Epilogue

Rei woke up with a sharp breath.

“Itsuki—!”

The word escaped before he even realized it.

Enshin was there, arms crossed, watching him.

“You woke up and you’re already panicking about him? How about thinking of yourself for once?”

Rei blinked. “Me? Why? I’m fine. But Itsuki—”

“He’s alive.”

The words hit him.

Rei froze. Then his shoulders dropped, all the tension leaving his body at once. A shaky breath escaped his lips.

Haa…

Enshin stepped aside, pulling the curtain open.

“But he’s in a coma. The Doctors don’t know if, or when he’ll wake up.”

Rei got out of bed slowly. His chest flared with pain.

Ouch…

He ignored it and stepped closer.

Itsuki lay there, unmoving. Tubes, bandages and dark veins still spread across parts of his skin, like scars left behind by something that refused to fully disappear.

Rei swallowed.

“I see… but at least he’s alive.” A small smile tugged at his lips.

“Yes,” Enshin said. “But your plan was reckless. You always risk yourself. Start thinking of number one : you.”

Rei turned, grinning.

“It worked, didn’t it? So all good. I’m not that hurt. I’ll live.”

Enshin exhaled.

“About that. Look at your chest.”

Rei frowned, pulling his shirt aside. Then he saw it. A thin, black mark above his heart.

“Huh, what is that?”

Enshin looked away. “We don’t know. You’ll need regular checkups.”

Then he added, more casually

“But that’s okay. You’ll see us plenty anyway.”

Rei blinked. “Why?”

“Because,” Enshin said, a small smile on his face, “you’re our Technomagician now.”

“…Technomagician?”

“Thanks to you, we know that tech doesn’t weaken magic. It amplifies it. The council was so impressed, they made a spot just for you.”

Rei’s eyes widened.

“Really? But I already have a job. I’m a magician.”

Enshin chuckled.

“Right. And this helps. You will have free access to our materials. Imagine all the cool gadgets, you can create for your show?

Rei didn’t hesitate.

“Deal.”

A short pause.

“And the tournament?” Rei asked, nervous again.

Enshin reached into his coat and handed him a small vial.

“As promised. Potion for your mother. I’ll check on her too. I think she was infected by malicious aura. And in this case maybe we can fix it.”

Rei’s throat tightened.

“Really? My mom , s-she can be saved?”

Tears spilled before he could stop them.

All the pain, all the fear… worth it.

He wiped his face and looked up.

“And the others? It wouldn’t be fair if I was the only one rewarded.”

Enshin facepalmed, shaking his head.

“Still thinking about others…”

He lit a cigarette. Fsshh.

“Don’t worry. Everyone got their share. Now rest.”

Rei nodded. Then he lay back down, exhaustion finally catching up to him. His eyes slowly closed.

Thank you, Enshin. 

Thanks to you, I lived incredible adventures.

I made real friends.

I saved my mother.

I even found a place in this world.

Thank you. Everyone. Truly.