At noon, the Morning Grace café was filled with customers stopping by for a meal. At a table by the window in the far corner of the restaurant sat a lone man, his gaze drifting absentmindedly outside.
It was only yesterday that Nicholas had learned of Haley's passing. It was so sudden that he still struggled to believe it was real. There were many things he wanted to discuss with Romero yesterday, but after hearing the devastating news, he no longer had the heart to bring them up.
This table was Haley's favorite spot. Sitting here now, he couldn't help but recall the bright, cheerful smile of the young girl, along with the conversation they had shared that day.
From what Romero had told him, it was about a week ago that the Order of Spirit Mediums had approved her as an apprentice to undergo the Trial of Rebirth. That explained why, on the 5th, she had seemed so worried and hesitant. At the time, he thought she was simply discouraged after seeing him become a Spirit Medium. He hadn't suspected for a moment that there was something much deeper beneath her worry.
The ritual carried extreme risk. Having gone through the Trial himself, Nicholas knew all too well the pain it entailed. A fate far worse than death awaited those who failed—one that could not be avoided. Even he had barely endured it, so how could a young girl barely half his age possibly bear it?
"In truth, I opposed it and asked for the ritual to be postponed. But she insisted on going through with it."
Romero's words from that day echoed in Nicholas's mind.
"She said you gave her courage… She said she wanted to become like you."
The look in Romero's eyes back then had held neither anger nor blame. Instead, there had been a quiet sense of pity.
Perhaps Romero had said that because he didn't want him to feel guilty. And yet, Nicholas could feel something surging within his chest—an overwhelming emotion with no outlet.
…It was he who had sent Haley to her death.
If he had known that Haley was hesitating about the decision to undergo the Trial of Rebirth, perhaps he wouldn't have encouraged her the way he did. Having only recently completed the ritual himself, he understood all too well the abnormalities that occurred during the process.
But at that time… all he saw was a girl who was hesitant and lost. He only wanted to encourage her, to push her to pursue her goals to the best of her ability. He had forced his own beliefs upon her, spoke beautiful words that were nothing more than empty philosophy.
In the world Nicholas came from, perhaps such words might have truly comforted her. But in a world steeped in death and mystical powers like this one, his actions had led to devastating consequences… consequences that had taken the girl's life.
In David's case, Nicholas could have shifted the blame onto the "previous" Nicholas. But this time, there was no scapegoat to hide behind. It was the result of his actions alone.
Just as Dirk had told him... when everything is going well, misfortune often comes calling without warning.
Nicholas's state of mind had sunk to its lowest point. From yesterday until now, he had no will to do anything. All he could do was dwell on his past mistake, consumed by regret.
If he hadn't said anything… perhaps Haley would still be alive.
"Would you mind if I shared this table with you?"
As Nicholas was drowning in his thoughts, a man's voice called out, pulling him back to reality.
When he looked up, he saw a middle-aged man dressed in a dignified brown suit, looking every bit like a university professor. His wavy hair fell nearly to the nape of his neck, and he wore a pair of glasses.
Glancing around, Nicholas noticed that the other tables were packed with customers, while his own table held only himself and a cup of coffee. It wasn't strange for someone to ask to share his table.
Although he wanted to be left alone, refusing the man outright might feel far too rude. So, he gave a slight nod.
"Thank you."
The stranger smiled before taking the seat opposite Nicholas and placing an order with the waiter.
Nicholas paid him little mind and turned his gaze back toward the window. He didn't look well—dark circles beneath his eyes made it clear he hadn't slept since the night before.
"You seem troubled by something."
A calm voice rang out from the other side of the table. Nicholas felt that the tone was oddly elegant, carrying an inexplicable sense of comfort.
"I hope you don't mind me intruding. I happen to be studying psychological therapy. Perhaps I might be able to help ease your concerns."
"I appreciate the gesture, but I don't think you'll be able to help me with this."
The offer was well-intentioned, yet Nicholas declined immediately. He simply wasn't in the mood to engage in conversation with anyone.
"There's a piece of research which was an experiment in statistics with a particular group of individuals. Eighty-seven percent of the participants agreed that talking to others can significantly reduce accumulated stress and clear the mind. Based on those findings, I believe that sharing what troubles you might more or less help you feel a little better."
It was then that Nicholas turned to look at the man more closely.
No matter how he looked at him, the man gave off the unmistakable impression of a scholar.
