Vivian deeply regretted her past actions. The weight of her choices pressed down on her.
If she had known in advance that the outcome of the battle against Vortigern would be like that—if she could have foreseen the pain it would cause—
Then, no matter what, she would never have allowed Ian to leave Camelot with Artoria. The thought tormented her.
In the millennium she had spent alone, the choice she had made back then had become her nightmare. It haunted her waking hours and her dreams.
As soon as she closed her eyes, she would feel the piercing regret as if her heart had been physically struck. The memory was a constant ache.
The long-term torment had caused Morgan, living in the Clock Tower under the guise of Vivian, to suffer from extremely poor sleep quality. Rest eluded her grasp.
Even the slightest noise would cause her to wake up completely. Her senses were always on high alert.
And after that, the awakened Vivian would think about one thing—that was whether she should follow Artoria and embrace death. The thought was both tempting and terrifying.
After all, if she did that, she wouldn't have to think about so many painful things anymore. The allure of oblivion was strong.
But she quickly rejected this thought. She knew she couldn't succumb to despair.
She couldn't do that. She had run away so many times already. Enough was enough.
This time, no matter what, she had to face the bitter fruits of her own actions. She had to confront her past.
Eleven thousand five hundred and fourteen spells were the eleven thousand five hundred and fourteen apologies she had never been able to deliver. Each spell cast was a silent plea for forgiveness.
Unfortunately—it seemed that not a single one could reach his ears anymore. The distance between them felt insurmountable.
Thinking of this, Vivian's eyes couldn't help but well up with tears once more. The pain of her loss was ever-present.
[Vivian's specially made magic array was activated.] The air around them shimmered with magical energy.
[Although its actual purpose was for her to be able to see you, Vivian didn't just create a shoddy, half-hearted thing.] She had put considerable effort into its design.
[After all, she knew that Sakura Tohsaka's talent in magic was quite remarkable.] She respected her student's potential.
[If she just did things haphazardly, she might be discovered by her.] Vivian knew she had to be careful.
[If it came to that point, this only way to see him would probably also come to a final end.] The risk of exposure was too great.
[So, considering all these factors, this magic array could indeed allow Sakura Tohsaka to further "refine" her magic circuits, thereby releasing more magical power.] The array served a dual purpose.
[Vivian hoped to use this method to make your materialization last longer.] She longed for more time with him.
[You and Sakura Tohsaka were unaware of all of this.] You both remained oblivious to Vivian's true intentions.
[You were still treating your current actions as further learning in magic, just as Vivian had previously said.] You accepted her explanation without question.
[You began to act according to the method you had previously explored.] The familiar routine commenced.
Sakura Tohsaka closed her eyes. She focused her mind.
The comforting voice of Ghost-San came from beside her ear. His presence was reassuring.
"Sakura, don't be nervous." You said gently, your voice a soothing whisper.
"Just like last time… just do as Vivian-Sensei says, and you'll definitely get the desired result." You encouraged her, your words filled with confidence.
"Yes, I understand~" Sakura Tohsaka replied to the voice in her ear, but a hint of blush appeared on her cheeks. She felt a little flustered.
The "method" that the two of them had found together was actually not complicated at all. Their collaborative efforts had yielded a simple approach.
Because the essence of this learning was actually to activate the participant's magic circuits, it was about stimulating her inner power.
So as long as Sakura Tohsaka thought about things that could make her feel happy, she could achieve this quite easily. Focusing on positive emotions was key.
But what Ghost-San didn't know was that the things that this little girl was thinking about regarding pleasure were slightly off. Her innocent mind had taken a romantic turn.
That was… she was fantasizing about the scenes of meeting Ghost-San in the future. Her imagination ran wild.
And this meeting was not limited to the present, but spanned across her future life in a whimsical manner. Her daydreams were vivid.
Like meeting Ghost-San at some middle school, or the situation of walking home together after high school classes. She imagined everyday scenarios.
It might even be the daily routine of the two of them chatting comfortably on the sofa in an apartment after work someday in the future. Her fantasies extended into adulthood.
