The meeting had lasted hours.
Discussions, reports, and endless paperwork by the time it ended, the moon already hung high in the sky.
Milly walked down the quiet corridor of the academy villa, the sound of waves crashing softly in the distance. Her human disguise shimmered faintly under the moonlight silver hair, blue eyes, calm expression.
"Finally done…" she muttered, rubbing her neck. "That Headmistress sure can talk."
She entered her room, shutting the door behind her. The room was dim, the curtains gently swaying from the night breeze.
She threw herself onto the bed, stretching out with a long sigh.
"Tomorrow, no early classes. I deserve to sle-"
Suddenly, her head throbbed.
A sharp, deep pain, like a spike driving through her thoughts.
"Gh!"
She gripped her head, eyes wide open. Her vision blurred, and her breath quickened.
The world tilted. The ceiling seemed to vanish.
Then, flashes.
A vast fortress shrouded in fog.
A familiar, towering figure, his stone armor gleaming faintly under dim torchlight.
A calm, low voice saying her name.
"...Milly."
Her eyes trembled. "That voice… Basei?"
The pain intensified, and the memories hit harder.
Laughter in a warm bath. The sound of splashing water.
Her own voice echoing, teasingly loud
'Hey, stop staring!'
Milly's eyes shot open wide, her face burning red.
She slapped both hands over her cheeks, rolling over in bed. "Wha-! Why THAT memory first?!"
Her silver hair scattered across the pillow as she hid her face in embarrassment.
"Oh great, now I can't even sleep without blushing like an idiot…"
She sighed deeply, her heart still racing.
Then, softer - quieter, she whispered to herself, "So… Basei. You really were there, huh?"
Her expression softened.
The pain faded, leaving only warmth and the faint echo of old laughter.
She closed her eyes, whispering one last thought before drifting off -
"Maybe… it's time I remember the rest."
The room fell silent once more, the moonlight gently illuminating her sleeping form.