Ch.73Reflecting (4)

# Ruide was crouched hiding inside a tree knot.

This was Ruide’s 12th napping spot.

It was narrow but cozy and comfortable.

However, Ruide’s mental state was anything but comfortable.

‘Planaria can grow up to 3.5cm in length and 4mm in width. They are flat and bilaterally symmetrical, the epitome of flatworms. They have short tentacles on both sides of their head, with the mouth located in the center of the body. They live in clean rivers or streams and reproduce at the bottom of rivers and lakes, on aquatic plants or stones.’

Escapism!

Ruide had always done this when faced with difficulties.

In his previous life, using the excuse that he couldn’t live with a mere 20 million won debt.

This time, using the excuse of stress.

In both cases, he was running away from things that ordinary people would consider trivial.

‘Seeing how I’m getting the same results even in my second life, maybe my soul itself is fundamentally flawed.’

Ruide thought this character suited him perfectly.

In the original story, “Lazy Ruide” was a character who would sleep through wars happening around him.

However, “Lazy Ruide” would solve problems more stylishly and cleanly than anyone else when his time came.

But he himself couldn’t even solve problems, let alone create them and dump the cleanup on others.

Truly pathetic.

He was disappointed in himself once more for dozing off inside a tree knot while being fully aware of it.

The funny thing was that he still had no intention of moving.

Ruide was depressed.

“Yip!”

Just then, he heard an animal’s cry.

Looking up, he saw a white Arctic fox panting and staring at him.

“Fox.”

[Master.]

“What brings you here?”

[Well, Miho is Master’s familiar, after all.]

The fox nestled into Ruide’s arms. Touching its fluffy fur gave him a sense of mental peace.

[Do you have something troubling you?]

“Troubles?”

[Master and I are connected. So I know. I can feel the intense emotional waves.]

Ruide shook his head while stroking the fox.

“It’s nothing.”

Miho knew that wasn’t true but didn’t ask twice.

[I may look like this, but I’m a spirit who has lived for 500 years.]

Ruide met the fox’s mysterious eyes.

[Master tried to counsel Hersy, but it seems like Master is the one who needs counseling.]

“…Do you think I’m childish too? Irresponsible and causing trouble.”

When Ruide asked dejectedly, Miho smiled brightly. Though being a fox, it wasn’t very noticeable.

The fox licked Ruide’s cheek and whispered.

[A 29-year-old isn’t a child.]

“…!”

Ruide looked at the fox in rare surprise.

[I can see the weight of souls, Master. Because I’m a spirit.]

“I see.”

Combining his previous life and possession period, he was 29 years old.

The reason Ruide could act this way was because he looked like a young child.

A time when he didn’t need to feel any responsibility, and everyone loved him no matter what he did.

But Miho didn’t see him that way.

Ruide felt embarrassed. He must have looked like an adult pretending to be a child.

[But I don’t think you need to worry about others’ perceptions.]

“…I don’t usually care about such things anyway.”

[But Master does care about those around you, right? Even now, you feel sorry toward Damon. You’re struggling because you haven’t properly apologized.]

“…You saw?”

[I’m your familiar, after all.]

“It’s not just that.”

Ruide looked up at the sky. This world also had a moon. The difference was that this planet had two satellites. In other words, there were two moons.

“Damon picking a fight with me was his way of saying it’s not too late to act. He wants me to soak up the spilled water with a handkerchief and put it back in the glass. The amount of water would be less than before, but it could be somewhat restored.”

Ruide really didn’t want to do that.

It wasn’t just laziness.

He fundamentally disliked conflict.

He preferred harmless things.

Cooking, jokes, laughter, compliments, things like that.

“I don’t want to do it. Even though I know it’s the right thing to do. Honestly, I don’t care.”

A life of conflict isn’t happy.

He felt that deeply in his previous life, and Ruide wanted to avoid that at all costs.

Catching black mages and confronting the mastermind. It’s not a difficult task. But would doing such things make him happy?

Ruide knew. It would be more stressful than expected, and more arduous than anticipated.

He’d rather live as an irresponsible child.

“Is that not allowed?”

[Have I ever told you about my previous master, Rak?]

“…No.”

[He was a messed-up master.]

“Worse than me?”

[You’re just cute. Actually cute too.]

Miho began her story.

[But there are similarities. He had great power and was uninterested in everything. Because he could have anything he wanted.]

Listening to a 500-year-old fox’s old tale was precious. Ruide focused quietly on Miho’s gentle voice.

[That was the problem. Being bored and tired, he ended up doing things he shouldn’t have.]

“He became a villain.”

[Yes. On the surface, it was to achieve eternal life… but the reality was different. He wanted to escape the boredom of daily life. Eternal life was just a plausible goal. What mattered to him was the process.]

Miho looked quite sad.

[It happened because a person who didn’t need a goal tried to find one.]

Ruide hugged Miho closer.

[Goals are for achieving something—if you already have everything, you don’t need goals. I’m worried Master might become like that too.]

“Me, like Rak?”

