Liebe screamed, "Professors! Why the hell did the three of you jump?"
Obsidian said, "Because we are scared. Our nightmare is a reality."
Liebe said, "What? How? Why, sir? And how are we supposed to go to Haldonia if you jump off?"
Obsidian said, "Take the ship. We are scared to get on board with that monster there."
Liebe said, "But then how are we supposed to go to Haldonia?"
Obsidian said, "Don't worry. The three of us will swim to Haldonia."
Liebe said, "What?"
Obsidian said, "We will swim there."
Liebe said, "I heard you the first time, but why?"
Obsidian said, "Because we are scared."
Liebe said, "But why, sir?"
Obsidian said, "Long story. And that's an order."
Liebe said, "Okay, sir."
As the ship continued its course, Lichee said, "Well, he was weird."
Licht said, "Same."
Elizabeth said, "I know."
Alyssa said, "Let's go down to the cafeteria. Let me whip something up for you, Lichee."
Lichee said, "Sure."
Liebe said, "Well, you three have fun. Licht, we have some work left till we reach Haldonia. And M, you are coming with me."
M said, "Okay, then."
As Lichee, Alyssa, and Elizabeth went to the kitchen, Liebe, Licht, and M went to M's room. Just as Liebe was about to open the door, M said, "Liebe, stop."
Liebe said, "Why? Is there a trap or something?"
M said, "That's not the issue. I'm sharing a room with Iris and Olivia, so, you know, girl's stuff."
Liebe said, "I'm sorry."
Licht said, "In case there is a problem, I'm opening the door."
Then Lumos came by. Lumos said, "Liebe, have you seen Hedin?"
Liebe said, "No, not really. Was a bit busy fighting."
Lumos said, "Yeah, and this idiot almost got herself killed."
Liebe said, "Why? What did she do this time?"
Lumos said, "Thanks to me and Isurugi, she is safe, I guess."
Aoi said, "You don't let me have any fun."
Lumos said, "She tried to interfere in your battle and almost got herself killed. She tried to meet Dad before me."
Liebe said, "Lol."
Licht said, "Now I wish she joined. It would have been fun to watch."
Lumos said, "Either way, as the family head and your brother, I prohibit you from doing something this stupid. You don't know how strong these three are, and I was scared."
Aoi said, "Lol. Our family head was scary. It's funny."
Liebe said, "Listen, he has his reasons, okay?"
Lumos said, "Thank you."
Licht said, "Well, no point in talking out here. Let's go inside and then talk."
As Licht opened the door, he screamed out loud and ran away.
Liebe said, "What happened?"
As Licht closed the door shut, Liebe said, "What happened?" As Liebe opened the door to see, everyone saw—Lumos covered Aoi's eyes.
Aoi said, "I want to see, too!"
Lumos said, "No, you aren't seeing this."
It was Hedin and Olivia, naked on the bed.
M said, "Olivia, why? Why on my bed? You have your own bed."
Lumos said, "Hedin, why did you? I thought you were a part of the virgin alliance with Licht and me."
Hedin said, "Dude, close the door."
Aoi said, "Wait, brother, you are a virgin?"
Lumos said, "Shut up, brother."
Liebe said, "Hedin, I had such plans for you. I planned to start an olive oil tycoon with you as the brand ambassador. I literally planned to make our motto: 'Extra Virgin Virginity Olive Oil—just like Hedin, takes 10 girls just to remove the virginity with extra virginity.' I literally invested 2,000 gold on the factory. Yet you chose Olivia over my olive oil?"
Licht said, "You are kidding, right?"
Liebe said, "No, I'm not."
Licht said, "Frick."
Hedin said, "What?"
Liebe said, "Yeah," as they went away.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, as Elizabeth and Lichee were sitting at the table, Alyssa said, "Food is ready for dinner: roasted turkey."
As they ate, they were talking. Alyssa asked Lichee, "So, what's the future like? I mean, like, whatever memories you have left."
Lichee said, "I hate it back there in the future."
Alyssa said, "Why? I know I might be dead, but doesn't Liebe take care of you or something?"
Lichee said, "No, Dad is great, but everyone else… they hate me. I hate it, hate it, hate it. All of it. And this magic—Void Magic—whatever I touch vanishes."
