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!~

followed his arrival

whispered, watching her from a distance of only a few

flowed behind her felt surreal. Her 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

expect you to be done so quickly." She slowly turned and looked at him, her gem-like eyes greeting

that moment, Esme looked like the prettiest thing in the

know if it was due to him viewing her, and the rest of reality with Light Mode Vision, or if it was just the atmosphere that caused

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.

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

almost felt like he didn't

head. And… well, thanks for worrying about me."

any of that, though, since he was

instead, thought she was flustered by his sudden and overwhelming display of emotion, so right as Esme was making herself comfortable in his embrace—about to wrap

He laughed with awkwardness, scratching

but the expression was quickly snuffed out.

fine. I

"Whew… I see…"

existed between them were occupied by silence. They both looked at each other with similar

asked, his voice a lot calmer now that he now had full rein of his emotions. He never used [Dead Calm] with Esme, so the moment

now, though, he was

"Mad at who?"

don't know, but you look

to hide