[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
In the snowy valley of winter.
The white-haired girl's smile was more beautiful than the moonlight.
For some reason, as Allen watched this scene, an inexplicable fire ignited in his heart. The flames burned his mind numb and left his body icy cold.
As a swordsman, his sword hand should be steady.
But under the cover of night, Allen's hand trembled slightly.
This had only happened twice before, somewhat similar yet entirely different.
The similarity was that both instances occurred under the gaze of the same person.
The difference was that the emotions in her eyes were completely opposite.
The first time was in a dream, where the green-haired girl's eyes were dull and gloomy.
The second time was at the bottom of the valley, where the white-haired girl's eyes burned with joy and intensity.
Sylphie's intense gaze intertwined with the fire in Allen's heart, making him feel uneasy. Almost instinctively, he reached out his hand, as if wanting to touch Sylphie's snow-white hair, which had turned pale due to mana exhaustion.
But his hand froze mid-air.
At this moment, as his gaze fell on Sylphie's hair again, he suddenly understood why the fire in his heart had ignited.
It stemmed from the crumpled "memorandum" in the Greyrat family's drawer.
Over the past year, countless writings, densely packed with "future visions," were the result of Allen constantly interrogating his own heart.
Should he give up on foreseeing the future? Should he change the future?
Should he avoid the catastrophic consequences of the Great Teleportation?
In the current storyline he was part of, could Paul avoid death? Could Zenith's laughter continue to echo through the Greyrat household?
And even...
If the Great Teleportation could be avoided...
Could Sylphie's hair also avoid turning snow-white?
If she weren't teleported high into the sky, could she avoid mana exhaustion and maintain her beautiful emerald-green hair?
And yet.
Before the Great Teleportation had even occurred, at a time when Allen believed he still had choices...
Sylphie's hair had already turned white.
Ahead of the original timeline, under Allen's watchful eyes, stirred by the butterfly effect.
It had turned white.
Without giving him a chance to react.
Allen's thoughts raced.
But Sylphie's actions were just as swift.
As his mind churned with chaotic thoughts, his suspended hand was enveloped by a pair of soft, small hands.
Allen looked up at Sylphie, who wore an apologetic expression. She carefully held his hand and slowly guided it to her snow-white hair.
He was speechless with shock.
Sylphie, her face clearly showing fatigue, smiled shyly.
Allen's hand was large and calloused from years of sword practice. To her, it felt familiar and safe.
A green glow emanated from Sylphie's hand, spreading over Allen's body.
A silent healing spell.
In the night, the white-haired girl's voice, though tired, remained soft and gentle.
"Allen, your expression is a bit scary... I know that with your skills, you can ensure your own safety. That's why you wanted to throw us to safety in mid-air. But..."
Sylphie looked at Allen's face, her words apologetic, but her eyes filled with determination.
"I was still worried... How are the wounds on your back? Have they healed? I've been diligently studying healing spells. Look, I can even cast them without chanting now. Last year, you said that once I got better, I could heal you. But there was never a chance, and it seems like many of your techniques put a lot of strain on your body..."
"What I mean is..."
"Maybe you need me too."
Allen stared at Sylphie, suddenly realizing that his presence as a butterfly had already stirred up a storm.
Over the past year, Sylphie hadn't just been imitating his expressions or Roxy's way of speaking.
Even her personality had diverged from the original story. While she still retained her gentle nature, her stubbornness—once she set her mind on something, she wouldn't budge—had emerged earlier, freed from the shadows of her childhood insecurities.
In the original story, this trait was only evident in her deep loyalty and friendship with Ariel. But when she was with Rudy, she was mostly the gentle, understanding "White Mama." It wasn't as pronounced.
But in Old Rudy's timeline, it was especially clear—when Rudy fell into despair after Roxy's death, she still heeded Ariel's call and, without much preparation, resolutely followed Ariel and Luke to the royal capital, ultimately meeting her end.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Sylphie's soft body collapsed into his arms.
Allen was jolted back to reality.
"Sylphie?"
"It's okay... I'm just a little tired... My mana seems to be running low... Sorry, but at least I managed to cast one healing spell..."
Allen looked at Sylphie in his arms, his emotions surging uncontrollably. He felt as though something was about to overflow, but there was no time to dwell on it.
The stench of monsters filled the air, wafting past his nose.
Sylphie wanted to say something more, but Allen flicked her forehead with his finger. Then, with a swift motion, he flung his arm toward the cliff wall.
The cliff shattered, and with precise control, his aura eroded the rock. In just a breath, a miniature cave, filled with densely packed holes, appeared before them.
Allen scooped Sylphie up in his arms and, despite her flustered attempts to cover her face, placed her inside the cave.
"This way, even if the monsters dig into the cliff, we'll notice it in advance... After all, this situation arose because of my suggestion. Just rest and recover. Leave the rest to me."
Hearing Allen's words, Sylphie parted her fingers slightly, peeking out at him with her eyes.
Allen had already turned his back to her.
His arm rose in the darkness.
A sword swing!
The blade's wind rippled outward like waves!
The monsters that had silently closed in around them were blasted into a bloody mist!
Limbs and debris rained down, drenching Allen in blood.
His voice carried through the air to Sylphie's ears.
"Close your eyes. Rest. Recover your mana."
"Don't look. Don't listen. Don't think."
Beyond the outline of his figure, in the thick darkness, countless pairs of crimson eyes glowed like swarming bees, stretching endlessly into the valley.
The monsters were terrifying, but Sylphie only looked at Allen's back—his wounds had already healed.
She let out a tired sigh and obediently closed her eyes.
"Okay. But... it might take a while before I can cast another healing spell..."
"It's fine. I still have plenty of energy."
"...I don't believe you. Teacher said in her letter that you like to lie."
"Trust me. All you need to do is wait."
Sylphie leaned against the cliff wall, her eyes closed, a smile playing on her lips.
"Okay, I trust you. But... how long do I need to wait?"
"...If your mana is exhausted, it'll take at least a night to recover. So, you'll need to wait for me..."
In the night, Allen's lips curled into a smile as he raised his broken blade toward the surging "sea" of monsters.
The monsters screeched!
The beast tide surged!
The ground trembled!
His voice rang out, firm and resolute, echoing through the night wind.
"Fight until dawn!!"
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 130 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 70 power stones I will publish the next chapter.