episode_0061

I sat facing Vivian.

I could guess what her concerns were, but I deliberately waited.

Vivian, who was wringing her hands, looked at me and smiled awkwardly.

“Hehe… .”

“… ?”

“I’m sorry. Actually, I don’t have anything to worry about… .”

“Yes?”

You didn’t expect this?

“It’s not like it doesn’t exist at all. hmm. I felt a bit more comfortable after successfully performing a spell today.”

“… Does that mean it’s not at the level where counseling is needed?”

“Yes… . Well, should I tell you anyway?”

“No, well… . If you don’t want to say it, you don’t have to say it… .”

I don’t know why, but Vivian’s hair suddenly died.

Does he look like he’s regretting something?

“… But I want to hear it. I’m curious.”

“Oh, that’s right?! lol. It’s no big deal. This is my first time failing at magic. What if I fail again in the future? I was worried about that.”

hmm.

This is what I expected.

Vivian has never failed a spell since she met me.

Even though they were all basic forms of projection, the first failure would have been just as shocking.

There is no way I won’t fail again in the next magic I learn.

“But now that I’m here and see it. I think I was a bit complacent… . Now that I realize it, I think I can do better next time, that’s right.”

“It’s a good thing that you realized it yourself. … But this is your first failure?”

“Yes? … Oh, now that I think about it, it’s not my first failure. When I first learned magic, I often failed… .”

be surprised

The talent is already beyond the limit, but I thought it was even more talented than that… .

It’s not a bad thing, though.

“That’s right. This wasn’t even the first time? Hehe, thank you. As expected, if I talk to Ian, everything seems to get better.”

“Mmm. I didn’t do anything special, but I’m glad it was helpful.”

I got to see Vivian’s face again.

It is now difficult to imagine the low self-esteem that people used to complain about being ‘just like me’ whenever they did something.

He said he could do better in the future and even enlightened himself.

I was surprised and thankful for that change.

“But you know. Sylvia, have you ever hesitated like me?”

Oh, he’s a bit… .

In my opinion, Vivian’s talent and potential are much greater.

However, Sylvia’s talent is different.

The talent to understand everything at once and put that understanding into practice.

Sylvia is a genius at understanding.

It can be seen as the opposite of Vivian, who has excellent intuition.

“Ah, I guess Ian doesn’t know that much either… .”

“Hmm, as far as I know, I have never hesitated.”

“I see… .”

As expected, Vivian became sullen.

She took Sylvia as her role model, so it’s worth it.

“But, anyway, Vivian is not Sylvia.”

“… … .”

“You said you would be my Vivian.”

“… Yes?”

“You said that last time. I can’t be Sylvia, but I can be Vivian. Then, I guess there is absolutely no reason for Sylvia to care about things like that in the past anyway.”

“… … .”

Oh, your face is the most red it’s ever been?

It looks like a real strawberry.

Even though it was his own words, it was an embarrassment to Sylvia, who was his role model.

“Anyway, Sylvia is a bastard worse than Vivian… .”

“… … .”

I guess I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t even tell him to stop.

You should stop teasing me.

“Was this helpful?”

“Yes… .”

“Well then… .”

It’s time to sleep.

It was too late to send it back.

If Kati is awake, we can spend it quietly, but I think she’s probably asleep by now… .

I had no choice but to let Vivian sleep in the bed next to me.

Since it was a large room where the beds were quite far apart, there was no major inconvenience.

“… I think Helena lay in this bed last time?”

“How did you know?”

“The hair… .”

“They said they would clean it, but it seems it wasn’t complete. Sorry.”

“No. What you have to apologize for is… .”

“But that doesn’t mean I can give you the bed I’ve been using all along.”

“… … .”

I turned off the light and lay down.

The room was immersed in darkness, as if it had never been bright.

“Ian, I’ve always been curious about something.”

“Say.”

“You said you were a former warrior, right? So what grade did Ian reach?”

It is a lie to say that he is a former warrior.

In the 2nd round, there was no such thing as a ‘hero’ as it is now, and in the 3rd round, I never became a hero.

It’s just a device to excuse my superhuman abilities… .

There was a time when I was curious too.

If I were to become a warrior now, how far would I go?

It may not be exact, but after experiencing various things while growing the first party, I came up with an approximation.

“It was class A.”

Grade A average.

Depending on the opponent, it may be worth aiming for the upper ranks of Class A, but that only applies if the compatibility is good.

“… A? Grade A dragon… yes? There are less than a few hundred of them on the entire continent… .”

“… It’s embarrassing, so stop being surprised.”

Even in the dark, I can feel Vivian looking at me with her eyes wide open.

Well, she was surprised by a D+ earlier, so if she gets an A, she’ll be shocked.

I think Vivian will pass A level soon… .

Same goes for Helena.

“That, more, more… . I’ll do better… !”

“If my embarrassment leads to such a result, I would be more embarrassed.”

“Then can I make you more embarrassed?”

“I’ll hold on for as long as I can.”

Vivian laughed at those words.

Yes, what can I do to help the warriors I brought grow?

