Okay, that's all for today.
Yes. Thank you for everything.

It doesn't change your health, does it?
Yeah. In fact, it's almost too good to be true.
I see.....


　I had been coming to the hospital. These regular visits were necessary in order to study the Twilight Syndrome, and I was cooperating with them.

　There were no abnormalities in the current examination. In fact, I've been told that I'm too healthy for that.


"Oh, by the way, I have this book. I'm going to return this book.
What did you find out?
A lot of things. But we still don't know what the fundamentals are. I've learned a lot, but it seems that we just have to continue our research steadily.
...I see.


　I pick up the book I've lent you before. This is the end of the checkup, so I head back to the military quarters.

　I was getting ready for tomorrow's business trip.


　◇


Shelly, are you ready to go?
'Well ... well ...'


　The usual diner. Me and Shelly were ordered to travel yesterday, as Princess Liane said. The main reason for this is that as a special class anti-magician, I have to keep track of each city. I'm sure you're not going to be able to find out what's going on in the world.


''.........?　It's been kind of crunchy lately... what's going on?
Well, nothing really... just I'm a little worried that I'm right for the job.
'Shelly is growing up well. Mr. Bell said the same thing.
Really?
'Yeah. The sword was a good fit for Shelly, and Belle's teaching is good. And I'm working hard on it, and it's paying off.
Well I hope you're right.


　I knew it was crunchy. Is he unsure of himself?　But even if I were to ask you to be confident here I know there is nothing I can do about it. So I decided to offer up a different topic.


'How do you feel about joining the army, Shelly?　I haven't seen you much lately.
''There's nothing of note here. I'm reasonably used to fighting in the twilight... oh, but there's one little thing that bothers me.
What's bothering you?
"Twilight Syndrome. It's getting better. The doctor told me I'm a Level 5.
So ... level 5 ... is everything all right?
"For now. Just like all the other special-grade demons. It's going on. It's all clear.
....


　As I listened to her words, I was thinking. What exactly is the Twilight Syndrome? It's definitely eating away at my body, but in my case, the more it progresses, the stronger it seems to get. The same might be true for Sherry........maybe it's the same for her.


　After that, we talked about other trivial things and I headed to my room.



''Julia, do you have a minute?''
Senior, what's going on?
You'll be out of town for a while tomorrow. I just wanted to talk to you.
Okay. Come on.
Excuse me.


　I let the older man in as I come in. The truth is, it is forbidden to let a woman into a man's room. But it's a formality, not an absolute one. Senior students sometimes visit my room like this. According to him, it's comfortable.........


'Are you ready for a business trip?'
Yes, sir.
Just that backpack?
Well ... yes.
You're a minimum.
'Yes. I don't have that many things to take with me.
So....


　Silence. Normally, she was quicker to tell me what she was doing here, but today's senior seemed strangely tangential.


'Yuria.'
Yes, sir.
Well make sure you come home.
Of course.
I can't help but feel that there's something dangerous about this trip.
'You've traveled to other cities before, haven't you, senior?
'Yes. As soon as I became a special-grade anti-magician, I went to every city I could find. But this time, the timing is just right.
Is this about the case?
'Yeah. Julia is being targeted I have a feeling that she's a target. Because you're special.
Special...?
You know what I mean?　The only survivor. And the first person to be in the twilight for two years. And fought off that attack. I knew you were special.
'No ... no ... no ... I'm not ...'


　I wanted to deny it. I'm not special. I'm just a small person. But I'm still ... considering my background, I'm sure I'm not normal. I was the youngest person ever to become a special class anti-magician, and I lived for two years in the twilight. And the Twilight Syndrome, or Twilight Syndrome, which invades one's body, remains a mystery. I couldn't help but feel that this, which is even called "unmeasurable" (level over), was making me a deformed person.


''I really want to follow you, but it's not possible due to orders from above. Shelly has been working hard lately, and Belle was very complimentary of her work, and I'm sure she'll be fine, but.......make sure you come back, for sure. I'll be waiting for you.
I understand.


　The older man said and walked out of my room. When I saw him, I headed to my usual place.


　◇


Sofia, we're here.
'Huh?　You'll be away tomorrow.　Shouldn't you go to bed early?
I just wanted to say hi to Sophia.
Haha, you're so disciplined...


　The bank behind the military quarters. Like the one we met here before, Sophia is often in this place. Especially at night, she seems to be in this place because she's thinking about something. I thought she'd be here today, but I'm just glad the timing was right.


'Have you been out long?'
'No, just a few weeks. I guess I'll mostly be looking at other cities. In some cases, I might even get involved in combat.
I see. Well, say hi to your dad when you see him.
Oh I'll probably see you there. Okay, I'll say hello.
Yeah. But still, Sherry is a useful tool. I'm not sure what I'm thinking up there.
Perks?　To meet other special class antagonists?
'Hmm. I guess it's a little different... well, if you don't know, that's okay. That's one of the good things about Julia, and one of the bad things about her.
"?　Really?
'Yeah ... yeah. West.


　Sophia smiles while showing her teeth. When we talk like this, I can't help but feel that we've been friends for a long time now. It's probably because of her personality, after all. She's cheerful and friendly. Even though she lost her family, her willingness to fight the demon race, even to become a soldier, is truly worthy of respect, just like Sherry.


''Huh... it's still beautiful.''
'Yes. This view is the only thing that won't change.


　We lay down and stared at the stars shining in the sky. There was not a cloud in the sky today, and the sky was full of twinkling stars.


Do you ever feel scared or anything, Yulia?
...at dusk?
Doesn't it break your heart to include it?
'Yes. When I was in the twilight, I was just struggling to live. That's what I was afraid of, I felt crushed by fear every day. Ever since I came back to the Warding City, I've been afraid of the past. I overcame all of that and now I'm here... but still, I'm afraid of the things I'm afraid of. But I want to be strong with that fear in mind. I don't want to deny my fears, I want to affirm them and move forward with them.
''Well that's great, Julia. I'll be one of those someday.
You will. You'll be okay, Sofia.
Ha, that makes me feel a little better about myself, don't you think?
Well, I'm going to go.
Yeah. Tell me all about it when you get back.
All right.


　With that last statement, I stand up. Then I lightly waved to Sophia and went straight back to my quarters.