Gilles! Hey, Gilles!

Henrys loud voice echoed in my ears. I felt languid. It felt as if I had lead strapped to my entire body.

When did I fall asleep?

I slowly open my eyes. Henrys face came into view as he looked at me worriedly. Duke was right behind him.

I managed to pull myself up while Henry was holding me in his arms.

Gilles! For now, take these pills.

Saying this, Henry brought a cup filled with a light blue liquid to my mouth. I wanted to tell him that I was okay, but I couldnt even speak.

I followed Henrys lead and took a sip from the cup. The medicine was tasteless.

It wont work immediately, but after a while youll feel a little better.

Duke said this, and I realized that Id caused them problems.

Im sorry.

Sorry for what?

Henry gave me a curious look.

I was studying so that I wouldnt cause you any trouble, but I ended up bothering Henry and the others.

You idiot! What are you talking about!

I froze at the sound of Henrys sudden yell.

You are just a child. You should get us into a lot of trouble. You need to depend on us a little more! Why are you so uptight? Come to me before you get yourself into trouble!

But Im useless. I was able to leave that village because I was useful but Im no match for everyone else here.

My weak voice echoed throughout the library. After a moment, Duke turned to say to me.

Gilles is the most thoughtful person I know. Intelligent, perceptive of his surroundings, and capable of reading the air. Its okay to be selfish; suppressing feelings of missing Alicia and struggling in this world is a marvelous achievement. Ive said it many times, Gilles, but I am counting on you, and I will always need you, even when Lizs magic is lifted. However, if the weight of your life becomes too much for you to bear, simply let it out. Allow yourself to express your emotions. We will never be disappointed in you because of it.

Duke was unusually talkative. I could tell that he was very concerned about me.

They offered me the words I was looking for. Just saying those words made my heart lighten and helped me so much.

Knowing that Gramps death was imminent, I was about to be crushed by the fear and loneliness of losing my value at the school.

Alicia, the place you have given me was so warm.

Thank you.

That was all I could say. It was the only thing that came out in my desperate search for words.

I was sure they would never be able to understand how I felt as a person with no magic. Still, as long as there were people here who needed me, I would be able to move forward.