System vs Rebirth

"Huh?" Anna was startled to see Noel's tears. She hadn't shed any tears in this life, but she certainly had a lot in the previous life when transforming to a better person.

So, she could understand if Noel cried like in the Sword Saint Tomb.

"Are you alright?" Anna stopped while going back to him to check his condition.

Noel remained silent while wiping the tear. He walked past her while saying, "I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Anna's body trembled as chills went down her spine. Noel was only saying, "I'm sorry," but she could feel the emotion behind those words.

The sadness, regret… all the complicated emotions mixed into one. Anna didn't know why Noel apologized when he had done nothing wrong, but it felt like there was another burden lifted from her heart. It felt like this apology was directed to something in the past.

"What did…" Anna turned around, looking at Noel's lonely back. A thought appeared in her mind. 'Why do I feel like Noel has changed once again?'

Anna feared that Noel changed for the worse when she was currently enjoying the current Noel, who was able to work together with her this well. It felt like they were true comrades in the past one month.

So, she didn't want it to be changed, afraid that Noel would just return to the previous one.

Anna slapped her cheeks as if trying to return to her energetic self, planning to transfer this energy to Noel.

She playfully walked beside Noel while teasing him, "What's wrong? You're a grown man already… No, wait. You're still 15 years old, right? How many days are left until your birthday? This is an important celebration since you're going to be an adult."

"…" Noel glanced at Anna with a troubled expression. He knew that Anna wanted to brighten the mood and considering they were on a mission, he shouldn't be this down.

He took a few deep breaths and said, "Yeah, you're right. I guess that'll be the last time I shed any tears since I'll become an adult soon."

can cry. Come come…" Anna spread her arms as if preparing to be an

we should focus on our mission. I apologize if I made the

was trying to shift the mood. So, Anna played along and

at a steep slope that could be said as a wall as well. This steep wall had vines covering the

opening on the wall. The gap created a rectangle shape as if it was an artificial stone that blocked the cave

is…" Noel narrowed his

to the legend, it's rumored that a great figure from one thousand years ago was using this cave in the past. The man lived inside this place because it had water dropping from the ceiling and that water allowed him to stay alive inside. It could even make him feel full…" Anna pointed at the ground and made Noel realize the muddy ground near the

it's already flooding

you know." Anna shrugged and took out her sword.

a moment and nodded. He stabbed the gap between the

single gap and used his Ice Control to extend his sword and looped

a glance at Anna's sword and connected this ice

if something entering her sword. She glanced at Noel who winked

their swords. Noel planned to used this to pull the rock

Noel asked with a

Anna nodded with

signal as they pulled their swords with all

and allowing Noel and

*Grumble!*

*Grumble!*

the slight movement from the rock,

looked at each other, thinking the same thing. As soon as they nodded their heads, they pulled the rock

whole five minutes to pull out half of the

"Is there any need for us to