The magic circle on top of Hano's leg began to heal it at a speed never seen before. And before Ruya could even turn to look, it was completely healed. Reconstructed.
"This power... it is amazing!"
Declared Ruya, his magic circle fading away as he shifted his focus to Klara.
Klara opened her eyes, now glowing with the same golden aura that surrounded her. She thrust her hands toward James, and the magic circle on her palms formed smaller circles along all its edges.
"Holy Body Reconstruction!"
Suddenly, the circle split in half, and from it, ancient runes unfurled like glowing chains, wrapping around James. Ruya gasped.
"That's...!"
He remembered.
"The Holy Body Reconstruction spell from Maria's book!"
His eyes locked on the scene in awe, and a trace of fear.
"A healing spell so powerful... it's said it can even revive the dead. I never thought I'd see it..."
He paused, watching James's wounds vanish in seconds.
"Though it comes with a price..."
Ruya's gaze shifted toward Klara.
"It consumes life force... and there's a chance the user may die if the core explodes from the intensity and mana drained to perform the spell..."
Ruya watched her carefully. The aura around Klara gradually dimmed, fading alongside the magic. Then, suddenly, she collapsed to the ground.
His eyes lit with alarm as he rushed forward. Klara began coughing blood, her vision blurry.
"Hm... that was... exhausting..."
She whispered. Ruya knelt beside her, quickly summoning healing magic.
"Don't push yourself."
He said firmly, his voice serious, but his expression was full of concern. Klara turned her head slightly, meeting his eyes with a soft smile. Then she closed her eyes briefly.
"Ah... Ruya..."
She muttered, her voice warm, like a gentle hug.
"It's useless... even you know it's already over."
More blood trickled from her lips.
Ruya said nothing. His hands trembled as he poured his mana into her. Vanessa approached slowly from behind. Cracknut stood in sad silence.
"No... it's not over..."
Ruya muttered, still working. Klara looked at him, a soft, cracked smile on her face. Slowly, she lifted her hand, and placed it on his.
"You are a talented individual... with an incredible mind, and the warmest, most caring heart I've ever seen."
She spoke quietly. Ruya's head lowered, hair falling over his eyes.
"Your ability to never give up sparked something in me... and without you—"
Her grip on his hand tightened slightly.
"I would have never been able to walk away from my past. My burdens. My doubts. My..."
She paused.
"Fears..."
Ruya stopped completely. His hands fell limp, heavy with silence.
"There were many things I wanted to witness... but my journey seems to end here. Still, I'm thankful."
She took a shaky breath, her smile unfading.
"B-Because now I can die peacefully... with no regrets."
Tears streamed from Ruya's eyes, falling into his open hands.
"As for your team... I hope you all achieve your dreams. Make everything you desire happen. Do the best you can... to do good for this world."
She paused again, breathing slower.
"T-Thank you... for everything..."
And with that... she slowly closed her eyes.
Ruya checked her neck for a pulse.
Nothing.
He looked at her one more time.
"She's gone... but her smile is still here..."
He whispered, gazing at her peaceful expression, her soft smile frozen in time. Then he broke. His body shook with grief, every breath quaking in silence.
"If I had been just a little bit faster..."
He whispered.
"If I had been more careful..."
He said
"If I had just been better!"
He shouted, then cried.
His mind scrambled for something, anything, to cope with the pain.
"It's all my fault!"
Cracknut jumped from Vanessa's shoulder onto Ruya's, gently pressing his head against Ruya's. A small tear slid down his fuzzy cheek. Vanessa stood nearby, her expression unreadable.
"Step aside."
She said softly and unexpectedly.
Ruya paused. Hearing her voice, he slowly raised his head to look at her. Though he said nothing, curiosity overcame him. Silently, he backed away.
Vanessa stepped closer to Klara. Standing over her, she lifted her hand and pointed it toward the body. Ruya watched, confused. Then—
CRUNNCH!!
From Vanessa's palm, a cold blaze swept across Klara, freezing her body instantly.
Ruya and Cracknut stared in disbelief.
"I noticed her mana core was still distributing mana throughout her body, barely, but it was."
Vanessa explained calmly.
"Thanks to you healing her up to the end."
She continued
"I froze her body together with the core and the mana. She could still be saved."
Ruya was silent. His head dropped, then suddenly, he sprang forward and embraced Vanessa, catching her off guard.
"Thank you... Vanessa, you're the best!"
Tears of sadness now of joy streamed down his cheeks. Cracknut joined in the hug. Vanessa stood still for a second, then smiled gently she hugged Ruya back.