[Yes. Master is also trying to create and achieve goals that don’t exist.]

That was true.

Ruide wanted to find a goal.

Being this lethargic somehow felt wrong.

People had expectations of him. He felt he needed to fulfill them.

But Miho told him otherwise.

[You don’t need to. Master should just do what makes you happy.]

“…Even if I sleep all day?”

[Of course.]

“It’s pathetic, but I want my allowance back.”

[It’s not pathetic.]

“…I want a nice blanket too.”

[That’s an excellent goal.]

“I want to sleep as long as possible. Without interruptions.”

[You can achieve that.]

“I’d rather live an ordinary life than be a hero who saves the world.”

[It’s difficult, but Master can do it. Miho will support you.]

“But you know what?”

Ruide said casually.

“This world could easily be destroyed.”

[……]

Ruide tilted his head.

“Still? I shouldn’t care? When that time comes, people will want me to solve all their problems. Because I have the power to solve them easily.”

The fox covered Ruide’s ears with its paws.

[Ignore what others say. Ruide should follow Ruide’s path.]

“…I realize now why you were Rak’s spirit. You’re a bad fox. Telling me to ignore the world even when it’s in danger?”

[Yes.]

Miho was serious.

Ruide wasn’t that indifferent to others’ affairs.

If the world were to end, he would probably step up.

Because…

“That won’t work. Because I can’t enjoy daily life in a destroyed world.”

[Then just prevent destruction. Only step in at the last moment.]

“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who acts only after things have happened.”

But hearing Miho’s confident words made him feel good.

Ruide emerged from the tree knot.

He stretched.

A chilly breeze swirled around. He was already awake.

“Still, a genius magician should be different.”

Ruide decided to use magic.

Magic that would solve everything.

Solely for himself.

**

“Heave-ho.”

Ruide stood on the roof of the skyscraper.

It was so high that the ground below was barely visible. Looking up, he could see clouds.

All preparations for creating the barrier were complete. Ruide had spent an entire week developing the barrier formula and gathering materials.

The skyscraper, being the tallest building in the Academy, was the perfect place to install a barrier.

Ruide took out Dellin’s Staff from his pocket.

He felt sorry for taking it back after giving it away.

‘I’ll make it up to Hersy later.’

The staff bestowed by the Emperor.

The reason Ruide had given it to Hersy was partly for safety, but—

Mainly because it was troublesome to deal with.

It seemed wasteful to let such a rare item rot in storage, but he didn’t particularly need it himself.

Now that it had found a good use, that was enough.

Ruide levitated Dellin’s Staff using telekinesis.

The stronger the medium, the more powerful the barrier becomes.

Then what value would Dellin’s Staff—imbued with the immense mythology that forms the foundation of this world’s magic—have as a medium?

Probably enough power to withstand all the evil in this world even if it came all at once.

All preparations were complete. Now, he just needed to recite the barrier’s conditions.

“I, Ruide Christopher Windsor, strongly wish.”

Ruide spoke in a resonant voice.

“Under no circumstances shall anyone who threatens the safety of students be allowed entry.”

The fewer conditions a barrier oath has, the more powerful it becomes.

With the best medium, the best magician, and just one condition, this barrier would be impenetrable.

“This oath is absolute and eternal.”

Finally, setting the activation word would complete the barrier.

The activation word is important. It’s needed for barrier maintenance and for changing its contents.

But it’s not secretive. Since magical power input is required to modify the barrier, the activation word alone isn’t enough to change it.

So the activation word is open. It’s like an ID.

Ruide hadn’t hesitated once when reciting the previous spells, but this time he did.

Since people would constantly mention it, he wanted something cool.

‘That would be good.’

Ruide extended his right hand with his wish.

He whispered the activation word.

“My Way.”

Woong—

As the final piece fell into place, Dellin’s Staff resonated.

Dozens of layers of magic circles appeared in the air.

Crack—

Dellin’s Staff shattered.

The fragments of the staff spread out like the Milky Way, extending throughout the Academy.

It looked just like shooting stars.

“Beautiful.”

Ruide thought it was truly beautiful, even though he had created it himself.

**

Ruide entered the dark mansion.

Amelia was standing with her arms crossed, wearing pajamas, looking at him.

“You’re too late, Rui.”

“Sorry.”

Amelia sighed and made a resigned expression.

She approached Ruide and stroked his head.

“Have you reflected enough during this time?”

“Yes.”

“Then that’s fine.”

Amelia smiled brightly.

“Want to eat?”

“…Sister.”

“Yes?”

Ruide took out a leaf from his pocket.

“?”

“We’ll have to eat only grass for a while.”

“…What are you talking about?”

Amelia had overlooked something.

Ruide’s allowance ban.

And that applied to Amelia too, who had been living luxuriously on the condition of taking care of Ruide.

“Well, we don’t have money for food.”

Amelia laughed awkwardly.

“What are you saying, Rui? I heard Academy professors get quite a good salary.”

“I spent it all.”

“……”

Growl—

A dragon roared in Amelia’s stomach.