Episode 395. Irene, Alice.

Time flowed to Friday.

I lounged around at home again today.

Since the vacation ceremony was over, I had no reason to go to the Academy, and my schedule remained the same.

• Rest at home, then meet the heroines.

• Practice magic during my free time.

After returning from France, the frequency of meeting the heroines also increased.

Especially since it felt like I hadn’t spent much intimate time alone with the heroines, I’d been acting with that in mind lately.

The only difficult part was magic training.

I thought about practical applications centered around the Arc, or pondered magic spells for application.

The Pandemic’s pursuit of Rebecca seemed to have vanished.

Although I was slightly tense when Maestro appeared, thankfully, it seemed like nothing came of it.

I continued my preparations until the Wizard Association conference began.

“I should probably get going soon.”

I glanced at my smartwatch and left my house.

Today, I need to help Professor Im Sol.

It wasn’t sparring, but time to do a final check on the paper she’d present at the conference.

When I arrived at the lab, I saw the Professor already prepared.

“You’re early?”

“I came early because I wasn’t sure how long the presentation would take.”

“It won’t be that long. Sit down.”

Professor Im Sol immediately picked up the paper.

“Are we starting right away?”

“Yep. It’s better for you to finish quickly too, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but…”

The Professor began the presentation immediately.

It was incredibly complex right from the introduction, but the section explaining the core magic formulas was definitely well-written.

It was written at a level that other mages could fully understand.

It was a testament to how much effort the Professor must have put in.

“…I conclude my presentation on the core magic formulas. That is all.”

Clap clap clap clap-

I clapped the moment the Professor finished her presentation.

Filled with terms that made my head throb just listening to them, it really felt like a genuine academic paper.

“It’s perfect. Anyone should be able to grasp the concept of the core magic formulas at this level. The only regret is that you can’t explain 100%, of course. It feels like the presentation time was a bit short.”

“If there are parts you don’t understand, you’ll have to read the paper directly. I’m not teaching a class; I’m presenting my findings.”

Professor Im Sol said, putting down the script.

Speaking this in front of so many mages must be incredibly nerve-wracking.

The Professor didn’t seem nervous at all.

“Don’t you need to prepare for anticipated questions? I feel like there will be a flood of inquiries.”

“Most of it is already in the paper. Besides, the questions from those guys are all pretty similar, so there’s no need to prepare. I’m more worried they might ask nonsensical things.”

“Nonsensical things?”

“I mean pointless nitpicking or baseless attacks.”

“I’ll block any weird stuff.”

“But you might get questions too, so be mindful.”

“…Really?”

“You’re a co-author, after all.”

“It would be really great if you could mention things like that beforehand.”

My workload just increased.

I really need to read the paper thoroughly. That way, I won’t be caught off guard.

Since I’m listed as a co-author, I can’t embarrass the Professor in front of everyone.

“Is next Monday okay for the US schedule?”

“That’s three days from now. You said the conference isn’t immediately upon arrival, right?”

We leave as soon as the weekend is over.

I’m sure she mentioned before that we’d depart with a few days to spare.

“I’ll schedule the presentation for Wednesday or Thursday. Until then, it’s free time.”

“Free time…”

“Yep. I’ll tentatively book it for next Monday, so keep that in mind.”

“Do you have any appointments before the presentation, Professor?”

“Not really… Oh, wait, I do have one. Someone I haven’t seen in a while.”

“Then let’s hang out during the remaining time before the conference. It would be nice if you could show your student around the US, right?”

“Shall we?”

“Yes. It’s my first time there.”

Professor Im Sol replied with a slight smile.

Just like at the last magic expo, my compatibility with the Professor is great.

It’ll probably be fun.

I’ve never traveled abroad before, so I’m getting unnecessarily excited.

I couldn’t really enjoy myself when I went to France.

I want to visit some nice places during the free time in America.

“The magic expo was fun, so the Wizard Association conference should be fun too, right?”

“It probably will be. If strange people approach you, don’t answer them. And don’t follow them, even if they offer you something.”

“Of course.”

“And even if they claim to be close to me, don’t trust them.”

“…I won’t trust them, so don’t worry.”

Professor Im Sol seems genuinely concerned, in her own way.

As if I’d get kidnapped or something.

Or does it mean she has that many enemies?

Thinking about it makes my heart ache a little.

I clenched my fist and said.

“I’ll stick right by your side, Professor.”

“Yes. That’s a good mindset. My student.”

“Great. Then I’ll be heading off for today.”

“Already?”

“Yes. I saw your presentation, Professor. I don’t think I can handle sparring right now, it’s too taxing.”

My Arc proficiency hasn’t increased, and while sparring is good for gaining experience, I need to manage my condition before heading to the US.

It’s the same for both the Professor and me.

“No, you have to get your sugar boost before you go.”

“…Ah.”

Come to think of it, it’s been a while since we last did that.

Last time, Baek Ahyoung was around, so we skipped it.

It’s about time for that kind of reaction to occur.

“Will you do it for me?”

“If you want it, Professor.”

“Then take it off.”

“It’s all good, but the wording… gulp, how should I put it.”

‘Take it off’ is fine, but I wish she’d use a slightly naughtier word.

Am I asking for too much?

Speaking of which, I remembered.

I meant to ask for praise for doing well in sparring.

“But Professor, I only lost by 35% in sparring. Aren’t I getting any praise?”

“Praise…? I told you you did well.”

“No. I was thinking, what if you tried changing the pattern when you do that sugar boost…”

Fellatio is nice, after all.

But just doing that feels too limiting.

Hearing my request, the Professor nodded and said.

“Different patterns… I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you.”

