Chapter: 152
The task of inscribing the magic circle.
Yoon Si-woo understood that it required significant concentration, time, and magical power.
For a while, he had been following the construction work throughout the Boundary Area, witnessing the faces of the mages installing the magic circles becoming progressively more exhausted day by day.
A typical mage could manage one or two in a day.
Even a skilled mage would struggle to inscribe more than three in a day.
Having experienced this so far, Yoon Si-woo had been led to believe that was the norm.
“…Are you really okay? You’ve already finished today’s quota.”
“Quota? We hardly inscribed three magic circles. If we want to finish the construction soon, we need to do at least double that. I still have plenty of magical power left, so let’s move on to the next one.”
Yoon Si-woo couldn’t help but be surprised at the blonde boy mage, Dwight, from Class 1-B, who had joined the task after finishing his academy lessons. Within just a few hours, he was processing the volume of work that might take others an entire day.
…He was definitely Dwight from Class 1-B.
Having bumped into him a few times at the academy and even sparred with him, Yoon Si-woo vaguely remembered him being a pretty exceptional mage, but not to this degree.
He seemed far more skilled than any other mage when it came to this magic circle, and Yoon Si-woo couldn’t help but admire him.
“You… You’re quite the guy, huh? Others would be collapsing by now.”
“I’m called a genius mage. I should be able to handle this much with ease.”
“…Isn’t it embarrassing to say that about yourself?”
“I’m just objectively assessing my talent. What’s embarrassing about stating facts as they are? But it’s strange to hear that from the youngest hero. People say you have a talent that comes around once in a millennium. You are the real genius among geniuses.”
“Hahaha…”
Hearing Dwight’s nonchalant response about being a genius, Yoon Si-woo nervously chuckled.
He knew it too.
His talent wasn’t ordinary.
But he believed that his strength came primarily from Lucy, his outstanding mentor, and the Holy Swords, so he felt a bit shy about calling himself a genius.
As they walked along, chuckling awkwardly, they soon arrived at the next location, and as Dwight began to inscribe the magic circle, he spoke up again.
“…Honestly, comparing me drawing this teleportation-inhibiting magic circle to other mages is a bit laughable. This magic circle is rooted in my family, and as a Neinhart, it would be shameful for me to lag behind other mages in this area of magic.”
“Wait, isn’t this work supervised by Dolos?”
“Dolos is indeed a prestigious family with a deep history, so they’re not indifferent to magical research and investment, but our Neinhart family specializes in magic. We provided the consultation for this teleportation-inhibiting magic circle required for this construction. We modified the magic circle currently employed in the barrier. There are certainly many incomplete parts because it was rushed. Tsk, if only we had a bit more time, we could have created a magic circle with fewer side effects.”
“…I had no idea. So that’s why it seems so familiar.”
“I’ve studied this kind of thing all day since I was a child. I can’t help but get used to it.”
No matter how familiar he was, Yoon Si-woo found Dwight’s ability to seamlessly inscribe the magic circle while talking without a hitch truly impressive.
As Yoon Si-woo blankly watched him work, it wasn’t long before Dwight paused, exhaled deeply, and opened his mouth.
“…Have you finished? Should we move to the next location?”
“…No, I think I need a short break. I should replenish my magical energy.”
“Ah, then let’s sit over there and rest for a bit.”
“Sounds good.”
Taking a moment to rest, Yoon Si-woo leaned against the wall and glanced sideways at Dwight, who was sitting nearby.
Perhaps to concentrate on recovering his magical power, Dwight didn’t seem to have any intention of initiating a conversation.
In truth, it wouldn’t matter if he just sat quietly.
However, Yoon Si-woo felt he should try to continue the conversation since they were both students at the academy.
But when he decided to speak up, he couldn’t think of a topic to start.
Earlier, he had spoken without thinking, but now, being conscious of it made him uncertain about how to bring it up.
Come to think of it, he hadn’t had many conversations with boys his age.
Since he had always been surrounded by girls rather than boys from a young age, he had hardly any experience talking with them.
Just as he felt stuck in that awkward atmosphere and took out his mobile phone, he saw a picture he had set as the wallpaper and instinctively spoke up.
“…By the way, how’s Scarlet doing at the academy?”
“If you’re talking about Scarlet Evande from Class 1-A, then…”
“Ah… yeah…”
…Wait, doesn’t it sound like he’s asking about someone he has a crush on?
Yoon Si-woo realized this as soon as he spoke and nervously wondered what Dwight would think about his relationship with Scarlet. Thankfully, Dwight answered the question without any suspicion.
“She’s doing well. I thought she might be overdoing it without sleep until last week, but she looked better today after resting well over the weekend. Her expression seems to have brightened up, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Oh, I see…”
It meant that his actions had helped her, even if just a little, after the weekend.
Feeling happy, Yoon Si-woo lightly smiled, but suddenly realized how oddly detailed Dwight’s explanation was and asked with a serious tone.
“…By the way, your description sounds quite specific… You seem to be paying quite a bit of attention to Scarlet, huh?”
“Paying attention? Not particularly… or maybe I am. To me, she’s quite a Special Existence.”
“…Special Existence?”
As Dwight seemed to have realized something with a tilted head, Yoon Si-woo’s expression hardened at his words.
Perhaps because he was recalling that Special Existence.
Yoon Si-woo noticed a slight change in Dwight’s gaze, which had seemed so nonchalant, and he felt a twinge of discomfort.
Scarlet was indeed an attractive person.
So it wouldn’t be strange for someone to consider her special.
But still, Yoon Si-woo wanted Scarlet to be his only special existence.
