Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 130

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 130
When I first heard that Subject 18 had died, I couldn’t control my emotions.
Perhaps it was because I had crossed the threshold of death myself. Or perhaps it was because I had succeeded in my revenge.
My heart felt strangely light.
Subject 21 gazed up at the azure sky and recalled my departed brothers one by one.
Some faces didn’t come to mind easily, but I forced myself to remember them.
After recalling Subject 18’s face one final time, I decided to let go of all of them from my memory.
It would be painful every time I thought of my brothers.
But I had made a promise with Subject 18—we would not grieve each other’s deaths.
From today onward, I resolved to forget them and move forward.
Subject 21 asked passersby for directions and headed toward the Papiope Talent Cultivation Institute.
While I was held captive by Taragon, one of my brothers had once told me about the existence of the Papiope Talent Cultivation Institute.
The brothers who stayed by Taragon’s side to serve him occasionally had chances to venture outside, and they would often share stories from the world beyond….
The Papiope Talent Cultivation Institute was one such story.
It was their answer to the question of where one could go to be safe if they ever managed to escape this place.
Fortunately, reaching the Capital was not difficult.
I possessed a natural gift for magic and had secretly practiced by observing the spells Taragon used.
Of course, while imprisoned, I had been bound by shackles that suppressed my mana and abilities, so I couldn’t use them properly….
But when I went berserk and the shackles broke, I was finally able to wield magic fully.
Upon arriving at the Talent Cultivation Institute.
The receptionist handed me a piece of paper.
“Please fill this out.”
I stared down at the paper silently.
This was a setback.
I had never imagined such an obstacle would arise.
Despite possessing a brilliant mind capable of memorizing even complex magical formations after seeing them once, my lack of education had created this problem.
“I apologize. I don’t know how to read or write….”
“Oh, I see! Then please answer the questions I ask, and I’ll fill it out for you instead.”
I blinked rapidly, caught off guard.
It was strange enough that an adult was speaking to me respectfully.
But to receive consideration rather than contempt upon admitting my illiteracy—this was unexpected.
Then the receptionist smiled warmly and asked.
“What is your name…, or rather, what should I call you?”
“Ah.”
This was an extremely difficult question to answer right from the start.
I was well aware that my name was merely a number—nothing more.
But then, something suddenly flashed through my mind.
“Elysion.”
I wanted to live a peaceful and joyful life.
So Subject 21 decided to become Elysion.
“My name is Elysion.”

✦ ✦ ✦
I had known that Elysion was an orphan.
Because of that, I had vaguely anticipated that he must have endured a difficult childhood.
But I never imagined he had suffered through such a horrific past.
Elysion’s eyes glistened with tears as he confessed in a hushed voice.
“Tania, you were my salvation.”
His face soon twisted with anguish.
“But the fact that my salvation came at the cost of your death… it torments me so.”
Elysion’s body trembled against mine, quivering with emotion.
Yet I felt the complete opposite.
My breath caught in my throat, overwhelmed by a sensation so profound it threatened to burst from within me.
The cruel death of my childhood, for the first time, felt meaningful.
I died, but I saved Elysion.
“Sion, I’m grateful you’re alive.”
I had believed nothing could ever replace that horrific memory.
It was a trauma I would have carried my entire life.
A clear, luminous laughter spilled from my lips—utterly incongruous with my circumstances.
Tears streamed down my cheeks, but they were the mark of joy, not sorrow.
Everything felt like destiny.
That I possessed the ability to turn back time.
That Elysion possessed the nullification ability.
That I awakened in both instances when we faced crisis.
Back then, we didn’t know each other, and we were far apart… yet.
The fact that we survived and now stand here, skin touching skin, felt like a miracle.
It was Elysion who was taken aback by my reaction.
“Tania, didn’t you hear me? I survived by exchanging your death for my life.”
“I heard. That’s why I’m laughing like this.”
Thinking that everything had been for him, my anger inexplicably dissolved.
It wasn’t that I had forgiven the deceptions of Marquise Primula, my biological mother, and Aiden.
I had simply rediscovered the meaning of my life, which I had lived for Aiden only to lose in an instant.
Elysion’s pupils dilated in disbelief.
“Tania…”
When I thought about it, my life hadn’t been only about Aiden.
In both my lives, Elysion had been with me.
No matter what point in time I lived, the certainty that Elysion would be there was so reassuring.
Look—even now, he weeps for the me of the past.
That sight was unbearably precious to me.
I carefully placed my hand on the nape of his neck.
My forehead, the bridge of my nose, my cheeks.
I gently pressed my lips against different parts of Elysion’s tear-stained face in succession.
Elysion flinched at my touch, yet he did not push me away.
That subtle movement and his soft breath severed the last thread of my remaining reason.
Unable to resist the intense desire, I immediately captured his flushed lips.
Elysion trembled even as he tightened his grip around me, pulling me closer against him.
An intoxicating sensation rippled down my spine, spreading throughout my entire body.
The feeling of his touch against my lips was acutely heightened.
Though I had initiated it, at some point Elysion had taken the lead.
Perhaps mindful of how I had struggled before, he moved this time with the delicate care one would use handling a finely crafted glass ornament.
How long did we indulge in each other?
The soft lips that had been pressed against mine gradually withdrew.
Elysion swept his tongue across his damp lips, his eyes curving into crescents as he smiled.
“Did you know? That was my first kiss.”
“If it hadn’t been your first kiss, you’d be dead to me.”
The fact that his first kiss in both of my lives belonged to me gave me considerable satisfaction.
I buried my face against his neck.
The intoxicating scent of his body was addictive. My wildly racing heart gradually began to calm.
“Sion.”
“Mm.”
“We… should go back, shouldn’t we?”
To spend the rest of my life here with Elysion alone…
In this new life, I had already given my heart to far too many people.
My mother, Duke Papiope.
Grandfather and Lucian as well.
And that’s not all.
The maid Lena, my friend and aide Ron, my guard knight Raspi, my steadfast ally Rosemary…
Beyond them, there were countless others—the Magic Tower Master, the Princess, and more.
Moreover…
Elysion had said I could live in whatever time period I wished, but I knew it was something he couldn’t do.
Realizing that I had only one choice left, my expression darkened once more.
More than anyone, I could not bear to face my biological parents, Marquise Primula and Aiden.
Perhaps sensing my troubled heart.
“No. Let’s not go back.”
Faced with an unexpected answer, I stared at him with wide eyes.
Elysion then tucked a strand of my short hair behind my ear and spoke softly.
“Tania, you can always go back whenever you want. Why are you thinking about it so urgently?”
“Ah…”
That was right.
The time point I had saved remained fixed even if I didn’t return immediately.
It meant I could spend as much time here as I wanted, organize my thoughts, and return without any issues whatsoever.
I couldn’t fathom why I had been so hasty all this time.
I had been too busy rushing through life, constantly fleeing from something….
It felt like I’d been given an endless vacation.
Elysion, ever perceptive to my emotions, smiled softly and spoke.
“Since no one would know us here, shall we indulge in a little rebellion?”
“…What kind of rebellion?”
“Perhaps some fire play we couldn’t do back then?”
In Elysion’s eyes, I could still see the unextinguished heat burning within them.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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