'Shh, Master ....... Can you see ......?

　Shivering, I check.

'Hah, hah, hah--, what the hell?

　Master, who was running Al-Auna with all his might, looked around while breathing heavily. Along the way, he also looked at the 'break' that I was obviously looking at. However, he reacted as if there was nothing there.

　Immediately I understand that it's useless and retract my previous statement.

'No, sorry ....... I'm just getting a little misty-eyed ......
'Hazy and ......?　d*mn, there's too much blood!　Quickly, we need to focus on the cure somewhere!

　It seems I'm the only one who can see.
　And I knew from my crossed gazes that the master of the gaze in the 'slit' is also the only one who sees.

　If you ask me who the master is, I can only answer "the world". There is no living thing at all at the end of that "slice"; it's just vastness. And yet, I can feel the will from that gaze.

　--I'm going to have to die.

　Now I was being asked by the world to die.
　Weakly, I am frightened by the demand and quickly look away.
　But it pulls me back again (・・・・・・).

'Eh--'

　I felt a 'thread' stretching from my fingertips and prodding me to "look at that 'break'".

　There is no physical interference. It's only being pulled to the extent that it's 'felt'.
　After all, my master and I are riding in the same alauna and continue to ride. If my body is truly pulled, I will be the only one to fall to the ground. I know that logically, but ...... somehow, the 'break' was definitely, for sure, getting closer to me.
　It was slowly getting closer to us as we drove Al-Auna at high speed.

'......!'

　It doesn't make sense.
　From that unusual phenomenon, we understand that this is the equivalent of 'witchcraft' or 'miracles'.

　And that, too, the surgeon is not a person but the 'world'.
　I was struck by a feeling as if death was being collected from the 'world' and I remembered what Tida had said about 'curses'.

'Hah, hah, hah ......'

　Apart from the loss of blood and pain, my breath begins to be ragged with fear.
　However, I instinctively felt that I shouldn't stop thinking just to survive, so I expanded my knowledge of the 'curse' in my mind.

　-- there was only one thing in it that could explain the current situation.

　It is the 'curse' of the master who said it should be there but it isn't.
　It's strange that the "stealer of dimensional reason" that is treated as special by the apostles and saves other "reason-stealers" has no "curse" at all - that's what I feared a while ago. I have a feeling that this prediction is coming true.

　Romis Neesha's heart was broken just because she was a childhood friend of the "One who steals the logic of darkness".
　All of the family members of the Stealer of the Principle of Fire have also fallen into misery, and her mother has lost her memory.
　Then what is the fate of me, who looks up to "The One Who Stole the Reason of Dimension" as my master ......?

'Tee, tiara ......!　You okay?　Can you still hear me?!

　Seeing my face turn pale, the Master calls out to me, hugging me.

''Yeah, oh ....... U......n.

　I had to answer vaguely.

　At the sound of his powerless voice, my master's face grows even more pale than mine. Then, with his usual trapped expression, he shouts to keep me from fainting.

''Get a grip!　Don't close your eyes!　Please, don't die!

　He squeezes my hand tightly, as if he were attending to a seriously ill patient.
　Then my pale face begins to bleed with cash, and my heart starts to beat even in this too-worst situation.

'I can't be without you!　After the fight with Lomis, I realized!　He wants you to stay with him!　You're the reason I'm living my life the way I am!　And I haven't thanked you for that yet!

　This deviating heartbeat is my very own "I love my teacher" feeling. And I can feel the same kind of heartbeat from the master who is now holding my hand. It is the very feeling of master's "I love you".

Your cheerfulness has helped me throughout the whole journey!　At all times you're cheerful, smiling, and energetic ......, so--!
'Sh, Master ......?'
You're the kind of person I like!　So I won't let you die!　Absolutely!

　It was definitely a moment when we could be sure that we were in love with each other. But I also feel the more we like each other, the more the gaze from the 'slice' intensifies.

'Oh (...) ....... I knew it was .......

　I realize the true nature of the "curse" of "the one who steals the reason for the dimension".

　The thing that is being withheld from the world as the 'price' now - is my life.
　To be precise, it is 'death'.
　It can't be just 'death', either.
　I'm beginning to understand the conditions.
　The way to check is very simple.

'-- me too (・・・・)'

　I answer that.
　Instantly, the gaze from the 'slit' intensified to an uncommon degree.

