"We knew you changed, yet we couldn’t forgive you... even now."
Andrew could still remember how he dueled Naell, how he was unbending to his mistakes, how he harassed Viola, and how he disrespected Rinca, the last person who seemed to have believed in him.
On the other hand, memories from that time were quite blurry for Viola. All she could recall was the image of when Naell grabbed her; his vicious smile lingered in her memories, yet her feelings were far from fear, and were more of confusion.
Even so, her memory of his harassment was most vivid in her dreams. She had even discussed with them how she would sometimes dream that Naell was actually protecting her.
Yet none of that mattered, as what they saw was the reality they had to believe, the young master of Beryldot was a villain.
It was also the first time they saw Rinca cry. They all knew it was not because of rage, but from pity knowing the Naell they once knew was already gone.
In truth, if it weren't for Rinca and the Duke of Arigare owing his life to Fharom, the bannermen of Arigare would have destroyed the estate of Beryldot for disrespecting their liege.
Yet with her plea, it was protected and told under the Duke’s words that if any harm comes to Beryldot, they too will suffer the wrath of the Arigare.
Those details weren't in the novel Naell had read on earth, yet he learned of it some time ago thanks to his curiosity. From then on, he was faced with the harsh reality; the world he was currently living in was not simply the novel he read, but a life he seriously should consider.
Therefore, he decided, living a life out of the limelight and prestige should be his priority. Not just because he was lazy, but also to evade the prying eyes of those who wished to harm the estate of Beryldot.
At that moment the three were not uttering any words, yet their eyes were locked onto one another. Naell then decided to break free from the silence as he said,
"I am not asking for your forgiveness as well."
Both of them were surprised. What they saw was a face filled with understanding yet void of guilt. Seemingly out of pity but not with himself nor them.
Naell had a hard time facing the sin he knew he did not commit. He could only slowly mutter every word.
"The--- my past, I have suffered and I believe I deserve it. That is why, I won't ask for your forgiveness, but I won't apologize as well for I already paid for my mistake."
It was a weird feeling, and sometimes he’d feel that the old owner of his body was watching him. Deep in his heart, as if the old Naell was there creeping in his conscience. Solidifying his pride not to apologize.
“Well, if it’s okay with you...” Viola spoke, but her words were completely inaudible to the man she faced.
‘I will grant your wish if you don’t want me to apologize.’ Naell thought to himself, knowing regardless now, he wouldn’t apologize for something he didn’t do.
“Let’s just put this behind us and---“ Andrew continued, speaking to the still silent young master.
‘Was there more that the novel didn’t say, Naell?’ He thought to himself once more, questioning his uncertain past.
“Friends…?”
‘’...’’
.
.
.
‘’Young master Naell?’’ Asked Viola softly. She was startled when Naell appeared to have only now woken up from his thoughts.
‘’Sorry what was it?’’ Naell was so distracted that he didn’t hear a single word from either of them.
Andrew and Viola smiled wryly. It wasn’t easy to repeat what they just said. Yet knowing Naell wasn’t in his top condition, they could only cough it out and start over.
‘’We don’t need your apology as well, Young master.’’ Said Andrew focusing his gaze on him.
Naell knew it was a serious discussion as both were looking at him heavily, yet he wasn’t at all intimidated. He could somehow feel their warmth even under their stern demeanor.
‘’Well, that is for the better.’’ Naell said with a smile.
‘’I agree.’’ Andrew knew he wasn’t able to get through to him as the conversations led for them to end all of it there.
That wasn’t his intention, yet he thought it might be for the best until Naell fully recovers. Still, there was no doubt he was disappointed.
On the other hand, for Naell, he was already hoping that they would end the conversation and with that, their past and connection. That too was also for the best as he thought,
‘I just want to live my life away from your war. Just please save this world.’
Viola watched as they both spoke dismissively, and realized they probably misunderstood all that they’ve heard. Immensely frustrated, she could no longer contain her emotions as she yelled, startling both Andrew and Naell.
‘’That’s not it!’’
