"Your invitation... I accept," Akiza said.
She now understood the truth.
Sayer was never the person she thought he was. Not from the very beginning. She now knew what she and all her friends at Arcadia meant to him—
They were just pawns—no, less than pawns. They were weapons, expendable ones at that. Sayer would squeeze every ounce of value from them and discard them when they were spent.
Akiza cried all night; her world had collapsed.
But thankfully, just before discovering the truth, her world had already started to change. It no longer revolved solely around Sayer and the Arcadia Movement. That's why she didn't break down completely. That's why she returned, coming once again before Goodwin.
This man, Director Goodwin, made her recall her original path—the one dream she'd thought was lost forever.
Goodwin and the Sector Security could give her that chance—to begin again as a Duelist.
And, from their previous duel, she knew how strong he was—profoundly so. Her intuition told her that if she stayed close to him, she might grow stronger, faster, and learn to master her own abilities.
Yes... For the first time in years, Akiza no longer simply hated her own power. After hearing the words of both Yusei and Goodwin at the Fortune Cup, she had begun to seriously reflect, wondering if she could learn to fully control her power, using it to improve herself.
"Oh? You've made up your mind?" Goodwin chuckled. "You don't hate me anymore?"
Akiza shook her head, hesitated, then whispered, "About what happened before... I'm sorry. I know you're actually a good person."
"Ahem..." Goodwin coughed.
"I wouldn't call myself a 'good person'—everyone is just working for their own goals."
After a pause, he continued, "But the reason I held the Fortune Cup was to gather you Signers, to fight the Dark Signers threatening to destroy our world.
Wanting to protect the world—about that, I am sincere."
Akiza nodded, "What do you need me to do?"
"Mainly, fight the Dark Signers," Goodwin replied. "Don't worry about where they are; each Signer has a fated Dark Signer counterpart. She'll come for you soon enough.
I've already compiled information on your rival Signer. She believes you killed her closest loved one. She's willing to descend into hell itself for vengeance..."
Akiza was shocked. "I killed her loved one? Who?"
"It wasn't you—it was Sayer. But Sayer set you up as the scapegoat. The details are complicated, and you'll get a full dossier for review once you're back.
But let me warn you: clearing up the misunderstanding with Dark Signers won't spare you from battle. Their souls are already sold to the evil gods. Even if they lose their own will to fight, the gods won't allow it. One way or another, you must face them—and win.
I'm giving you this information so you'll understand your enemy, find an advantage, and not carry unnecessary guilt. All this—knowing the truth—can even shake your opponent in battle.
This isn't just for yourself; it's for the whole world. You understand, right?"
Akiza hesitated, bit her lip, and finally nodded.
She then asked, "Is there anything else I should do?"
Though defeating the Dark Signers sounded important, it also felt like her destined mission as a Signer. She'd thought maybe she was being asked to do other work—something related to her psychic abilities.
"Anything else? Not really. Right now, the priority is the Dark Signers," Goodwin said, then half-joked, "At worst, you could be my secretary—serving tea, paperwork, errands..."
Akiza nodded seriously, "Okay. When do I start?"
"...I was joking."
Goodwin looked helplessly at her earnest, humorless face.
"You're not even of age, right? The Security doesn't hire minors."
Akiza might've seemed mature, but she was only sixteen—a high schooler. He hadn't forgotten that.
"Once this is over, just go finish your studies at Duel Academy. If you're still interested, you can apply then. Oh, and about the Arcadia Movement..."
Goodwin changed the topic.
"Sayer might be gone, but some of the ideals of the movement—even if they were just a facade—have value.
Regardless of purpose, the Arcadia Movement did provide a home for those without one.
What started as a lie doesn't have to stay that way. It could still become the home you all dreamed of."
Akiza's expression shifted, "You mean...?"
"The Arcadia Movement can still become the sanctuary you all want—free from lies, betrayal, and harm. If needed, the Security can provide resources and support to help things get on track.
But I'm still an outsider. You'll need someone from within—one with enough reputation and recognition—to take the lead."
Goodwin looked pointedly at Akiza, hinting clearly.
"You mean... me?"
Akiza shook her head. "I can't. I don't have that ability. I'm not someone who can bring hope, or lead others..."
"Can't? Or don't want to?" Goodwin asked.
Akiza looked down in silence.
"As I thought," Goodwin smiled, stood up, and patted her shoulder.
"You can become much better than you are now. You don't have to be the Black Rose Witch who brings despair and fear.
You can bring hope, be admired, be needed. I knew you were special the first time I saw you.
The question is—do you want to change?"
"I do," Akiza met his gaze, her decision made.
"I want to be someone people need."
"Then do it," Goodwin smiled. "You can become anything you want, Akiza Izinski."
Akiza almost teared up, her nose stinging with emotion.
She nodded hard. "Yes!"
After a while, her expression grew complicated. "Thank you."
Goodwin turned to the window, waving her out stylishly.
"No need to thank me. As the director of this city, it's my job to make things better. Off you go."
Akiza nodded, turned to leave—and paused outside. She wiped away the tears she could no longer hold back. Then, raising her head, her eyes filled with resolve.
Inside, Kira took a seat, closing his eyes.
He felt—just for a moment—as if he really had started to fit the role of Director Goodwin—
…