Ultear's eyes widened.
She no longer had the strength to dodge and could only watch as Lu Chongwei fell toward her.
Bang.
Lu Chongwei braced himself with both hands.
His hands landed on either side of Ultear's head.
Their faces were less than a fist's distance apart.
Ultear's entire body froze.
Lu Chongwei's breath brushed against her face.
She could even make out the sweat on his forehead.
Ultear, who had not panicked even when facing End of Time, now dared not move recklessly.
Her heart was beating frighteningly fast.
But when she thought of what she had just done, that slight panic was overwhelmed by unease.
Lu Chongwei had to be furious.
Not only had she used a forbidden spell without permission, she had nearly dragged him into End of Time with her.
Ultear parted her lips.
"Zhongwei, I..."
"Don't move yet."
Lu Chongwei closed his eyes and took a few seconds to recover.
"I'm a little dizzy."
Ultear immediately fell silent.
She looked at Lu Chongwei, so close before her, and lowered her voice.
"I'm sorry."
"I caused you trouble again."
Lu Chongwei opened his eyes.
There was not the slightest hint of blame in his tone.
"You don't need to apologize to me."
Ultear froze for a moment.
"But what I just..."
"What happened just now is over."
Lu Chongwei cut her off.
"I just want you to remember one thing."
Ultear did not dare look away.
Lu Chongwei looked at her.
"You are not someone unnecessary."
"Nor are you a life that can be traded away at any time."
"Uru was able to survive because of you."
"Meredy was able to move past her past because of you too."
"You have long since become her most important emotional support."
Ultear's lips trembled faintly.
Lu Chongwei continued,