　Then give it to me.
　The two people who love each other are the price to pay, so pay it now.
　As if I could hear such a voice, the slice of life is approaching to engulf me.

"--Huh!　Then don't ever close your eyes, Tiara!　We'll survive, both of us!
Yes. ......

　I nodded deeply.
　As I was dying, I was finally beginning to get a lot of answers. As one mystery was unraveled, other mysteries were revealed in a chain of events - the

　For example, that was a conversation with Sister Yotaki before she left on her journey.

"Thank you, Tiara. I would be happy if this Hoozeyers would be my brother's 'replacement' home. And for you to be my 'replacement'--

　All along, Sister Yotaki had been looking for someone to 'replace' her 'replacement', someone who would like her master.
　And she was planning to somehow get her 'replacement' to die.

　And I casually replied "I'll do it" with a 'contract'. That Yotaki sister agreed to that.

　It's no wonder that this trip for the two of us was too much (・・・・・・・).
　As the journey progresses, they become aware of each other, their hearts grow closer and closer with each day, and they confess to each other after a battle with a powerful enemy?

　-- no doubt it's all staged (or tinkered with) by the Yotaki sister.

　First of all, there is no doubt that the conversation before the departure was involved.
　The skills "Parallel Thinking" and "Convergent Thinking" that Sister Yotaki herself mentioned that day have that power. Perhaps, but Sister Yotaki possesses more than one skill that I risked my life to obtain on this trip, 'Reading' - something similar to that.

　Of course, it's not just verbal guidance.
　Sister Yotaki developed 'spellcraft' and the first thing she dabbled in was 'translation'.
　That means that all of the conversations in this 'Fania version' have been modified by Sister Youtaki. There is a very good chance that my words were not correctly conveyed to my master. For example, but the word 'lover (...)' that I heard when I was walking around the city was particularly suspicious. That was probably a different word that was originally contained in it. And if there had been such an alteration of the conversation, I couldn't even notice it.

　Above all, the master who traveled with me - 'Aikawa Uzumi' that person - was the most planted by Sister Yotaki.
　Before leaving for Fania, the two siblings had some time alone. It's enough time to widen the crack in the heart that reflects that "ideal". There is no doubt that that chasm was the deciding factor in this mutual love affair.

　Moreover, this fingertip "thread" is also an insurance policy.
　The power of the 'thread' is not yet certain, but if it had deviated from the plan, there would have been some kind of correction waiting for us. This time, since Yotaki's sister's advance preparations were enough, she didn't have a chance to do so, but when it comes to the time of need--

Ah, .......

　There is so much involvement of sister Yotaki just now that I can recognize.
　Just thinking about ...... including the ones I can't notice due to my lack of ability to do so makes me faint.

　I groan, painfully aware that everything was in the palm of my sister Yotaki's hand, and I remember one of my own words.

"-- If you want me to 'replace' you, I'll 'replace' you. If you want me to die, I'll die. I'll do anything. If I'm a book, that's absolutely the last page.

　I remember how easily I 'signed up' for it.

　No, I don't even know if I said that to myself anymore or if I was made to say it.
　I feel like everything is in the palm of my Youtaki sister's hand, and I'm losing any kind of confidence. I no longer feel like it's fixed in Sister Yotaki's mind that I'm going to die, and it's an absolute--

Ahhhh, ......!

　I would feel defeated for the first time.

　I was feeling good about the story with a foul skill, 'reading', and then I was beaten down by more foul skills.
　It's the exact same situation as Romis just the other day.
　As long as our personalities were similar, we were very similar in how we lost.

　--Yes.

　I am the same as Lomis.
　That's why the rest of the words were the same, as they should be.

'Mi, I do not admit (・・・・) ......!　I'm not dead yet: ......!

　I will not accept defeat unceremoniously.
　I will go to the 'cut' and refuse to collect the 'price'.

'I will not die. ......!　Because I didn't finish it!　I haven't finished reading one of them yet: ......!

　Even though he was dying, he squeezed the hem of his master's clothes tightly and forcefully.

　'I haven't finished reading it,' he said, referring to the stories of 'Aikawa Uzumi' and 'Aikawa Yotaki'.
　These are the two books that I wanted to read, even if I had to put the stories of The One Who Stole the Reason behind me.

