episode_0145

“Sender… . Sylvia… ?”

The sender of the letter saying that she wanted to help by becoming a teacher was Sylvia.

Vivian covered her mouth and looked around.

Fortunately, there were no other party members.

‘Why did Sylvia…’ .’

Even if I think about it, I can’t find an answer.

Is it okay?

Should I tell Ian?

I thought about it and read more of the letter.

[…] I know it’s hard to trust me. Maybe you think I’m trying to deal with you secretly. So, I enclosed items that can help avoid danger.]

‘An object that can avoid danger?’

I rummaged through the envelope and found a small ring.

The underline of the letter contained instructions on how to use the ring and its effects.

‘With this, I can be safe even in front of Sylvia.’

Safety has been secured, but the decision is a different matter.

Sylvia’s suggestion.

It’s fascinating, but it’s also true that it’s uncomfortable.

‘If you think about the relationship between Sylvia and Ian… .’

The worries didn’t last long.

*

Vivian went to the meeting place alone.

Cloud brought it with him, and was fully prepared to defend and run away if the situation arises.

‘More than anything, I brought the enclosed artifact… .’

The ring that Sylvia sent was an emergency escape artifact.

It was a ring with an unprecedented effect that instantly transported the user to a certain distance when activated.

‘Teleportation was possible… .’

Teleportation is a magic that exists only as a hypothesis, not as a theory.

Of course, it is impossible to use magic without this artifact.

The drawback was that the artifact was disposable, but that alone was enormous.

It was enough to run away from Sylvia.

Sylvia willingly handed over such an item.

‘… Surely it wasn’t a fake with no effect?’

By the time I had doubts, it was too late.

In the distance, I saw a small person squatting under a tree.

The navy blue robe I saw in Galway was familiar.

As if he had noticed the presence, he got up first and looked at Vivian.

The person who took off the hood was definitely Sylvia.

“Ah, hello. You came… . Did you see it in Fiorene last time? we. Even in Galway.”

Vivian looked around with narrowed eyes.

Terrain and route.

And, is there anyone else?

“I came alone. And, I won’t hurt you. Really.”

“… I think so.”

Still, Vivian did not let down her guard.

Sylvia smiled bitterly as if she understood.

Sylvia glanced at Vivian’s hand carrying the artifact she had given her and asked cautiously.

“The contents of the letter are… Have you thought about it?”

The trembling voice is like a child afraid of rejection.

Vivian still had no sense of reality.

No matter how much his reputation has declined, he is a wizard I once admired.

I even felt its power not long ago.

As a magician, I had no choice but to acknowledge her magic that overwhelmed the sea dragon.

Even the expression that they were the same wizard was not correct.

Because the level was different.

That would be a good thing.

Receiving personal guidance from the current strongest wizard.

but… .

“I’ve thought about it. I don’t understand. Why?”

What is the reason?

Sylvia nodded as if it was a question she had expected.

Her answer was decisive.

“I want you to protect Ian.”

“Yes… ?”

“Because I am not by his side, the people around Ian have to become stronger. So, first of all, you have to be able to replace me.”

Vivian was confident again.

That Sylvia loved Ian.

Because of that confidence, things got complicated.

Why on earth are you doing this now?

Is he doing this to impress Ian?

“Are you doing this because you think Ian will view it favorably?”

“No! I don’t even want that. My purpose is really only one. All you have to do is become strong enough to replace me… . Trust me… .”

Sylvia even had tears in her eyes.

Vivian came to hate Sylvia, whom she admired.

Since he was the one who made Ian the way he was, I couldn’t like him.

It was definitely like that.

When I see those lost child-like eyes and expressions, my heart becomes complicated.

‘Was it this small…? .’

Her youthful face, expression as if she were about to cry, and hunched posture make her look even smaller.

After freezing the sea of Galway, he faced the sea dragon alone.

It’s almost questionable whether he’s the same person who looked down on the SS-level wizard who confronted Ian as if he were a bug.

There isn’t much difference in height.

Vivian is about a finger taller.

However, Sylvia seemed too small to Vivian.

“Ha… .”

“I have no intention of forcing you… . If you say no, I’ll just leave.”

“I have to ask Ian about this… .”

Ian.

At that name, Sylvia flinched as if she had been pricked by a needle.

“Ian will refuse without even asking.”

“… Probably not.”

In an instant, the light disappeared from Sylvia’s face.

Like trampled snow, she had a cold and bitter expression.

“I will tell you to do whatever you want. Because I have no relationship with Ian anymore.”

The look of affection and anxiety that had been showing just a moment ago disappeared.

Silvia felt the empty emptiness.

‘What on earth happened…? .’

Vivian sighed deeply.

No matter how he looked at it, he didn’t think this little girl he admired would harm him.

I think we can agree, but before that.

“I have a question.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“What was your relationship with Ian?”

“… … .”

Sylvia gaped.

The blue eyes trembled dangerously, as if they were about to break.

“That, that, that, Ian and I are… .”

Sylvia put her hands together in front of her chest.

Her hands were visibly shaking, as if she was frightened.

“I mean, Ian and I… .”

My complexion gradually became whiter.

She was taking a step back and looked as if she would collapse at any moment.

The wide-open eyes were unfocused.

“Silvia… ? Why that… .”

“Shut up-!”

Sylvia screamed and collapsed.

“Shut up! Shut up! Quiet! Please, please get off! Tell me to fuck off!”

She sat down and shook her head.

Seeing him struggling, Vivian hesitated and took a step back.

For some reason, those harsh swear words didn’t sound like they were being spoken to oneself.

For some reason, I got goosebumps and looked around.

But, there is no one.

“Aaaagh-! Don’t, please, please don’t just say that… ! I, I’m sorry. Because I was wrong… .”

