Episode 489. Love and War

24 hours a day. 1440 minutes. 86,400 seconds.

The time given to humans is fair to everyone, but the flow of time each person feels is different.

I’m not talking about something complicated like the theory of relativity.

There’s no helping it that the time felt by someone enjoying their weekend and someone facing Monday morning is different.

When doing things you want to do, hours pass in an instant, but when studying or working, you find yourself checking the clock every five minutes.

Shwoosh. Srrrrlk-.

This is boring.

Lying in bed, Im Sol pouted while watching the cube spinning before her eyes.

The colorless magic power cube spun automatically in mid-air, even without Im Sol’s touch.

It was an Academy textbook for calculating the patterns engraved on the cube using magic power.

It wasn’t bad for killing time, but the difficulty level was something a mage like Im Sol could solve with her eyes closed.

‘…The hospital room is too quiet.’

It was the same in the research lab where I spend my days, but just lying here doing nothing made my body ache.

Besides, there was a worry currently filling Im Sol’s mind.

It was my disciple, Lee Hoyeon.

That man was the problem.

‘If only I hadn’t been caught by Ahyoung… No, why is that kid recovering so fast?’

After the sparring match ended, Im Sol had also sorted out her thoughts in her own way.

I was satisfied just dragging him to the rooftop. You need to get some fresh air right before serious contemplation and conversation.

However, even the genius mage Im Sol hadn’t calculated that the evening air was colder than expected.

Having overexerted herself, Im Sol had no choice but to lie in bed even after Lee Hoyeon was discharged.

‘Now… all that’s left is to move forward, right?’

The act of sharing affection with a man shouldn’t be that difficult.

Although it wasn’t the main event, I’d had intimate moments with Lee Hoyeon several times before.

It’s just one step further from there…

‘… .’

Gulp.

Im Sol swallowed.

No matter how much I tried to be confident, as a woman, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

A first experience is that important.

Im Sol wasn’t someone idle enough to worry about things other than magic, so I hadn’t thought about it at all until now, but when the time came, I was incredibly nervous.

Am I, in the end, also a woman?

Thinking of Lee Hoyeon’s face made my heart pound continuously.

‘At times like this, I should eat something sweet… but Ahyoung told me to stick to patient food for a while.’

Come to think of it, it feels like it’s been a while since I last had my disciple’s sweet semen.

Perhaps the reason for my decreased condition is a lack of sugar.

Im Sol nodded.

Lee Hoyeon was also a problem.

To think he’d be discharged immediately just because Baek Ahyoung told him to, while I’m still hospitalized.

No, even that is fine.

Shouldn’t he at least stay by my side?

I have only Lee Hoyeon, but it didn’t seem like he felt the same way about me.

‘…Is this just pathetic jealousy?’

It’s funny for a latecomer like me to be jealous, but what can I do about feeling wronged?

He should pay a little more attention to me.

Im Sol’s hands trembled uncontrollably.

And then…

Shwoosh-

The magic power flowing into the magic cube faltered.

‘Your concentration slipped. Sol-ah. You’re lost in thought.’

Baek Ahyoung picked up the magic cube that had fallen powerlessly onto the blanket.

Im Sol in the hospital room wasn’t alone.

What we’re doing now is rehabilitation training.

Although the damaged magic circuits had been treated, regaining the sensation of moving magic power was a task Im Sol had to accomplish.

Since Im Sol was a VVIP among patients, Baek Ahyoung, the Saintess, stayed with her for a significant amount of time.

‘I’m telling you, the magic cube isn’t easy. No matter how much of a genius mage you are, Sol-ah, you need to listen to me during rehabilitation.’

‘…Ahyoung-ah. You know I hold the world record for solving cubes, right? I broke the world record at a competition I entered just for fun. No one’s broken it since.’

‘That’s one thing, but this is rehabilitation right now. Stop talking nonsense and concentrate.’

Im Sol pouted.

Honestly, I couldn’t understand how doing these magic cubes was helping.

While my body wasn’t in peak condition, it wasn’t so bad that I needed to be confined to bed.

I wanted to run out of the hospital room right now to see my disciple or continue my magic research in the lab.

‘Ahyoung-ah. But I’ve really gotten better. I could probably be discharged right now without any problems. I know my body best.’

‘What about collapsing in the lab because you starved yourself for a whole week?’

