[Nightmare]

"Helix…." Elsa called out in a worried tone.

His face showed true crushing defeat.

He said nothing, walked into the center of the room and collapsed on the floor.

"Come here, Helix." She requested with a tender expression.

Elsa had rushed back to their room after being approached by a dozen people.

Their reaction was perplexing.

She couldn't tell whether they criticized Helix or called him an unparalleled genius.

However, when she heard that Helix had won a challenge against a grandmaster and almost lost his life, she burst into tears.

Elsa sat down on her feet and pulled Helix's head onto her lap.

After he was situated, she ran her hands through his hair slowly.

Elsa was almost fifty and had never had children.

However, she imagined this was what a mother would do in the situation.

She wasn't wrong if she subtracted ten years from Helix's life.

Nevertheless, the slight expression of relief on his face told her that she had made the right decision.

After five minutes, Helix broke the silence.

"Hey, Elsa…." He called out.

"Yes, Helix?" She asked.

"Will you listen to some of those recordings with me?

I…. I want to listen but don't want to be alone." He requested softly.

Tears welled in Elsa's eyes.

"Of course. Who's Circle of Remembrance would you like to listen to?" She asked softly.

"A lot has happened while I was sleeping.

Do you have any suggestions?" Helix asked.

Elsa opened and closed her mouth multiple times.

There was one circle she knew was more important than the others, but she felt he might not be ready for it yet.

"When the circles arrived, there was a letter telling the story I told you.

In the letter, there was a note saying Millie's circle was special and you should listen to it." She replied.

"Okay. Let's go with that one." Helix affirmed.

Luckily the room was small, so she didn't have to move to get the recordings.

Helix waited patiently.

Elsa reached behind his embarrassing harem card and pulled out the package of circles from people wanting to be heard.

There was a black square of fabric on the top with a small magic circle.

Embroidered on the top were the words [Millie Patterson].

Elsa carefully put the circle down to her side and used one spirit mix to remove the waterproof illusion barrier.

Once it was clear, she activated the magic circle.

"Hello? Oh my gosh. This is so embarrassing.

I hope you'll forgive me for being awkward.

I mean, I'm always awkward, so that's normal.

But… I'm talking to a piece of fabric right now, so I think I'm a bit more awkward than usual."

Helix and Elsa laughed lightly at the strange opening.

"Or maybe it's better this way.

If I were in front of you, I'd probably clam up and start trying to remember everything I thought of to say to you.

But now that you're a piece of cloth, I don't have to worry about that!"

Smiles illuminated the small room.

"My name is Millie Patterson. I'm not sure if you remember me.

I'm one of the people you showed the Myriad Library to on the second day in Myriad."

"Of course, I remember you…." He whispered.

Elsa looked at Helix with a warm gaze.

"Like you, I never wanted to come to Myriad.

I read books because I'm afraid to go outside.

I'm afraid to talk to people.

I'm… afraid in general, I guess.

So when I came here, I was terrified and felt like I was alone.

Yet when the other girls asked to see your library, you offered me your hand even though I was quiet.

I'm sure that doesn't mean much to you, but it meant the world to me."

Tears rolled down Helix's cheeks.

"And when you gave the other girls directions, they dragged me along, and… for the first time in my life… I made some friends.

We were all scared, and it gave us something in common."

Elsa wiped the tears out of Helix's eyes.

"And when the servants started feeling better, my servant was much more kind and caring.

He's helped me through a lot and is thankful for you."

Helix's face expressed a complex smile.

"His name is Niko, and he loves cats.

When he was younger, he wanted to be a traveling performer.

He's kind, and he helped me get to bed at night when I first arrived.

He's someone you helped and wanted me to tell you that."

Elsa smiled at Helix and continued running her fingers through his hair.

"I have a confession to make to you.

One day I asked you what the name of a certain animal was.

I already knew the name, but I just wanted a reason to talk to you.

I'm sorry about that."

Helix laughed, and tears rolled down his cheeks.

Elsa's face had a bright smile on it as well.

"You knew I was lying, of course.

I know because you didn't sigh or give me that slightly exasperated smile you're famous for.

You gave me a gentle smile and talked to me for five minutes.

I was so happy I didn't realize I was telling you everything about the animal I wanted information on!

It was so embarrassing!"

Helix and Elsa burst into laughter.

"I remember that…." He chuckled.

"But it meant a lot to me.

The nights I spent reading and searching for things you might find interesting made me forget how scared I was.

The hope that one day I'd be confident enough to talk to you gave me a reason to work harder.

And while I normally wouldn't think I could talk to someone, that conversation always reminded me that you'd never turn me away if I showed up."

Helix smiled gently and wiped his tears from his eyes.

"Oh! And I wanted to tell you that Marie has been amazing.

Most of us were afraid to show up to practice or leave our rooms after….

After….

A-After….

W-We were afraid, but Marie stood up for us.

Since she's taken over, Myriad now feels like a fantasy world!"

Helix smiled with brightness shining behind his tears.

"It's only been a week since she took over.

But we've resumed shopping, and people are talking about magic and items.

My old group got back together, and we decided to read books to share new information.

When I said thank you, she shook her head and said that making a cultivator world was your idea.

She said, [only a brilliant idiot would double down on the problem to find the solution]!

We laughed a lot about that."

Elsa laughed loudly, and Helix became red.

"When you were here, everyone felt safer.

You were weak and defenseless, but somehow you always found a way to protect us.

Even when you were gone, you inspired Marie and gave her guidance to keep us safe.

Thank you for always protecting us, Helix."

Elsa's eyes glittered with happiness.

She couldn't figure out why so many people were trying to kill him.

All she knew was that women flocked to him, and people were jealous.

Knowing how beneficial he was filled her heart with joy, knowing she could save his life.

"Marie's helping the kindest people become the strongest.

That way, the people will not have to risk their lives to protect us.

It feels incredible, and I don't feel scared for the first time in my life."

Helix closed his eyes and smiled gently when he pictured Marie.

Her image cut through his sadness like a hot knife.

"With the kindest becoming the strongest, everyone's becoming nicer, and weak people like me are becoming more confident.

She's rewarding promising people with treasures instead of using them on herself.

People have started calling her Fairy Marie.

I wish you could see her face when they say it!"

Helix almost rolled off Elsa's legs when he heard the development.

"It's funny…. Ever since Marie started showing people the power of kindness, everyone misses you more and more.

Every day, people are trying harder to be the protagonist you were.

It's ironic, isn't it?"

Helix smiled gently with a bitter-sweet expression.

"Marie's helping me gain more confidence.

So one day, I hope to tell you how I feel about you.

But for now… I'll just say thank you.

Thank you for giving me a reason to look forward to the next day.

Thank you for making me less afraid.

Thank you for everything, Helix.

One day, I hope we'll meet again so I can show you how far I've come.

I… love you….

Ahhhhhhh! How do I delete that!

Oh no! Oh my gosh! How do I turn this thing off?

Young mistress, infuse spirit particles in it like when you did when you turn it on.

Ohhhhhhh. Oh my gosh, Niko. Should I still send it?

Of course, young mistress.

I thought it was beautiful.

Please don't throw it away.

It's still on!

Uh… I….

Helix, this is Niko! Goodbye!

Oh my gosh…."

Tears of joy and happiness rolled down Helix's cheeks.

"You've done good, Helix." Elsa said with gentle eyes.

"Thanks, Elsa."