On the other hand, there was an ice man next to Sylvia.

The thing that had been following me for some time was with Sylvia all day today as well.

The quiet ice man started making noise as soon as Vivian appeared.

“Now! This bitch came alone! Kill now and run away! Then I can make a place next to Ian!”

“What if I can’t get into my seat? Isolate him, slowly. When he is finally left alone, you lend him your shoulder. What can I do about it?”

It was a noise I heard for days without getting tired of it.

I could ignore it.

Until Vivian asked that question.

What was your relationship with Ian?

The sketchbook depicting the past quickly turned, bringing back memories.

From the moment I met him until now.

How can we be defined?

What is our relationship?

Friends, family, colleagues, lovers, teachers and students.

No word can contain the two.

We loved each other, but why can’t we fit into any name we love each other?

When I hesitated in the confusion, the ice man spoke.

“I love you.”

That was Ian’s voice.

The ice man opened his mouth again.

“I don’t love you anymore.”

This time, it was Sylvia’s voice.

Sylvia couldn’t bear it and sat down.

I completely forgot why I was here and who was in front of me.

“… Via, Sylvia!”

Sylvia, who had been complaining, suddenly came to her senses when her name was called.

My vision is blurry.

When I looked up after wiping away my tears with my forearm, I saw a woman with a face full of worry.

Red hair, light green eyes, and freckles.

A woman who is both mature and youthful is definitely someone who should hate herself.

Why are you looking at yourself like that?

Although my heart ached at that fact, I felt comfortable.

If the person next to Ian is this kind and gentle… .

The Ice Man framed him repeatedly.

“It’s dangerous! What if innocent Ian falls for me? Something may have happened already! People like this are even more sinister on the inside!”

Sylvia ignored him and quickly got up.

My heart sank.

You can probably ignore it again for the time being.

Sylvia stood up with her cane and sighed deeply.

“… Sorry. It’s like this often.”

“Often… ?”

“Next time, don’t come closer, but use magic from afar. Come to your senses.”

“Yes, yes… ?”

“It’s okay. I am strong. No matter how many times you get hit, you won’t die.”

As Sylvia spoke, she recalled the days when she beat Ian.

I bit my lip tightly and let it out weakly.

“Rather, I am a person who needs to be beaten a bit.”

“… … .”

Her voice was hollow.

To the point where you can’t tell the depth.

“Anyway. It’s my relationship with Ian… . It’s difficult to summarize it as a relationship, so I’ll tell you briefly.”

Earlier, I flinched at the mere mention of Ian’s name, but now I have become infinitely calmer.

Vivian listened to the story even though she was puzzled by the change.

Sylvia said only the main point.

The feelings she had for Ian and what she did to him.

But I didn’t tell you about the fact that I couldn’t return the words that I loved you in the end.

It was an unconscious rejection.

Still, it was enough for Vivian to understand their relationship.

“… That’s it.”

“… … .”

I couldn’t think of anything to say.

Vivian stared at Sylvia in silence.

complicated.

He is a terrible, pathetic, and unlikable character.

Yet at the same time, I felt pity.

Is it because he was not the one harmed by Sylvia?

‘… ‘Let’s think easy.’

It wasn’t complicated.

You can approach it computationally.

Sylvia will help you.

You can’t miss this opportunity.

While Vivian was worrying, Sylvia hastily added, fearing that she would be rejected.

“Well, Ian is a good teacher too. As a fellow wizard, I can guide you in a different way. And again… . You know that Ian is equivalent to an A-level hero, right? So Ian has never accompanied me since the S-class dungeon.”

“Yes… ?”

That was my first time hearing it.

Aren’t you always going into dungeons with Ian?

You don’t want to fall?

“Ian is also dangerous from S level. I always gave information and waited outside. So, as someone who has actually experienced S-class and SS-class dungeons, I can give you different advice than Ian.”

Same with Scarlett.

Although I dislike him as a human being, he is a teacher that I cannot help but find fascinating.

“Phew… . great. I will accept it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Vivian returned the emergency escape ring that Sylvia had sent her.

“You can have it… .”

“No. I’m also uncomfortable with just receiving things without receiving anything in return.”

“… okay. You have such a kind heart. Unlike someone like me.”

I’m so self-absorbed.

I wonder if this is his personality.

Vivian recalled her past self.

It is a past that is now quite embarrassing.

“You have work and I also have work, so let’s adjust the time accordingly.”

Sylvia said, looking at her notebook, as if she had planned it carefully.

It was a very worn notebook.

It seems like it has been used for a long time.

“Do you have time today?”

Vivian nodded.

Just like that, actual magic training began.

After a brief skill test, Sylvia admitted once again.

At this level, it is not enough to replace oneself.

“First, let’s learn binding magic. Due to its nature, binding magic must maintain a complex form, requiring both understanding and intuition… .”

Simple explanation and interpretation of the technique.

Afterwards, Vivian attempted magic several times, but was driven to the brink of failure.

‘This is Sylvia… ?’

Complete understanding and application of theory, and even creation.

Sylvia explained that it wasn’t difficult at all and encouraged us to give it a try.

Of course it couldn’t happen right away.

Each time, Sylvia tilted her head as if puzzled.

why not?

Although he didn’t say anything, it was clearly that reaction.

While that frustrated Vivian, it also encouraged her.

The competitive spirit rose.

“Phew… .”

Vivian tried several times, listened again, and repeated.

Sylvia was not a good teacher.

Although she came with a plan, she too was hasty.

Like Iris, she did not have a talent for teaching.

Still, it worked.

Anyway, Sylvia is the pinnacle of current wizards.

In this way, the genius of understanding came to teach the genius of intuition.