Chapter 212 : Chapter 212 But I Can't Become the Magician in the Story
As soon as these four words were spoken, Little Herta, who had just taken a bite of pudding, immediately froze.
Although she was not yet six years old, she already understood the meaning of death.
She didn't know what to say to comfort Mu, let alone what would be appropriate to do next.
Even after returning to her own home, her expression remained one of dazed confusion.
Seeing Little Herta so distracted, her young mother reached out, pulled her into her arms, kissed her forehead, and asked gently,
"What are you thinking about, my child?"
"Mama... how did Mu's parents die...?" Little Herta asked dejectedly.
"...Did you ask him? Sigh..."
Her mother sighed deeply, her palm stroking the back of Little Herta's head as she began to explain.
"Little Ta, the defense forces and doctors at the United Government's Border Fortress in the Labyrinth Zone face crises every moment."
"Every day, monsters emerge from the Labyrinth Zone to fight to the death with the Border Defense Forces. Since the birth of Virtual Substance Lifeforms, such days have always been the norm."
"Mu's parents were doctors with the Border Defense Force, and his mother was a good friend of mine."
"In terms of seniority, Little Ta should politely call them Uncle and Aunt, but because of the United Government's assignments, you have never met them."
"Eighty-seven days ago, your uncle took Mu to the Border Hospital to perform the first mechanical prosthetic transplant surgery to gain experience."
"Don't be fooled by the fact that Mu is only two years older than you; in truth, he showed terrifying medical talent at an even younger age."
"Many novel and practical medicinal formulas were developed by him."
"...The surgery was very successful, and Mu was even interviewed by United Government reporters that day, but no one expected..."
"That night, many new types of Virtual Substance Lifeforms with short-range teleportation abilities raided the Border Defense Forces."
"Many people died that night, including Mu's parents. If they hadn't used a spatial leap device to send Mu away, I'm afraid..."
Hearing this, Little Herta bit her lip.
Thinking back to her behavior when she questioned Mu earlier, her heart was filled with regret.
To have the most painful scar in one's heart torn open by someone else, yet still have to answer in a voice that sounded incredibly calm.
"So that's why Mama wanted me to help Mu cheer up..." Little Herta's eyes welled up with mist.
"More than that, when I was pregnant with you, both your father and I were indebted to Mu's parents. If they hadn't risked their lives to save us, we wouldn't be in this world at all."
"Before Little Ta was born? What happened then?"
"We were assassinated by rebels and had one foot in the River Styx. Little Ta, don't blame your father for being strict with you and making you learn all kinds of knowledge since you were four. He is also afraid that if something sudden happens to him one day, he won't be able to teach you more..."
Little Herta felt uneasy listening to this.
And Herta, looking back at the past from the future, felt even more uncomfortable.
When this happened, she was only five years old and lacked sufficient empathy for such matters.
She could only imagine—imagine how she would react and how sad she would be if her own parents suddenly departed.
But things one hasn't experienced and doesn't want to experience are destined to be difficult to truly empathize with.
"We owe a debt of gratitude to Mu's family that wouldn't be overpaid even with our lives."
"That was Mama's original intention in asking you to spend more time with Mu; she wanted him to emerge from his grief."
"He is still young and has a bright future. Even if he chooses to live an ordinary life, he shouldn't live in self-blame and guilt."
"Why self-blame and guilt?" Little Herta didn't understand.
"Because before they died, both Uncle and Aunt coincidentally used their spatial leap devices on him."
"...So Mu believes that he caused his parents' deaths, right...?" Little Herta's voice trembled slightly.
Sigh...
Her mother sighed and didn't speak, only lightly patting her head.
Little Herta could read the affirmative answer from that sigh.
"Mu has a very good Papa and Mama..."
"Yes, he does."
"Don't worry, Mama. Little Ta will spend all her time outside of her studies accompanying Mu!"
"Good child, thank you..."
"Oh right, Mama, I want to buy a hat."
"Okay, what kind of hat?"
"Didn't Mama tell Little Ta a story before? I want to buy a magic hat to give to Mu. I hope that in the future, he can be like the wizard in the story, with the ability to save those he cares about."
"Hehe, Little Ta is very thoughtful. However, remember to be tactful when giving the gift, and the timing must be right."
"Little Ta knows."
As the images of the past reached this point, Herta's whole body stiffened.
The idea that Mu was Qi Zhimu crashed uncontrollably into her mind.
But soon, she dismissed the possibility.
No, it couldn't be... it couldn't be...
Original Humans, no matter how they are modified, cannot become Virtual Substance Lifeforms; this has been an irrefutable conclusion and truth for many years.
Even descendants born from the union of Virtual Substance Lifeforms and humans will always belong to the Original Human species.
Virtual Substance Lifeforms can only be born through the creations of Original Humans, combined with the memory substance environment, in a way that remains a mystery to this day.
Moreover, Mu and Qi Zhimu's features do not look alike... at least, not entirely.
Mu died when she was ten years old—died within the Labyrinth Zone and never returned.
Among the many Remembrances of him, only this ironclad fact has never been forgotten.
On the last day she saw him, he had said some things to her...
But she couldn't remember—what exactly was the content?!
Herta clutched her head, letting the images in her Remembrance shatter and then quickly reassemble.
"Guess who?"
Soft little hands covered the boy's eyes from behind.
"Little Ta."
"Correct! Here's a gift!"
The girl stood on her tiptoes and placed a pointed wizard hat on the boy's head.
The boy was startled, touched the wide brim of the hat, and turned around in confusion.
"This is?"
"Mu, let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, there was a very powerful young wizard..."
The girl told the boy the story she had heard from her mother.
The boy listened quietly, not speaking throughout the entire process until the girl finished.
"But I cannot become the wizard in the story."
"It's not like that, Mu."
The girl picked up the two snow owls crouching beside the boy and sat closely by his side in their place.
"Mama told me not to give in to fate and suffering, but to face the future in the way you think is right. By doing what you want to do, you have already become the wizard in the story."
"Although Little Ta doesn't quite understand the meaning yet... Mama probably means that as long as you look forward, there is nothing that cannot be overcome."
The girl squeezed the boy's cold palm and gave a sweet smile.
"Now Mu knows why Little Ta gave you a wizard hat, right?"
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