#033

Tertius took quite a bit of pride in his “eyes that see emotions as colors.”

It was because those eyes were recognized for their utility, granting him the opportunity to become a Judgment Executor.

Even when both his eyes were plucked out to create a Sacred Relic, he felt no regret.

Since they would regenerate anyway, all he had to do was endure a moment of pain.

If anything, he felt intoxicated by that uniqueness in secret, believing that his special eyes had given him a chance to contribute.

However, there was one person who made Tertius regret being able to see emotions….

* * *

The sparring grounds for Apprentice Holy Knights.

Tertius was one of the spectators gathered to watch the much-talked-about duel.

“You, why are you so weak? Didn’t you say you’ve studied the sword for eight years? How can you lose to me, who hasn’t even learned for three months?”

“K-ugh…!”

“I don’t understand. With talent like that, how could you even dream of becoming a Holy Knight?”

“Y-you monster…!”

“Monster? A monster refers to an abnormal existence that deviates from the standard. I am perfectly normal and belong to the Order. Why do you call me a monster?”

Adna tilted her head slightly, looking down at the defeated opponent.

A mysterious girl who had suddenly joined the Apprentice Holy Knights—where most had been training since the age of six—at the age of sixteen.

While rumors swirled that she was an apostle cherished by the ‘God of the Frozen Winter,’ the girl, whose expression seemed frozen as well, was an opponent that children in their teens found difficult to even speak to.

But at first, that wariness was certainly mixed with curiosity and goodwill.

“Ah, did you define me as an outlier just so you could believe you are still average?”

However, that goodwill vanished the moment Adna finished her individual adaptation training and began participating in group training.

“I certainly understand now. If one can think that way, they can dream as much as they want even with such talent. Thank you for the good lesson, although there was nothing to learn in terms of swordsmanship.”

“Kuaaaaagh!!”

Because after just one conversation with Adna, all of one’s original thoughts would fly away, leaving only a single thought behind.

‘How… how can a bastard talk like that?’

And Tertius, who could see emotions, was forced to be several times more shocked.

‘How… how can she say that with absolutely no malice?’

Adna was truly, purely just curious.

And she was very happy to have resolved that curiosity.

She was sincerely grateful to have come to know something she truly didn’t understand.

Tertius looked back and forth between the sparring partner, whose anger and shame were exploding in turns, and Adna, who was leaving the training hall filled with pride, joy, and gratitude, before gritting his teeth and chasing after her.

‘I have to fix that insane way of speaking…!’

If not him, who could see emotions, who else could do it?

It did not align with the Order for a being with such dazzling talent to be hated due to a misunderstanding….

That was what Tertius thought.

After hearing Adna’s true past—which was far from being the apostle of the Winter God and was simply miserable—he even felt that improving Adna’s communication skills was his mission.

But Adna….

“Don’t just dismiss someone as weak even if they have less talent than you! Find some strength and say something nice! Everyone is working hard!”

“…You continue to train diligently every day even though your skills aren’t improving at all. Such impressive persistence. Not knowing how to give up… it seems that is your talent.”

“Please, just memorize people’s names! I know you find it hard to remember names! But I’m the only one who knows! Others don’t know that! That’s why they misunderstand and think you’re ignoring them! At least apologize and say you’re sorry for forgetting!”

“…What was your name again? Ah, my apologies. I have a bad habit of often forgetting people who don’t leave a strong impression. I’ll ask for your understanding in advance, as I might forget again next time. I am not pretending to forget names on purpose. They truly do not remain in my memory. I hope you understand.”

“If you can’t read people’s expressions, at least ask!”

“Hmm. What does the expression you’re making right now mean? I would appreciate it if you could explain what kind of mood you’re in. What is the meaning of the ‘Aaaagh!’ screaming you’ve been doing for a while? Is it a shout of spirit? What is the reason for shouting after a defeat? Ah, does it mean you’ve realized your own skills are woefully lacking and intend to strive forward again? How admirable.”

Adna was desperately lacking in conversational skills.

‘Is she really… not doing that to piss people off?’

Even Tertius began to doubt if his eyes that saw emotions were wrong.

Tertius felt despair as he looked at Adna, who approached him with a proud emotion.

“How was it, Tertius? This time, I spoke while strictly following all your advice. Do you see room for improvement in the relationship?”

“…No.”

“Hmm. If they still hate me after I’ve gone this far, I suspect the problem lies with them.”

“No, the problem is still you.”

“I see. Then what should I try now? I hope it works this time. I’m starting to wonder about your guarantee that you could fix me.”

“I… don’t have confidence anymore either.”

