The Strongest Brother Lost His Memory
Chapter 83

* * *

That Night.

Zahid tossed and turned for a long time, unable to fall asleep.

‘What is this...’

Rosie had clearly pushed divine power into him with all her effort earlier. Just like she always did.

But not a single bit of his mana had calmed.

He’d had to take a stabilizer as soon as he returned to his room.

‘Rosie didn’t notice anything at all...’

Well, she hadn’t known in the first place that divine power could suppress his mana rampage. So it made sense she wouldn’t notice the difference.

The divine power that had entered his body was apprentice-level at best.

So faint it had no effect whatsoever.

‘Maybe it’s better this way.’

Zahid closed his eyes and sank into thought.

‘It might mean there’s less chance the High Priest will notice anything.’

Just like Rosie said, maybe it really was best to stop worrying and just sleep.

After all, if anything happened, the Noart Count Family would protect her like a mountain.

‘Still, once the High Priest arrives... if he tries anything, I should be the first to act.’

He rolled onto his side, thinking.

‘If something feels off, I can at least give her a warning.’

As Zahid began drifting off to sleep...

“Happy birthday. I know it’s technically tomorrow. Sorry I couldn’t celebrate your last one properly either.”

“Woof woof woof! Woof woof woof!”

“What’s he saying now?”

Maybe because Rosie’s birthday was on his mind, he was dreaming of someone else’s birthday too.

It was a place he could only visit on nights when the full moon hung in the sky, so he’d never made it there on the actual day.

While Fire barked incessantly, a woman inside an iron cage responded.

“He says sorry he couldn’t do anything for you. He probably can’t use the Divine Beast’s power right now... afraid of getting caught. That’s why he couldn’t even light a candle.”

Even in the dream, Zahid tried to see the woman’s face—but it was too hazy to make out.

“I promise.”

Then his dream-self spoke, with a voice deeper and more mature than his current one.

“Next year, we’ll celebrate your birthday outside of here. On the exact day. Just wait for me. I really am doing my best.”

What he barely managed to pass through the bars was a small ring.

“What’s this?”

“It adjusts to your finger size automatically. I got it at the Magic Tower.”

“Ugh, I can’t wear this... You know that. If a priest sees it...”

“...Then give it back. I’ll keep it. When you get out of here, I’ll give it to you again.”

He accepted the ring once more and slid it onto his own finger. Now two rings sat on his ring finger.

“To be honest... I really wanted to wear this with you. I can’t believe I can’t even give you a birthday present.”

“It’s okay. This is enough. More than enough. Once we’re outside, I’ll wear it every single day.”

The woman smiled faintly.

“I just... like being with you.”

He looked at her quietly.

He wanted to protect her.

This kind, powerless, and sorrowful girl—he wanted to protect her more than anything.

The desperate urge burned through his whole body.

“Woof woof! Woof woof woof!”

“What’s he barking about now?”

“Not sure... but I think he’s saying your eyes are getting all dramatic...”

“......”

After that night filled with restless dreams, Zahid overslept.

‘What the... that ring... is it the same design as this one?’

Blinking, Zahid stared at the ring on his left hand, then suddenly sat upright.

‘Crap... First period is with Assistant Yuta. That’s gonna be a ten-point deduction.’

He threw on his clothes in a rush and bolted out—but the deduction never came.

Assistant Yuta was too ill to conduct class that day.

***

A Bright Morning at the Noart Count Estate.

“What the hell.”

Finally free to remove the bandages, Julian headed straight to the training grounds with a wooden sword in hand.

“That damn weird dream...”

After hitting his head hard against the iron gate last time, he’d asked Peter, the family physician:

“I hit my head and started remembering weird things. That’s probably stuff I forgot, right?”

“It might be. Or might not.”

“Then if I get hit again, maybe I’ll remember more?”

“It’s possible. Or not.”

“Wow. What do you even know, huh?”

“I know that things are possible... or not.”

“@#$%...”

