Ch.97Strange Fate (3)

After that, I came out of the bookstore with various books I had purchased. There were many newly published books, so it took a lot of time to choose, but thanks to Arwen’s explanations beside me, I was able to reduce the time somewhat.

Instead of telling me the plots, she only informed me whether the books had depth and were suitable for someone knowledgeable like me, without including her subjective evaluations.

“But they’re all history-related books. Do you like history?”

Arwen asked me as we walked outside the bookstore. She must have been curious since I only chose history books.

I lifted the bag in my right hand and answered her. The bag contained the books I had purchased.

“It’s interesting. I find it fascinating that such events existed in the past.”

“Indeed, as you say, the past evokes interest. Even I wonder if such events really happened. And the fact that the past influences both the present and future draws great attention.”

“Do you like history, Arwen? Including the history of other races, not just elven history.”

Elves might value history and tradition almost excessively, but that’s limited to their own kind. Until the Race War broke out, elves had almost no interest in other races.

However, there was exactly one exception: demons. Elves, descendants of angels, couldn’t help but be wary of demons, descendants of devils, and books record that there were covert conflicts between them.

But since their powers were similar, direct armed conflicts didn’t occur. If that happened, at least one race would face extinction, so elves had no choice but to remain neutral.

“Of course. I’m particularly curious about humans like you. Humans have achieved remarkable growth despite their incredibly short lifespans. Even magic, which could only be used by the chosen ones during the Race War, is now widespread among the upper class. And given more time, magic will become a power that even commoners can easily use.”

“That will take a long time.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing my blunt response, Arwen stared at my face. Then, after pondering something deeply, she turned her head forward and shared her thoughts.

“As you say, it will take a long time. However, humans have boundless potential and are a race that even we elves cannot easily predict. Perhaps magic will spread to the general public in the not-too-distant future. You know how the perception of demons changed when the Biography of Xenon was revealed to the world.”

“True, this world is full of unpredictable things.”

I chuckled after hearing Arwen’s explanation. Even I, who directly wrote the Biography of Xenon, didn’t expect things to turn out this way, so how much more unpredictable must the world be?

Magic might be considered a privilege allowed only to the upper class, but when examined closely, it’s a naturally established phenomenon.

Unlike nobles who receive higher education from childhood, commoners have to acquire power on their own, and even access to magic differs.

Occasionally, magical aptitude appears in commoners, but that’s an extremely rare probability. Also, since it represents extraordinary talent, the country provides intensive care.

In other words, magic is a power that commoners could easily use if only the accessibility issue were resolved.

The reason elves and demons are proficient in magic might largely be due to their innate nature, but overwhelming accessibility is probably the biggest factor.

“By the way, is it true that elves look down on humans? Neither you nor any elf I’ve met so far seems to have that tendency?”

After thinking deeply about magic, a question suddenly came to mind, and I asked Arwen.

Whether it’s Cindy or Elena, I don’t know if the elves I’ve met are unique, but they never placed humans below themselves.

Rather, Elena values me highly enough to register me as a recommended student, and the same goes for Cindy.

“That’s merely a prejudice. Just as each human views elves differently, we also view humans from various perspectives. However, most elves who experienced the Race War still look down on humans.”

“Why? After experiencing such humiliation, one would think their views would change.”

“The reason is simple. They believe they lost the Race War because of their own mistakes, not because humans were superior. Truly ridiculous.”

“… …”

I felt speechless at this typical elven mindset. I’d heard that generational conflicts among elves are particularly severe, and now I somewhat understand why.

Still, it was fortunate that younger elves like her viewed humans positively.

‘No wonder they dug a well with a shovel and ended up creating a lake…’

Stubborn old-timers are the problem everywhere. Seeing Arwen frown as if disgusted, it’s clear she dislikes them too.

To comfort the displeased Arwen and satisfy my own boredom, I looked around the street. True to the festival atmosphere, various stalls were set up, offering a variety of food.

As the son of a lord, I couldn’t lose face by not treating someone I’d met by chance.

“Arwen, is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll buy it for you.”

“Th-there’s no need. I already had a meal before coming.”

“Having a meal and satisfying idle hunger are different. You don’t fill your stomach with candy, do you?”

“I’m really fine…”

Arwen answered softly, glancing at me as if uncomfortable about inconveniencing me. She occasionally looked elsewhere, but it wasn’t something to worry about.

“Meeting like this is fate, so I should at least buy you some food. And as the lord’s son, this much is basic.”

“Ahem. Ahem. If you insist, I won’t refuse. But I have one condition…”

“What condition?”

“It’s…”

Arwen kept glancing not at me but somewhere beside me. I looked in the direction her silver-gray eyes were pointing.

But there was nothing visible in the empty space, nor could I sense anything. Just as I began to wonder about this…

“…buy two of them.”

“What?”

