episode_0086

[Error, cannot be measured]

[Detailed error content]

[0291 error]

[98821 error]

[0031 error]

[7876 error]

The paper Lily was holding contained the message that it could not be measured and endless error messages. Lily couldn’t hide her trembling gaze as she thought.

‘Other organization bosses’ top-grade magic tools can’t measure?’

In this case, there are only two possibilities.

First, the magic tool is malfunctioning or unable to measure the correct value.

Second, for some reason, it is impossible to measure Lian’s physical condition even with the top-grade magic tool.

Of course, the former made more sense. Lily immediately removed the band from Lian’s body.

Nero, who was checking the results together, quickly realized the situation and raised his upper garment, showing the area around his neck, and said, “I measured most recently, so I’ll try measuring.”

If it was completely broken, the result would be completely different from the one drawn a while ago.

Lily attached the band to Nero’s body, and soon the result came out.

“…It’s not broken.”

“Oh.”

That meant there was nothing wrong with the magic tool. Noah, who had been holding his breath, spoke in a low voice.

“I… need to find a better magic tool. Or maybe find a capable healer.”

“Yeah, it seems like there’s no other way to measure properly.”

Finding a magic tool better than the top grade would be almost impossible unless they raided the kingdom’s treasure warehouse. So finding a better magic tool was close to impossible, or something that might be possible in the very distant future.

Noah bit his lip in thought.

‘The fact that it can’t be measured with the top-grade magic tool… How bad could the condition be? No, no. It might not be a bad condition, it might be a side effect. A side effect of the experiment.’

Noah trembled, clenching his fists tightly as he recalled the cruel experiment that had befallen Rian.

“Um, I’m hungry, can I have my meal now?”

Rian’s words seemed to break the stillness in the room. Since there was nothing they could do immediately, Rian’s requested meal was prepared as desired.

Rian had suddenly collapsed and remained unconscious for a week. However, the reason remained unknown, weighing heavily on those who cherished Rian.

Even though Rian was seen laughing and talking, it felt like they could vanish at any moment. In this precarious atmosphere, Rian thought to himself, “Phew, finally I’ll survive.”

Feeling vitality coursing through his body, Rian considered the situation as nothing out of the ordinary.

…Until the next day when he was partially confined.

***

“Noah, is there anything I can help with?”

“Don’t worry about me, just relax.”

Since the day I had a strange dream, I couldn’t have time alone anymore. It might sound strange…

Simply put, whether inside or outside the room, someone had to be by my side.

If no one was there?

…I couldn’t leave the room.

“This is confinement… isn’t it? Nah, it can’t be. Hahaha!”

I burst into laughter at the absurdity of my own thoughts.

“If I visibly recover, everyone will probably go back to their own business!”

And so a week passed.

…I was still in a state where I couldn’t go anywhere alone. By this point, I realized something was amiss.

“How long will I have to be without anyone around?”

“Well… Nero said he would come back as soon as possible. It should be fine if you switch with Nero.”

“Um, I’m healthy now, so I can be alone.”

As with any newly established organization, the Nest organization was incredibly busy. Therefore, there were times when it was difficult for a superior to be by my side.

At such times, I either waited for the least busy person to quickly handle the work and return, or I postponed what I was going to do and rushed back.

Every time I said, “I am healthy,” but no one paid attention. Sob..

“Juin-nim! Juin-nim! I made this!”

While feeling gloomy, Jesse came running with something to show me. It was a piece of art made by sticking colored paper on paper.

“Oh, well done.”

“Hehe..”

When I praised him, he immediately lowered his head and perked up his ears. When I gently raised my hand, his ears perked up even more and his tail wagged wildly.

I thought about teasing him, but he looked so cute that I raised my hand and petted him.

Pat pat!

His tail wagged as if it could reach the sky.

“Come to think of it… who is Jesse taking classes from?”

In response to my question, Lily, who had been by my side until Nero arrived, answered.

“Children of Jesse’s age group take classes in a separate building a little away from the main dormitory.”

“Really? Why have I never seen the kids before?”

