The teenage boy with light green hair immediately stood up. He patted the street dust off his dirty pants, then looked up at Arvin.
"I'm so sorry for bumping into you! I was in a hurry." he said sincerely. However, his eyes suddenly narrowed, scrutinizing Arvin's face intently. "But... why does your face feel so familiar to me? It feels like I've known you for a very long time."
Hearing those words, Arvin was stunned. He felt a strange thumping in his chest. A similar feeling spread through his heart, a sense of familiarity, even though he didn't know who the person before him was.
I also feel a familiarity with him. Arvin thought. This face... have I met him? But I've never met him during my life as Arvin Vedegra in this world.
Arvin, overcome with curiosity, immediately asked the teenage boy with bright green hair. "What is your name?"
The teenager smiled, a very wide smile. It was a smile full of happiness and sincerity.
"I'm Alrain! Nice to meet you!" he answered cheerfully.
Gasp!
Arvin and Allen were instantly shocked to hear that name. Arvin's body tensed up. His clear blue eyes began to glass over. Before him now stood the figure who, in his previous life, was his most loyal subordinate, the person who was willing to die for him.
Alrain... Ah, is he really the Alrain I knew? Arvin held his breath, trying to hold back his tears so they wouldn't spill. I want to hug him so badly and apologize to him for all Arvin past cruelty. But, surely he doesn't remember about Arvin anymore.
Meanwhile, Allen stared at Alrain with a look of amazement. He never expected to meet someone he wanted to see this soon.
So this is what the person named Alrain looks like? Allen thought, assessing him. I admit he is very cute. His face is truly the type that is easy to like.
Allen compared himself to Alrain. His looks are truly on par with or even exceed mine. Even I almost felt inferior seeing his radiant face. But after knowing how great Arvin's love is for me, to the point of rejecting this cute face in front of me, I don't need to feel insecure anymore.
Alrain tilted his head, his index finger tapping his chin, still trying to remember something.
"Hey, before you answer with your name, I'm still curious. Why is your face so familiar to my eyes? Have we met before? But I don't remember us ever meeting in the capital!"
Arvin smiled bitterly, holding back his emotions. "Then, what else do you feel besides my face looking familiar?" Arvin asked teasingly, though he still wanted to confirm his own suspicion.
Alrain placed his right hand over his chest. "I don't know... It feels like I want to be near you. But I don't know the reason. Even though I don't know you. This really feels strange!"
Hearing that, Arvin became absolutely convinced that all his suspicions were indeed true. The same went for Allen. He became increasingly convinced that the bond of loyalty between Arvin and Alrain was incredibly strong, transcending the boundaries of space and time.
Even when he returned to the past without his memories, vaguely he could still feel that he wanted to be by Arvin's side. thought Allen in awe. It seems I really must unite Arvin and Alrain. The two of them truly cannot be separated, not even by death.
With good intentions to start a friendship, Allen smiled warmly and extended his hand to Alrain.
"Hello, I'm Allen!" he greeted cheerfully.
However, the reaction that occurred was truly unexpected. The bright smile on Alrain's face vanished instantly, replaced by a freezing cold expression. The eyes that had previously sparkled playfully now stared at Allen with a sharp gaze full of hostility.
"Allen?" murmured Alrain softly, his voice turning heavy. "Did you say Allen?"
He slapped Allen's hand away roughly. "Sorry, for some reason... upon hearing your name, I feel an intense hatred towards you! It feels like I really want to kill you!"
Allen flinched in surprise. He pulled his hand back, feeling bad as well as feeling deep guilt towards the bright green-haired teenager before him.
He hates me? Allen thought painfully. Ah... it's only natural that he hates me. His soul must still remember that pain. Because in the life before returning to the past, I was the one who killed Arvin, the leader as well as the person he loved and protected so dearly. If I were in his position, I would surely feel the same hatred.
The atmosphere, which had been warm, turned awkward and tense. Arvin, who did not want this meeting to turn into a disaster, tried to break the ice.
Arvin smiled gently, gazing at Alrain with affection like a brother to his younger sibling. "Hello Alrain, my name is Arvin, let's just say nice to meet-"
Before Arvin could finish his sentence, Alrain's body tensed up violently upon hearing that name.
"Arvin...?"
Suddenly, Alrain bowed his head low. He fell silent, his light green hair covering his eyes. His shoulders began to tremble, showing strange signs.
Arvin and Allen became confused by the drastic change occurring in the teenage boy.
"Alrain?" called Arvin in confusion.
But suddenly...
Whoosh!
Strong winds blew from out of nowhere, swirling around Alrain's body. The bright sky suddenly felt heavy.
Crackt!
Flashes of lightning like static electricity began striking wildly around Alrain's feet.
The people around the street panicked. "Hey! What's happening? Is there going to be a fight here?" shouted a pedestrian.
They scattered, fleeing away from the area where the three of them stood, sensing the impending danger.
Arvin's eyes widened as he saw a magical aura he knew very well.
"Allen, get back! This is Alrain's magic!" exclaimed Arvin in warning. "He—"
Alrain lifted his face. There was no longer a friendly face there. There was only a gaze full of deep-seated vengeance, the gaze of a soldier ready to eliminate his master's enemies. His eyes burned with anger that seemed to have been buried for a thousand years.
It was as if he remembered everything. He remembered who was standing in front of him.
"ALLEN! YOU MUST DIE!!!!"
Alrain screamed hysterically, his voice splitting the air. With lightning speed, he created a magic sword made of a blinding swirl of wind and lightning elements, then swung it with palpable killing intent towards Allen's neck.
Allen, whose fighting instincts were still sharp, acted swiftly. He didn't have time to dodge and immediately manifested his light-element magic sword to block the deadly attack.
CLANG!
A loud clashing sound echoed as their elemental swords collided with a massive spark of energy.