However, upon observing him directly, Nicholas began to sense that something was off. Ever since gaining his power as a Judicial Representative, he had been able to perceive the emotional states of others. By now, his eyes had grown accustomed to this sight that it had become second nature.
Even when he had met Mr. Edwin, Nicholas could still faintly sense the emotional aura radiating from him. Yet now, he could not perceive even the slightest trace of emotion from the person sitting right in front of him!
Nicholas broke out in a cold sweat. This was the first time he had encountered someone capable of resisting his abilities as Judicial Representative.
Perhaps it was merely a coincidence. However, it was also possible that the man before him was an Extraordinary who possessed power greater than even Mr. Edwin—the overseer of the largest secret organization in this city
Nicholas let out a small sigh. Ever since he had become a Spirit Medium, he had been encountering more and more supernatural incidents and powerful Extraordinaries. for now, he had no choice but to play along with whatever game the other party had in mind.
…Since he still couldn't tell if this stranger harbored good intentions or ill intent.
"It might be a bit of a long story..."
Despite Nicholas's warning, the man simply gestured with his hand, signaling that he was ready to listen.
"It started like this…"
Nicholas recounted the story in broad terms. He avoided mentioning the Order of Spirit Mediums or any details about himself, instead framing it as a hypothetical, speaking in metaphors and analogies.
The stranger listened attentively, occasionally jotting notes in a small ledger like a practicing psychiatrist. The concept of psychological treatment and mental therapy was an idea that had yet to exist in this era; Nicholas might well be the first person in history to experience it firsthand.
"So, you feel that your advice was the cause of H losing everything?"
Nicholas nodded. In truth, simply talking about it had eased the tightness in his chest that had lingered throughout the day.
"Since ancient times, there has been a saying that one's fate is determined from birth. The path each individual takes is predestined from the very beginning. Religious doctrine and the influence of the gods have led people to believe in such ideas."
The suited man spoke calmly, his gaze deepening as he touched upon religion.
"Of course, if I wished to comfort you from a religious perspective, I could say that H's fate was already written—that regardless of what you might have done differently, her destiny could not have been changed…"
Looking up at the sky beyond the window, he continued,
"However, many of my colleagues and I place greater faith in the law of action and consequences. From what you've told me, what H chose to do was the sole purpose of her existence. Since childhood she was raised and taught to walk toward that single goal. While I may not agree with religious doctrine, my conclusion in this matter ultimately differs little from the example I gave earlier. Even if your conversation with H played a part in her decision, in the end… when she was finally given the opportunity she had waited for her entire life, she would have chosen to follow the beliefs that had been instilled in her all along. Your words were merely a small push—one that affirmed the unwavering resolve she already possessed."
Nicholas understood the argument the stranger presented. And yet, the guilt within him did not lessen in the slightest.
"What you should be doing now is not allowing guilt to consume you—but rather, learning how to manage it."
"Manage my emotions?"
"I understand that negative feelings whether regret, guilt, or self-blame can be an immense burden. But if you can learn to control them, they may become the very force that drives you to achieve your goals." The stranger's voice was gentle, yet his words embedded deeply into Nicholas's mind.
"Another effective method is to look deeper into what has already happened—and come to understand it thoroughly."
He lifted his teacup and took a small sip before fixing Nicholas with a penetrating stare, as if hinting at something.
"It's possible… that within these tragic events, there are things you have yet to see. Perhaps uncovering that hidden truth may bring you peace of mind."
Those suggestive words sent Nicholas's thoughts into disarray. It felt as though a bolt of lightning had struck straight through him.
He glanced up at the man before him, unease creeping into his expression as a certain thought began to take shape in his mind.
"Are you saying that H being given an opportunity she never should have had—and everything that followed, including her failure… wasn't a coincidence?"
Earlier, when Nicholas recounted the story, he had spoken only in hypotheticals. He had never mentioned names or revealed anything about himself. He had not brought up the Order of Spirit Mediums or any other secret organizations. Even Haley's name had been concealed—he referred to her only as "H."
And yet, for some reason… Nicholas couldn't shake the feeling that the man before him knew everything—the truths hidden beneath those fabricated assumptions.
The stranger's eyes, once filled with the calm wisdom of a scholar, now carried a chilling glint. Beneath that refined exterior lurked something far more unsettling—it was madness… and an insatiable hunger.
"In a world shrouded in a mist of mystery and death like ours, there is no such thing as 'coincidence,' Mr. Parlay."
08.11.550
Nicholas Parlay
Spirit Medium (Éna)