MTO C55

Chapter 55

“Heart?”

“……”

“What’s that you’re carrying?”

When Heart flinched back, the Headmaster pointed at the bundle slung over the boy’s shoulder. Instinctively Heart hid it behind his back. The man’s eyes narrowed.

“Don’t tell me… you’re trying to run away? That’s not it, right? Hm?”

How did he know?!

His heart pounded so violently it might rip out of his chest, but Heart forced himself to tilt his chin up coolly.

“Yeah. That’s right.”

“What? No way!”

The Headmaster shouted so loud Heart’s ears rang. Then, without hesitation, he vaulted through the window. For someone who had been unconscious in bed just days ago, his movements were suspiciously nimble.

Heart instinctively tried to flee, but the man suddenly dropped to one knee in front of him, raising both hands — the familiar signal of surrender.

“Think again, Heart. It’s way too cold to travel right now, don’t you think? Look up — the sky’s so overcast, snow could fall any minute. And did you forget? A massive monster appeared right in these woods! You saw it yourself, didn’t you? For you to wander off alone now — it’s far too dangerous. And, and also…”

The Headmaster babbled frantically, spilling every reason he could think of why Heart should not leave. Heart was thrown off balance. He had thought the man would be relieved, maybe even glad, to see him leave.

Why is he acting like this?

Unable to understand, Heart frowned. The man’s face had twisted into a desperate, almost tearful look. That expression pricked something sharp in Heart’s chest, like needles against his heartstrings. It reminded him unsettlingly of when Barbara the nun looked sad.

“Heart, you mustn’t leave like this.”

“…Why?”

“Because…”

The Headmaster furrowed his brow, struggling for words. The longer he hesitated, the more disappointed Heart felt. He didn’t even know why — but everything in him seemed to sink lower.

Then suddenly—

“Right! Heart, you returned this to me, didn’t you?”

From his robes he drew out a small plaque engraved with golden runes — the Token of Sainthood.

Last night, Heart had taken it back to the Headmaster’s chamber. He had planned to quietly return it and leave. The wager was concluded; there was no more reason to keep it. But when he’d seen the man asleep, pallid as a corpse, he couldn’t quite bring himself to slip away.

He looked dead. And… I didn’t want him to be.

But Duke Kaidan had caught him red‑handed.

Flashback

The Duke’s figure had filled the room — tall, towering, draped all in black, like a living shadow. His voice had cracked like stone:

“Explain that token. Until you do, you will not leave.”

Heart could have escaped through the window — but the only path crossed straight over the Headmaster’s body. He couldn’t bring himself to trample him. Besides, he wasn’t guilty of anything.

“The Headmaster gave it to me.”

“Lie.”

“It’s true! He begged me to make a bet with him and handed it over.”

“Then why give it back?”

“Because the bet’s over.”

Still, the Duke hadn’t moved from the doorway. His eyes bristled with suspicion.

But then the Headmaster had groaned suddenly, writhing. Kaidan rushed to his side.

This was the perfect chance for Heart to flee. And yet… he didn’t move. Instead, he crept close in alarm.

The man’s chest heaved painfully, complexion sickly blue flushed into red.

“Is he… dying? He can’t breathe!”

The Duke ignored Heart’s panic, gripping the man’s face, tilting his head. Then—without hesitation—pressed his lips to his mouth.

“Wh‑What are you doing?!”

Heart froze, horrified. Were the rumors true? That nobles devoured children? This one devoured grown men instead?!

He yanked futilely at the Duke’s arm, screaming for him to stop, but with one effortless push the colossal man pinned him aside. Heart’s eyes widened further as the Duke’s cheeks hollowed, drawing breath from the Headmaster’s lungs, then spitting bile to the floor, then sealing lips again to repeat.

Disgust welled up — but then, unbelievably, the Headmaster’s breathing eased. The Duke wiped him, sponged him down with water, tending with startling gentleness.

Heart couldn’t laugh. The sight was too serious, too strange. Quietly, he slid the Token between the slats of the Headmaster’s bedframe… and slipped out.

“…So you already returned it, didn’t you?”

Now, the same token was pressed back into his hand. Heart glared.

“Why give this to me again?”

“Because our bet’s not finished. Until it is — will you stay here, please?”

Is he insane?

Had the venom rotted his brain? Why cling so hard? He should be glad Heart planned to vanish.

“You hate me. You told me yourself: live like a ghost, silent and unseen. So why do you beg to keep me near?”

He asked it in genuine confusion, though bitterness coated every word.

The Headmaster’s eyes trembled.

“You know why I was gone, don’t you? It wasn’t to abandon you. I went… to meet God.”

…God?

Heart stared blankly. He had never once believed such tales, but the man’s violet eyes shone with frightening seriousness.

Then he leaned close, whispering.

“Heart, it’s a secret. Only you can know.”

“…What is it?”

“Promise you’ll keep it. Swear.”

Hesitant, Heart hooked his pinky. Curiosity won.

The man took a breath.

“Heart… truth is… I’m not the real Headmaster.”

Heart blinked. What?

“The cruel man who hurt you — he died, struck by lightning. Honestly, I’m… a soul from another world. I was hit by… not a truck, no, a massive carriage. When I woke up, I was in his body.”

…

Heart stared upward, speechless. He had actually gone mad. Poison-sick madness.

“I’m sorry,” said the man, voice heavy, “for not saying earlier. I know you suffered because of me.”

“…Not really,” Heart muttered.

“Thank you for understanding,” the man said with genuine relief. Heart only squirmed, lost for words.

He pressed on: “My shell looks the same, but the inside is different. So, could we… try living together, not as enemies?”

His lips snapped shut, face pinched, eyes wide open in fear. It was so unlike the past Headmaster — who only ever glowered coldly.

Indeed. That Headmaster was dead.

But this story? Utter nonsense. People hit by carriages die. They don’t reawaken in others’ bodies. Madness. And yet…

“Heart, run!!”

…Voices, memories, confusion.

Heart sighed. He was too tired for this.

“Then… what do I call you?”

“What?”

“You’re not the Headmaster, right? So what am I supposed to call you?”

For a beat the man just blinked. Then he beamed.

“What about ‘Master(Sabeomnim)’? Like when you kids practice taekwondo.”

Heart knew the others sometimes called him that. Reluctantly, he shrugged.

“…Fine.”

“Eh?”

“I said fine.”

“For real?”

“Yes!”

Irritated, Heart glared. But the man, Master, only looked elated, nostrils flaring like a fool.

“…Master.”

“Thaat’s right, Heart!!”

And suddenly he scooped the boy into his arms. Heart flailed wildly, squawking in shock, but the man only rubbed his cheek hard against his own, laughing. Heart’s skin erupted in goosebumps.