Journey to Become the Zenith

The Place Where Souls Rest

"I understand."

There wasn’t the slightest trace of disappointment in her voice.

Instead...

She smiled peacefully.

"This is already more than I ever hoped for."

A gentle silence settled over the room.

After a long moment, the woman turned toward Victor once more.

"Victor..."

"There is one thing I still don’t understand."

Victor continued maintaining the technique.

"What is it?"

"You’ve only known my daughter for a short time."

"You owe our family nothing."

"So..."

"Why are you willing to go this far?"

Clara unconsciously looked toward him as well.

She wanted to know the answer.

Victor remained silent for several seconds.

Then he spoke in his usual calm voice.

"I told Clara something earlier."

"I don’t make promises lightly."

"When I accept an agreement..."

"I see it through."

He briefly glanced toward Clara.

"She entrusted everything she had to me."

"I accepted."

"That means her burdens are now part of our agreement."

"I simply keep my word."

His answer was straightforward.

Without embellishment.

Without false kindness.

Yet hearing those simple words caused Clara’s eyes to tremble.

She lowered her head.

A faint warmth quietly spread through her heart.

He really... meant it...

The woman watched the two of them before a knowing smile appeared on her face.

"I see."

"My daughter chose well."

Clara’s face immediately turned red.

"M-Mother..."

"It isn’t like that..."

The woman laughed softly.

"My little one."

"You may fool yourself..."

"But you cannot fool your mother."

Clara became even more flustered.

"I-I told you..."

"You’re misunderstanding..."

Victor merely ignored their exchange.

His attention never left the spiritual formation.

A few moments later...

The ancient symbols surrounding the woman gradually slowed.

The brilliant golden threads gently sank into her translucent body before disappearing completely.

The dazzling light filling the room slowly faded.

Victor finally lowered his hands.

"It’s done."

The woman looked down at herself.

The constant feeling of fading had vanished.

Although her body remained transparent, it was no longer unstable.

She took a deep breath out of habit before letting out a gentle laugh.

"It worked..."

"It truly worked."

Clara rushed forward.

"Mom!"

The woman smiled warmly.

"I’ll be staying for a little while longer."

"But remember..."

She gently raised a finger.

"This isn’t a miracle."

"I’ve already passed on."

"So don’t cling to me."

"Live your own life."

"Protect your sisters."

"And don’t carry guilt for the rest of your days."

Clara bit her lip before nodding through her tears.

"I promise..."

"I’ll become someone you’d be proud of."

The woman gently reached out.

Although her hand passed through Clara’s cheek, Clara still instinctively leaned into the gesture.

"I’m already proud of you."

Victor quietly stepped back, giving the mother and daughter the precious moments they still had together.

He knew better than to interrupt a farewell that had been delayed for so many years.

--------------

The room gradually fell silent.

The last traces of golden light faded into the air.

Victor quietly exhaled.

The technique had succeeded.

He looked at Clara’s mother for a long moment before speaking.

"Your soul has stabilized."

A relieved smile appeared on her translucent face.

"So... I’m safe?"

Victor slowly shook his head.

"For now."

"The technique only prevented your soul from disappearing."

"It hasn’t fully recovered."

"You’ve exhausted nearly everything keeping your spirit together."

She lowered her gaze to her transparent hands.

"I see..."

Victor continued calmly.

"You need to rest."

"A long rest."

"How long...?"

"I don’t know."

"It depends entirely on your soul."

"It could be months."

"It could be years."

"You’ll awaken only after your spiritual essence has recovered enough."

A hint of surprise crossed her face, but she soon smiled peacefully.

"I’ve already waited years trapped inside that curse."

"I suppose waiting a little longer isn’t so frightening."

Victor gave a small nod.

She looked around curiously before tilting her head.

"Then..."

"Where exactly am I supposed to rest?"

A playful smile appeared on her lips.

"Surely you aren’t expecting me to float around following you everywhere?"

Even Clara managed a weak smile through her tears.

Victor raised a finger and lightly touched the center of his chest.

"Here."

She blinked.

"...Your heart?"

Victor shook his head.

"Not physically."

"My Spiritual Domain."

"It exists within my soul."

"It is the safest place for you."

"No one can disturb you there."

The woman looked at him with quiet amazement.

"You carry an inner spiritual world..."

Victor simply smiled without answering.

Some things were better left unexplained.

She nodded slowly.

"And..."

"How do I enter?"

Victor extended his hand.

"Your soul is already linked to mine."

"Simply take my hand."

"The contract will guide you the rest of the way."

The translucent woman looked at his outstretched hand.

For a brief moment...

She glanced toward Clara.

"My little one."

Clara immediately stepped forward.

"...Mom."

The woman smiled warmly.

"Don’t cry anymore."

"I’ll be watching over you."

"Even if you can’t see me."

Clara bit her trembling lip before nodding.

"I’ll become stronger."

"I promise."

"And..."

"I’ll protect Kary and Nira."

The woman gently nodded.

"I know you will."

She then turned back toward Victor.

Without hesitation...

She placed her transparent hand into his.

The instant their hands met...

Golden ripples spread through the air.

The connection between their souls resonated softly.

Victor quietly closed his eyes.

"Relax."

"Don’t resist."

She obeyed.

Her body gradually transformed into countless tiny particles of warm golden light.

One by one...

They drifted toward Victor.

Instead of entering his body...

They disappeared into the space around his heart.

Far beyond the physical body...

Within the depths of his Spiritual Domain.

...

Darkness.

Boundless and silent.

The woman slowly opened her eyes.

She found herself standing within an endless black space.

There was no fear.

Only peace.

A gentle breeze brushed past her.

Then...

Not far away...

A simple wooden bed appeared, illuminated by a soft golden glow.

It felt strangely warm.

Inviting.

Almost as though it had been waiting for her.

She smiled faintly.

"So from now on..."

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