Chapter 403 Life's Harsh, Isn't It?

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"Life's harsh, isn't it?" Asked Celeste. "Life's shit sometimes, honestly."

"Hm…" I couldn't help but remain in silence.

I really didn't knew what to tell her. It felt like she had opened to us but I couldn't bring myself to tell her what I had gone through. Telling her that I was torn apart by a former Demon Lord would need way too many explanations to feel credible after all.

"What did you do after that?" Wondered Zack.

"What did I do? Well, due to my mother's sacrifice, I somehow managed to escape..." She said while the entire atmosphere remained in silence.

"After that, I survived like a street rat however I could. It was a horrid life, but I grew up like that… Eventually, I began visiting the dungeon, earning money killing monsters, and bought myself some decent looking clothes after I started living in an Inn, until I found this orphanage. Mary invited me to live here… Since then, I've been living with these children, and protecting them with my life, because I can't help but see myself within them every time I see their eyes."

"I see… You're a hard worker, Celeste. You're someone admirable, to be able to rise from the bottom like that… I think you're someone amazing, in fact." I said quite honestly.

"Hmph, flattering me out of nowhere… Sylphy, you're at least six years younger to try to conquer my heart." Said Celeste half-jokingly.

"E-Eh? W-What are you talking about?! I am just trying to cheer you up…" I sighed.

"And you did." She said, petting my head. "I guess I've done a lot, huh? Life's fleeting when I think back then, it all seems so distant. Whenever I recall my past, it feels like there's another person completely in there. And I feel sadness and pity for what they did to her. If I could had been there for my past self as I am now… I could had saved myself from all those horrors."

Celeste's voice seemed filled with melancholy as she spoke.

"Hmm… Likewise." I sighed. "Sometimes I also wish I could turn back the clock."

"You too, huh?" Sighed Celeste.

"Me too." Zack said.

"And me too…" Aquarina admitted.

"We all always dream of having such an ability. It is a stupid fantasy. I doubt even the highest tiered Time Magic can do a feat like that." Laughed Celeste. "We all condemned to continue living our shitty lives as we are, without being able to never change anything, this entire cycle simply will continue endlessly…"

"T-That's not right though…" I said, quickly refuting her.

"Oh?" Celeste smiled at my words.

"You still made a family here, right? And you still love them, right? Don't you feel fulfilled when you're with them? After all the crap we have gone through… don't you feel happy to still have people that love you at your side?" I asked. "Although those scars can't be easily healed… Although those scars may remain within our hearts forever… Don't you feel that those around us can make up for what was lost?"

"Hmph." Celeste looked at me with an expressionless face, but then, she smiled once more. "Yeah, I know… This is why I am working so hard for them… Because they're the pillar of my life."

"Celeste…" Aquarina said.

"I guess she's a softie at the end." Said Zack.

"Now, now, don't go calling me a softie now, future Mist's husband." Said Celeste with a chuckle.

"What?! What are you even talking about?!" Zack asked angrily.

"Hahaha!" Aquarina began to laugh.

"I guess that nickname fits." I giggled.

"S-Shut up!" Zack angrily said.

At the end, we spent most of the day talking with Celeste, the conversation quickly calmed down and we talked about other things than personal feelings or our pasts. She showed us her books, which were very old stuff, there were even some grimoires she had acquired inside the dungeon through its drops or treasure chests. They all taught certain spells of magic.

Mist and Celica ultimately joined the conversation, as Mist began to show us her Magic Spells, she began conjuring bright spheres of light around, which she made float around while commanding them with a small wand she was gifted by Celeste in her last birthday.

"I'll become a priesht and make everybody happy!" She said childishly. She had very innocent dreams.

"An honorable dream." Said Celeste.

"I'm sure that you'll make it possible." I said. "As long as you keep your attitude, I doubt anything is impossible for you."

"Hehehe! Really?" Mist giggled, conjuring more bright lights that resembled beautiful fireflies.

"Yeah, really!"

After showing off her simple magic, Mist decided to showcase her healing magic. Her spells were currently [Flash], [Healing Light], and [Recovery Light] all of them being Tier 1 Light Attribute Magic Spells. She was learning them fast, apparently she didn't even knew about these spells a week ago. She had amazing talent.

"You're already better at controlling Light element that Sylphy and her spirit." Laughed Zack.

"Yeah, she did a big beam yesterday and spooked everybody…" Said Aquarina.

"Ahahah… I guess some have better talent than others." I said.

Alice is getting better at controlling her energies, slowly, bit by bit. So I will eventually show some amazing magic that will leave you guys amazed! …But for now, it is better to act humbly.

"Hehehe, really? I am glad you think it is good! I will keep training and training…" She said.

"It would be better to make you a Magic Circle first, it is already amazing you can use spells without one." I said. "My mother can help you have one."

Knock, knock.

And as if predicting my words, my mother quickly knocked the door and then gently opened it.

"Mist, are you there? I came to make you a magic circle as promised."

"Auntie Faylen!"

Mist ran towards my mother and hugged her legs because she was too small to reach her chest. My mother smiled sweetly and petted her head.

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