Yes. This was actually the beginning of "love"—even though she hadn't actually seen him, only a blurry, dreamlike infatuation. A spark had ignited in her young heart.
But this was enough to become the perfect motivation. Her feelings, though nascent, provided a powerful drive.
However, Sakura Tohsaka herself didn't realize this at all. She was still too young to fully understand her emotions.
At least not yet. Her self-awareness was still developing.
She only knew that if she wanted to associate with the aspect of "pleasure," this kind of method was the most effective. This was her current understanding.
Magic… could it actually make people this happy? The thought was intriguing.
The little girl had unknowingly developed this kind of thought. Her perception of magic was changing.
And in fact, this state of wholehearted dedication was indeed very conducive to the refinement of magic circuits. Her focus was absolute.
This was probably one of the reasons why Sakura Tohsaka was able to perform so well. Her dedication yielded positive results.
[Everything was proceeding very smoothly.] The magical process was unfolding as planned.
[With the assistance of the magic array, Sakura Tohsaka gradually released a substance called "magical power" to the outside world.] Her mana flowed outwards.
[And these substances were the foundation for your "appearance."] Her magic was the key to your manifestation.
[You appeared before Vivian once more.] Your ethereal form materialized.
[But just like before, you didn't realize it.] You remained unaware of your presence.
[Or rather, your attention was completely focused on Sakura Tohsaka at this moment.] Your concern was solely for her.
There he was. His ethereal form reappeared in her vision. Her heart leaped at the sight.
This time, he was sitting beside Sakura Tohsaka, his expression still so gentle. His kindness radiated outwards.
Vivian felt her breathing become rapid in an instant, as if she would fall into an indescribable madness at any moment. Her emotions threatened to overwhelm her.
But she quickly calmed down again. She forced herself to regain control.
According to her previous experience, he wouldn't appear for too long and would disappear when Sakura Tohsaka stopped releasing her magical power. Time was fleeting.
She had to do something quickly. She couldn't waste this hard-won time of his manifestation. Urgency filled her.
The witch who had lived for a thousand years began to take action. Her desire propelled her forward.
Then, the first thing she absolutely didn't need to hesitate about was naturally moving closer to him. Proximity was her immediate goal.
However—her approach absolutely couldn't be too obvious. She had to be subtle.
After all, if she interfered with Sakura Tohsaka, she might stop releasing her magical power as a result. That was a risk she couldn't take.
If that happened, he would disappear along with it. The thought sent a pang of anxiety through her.
Then—considering all these issues, she needed a suitable reason to approach. She had to be convincing.
This was actually not difficult. Vivian's mind raced for a plausible excuse.
Vivian could come up with several reasons to approach at any time—for example, offering assistance or guidance. She was a skilled manipulator.
After confirming the feasibility, she began her disguise. She started her performance.
Vivian first left the position where she had been sitting, then went to the bookshelf to the side and began to pretend to be flipping through books. She acted as if she were engrossed in her reading.
After that, she acted as if she had discovered something, closing her book in a rather exaggerated manner, and then walked towards Sakura Tohsaka. Her movements were theatrical.
The series of feigned actions made her look like a good teacher who had immediately applied some excellent method she had found in a book to her student. Her acting was convincing.
But what Vivian didn't know was that none of what she did was noticed by anyone—neither Sakura Tohsaka nor him. Her efforts were in vain.
The witch's pretense was actually completely meaningless, its only effect was to provide psychological comfort to herself. She was fooling herself.
"Sakura." Vivian began, her voice calm and reassuring.
"I'm coming over to correct a few things." Vivian said this, bravely taking her first step to get closer to him again. Her heart pounded in her chest.
[You didn't feel anything unusual.] You remained oblivious to Vivian's true intentions.
[Although you didn't notice what Vivian had done before, and you didn't know what she was thinking.] Your focus was solely on Sakura.
[But as far as the current situation was concerned, everything was still relatively normal.] The session seemed to be progressing as expected.
[You also didn't object to her helping Sakura Tohsaka—after all, it was indeed effective.] You trusted her guidance.
