Chapter 63 - Fragment of Past

A/N: Sooo I went ahead and rewrote this whole chapter ???? A bunch of you said it was getting kinda complicated—and honestly, I felt that too. As the author, I had like 2–3 ideas for one scene, and… yeah, I picked the wrong one the first time. No idea what possessed me ????

This time, I went with the version that actually made sense (and hit better emotionally too, I hope). Let me know how it feels compared to the old one!

Wanna hear a secret? That chapter got all messy 'cause I lowkey wrote it half-heartedly. My bad ???? but we back on track now!

Ash exhaled quietly as he finally got away from Amelia.

That was scary…she was like a stalker straight out of a thriller. And somehow, I've ended up on her radar.

I seriously need to be more careful in the future..

He thought as he moved towards the library,

The sound of his footsteps echoed in the empty hallways like a rhythmic beats of drum.

It's been a month… the demons should be attacking the academy soon.

The thought slipped in like a cold wind brushing against his spine, but before it could settle, he stopped suddenly.

Shit.

He turned around to run or move away from the place, but before he could move,

A voice, cold enough to slice through steel, cut through the silence like a blade.

"If you move an inch, I'll kill you."

Elysia's tone left no room for doubt. She stood at the end of the hallway, arms folded tightly across her chest, the academy uniform fitting her like it was tailored for confrontation—black fabric sharp against the gold trim that caught the sun pouring through the corridor windows.

Ash froze in place.

I was so focused on Amelia that… I didn't even sense her. Damn it.

He inhaled slowly, steadying the turmoil rising in his chest, and turned back around with careful precision.

She was closer than he expected—far too close.

His heart thudded.

Neither of them spoke.

They stood there, saying nothing, just staring into each other's eyes—like the world had gone still, holding its breath.

Her gaze wasn't just on him. It was deeper, like she was seeing straight through him, into the thoughts he hadn't said out loud.

Ash could feel his mind begin to race, but he kept his expression still, his posture controlled.

"If you move an inch, I'll kill you, " Elysia said to Ash after seeing him trying to run away like he always did.

I guess I have to use it.....it is worth it.

Elysia thought as she moved towards Ash while opening her status window.

Status

Name – Elysia Moonglow

Race – Human

Age – 12

Class – Blade Dancer

Rank – Apprentice (E-Rank) – (10%)

Affinity – Water, Moon

Strength – 124

Agility – 140

Vitality – 90

Intelligence – 79

Stamina – 101

Charm – 67

Mana – 110

- Blessing of Moon (Mythical Rank)

- Fragment of Past (Unknown) (One-time use)

Skipping over the other details, she focused on the one thing that mattered right now—her single-use trait, .

With a steady breath, she opened its description.

Trait name: Fragment of Past

Rank: Unknown (One Time Use)

Description:

A mysterious privilege granted to the rare soul who has crossed the threshold of death and returned—reborn into the present from a life now lost.

This trait awakens only once, offering a singular gift untouched by combat or conventional power. Its effect is unpredictable, its purpose veiled. A trace of the past lingers within, waiting for the moment it must be used.

Ever since her awakening, none of her traits had responded—not even once. No matter how hard she tried, they remained dormant, silent. But everything changed after the Affinity Test.

When word spread that she carried the Moon's Blessing, the academy's attitude toward her shifted. And with it came unexpected opportunities.

Vice Principal Elva had handed her a small moonstone—nothing more than a crystal shard, glowing faintly under the light. Yet, the moment her fingers brushed its surface, something within her stirred. The blessing responded, blooming open like a flower kissed by moonlight.

Only later did she realize that wasn't the only change she experienced.

For the first time, she could sense her second trait.

At first, I was stunned… I didn't expect to be granted such a privilege.

The thought lingered as she made her way toward Ash, her steps quiet, her heart steady.

But what surprised me more was the potential it held—

The chance to gain an ability.

She had spent days thinking it through, weighing every possible outcome.

What would help her in the future?

But because of the presence of Ash, her priority shifted, and she thought..

What would help her see through his mask of indifference?

In the end, the answer had been clear.

Use , she had whispered in her thoughts, and grant me the power to read minds.

And as she arrived in front of Ash, her trait shimmered once—and vanished from her status window.

In its place, a new skill appeared:

{Mind Reader}

Curiosity stirred within her chest. She opened the description.

Skill: Mind Reader

Description:

- Basic Ability: Allows you to read the mind of anyone lower rank than you.

- Limitations:

-You cannot read the minds of individuals higher rank than yourself.

-If the skill is blocked (e.g., by magic or mental defenses), you can't read their thoughts.

- Note: Even when blocked, you can still discern whether the person is telling the truth or lying.

The effects are powerful... now let's see inside your mind, Ash Burn.

She stared straight into his eyes, willing the skill to activate.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Blocked?

Is he a higher rank than me?

No… that couldn't be it. If he were, the fallback wouldn't have triggered. That meant only one thing—he had absurdly high mental resistance.

But that shouldn't be possible...

What she didn't know was that the Rune of Knowledge hidden in Ash's soul made mind-reading impossible.

Still, Elysia didn't flinch.

Alright... I'll just have to ask the right questions then.

"Why are you avoiding me?" she asked, but each word carried weight. Her blood red eyes looking for answer.

Ash met her gaze and replied, "I don't know what you mean."

The skill responded instantly.

Her jaw tightened.