‘Even monkeys fall from trees…, Khhh.’

Im Sol winced at the sudden pain.

This was why Baek Ahyoung was stationed by Im Sol’s side.

Since her magic circuits had been severely damaged, experiencing unexpected pain was a natural consequence.

Baek Ahyoung skillfully channeled her magic power.

Ziiing.

Bright healing magic flowed into Im Sol’s body, and Im Sol’s crumpled face gradually brightened.

True to her title as Saintess, Baek Ahyoung instantly subdued the pain.

‘…Thanks.’

‘See? Now, let’s start again.’

Im Sol blushed as she took the magic cube Baek Ahyoung handed her.

To boast about being healthy and then immediately show such weakness. Could there be a more embarrassing situation?

The timing was suspicious enough to make me wonder if Baek Ahyoung had deliberately caused the pain just to tease me.

Shwoosh- Shurrlk-

Of course, knowing that wasn’t the case, Im Sol quietly picked up the cube.

The quiet hospital room was filled only with the sound of the magic cube moving.

Im Sol focused her concentration.

Soon, all sides of the cube were neatly arranged, and Im Sol turned her head.

‘Ahyoung-ah. I finished it. Can I rest now?’

‘No. You have to start over from the beginning.’

‘That’s actual torture…’

‘Seriously, you’re not a child. If you keep this up, I’ll forbid visitors.’

‘…Sorry.’

Im Sol, who had been about to put down the magic cube, began mixing the cube she had just solved herself.

Haaa.

Seeing Im Sol’s disappointed expression, Baek Ahyoung sighed.

As much as I wanted to discharge her, I couldn’t send her off when the physical abnormalities were so apparent.

‘I’ll be watching you constantly, so anything else is forbidden until you can move perfectly.’

‘No way. I have visiting hours today.’

‘Is it Hoyeon?’

‘…Yeah.’

‘If it’s Hoyeon, I can’t help it… but still, you have to keep solving the cube until then.’

Baek Ahyoung and Im Sol were in an alliance.

It wasn’t like we did anything special as allies, but I didn’t want to interfere.

‘So why did you fight like that? It wasn’t even an important sparring match, what’s with the pride? You know how hard it is to be hospitalized.’

‘It wasn’t because of pride.’

‘What do you mean?’

Baek Ahyoung tilted her head.

If it wasn’t pride, what reason could there be to fight enough to semi-destroy the sparring arena?

‘It was just… a mix of emotions.’

‘Hmm. Alright. Surely Sol-ah didn’t do anything foolish.’

‘…’

Im Sol thought.

What constitutes foolish behavior?

Striving to achieve victory against the one and only destined partner in the world.

Ordinary people wouldn’t call that foolish behavior. They should be proud, rather.

Mhmm.

Im Sol nodded and focused on the cube.

---

‘Allow me to offer you some tea.’

‘…Thank you. Scarlet-yang.’

Sip.

A quiet living room. Irene, who had entered the living room without the homeowner’s knowledge, accepted and drank the coffee Scarlet offered.

‘Oho… It is indeed strange. I knew the baby’s father was interested in the black pillar, but I never imagined he’d visit every single day.’

‘Rebecca-ssi. Is that black pillar thing important? What does it have to do with Hoyeon?’

‘We are still in the stage of finding a connection.’

The women living in Lee Hoyeon’s house were conversing while looking at the documents Irene had brought.

Although I’d visited several times, I still found it hard to adapt to the atmosphere of this house.

‘Nom. Scout. More coffee?’

‘I haven’t even taken a sip yet, would you like mine? The sugar is on the table.’

‘Yeah. I wanna eat.’

The real power in this house, stuffing her face with snacks.

A woman named Liliana.

Every time I see her acting however she pleases without anyone pointing it out, I wonder if she’s the woman Lee Hoyeon favors the most.

For reference, Rebecca and Scarlet seemed to be handling the practical tasks.

Irene was accumulating data on the women in her own way.

Just in case the day comes when I have to compete with these women… I need to prepare, even if it’s for Alice’s sake.

‘Irene-yang. You said you saw the baby’s father again today, right? Did you see where he went?’

‘Yes. He’s more skilled than I am… If I had tried to follow him, he would have noticed immediately.’

‘That’s true, isn’t it? Ah, you can speak casually to me. You used informal language the first time we met, so why the sudden formality, Irene-yang?’

