Chương 263: [53.2] When in Doubt, Cry it Out
[Author's note: This part is back to Reika's perspective]
…Meanwhile…
"Wait-" I tried to stop them, but I was too late. The ground erupted in a blinding light, and I felt myself get thrown back.
My body collided against the side of a building and flopped down on the ground. I groaned and forced myself to find the source of the magic.
In front of me was a bright white barrier that I couldn't see inside no matter what.
I heard groaning around me and found Priscilla and Felix on the ground beside me. Priscilla was completely knocked out from the impact while Felix was holding his sides in a fetal position.
Wait…
Where's Cyrus?
Where's Zephyr!?!
My blood went cold.
I immediately panicked and ran to the barrier shouting, "Cyrus! Zephyr!"
I slammed my fists on it and let out a scream of pain. As soon as my hand hit it, I felt as though I had put my palm on a burning hot frying pan. I yelped and pulled my hands back which were now pulsating in pain.
Don't look at it!
Felix suddenly sat up looking extremely pale. Tears burst from his eyes as he began to sob hysterically. He crawled to the barrier and started to claw at it, his cries turning to those of agony as his skin was being burnt.
I panicked and quickly pulled his hands back. I was surprised to feel him fighting to push me off while still trying to claw the barrier despite the obvious damage to his hands.
I struggled to hold him back, "Felix! Stop!!"
He cried out, "NO! HE'S IN TROUBLE! I HAVE TO- I HAVE TO-"
I was confused, "Cyrus is fine! Just take a deep breath!"
If he died, I wouldn't be here.
He burst into a new wave of tears, "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"
No.
No, I don't.
Although…
I looked at the barrier nervously.
I don't recognize this magic.
It's not made from a magical circle.
I bit down on my lip anxiously.
Obviously, this was a deliberate trap to separate us. I should-
Suddenly, a crack formed on the surface of the barrier and caused new lines to crawl away from it just like a broken egg. Without warning, the barrier exploded. Unbelievable power rushed out of the barrier and into the building beside us, creating a hole in the brick wall.
I screamed and jumped out of the path to avoid being caught up in the destruction.
When I looked up, Cyrus stomped out.
My face lit up, "You're okay-"
However, my words caught in my throat.
He's not okay.
He was breathing heavily, clutching his sword that was shrouded by a cloud of black smoke. On the surface of the blade were pulsating cracks of pure white mana resembling sparks. His eyes were bloodshot, making him appear to be a deranged villain.
I was afraid to reach out when I saw him like that. I pulled my arms close to my body almost defensively.
Zephyr bounced out behind him covered in dirt. When he saw me, he ran towards me sobbing, "REIKA!"
He ran into my arms and sobbed while I held him in confusion, "What happened!? Why are you covered in dirt?!... Is that BLOOD!?"
I quickly wiped off his face and realized something important.
I slapped my hands over his forehead, "Z-Zephyr… Y-Your forehead."
He sniffled loudly, "It was a demon trap. I can't change back."
I looked around anxiously and whispered urgently, "Can you at least turn into a fox?"
"Yup!"
*Poof*
He jumped into my arms looking proud, "See?"
My face twitched, "Your horns are still showing…"
He changed back to his demon form and shouted, "What do you want from me!?! I'm trying my best!"
I let out a sigh and used a spell to clean him up. Then I took my jacket and covered his head, "Just wear this for now."
He started clawing at it, "BUT IT'S SUFFOCATING MY BRAIN!"
"You have no brain." I made sure to use magic to prevent him from ripping it off, "So what happened in there?"
My eyes were drawn to Cyrus who was now looking even worse than before.
I want to check on him…
But at the same time…
My body refuses to get near him.
Now it was Caldwell's turn to walk out of the barrier. He too was covered in dirt and his hands bloody.
What the hell!?
Did these two roll around in the dirt or something!?
Just what happened in there!?
Zephyr suddenly recalled, "Oh yeah. That b*tchy owl is a demon."
"Ah." My eyes briefly glanced at Caldwell's horns as I responded blandly, "Yeah."
Zephyr's eyes widened, "You knew!?"
Cyrus turned his fierce gaze at me, "He told you?"
I subconsciously took a step back and looked at the ground in a panic, "I-I just smelled him."
Cyrus clenched his jaw, "Were you lying to me too? Did you both decide it would be fun to trick me all these years!?"
Caldwell cried out pitifully, "I didn't tell her! I don't know how she knew, but- I promise I didn't tell her! I've hidden myself all these years because-"
Cyrus finally faced him, "-Because why!?"
Caldwell was struck silent by his unfamiliar stare. His gaze was unfriendly, savage, but more importantly, it revealed the destruction the truth had on his psyche.
Under that stare, Caldwell no longer had the strength to defend himself.
Cyrus spat out, "Leave."
Caldwell looked up at him anxiously, "Young Master-"
"LEAVE!" Cyrus pointed his sword, "NOW!"
Caldwell didn't give in, "I know I lied to you, but I never-"
"-I don't want to look at you right now." Cyrus took a step back from him while clenching his jaw, "If you stay, I might actually kill you."
Caldwell's soul was crushed before our eyes. The Young Master who always looked at him with affection now no longer had any trace of warmth. Caldwell closed his eyes in an attempt to hide his tears before turning into an owl and soaring away into the distance.
I let out a sigh.
Caldwell.
I warned you this would happen.
No one likes being lied to…
Especially for this long.
Zephyr pulled at the jacket stuck to his head, "Everything makes so much sense now. I always thought he was a jerk to me, and now I know why."
I rolled my eyes, "How does that make sense?"
"Duh! He has perfect horns and I don't!"
"...So?"
"So!?" He snorted, "The demons with perfect horns look down on us! They think of us as less than commoners!"
I pinched my eyebrows together, "Why?"
"Because a demon's horns mean everything! It is our pride and joy!"
"...I still don't understand how that's relevant."
"Okay, think about it this way. You treat Royalty differently, right? You speak politely and place them on a higher pedestal even though you both are humans."
I scoffed, "No, I don't."
"-That's because you're a f*cker."
My face twitched, "Oi-"
I suddenly froze when the last and final person walked out.
He ran his fingers through his dark hair, staring blankly with his dull orange eyes at the scene before him.
I immediately went for my wand, "I should have known it was you!"
Moni let out an annoyed sigh, "Why must I always be accused? This time I really had no-"
"-AH!"
Felix let out a startled cry which alerted Moni and caused him to be taken aback. Moni cast a glance at Felix who was sobbing despite having a bright grin on his face. Moni took a step back from him looking disgusted, "...How disgraceful."
Felix burst out into a new wave of tears.
Whether it was from fear or humiliation, only he knew.
Moni looked around anxiously and for the first time, revealed the slightest bit of weakness.
I caught this in the corner of my eyes and was so surprised, I didn't know what to think.
Is he uncomfortable around tears!?
That has to be it!
I burst out into laughter, "A villain whose weakness is tears! There's no way!"
Moni's expression turned dark as he spat out, "Word of advice, girl. You better calm that boy down or else he's going to an early grave."
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
Nekoru
Nekoru Moni: I am the epitome of evil! I don't care who I kill! I won't stop until I-
*Felix starts crying*
Moni: W-What is that. What is it doing!?
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