Tertius… truly wanted to give up.

“…If you lack confidence, you may say so and stop at any time. I didn’t realize it before, but I now know that you simply have eyes that read emotions and are not an expert in this field. That is likely why all your advice has failed until now.”

“…….”

“Although it was a meaningless effort, I will feel grateful that you tried to help me. Of course, because I believed your guarantee and had expectations, I am very disappointed, but that cannot be helped. I believe there is no need for us to waste time on something that cannot be done out of fear of disappointment.”

“Ugh….”

“That… is an expression that looks like you’ve encountered a dilemma. Am I correct?”

“Hwaaa!”

“Ah, are you recreating the scream of the previous opponent? A shout of spirit! Good!”

“Aaaaagh!!”

“Hwaaaap!!”

“Aaaa…!!”

“Haaap! But how long must we just shout together? Rather than just shouting, moving the body would be….”

“Aaaaaa!! Adna! Please shut up!!”

By that point, Tertius’s stubbornness kicked in.

“I will absolutely! Not give up! Got it? I’ll fix your speech habits no matter what!!”

“…Admirable. If it were me, I would have doubted my own abilities by the tenth failure… have you overcome that doubt with stubbornness? How does one possess such groundless confidence?”

“First of all! No questions!!”

“Didn’t you say that if I don’t ask, I’ll never know? Why the advice that is the exact opposite of the previous guideline?”

“No means no!! Don’t talk back!”

After that, Tertius spent more than three years struggling to fix Adna.

However, most of the advice only produced the opposite effect.

Then one day, Adna spoke quietly.

“…It is also necessary to know when to give up, Tertius.”

“Ha….”

“Consider that there are people who are destined to be hated.”

“No, I’m telling you, it’s because you make people misunderstand your words.”

“But since you can see my emotions and do not misunderstand, do you not also get angry with me?”

“That’s….”

“Some things are inevitable. Accept it. I have accepted my fate of being hated.”

“No….”

“And to be honest, I no longer need it.”

“What?”

“I am scheduled to become an apostle soon. Once I become an apostle, people will feel fondness toward me, so there is no need to put in this kind of effort anymore.”

“No, so you’re saying you won’t fix it?”

“If there were a way to fix it, I would. But hasn’t everything failed?”

“…Still, you’re much better than at first.”

“If you say so, then it must be true. But it is a fact that it’s no longer necessary, so I will no longer put in the effort.”

“What the….”

“Thank you for everything. Since we will have fewer chances to meet once I become an apostle, I wanted to say goodbye in advance.”

“What? I’ve built up achievements too! Did you forget that I’m also a strong candidate for an apostle?”

“Is that your achievement?”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t it an achievement built with your eyes?”

“Achievements built with my eyes are my achievements!”

“Can’t the same achievement be reached if your eyes are made into a relic and used by another? As one who creates relics, your contribution may be recognized, but I don’t think there is a need to select you as a proxy.”

“…What?”

“Even I have many lacking areas to become an apostle, and aren’t you weaker than I am?”

“Ha.”

“Have you properly considered what happens if you fail to become an apostle, Tertius? Honestly, I don’t think this is the time for you to worry about things like my communication skills. Even if you hadn’t helped me, I would have become an apostle and ceased to be hated. Just as I am now. But don’t you think that if you had spent that time tempering yourself, you would have become stronger than you are now?”

“Haaa….”

“Tertius, you are hardworking, but you have a tendency to waste time on meaningless efforts. There are more times when effort is not rewarded. Like the effort you put into trying to help me. Effort is a limited resource. I believe that putting effort in the right direction is more important than the amount of effort.”

“Haaaa….”

“I’ve thought about why the direction of your effort goes wrong, and I believe your biggest problem is that you hate admitting your mistakes.”

“…….”

“Also, you tend to be poor at assessing your own position. When these two combine, a situation arises where you waste time refusing to admit that something you thought would work is actually impossible.”

“…….”

“Learn how to admit your own shortcomings and make correct decisions. I’ve wanted to tell you that for a long time.”

In Tertius’s eyes, he could see that Adna was radiating colors of truly pure goodwill and concern.

‘For the first time… I regret being able to see other people’s emotions.’

If he hadn’t known, he would have just been angry.

Because he knows… it’s… even more infuriating…!

“What… are you going to do if I become an apostle?”

“Hmm?”

“You said it’s impossible, but what if I become an apostle?”

“……? I’d be happy. Isn’t that obvious?”

“…….”

Swallowing the surge of anger at that moment, Tertius thought.

‘Right, let’s give up.’

The Order had confirmed several times that it wasn’t a Curse, but this level of talent was practically a Curse.