‘Ah… Okay. Rebecca.’

‘Please speak to me as you normally do. Irene-nim.’

‘…Yeah. Scarlet.’

‘Scarlet-yang. The baby’s father visiting again today is definitely suspicious. The magic circle should already be complete… We probably don’t need more information.’

‘Yes. This seems like something worth checking out next time.’

Scarlet was writing something based on the information Irene provided, while Irene drank her coffee again with a displeased expression.

Although I blurted out informal language in surprise during our first meeting, Irene was originally a more refined person.

‘I’m sorry, Irene-ssi. I wish our first meeting had gone a bit better, I’d feel more at ease.’

‘Ah, no. It’s okay, Nam Daeun-yang. Thank you.’

Just then, a gentle voice was heard. A voice like salvation to Irene.

It was Nam Daeun, the only conscience among these women.

Why on earth is such a kind woman living with Lee Hoyeon?

Irene waved her hand as she watched Nam Daeun bow her head.

‘No. There’s no need for you to apologize, Daeun-yang. It’s all Lee Hoyeon’s fault.’

‘…What did you just say?’

‘…It’s all my fault. I’m sorry.’

‘Ahaha. No, it’s okay, Irene-ssi. Ah, if you visit next time, perhaps you could take a look around our house…’

Irene broke out in a cold sweat watching Nam Daeun smile brightly.

What was that?

Although I skillfully changed the subject with my sharp senses, I definitely felt a murderous intent… Was it my imagination?

‘Come to think of it, Irene-nim. Do you have any information about Lucifer, who attacked us?’

‘Ah, yeah. We dispatched a separate investigation team, but there isn’t much information. The timing is particularly bad. Terrorist attacks by Pandemic have sharply increased worldwide, hindering the investigation.’

‘Hmm… Right. Irene-yang. Is there a connection between the black pillar and Pandemic?’

‘The academic community is announcing it might be a new type of dungeon… but considering such structures appeared simultaneously worldwide, the prevailing theory is that it’s the work of Pandemic. They’re probably saying that to avoid causing chaos.’

‘Indeed… Pandemic is like a religious organization. Even when I was with them, they’d do anything for the goal of summoning the Demon King.’

Rebecca nodded.

Thinking about Pandemic back then, I have no idea what they might be doing now.

‘Right. Perhaps it’s a kind of religious structure… Huh? Wait a moment. When you were with them?’

‘Now that I think about it, Irene-nim, you wouldn’t know. Rebecca-nim was briefly affiliated with Pandemic.’

‘Well, since it’s Irene, I suppose I can talk about it.’

‘Huh? Wha?’

Irene dropped the coffee cup she was holding onto the floor without realizing it.

Nam Daeun, reacting quickly, placed the coffee cup back on the table before the coffee could spill, and Irene was surprised once again seeing that.

‘H-how… No, we even went on missions together… Huh?’

‘Don’t be confused. I did bad things back then, but it wasn’t my will.’

‘…I see. Hooo. Hmm. I guess that can happen.’

Irene calmed her pounding heart.

I am the 1st team leader of the Iris Guild.

I shouldn’t be flustered by something like this.

‘The guild Scout got kicked out of can’t even get good information.’

‘…Liliana. Kicked out? Scarlet submitted her resignation herself, and the Iris Guild accepted it according to procedure.’

‘No. Scout admitted herself that she was kicked out.’

‘…?’

Irene tilted her head as she watched Liliana, who had interrupted the conversation while munching on cookies.

Her expression was firm, convinced she was right.

Amidst that disconnect, Scarlet’s voice was heard.

‘…Irene-nim.’

‘Huh? Ah…’

Scarlet, standing behind Liliana, put her index finger to her lips and shook her head.

Liliana doesn’t usually accept things unless they’re in her area of interest.

Especially in bizarre matters, she’s even more so than Nam Dahee, so based on past experience, it’s better to just gloss over it.

I’ve been teased enough times that I’m used to it now.

‘…Scary, as expected.’

Irene shut her mouth the moment she saw Scarlet’s face.

Scarlet isn’t a woman who easily gives in, so for her to just let go of being told she was kicked out, which is insulting to her pride…

Liliana really is number one in the hierarchy.

Irene shivered and brought the coffee to her lips.