The Academy's Weakest Became A Demon-Limited Hunter

Chapter 320: Winged Heavenly Being Subjugation (8)

In the deep silence, I slowly relaxed.

I smiled broadly.

“Do you remember me?”

Even though I greeted her, no response came, so I tried speaking again.

As expected, no reply. Dorothy was just watching me with her many eyes. Her starlight mana blocked me from reading her psychology.

I knew Dorothy didn’t recognize me. According to the records she left behind, she had already lost her reason.

The Dorothy before me was a transcendent being. The mana she effortlessly radiated was at least on par with the Nether King.

Someone like me wouldn’t stand a chance against her.

Especially since my mana was nearly depleted. She could probably kill me with just a wave of her hand.

Would it be better to just die by her hand?

That ridiculous thought I had during the Trial of Frost suddenly came to mind, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You asked me, didn’t you? Whether Dorothy and I... what was it, love each other?”

I pretended to be embarrassed, speaking lightly as if chatting with a friend.

“I think so. At least, I do, and Dorothy seems to like me too. I could be wrong, or it could just be wishful thinking, but that’s how it is. I don’t know if you can guess the situation.”

I took a short breath.

“You were the same. You were actually the first Dorothy I met. You probably didn’t particularly like me, so this might feel awkward, but if I had to say... I really liked you. Truly.”

I spoke in a sweet voice, the kind Dorothy would most like to hear, conveying my sincerity.

“You’re beautiful, like a celebrity... Even after losing everything, even facing death, the way you fought to live... I admired that so much.”

You healed me and painted a world full of possibilities.

That’s why I wanted to do the same.

The way you lived to shine saved me, and now I want to save you so that your life can shine even brighter.

“I missed you. Even as a god, you’re still dazzlingly beautiful.”

Standing in front of Dorothy, as I shared the feelings I had never been able to express, I realized something.

There was a lot of unresolved emotion inside me.

The more I imprinted Dorothy’s image on my eyes, the more the emotions I had been suppressing stirred and slowly consumed my entire being.

As the cool air brushed my blood-stained cheek, my emotions seemed to heighten even more.

I’m powerless and unwise... that’s why I couldn’t save you.

The feeling of helplessness and loss gnawed at my heart like a rat.

Clang.

With a clear sound, a swarm of stars rose around me.

My body became weightless and floated through the air, reaching Dorothy.

“Dorothy...?”

The only trace of Dorothy’s old face left was around one of her eyes.

Even that remaining eye showed no life. It merely emitted a quiet, lonely, and mysterious starlight.

Dorothy placed her hand on my chest. I felt nothing but coldness.

Hiss.

Soon, brilliant starlight mana flowed gently from Dorothy’s hand into me.

Each of my cells felt like they were popping, as an overwhelming and heavy mana began to envelop my mana circuits.

It didn’t hurt. In fact, it felt warm.

And yet, I had a terrible premonition.

“What are you doing...? Dorothy?”

When I tried to push Dorothy’s hand away, the swarm of stars rose up and bound my entire body.

I couldn’t move.

“Dorothy!! Hey!!”

As I shouted with wide eyes, my vision suddenly turned completely white.

I couldn’t see anything.

If I still had mana left, I might have been able to dispel this kind of magic, but right now, my body wasn’t in a condition to do that.

I knew that Dorothy from the first timeline had lost her life according to Stella’s plan.

But I hadn’t realized that plan had been made so long ago.

[You know, your Dorothy won’t end up like me. I’ll make sure of it.]

My shoulders trembled slightly.

[I will give you my power.]

“No, don’t...”

I furrowed my brow and shook my head, but my plea wouldn’t reach Dorothy.

[I will give you the power meant solely for battle, so you can become stronger than anyone. I will drive Ozma out of you. Even though you’re not a suitable wielder of starlight mana, thanks to the remnants of Ozma, you’ll be able to use starlight mana temporarily. Use that power to defeat Ozma and take all of her strength. Then, after you escape the Icy Lake, you’ll be transported back to the rift. Once there, I’ll open it for you so you can leave safely.]

The young girl, Dorothy Gale, clasped her hands behind her back and smiled softly.

[That is the wish I have for you.]

“...”

[Even though I can’t remember you, I still feel like I would have liked you. If we had continued staying together, I’m certain I would have liked you more than anyone... It’s a little embarrassing.]

Dorothy blushed and let out her characteristic laugh.

[So, I hope you live a happy life.]

“Dorothy, please...”

A deep darkness began to spread, and the image of young Dorothy started to fade away.

[Did you know? The Wizard of Oz is said to be someone who grants all wishes.]

As if saying her final farewell, the young girl smiled brightly, like a fully blossomed flower.

[Please, be my Wizard of Oz.]

Silence.

I closed my eyes and opened them again, and my vision showed the dark scenery of the Icy Lake.

From where Dorothy had been, brilliant starlight particles scattered.

Even the sparkling remnants of her remaining life disappeared like dust.

Swallowing the emptiness, it felt as though something was mercilessly carving out all my insides, dragging them deep down, and bringing forth an unbearable silence.

As I stared into the void in silence for a while, the cluster of stars that had been rising around me completely faded away.

My body slowly began to fall.

Fwoooosh!!

Just before hitting the Icy Lake, I released a strong burst of cold air, reducing the impact of my fall.

A strange sensation swirled inside my body. It was different from what I usually felt.

It felt as though something important had left me, and something new had filled its place.

[────────.]

An unintelligible tone pierced my ears.

I slowly lifted my head.

Blood-red clouds swirled, and at some point, even the beautiful aurora that filled the sky began to whirl.

Beneath it, a being with the grandeur of a vast, brilliant universe sat still, as if meditating.

Wrapped around its body were two rings imbued with an astronomical amount of mana. It was the stature of a transcendent being.

Countless eyes covering its entire body all glared at me simultaneously.

“...So it’s you, Ozma.”

Mana filled with anger, resentment, and hatred weighed down heavily. It was Ozma’s power.

I walked forward in silence. There was an unbearable weight in each step.

I couldn’t calm myself, my expression becoming increasingly rigid.

“Let’s end this Status Window game.”

I extended my right hand.

Chararang!

A white cluster of stars bloomed above it.