episode_0071

“Hey, wait, stop! Let go of me!”

Arina roughly shook off the hand that had grabbed her wrist and was dragging her along. This couldn’t go on. Sensing that something was terribly wrong, she narrowed her eyes and summoned the anger simmering inside her.

“Cut it out! You’re acting like I’m some kind of possession of yours—”

“I’m sorry.”

His face showed no trace of apology. Though his mouth spoke the words, his eyes burned with irritation and resentment, glaring at Arina as if she were the one at fault.

For a moment, he looked like a puppy abandoned by its owner—so pitiful that it tugged at her heartstrings.

And, above all, he was so handsome that even that expression seemed oddly endearing.

So pretty♡ So cool♡ So cute♡

Her earlier resolve to clearly define their relationship had vanished, replaced by heart-eyed admiration as she stared at Ian’s face.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen. The thought of someone else taking you away makes it hard to control my emotions. But you could at least— Are you even listening?”

“Huh? What?”

Snapping out of her daze, Arina blinked and asked again.

How did things end up like this?

She couldn’t find a shred of rationality in herself right now. Emotions—or instincts—were changing her. Her mind was numb, overrun by feelings she knew she shouldn’t entertain.

“So now you’re not even going to listen to me?”

Uncharacteristically deflated, Ian let his head drop.

Had he lost her favor? It was only natural for Arina to be angry. Despite claiming they’d stay friends, he had clearly crossed a line.

Still, he couldn’t help feeling a little wronged. He was sure Arina had some feelings for him—she had to know he liked her. So why was she so comfortable getting close to other men?

“N-No, it’s not like that…”

Despite knowing she shouldn’t, Arina felt her resolve weaken every time she looked at Ian’s face.

“I’m sorry…”

Now she was the one apologizing.

Trying to lift her friend’s spirits, she raised her voice and changed the subject.

“Let’s not fight and just go have fun, okay? The Magic Tower has all sorts of attractions you can’t find outside. The three of us can explore together—I’ll guide you. Wait, where’s Millen?”

“You found her fast.”

As if she hadn’t gone far, Millen appeared the moment they called. Though she glared at them with her usual prickly expression, Arina was desperate for her presence right now.

“Millen, it’s been a while since you and Ian had a date, right? How about now?”

“…With you tagging along?”

“Think of me as just a tour guide. You two aren’t used to handling magic tools here, after all.”

Millen snorted at the implied jab about being country bumpkins.

“I’ve touched plenty of magic tools as an adventurer, you know?”

Arina confidently placed a hand on her hip and declared:

“You’re in for a treat. What you’re about to see is on a whole other level compared to what you’re used to.”

When they first passed through the Magic Tower’s gates, Millen had thought it resembled a city. Now, she reconsidered that assessment.

Having spent over a decade as an adventurer—especially the last year constantly on the move—she’d been to nearly every corner of the kingdom. She’d even boast she’d seen it all. But the Magic Tower’s advanced technology was in a league of its own.

The capital, Niaster, was said to be a century ahead of other cities. This place surpassed even that.

A small castle stood at the entrance, purely for decoration. Beyond it lay a world so fantastical it felt like another dimension. Giant ships swung back and forth on massive pillars, horse models spun endlessly in place, and carriages rammed into each other like competitors.

And this was just the entrance’s amusement park. The divided sections each had unique themes, as if multiple worlds had merged into one.

“No wonder you were so confident. But there’s so much—where do we even start?”

Millen, now visibly excited, shot Arina a look. But even Arina was flipping through a guidebook, overwhelmed by how much had changed in her absence.

“What? Weren’t you all ‘trust me’ earlier? Now you look just as lost.”

“…I underestimated those bored mages. Who knew they’d pour this many resources into their own amusement?”

“Ugh, and here I thought I’d finally get some help. Whatever, we’ll just try everything one by one.”

And so, the trio began their theme park adventure, starting with the first attraction listed. From the basic Ferris wheel and Viking ship to a snowy mountain-themed ski slope and a volcano-themed fireworks-and-barbecue area.

Running around nonstop left Arina exhausted, but Millen, enjoying herself the most, radiated pure delight.

“What’s next?”

It had been so long—no, ever—since Millen had shown such unguarded joy. From the moment they met, she’d seen Arina as a rival to be wary of.

Seeing her so happy was rewarding, but Arina’s stamina was at its limit.

“Again? Let’s rest for a bit.”

“Rest? If we want to try everything, we’d need at least three straight days.”

“Everything? Are you serious…?”

Arina’s face paled. She wasn’t obligated to follow Millen around, but the park wasn’t free. As a celebrity, Arina could borrow money or run tabs wherever she went—but she hadn’t officially returned to the Tower, so she had no funds here.

“Fine. Since I need you for this, I’ll go grab some snacks. You rest.”

Arina had no choice but to stick with Millen—her accumulated debts left no room for refusal. The thought of being dragged around for days more sent a chill down her spine.

But that wasn’t the only problem.

“Ian, what’s on your mind?”

“…Nothing.”

He’d been like this since earlier. Completely dejected, showing no enjoyment, with an awkward tension lingering between them.

Determined to fix this, Arina scanned the area for something to lighten the mood—

“Ah!”

Spotting a familiar item at a stall, she dashed over.

“Welcome! Would you like to pick one?”

The vendor’s friendly tone suggested she didn’t recognize Arina. If she were a mage, she’d have heard the rumors—so she must be a family member. Only mages and their relatives could live in the Tower.

Ordinary folks with free time often worked small jobs like this. For Tower mages, funded by the kingdom, money was rarely an issue—this was just a hobby.

This won’t work.

If the vendor didn’t know her, credit was off the table. Who’d lend money to a stranger? Arina wasn’t shameless enough to push it.

But maybe she didn’t need to buy it?

“Can I try this on?”

“Of course!”

The item she picked up was a cat-ear headband. It reminded her of her time living in the Tower.

Back then, she’d wandered the park in its early days—just like now—and found the same headband.

Oh!

Arina—no, back then, she was still Riel—had excitedly shown it to her friends.

Hey, check this out.

What, find something funny?

She’d put it on and struck a cat pose.

Meow!

Ugh, my eyes!

Are you insane?

I need the bathroom. I feel sick.

Their disgusted reactions were exactly what she’d hoped for. Terrorizing her friends’ eyeballs was always fun.

Perfect.

To break this awkwardness, she’d have to sacrifice herself. If this didn’t make him laugh, nothing would.

Arina put on the headband and called to Ian.

“Ian, look at me.”

“What are you—?”

His slightly gloomy red eyes widened as he turned. Arina bent slightly, curled her hands into paws by her face, and added:

“Me… meow…?”

Doing this as an adult was more embarrassing than she’d expected.

But no regrets. This was such a perfect failure that its sheer cringiness might make him laugh harder. A little shame was a small price to pay to cheer him up.

“Well?”

She looked at Ian expectantly. But instead of laughing, his expression darkened—almost like he was angry.

“What do you mean, ‘well’? Are you trying to seduce me?”

“Huh? No, why would you—?”

“Then what was that supposed to mean?”

“Obviously—”

“In heat.”

A voice cut in from behind. Millen stood there, holding three drinks—one now crushed in her grip, liquid dripping down her arm.

It was obvious whose drink it was. No, that wasn’t the issue. The terrifying part was that she seemed ready to do the same to the other two.

“Seriously? A cat in heat? I step away for one second, and this is how you stab me in the back?”