I'm Not the Heroine-Chapter 67

[It is possible.]

The first words I heard made my heart race.

Though it only applied to a part of the **Infinity Atelier**, this entity was omniscient. It said there was a way to disregard fate.

It felt as though I had received a clear answer from a god.

“Then, can you make me like that?”

The use of **Infinity Atelier** worked like this.

To harness the power of the atelier that controlled the surrounding area, a command was given.

Once the command was issued, everything I knew through **The Record** would change in an appropriate form to make my command come true.

Though there were some limitations in this process, they were trivial compared to the immense power. A slight dizziness was the only noticeable effect.

The reason for this was the entity’s tacit approval—or permission.

However, for the first time, the entity set a condition.

[For the sake of **■■** in fate, I will give you a trial.]

A trial?

I didn’t care.

If I could embark on the journey again with **Aswell**, **Aria**, **Serelin**, **Lafiré**, and **Nia**, I would do anything.

It was better than sitting helplessly, researching ways to reverse things, unable to do anything like I was now.

Kuh-kwung...

The sound of massive machinery reverberated through The Record.

It was as though the entity had begun calculations, with translucent numbers flickering in its mechanical eyes, constantly rising and disappearing.

When the entity’s eyes returned to normal, another rumbling sound began to echo throughout The Record.

This time, it felt as though it wasn’t just within The Record, but the entire universe and reality were being affected.

[--- -- --- the body’s prototype, and --- -- --- the truth it operates, define it in one word.]

In exchange...

[The procedure for **■■** in fate has already begun.]

“Louis? Are you okay?”

In the next moment, I found myself in **Aswell’s** arms.

“...I found it.”

I muttered those words before losing consciousness again.

---

**Time Passes...**

“...Aswell?”

“The hero is not here, my disciple.”

My body ached as if I had slept for several nights.

When I woke up, I found myself lying in the room of **Stormblast Duke’s estate**, with my master, **El**, sitting beside me.

“Master...”

I felt strangely guilty about looking at my master’s face.

But I had to say it.

“Master.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve found the way. I asked that entity... directly.”

“...”

Master was silent for a moment. Then, he looked at me with soft eyes and asked:

“Well, what did it say?”

“It gave me two trials.”

Instead, something I didn’t know had already begun.

It didn’t feel like something had to be sacrificed to achieve it; rather, it felt more like the opposite.

In order to accomplish something, at least these trials should be undertaken.

I knew this because the **Infinity Atelier** had always fulfilled my commands without any trials or sacrifices until now.

Master stared at me for a while, his gaze intense.

“Louis.”

“Yes?”

“Do you really care so much for the hero party?”

Suddenly, **Aswell’s** face flashed in my mind.

I didn’t respond but silently nodded.

“Enough to shake the laws of the world, huh?”

“…Yes.”

Saying this made my chest ache slightly.

But I was no longer the powerless me from before.

“Master.”

“Yes?”

“I think, in the past six months, I’ve been truly happy.”

“...”

“Of course, there were crises, and danger followed us, but... being with them made me so happy.”

“I see.”

“In fact, up until now, I haven’t carried any responsibility. Everyone was united by the common mission of defeating the Demon King, but not me.”

The reason I initially joined the hero party was to acquire materials for my magic research.

But unlike me, my companions were all moving with the heavy responsibility of defeating the Demon King.

“I think the reason I want to return to the hero party is because I want to protect and help them.”

So, when I heard that I might endanger them, I thought of giving up.

But the entity gave me a way, and in exchange, it demanded two trials.

If that’s the case, then isn’t it okay to be a little greedy?

“Louis, I once told you why you shouldn’t use the forbidden magic anymore.”

“Yes.”

“At that time, I was worried that that entity would descend upon you and cause your mind to collapse. I still haven’t changed my mind about that.”

“...”

“The reason part of the Ice Castle turned white was also because of that entity’s influence. That’s why I thought meeting the entity directly would be more dangerous. I considered avoiding it, but...”

Master had always prioritized me, moving for my safety.

“I’ll find a way.”

“...!”

“I couldn’t break my disciple’s will, so I will find a way to keep you safe from that entity.”