“If you’re buying, I’d like two of each. I want to eat one right away and savor the other one slowly.”

“Won’t you eat both right away?”

“I-I might want it later, you know. I’m preparing for the future.”

When I asked about her unique idea, Arwen answered with embarrassment. People have different thoughts, but this was strange even considering that.

I stared at her as she fidgeted, then agreed. Arwen seemed somewhat relieved.

‘Does she have another companion?’

Otherwise, there’s no need to buy two. It seems like she might be planning to meet someone later.

Then I bought three strawberry candies from a nearby stall. The original name is tanghulu, a food made by skewering fruits, coating them with sugar, honey, and syrup, then freezing them solid.

It has an exquisitely sweet taste mixed with the natural flavor of the fruit. Moreover, it has a surprisingly long history and is one of the foods that come to mind during festivals.

“Here you are, customer. Enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

“That looks delicious.”

When I received the three strawberry candies, Arwen’s eyes sparkled like a child’s. I paid the vendor and handed two strawberry candies to Arwen.

Arwen held one candy in each hand, looking at them alternately with an appetizing gaze. At times like this, she seemed just like a child.

“This isn’t your first time eating fruit candy, is it?”

“N-no, it’s not. It’s one of my favorite foods.”

“Then don’t just look at it, eat it. Oh, and don’t bite too hard. You might damage your teeth.”

“…You keep treating me like a child. As I said earlier, I’ve lived nearly 10 times longer than you.”

Arwen grumbled, puffing her cheeks as if she disliked being treated like a child. This is exactly why she gets treated like one.

I wanted to pat her head but barely restrained myself. I just smiled at her as if she were cute.

Arwen looked at me with a sullen face, then turned her head away with a “hmph” as if giving up. Then, unexpectedly, she threw one of the strawberry candies she was holding in her left hand into the air.

Just as I was startled by this action, a phenomenon that made me doubt my eyes unfolded.

Pop!

The strawberry candy Arwen had thrown into the air disappeared in the blink of an eye. As if it had never existed, without any trace.

As I stared in surprise at this phenomenon, Arwen explained as if it were nothing special.

“It’s storage magic. I’ve placed it in a space I created through spatial movement.”

“Storage magic?”

“Humans call it subspace.”

Arwen mentioned subspace, the epitome of fantasy storage magic.

Although she spoke as if it weren’t difficult, this is only possible because she’s an elf. For humans, it’s one of the most challenging magics.

If subspace for elves is like making a pouch by sewing with pre-prepared tools, humans have to start from absolute zero. Subspace is highly useful but extremely difficult.

Since this was my first time seeing magic in person, I looked at her with curiosity. Indeed, even though she looks young, an elf is still an elf.

“Can you take it out again?”

“Uh, what?”

“Since you stored it, you can take it out again, right?”

“W-well…”

Arwen was greatly flustered by my question. No, beyond flustered, she seemed perplexed.

As I looked at her with a puzzled expression, she hesitated before answering urgently.

“I-I need some time!”

“You need time?”

“Yes. Even though elves are proficient in magic, we can’t use it recklessly. Spatial magic especially.”

Is it like a cooldown? Since I know nothing about magic, I just accepted it and moved on.

Besides, she seems to have her reasons, so pretending not to notice is also a good approach.

“I see. Still, it’s amazing. This is my first time seeing magic with my own eyes.”

“If you wish, I can show you some simple magic.”

“For example?”

Swoosh-

Instead of answering, Arwen demonstrated. She brought her hands together neatly, and blue water droplets floated above them.

I was amazed as the water droplets floated gently above her fair, delicate hands. Magic was something I had only heard about, never seen directly, making it even more fascinating.

Seeing me focus with my mouth open in awe, Arwen smiled contentedly and moved her index finger elegantly. The water droplets moved smoothly to where her finger pointed.

“You’ve been treating me like a child, but now you look more like a child yourself.”

Just as I was captivated by her skill in freely controlling the water droplets, Arwen burst them and teased me. It seemed like revenge for being treated like a child all this time.

However, I didn’t deny it and nodded. Is this how I felt when I first saw large soap bubbles in my childhood in my previous life?

Magic has a charm that makes men embrace their inner child. Although it might be just a small trick, magic is magic.

“Can you show me more?”

“Of course. Then…”

“Issac?”

As Arwen was preparing her next magic, a seductive voice penetrated my ears. It was a voice very familiar to me.

When I turned my head, sure enough, Cecilly was standing there, seemingly having just finished a private conversation. Marie was nowhere to be seen.

“Oh, Cecilly. You’re here? Where’s Marie?”

“Marie will be here soon. But…”

Cecilly, who had initially made eye contact with me, looked at Arwen beside me. For a moment, a strange light flashed in her red eyes.

Then Cecilly smiled brightly and asked in a voice filled with kindness.

“Who is this person?”

“… …”

With that question, an inexplicable chill ran through my body.