Chapter 173

Lydia surely was one of us. Nobody saw beyond her appearance. Her relationships were mutually exploitative, incapable of anything beyond cold calculation. Yet she didn’t succumb to her fate. She relinquished the burden of loneliness she carried. “Everyone’s empty on the inside at first. “And it’s true—people like us are too great for words, outwardly at least. That’s why it’s hard to be an even greater person on the inside. “But you see, when we learn a lot, think a lot, and love a lot, “When we fill our minds and hearts, in time, our internal greatness and our external greatness will switch places. “So stop moping around and just be a jackass. “If you do, I promise things will turn around for you. “After all, you’re my best friend.” My spineless former self had failed to apply Lydia’s advice. But now… “I’ve been reborn and met my new best friend… I’ve learned so much, I’ve done a lot of thinking, and I’ve loved so many. I’m sure that people only saw my facade, just like in my past life. But they see me for who I am on the inside now, and they accept me. They call me a friend.” My feelings. My friends’ feelings. They couldn’t be fabrications. “You claim that everything I gained made me weaker. Well, you’re foolishly mistaken. It’s because I gained so much that I—” “Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is?” Mephisto interjected calmly. “Is your claim genuine? Is everything you’ve gained real or fake? Is the love you share with your friends imagined? Why don’t we test that all right now.” The setting around me changed in a flash. We were in the school quad. We’d teleported there via magic, but it was surely more than that. “The field is set. All that remains is to start the game.” The smile on the devil’s face was deep and pronounced. It was starting again…this obnoxious game against Mephisto. I was nervous, scared even. But I wouldn’t let him beat me. Our fates had intertwined in my past life and remained linked for nearly a century. I had the home field advantage, and I knew his moves better than anyone. I would leverage these in my favor and win the battle once a— “Oh yes, I almost forgot. I have a little announcement before we start.” Mephisto clapped. And with a smile still on his face, he uttered the last words I expected to hear from him. “This will be my last time playing with you. There will not be another.” “…Sorry, what?” I couldn’t believe the words that came from his mouth. “I want to play with you for all eternity.” That devil had said that on many occasions, and now he was changing his tune? “One more thing. I’ll be playing to win, so get your affairs in order,” Mephisto said, completely ignoring my bewilderment. There was a shard of melancholy in his smile. “All right. Let’s get this party started. This will be our farewell game.”