And that hasn’t changed.

“...Master.”

“You fool, disciple. If you want to achieve something, go ahead. I’ll help you from behind, as you foolishly strive forward.”

I nearly cried without realizing it.

Since becoming like this, no, since becoming a person in this world, my emotions have become so much stronger.

“Since the hero party is leaving soon, you should prepare. Also, go see **Lati** before you go.”

“Lati?”

“Thanks to her, the hero was able to save you.”

After Master left, I intended to go look for **Lati**.

But I didn’t need to.

“Louis!”

“Lati...?”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. More than that, thank you.”

“What for?”

“...For helping **Aswell**.”

Lati, who had been staring at me for a moment, smiled.

“Louis. Do you remember the time?”

“Which time?”

“The day we first met.”

It had been about two months after I became Master’s disciple, during early spring.

At that time, I was wandering the mountains searching for materials when I came across Lati, who was staring blankly at the sky.

“I was practically alive because you spoke to me that day.”

She had said she felt a deep emptiness then.

A feeling like depression, experienced only by immortal creatures who lived too long.

“I had lost interest in everything.”

Time flowed endlessly, and everything except me was dying, yet I was still alive.

At that time, Lati’s eyes were void of life.

“But then, you appeared.”

She had met a girl wandering near the Ice Castle of **Stormblast**.

“I was surprised when I found out that El’s disciple was a human, especially one with such magic knowledge.”

From then on, I became a mysterious human to Lati.

“And since meeting you, I’ve regained interest in everything again.”

That was when Lati began to look around.

She noticed **Kunder**, who had been caring for her without her realizing it. Eventually, they continued meeting and married.

“Louis, I think of you as my little sister, but in truth, it’s more than that.”

She was like a sister, but closer to a savior.

So this time, as her older sister, she helped me.

“Lati...”

“Thank you, Louis. I will also find a way to help you, just like El did. And I will support you with all my heart for the path you will walk from now on.”

“Thank you, sister.”

Finally, it was **Kunder**.

He was pacing nervously outside my door, unable to enter, so I opened it and let him in.

“...”

“...”

“...Ahem.”

For some reason, **Kunder** was avoiding my gaze and clearing his throat.

I wondered why, when suddenly, I remembered how **Aswell** was covered in soot.

“...Kunder. You were too harsh on **Aswell**.”

“Sorry...”

**Kunder** stammered, apologizing.

Seeing him fluster like that made me laugh.

“...Haha. Still, thank you. You did it for me in the end.”

“Well, as an older brother, it’s the least I can do.”

Even though I treated **Kunder** like this, in many ways, he was like a father to me.

While Master acted like both a mother and teacher, **Kunder** had helped me without making it obvious.

“Thank you. Truly.”

I hugged **Kunder** to express my gratitude, and for a moment, he quietly hugged me back.

“...If you ever want to return to

**Stormblast**, do so.”

The mention of a 'home' almost made my tears well up again, but I managed to hold them back. With that, I finished my last farewells with the three of them.

---

The next morning, I looked at the spatial pocket, packed full with magic materials, research notes, **Stormblast**’s specialty products, and items from the **Inferblaino** volcano, and waved toward the mansion.

Flap.

“Lux. It’s been a while.”

I patted **Nightlux**’s black mane and headed toward the **Stormblast** gate, where I encountered the five of them.

“Louis!”

“Louis!”

“Louis!”

“Sister!!”

They greeted me warmly, running to embrace me.

This was another home of mine, different from **Stormblast**.

“Thank you all.”

“Sister!”

“You’ve really become more lively now!”

Finally, I stood in front of **Aswell**, who had been looking at a map while watching me.

“As...”

As soon as **Aswell** noticed me, he looked up and smiled.

Thump.

“Louis.”

Thump. Thump.

He held my hand and congratulated me on returning.

I could feel my face heat up instantly.

Though it was probably not visible, I imagined my face must have been bright red.

But...

I didn’t avoid his gaze. I looked directly at him and gave a gentle smile.

“Thank you, **Aswell**.”

The hero party’s journey begins anew.