[It was just that you quickly noticed that things were starting to become a little strange.] A subtle shift in the atmosphere caught your attention.
Hearing her teacher Vivian's words, Sakura Tohsaka, who had her eyes closed, quickly responded. She trusted her teacher completely.
"I understand~" Sakura replied obediently.
"Sensei, come on over~" She welcomed Vivian's assistance.
After this period of training, she could already continue to release "magical power" outwards under a certain degree of external interference. She had made significant progress.
This was a progress that she was very proud of. Her dedication had yielded results.
So facing her teacher's assistance, the little girl's first reaction was naturally to accept it without question—anyway, it wouldn't interfere with her. She trusted Vivian's judgment.
Vivian was secretly delighted—she believed her disguise was quite good. Her plan seemed to be working.
After repeatedly confirming that Sakura Tohsaka hadn't opened her eyes, she directly stepped into the operating magic array. She took the plunge.
The area of the magic array wasn't very large, but it was enough to "accommodate" two people inside at the same time. It provided just enough space.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Vivian was able to obtain a position extremely close to him. She was now within touching distance.
Familiar face, eyes still full of spirit. His image was etched in her memory.
And the body that would become exceptionally strong when seeking pleasure. The memories flooded back.
And those hands that could tightly embrace her. She longed for his touch.
Everything matched the him she missed most in her memories. He was exactly as she remembered.
It was indeed him, and only him. Her heart ached for him.
Vivian felt her heart beating faster and faster—she hadn't felt this way in a thousand years. The emotions were overwhelming.
Look a little longer. Just a little longer. She couldn't tear her gaze away.
He had said that he would love her forever. His promise echoed in her mind.
So it wasn't too much to look at him, right? Her desire was insatiable.
The witch's greed was fully displayed at this moment. Her longing consumed her.
And yet she thought her disguise was flawless. She was lost in her own world.
[Vivian thought she was being very quiet, but her actual movements were quite large.] Your perception was not limited by physical senses.
[You quickly noticed that her gaze was constantly fixed on the direction where you existed.] Her focus was unwavering.
[You were a little surprised—could it be that she had discovered you?] A sense of unease settled upon you.
[You had no way to confirm the truth of your thoughts.] Uncertainty lingered.
[You chose to continue observing in silence for a while longer.] You decided to wait and see.
It was difficult for people to perceive the absurdity in their own behavior. Self-awareness often failed in such situations.
Especially when they felt that they had done something flawlessly, it was even more so. Her confidence blinded her.
Seeing that neither Sakura Tohsaka nor he, in his ethereal form, showed any reaction to her behavior, Vivian felt that her previous pretense had indeed played a significant role. Her plan seemed to be working.
Her behavior therefore became a little bolder. She grew more confident.
Vivian sat down behind Sakura Tohsaka, with her back to her student's view, and slowly moved her body towards the position where the ethereal form was located. She inched closer.
One inch. Two inches. Three inches. She closed the distance.
Vivian reached an extremely comfortable position. She was now as close as she could be without being too obvious.
At this moment, it was the closest she had been to him in this millennium. The proximity was intoxicating.
The hand that had been perfectly maintained by magic had already begun to become a little restless. Her desire was hard to contain.
Just touching him once… it probably wouldn't matter, right? A dangerous thought crossed her mind.
Vivian didn't realize that her behavior had already deviated far from her initial thoughts. Her longing had taken over.
Her greedy heart, filled with longing, seemed impossible to be stopped by the distant vision of the future. The present moment was too tempting.
She reached out her hand, as proactive as he had been in the past. Her actions mirrored his.
It was an act akin to a secret rendezvous. A clandestine moment.
However—the moment Vivian was about to touch him.
The figure she had been longing for day and night disappeared in an instant. He vanished without a trace.
Everything seemed to return to its original state, with only her student Sakura Tohsaka's words, "Sensei, what are you doing?" proving that everything that had happened was not a dream. Reality snapped back into focus.
"N-nothing." Vivian stammered, caught off guard.
