering black walls. The floor had turned pitch black and became cold, solid concrete. The ceiling had vanished completely, and only a dark, cloudy sky loomed overhead.
Gripped by fear, I ran as far and fast as I could. But no matter where I turned, I couldn't find an exit. I kept running for several minutes until I finally stopped.
That's when it hit me—I am inside a giant maze.
I slapped my cheeks five times. I pinched my arms repeatedly, hoping I'd wake up from this nightmare.
But nothing has changed. I am still here.
"Help! Can anyone hear me?! Someone answer me! Please! Help me get out of here!"
No matter how much I screamed, no one answered. It felt like I was completely alone.
I shut my eyes tightly and tried to think. I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
I can't afford to panic in a situation like this. I need to think of a way to escape instead of letting fear take over.
Whatever kind of witchcraft this is, I have no clue what it is or how it is happening.
If this has something to do with that witch... then I wish I have never learned about her in the first place.
I can't shake off this feeling.
Why does it feel like... I'm the one being targeted?
I bit my lower lip.
"Seriously... What am I even thinking?"
Why would a witch ever be interested in me? I am probably just imagining things.
I automatically turned around when I felt a strong gust of wind from behind. Thick black smoke began to swirl, gradually forming into shadowy figures shaped like people. There were too many to count on both hands.
I was just about to run when they started moving toward me. Worse, more shadow figures appeared from the opposite path—blocking my way out.
"Crap."
They were closing in on me fast, and I had no idea what to do. There was no way I could avoid all of them. I had no choice but to fight.
Scared and anxious as I was, I forced myself to focus and brace for a fight. I quickly raised my fists.
A small smile crept onto my face.
I never thought the special combat lessons Sister Rona made me take would actually come in handy—especially in a situation like this.
Annoyed, I kicked the first one square in the face just as it lunged to punch me. Right after that, they all attacked at once. I pushed aside my fear and nerves and threw myself into the fight.
With every ounce of strength I had, I slammed the last shadow to the ground and kicked its side.
I couldn't help but wonder. I knew shadows don't speak, so it made sense that I wasn't hearing a single sound from them. But what didn't make sense was how strong they were. Even if they were just shadows, they fought with the same power and strength as real humans.
I don't know anymore.
Honestly, I wasn't even surprised when they suddenly vanished.