If The Villain Catches Me Alive

Chapter 13

The first thing I noticed upon waking up was how refreshed I felt.

I’ve never slept so deeply, never had any dreams, never had anyone disturb me. It was such a calm, peaceful night. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining through the window, and everything was calm. I thought that this must be what it means to feel light.

‘Why…. Is it because today is the day I’m finally being recognized as an adult?’

Theodor had wanted to be an adult for a very long time. An adult who could be fully responsible for himself. To be recognized as a member of a family, to not need a mentor… An independent adult.

However, neither my family nor my master would be there. They were once a burden that strangled me, but both have long since become a distant memory. Which is why, with all this excitement… I cannot wait for my coming of age.

“…You seem awfully excited.”

Jeffrey said casually as he adjusted his clothes next to me. Maybe I am. If others think I’m excited, then… I guess I am. I decided to acknowledge my feelings. It is a good day.

“Is it?”

“Yeah.”

“I think so, too.”

It’s a little…… nice.

Theodore voiced his feelings. Jeffrey gave him the most puzzled look he’d ever seen. Like he hadn’t expected to hear that.

“Have you gone crazy? Finally?”

“You asked me that question.”

“I mean, you weren’t being your usual snarky self… I wondered if you were about to die.”

After hearing that, I laughed a little. Because… I used to feel that way about myself. I wondered why he, Dante, had done such a 180-degree turn, I wondered if he was about to die. It felt like it hadn’t been that long ago.

“Have I changed?”

“……You’re a little less grumpy than when we first met.”

Jeffrey replied. To have that come out of his mouth is proof that I’ve changed a lot. I fantasized a bit about being happy. I imagined that maybe, just maybe, today would change me.

I had one of those moments of happiness.

***

The ceremony was surprisingly uneventful.

When I asked where they were taking the people from the tower, they said it was someplace like an annex building next to the tower. It was very tall, with a statue of a saintly figure with a staff in front of it, and an altar with a gray floor.

Under the guidance of the tower master, we were led into the ceremony one by one. It was uneventful, too. Just take the offered stones and objects and close your eyes, and then the tower master will clasp his hands together and murmur something. After a few seconds of being still, the ceremony is over.

Theodore stood quietly in line, watching the man in front of him carefully. Ah. On the wall……

Names were being carved into the wall. The walls around them were being inscribed with names. It was golden, and then he thought to himself,…

‘I wonder if Dante’s name is in here somewhere?’

That was the first thing he thought.

I was curious. I wondered what he was like as a child. He didn’t seem to be very good with magic, so how did he get into the tower? Oh, no, I’m not being sarcastic, just genuinely curious.