If I Were To Be Given A Choice, I Would Save You Again; Ophelia

k********g

Luna’s PoV

The trip around the capital was interesting. Not only do I get to learn what happened after I was killed and but I get to hear how Ophelia had brought the empire to its glory.

“Luna? Are you alone? Where’s Gaia?” Huh? Gaia and I were separated since Gaia wished to see the famous capital square. Why would the teacher ask me if Gaia was with me?

“Gaia went with a different group from mine. If I’m not mistaken, she went with-” I was interrupted when the guy who was supposed to lead Gaia’s group said something alarming.

“Gaia was not with us the whole time. We thought that she went with your group, Luna.” Huh?! That’s impossible.

“Are you sure about this? Gaia clearly said she wanted to see the square and decided to join your group.” My classmate nodded his head. This is bad. How long has it been since anyone has seen Gaia? I should have gone with her!

“Luna, where are you going? You have to stay with the others. The teachers will look around while informing the authority.” That would be too late. We have wasted a lot of time. If I stay idle and let the adults handle this, it will be too late.

“We can’t wait. I need to look for Gaia. It’s been too late if we wait for the authority.” I got out and looked for Gaia’s mana traces around the vicinity. It would be hard for me to locate her since I know what Gaia’s mana looks like.

I need to calm down. My mind is wandering, and I need to find a way to find Gaia in this vast town. Where should I go? I don’t know if I can find her since it’s been a few hours since we last met. What if I’m too late?

I- I need to do something. But if I reveal my power here in the capital, the royal family magician would know that the ancient empress has reincarnated. I can’t let them know that I exist. It would be hard for me to keep a low profile and atone for my sins. Besides, who would take care of Juliet and Gunther?

“f**k it!” I began my incantation while asking for the goddess’s help.

“Luna, what are you doing?! You’ll explode!” I heard the headmaster’s voice coming closer.

“I have no choice! Stay back!” I could feel my heart racing while my mana was drained with my organs failing from the excessive use of mana. When I was the empress, using this spell wasn’t a big deal for me. Perhaps a simple detection spell will do, but I don’t have the leisure to act like so. Gaia is in trouble. I know she is because my guts have never failed me before.

“Luna! You’re bleeding! Stop! You’re killing yourself! You may possess this tremendous power, but you do not fully grasp the essence of it yet. Don’t be careless!” The headmaster tried to talk reason to me.

“Shut up, old man. I found Gaia. She is being captive inside an abandoned home on the outskirts of the capital.” I kneel on the ground while being watched by onlookers. I don’t have time for this. I have to go and save Gaia. With every bit of mana I still had, I summoned a teleportation array.

“Luna!” I heard one of my classmates call out for me.

“Hurry!” I shouted at him and a few others to come and help me get Gaia back. When we arrived at the location, my classmate and the headmaster were surprised that we were not in the capital anymore. I got up from the ground and headed toward the abandoned home.

I have to hurry- Gaia’s mana seems to be depleted.

“Hey! Who are you! Get-“ I watched as the assailant’s body exploded right in front of me. I have to say, my curse spell isn’t as effective as it was before. It means I have to study even more to get back my original power.

“Luna!” Oh- my classmates must be watching me.

“I’ll take full responsibility, headmaster.” I ignored the cry of my classmates and went inside the abandoned house.

“Look at what the cat dragged in? Are you here for your friend? I’m sorry, but you’re too late.” This smelly man must be the ring leader. The man smiled while waving his hand. My heart dropped even I saw the state Gaia was in. How dare they touch my friend! Did these imbeciles think they could get away from my wrath after torturing Gaia like that?! They’re wrong!

“What have you done to my friend? Why was she kidnapped? I don’t think my friend ever did anything to you!” The smelly man stood up from his seat and walked towards me. If I could smell him from where I am, I couldn’t imagine how worst it would be if she were close to me.

“This girl has the audacity to say no when we offer to give her an offer of a lifetime. We have no choice but to teach a girl like her to obey those older than her. You can’t blame me for being firm. If I just let her be, she would grow up to be a bad girl.” Is that so?

But do they need to hurt Gaia to this extent? I-

“Luna! Put your wand down!” I smiled at the assailants before waving my wand. The headmaster himself said that I could use my wand in a state of an emergency. This is an emergency, and I don’t care if I have to add more sins of killing others.

I-

“Luna!” Huh? Grace? Was that Grace’s voice? Why here of all places? Wait, what am I thinking? I swore in the goddess's name to never kill anyone ever again. The only reason why I am reincarnated is that I need to atone for my sins.

I- I am not a killer. I need to control myself. I have to control-

“Luna!” I dropped my wand while my classmates apprehended the bad guys.

“Gaia-“ I took off my jacket to cover her exposed body.

“Luna- you’re here. I’m glad. If it’s alright, can you heal me?” I smiled at Gaia while holding her hand.

“Of course, Gaia. And I’m sorry. I should have followed you to see the square. I-,” Gaia chuckled.

“It’s okay, Luna. I’m tired. I want to go back to the inn.” Of course.

“Let’s go back. I’ll heal you at once. Don’t worry, Gaia.” Gaia smiled before closing her eyes. What sort of friend I am. How did I let Gaia suffer like this? I can’t help but blame myself for what happened. I-

“Luna, are you alright?” The headmaster placed a hand on my shoulder.

“It seems you’ve healed Gaia from her wound.” I guess I did. But is it enough to heal her trauma? I’ve promised Cyrus that I keep her daughter away from harm, but the moment I arrived in this forsaken place, I lost all sort of rationally and went on my way without thinking of others.

I should have known that coming back to the capital is not a good idea.