Alyssa said, "Then let's talk about here. Have some more."
Lichee said, "The future sucks. Dad is a great hero or whatever, and people look at me with pity or whatever, and I barely have two friends, and I can't even remember their names because of this stupid memory lock."
Alyssa said, "I see. The past hasn't been very kind to you, now has it?"
Lichee said, "No, it hasn't."
Alyssa said, "Then let's talk about it."
As Lichee ate, she said, "It's delicious. I just hate the future. Everyone hates me, and I can't even control this stupid magic of mine. And I don't know why, but every once in a while, I have an urge to use it and destroy something. And whenever I do, people call me a monster, a freak, or whatever, because of this stupid Void Magic. Everyone besides Dad hates me. They just call me the Curse of Faust or whatever. And whenever they come to Dad, Dad just apologizes, but he never says anything and just says, 'Want ice cream?' I hate it that because of me, he is suffering. I hate all of it. And now, just because I'm a bit stronger, people yell, 'Hero! Hero! Hero!' just so that I can kill magic beasts, monsters, keep them safe. Yet whenever I start having urges, they show their true colors. They act so nice and call me a hero whenever they need something, and otherwise, they call me a freak, a monster, the unwanted child, a curse to Dad. They say Dad would be better off without me."
Alyssa placed her hand on Lichee's and said, "I know it must be hard. The sad truth is, people will be dicks to you until they want something. And people's personalities are affected by their magic, even if it's in the slightest. Licht has tendencies to smile for no reason. Liebe, he loses himself in darkness, yet trying to control it isn't the way. You have to start by accepting. Only then can it work."
Lichee teared up and said, "Why? Why are you actually giving me advice and talking to me so warmly? Whenever I say my magic destroys, people always pity me or hate me. Why?"
Alyssa said, "Because I know how it feels when someone judges you just by your magic. And I may have never seen you, and I'm not even sure if I'm your future mother or not, but I want to be there with you, no matter what. So, whenever you feel hungry or have any urges to destroy, we will destroy stuff together and have fun. And I'm sure Liebe would like that."
As Lichee hugged Alyssa, she said, "Thank you, Mom. I never got to know you till now. Dad has been everything to me—mom, dad, friends, all of it. I never felt like I missed you, but if you are this warm and loving, why aren't you here with me? I really miss you, Mom. Why did you leave us? Please don't let us go."
Alyssa said, "I don't know what happened in the future, but I don't want to leave you. Even in death, I will be with you."
As Lichee hugged her tighter, she said, "Please don't leave me. I want to stay here and talk to you every day. In the future, everyone hates me. They call me a freak, a monster, all of it. They want me to just die."
Alyssa said, "There, there. I will be with you, no matter what."
As Elizabeth heard, she couldn't help but think, This girl… she has been with us just for barely a day, yet hearing her out means that much to her. And she is our age, yet she is like a child. She really must be suffering to let in so easily.
As Liebe entered and the others came in, Liebe said, "Well, turkey roast. Now that smells delicious."
As Lichee was a bit embarrassed, Alyssa said, "Fresh out of the stove. Want some?"
Liebe said, "Sure."
As they sat down, Alyssa said, "What happened? Thought you three were supposed to be at M's room."
Liebe said, "Well, that's because Hedin and Olivia are busy there doing the deed."
Alyssa said, "What? How?"
Liebe said, "What do you mean, 'how'? Like people normally do."
Alyssa said, "Yeah, guessed then."
Liebe said, "He left the loser alliance of Licht and Lumos. Poor dude was heartbroken."
Aoi said, "Heartbroken? Brother yelled my ears out."
Liebe said, "Lumos may be a healer, but he isn't a coward. The dude is brave enough. He was even chosen by the Mask of Ifrit, Demonic Model Gremory. But do you know why he was scared? Because for once, he knew the fight could have gotten you killed. He was never scared of the danger, Aoi. He was scared of losing you—losing the little sister he so dearly loved. I know how much it would hurt. Same for Licht and Alyssa if something happened to Elizabeth."
Alyssa said, "I know. Brother always worries, and I'm just a burden to him."
Liebe said, "Try staying out of trouble, and you will see."