SPELLCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Magic Scholar

The last time we met… was so many years ago.

The nations had all converged in a single location for a special event—the last days of Lewis Griffith himself.

Kings and honorable people from all over the world graced me with their presence. They gathered to celebrate with me, and to mourn my passing. This started with the arrival of Jane Ursula in the morning, stretching until daytime, when even more guests arrived.

However, soon enough, no one was present in the room. Per my request, they all left, and so I enjoyed my solitude—waiting for the time death would come.

However, who could have expected that I would still have one more visitor?

"You're definitely a sight for sore eyes." The melodious voice echoed within my room.

My tired, old eyes widened the moment I heard the voice.

I was too tired to raise my head, and my blurry eyesight couldn't completely pick up the person who spoke. However…

'This presence, this scent, this voice, this… it is…!'

It belonged to a crimson demon, coated in black. Her enthralling physique was still evident despite the dark outfit that clung tightly to her body. Her tail danced gently, and her wings were retracted at the time.

I couldn't tell when she arrived, and I also couldn't clearly see her face until she drew closer. Once she did, though, I noticed how shaky the smile on her face was.

"Karlia… is that you? It's been so long, hasn't it?" How could I not return her best efforts with a smile?

I did my best to give a toothy grin—though I could only imagine how awkward that would be, given my old age.

Several emotions ran through me. Nostalgia, relief, guilt… they all squirmed within me. Still, with all of these emotions, I couldn't dream of not staring at her.

"It's been very long to you, but not to me." Karlia sighed, drawing closer to my side as she spoke.

The cool scent of her alluring charm caused my body to relax. When did I last experience such a soothing sensation? The mere presence of this Succubus brought me so much satisfaction.

However, I still couldn't forget what happened the last time we met—how I chose Emilia over Karlia, and how much I hurt her.

Even though I didn't stay with Emilia for very long after that, I didn't settle with Karlia either. I lived out the rest of my life single—and while there were fulfilling points in it, I still felt that empty void that could only be filled with love.

Still, with many people here to wish me goodbye on my deathbed, I let go of those regrets and chose to die a happy man. I chose to let go of the burdens of the past and focus on the present—as well as my nonexistent future.

Unfortunately, Karlia hadn't moved beyond her past—at least, from how she looked at me.

"How have you been, Karlia?" I asked warmly.

"I've been traveling around, exploring many things. I learned lots of Magic Science from you during those times we spent together, do you remember? Well, I've been expanding my knowledge."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Yes. I might even know more than you already?"

"Hahaha! You really think so? Well, give it a couple of decades, and you'll probably surpass me. For now, though, I'll keep my title. Hehehe."

Surprisingly, we both burst out in laughter.

Even if it was just for a moment, it felt like old times—me and Karlia, all alone in the room, talking and laughing.

We went on to discuss many other things. I told her of my escapades, and she told me of hers. It turned out Karlia had been through so many adventures—exploring many regions of the world and experiencing so much.

It was good to hear that she was finally seeing the world. I genuinely felt happy to hear all that she was seeing—and the many more she would see. However… when I realized the point she was driving at, it saddened me a little.

"No matter how much I try, I can't forget it, Lewis. Believe me, I've tried all I can to forget about you—about us. But, it is impossible. I know that I truly love you, and that can't change."

It broke my heart to hear that. Here I was, on my deathbed, yet Karlia still couldn't let go of the connection we had.

"Tell me, Lewis. I truly want to know. Back then, when you chose Emilia over me… did you really feel nothing at all?"

'I see. So she still hasn't let go…' I thought to myself when I saw her glittering violet eyes.

I was going to die very soon. If there was any time to be honest and spill out the truth, now was a perfect time. Even though I lived with regrets, I didn't want to die with any.

"I have always loved you, Karlia. I loved you back then… and even now…" I stared at her, unable to let go of the past too.

I couldn't explain it. I couldn't ignore it. I couldn't avoid it.

Perhaps this was one of the reasons why Emilia and I eventually broke up. I couldn't completely disregard my feelings for Karlia despite choosing Emilia. And now, facing her, I couldn't lie to her any longer.

"Haa… is that so?"

"I'm sorry for lying to you. I had to make a choice back then."

"So why didn't you choose me?"

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. I didn't know what to say at that point. Did I love Emilia more than I loved her? Maybe.

Or maybe, with the way the situation had escalated—with Emilia being my wife and being hurt by Karlia's Miasma—I instinctively chose her.

I genuinely didn't know.

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[A/N]

Mass Release off 10 chapters incoming!!!

Also, you can purchase the privilege chapters if you can. They've been made more affordable, so you can check out what happens 50 chapters ahead.

Things are reaching the climax.

Also, doing so supports me as the Author, and it also improves the publicity of this book.

Thank you all for reading this far. I appreciate the support.