Ancient Pasts - Tbate

The Forty-First Division

Arthur Leywin Pov

I stepped away from the balcony and into the castle. It didn't take long for someone to approach me. Usually, I would be annoyed if someone talked to me after giving a speech, but this was different.

"Art, can we talk?" Tess asked nervously.

"Sure, I don't have anything to do for some time," I replied with a smile.

Before I could take another step, Tess dragged me towards the teleportation gate and asked the baffled guard controlling the teleportation gate to set it to the castle.

I could see the scenery change before eventually settling on the inside of the flying castle's teleportation gate. Tess said a small thank you and dragged me into the portal.

"S-Slow down, Tess," I muttered, using a wind spell to keep myself from tripping.

"Oh, sorry." Tess stopped running and pulled me inside her room.

Tess waved her hand and created a wind barrier around us. Realizing that this was a private matter, I conjured a water barrier to stop people from spying on us.

"Tess. I'm sorry for what I said when you found about Cynthia's death. I didn't want to lose you because you wanted revenge." I dropped my head, allowing myself to look as guilty as I felt.

"It's not your fault. You were looking out for me like you always do." Tess said lightheartedly, trying to quell the tension.

"That's just an excuse. I shouldn't have said all those things to you." I sighed.

"Cathan talked to me about that argument. He told me how you lost much when you tried getting revenge." Tess said as my body stiffened.

My heart was panicking as she said this. Did Cathan tell her about my past or Nico and Cecilia? What if Cathan told Tess about my revenge spree after the death of headmistress Wilbeck?

I took a deep breath, trying to get rid of these depressing thoughts and emotions. I can't keep running from my mistakes, and if I really want a future with Tess, then I'll have to tell her.

"Cathan told me about how you want to avenge Sylvia. He told me how much it hurt you, losing someone you love, only having revenge as an option to quell your sadness and anger." Tess spoke after a slight pause.

"Tess, I haven't told anyone this, but after Sylvia pushed me into the portal, she placed a message inside my core. It probably activated after her death." I took a deep trembling breath while recalling the memory of Sylvia pushing me into the portal.

"What was the message?" Tess held my hand, saying that she was there for me. I wasn't sure why, but that calmed me down enough to continue.

"Sylvia told me that I shouldn't seek revenge, that avenging her would neither make the pain easier nor bring her back. I suppose I didn't follow her instructions, seeing that her death is one of the reasons I train this much." I joked as Tess wiped a tear that managed to escape my eyes.

Tess hugged me and buried her face in my chest. I couldn't help but return the hug. I don't want to lose Tess, and I will spend as much as possible with her before telling Tess about my past life.

Tess said something, but it was too muffled since her head was practically inside my chest, so it was impossible to understand what she said.

"What was that?" I chuckled.

She looked up at me with teary eyes and spoke again. "Why couldn't I be there for you?"

"Stay with me now, Tess. You're the only one I want to stay with during my life." I stroked her hair.