Quickly she felt embarrassed, realizing her disrespectful tone, yet because she knew Naell would once again shrug off their sentiments if she stopped, she decided to continue loudly as she added on,
‘’Young master, I--- We, if it is okay with you, we want to start over.’
‘’Ehhh?’’ Naell’s reply was completely unintentional.
His face was surprised and filled with exhaustion. It was afterall, the most unexpected outcome he did not ever anticipate.
As for Andrew and Viola, Owly and Rizaul already told them that Naell was quite slow when it came to socialization. They didn’t believe it but seeing it now made them smile wryly.
‘’What she meant by that is perhaps we could bury the past, start over, and be friends…’’ Andrew's words now had hints of regret and firm resolution.
All those times, after their duel, Andrew often thought that if perhaps he had been more persuasive and understanding, Naell as a kid, might not have isolated himself from everyone.
‘It’s like nothing changed. I was too busy with myself again, and wasn’t able to protect everyone.’
That was why he swore at that moment that never again would he abandon his friends and family. Viola too firmly felt that she would like to know Naell better, upon observing him for the past weeks that they had been acquainted with another.
She had always felt uneasy with those dreams and the reality she thought she knew. Yet doubts would always appear in her mind, thinking that perhaps the harassment she remembered had something more to it.
‘Fabrication magic…’ She thought, yet because Naell had never said anything and she had only her memories as a basis, she decided to leave the thought behind and refrain from sharing it often.
‘Afterall, only demons could do such a thing...’ Yet that thought only furthered Viola’s doubts.
She was aware that light magic often resisted demon magic, which could further explain why she of all people dreamt of the different scenario with Naell.
The silence in the clinic continued for far too long as the three remained deluded with their own thoughts. Perhaps since Naell was a master of daydreaming, he was the first one to be brought back to reality.
With another long sigh and the warmest smile he could give, Naell finally broke the silence,
‘’Then as friends… Do call me Naell from now on.’’
*******
Days passed since their incident. Bhor and his father, Baron Pando had already prostrated themselves towards the school. They offered generous gifts for the young Anna, her grandfather, and Viola and Naell’s parents which was accepted out of good will.
They also extended it up to the Duke of Arigare, as they were well aware that Viola was good friends with Rinca. Not to mention, both she and Naell were under their protection.
‘’Huuuuuaaaaaaahh…’’
The morning hues had finally creeped in from his window and the subtle but repeated HOOTs of the sleeping Owly managed to wake Naell up.
He was glad that it was still too early for him to be outside. The job he was tasked with was far from over as he still had one day left before the cultural festival would end.
Which now brings Naell to his thoughts. He knew he was being a hyprocite. Not only did he already befriend three people from the protagonist’s party, even Note and Namiku grew quite friendly with him.
He could still remember how he proclaimed to himself that he would stay out of their sight, yet now dared to call them his friends. His bed creaked as he buried himself in his pillow, screaming his lungs out from the embarrassing moments he recalled.
‘Naell Beryldot will live his life sleeping in the Baron’s house, fufufu.'
‘’Afterall, conviction should come from good intentions.’’
‘’Then as friends… Do call me Naell from now on.’’
He could only sigh and force himself to not think of it, but her words lingered in his mind.
"I guess people really do change. Thank you for saving my friend's life but don't think you're forgiven for your past."
The only one that still was not entirely friendly with him was Rinca. Yet after the incident even the so-called duchess of ice wasn’t that stoic on occasions they would meet. She would even go so far as to nod in response to Naell’s bow, a sign of respect due to her being of higher nobility.
Still a part of him wanted to get along with Rinca, which then brought forth another scream of embarrassment. He even had problems with the principal and the princess of Taglagas, both of which were pestering him for “an afternoon tea”.
‘’Ughhhh… I’ll stay true to my word. I WILL NOT BE PART OF THEIR PARTY!’’ Naell declared loudly, awakening the sleeping owl who HOOTed in annoyance.