Upon realizing his feelings, Yoon Si-woo quietly chuckled to himself.
What a childish, petulant jealousy.
Even though he knew he was being surprisingly immature, he couldn’t shake off his irritation and bluntly asked Dwight.
“How do you think of Scarlet, then?”
Dwight answered without hesitation.
“I see her as someone who can stimulate me, a rival.”
“…Huh? A rival?”
“Right. A rival. Seeing someone working harder than me motivates me. Her unyielding spirit, even after losing an arm and being kidnapped by a witch, is something I strive to emulate.”
Nodding as he said that, Yoon Si-woo felt the bad mood that had just arisen begin to dissipate, replaced with a smile and a nod.
This guy knows a thing or two.
Scarlet’s efforts and indomitable spirit should be something to learn from.
With that thought, Yoon Si-woo mischievously smiled and asked Dwight.
“Haha, so she’s your rival. Then, you’re not considering her as a romantic interest, right?”
“A romantic interest? I suppose…”
Then, in response to Yoon Si-woo’s question, Dwight replied in a nonchalant tone.
“I think to myself, if I were to get married later, I’d want a woman like her.”
“Oh really? A wife…?”
The word “wife” hit Yoon Si-woo like a ton of bricks, freezing his expression.
…Wait, so does that mean this guy has feelings for Scarlet too?
Not just that; he wants her as a wife, of all things?
That could very well be.
Scarlet was indeed an attractive person and woman, so it wasn’t impossible.
Yet, it was a bit too much for Yoon Si-woo to take in.
Glaring at Dwight with a stiff face, he asked.
“What do you like about Scarlet so much?”
“Hmm… If I had to name one thing, it would be her character. Her selfless dedication to sacrificing for others is the ideal image of a wife I have in mind. Moreover, I heard she bakes cookies for her classmates. If she can cook well too, it would be perfect.”
“H…Haha…”
Unintentionally, Yoon Si-woo snorted with laughter.
As he had said, Scarlet was indeed self-sacrificing.
She prioritized the lives of others over her own to such an extent.
And she was indeed a good cook.
He could attest to that from having tasted her cooking.
And he knew it better than anyone else.
Have you seen it? What lengths Scarlet went to in order to change the future where she dies?
Have you tasted the warmth in the food she made?
But what makes you think you know Scarlet well enough to casually say you want to marry her?
The one who understood her secrets that she could never share with anyone else…
Was none other than him.
Such feelings swirled violently inside Yoon Si-woo’s heart.
And underlying that storm of rage was something else entirely.
Anxiety.
Scarlet was living in the same house as him.
Though being in the same house meant she could leave at any time if she wanted to.
In truth, they could only spend a single day together in the week.
The one attending the academy with her would surely spend much longer with her.
If that’s the case, it meant that Scarlet’s heart could turn towards someone else rather than him at any given moment.
In Yoon Si-woo’s imagination, he envisioned Scarlet smiling and speaking.
“Yoon Si-woo. Just like I promised, I found happiness.”
Next to a man who isn’t him.
“With this person, I think I can be happy.”
And would he be able to bless her as she said that?
Yoon Si-woo blankly stared at Dwight, who had been standing next to Scarlet in his imagination.
He had dark circles under his eyes, but aside from that, anyone would say he was quite handsome.
His abilities, while not on par with Yoon Si-woo’s, were certainly impressive enough to hold their own against others.
Moreover, unlike Yoon Si-woo, who had no parents, he was the child of a prestigious family.
Was there really no chance, however slim, that Scarlet would choose him instead of Yoon Si-woo?
As he looked at Dwight casually listing off Scarlet’s good points, a surge of impulse rose within him.
Ah, he wanted to run home right away.
Run home and tell Scarlet.
You’re mine, and no one else’s.
He wanted to let her know.
Just then, he heard Dwight’s voice.
“Well, even so, there’s no way I’ll do something foolish like get married.”
At Dwight’s sudden declaration of being against marriage after passionately praising Scarlet, Yoon Si-woo momentarily felt his head spin as he dumbly repeated the question.
“W-What?”
“I said I’d never do such a foolish thing as marriage. If you marry, doesn’t it rob you of time? I don’t even have enough time to devote to magic without dating. Having a woman while walking the path of magic is a luxury.”
In an instant, his comments made Scarlet seem trivial, leaving Yoon Si-woo confused about whether he should be angry or relieved.
And while he was in that state of confusion, Dwight said to Yoon Si-woo.
“By the way, you are dating her, right? Honestly, I think it’s wasting time when you should be focusing on self-improvement, but I understand that some people find motivation from it. Personally, I think you two are a good match. Just make sure to support her so she doesn’t crumble.”
“Huh…? Uh…”
“I’ll be cheering for you, so if you end up getting married, I’d like you to at least send me an invitation. I’ll probably make time to show up that day.”
Upon hearing the word “marriage,” Yoon Si-woo’s face turned bright red, leaving him in a daze.
Because Dwight’s genuine words of encouragement felt very real.
Oh, my goodness, what am I doing with such a good guy…?
He couldn’t help but feel as if a halo was surrounding Dwight.
Most of the guys he had encountered until now were jealous of the man who was near the woman they liked, but this pure support was something he had never experienced before.
In a sudden burst of desire to befriend this boy standing in front of him, Yoon Si-woo bashfully took out his mobile phone and asked.
“…Hey, let’s become friends. Could you give me your number?”
Thus, Yoon Si-woo made his first same-gender friend.
And as he watched Yoon Si-woo, Lucy shook her head with a deep sigh.
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