Codex Null: Simulation Through Madness

[Hilda was silent at first, simply holding your gaze, her eyes carrying a storm of emotions — from guilt, to hesitation, to a quiet, aching longing. At last, she knelt down before you, her voice trembling as she began to apologize.]

[You didn't speak right away. Instead, you kept your focus on her, quietly assessing the changes in her presence, the clear increase in her strength. Then, with a wide smile, you finally welcomed her back.]

[Not many words passed between you after that. Your attention moved to Selena and Lilith, curious as to what they would say now.]

[And as you suspected, they declared they were ready to tell you everything. They spoke of hoping to repair the bond between you, to set aside the past so that all of you could work together to find a solution to your condition.]

[But when faced with their tempting offer, you paused, taking a moment to sense your current state. Then, you smiled — and refused.]

[You told them there was no need for cooperation, that you would resolve your condition yourself. They were welcome to mend their own differences, but you had no need for their involvement.]

[After a long conversation, Selena and Lilith, their faces still clouded with concern, finally departed, leaving you alone with Hilda.]

[She, too, seemed determined to tell you everything you had missed. But you gave her the same answer you had given the others — you would uncover the truth on your own. There was no need for her to say anything. All she needed to do was return to her duty, the one she had taken such a long holiday from.]

He's that confident?

Noel raised an eyebrow at the thought.

He felt no disappointment that the information he sought had slipped away because of the decision made by his simulated self. Deep down, he already knew — in time, he would learn everything.

[One month passed. Even with Hilda now present, nothing truly changed in your day-to-day life. You simply pressed on with your training, occasionally crossing paths with Selena and Lilith.]

Nothing changed — but you had found your backbone, at least, hadn't you?

With an amused smile, Noel seemed to ask himself that very question within the simulation.

[Then one day, Serah appeared, her expression alight with excitement.]

[The moment she saw you, she rushed forward and wrapped you in a firm hug, holding you for a while before suddenly stepping back, her eyes bright. She told you she had heard the news — and that you were amazing.]

[You, in contrast, stayed calm, and asked her if she had finally made some new discoveries about the dimension she had once spoken of entering.]

[She confirmed it without hesitation, and with a curious tilt of her head, asked what kind of favor you wanted in return.]

[You only smiled and told her she would find out later.]

[22 years old, everything seemed to be falling into place, and you were preparing to make your next move when, during an outing with Selena, she suddenly asked your opinion about inviting Edith — the leader of the Order of Veil — to examine your condition.]

This time… she's asking?

Noel thought, a faint sense of intrigue stirring. More and more, this simulation was proving to be different.

[You frowned and refused outright, before telling her you had something else in mind — and asking if she was willing to help.]

[One month later, you were in Florence, Italy, standing before the Inheritance Dimension that had yet to stabilize, with Lilith and Hilda by your side.]

[The three of you waited in the cool shadow of the surrounding hills for Selena, who had gone off unexpectedly to speak with the Ravelli family — they, too, had already set their sights on this particular dimension.]

[When she returned, she was not alone. Walking beside her was Elsa Ravelli, who, with calm authority, informed you that you were all welcome to participate, but the ownership of the dimension itself was out of the question.]

[You told her that was perfectly fine, and without further argument, joined their group.]

[Days passed. When the dimension finally stabilized, you stepped inside with Selena, Lilith, Hilda, Elsa, and a small group from the Ravelli family.]

[Everything went smoothly — until you reached the lone structure within the dimension: a towering structure.]

[Inside, tensions erupted over who would have the first chance to test their compatibility with the inheritance. You insisted it should be you, while the Ravelli representatives argued for themselves.]

[The air grew thick, battle a heartbeat away — but then Elsa, her gaze flicking warily to Hilda, relented. She stepped forward and mediated, allowing you to enter first.]

Noel blinked, his eyes scanning that last line again, just to be sure he'd read it correctly.

According to his memories — now a little outdated — Hilda and Elsa should have been on roughly equal footing in strength.

If anything, Elsa's talent had been the greater. One had lived for five centuries, the other for nearly a thousand years.

So how… had Hilda grown so much stronger in such a short span?

He couldn't help but feel curious.

[You stepped forward toward the center of the hall, where a round crystal rested upon a pedestal, and placed your hand against its cool surface.]

[At first, it only glimmered faintly, the dim light drawing a few muffled snickers from behind you — the quiet, mocking laughter of those who believed the former heir of the Cross family had truly fallen.]

[Then, a sharp prick lanced your palm, drawing a single bead of blood.]

[Everything changed.]

[The crystal blazed to life with a brilliant crimson light, flooding the chamber in a deep, vibrant glow. Gasps replaced laughter, and in the same instant, the largest of the hall's ancient doors opened.]

[For a moment, the entire group stood frozen — caught in the act of their mockery.]

[But the shock didn't last. Their expressions changed quickly, eyes narrowing with the realization that this door almost certainly led to the main inheritance. The mood turned sharp; peace suddenly felt fragile.]

[Seeing this, you made no move toward the door. Instead, you stopped where you stood, meeting their gazes in silence — a quiet, unspoken challenge, daring any of them to try.]