Codex Null: Simulation Through Madness
Chapter 32: Close Enough

Chapter 32: Close Enough

"Anyway, you’re coming with me," Serah said, and a gleam appeared in Noel’s eyes at her abrupt shift in tone.

He watched as she turned to the other woman with her — the one whose expression had already twisted into something unnatural at what she had just witnessed.

"Elysia, come here and heal him."

Elysia, a mature woman on the shorter side, lacked the distinctive presence Serah carried — but had her own quiet charm.

At Serah’s command, she gave a small nod and, with her elegant robe, obediently stepped forward to their side.

She extended her hand toward Noel, and as one of the rings on her fingers began to glow, he could feel his injuries begin to heal — far too quickly.

They itched as they closed, giving him a strange, uncomfortable sensation, but his expression didn’t change, even as he silently sized up the woman before him.

She was dangerous in her own right. In fact, Noel felt she might be the strongest person he had encountered so far.

Yet, when compared to Serah... she still seemed like the lesser threat.

She finished healing him in just a few seconds, but didn’t stop there.

Another ring glowed. Then, with a flick of her fingers, all the blood, sweat, and dust that had clung to his body vanished.

After that, she suddenly began circling around him, as if measuring something. Then, once again, one of her rings flared with light. She moved her hand in a blur — and in the next moment, his clothes were... completely changed. A new outfit, neat and pristine, settled on his body.

Noel blinked, marveling for a moment at everything that had just happened.

And Elysia bowed slightly toward Serah, who gave a satisfied nod and said, "Clean up the scene here, then follow us."

Elysia nodded once more.

And finally, Serah locked eyes with him. With a subtle gesture, she conveyed clearly: Let’s go. There’s no excuse left for you to refuse me.

This time, Noel didn’t.

And just like that, side by side, he walked out of the alley with her.

They didn’t walk in silence, as Serah immediately asked, "Anyway, you’re Noel, right?"

"So, you were certain my surname was Cross, but not sure about the name?" Noel replied, his tone relaxed but probing.

Serah chuckled, shaking her head. "Well, I’ve heard of you before, but this is the first time we’re actually meeting, after all."

"Oh?" Noel raised an eyebrow slightly, intrigued.

"Actually," she continued, nudging him playfully with her shoulder, "I was pretty sure you were Noel. I mean, there can’t be two people this handsome in the world, with a condition as awful as yours. I just asked to make sure."

His condition — his miserable condition — seemed to amuse her. But Noel gave no reaction. He just smiled faintly and answered, "Well yes, I’m Noel... Noel Cross."

Then, with a slight gleam flickering in his eyes, he added, "Nice to meet you, Serah."

At her name leaving his lips — though she hadn’t introduced herself yet — Serah suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Her smile widened, and her eyes twinkled as she looked at Noel, who glanced at her from the corner of his eyes without slowing down.

In that moment, she seemed completely hooked by the enigma named Noel.

And so, she hurriedly followed him, saying in a cheerful tone, "It’s really nice to meet you!"

She didn’t ask how he knew her name.

Didn’t ask how he recognized her.

Instead, curiosity already taking root, she asked, "So, what are you doing these days?"

Noel stayed silent for a moment, then, with a straight expression, replied, "University student. Psychology major. Currently spending my fourth and final year... peacefully."

"Peacefully?" Serah echoed, amusement tugging at her voice.

"Someone living peacefully, would come here, of all kind of places at this time, and even kill someone?"

Catching something strange in her words, Noel turned to her and asked, "What do you mean?"

He didn’t spell it out, but Serah caught the meaning just fine.

With a teasing smirk, she tilted her head. "You don’t know?"

Her violet eyes sparkled as if saying, Beg a little, and maybe I’ll indulge you.

But when he remained quiet, she clicked her tongue and said, "It’s simple."

"An overlapping space signal was recently detected in this area."

Does she mean a dimension appeared here?

Noel pondered her words.

He kept his expression unreadable, but Serah was watching closely.

"That means," she continued with a smile, "some dimension emerged here recently. And from the signs, it’s a dangerous one."

"That’s why I’m here in the first place."

Her gaze dropped to the bag in his hand.

"But it seems that’s not the case for you."

Noel didn’t respond, and Serah narrowed her eyes slightly, leaning in as she probed further.

"You know, I can feel it. Your soul... it’s still badly injured, and no one around will help you heal it, so you can’t use law"

"Yet somehow, you’ve gained this physical strength. So — how did you do it?"

Noel chuckled. A low sound, quiet and genuine.

It felt oddly refreshing — being asked something so direct by a complete stranger.

When everyone else around him always preferred to find out on their own.

Still, that didn’t change the nature of their situation.

"Don’t you think we need to be much closer to share this kind of detail?" he said.

Serah’s lips curled into a sly smile.

"Oh? And how close do you want us to be?"

"Close enough that I won’t fear the next moment might be my last," Noel said, his tone neutral.

Serah burst into laughter. "Hahaha~ You’re really funny... But why don’t I feel like you’re scared, despite what you just said?"

Noel stared Serah meaningfully, for a moment before he calmly asked, "Do you want me to show it?"

And Serah instantly shook her head. "No. You’re perfect just the way you are."

Then, with a deeper voice — strangely heavy, almost trembling — she added,

"I might go crazy if you change... so, please don’t."

Noel raised an eyebrow as he thought.

’So, you mean you’re not crazy already?’