Reincarnated as the Weakest Magical Beast-Chapter 122: A friend

And so, the realization that Arventia Online was not the true Arventia—that it was merely a reflection of history rather than the living world itself—seemed to ease something tight within Amaras's chest. The hollow despair that had lingered in her crimson eyes gradually softened.

For the first time since her arrival, she did not look entirely defeated.

"Either way," Claire said gently, leaning against a nearby chair with a small smile, "are you feeling a little better now?"

"A little." Amaras nodded and lifted the cola can for another sip.

Then her eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint spark of mischief returned to her expression. "But tell me this," she added in a lighter tone, "now that you understand everything, are you not afraid I might change my mind and devour your existence completely?"

"What?" Claire placed a hand over her chest in exaggerated shock. "So you actually want to become a Noctifelis after all?"

"Haha, nah." Amaras let out a short laugh, shaking her head.

The humor, however, faded as quickly as it had appeared. She stared into the can for a moment before lowering it, her expression turning distant.

"Anyway… there is no future for me," she said quietly. "Sooner or later, I will disappear. Still, thank you. I truly do feel better now. I wish you and your master well in your future adventures."

With that, she rose and walked slowly toward the wide window.

Claire's apartment was modest, but its view was one of its redeeming qualities. Beyond the glass lay a small park washed in bright morning light. People strolled along the winding paths, children ran laughing across the grass, and couples sat beneath the trees in quiet comfort, unhurried and at ease in the warmth of the sun.

Amaras stood there in silence, watching the ordinary peace unfold.

After a while, she spoke, almost as if to herself.

"You know… your world is truly beautiful."

"Huh? How so?" Claire asked, blinking in mild surprise.

Amaras did not turn. Her gaze remained fixed on the scene outside.

"Can't you see? There are no demons here, no corruption eating away at the land, no endless wars, no curses that linger for generations," Amaras said slowly. "Peace exists almost everywhere. You can become anything, do anything, as long as you are willing to pour your heart and soul into it."

She paused, her reflection faint against the glass.

"Of course, your world still has its barriers. Social ones, systemic ones. Inequality still exists. It is not perfect. But even so… it is far kinder than the world I came from."

After a moment, her voice lowered.

"In Arventia, some children are born into chains before they can even speak. Commoners bow their heads not out of respect, but out of fear. The strong trample the weak, and the weak pray simply to survive the winter…"

Claire stepped forward and came to stand beside her, folding her arms loosely. Hearing such words spoken so calmly by the former King of Lionera felt strangely surreal.

"But come on," she protested with an exaggerated sigh. "It's such a boring world!" She waved a hand for emphasis. "There's no magic here, no dragons soaring across the sky, no ancient ruins packed with treasure. Sure, slavery doesn't exist anymore like you said, but most people still spend their lives working jobs they don't even like! Nine to five, five days a week, repeating the same routine until the day they die. There's literally no chance of epic adventures!"

"So what? That 'boring' life of yours is what many of us once dreamed of!" Amaras said, narrowing her eyes in mild annoyance. "A single day without fear. A single night when no one must stand guard against monsters beyond the walls… I would have given my life without hesitation if it meant my people could live even one day the way your people do!"

She tilted her head slightly.

"And not to mention, your food," she added with a faint smirk, lifting the cola can, "is extraordinary as well. It is something worth envying."

Claire could not help but chuckle. "All right, fair point."

Even if she had not been reincarnated as a Noctifelis who could barely taste half the delicacies of the modern world, she would still have missed it.

The endless rows of potato chips in the strangest flavors imaginable. The painfully spicy Korean noodles that left her in tears but craving more. The cheap street snacks, the late-night convenience store runs, the simple comfort of microwave meals after a long day.

And not just food.

There was also the internet, animes, mangas, light novels.

Entire worlds at her fingertips.

It was almost tragic, when she thought about it, that there were series she had followed for years whose endings she would now never see. Stories frozen forever in suspense because she had crossed into another one.

Yet even so…

Perhaps it truly was as people said—the grass always seemed greener on the other side.

While Amaras envied the quiet stability of Earth, Claire still found Arventia a hundred times better than this peaceful world.

