Volume 2 Chapter 51: Farewell to the You of That Day

In the usual pure white space, I suddenly found myself standing there again.

But unlike always, the others were nowhere to be seen. Instead, there was only one person fishing by a small pond. I took the seat directly across from them and cast my line into the water.

“Finally, we meet.”

The figure sitting across from me smiled warmly.

Their sunset-colored hair, cut neatly around shoulder length, and their calm, deep blue eyes gave off a serene impression.

Their androgynous, refined features, paired with loose, flowy clothing that concealed their figure, made it impossible to tell whether they were male or female. Even seeing them now, I couldn’t decide.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“It’s fine. We’re meeting now, aren’t we? Besides, I’m glad you need my power.”

Their cute smile softened further. Even so, I couldn’t figure it out. Their voice was too high for a man yet too low for a woman. Their choice of words, too, could swing either way.

Feeling it might be rude, I decided to ask outright.

“Um… so, uh… which are you?”

“You can choose whichever you like, Noil.”

Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?

This is the first time someone has told me to pick what I prefer when I ask about their gender. What kind of logic is that? It’s confusing enough to give me a headache.

‘Noil-san, you’re only interested in men, right?’

Out of nowhere, I heard Magician-chan’s voice.

“Oh, is that so? Then I guess I’ll go with being a man.”

Guess? What do you mean, “guess”? Can you just decide your gender like that? And what’s this nonsense about me only being interested in men? Magician-chan, why are you spouting such blatant lies so casually?

The sunset-haired person—should I call them him? Her?—tilted their head thoughtfully, a hand to their chin.

“Hmm? That’s strange. I thought Noil normally got excited about women.”

Could you not, though?

Sure, I’m a guy, so I can’t deny there are moments like that. But could you not phrase it like that? I’d really appreciate it if you refrained from making it sound so… indecent.

I let out a deep sigh.

“That’s… just a lie from Magician-chan.”

“Oh, I see. Then I’ll go with being a woman.”

‘Tch…’

Excuse me? What do you mean, “then”? And Magician-chan, could you stop clicking your tongue? I can hear that, you know.

At that moment, the scenery flickered slightly, like a ripple passing through it.

“It seems we’ll have to save the long talk for another time.”

“Yeah, I’ve got things I need to do now.”

So—

“Lend me your strength, Reformer.”

“With pleasure.”

With those resolute words, my consciousness drifted back to reality.

◇

“Noil.”

My body felt heavy. My head was pounding.

When I came to, I found myself on my knees on the floor. It seemed I had blacked out for a moment.

The Manager crouched down, peering intently into my unfocused eyes.

A wave of lethargy swept through me, accompanied by a splitting headache. I could feel my mana draining rapidly.

“You’ve gone and made something impressive again, haven’t you?”

The Manager pressed a mana bottle to my lips. Unable to move, I obediently drank it. As I did, my gaze fell to the softly glowing bracelet on my right wrist, emitting a faint light reminiscent of a sunset.

The Reformer—the manifestation of the Magis Gear—had been a success.

This was a piece of Magis Gear I had conceptualized based on an idea I had back in the Crystal Labyrinth.

A Magis Gear capable of transforming other Magis Gear.

I understand how to use it. With this Magis Gear, I can save Sophie. However, the burden is far too great.

The mana consumption is overwhelming, my body feels like it’s burning with a fever, and I can barely move. Staying conscious is a struggle. I can’t imagine using it properly in this state. Considering its power, such drawbacks are to be expected. In fact, it’s a miracle it’s not worse.

That’s why I have to do this.

I’ve achieved my goal. With the Reformer, I can save Sophie. All that’s left is for me to push myself.

But when I force myself to stand, I collapse into the Manager. My body refuses to obey me, no matter how much I will it to move.

My trembling body has no strength left, and my consciousness begins to fade.

No, this can’t happen. Absolutely not.

Don’t lose consciousness.

If I can just master this Magis Gear, everything will work out. This is the moment I need to hold on.

“Noil.”

“Leave it to me.”

As I clenched my teeth, struggling to stay conscious while my vision spun, I heard the Manager and Noel’s voices.

“Partner.”

Suddenly, the headache vanished, and the heavy lethargy in my body eased. The constant drain of mana, like a faucet left open, slowed to a trickle. My mind cleared, my vision steadied.

I could move. The strength I lacked moments ago felt as though it had returned to me.

Dumbfounded, I opened and closed my hands in front of my face a few times, then moved away from the Manager, who had been supporting me, and stood on my own.

Looking around to understand what had just happened, I was stunned.

“Thank goodness.”

Noel, dressed in a pure white gown, smiled softly at me.

“Noel… that…?”

“Yes, this is my Magis Gear.”

Why is she wearing a wedding dress? That question aside for now, I noticed a ring on her left hand. A glowing thread extended from it to a ring that had appeared on my own left hand.

I had a lot of questions, but for now, one thing was clear: her Magis Gear must be one that strengthens another person’s Magis Gear. It’s an interesting idea, but… is this really okay for Noel?