“There is a perception barrier magic circle operating between the main building and the annex where the children live, so the children cannot come over to the main building. Jesse and Iris can come over because they have a pass.”

“I see..”

While admiring, Jesse lifted his chin and looked at me brightly. When I stroked his chin, a purring sound was heard.

Jesse didn’t seem like a domestic cat when looking at his tail, but when I stroked his chin or head, he made a cat-like sound. It was cute.

“Can I go see them once?”

“Umm..”

Lily seemed to hesitate for a moment, then nodded.

“There’s nothing particularly dangerous, so if you want, you can visit once.”

During this conversation, Nero arrived.

“Sorry for being late!”

“No, you’re not late.”

Upon Nero’s arrival, Lily immediately exchanged greetings and left. She was very busy.

“Phew… Hyung, so what are we going to do today? Want to play chess with me?”

“I’d rather go check out the annex where the kids are hanging out.”

“The annex?”

“Yeah, Lily said it’s okay for us to go.”

Worried about being rejected, Nero eagerly nodded at the fact that he had permission.

“If Lily said it’s okay, well, then it should be fine!”

Nero smiled and looked at Jess as he spoke.

“Well, I also have to bring back a naughty student who escaped.”

“Huh? Escaped?”

“Yeah, it’s right in the middle of class time now.”

When I looked at Jess, Jess looked at me with a side glance, like an accident-prone puppy. I petted his head in a somewhat bewildered yet not resentful manner.

“What if this guy sneaks out of class?”

“Hehehe, I wanted to show this to Juin-nim!”

“Still, next time come after class. Got it?”

“Yes!”

I took Jess’s hand and headed towards the annex with Nero.

“Come to think of it, it’s my first time coming outside the main building.”

As seen from the terrace, the main building was surrounded by a forest. Nero walked along a path in the forest where traces of people could be felt.

How long did I follow him? The surroundings were filled with dense fog, making it difficult to see even a step ahead.

“Oh, right. Hyung, here.”

As if he remembered late, Nero handed me something round and flat. A magic circle was drawn on the wooden disk.

“You need this to pass freely. I have extras, so you can use it.”

“Oh, thanks.”

After putting the disk in my pocket, we continued moving. After about 20 minutes of walking, the fog cleared, revealing a wide open field.

A single-story building was situated on the spacious field. It was larger than I had expected.

“We built the building as a single story because the kids are so young, we were worried they might get hurt.”

“That does seem better. They could fall from the second floor.”

As we entered the building, we heard the voices of the children following the teacher’s instructions inside.

“Alright, then what should we say in this kind of situation?”

In response to the gentle question that brings back memories of childhood -…

“If you don’t want to break your fingers, it’s better to speak properly! That’s what you should say!”

“That’s right!”

“….?”

“So, in a situation like this?”

“Stare for 30 seconds and grab the handle of the sword! If there’s still no response, turn around! When walking while showing your back, be prepared for an attack!”

“….??”

The content that did not match the lively voice seeped out of the classroom.

“They said this kind of education is necessary because Kardishan is such a dangerous place.”

I nodded my head at Nero’s words with a wry smile.

“The education I received was possible only in a safe world.”

For a very brief moment, I thought, ‘It must be safe…?’ but I lightly brushed off the thought that compared to the dark fantasy world, the safe world must be correct.

“We only have one class. Both Iris and Jess take classes in this class. Since Jess has to go to class, I’ll knock.”

Knock knock.

When Nero knocked, the teacher’s voice abruptly stopped.

“Just a moment!”

Someone rushed over and opened the door.

“Oh my! Jess!”

The middle-aged woman with her long hair tied up high laughed with her eyes half-closed, then quickly hardened her expression and said firmly.

“Can you just run out as you please?”

“No, I can’t…”

“You won’t do it next time, will you?”

“No, I won’t…”

As Jess looked up at the teacher with a sullen face, the teacher’s face melted in an instant. Jess was that cute.

Jess, who had been bowing deeply, suddenly raised his face and looked at the teacher with sparkling eyes. Jess’s fingertips pointed towards me.

“Teacher, this is my friend!”

“….!?”