There were dangers, yes, and tragedies beyond counting. But there was also magic and purpose, bonds forged in battle, the thrill of watching the numbers on her status screen steadily rise, and the chance to meet and befriend with countless magical beasts.

And that… in itself, was incredibly addictive. In a way, a world designed just for her.

****

Somehow, after speaking so openly, Amaras no longer felt like a distant enemy carved from shadow and hatred. The sharp edges had softened. Somewhere along the way, she had begun to feel… human.

And that was precisely why it hurt to notice what was happening.

Little by little, Amaras's form was growing faint. The edges of her silhouette blurred, as though she were made of mist touched by sunlight. Each passing minute made her slightly more transparent.

The sight tugged at Claire's chest in a way she had not expected.

After a few more quiet exchanges, Claire finally turned to her.

"King Amaras," she said carefully, her voice trembling despite her effort to steady it, "is there any way for you to stay here? To not… disappear completely? There has to be something, right?"

Amaras stared at her in silence, her crimson eyes fixed on Claire's face as though searching for something she did not quite expect to find.

After a long moment, she shook her head and let out a low, almost amused chuckle.

"Hah… what is this now?" she said, one brow lifting slightly. "Girl, do not tell me you cannot bear to see me go."

"Yes!" Claire blurted out, the words bursting free before she could stop them. Her face flushed red, tears welling up in her eyes as her voice rose. "You're right! I can't bear it! I really can't!"

"Hey—hey, calm down," Amaras said quickly, raising a hand. "What is this all of a sudden?"

She was genuinely startled. She had not expected such raw emotion.

Claire shook her head, tears spilling over as she struggled to explain herself.

"I don't know why," she sobbed, pressing her lips together as if afraid she might lose control entirely, "but I really… really don't want to let you go."

She swallowed hard, her shoulders trembling.

"After all… you are one of the only people in Arventia who can truly understand me," she continued, wiping at her eyes in frustration. "Even my master can only hear my meows. No matter how much I think or feel, I can never say it aloud. But you… you know everything! You can become my friend!"

For a moment, Amaras said nothing.

Then, slowly, her expression softened.

"…Ah. I see."

She hesitated, her hand hovering uncertainly in the air, before finally reaching out and resting it atop Claire's head. Her touch was careful, almost awkward, as though she were unused to gestures of comfort.

If she could stay, even like this—speaking with Claire from time to time, sharing thoughts, frustrations, and quiet moments—then perhaps… it would not be such a terrible fate.

But—

"Grrrghhh… damn it all!" Amaras suddenly growled, raking a hand through her hair. "There is a way. I suppose there is. But I still don't want to become a Noctifelis at all!"

Claire's head snapped up instantly, her tear-filled eyes widening.

"Wait—there is?" she asked breathlessly. "There's really a way?"

"Well… perhaps," Amaras admitted reluctantly. "In theory, at least. But you would have to endure something very painful. Not only physically, but mentally too!"

"I don't care!" Claire answered without even a second's pause. "Not even a little!"

She grabbed Amaras's sleeve, eyes shining with determination.

"Your Majesty," she said earnestly, "please. Tell me what it is!"

After all, she had spent so long alone, trapped in a body that could not speak, unable to share her thoughts with anyone.

Now that she had finally found someone like Amaras, someone who could understand her without barriers or translation, there was no way she would let her disappear so easily!

"Alright, alright!" Amaras said at last, placing a hand against Claire's shoulder and gently pushing her back, a slightly awkward smile tugging at her lips. "You are far too close. Give me your phone now!"

"My… phone?" Claire blinked in confusion. "Of course, but how is my phone supposed to help you avoid disappearing?"

"Ugh." Amaras clicked her tongue impatiently. "I need it to order food!"

Claire stared at her. "Order… food?"

"Well, if I am going to become a Noctifelis," Amaras said, folding her arms with regal seriousness that did not match the topic at all, "then I refuse to do so without tasting every sweet delicacy your world has to offer first!"

"Oooooh!" Claire gasped, finally understood.

Amaras then pointed dramatically toward the kitchen, as though issuing a royal decree.

"So hurry! Before I lose opposable thumbs and half of my taste buds!"