As Azzy spends more time with Claire and lets his feelings grow more and more, a fear developed in his heart.
He knew that he had to leave her eventually and return to the original timeline. By then, 27 years will be passed. Will Claire still love him then?
There are various things that troubled him. First of all, according to the rules of time travel, her memories of them will disappear. So, she wouldn't even recognize him much less love him back.
Second, even if a miracle happens and she remembers him, 27 years isn't a small period of time. There's a high possibility that Claire might lose her feelings gradually over time and fall for someone else.
Third and the biggest problem, the age gap will grow wider. When he returned to his timeline, he will still be a teenager but Claire will atleast be in her 40s. Of course, his parents are over 100 years old. So, it isn't much of a problem for him but will be a problem for Claire for she will be seen as a pedophile by everyone. So, the relationship might not be possible and he might have to wait for atleast a decade or two to get back with her.
Now that he had a glimpse of a possible future is right before his eyes, Azzy fell into thoughts. Like the first inner demon, he needed to come up with a solution.
Then, the Reaper's earlier words came to his mind. "There's no pure love exists for endless of time. In time, everything will disappear." Azzy closed his eyes and analyzed the situation.
The current situation is that he returned to the timeline but Claire already moved on and is dating someone else. The most important part here is that she knew who he was. That means she had their memories.
Azzy opened his eyes. Even without the Reaper's help, he got the answer. He stared at the two of them who were waiting for his reaction. The logical answer would have been a heartfelt apology but Azzy's response was different.
"We Arcana Masters could live for centuries or even several millennia, Claire. If your love disappears after 27 years of time, then, it only means that we are bound to break up, a century more or less, even if I hadn't left you." He proceeded to answer in a calmer tone when being blamed by Claire's illusion for leaving her. This came from the bottom of his heart.
When he accepted Claire's proposal, he clearly warned that he will be gone for a long time that can even be a century. Either she had forgotten about it or she didn't care. It doesn't matter for Azzy as he was looking into the far future.
He was thinking of his master and Vice Principal, who were together for hundreds of years. He truly wanted that kind of relationship.
Maybe, this is why when the future Azrael showed him their family picture, which indicated that Claire was his wife and they even had a son, Azzy thought they will be together for hundred years. This long period of time is also one of the reasons he accepted Claire's proposal and started loving her back.
But, if Claire breaks up with him if he disappears from her side for a while, then, he wasn't ready to get back with her. That's why he came to an unexpected decision.
Looking at the two of them who appeared to be shocked by his reply that appears to be more like blaming her, he further said, "Claire, since you have already moved on, then, there's no need of apology or forgivingness. I will treat it as if we just aren't fated and move on with my life too. Goodbye." Azzy let out a smile, wishing for their happiness.
The two of them disappeared into thin air after he was done with his reply, indicating that he passed this inner demon.
The Reaper was very happy with Azzy's reply. He praised, "There's no right or wrong way in tackling the inner demons. All that matters is whether your heart is clear or not. But, now is not the time to celebrate."
"Yeah, I know." Azzy nodded as he stared at the person who appeared before him while his surroundings changed to some random streets. He was being drenched by heavy rain. "This inner demon will probably be hardest for me to get out."
In front of him lies the situation where he was facing Gideon as an opponent, except that it isn't some sparring match.
Gideon had a sword in his hand that was dyed in blood. Meanwhile, there are corpses around him. All of them are blurry but it doesn't matter. Azzy could figure out what kind of scenario it is.
In school, he always protected his best friend from others whether he was right or wrong but what if Gideon turns evil and turns against you? Will Azzy break his no-kill policy for the sake of the world? Or will he forsake his morality for the sake of his friend?
When he saved him from Estella once, the latter questioned him this. He didn't have an answer back then and neither did he have now.
But, unfortunately, he didn't have time to deeply think about it because Gideon had already made his move.
He dashed forward, coming for the kill. Azzy instinctively raised the death scythe and blocked the attack.
"You keep coming in my way, again and again. Today, I'll kill you for good." Gideon roared at him, displaying clear hostility.
Azzy now wondered how to solve this. At first, he tried to convince him through dialogue. Pushing him away through force, Azzy said, "Renounce your ways, Gid. It isn't too late."
"You are just a spineless coward who can't kill others," Gideon argued back and dashed once again colliding his sword with Azzy's death scythe.
Azzy doesn't know how to respond to that insult when it came directly from his best friend. Meanwhile, Vajra, and the other two undead platinum grade beasts stepped forward to attack the enemy.
Unlike the humans, the undead beasts were quite simple and extremely loyal. They don't have any hesitation or confusion when dealing with the opponent.
If an opponent shows hostility to their master, then, it is an enemy where they don't have to hold back unless Azzy instructs them so.
As for Vajra, it was a mutated celestial grade beast. Just like the Reaper, it can also restrict the will of the demigod. So, it wasn't affected any mentally and is clear that Gideon is nothing but an illusion. So, it was clear.
As the three beasts bare their fangs against Gideon, asking for the orders to remove the threat, Azzy stopped them.
They stayed back and became spectators as a result.
Azzy then once gain shifted his attention to Gideon who was laughing out loud, "see… you can't kill me, Azzy. And this weakness will become the reason for your death."
Azzy started to wonder, "What should I do now? Except for the fact that he's from Crescent Clan, I know almost nothing about Gideon's background. He has an aunt, right? What was her name again?"
As Azzy was racking his brains, the Reaper once again came to the rescue. But, his suggestion is something that Azzy doesn't favor at any cost.
"You want me to kill?" Azzy got a little bit angry at the Reaper as the latter suggested killing him to escape this illusion, instead of choosing a peaceful method.
"Even if this Gideon isn't real, if I kill him, it would be the same as admitting that I will kill my best friend without even trying to get him back if it ever happens in real life." Azzy refused the method right away.
A thought appeared in his mind. He mumbled, "I think I have to use my usual way to deal with this."
Meanwhile, Gideon charged forward once again. Azzy ordered Vajra to restrain him, instead.
<strong>"Soul skill: Lightning Prison"</strong>
Letting out a powerful bark, Vajra unleashed its fifth soul skill. Dark clouds gathered above in the sky before a net of lightning descended onto Gideon.
After getting captured by a lightning net, Gideon's body is paralyzed on the spot. He tried to get free by energy eruption.
All of the energy tried to push away the lightning net, making a hole out of it. He jumped out and then activated his attribute skill. The lightning sparks started to dance all over his body.
"There's no use, Azrael." The Reaper attempted to convince his host once again. "You have to kill him. Remember what's at stake here. For the sake of illusion, you cannot miss the opportunity to acquire the Jewel of Earth."
"And for the sake of a cosmic gem, I won't give up my friend." Azzy turned out to be stubborn, frustrating the Reaper.
"Aurora, Hydra... help Vajra to restrain him…" He gave the order.
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