Vivian, whose laughter had died down, spoke in a soft voice.

“Good night, Ian.”

“Vivian, sleep well too. You must be tired.”

I said goodbye and quietly closed my eyes.

“… Ian.”

Suddenly she called me.

The soft voice became even deeper, and the atmosphere was different.

When I turned my head, she was lying on her side looking at me.

The room was dark, but enough to make out her face.

The hair, which was brittle and split when I first saw it, has now become soft, shiny, and nourished.

The vibrant red hair seemed to glow slightly even in the dark.

Her hair was tucked behind her ears, so I could clearly see her face lying on her side.

Light green eyes look at me quietly.

I just watched her in silence for a moment as she blinked her eyes slowly.

Her first appearance and now seemed to overlap.

It’s clear that this room is darker than the orphanage back then.

Somehow, Vivian looked brighter now.

“… You said you were obsessed with Helena.”

“Umm… . I did say that.”

“What about me?”

“Yes?”

“What did you think when you first saw me?”

I lay down and thought about it.

This is Vivian’s first impression… .

First of all, I was surprised by the ignorant size of the magic that did not suit the aspiring person.

In the second episode, when I saw the No Casting that existed only in theory, with the magic tower owner talking and trying so hard to reach… .

It’s similar to being stuck.

But, somehow, it’s a bit strange to say it in this atmosphere, isn’t it?

If I spit it out, there is no excuse even if it is misunderstood, right?

“I fell in love.”

That’s not what I said.

“… Yes?”

Vivian suddenly said that.

“Yes? ah? No, ah, are you in love? Well, you want to ask? Oh no… .”

The strawberry broke down.

To roughly interpret it, it seems like I was trying to ask if I had a crush but forgot the question mark.

Seeing that embarrassed look made me want to tease him, but I held back.

“Well, it’s similar. Because no casting is a skill worth having. … You know it has no other meaning, right?”

“Yes! yes… . i know. I know. Umm… .”

And for a while, Vivian was silent, groaning alone.

“Well, sleep well… .”

Then, with difficulty, I broke the silence.

“Vivian too.”

I lay down straight and took a slow breath.

Vivian and Helena will rest for a while, but I will be busier.

There will be a lot of things to organize one way or another.

***

The moment when Katy, who came out late at night, puts her ear to Ian’s door.

-I fell in love.

It was Vivian’s voice.

Kati froze and remained still.

I have to go back, it’s not polite to eavesdrop on what’s going on, but I can’t stop moving.

Based on Vivian’s subsequent excuses and mood, he realized that he had misunderstood.

It was funny to see myself relieved by that fact.

What is it that makes you feel relieved and worried?

If Vivian and Ian say that and that happens, what will he do?

Otherwise, what are you going to do then?

‘Anyway, I’m with my master…’ .’

Kati stopped thinking and went straight back to her room.

*

Vivian woke up early in the morning.

I look next to me and see that Ian is still sleeping.

Ian said that resting was also training and that I should sleep well, but I couldn’t sleep properly.

It was not an environment or situation where I could sleep well.

yesternight.

I was intoxicated by the dark and cozy atmosphere and asked Ian as if I was fascinated.

About your first impression.

And then he suddenly said something strange.

I was trying to ask a question, but the words came out strangely.

’embarrassing… .’

I was so embarrassed that I wanted to hide under several thick blankets.

It was a funny situation where his heart was racing at the words he said.

Even if you fell in love, why did you choose that word?

Even now, after barely falling asleep and waking up, that moment is vivid in my mind.

‘Forget it, forget it…’ .’

To shake off my distracting thoughts, I looked at Ian, who was lying on a bed far away.

A short distance that can be reached in just a few steps.

Ian is lying in bed, sleeping soundly.

The body rises and falls evenly with calm breathing.

‘Ian’s sleeping appearance… . ‘It’s my first time seeing you.’

The face of Marie I saw at MacDerlin Abbey came to mind.

The peaceful appearance of a baby angel when sleeping.

What kind of face does Ian sleep with?

Vivian approached him cautiously.

Afraid that he might wake up, I looked down at him with very slow movements.

‘… ‘Ian is Ian.’

It was calmer and more peaceful than usual, but the unique sharp impression did not disappear.

I almost laughed a little because it was so Ian-like.

‘Sleep well…’ .’

It was a rare sight, so Vivian observed him intently.

An impression with thick lines that matches his physique and personality.

The diagonal scar drawn from the right eyebrow to the temple adds to the fierce feel.

This is especially true because eyebrows do not grow in place of the scar.

In contrast, the lips… .

-gulp.

Vivian swallowed heavily for no reason.

Once the eyes are fixed on the lips, they cannot move anywhere else.

-Kongdakkongdak.

My heart is pounding awkwardly.

I’m almost worried that the sound will wake Ian up.

Still, Vivian didn’t move away.

My lips were dry, so I lightly ran my tongue over them to moisten them.

The tips of his red, soft hair seemed to touch his face.

***

When are people most vulnerable?

I’m sure it’s time to sleep.

So, I am a light sleeper.

It’s not just bright, it’s extremely bright.

