"Huh…?"
The word escaped Leo's lips in a breathless whisper. Logen's gaze—sharp, unyielding—pinned her in place. Cold sweat trickled down her skin. Her body trembled, her golden eyes flickering with fear.
"Y-you… know me?" Her voice cracked, barely holding together, as she stared into his face.
"Actually," Logen said slowly, pressing a hand against his lips in thought, "to tell you the truth, I don't know who you are. But I can sense it. A curse clings to you… a powerful one. Strong enough that even I was shocked."
His words struck like iron.
Leo's face went pale, her chest tightening. She clenched her fists, voice trembling. "So… this curse… it's really that strong?"
Her expression twisted in fear, and seeing it only confirmed Logen's suspicion.
"I was right," he said firmly, his deep voice calm yet heavy. "You're struggling with a curse."
"Damn it…" Leo whispered under her breath.
Her voice broke into a desperate nervous. "Sir! How can I destroy this curse!? Please—can you help me!?"
She shot to her feet, slamming her palms lightly against the table. Her eyes burned with desperate hope.
But Logen shook his head. "I'm sorry. I'm not strong enough to destroy such a curse."
"Ohh…"
Leo collapsed back into her chair, head bowed. Her body sank with hopelessness, silence swallowing her words.
"…But," Logen continued, his voice steady, "if you're willing, you can tell me why you're cursed. Perhaps then… I might understand."
Leo's brows furrowed, pain etched deep into her features. "But… how could I even say it? You won't believe me."
"Fine," Logen replied, folding his arms across his chest, his tone unwavering. "Even if it sounds unbelievable—I will listen. Tell me."
Leo raised her head, lips trembling.
"I… I actually…"
Her voice broke. She bit her lip hard, unable to push the words out. Seconds passed in silence.
Then, suddenly—
"I AM LEO JULIUS EROS!!!"
Her shout shook the library walls. Her breathing turned ragged as her golden eyes glistened with raw pain. "The man everyone despises for his sin—that's me! I don't know why I was cursed like this!!! But I am him!"
The words tore from her chest. She gasped, staring at Logen as though pleading for recognition.
Logen's eyes widened. His gray irises trembled, disbelief painting his face. "Y-you… Leo Julius Eros? Truly!?"
He pushed up from his chair in shock.
"Yes… I am that man." Leo's voice cracked. Tears welled up, spilling freely down her cheeks. "But now… now I'm no longer him."
Her words quivered, her hands shaking as she wiped her tears. "Please… believe me. It's me…."
Logen slowly sank back into his chair, expression grave. "…I see. Then the ancient tale was true. You are cursed—and that curse has twisted you into a girl."
"Ancient… tale?" Leo asked, fear tightening her face. "But… why a girl?"
"I don't know," Logen admitted, his deep voice echoing in the silent library. "But I once read of it… an ancient story. Those who bear the seven deadly sins will one day face punishment."
Leo's breath caught. "Huh… you mean… I was punished for my sin? But—"
Before she could finish, Logen's voice cut sharp across hers.
"And you already know why you're cursed, don't you?"
His fist clenched tightly, anger flickering in his eyes.
"Huh…?" Leo's voice quivered, her breaths shallow. His piercing gaze dragged forth memories she had buried deep in her heart—memories drenched in blood.
[Flashback]
Leo stood over a lifeless corpse on the grass, a bloodstained knife in his hand. His expression was blank. Not a shred of regret clouded his eyes.
[Flashback]
A girl once trusted—once his comrade who have long shiny brown hairs with mage hat, red eyes —Lily screamed as Leo drove his blade into her again and again. Her cries were drowned in blood.
[Flashback]
A friend with golden hair, blue eyes boy —Nikolus stood before him. In a moment of betrayal, Leo shoved him from a rooftop. The scream ended with a sickening thud.
[Flashback]
"Just die! Please… just die!! That's all I want from you!!"
Leo's voice was a feral roar as his hands strangled a girl with long flowing hair, blue eyes shining with tears—Estrella. His only love, cursed and broken. To claim her unique power, he killed her with his own hands.
"L-Leo…" Estrella's voice trembled. Her tears streaked down pale cheeks as the light faded from her once-shimmering eyes. Her body stilled, empty of soul.
The silence of the library was heavy, broken only by the faint glow of the lamps.
Leo's body trembled as memories of blood and betrayal clawed at her mind. Her tears overflowed, dripping down her cheeks until she slammed her forehead against the wooden table.
"AGHHH!!"
Her scream tore through the quiet room, raw and broken.
Logen's eyes, sharp and cold, never wavered.
"Seems you've remembered. The sins you committed… You deserve this, don't you?"
His voice cut like a blade, merciless.
"Yes!!!" Leo cried, her voice cracking. "I did it… I killed them… I killed my friends… I killed the one I loved!"
Her long brown hair spilled forward, hiding her face as the tears soaked her pale skin.
Logen's gaze hardened further.
"Now you finally understand what pain is. You slaughtered countless people. You betrayed your comrades. And you murdered Estrella…who loved you."
Each word stabbed deeper, piercing her heart without mercy.
