An Extra’s POV

'I've been thinking about it for some time now, but I still can't make sense of it. Why does The Oracle want Esme?'

As Rey sped through the air, his speed causing shockwaves as the space around him trembled, his mind was busy with thoughts as his eyes traced the trail of Esme's Mana.

His senses were also spread far and wide, so as soon as she entered his wavelength, he would sense her instantly.

Still, his head couldn't stop going through the condition that The Oracle gave him.

'Every Elf despises Half Elves. The way they treated Esme is further proof of that, and apparently it's because of the commands of Nature. Doesn't that mean The Oracle is directly responsible for this bigotry against Half Elves?'

Why would The Oracle want Esme in their presence then?

'Do they want to eliminate her? If that's the case, then is it really safe to do as The Oracle pleases?'

He didn't know what to think.

On one end, he didn't want to think that The Oracle had that nefarious intention. Even if they did, he wanted to assure himself that he could protect Esme.

However, on the other end… he didn't want to take the risk.

'I don't want to put her in such danger. But… if I don't do this, then my chance of saving Alicia has returned to zero.'

Rey was still in the process of sorting out these thoughts when he felt something enter his radar.

'ESME!' His eyes widened instantly as his heart skipped a beat.

In a flicker, he easily closed the gap that existed between himself and his target, creating a spatial rift as he rushed at full speed.

~VWUSH!~

a shockwave followed his arrival

He whispered, watching her from a distance

long gown danced with the wind as the two of them remained stationary in the clouds. It seemed as though she was standing on a firm surface despite stepping on

to be done so quickly." She slowly turned

Esme looked like

viewing her, and the rest of reality with Light Mode Vision, or if it

tremendously as he stared at her. Before realizing it, he closed the short distance between them and hugged her deeply. "I'm sorry for neglecting you, Esme. I… I'm glad you're okay. You're safe. I

manner than the tight way he gripped her and pulled her close

almost felt like he didn't

fine, Rey. I just decided to take a flight to clear my head. And… well, thanks for worrying about me." Her last words were awkward, and her

any of that, though, since

of emotion, so right as Esme was making herself comfortable in his embrace—about to wrap her arms around him

guess I just got a little extra…" He

look of disappointment in Esme's eyes, but the expression was quickly snuffed out. Instead, Esme

I didn't

"Whew… I see…"

seconds that existed between them were occupied by silence. They both looked at each other with similar gazes—longing, but also not

he now had full rein of his emotions. He never used [Dead Calm] with Esme, so the moment he sensed her presence, the

though, he was

"Mad at who?"

Me? I-I don't know, but you look a bit

hide her pain