Several weeks after Wisteria Lilac had returned from the Sacred Tree's kidnapping (?), he received a letter of notice from the Sorcery University of Flora, reminding him of what preparations he should make before moving in as a new instructor. Having lost the opportunity to reject the new job position, for it had happened before he recovered his memories, he had no other option but to prepare as suggested.

Since he had lived his life as Wisteria since birth, there were no changes to his physical and magical capabilities even after retrieving his past memories. He fluently swung his fingers and a gentle breeze of Mana carried the targeted objects into a bag. Being preoccupied with packing, he didn't notice the curious eyes behind him, peering in through the crack of the door.

"I'm worried to let him leave like that today. Wis hasn't been himself after coming back from the Sacred Tree..." Mrs. Lilac whispered, "Are you sure this sudden change wasn't the Sacred Tree's doing?"

"I'm sure, Missus. I checked every record of all previous Sages, but none were like Wisteria's case." He sighed, "There were some cases where the Sage candidates were not strong enough and ended up loosing a few limbs or evaporating completely, but that's all."

"..." Wishing she hadn't learnt the latter part of his explanation, she bit her lip. "I see..."

"Didn't you mention that Wisteria used be like this in his early childhood years? I heard instances where children can change personalities as Mana flows into their heads, so it's likely that the Sacred Tree undid some of those previous changes."

She shook her head, "It's okay, Sage. You don't need to explain anymore. My son is doing well, and that is what's most important."

"Mother! Oleander!" Wisteria called out as he caught a glimpse of their staring eyes. "Do you need something from me?"

"Oh, no, son." Mrs. Lilac straightened herself and pushed the door open. "I was just checking if you need help."

"No, I just finished packing. All I have to do is take myself there!" Wisteria's round cheeks expanded as he smiled at his mother.

"Good, good..." her heart warmed at the sight of her child's smile, which she hadn't seen in years. She looked around at the unusually empty room and sighed, "Oh... I'm going to miss you so much..."

"Mother..." His smile dropped, now a tear forming at the corner of his eye. He gently took hold of his mother's hand and whispered under his breath. "Should I just quit?"

"Did you say something?"

"No, it's nothing..." Wisteria forced a laugh, "I just wish I had more time before I leave..."

"You're a talented young man," Oleander spoke up from behind Mrs. Lilac, "You can come back whenever you want with a snap of your fingers! Are you feeling homesick already?"

"I am..." Wisteria forced a laugh again, unable to hide the sadness in his voice.

"Oh, my baby!" Mrs. Lilac threw her arms around her son.

His mother's embrace was one of the warmest and most comfortable embraces he's ever felt, including the time he spent alive in the other world. In his previous life, he regrettably spent most of his time preoccupied with money and work. His relationship with his parents were not good, and spared no time to keep in contact with old friends. The only few people he ever felt slightly more connected to were his sister and his niece. However, it was them who exerted effort in keeping touch with him, but not the other way around. Furthermore, he had forgotten the simplest joys of spending time with others, to the point where had forgotten how to express himself.

Thus, having been made aware of his previous regrets, he vowed to unashamedly love and treasure his family-- his mother, and maybe Oleander-- and live his current life as expressive as he wanted to be----

----Even if it would make the original Wisteria Lilac, who was described as an aloof and go-with-the-flow type of character-- a little too OOC.

His mother gently patted his back, as if consoling a crying child. "What will I do with you... I haven't seen you cling to me like this in such a long time..."

"Sorry, mother," Wisteria finally let go of the embrace, "I just missed your hugs..."

"I'll give you as many as you want, son." She held his hand with one hand, and patted down with the other.

The heartfelt moment between mother and son was cut short when Wisteria caught the tall figure of Oleander approaching him from the corner of his eye. He looked to his side and saw the Sage standing with his arms wide open.

Wisteria felt the warmth remaining from his mother's embrace being gradually contaminated by the image of the man's flexing pecs and biceps.

Staring blankly at his teacher, Wisteria responded with a short, "No, thank you," as he picked up the luggage on the floor and tucked it away into a 'pocket' alternate dimension for storage. He followed his mother out of the bedroom door, leaving the respectable and powerful Sage behind.

"Seems like there was nothing to worry about. Wisteria is the same as ever, HAHAHAHA." Finally dropping his arms down, Oleander enthusiastically left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Wisteria stood a few feet away from his mother and Oleander, who remained closer to the house entrance. It was a perfect breezy spring afternoon, in which he would have been either having tea with his mother or having magic duels with Oleander if he wasn't leaving.

He took a last glimpse at his mother, then at his teacher. He gave them a final reassuring smile, concealing the anxiety and sadness within. Although Oleander had said he could come back at any time, he knew it wound't be that easy. If he is not able to avoid his predetermined fate, this would be the last time he'd ever see his mother.

He raised his right hand, pointing his index finger toward the sky. A gust of Mana enveloped his whole body, and then, with a snap to his finger, he was gone.

His mother was finally able to release her tears, while Oleander patted her back in consolation.

Even though it was spring and all plants should have been in bloom, the trees and shrubs were lifeless. Strangely, however, the leafless trees were all large and tall enough to block almost all light from entering, as if the forest had been obliterated instantaneously.

And within this ominous forest, a light began to form from nothing. And then---

Whoosh--

A black haired young man appeared from the light. His violet eyes scanned his surroundings and nodded to himself.

"So, this is the Dark Forest."