‘A talent that can make someone furious even when there is absolutely no malice….’

I was foolish to think I could fix this.

Despite being foolish, I had been stubborn until now because I hated admitting I was wrong.

‘…I thought I was the one putting up with Adna, but in fact, Adna was putting up with me.’

At some point, I was trying to fix Adna not for the sake of the misunderstood Adna, but to prove that I wasn’t wrong.

‘Even now, if I say I still have things I’ve thought of and can’t give up like this, Adna will do as I say.’

But that effort would only give both sides another experience of failure.

I would get angry again at Adna’s insane remarks….

‘I must now admit that it’s true—all of this was a waste of time.’

Thinking that made him feel empty, but relieved.

‘…Right. As you said, I should focus on efforts that can yield results. Thanks for the advice.’

“It was nothing, so there’s no need to be so grateful. More than that, to think you actually changed your mind because of my words… honestly, I find myself thinking I should have told you sooner.”

“…….”

“Hmm. I’m suddenly curious. If you changed because of this, doesn’t that mean I have more talent for giving advice? All your advice failed, but my advice was 100% successful….”

“…And you don’t think there’s a problem with yourself?”

“……? Of course there is a problem with me. But didn’t you give advice because you judged that you could fix my problem? However, if that problem was not resolved, then the person giving the advice must have misjudged their own capabilities, right? Which means they didn’t know their advice wouldn’t be helpful in this situation?”

“…….”

“Considering that, isn’t it true that you really have no talent for giving advice? Ah, if there is anything wrong with my thinking, please refute it.”

“Ah… I’m so pissed….”

If this girl becomes an apostle, her epithet will definitely be something like [Unbearable Provocation].

Or [The Tongue that Makes the Mind Explode]….

“…Adna. Want to spar?”

“Suddenly? Did you become anxious after realizing your skills are woefully insufficient to become an apostle thanks to my advice?”

“…Yes. So let’s just spar.”

“Please just let me hit you once!”

“Fine. The strong must help others. I will gladly grant your request.”

But Tertius’s attacks never reached Adna….

Tertius wailed his eyes out that day where Adna couldn’t see him.

And as time passed, Adna became an apostle.

The color that was as piercingly blue as a winter sky now remained only as a trace in her pupils.

“Adna… no, from now on I should call you Ada.”

“If you’re not used to it, you may continue to call me Adna.”

“…How does it feel to be an apostle?”

You’re probably the only person who decided to become an apostle just because you wanted to stop being misunderstood.

Tertius wasn’t in the mood to celebrate, but he decided to do so anyway.

At that moment, a Halo rose behind Adna’s head.

“What are you….”

“It is the Blessing of Resonance.”

“Why that?”

The Blessing of Resonance was a blessing used by commanders during war to boost morale, or at large events to unite the hearts of the believers.

“…You taught me. That it’s better to clear up misunderstandings. That no matter what intention one has, it’s meaningless if it’s not conveyed properly.”

Adna took both of Tertius’s hands.

“As you said, I have no eloquence, no expression, and no intuition to notice others’ emotions. Nevertheless, you alone could see my emotions and felt sorry that I was misunderstood.”

Gratitude, joy, and pure affection, beyond sparkling in yellow and white light, seeped into his heart.

“I really wanted to convey to you… how grateful I feel toward you.”

“…….”

“It would have been nice if I could have conveyed it with words…. As you said, the more I speak, the more I tend to be misunderstood.”

“…That’s true.”

“Even so, I thought I wanted to convey it.”

“Haha. Right.”

It really would have been nice if you knew how to convey these emotions with words.

Tertius shed tears.

“…I see people shed tears when they feel this way.”

“Why aren’t you crying?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think you taught me how to cry.”

At Adna’s answer, Tertius laughed while crying.

“Do I have to teach you that too for you to know….”

After that day, Tertius realized that his efforts weren’t entirely meaningless and decided to be a bit less infuriated.

Even after she became an apostle, it was a bit annoying that other apostles would ask him first whenever something happened regarding Apostle Ada—do they think I’m Adna’s nanny?—but he decided to accept it as inevitable.

Because deciding to speak to Adna that day, and deciding to change her, had been entirely his own choice.

Still, whenever a contact regarding Adna came his way, he would reflexively feel a surge of anger.

When he heard that Apostle Ada was letting divine power flare up in streaks at his Training Hall, he ran there while cursing inwardly.

And Tertius found Adna, her Halo shining with a blinding brilliance, in the middle of the Training Hall, the floor of which was a complete mess.

‘Is she insane?’

34 – #034