I really do not understand this story. From what I understood, Naell had 3 objetives: get strong to protect his family, be lazy and not get close to the Hero´s team. As a story without villain I thought of the heroe team the closest thing to an enemy, he killed the other Naell and he and his friends hate Naell. However his "companion"(knowing all of this) sold Naell to the only people in the entirity of this universe that have a grudge towards him for a bunch of food. So the transmigrated Naell, even if he didnt do anything, had still to eat shit(handle the stares of the Heroe party and just be forced to interact with people that hate him) just because his "companion" wants food. The only content since a bunch of chapters ago is Naell interacting with the only people he doesn't want to interact with. Andrew literally killed Naell and he is trying to be friends with them, i really do not understand anything. I have had this feeling since some chapters ago and I didn't want to drop this just because I don't understand it. Not only this but the getting strong vibe has been completely forgotten and it has become a slice of life of someone who only interacts with people that hate him(the fight in class where he fought a cousin or something and the cousin called him a disgrace etc... ). The fairy arc was cool I guess but even in that arc the heroe party was still talked about. Like the world is big, is the heroe party the only human beings that does things? I just want to understand why Naell agrees getting stepped on all the time. I know its a big paragraph but I don't want to drop this. Sorry if I made some mistakes, english is not my first language.
While Naell is pretty much a timid cynical doormat, it does seem slightly forced right now. However, something to mention is that not all is as it seems to be with Naell's unremembered past.
In this chapter, Viola hints at the possibility of fabrication magic having been used, and that a demon could be involved. According to Rizaul and Naell's 'Bro' who knew him in childhood, before his mother died, his personality then is pretty similar to his personality now. If I were to make a wild guess here, I'd guess that this hypothetical demon has been meddling with much of the cast, through manipulation and fabrication, and that Naell's memories of his life before the incident were wiped to conceal something. Just a wild guess though.
Hear me out ! Owly is the enemy ! I hate him so damn much lol
Andrew didn't try to kill the other Nael, he just beat him up so bad that he was bedridden.
Not everyone in Andrew's party hate him. They all have different feeling towards him. Adrew is feeling regret because he blame himself for failing to protect Nael, Viola is confuse and also curious like Namiko. It was mentioned that Note and past Nael don't get along so it's understandable why he tried to pick a fight Nael on his first appearance. Rizaul always want to be Nael's friend. Rinca is the only one who truly hates him right now.
Also the story didn't became a slice of life where the mc only interacts with people who hate him. In my opinion this a phase where Nael start to develop as a person and form connection through business, friendship and such. This is more like the calm before the storm.
Some story doesn't just revolve around the main character, events happen because of the action and influence of different individual, and saving the world is bound to make a huge influence in the story and since the hero's party is in the center of it all it's only natural that the story will also talk about them from time to time.
@black07dart Thank you for reading and well said!
@black07dart I understand that some stories don't resolve around the main character. However it is resolving around a group that either killed Nael, or that just ignored Nael's death.A group which we where told from chapter 1 that should be ignored. There are three options to previous Nael death : a demon with weird magic, a mage with weird magic did it or Andrew is just a psycopath. He got beaten to death and her ex-fiance thinks there is something weird but she does nothing. From my understanding Nael's death helps the story more. At least they are forced to deal with the consequences of killing someone or to understand what happened. Actually both options are phsycopaths, one is his ex-fiance not caring about someone beaten to death and the other is Andrew being a murderer. But we should ignore this and just like the heroe party? I personally can't. Actually my bad, this is a wholesome forgiving story, just read a response from the author. My bad was expecting something else. I'm sorry it is my bad for not geting the story vibe.
I@Username2 hi, its not your fault. As much as we would love to head into that direction, we are actually not capable of writing such masterpiece hence our story being somewhat lacking.
Still, when we decided to wrote this one, we actually want a wholesome story revolving somethng like this.
As for the killing part, for us anyway it is something that can be forgiven especially given the circumstances we are still not going to disclose.
We understand your frustration and could only say thank you for still reading it.
@Nezothecat I didn't want to ruin the mood, the story is good tho. It just conflicts with my nature, im more of an edgy guy than a forgiving one, it`s just that. Keep up the good work and don't let my comment bother you.
@Username2 Ne here, No worries! We genuinely appreciate the feedback