"You little—" she hissed, but caught herself mid-snap. She closed her eyes and exhaled, steadying her breath.

Calm down, Calm down...it's not like me to get mad.....

She drew in a deeper breath.

"Huuuu…"

"Do you think I'm blind?" she asked, her voice sharper now, "Every time I come near you, you run away like you've seen a ghost."

The words echoed off the stone walls of the deserted corridor, hanging between them like smoke.

"Why is that?"

Ash didn't answer.

He just stood there, staring at her.

But Elysia was very frustrated right now, so she snapped

"What the hell are you staring at? Answer me!" she shouted, voice full of frustrated heat.

"It's because of Ray," he said, finally, the words abrupt, almost blurted. "I didn't want to get involved with someone he liked. I was scared it'd drag me into something I didn't want."

The lie cut the air like a blade.

"I see…" she muttered, her voice colder than before. "So you avoided me... because you didn't want to become enemies with Ray?"

"Yup."

That one hit harder.

His voice was flat almost Mechanical. Like someone who had practiced the lie a hundred times.

Her expression darkened and her hands twitched.

This… this lying bastard…

Her fingers curled into fists at her side, she was trying to control herself from beating him up, but it was in vain.

Then her hand moved.

SLAP!!!!!

The sound cracked through the hall like thunder.

Ash didn't react. Not at first.

He stood there, stunned, hand slowly rising to touch the side of his face. His cheek burned, skin reddening under her strike. He looked like someone who'd just been yanked out of a dream and hadn't decided whether to wake up or not.

The silence after was louder than the slap itself.

Elysia shook out her wrist and let out a slow, quiet breath. Her voice came soft, but with the weight of glass splintering under pressure.

"That felt good."

She turned and said, "Follow me"

And just like that, she started walking—leaving him standing there, with nothing but the sting of her hand and the truth he refused to speak.

Ash blinked.

Then blinked again.

She just slapped me.

And now she's walking away like nothing happened... gods, it's so like her.

There was a dull sting on his cheek, but his chest—his chest ached more.

It's been a while since I felt something like this…

Pain that wasn't from a wound. Just raw, emotional. It feels... nostalgic. Like I'm human again.

Still caught in the aftershock, he trailed behind her without thinking, like a kicked puppy who didn't know where else to go.

They passed a few students in the hallway. Some looked up, curious, but no one said anything.

Eventually, they arrived at a secluded café nestled behind the academy's garden walls. It was nearly empty, sun filtering through trellised vines above, casting long, dappled shadows across the stone floor.

Elysia claimed a table in the farthest corner, one buried in shade. Her expression was unreadable, but the air around her buzzed with something electric.

Ash followed.

He slid into the seat across from her.

Ash didn't dare speak first. And Elysia? She just stared at him with unreadable gaze.

He was lying to me… but why? I need to ask something—something only Ash would know. That way… I can confirm.

The silence between them wasn't awkward. It was heavy—thick with unspoken memories and tension so sharp it could cut. Something was coiled tight beneath the surface, waiting for the smallest spark to unravel it all.

Then she dropped the question.

"So… how did you die?"

She said it like she was asking the time. But the words landed with the weight of a thousand unshed tears.

Ash didn't speak, he stayed silent.

He was relieved his facial expressions couldn't give anything away, because if it could, he'd definitely be shocked right now.

"Let me get this straight," he said quietly, "First, you slap me for some random reason. Then you ask how I died—while I'm clearly alive, sitting right in front of you."

Elysia's gaze didn't waver.

"Are you really going to keep pretending?" she asked, her voice softer now. It didn't carry anger this time—just disappointment.

Ash's fingers curled against the edge of the table, the corner of his mouth twitching ever so slightly.

"Listen, Miss Elysia," he began, his voice colder. "I don't want any drama. If it was another girl who had done what you did to me, I would've broken her arms. And keep this in mind—I'm just hoping to live a quiet life."

He rose from his seat slowly, pushing the chair back without urgency.

"So do me a favor…and stay away from me."

Elysia didn't move. Her eyes followed him as he turned away and started walking toward the exit.

Each step echoed against the café tiles like the ticking of a clock, counting down something she couldn't stop.

But before he could leave, her voice cut through the silence.

"Do you remember me? Do you remember Nancy?"

Ash didn't turn.

"You're mistaking me for someone else, Miss."

Elysia's lips parted slightly. Her eyes shimmered with things unsaid.

He remembers.

Her breathing hitched, growing shallow. She stood, fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

Her voice cracked, raw and desperate.

"Do you remember the day I died?"

"You're very much alive, standing right there. Stop talking nonsense."

"Do you still love Nancy… like before?"

"I don't know who this Nancy is."

"And I don't love whoever she is."

The floating messages were like knives—cutting deeper with every lie he tried to wear like armor. Her body trembled. Her heart felt like it was splitting open.

I am sure he is.....him, but why is he...behaving like that.

Her head bowed slightly, tears threatening to fall—but she had one last question in her, the one that mattered most.

"…Are you my Ash?"

There was silence.

Ash paused at the threshold. The light framed his silhouette, frozen in place.

Then, in a low, distant voice, he answered.

"Oh… now I get it. You must be mistaking me for someone else. I'm not the one you're looking for."

And with that, he stepped out of the café.

The door closed behind him.

And Elysia collapsed back into her seat, legs unable to hold her.