I think it’s a bit harsh, but I can’t help it.

It is a temperament created by the first time I was killed by a highway robber on the street and the second time I rolled around like a dog and tried to survive by any means possible.

Especially during the second time, I walked around almost alone, so there was no one to stand guard while I slept.

At the time, I was extremely weak and had a hard time trusting anyone.

If I had just changed my mind, I could have become prey right away.

In the end, I had to stay half awake even while my mind was sleeping.

That’s why I don’t always sleep deeply.

Isn’t this one of the reasons why my impression is so fierce?

To secretly approach me while I’m sleeping, wouldn’t you have to be the most elite of the seven legions under the Demon King’s command?

I think it would be possible with Kati.

Anyway, that’s not important.

“Ha… .”

Red hair that fell at the nape of his neck.

It’s Vivian’s.

I was awake from the moment Vivian woke up.

I felt like it wasn’t time to get up yet, and I didn’t pretend to get up because I was afraid she might go back to sleep or go to the next room.

I also wanted to sleep a little more.

So I stayed quiet, and Vivian came up to me.

I felt her face looming right over mine.

Then he stayed still so I thought he was seeing my face.

I kept quiet because I thought I would just see it for a moment, but after seeing it for quite a while, I opened my eyes and tried to surprise it.

As I did so, Vivian’s face got closer and closer to me.

The sound of swallowing, tongue flicking, hair being brushed behind the ear, even nervous breathing, all were clearly audible.

I was embarrassed and hesitated for a moment, then got closer.

The moment I was about to open my eyes thinking this wasn’t right, she hurriedly left the room.

It was a hurried but careful movement so as not to wake me up.

And, it is now.

“What on earth… .”

There is no doubt about this.

So, Vivian told me while I was sleeping… .

“Phew… . I’m going to turn around… .”

You have to say it.

I was actually awake when Vivian tried to do something.

You can’t keep hiding it.

Aside from the fact that I am frustrated, this is not a problem that can be solved by hiding it.

‘Vivian me… .’

Yes, emotions don’t necessarily arise after a long period of time, and they can also arise for no reason.

I can’t say it’s strange.

Although it is difficult.

‘It would be better if there was some other purpose, but that won’t happen… .’

How you say it is also important.

If you refuse well, you won’t be left behind and the atmosphere of the party won’t be ruined.

There’s a lot to do today, so let’s think about how to say no as we process it.

First, we have to go find Amos.

Relics must also be reported to the Holy Hwangcheong Office… .

***

Marie looked at the notice intently.

She wasn’t the only one who received it, and several copies of the document were distributed to the Manager’s Guild.

[SS-class warrior, Lorenzo di Fiorene ship duel competition.]

[Location: County of Fiorene, Fiorene City]

“Gluteal.”

Marie’s party already had 4 people, so there was no need.

Except for Rachel, who was brought in from McDerlin Abbey, the other three are scheduled to take the temporary warrior exam soon, and there is no change in members.

Above all, it is a duel competition hosted by Fiorene.

Although duels are conducted by dividing those above and below C grade like weight classes, the level of participants will not be average.

‘SS level… . I’m a little curious, but I’m not confident that I will benefit from it.’

As I was trying to put it away because it was unnecessary, one person came to mind.

‘Come to think of it, there weren’t any warriors in Ian’s party yet, right?’

As the former manager of the first hero party, he could go and do anything.

This notice reached the guild manager first, so Ian may not yet know about this duel competition.

‘I had a favor to ask, and it turned out well. I have to go and tell you before you find out.’

Marie took the notice and headed straight to Ian’s room.

*

Penny’s carriage entered Spevia.

‘at las… .’

Although she was tired because she didn’t sleep well, Penny’s eyes lit up.

‘Philip… . you… .’

She looked in the distance in the direction where the training camp would be.

Ian is probably there.

And with a high probability, that man will be Philip.

“Huh… .”

Penny exhaled, pressing her fist to her chest.

The secretary sitting in front of me asked in surprise.

“Penny? Where are you hurting? Because I couldn’t sleep… .”

“No, no… . No.”

Penny raised the corners of her mouth and shook her head.

His expression was haggard and it seemed like a forced smile, but it wasn’t.

In truth, she was so ecstatic that she was on the verge of suffocating.

‘Finally found him… .’

I didn’t even hear Felix’s answer, but I felt like I had already heard it.

Part of me wanted to rush to the training center right away and find Ian.

But now I had to resist that urge.

‘For a more perfect meeting… . For His perfection’s sake, you shouldn’t do that.’

Even if you try to check it that way, it’s only vain.

If you say no just in case it happens, you will only end up in trouble.

Penny took a breath and sat back down comfortably.

“Going to the military police detention center as scheduled.”

“Yes… .”

The secretary informed the coachman of the destination again, and Penny tried to calm her trembling heart.

This is the moment when we go to confirm the reality of Philip, whom we have admired and followed so much.

I don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this day.

‘Philip… . ‘Just wait a moment.’

To the place where Felix holds the clue.

Until the moment you find out the truth.

Penny had a feeling it wasn’t far.