" For this sins you got what you deserve, Leo Julius Eros."
Standing tall, Logen looked down at the broken figure before him.
"I… I killed them because I wanted everything!" Leo's voice rose, shaking. "I wanted to have it all—to experience it all! I wanted everything! But why…? Why am I like this now!?"
Her tears wouldn't stop. She staggered to her feet, chest heaving, voice trembling.
"Why!? For that, I lost myself... I lost who I truly was!"
Logen took a slow step forward, his boots echoing softly on the floor. His gray eyes were calm, cold, unyielding.
"Who knows? But didn't you say you wanted to experience it all? This is the price. Now you live in the body of a girl."
Leo's golden eyes widened in horror. Her breath quickened as she stumbled backward, away from him.
"No… no… NO!!"
Her voice cracked with desperation. Her whole body trembled, fear carved into every inch of her expression.
"I… I never wanted this! I don't want to live like this!"
But Logen only stood still, silent, watching her collapse to her knees.
Leo lifted her trembling hands before her, staring at them as her tears fell onto her palms.
"Is this what I wanted…? I've lost everything...what i once had"
Logen walked forward again, his shadow falling over her. He placed a firm hand on her shoulder, his expression cold yet heavy with truth.
"Now do you understand? The weight of your sins?"
Leo bowed her head, motionless, as if frozen by her own guilt.
"Haa…" Logen sighed deeply.
"Sir Logen…" Leo whispered, her voice calmer now, the tears finally ceasing. "Is there… any way to destroy this curse?"
"Hm?" His eyes narrowed. His tone was colder than ice. "I have no interest in helping you, Leo. You were punished for what you did."
Leo's body shook. She gritted her teeth and shouted desperately:
"Please! Even if they're all gone… I won't be greedy again! I swear it! Please, I beg you—help me!"
Her body trembled as she stood, eyes filled with both fear and hope.
For a moment, Logen said nothing. His gaze dropped to the red carpet beneath his feet. His expression tightened, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.
But when he raised his head, his face twisted in rage.
"I already told you… I can't help."
Leo's heart shattered. Her face drained of color as despair consumed her.
"No… way…" she whispered, her voice trembling like fragile glass.
Leo's face was drenched in hopelessness when a quiet cough broke the silence.
"Ahem."
Logen's gray eyes fixed on her, sharp as blades.
"Tell me, Leo… do you truly regret what you've done?"
"Yes, I do!" Leo shouted, her voice trembling with desperation. She clutched her chest tightly as though swearing upon her own heart.
"I won't be greedy like before! Never again!"
"…Fine then."
Logen's reply was low, almost reluctant. He turned toward the towering shelves of books. His fingers brushed across the spines until—
"Ah. Here it is."
He slid a thick tome from the shelf and set it upon the table. Dust rose into the lamplight as he flipped through the pages with careful urgency.
"There has to be something…"
Leo stepped closer, her golden eyes quivering. "W-What is it…?"
And then, Logen's eyes lit with a rare spark.
"Found it."
Leo leaned in just as he turned the book toward her.
On the page, bold letters spread across the title:
[ The Reality Witch ]
Below the title, a shadowy figure was illustrated in ink.
"Reality… Witch?" Leo whispered. Her breath caught, her eyes widening with curiosity.
"She's the only witch known to break curses of this level," Logen explained, sweat glistening faintly on his brow. "She lives in the Rezein Kingdom. But… only a select few have ever met her."
Leo's trembling hands seized the book. Her face, moments ago drenched in despair, now shimmered with hope.
"A witch… who can break even this curse?" Her voice shook, but with excitement rather than fear.
Her golden eyes shone as she clutched the page tightly.
"Then if I can reach her—she can destroy my curse!"
Logen folded his arms, his voice deep and unimpressed.
"…If you can reach her."
"I will! I have to!" Leo's voice rose, blazing with sudden determination.
She looked at him with gratitude that almost hurt to see.
"Thank you so much, Sir Logen."
Logen turned away, hiding the faint twitch of his lips.
"Hmph. Don't thank me. I've no interest in helping you. Just don't think it will be easy."
"Eheheh." Leo smirked faintly, her spirit burning once again.
The next morning, warm sunlight bathed the land. Birds chirped overhead while the streets bustled with life.
At the great gate of Logen's mansion, painted white and striped with red, Leo stood with a small brown bag slung across her back.
She bowed her head slightly.
"Thank you for everything."
Logen stood tall, arms crossed, his face calm yet skeptical.
"Can you really meet the Reality Witch on your own?"
"I… I will!" Leo declared, her voice shaky but firm. "I have to meet her—no matter what!"
With that, she turned, her steps steady despite the weight in her heart.
"Goodbye, Sir Logen! When I return, I'll come back as Leo Julius Eros!"
Hearing those words, Logen allowed himself a small smirk.
"…Hmph. Fine then."
Leo's fists clenched as she walked away, her golden eyes narrowed with fiery resolve.
Even if I'm useless in this body… I won't give up. I'll carve out a new life. I'll take back who I was.
Her teeth grit with rage, her eyes glimmering with determination as her journey began anew.