Time passed again, and finally there was only one month remaining until Alden's awakening ceremony.
Most of the estate was already making preparations.
The awakening ceremony was a big deal.
All the eligible ones would undergo it at the same time.
But for him?
His schedule had slowed down.
No more lectures. No more combat drills.
Malrick had given up on him. Especially after seeing Ellara backing him up.
It felt good.
And Alden didn't mind. He preferred training alone anyway.
At least when he failed, no one mocked him.
That evening, as he wiped sweat from his brow, a familiar voice echoed inside his head.
"Come to the library. Now."
Ellara.
Why is she calling now?
There is still one hour before her lessons.
But Alden felt her seriousness. Her voice wasn't playful or teasing like usual.
It was… strained.
Urgent.
He didn't waste time.
He dropped the wooden sword on the floor and sprinted towards the library.
His heart was pounding in his ribcage as if it was going to come out.
He didn't know why…. But he felt ominous, as if something bad was going to happen.
Alden reached the library and immediately felt something was strange.
The air was still—but heavier than usual.
Even the silence felt different.
His steps quickened.
She wasn't at her usual desk.
So he ran—past the shelves, past the familiar rows—until he found her.
In the far corner of the library, surrounded by some forgotten books.
She stood silently, facing away from him.
"Ellara?" His voice was calm.
Too calm.
But his mind was a storm.
She turned slowly.
And Alden froze.
Her form was flickering.
What's happening?
Parts of her body were transparent. As if she were fading out of existence.
His chest tightened.
"What… what's happening to you?" he asked.
He already knew the answer, but a part of his heart refused to accept it.
Ellara let out a small smile.
Not the usual smirk, not the smug grin.
Just a fragile curve of her lips.
One that tried to comfort—but failed.
"It's time, Alden," she said softly. "I held on as long as I could."
Alden didn't say anything. He let her talk.
She raised her hand—but even that simple motion took effort.
"I was never meant to last this long. After the Codex passed to you, my contract ended. I should've vanished immediately."
Again he didn't utter a single word and looked at her with the same calm eyes.
Hoping it was just something else. That he was misunderstanding.
Or maybe… he was dreaming.
So he let her continue.
"I wanted… to stay a little longer," she whispered. "I thought I was curious. But maybe I was just… selfish."
Alden's fists clenched. He had already imagined this possibility.
She always looked so carefree. But Alden had seen that look… It was someone who lived on borrowed time.
So, he didn't want to get attached to her.
He was afraid of disappointment.
He knew expectations always lead to disappointments.
But he was human… a living, breathing human.
One who was imperfect.
One who was hopeless even when he knew something like this could happen.
It had been barely four or five months since he got to know her.
But she was already an important part of his life.
He himself didn't know when he got attached.
It was her casual gentle training… or maybe the banter they had.
He started holding expectations.
That maybe… Just maybe... he was overthinking.
Maybe she was just like that.
So, he didn't resist the bond that was forming.
They say… a drowning man might take support from anything.
He had been drowning ever since he arrived in this world.
And Ellara... she felt like the first hand reaching out.
His breathing grew uneven.
Ellara walked toward him. She understood his silence held more words than she could ever hope to say.
"I didn't mean to hurt you," she said.
Her fingers gently touched his hand.
It was cold. Soft. Like air that shouldn't be solid—but somehow was.
"I'm sorry."
Alden's body trembled slightly.
He wanted to ask her to stay.
But he was helpless.
Why would she stay?
Wouldn't it be too selfish to ask her to suffer more?
He understood. So he didn't say anything.
Just stayed quiet.
Like he didn't care.
Ellara smiled, even though her voice trembled.
She understood his thoughts. She really did. But even she was helpless against fate.
"I don't want to go either, Alden."
She placed a hand on his head—like she always did after sword training.
"I wish I could've stayed. Watch you grow. Watch you beat that brat Cedric and leave this family behind."
"I still had many stories to tell… I still had many skills to teach you… the ones you always asked me to teach."
Her hand glowed faintly.
A warm light entered his forehead.
Something warm spread throughout his body.
"This is my soul ability," she whispered. "Spirit Eyes. They'll awaken with your mana… and help you when you need it most."
He just stood there, swallowing back everything he wanted to say.
Ellara's body had almost completely faded now.
But her eyes were still there—soft and full of regret.
Alden looked into her eyes for the first time.
"Thank you for everything, Ellara." He said the last words.
Her face froze. Before a genuine smile formed on her face and her body vanished.
Alden reached forward.
But there was nothing to grab.
Just golden specks floating in the air.
And then, silence.
For the first time in this life, he felt completely, utterly alone.
Then—
A small pearl—glowing faint gold—formed where she vanished.
Alden caught it just before it touched the floor.
And as he held it tightly, a voice echoed in his mind.
"When strong spirits die… sometimes, our essence condenses."
"If you're lucky… that essence might take shape."
"This is my last gift, Alden. A part of me will always be with you. So live well. And remember—you were never alone."
The voice faded.
Alden sat there, gripping the pearl to his chest, his head bowed low.
No more words. No more noise.
Just a silent boy in an empty library.