“I’m here for you,” she said with a meltingly sweet smile.

“Uh, right,” I replied.

For some reason, Mina and Red stepped back, while Kreis-san clapped, and Elle wore a very complicated expression.

“Well, regarding this Magis Gear, I feel like I’ve been had…” the Manager muttered under his breath.

The room was filled with a strange atmosphere, but none of that mattered right now. With this, I could make it work.

“Thank you, Noel.”

“Of course!” she replied cheerfully.

I thanked Noel and walked toward Elle and Sophie.

“I’m counting on you, Noil,” Elle said as she stepped back from Sophie.

I crouched down to meet Sophie’s gaze. Her eyes were swollen red, her hair was a mess, and her face was streaked with tears and snot.

Looking at her, I suddenly remembered my little sister’s face when I left home.

Sophie really does remind me of her.

With that thought, I smiled and placed my hand gently on Sophie’s head.

“Sophie, I’m going to transform your Magis Gear now.”

“…”

“But I can’t decide what it will become. The shape it takes will depend on you.”

“Why…?”

“Hm?”

“Why… are you going so far for me…?”

“Probably the same reason as Elle. I like you, and you remind me of my little sister. I just can’t leave you alone.”

Coming from the guy who left his sister behind for seven years. Yeah, I know. Once this is over, I’ll at least send her a letter. I’ll apologize properly.

Sophie’s eyes filled with tears again, and they rolled down her cheeks.

“Sophie has… nothing to give back…”

“It’s fine. Though, if possible, I’d love it if you could give me another massage sometime.”

“Y-yes! I will, I promise…!”

I can’t imagine life without her massages anymore. If I don’t get them regularly, I might lose my mind.

“Alright, let’s begin.”

Sophie tightly shut her eyes and entrusted herself to me.

Taking a deep breath, I activated the Reformer.

The sunset-colored light from the bracelet enveloped Sophie, and I could feel the emotions and thoughts she had when her Magis Gear was first manifested flowing into me.

Ah… Sophie had suffered so much pain, so much despair, and that’s how this Magis Gear was born.

I wouldn’t have been able to endure such torment. Even now, Sophie continued to be tormented by this Magis Gear. For her, it was nothing short of a curse.

One by one, I carefully, meticulously unraveled the layers of her Magis Gear, as if peeling back thick shells, untangling the chains that bound it, and removing the countless thorns that pierced it.

A Magis Gear is deeply tied to the wielder’s soul. I didn’t tell Sophie this to avoid worrying her, but if I failed, I could very well destroy her mind.

But it’s fine. I won’t fail. I’ll succeed, no matter what.

Focusing every nerve, I manipulated the Reformer. Even though this was my first time using it, the Reformer responded as if it understood my intentions.

I rebuilt Sophie’s Magis Gear into something that would bring her happiness. This was a feat I could never have managed alone. I didn’t even have enough mana for it.

But now, with Noel’s support, I could do it.

As the process proceeded smoothly, I hit a sudden roadblock.

It wasn’t my mistake. This was Sophie’s own issue. She was afraid. Her trembling body made it clear.

Just one more step. Just one more step, and her Magis Gear would be reborn.

But her fear of the Magis Gear held her back. Would it really turn out the way she hoped? What if it became something hideous again? This hesitation, this trauma, was something Sophie had to overcome herself.

“Sophie, don’t worry.”

I called out to her.

“Even if the Magis Gear doesn’t turn out well, we’ll just redo it. I’ll help you as many times as it takes.”

In truth, a Magis Gear can only be transformed once. But I’m a shameless liar with a dark affinity, so I can lie through my teeth to push Sophie forward. Smiling reassuringly, I encouraged her, knowing full well that her desires would create something wonderful.

And when you mix a little truth into a lie, it becomes more effective.

“You’re not alone, Sophie. We’re all here for you.”

Once you overcome your trauma, even just once, everything becomes so much easier. I know this because I was terrified of Mina, but now we’re best friends.

Compared to Sophie, my fear was trivial. If someone like me can overcome it, someone as strong as her just needs a little push.

And if, by some infinitesimal chance, it doesn’t work out, I’ll make my lie the truth.

No matter how many times, we’ll all be here to help Sophie.

“Believe in your senpai,” Fiona said.

When had she woken up? Fiona sat up and spoke gently to Sophie.

“And you’ve already learned what love is, haven’t you? If that’s the case, you’ll be fine. A Magis Gear born from love won’t hurt you or those around you.”

Fiona’s gentle smile carried a weight of certainty. Knowing what her Love Lover was, I felt a bit conflicted, but it seemed to resonate with Sophie. The hesitation vanished from her eyes, and her trembling ceased.

With that, I poured mana into the Reformer. The sunset-colored glow intensified, and Sophie’s curse unraveled.

The rest was up to her.

To find her new self, her new Magis Gear.

Go ahead and hold your head high—say goodbye to the you of that day.

The Reformer shone brilliantly, and at last, Sophie’s Magis Gear was reborn.