“But not today. I’m starting to get a headache because I haven’t had my sugar fix. I need immediate consumption.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

The Professor approached me and knelt down.

I’ll have to be satisfied with just bringing it up today.

I leaned back on the sofa, watching the Professor’s hands lowering my pants.

*

After leaving the lab.

I walked straight through the Academy.

My destination was the fountain in the Academy’s shopping street.

‘I wonder if Surin noona is already here.’

To celebrate the start of vacation, I’d been going on dates with the heroines incredibly often.

Yesterday, I went to the movies with Lucy and Lumi, and I even visited Baek Ahyoung at her workplace during her overtime to have dinner together.

Today was time for lunch with Surin noona.

“Ah, there she is.”

Spotting Moon Surin diligently scanning the surroundings at our meeting spot, I approached her.

I wasn’t late, but I didn’t expect her to be here already.

Should I have come earlier?

“Noona, have you been waiting long?”

“No. I just got here too. Don’t worry.”

Surin noona greeted me with a bright smile.

But no matter how I looked at it, she seemed like she’d been waiting for a very long time.

“Really? If you’d waited long, I was going to offer to link arms out of apology, but I guess that’s not necessary.”

“I waited a whole two hours. Phew.”

“Liar. There are still 5 minutes left until our appointment time, who comes two hours early?”

“Sorry, sorry. It’s only been about thirty minutes for me too.”

Surin noona naturally stood beside me and linked her arm through mine.

Our destination was Pungmidang.

It’s familiar, but it’s delicious no matter how many times I eat there.

Plus, when I go with Surin noona, we get the best seats even without a reservation.

Now this is what you call connections.

We entered Pungmidang and were led by a staff member into a private room.

The luxurious room was properly soundproofed.

In a room like this, conversations couldn’t leak out even if they wanted to.

“This place is always delicious, no matter how many times I eat here. Ever since you introduced me, Noona, I’ve only come here.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

We ordered our meals and continued eating.

As we chatted intermittently while eating, laughter filled the entire meal.

“Do you still look up my pictures these days?”

“…Sometimes?”

“What about merchandise?”

“That too, sometimes…?”

Surin noona avoided my eyes as she answered.

Looks like she’s still working hard at it.

Feeling pleasantly full, I continued speaking.

“Should we take a picture now? To commemorate our meal together.”

“I didn’t bring my camera today… Let’s definitely take one next time.”

“We could just take one with my smartwatch.”

“No way. That would be an insult to Hoyeon. A good subject deserves a good camera.”

“…Yes, yes.”

Still, I’m grateful she doesn’t take sneaky photos.

Is that why she’s buying me a meal, because I’m a ‘good subject’?

Plop.

I stuck my spoon into the ice cream and looked at Surin noona.

Seeing her faint smile, it seemed she enjoyed the meal.

Now, shall we get down to some serious talk?

“Speaking of which, what’s happening with your father’s situation? There hasn’t been any news.”

“It’s the same, really. With the demons’ power struggle halting, his whereabouts have become even more uncertain, but thankfully, thanks to the pendant you gave me, I think we can track him.”

“It was nothing. Don’t forget to tell me if you need any more help.”

“Thanks. Speaking of which, you mentioned Hoyeon is going to the US now, right?”

“Yes. Because of the Wizard Association conference.”

“Are you going alone with the Professor?”

“Well…?”

Surin noona wore a displeased expression, but there was nothing to be done.

It would be strange to bring someone along to the Wizard Association conference.

I wish I could bring many people along too, if it were up to me.

I placed my hand on the table and said.

“Let’s go on another date, just the two of us, after the conference.”

“Mhm. Okay.”

“It would be nice to spend time more leisurely then, don’t you think?”

“That sounds wonderful too.”

Surin noona smiled, holding my hand.

Even though she’s older than me, I feel like I need to take care of her somehow.

Of course, that’s part of her charm.

We left the restaurant on a pleasant note.

Surin noona left for her remaining tasks, and I headed home.

Since I had no further plans today, I figured I’d go home and practice magic.

‘I should check on Alice too.’

I hadn’t properly taken care of her since returning from France.

Of course, judging by the lack of contact, she’s probably doing fine on her own… but still, I can’t just leave her be.

I slowly walked through the Academy shopping street, looking around.

The bustling chatter and city noise created an atmosphere I enjoyed.

Nothing had changed from the usual, but the feeling of life around me was still nice.

“Huh?”

Just then, a familiar blonde caught my eye as I gazed at the shopping street.

Bright blonde hair like Alice’s and a sexy, sloping back.

Her slender figure should have drawn attention from passersby, yet no one seemed to notice her.

“…Isn’t that Irene?”

I felt a familiar flow of mana and checked my status screen.

★ Heroine Status Screen

[Irene]

─ [Affection: 40] (+0.2)

─ [Lust: 60]

─ [Appetite: 40]

─ [Fatigue: 40]

Current Status: Kang Hyorin is still acting strange. I need to get to Alice quickly.

Seeing the status screen pop up before my eyes, I could be sure.

That was Irene.

‘Why is she here?’

She should be in France right now.

‘Could it be because of me?’

She hadn’t contacted me using the number I gave her, but knowing her prideful personality, I expected as much.

I wondered when she’d show up, and now she’s finally here.

I was about to run over and greet her, but paused for a moment.

‘Kang Hyorin is the Korean branch manager of the Iris Guild.’

Seeing her here means she came for Iris Guild business.

And furthermore, she was heading towards Alice, not me.

“Should I just follow her for now?”

If she’s going to Alice’s place, it’s practically the same as going to my house anyway.

I’ll find out what she’s up to once I follow her.

I activated my Rune Barrier and started following Irene.