　Will I die before I finish them?
　It's not possible. As a book lover, I can't allow that to happen. Because I'm not even halfway through the page. I haven't even made it back to Hoosiers, and I haven't fulfilled any of my pre-departure promises. Most importantly, before we left, my sister Yotaki and I laughed at each other (・・・・) and parted ways. The last thing is na na na na, ......!　How could I allow that kind of half-heartedness to be the last thing my sister Yotaki knew about me!　If I die now, even my last confession, the whole thing will be a farce!　There's nothing lingering when you say you're in love with each other, but when death comes too soon, there's nothing lingering!　As it is, it's just too inadequate!　...... Yeah, yeah. Simply put, this development is a no-go!　Not at all!　Boring!　You don't like this me!　So--!

This last page, I do not approve ......!

　I complained so to "The Cut".

　The world, on the other hand, shook its head - again, using my skill of reading - and brought the consequences of this escape to mind ahead of time.
　This is your end, they will show you, tauntingly, that this is your end.

"Halfway through running away from the monsters, deep in the dense forest, Tiara Hoozeyers is unable to move.
　The 'spell' cure is empty and the wound on its abdomen will not heal. The wound in her abdomen has spread to the point where blood is pouring out of her body, leaving her to wait for death to come to her. In the end, her body couldn't bear the rush of "compensation" to collect.
　But because she was on the verge of death, Tiara Fouzouyaz was able to realize the logic of the world. With her back to the giant tree in the forest, she gave her final report to her lover, Aikawa Uzumi.
'Master, I finally figured it out: ......
　At the end of their escape, Tiara Huzo Yaz came to realize what was going on in her heart. It is the heart of Aikawa Yotaki, who she adores like an older sister (...). Understanding this, she regrets and mutters while realizing her own immaturity.
''Ah, so ....... So that's why (・・・・)--''
　However, even if she realizes it, it's too late. In the face of this scene, Aikawa Uzumi uses her 'spell' to try to stop the death of her lover and shouts.
''Tiara!　Don't talk!　Better yet, get the cure soon!
　Aikawa Uzumi's thoughts were riding on that 'spell' like never before. That's why the blood would never stop. It was decided from the logic of the world that this 'blood power' wound could not be healed by Aikawa Uzumi. Hence, the words of that Tiara Fuzzyards would become a testament.
''Master, please take sister Youtaki to ......--, please, inne-- ......--''
　He asked for the other 'gentile' and his life was cut short.
　Aikawa Uzumi was trembling as she stared at her blood stained hands and shook Tiara Fuzzyaz's body that had stopped moving.
''Ah, ah, ......!　Aaaaah!　Aaaaahhhhhh--!
　Wail and regret everything.
'Mi, we'll all survive together, I said ....... I told you ......!　Oh, and yet again--!
　--This is the end of Aikawa Uzumi and Tiara Huzuysa's journey together.
　This was the fate that was decided from the time they first met in the other world, and the beginning of the story of the "Gentiles" (...).
　With the death of Tiara Fuzuarz, Aikawa Uzumi's story begins to take a major turn. From now on, he will forever think of Tiara Huseyers, who was his love interest, and begin the real battle in this other world.

　I get what The World is trying to say.
　You want it now, don't you?　And that's what they say.

　You, the book lover, can die in the arms of the "heroine" as the "hero". You can become the key to the Gentiles' story and remain in their memories forever. Even if it's death as a compensation, your life's wish will come true. So, I'm just going to give up and pay for my life as the contract demands.

"'Does that make sense?' ......!

　I shake my head as I stare at the gentle 'world' as if I were fondling a child.
　He also turns his gaze the other way around to the 'break' and makes a demand for power.

'To the last page of convincing', 'I will never die' ......!

　It's clearly written that it's the beginning (...).
　If you can get to know the inner workings of the Yangtaki sister's heart, then that's where you'll have to start.
　Even if you can die in the arms of the "protagonist", there's still a lot of work to be done.
　No, the worst part is that we are only informed of the ending ahead of time in the first place. That alone takes away most of the charm of the last page. If you want to kill me, prepare something like the daughter who died earlier that properly confirms my guesses. Otherwise I'm not going to pay a single life for this story: ......!

Tee, tiara. ......?

　Surprised by me suddenly starting to 'chant', my master called out my name. At that time, I felt that the one on the other side of the 'break' also seemed to be confused, but only slightly.