“For the record, Lord Julian, after you turned nineteen, you said vulgarity was beneath you and stopped swearing.”

“So now you’re saying I’m low-class, huh?!”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Peter was no help whatsoever.

“Anyway, no need to rush, Lord Julian. You’re doing fine, aren’t you? Adjusting well.”

“...It’s because of the kid.”

“You mean Lady Rosie?”

“Sometimes she looks at me with the saddest face... I just hate seeing it.”

Eventually, Julian grabbed a wooden sword and challenged a knight to spar.

And then—

“Argh!”

“Lord Julian! Why didn’t you dodge?!”

He took a solid hit to the head with the wooden blade.

Stars exploded in his vision.

‘Holy @#$%, that hurts like hell... I’m never doing this again...’

It hurt so bad he thought he might pass out—but nothing came back to him.

He lay flat in the training ground, slamming his head against the ground again.

Still no memories.

Except for one thing.

Just one thing—an image shimmered in his vision like a lie.

‘Sparkle... sparkle...’

Brilliant gold.

Where had he seen that gold light before?

He was sure he had.

Frustrated, Julian banged the back of his head against the ground again.

***

A Few Days Later.

The High Priest arrived at the Academy.

We were all gathered in the auditorium to hear his sermon and prayers.

His name: Aietar Fossa Cataloph Eldasherion.

A name as long as the Emperor’s—and a presence to match as he entered with staggering gravitas.

Sunlight seemed to follow him, and behind him trailed a dense formation of escorts.

“Ah...”

From a distance, I stared at Aietar.

He was someone so far above me, I’d never even seen him while living at the Temple.

His personal life was shrouded in mystery, and he almost never appeared publicly. A complete recluse.

I frowned and sighed.

‘Ugh, why does he look so kind?’

Shining blond hair, slightly downturned eyes, and ruby-like red /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ irises made for a strikingly gentle-looking middle-aged man.

His image was far too virtuous for someone responsible for so many atrocities behind the scenes.

‘He’s held the High Priest position for 110 years... What the hell is that face made of.’

I knew he didn’t age much, but it still gave me chills.

‘It’s fine... It’ll be fine.’

I took a deep breath, blending in among the other students.

I had deliberately distanced myself from Zahid and Ray, who were always at my side.

“It’s better not to draw attention by clustering together. Especially since Zahid has a Divine Beast. The High Priest will definitely glance at him more than once.”

“Same goes for you, since you resonated with one. By that logic, Rosie shouldn’t be near you either. Ray, stay away from her.”

So Ray and Zahid stood far away, sticking together.

Thanks to that, I could clearly hear the chatter from the students around me.

“Just looking at him makes me feel cleansed.”

“Wow, I can’t believe I get to see the High Priest in person... I’m so glad I enrolled in the Academy.”

“Doesn’t he kind of look like Assistant Yuta? Maybe all Temple people are born looking nice.”

I wanted to plug my ears against all that worship.

Then the High Priest, Aietar, took the podium and slowly began to speak.

“It's good to meet you, students.”

His voice was gentle and calm, yet resonant—it made my breath catch.

Even though I was far away, hidden in the crowd, I found it hard to meet his red eyes.

Just meeting his gaze felt like he could see straight through me.

I clutched my skirt hem nervously, standing alone without any familiar faces.

That’s when a gentle hand landed on my shoulder.

“What’s with that face?”

The blunt voice was Theo’s.

Startled, I turned to him, and he gave me a faint smile.

“What, are you making that face just because your cousin came to stand by his little sister who’s separated from her friends?”

“Theo...”

“At the Academy, I’m your guardian. Grandpa and Julian left you in my care.”

Theo raised his chin and calmly looked toward the High Priest on stage.

“In official matters, we’re nothing. But if anything happens to you, I’ll protect you in the name of Noart.”

My heart, previously pounding with tension, slowly calmed.

The feeling of not being alone... of having an adult who’d protect me.

I didn’t know it could bring such comfort.

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