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."

spread her arms as if preparing to be an

You're the same age as me." Noel shrugged. "Anyway, we should focus on our mission. I apologize

again and knew that he was trying to shift the mood. So, Anna played along and

go!" Anna pointed at a steep slope that could be said as a

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

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 entrance as well

mean it's already

shrugged and took out her sword. "Help me up in pulling out

between the rocks, trying to cut everything that connected the rock with

that stopped them from moving the rock, Noel stabbed a single gap and used his Ice Control

glance at Anna's sword and connected this ice to

the change in her sword as if something entering her sword. She

was actually ice that connected their swords. Noel planned to used this

asked with a

Anna nodded with a serious

they pulled their swords

the rock was wet, reducing the friction and allowing Noel and Anna to pull

*Grumble!*

*Grumble!*

rock, indicating it was possible to pull

they nodded

five minutes

asked, "Is there any need for us to do this?