''Ah, ah!　You're not going to die!　I won't let you die!

　My master sounds like I'm weak from blood loss and begging for life. He hugs my cold body and vows to show me that he will save me.

　Since I'm going to do it, I act weak and bury myself in my master's chest.

'Yes ....... Thank you, Master .......

　Now I was dying because of my mentor, but I pretended to be in tears and thanked him.
　The tears were a lie, but the words of thanks were sincere.

　I don't intend to hold a grudge against this master's 'curse'.
　This is what I had said to Tida before.
　Even if you are affected by the curse, the most important thing is your own will. Unreasonableness is everywhere in the world. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time in the world.

　It's the same with the skill "Reading".
　The Youtaki sister, who seemed to possess many times more skills than me, didn't seem to have been swept away by the runaway. It's true that she said that the skill would analyze the options on its own and tell me the ideal ending, but on that basis, she was advancing on the path she was aiming for. Then the weakness of "skill 'reading' moves on its own" is just my naivety.

'Hah--!　Hah, hah, hah, hah ......!

　I exhale a breath that smells of blood and focus on the 'thread' in my fingers.

　I know how it works. The 'thread' inside, not outside, is important.
　I'm sure that my nerves are increasing in the "Level Up" just like Yotaki's sister. Those nerves are gathering information without my knowledge, thinking about various things on their own, and reporting to my brain.

　Don't allow that to happen.
　Use your "magic power" and "compensation" to tell them.

　Tiara Hoosiers wasn't forced to read (・・・・) books because of her birth.
　Tiara Hoozeyers was reading (・・・・・) books because it was her choice and because she liked them.

　Even if you read it on your own, it's in order. Don't ever skip a page. I'm not going to allow that kind of entertainment, not in front of me, a book lover.
　Next time you try to read ahead, I'm going to rip every nerve out of your body.　

'Hah, hah ......,--!

　When I threatened this inwardly, I felt the skill "Reading" start to work of my own volition.
　The organization of the information I have now was done automatically, quickly and accurately.

"Halfway through running away from the monsters, the wound in Tiara Fuzzyaz's abdomen doesn't heal due to the collection of 'compensation' and the bleeding doesn't stop.
　But as she nears death, she realizes. The grimoire of Helmina Neisha, which she now carries in her arms, contains the secret of the dead girl's "blood power". That it is also the only 'miracle' that can be manipulated by a mere mortal, Tiara Fuzzyaz. Immediately, she opens the grimoire and derives a technique to cut through this situation--

　These pages were not prepared with an ending in mind.
　I could finally trust from the bottom of my heart that these pages were written for me, who was living in the present.

　With bloodshot eyes, I followed the pages that were being turned over in my master's arms.
　Particularly important is the power of the girl who just died as a 'magician'. First, I have to find a way to close this unhealable wound, or else we won't be able to talk about it.

　I keep chanting 'I won't die', 'I won't die', 'I won't die' in my mind to maintain my consciousness.

　Finally, I can see the 'thread' and I'm not afraid of the 'world', and I've perfected my 'skills'.
　I'm starting to feel that I've been able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with that Yotaki sister, but I definitely don't want it to end here.

　Before I left, I wished to "expose (read) Sister Yotaki.
　Until I uncover that person's mind, read it, touch it, bite it, and roll it with my tongue - I'll survive no matter what or who it costs me.

'd*mn, the monster blocked the way ......!　Tiara, move a little!　Bear with me!
...... It's okay, master. --Blood.

　I uttered a tentative spell name and placed my hand on my abdomen.
　Combining the knowledge I had learned from Helmina Neysha and my master, I poured all of my 'magical power' into it and tried to control the blood that was flowing out.

　However, the blood of the dead girl who would have entered the wound was stubborn and could not be controlled so easily. Even though the surgeon is already dead, it continues to interfere with the healing process, endlessly trying to kill me, a grudge enemy.

　The blood that continues to move even after death - no, it's only after death that it still flourishes - this seems to be the greatest characteristic of 'blood power'.
　When I realized that my blood, which is alive, was not enough, I added (・・・・) to it.

