Tike frowned slightly and turned his head to look out the window.
"What's wrong with Gray?"
He recognized the owner of the voice and was a bit puzzled as to why Gray was so irritable right now.
Ultear also looked out the window, a trace of impatience flashing in her eyes.
"While you were unconscious, Gray kept insisting that Mom used some special magic to defeat that woman. He's been pestering Mom all day like a lost puppy, demanding that she teach him."
"Was she strong?"
"Yeah." Ultear nodded solemnly. "Very strong. Even Mom admitted she was no match for her."
"Then how did Mom beat her?"
"It wasn't Mom..."
Ultear lowered her head, her lips trembling slightly as she revealed the truth.
"It was you who took out that woman."
"Me?"
"We all fainted back then. Only Mom saw the whole process," Ultear said. "You... you used the magic you used back in that place again."
Tike narrowed his eyes slightly, and some vague memory fragments gradually surfaced in his mind.
"That black water?"
Ultear nodded. Her hands were folded on her lap as she slowly recounted the events to Tike, including the silver-haired woman's vile attempt to kill everyone.
"After that woman pierced your chest with her sword, you released black water magic and completely destroyed her."
"Mom didn't want to tell me at first. It was only after I guessed a few clues and secretly asked her for confirmation that she told me."
"But she specifically warned me never to tell Gray and Lyon. Because of that, they both think Mom used magic she hadn't taught them while they were unconscious."
"..."
Hearing that he might have killed his own biological sister who had come to fetch him, Tike didn't know how to react for a moment.
However, since she was the one who had murderous intent first, then she brought it all upon herself, right?
This fact didn't change just because she was his sister by blood.
Tike quickly skipped over this matter. He was more interested in the details Ultear mentioned at the end.
"Why doesn't Mom just tell them what magic I used? Is it a big deal?"
"They might not believe it even if she told them. Besides, Mom says it's best if not too many people know about this kind of thing."
"Why?"
"Because..."
Ultear leaned forward slightly, bringing her mouth close to Tike's ear and lowering her voice to a whisper.
"That magic of yours seems to be Black Magic."
"What's Black Magic?"
"I'm not too sure either. It seems to include magic that exists solely to take life. If the Magic Council, who manages the magic world, finds out, you'll definitely be arrested. Mom decided to hide it considering that."
"...I don't want to be arrested."
Tike had no desire to go to prison. What normal person would look for jail time for no reason?
Unless the prison food was good.
But that was impossible. No matter how good it was, it couldn't compare to the delicious food here.
Tike thought to himself. At the same time, the argument outside grew more intense.
"I've told you so many times, I didn't defeat her!"
"I don't believe it! If it wasn't you, who else could it be! Besides, I asked around, and no other strangers came to town at that time!"
(Still arguing...)
Tike jumped off the bed. Seeing this, Ultear quickly stepped forward to support him.
"Do you want to rest a little longer?"
"I've slept long enough." Tike shook his head. "Mom must have been worried while I was in a coma all these days. I should go out and let her know I'm safe." He blinked and added, "And beg her to make me something delicious while I'm at it."
Having missed so many days of food, he had to eat more to make up for it!
"You little glutton." Ultear was amused. "Weren't you full after eating all that just now?"
"Nope." In the past, he might have been embarrassed, but after being together day and night for so long, Tike made no attempt to hide it anymore.
"Alright, I'll take you to Mom."
Ultear didn't try to dissuade him anymore and supported Tike as they walked out of the room.
Outside, as soon as the two people arguing saw Tike, they stopped simultaneously. Even Gray breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"You're awake..."
Ur bent down and looked Tike over carefully, asking with concern, "How do you feel?"
"I feel great!"
Tike grinned, then gently pushed Ultear away. He strode into the courtyard alone, grabbed the willow tree that was as thick as a rice bowl with both hands, and effortlessly pulled it up by the roots! He then held it high above his head with a flourish, as if he were holding a weightless feather.
Gray narrowed his eyes slightly, unable to comprehend.
"Why pull up the tree?"
"To show that I'm healthy?"
Tike answered with a tilt of his head. He didn't forget to plant the willow tree back in its original spot and thoughtfully watered it a little. In moments, the willow tree sprouted emerald green buds despite the cold winter.
Watching Tike's actions, Gray's mouth twitched slightly, leaving him speechless for a moment.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. He stepped forward, grabbed Tike's wrist, and pulled him in front of Ur.
"Tell me, was Ur lying just now when she said someone passing by defeated that woman?"
Tike looked at Ur in a dilemma, appearing hesitant.
(Should I tell the truth or not?)
Tike's hesitation fell into Gray's eyes, further confirming the boy's suspicion.
Since he didn't deny it immediately, Ur must be lying!
"You really were lying! It was you..."
Just as Gray was about to get aggressive, Tike silently raised his hand and interrupted him.
"It really wasn't Mom who did it."
Gray's expression froze, caught off guard.
Then why did you hesitate just now?
And—
"If it wasn't Ur, could it really be some super-strong wizard passing by?"
"Not exactly passing by." Tike pointed at himself. "That person... was me."
"!"
Ultear immediately became nervous.
Didn't we agree to hide it from them? Why did he just say it?
However, Gray obviously didn't believe Tike's unexpected confession. He didn't even intend to ask Tike to prove it. He just turned around and strode away, leaving behind only these words:
"I'm going to look for that passing wizard Ur talked about!"
Tike watched Gray leave silently, feeling a bit helpless.
"Just like Big Sis said, Gray doesn't believe it at all."
Beside him, Ultear wrung her slender fingers, looking worried.
"But you shouldn't have confessed so easily. What if word gets out?"
"It's fine. I trust Gray; he won't go around blabbing." Tike waved his hand dismissively, an innocent smile on his lips. "Besides, if those annoying guys from the Magic Council really dare to come looking for trouble, I'll use that... Black Magic to make them disappear from this world completely."
Hearing these unscrupulous words, Ur felt a chill run down her spine.
Tike was serious.
He was exactly like his sister, able to say such things so casually.
He was a kind-hearted child who showed kindness to Ultear, a stranger, even in that terrible place. How could he suddenly become so terrifying, speaking of taking other people's lives so lightly?
Was it the influence of that Black Magic?
Moreover, according to Ultear, Tike didn't need to sleep for seven days the last time he used it, which suggested the burden of this magic seemed to be getting heavier.
Thinking of this, Ur slowly bent down. Her fingers gently stroked Tike's brownish hair, and her expression became unusually serious. "Tike, you can't say things like that. Promise me, don't use that magic again from now on, okay?"
Tike wanted to ask why, but as the scent of worry in the air grew stronger, he hesitated for a moment and chose to compromise.
"Alright. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I won't use that magic again."