Realizing that the mana supply had been interrupted, Vivian withdrew her hand, then forced an awkward smile. She tried to play it off.
"Sensei was just stretching her hand, Sakura, you don't need to worry." Vivian offered a weak explanation.
"..."
[Sakura Tohsaka hadn't stopped the supply of "magical power" for no reason.] She had a valid reason for her actions.
[She heard your voice, witnessing Vivian's behavior.] You had informed her of what you saw.
[You told Sakura Tohsaka about Vivian's current state.] You shared your observations.
[The little girl couldn't have imagined that her teacher would want to touch her Ghost-San while she was learning magic.] The situation was bizarre and unexpected.
[No matter how she thought about it, it was a rather strange thing.] Sakura was confused by Vivian's actions.
[You couldn't help but feel a little worried.] Concern for Sakura grew within you.
[But the thoughtful Sakura Tohsaka noticed something.] Her perception was sharp.
"Vivian-Sensei is very sad, but she doesn't want others to know." This was Sakura Tohsaka's strongest feeling at the moment. Her empathy was evident.
She wasn't talking nonsense. Her observation was accurate.
It was because her delicate and gentle heart had noticed a small trace of tears that Vivian hadn't wiped away from the corner of her eye. The telltale sign of her distress.
This was absolutely impossible to fake. Sakura knew genuine sadness when she saw it.
After all, Sakura Tohsaka wasn't someone who hadn't experienced such a situation—when she cried, she really didn't notice anything else. She understood the signs of true emotion.
Besides… she was willing to teach her magic, so no matter how she thought about it, she shouldn't be a bad person. Sakura reasoned.
Then, facing this situation, there was only one answer to give. She decided to reach out.
She should communicate with her a little. After all, she was her teacher. Respect was due.
"Um…"
Sakura Tohsaka looked at Vivian sitting on the other side of the magic array and asked carefully. Her voice was soft and hesitant.
"Vivian-Sensei… are you very sad right now?" Sakura asked directly, her concern evident.
"..."
Being asked so directly by Sakura Tohsaka, a flash of panic crossed Vivian's mind. She was caught off guard.
But a millennium of experience allowed the witch to quickly calm down. She regained her composure.
"No." Vivian forced a smile. "Sensei isn't sad at all." Her attempt to appear cheerful was unconvincing.
"Really?" Sakura Tohsaka pressed further, her doubt lingering.
"Really."
Vivian moved her body slightly to the side, trying as much as possible to prevent her student Sakura Tohsaka from observing her so closely. She wanted to hide her true emotions.
"Sensei is very happy right now." Vivian insisted, trying to sound convincing.
"After all… your progress in magic is much faster than I imagined." She offered a plausible but ultimately false explanation.
"..."
She was lying. Sakura knew it instinctively.
Sakura Tohsaka noticed at a glance that Vivian was very strange right now—she was still looking behind her while saying these words. Her gaze betrayed her.
And that position was also where the little girl felt her Ghost-San should exist. The truth was becoming clearer.
Sure enough. All the problems ultimately lay with Ghost-San himself. He was at the center of this mystery.
Sakura Tohsaka valued her benefactor and teacher Vivian very much. Her respect for Vivian was genuine.
After a moment of hesitation, she took her first action without Ghost-San's guidance. She decided to act on her own.
"Then—Sensei, can I ask you one more question?" Sakura asked, her voice a little more assertive.
Vivian, thinking she had managed to deceive her, breathed a sigh of relief. She thought she had gotten away with her actions.
She nodded. "Of course you can." She gave her permission readily.
But before her words had even fully left her mouth, Vivian realized that she seemed to have been happy a little too early. Her relief was premature.
She saw that after receiving her teacher's permission, a hint of seriousness appeared in Sakura Tohsaka's eyes. The little girl's expression changed.
She straightened her sitting posture, then opened her mouth and asked: Her question was direct and to the point.
"Vivian-Sensei." Sakura began, her voice filled with a newfound determination.
"Excuse me… can you see Ghost-San?" Sakura asked, her gaze fixed on her teacher. The truth hung in the air.