"-- 'I swear with all my might'. 'Even if it's the end of the world, I will surely', 'I will continue to read this book' --

　I'll 'chant' and supplement my output.
　I'm going to make up for it by chanting. At the same time, I'm going to bet the future of this world on it.
　Anyway, since I'm not going to pay it now, I choose things of high value and mortgage them one after another.

　Of course, I have no intention of paying this debt. If I have a chance, I'll step on it, or at worst, I'll force it on someone else. That is the smartest 'curse' of all, I understood.

　I don't know if the 'world' is aware of my malice.
　However, the only deal was made in good faith.

　Having gained power through 'chanting', I succeeded in controlling all the blood in my body. That included the blood of the dead girl who had been doing bad things with her wounds all along.

　I coagulate the blood and use first aid to stop the bleeding.
　And in the palm of my hand, I have a small vessel full of my free blood. With the 'power of blood', I secured one red sphere that could move even in death.

　--With this, I can finally turn my consciousness to my surroundings.

　I look up and make out the monsters that Master was talking about.
　We were still running along the forest road.
　In the bushes beside it, there were several beasts that possessed a mischievous 'magical power' that were running. Their shape resembled a wolf, but their speed and cleverness were completely out of the bounds of a beast. As I recall, it was a monster feared by the name of Bound Dog in Hoosiers, and its mouth was so big that even a master could swallow it whole.
　Other than that, there was a giant eight-eyed monster bird flying in the sky and a glowing-eyed fog ghost chasing after it from behind. All of them are nasty monsters. And all of them are after me alone.

　I can feel their seriousness in wanting to kill me keenly.
　I immediately slipped out of Master's chest and dexterously went around to Master's back side while keeping Helmina's book in my pocket.

　Master is surprised to see me suddenly become energetic and start moving.

''Ti, Tiara!　...... blood, is it clotting?　How did you get to ......!

　I looked at the strange state of my abdomen and asked for an explanation. I let the sphere of blood held by the hand I turned claim the sphere of blood while I tell my master about the new source of power.

'...... Sorry for the wait, Master. Helmina's book is really great. I think I'll be able to get by thanks to this.
'Helmina's ......!　Yeah, right!　He said there was blood in Fania's stone!　You had a way to manipulate blood!　Ha, ha, ha-- Okay!　Then!

　My master must have found a way to take advantage of the fact that I alone solved the problem of the wound.
　I regripped the reins tightly and kicked Al'auna's side with my foot. It was a poor maneuver, but Al'auna, who had received advanced training, read his master's intentions and reached the highest speed.

''Tiara!　Hold on tight!　I'm going back to Hoosier's at full strength!

　With the worry of the burden on me gone, Master concentrates on his sprint.
　With that, I let go of the sphere of blood in my right hand as I hold onto my master's waist with my left hand.

''Yeah ....... Master, we'll definitely go back together. Leave the back to me. --Jutsu 《Blood Arrow》

　The sphere of blood was thrown out into the air and changed its shape into an arrow through a spell.
　It was then ejected towards the monster that attacked from the sky.

　The monster bird monster was shot out of its wings and crashed down. After watching it, he immediately put his hand on the wound in his abdomen and collected the next bit of blood in his right hand. Quite frankly, it's a life-destroying spell, but it's better than death.

　I make an arrow of blood and contort my mouth in the face of death.
　At that time, my gaze was not on the monsters, but on the 'slice'.

''Hi, hihi--''

　I laugh.
　I have no intention of paying, no matter how much the 'price' pressures on me.

　From now on, I will continue to run away.
　That's one of the strongest techniques I've learned from my sister Yotaki. I'm not sure how many days or months - even if it takes thousands of years - before the moment arrives when I can defeat the world (you), I will continue to run and run and run and run.

"Don't think you can kill me that easily.

　I threatened to retaliate someday, so I declared, and released more blood arrows.
　It pierced the fog monster behind me, and was sucked into the 'slit' further back, and--!


"-- so far (・・・・)


　--and there the book was closed.

　The continuation of the page was interrupted, and my master and I, Alhauna and the monsters, the forest and the dark sky, all turned black. The time of a thousand years ago, the setting of Fania, the hero and heroine were lost, and the entire story stopped.

　One world is rapidly disappearing.
　This phenomenon is truly a "miracle" itself.
　And this is what is called "magic" in a thousand years later.

　This is the moment when the magic of the past, the Dimension Graduate "Prequel (Recall)", ceased to exist.