“Charge complete!”
After wriggling in my master’s embrace for a while, my headache gradually subsided.
The effect was much clearer and faster than the medicine I had taken before. Plus, there were no aftereffects, making it a perfect upgrade from the previous medication.
If I had my way, I’d love to stay in that warm embrace all day, but realistically, that wasn’t possible. Swallowing my disappointment, I slipped out of my master’s arms.
“Ahem, are you feeling better?”
“Yes! Much better!”
“That’s a relief.”
My master chuckled softly at my bright face as I stretched my limbs before ruffling my hair.
“Make sure you go up first this time. I’ll wash up and change and join you soon. Don’t forget to check on Seo-yul, okay?”
“Okay!”
I nodded obediently at my master’s words. By the time we all get ready to go, it would be just the right time.
I left my master, heading towards the training hall’s shower room, and made my way to the first floor.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness Seo-yul has woken up!”
[Okay, got it.]
I nodded in response to the fairy, Oru, who was waiting near the stairs leading to the first floor.
Sure enough, Seo-yul was sitting on the sofa, just waking up. She was swinging her legs off the sofa, and standing behind her was Ariel, taking care of Seo-yul more than usual these days.
I nodded at Ariel as she bowed her head slightly and approached Seo-yul sitting on the sofa.
“Umm, Daddy…”
As I got closer, Seo-yul, still feeling groggy, slowly opened her sleepy eyes.
She naturally stretched her arms towards me, wanting a hug, and I picked her up as she snuggled happily into my arms.
[Seo-yul, did you sleep well?]
“Yes…”
[Are you hurt or tired anywhere?]
“Umm… I’m not hurt. I can go out with you.”
In response to my concerned questions, Seo-yul shook her head side to side. Honestly, the answers didn’t matter much. I had already observed her carefully.
Fortunately, everything seemed fine. I usually kept an eye on Seo-yul, but it didn’t hurt to be more attentive.
‘The magic is holding up well too.’
I checked on the magic I placed on Seo-yul as part of her health check. There were dozens of spells cast on her and even more embedded into the clothes I had crafted for her.
Basic protective barrier spells, instant space spells, and counter-attack spells meant to neutralize any attackers without leaving a trace.
These spells were a culmination of my magic proficiency gained from the Tower of Magical Affinity and Knowledge.
Though it took a toll on my time and mental energy, I was glad that Seo-yul’s safety was further secured.
While I wore a proud smile, Seo-yul suddenly squinted her eyes at me.
[Seo-yul?]
“Sniff sniff…”
She tilted her head and patted my back. Instead of replying, Seo-yul raised her head and sniffed my neck. The tickling sensation made my shoulders involuntarily twitch.
For a moment, while sniffing, her brow furrowed even more than before.
“I can smell Lady Atra.”
[Ah.]
I belatedly exclaimed. After all that rubbing against each other, it was only natural that my body would carry her scent. In fact, I had intended for it to happen.
But Seo-yul seemed not to like it very much, as she pressed against me with a discontented expression.
[What a pity.]
I wanted my own scent to reflect my master’s, but since I was going to be with Seo-yul, I had to suppress my disappointment and used purification magic to disperse my scent.
…
The opening ceremony and my conversation with Hong Sung-jin, as well as preparing to enjoy the festival, took some time.
Especially since it’s winter, when the days are shorter, the sky is already tinged with orange hues.
In terms of timing, it was about time for families to start preparing for dinner.
– Takoyaki! Made by Shio-ram students! Made with flame magic! You can try them one by one!
– What’s so special about that compared to home magic? Even your cooking skills suck more, nom…
– For someone who’s just eating for free, you sure do complain a lot. And hey, wasn’t it you who said not to come and ruin the sales? Just eat and scram!
But the festival atmosphere showed no signs of fading. Instead, in resistance to the darkening sky, every stall lit up with colorful lanterns, making the streets even more brilliant.
“Festivals are usually more enjoyable at night. You can see the stars, and the surroundings sparkle against the dark sky, creating a lovely atmosphere.”
As I calmly observed the festival scene, Elia beside me offered an explanation.
She had just met up with her friends after the opening ceremony and had recently joined us to explore the festival.
[Oh, I see?]
“Yes, our hometown also started festivals in the evening. Though, to be fair, it was a small countryside celebration.”
I nodded along, vaguely understanding. I had never participated in a festival before.
The ‘Birth Day’ event I experienced through the original work? Honestly, thinking about a game experience as a festival felt quite pitiful…
After all, after the first round, I had redefined the Birth Day as a not-so-festive event focused on gaining reputation and leveling up.
“Hey, didn’t you say you were helping at a stall? Can you really just hang out like this?”
“It’s just on the fourth day in the afternoon; I was only going to help for a bit. Come on, Yoonhwa, aren’t you being a bit too forward?”
“Don’t go making a fuss, I was just asking.”
Joining us were not just Elia. My master, who had come out from the mansion and was calmly looking around, as well as Yoonhwa and Baek Ahrin, who had just joined in and were bickering like it was routine.
Professor Riana and Choi Ji-yeon did not come along.
Since Professor Riana is responsible for the first-year students and the Ipchun Class, she was busy supervising the stalls and street performances involving first-year students.
She surely had some free time, but on the first day, there wasn’t much of it to go around.
As for Ji-yeon, she had her personal matters to attend to, meeting Taesan’s head of household during the opening ceremony.
‘…I should bring something for Professor Riana. And for Ji-yeon… do I need to meet the head as well?’
I thought for a moment but decided to put it aside. The uncomfortable vibe from the head of Taesan was still perplexing, and the way he carried himself made it seem like he wouldn’t return anytime soon.
[Are you cold at all?]
“No, it’s really warm!”
[Tell me immediately if you feel chilly, okay?]
“Okay!”
Seo-yul exhaled white breath, holding my hand tightly. Yet, she seemed busy peeking around, her excitement palpable.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she seemed completely enthralled by the festive atmosphere.
‘I’m glad I brought her out.’
Each time she tilted her head, the furry pom-pom on her hat swayed adorably.
Although it hadn’t snowed yet, the crisp weather meant Seo-yul was bundled up in thick clothing.
Thanks to carefully considering her feel during the making process, even though she looked thickly dressed, she showed no signs of discomfort.
Nodding in satisfaction, I carried on the conversation.
– Are you all enjoying yourselves?
– Yes, Your Majesty!
– There are so many people…
– The delicious smell… is all of that food…?
The voices chiming in my head came from the fairies perched above my head and shoulder.
I felt guilty leaving them behind in the mansion, so I brought them along, thinking it’d be fun for them.
Of course, I had cast a spell to avoid attracting attention. Normally, people wouldn’t recognize an average-sized human being, but it’s quite off-putting to small kids like them when they feel something is amiss even with the illusion magic.
So I cast spells tailored for the fairies instead of a full-on invisibility.
‘I thought about going out without any magic, but then it would be tough to enjoy myself due to the attention.’
Even now, I still occasionally catch glimpses of onlookers glancing upwards.
It’s fine if the transmissions pick up on it, but if I and my party show our faces outward, the attention would pour in from all directions.
So much so that back when I was separating from Yoonhwa on my way back to the mansion, I had received numerous glances and was approached, leading me to retreat into an alley to cast a spell to avoid detection.
[Seo-yul, are you getting hungry? Shall we stroll through the stalls and grab something delicious?]
“…Something delicious?”
[Yes, yes, something delicious.]
“Umm…”
As I tapped Seo-yul’s arm while she was distractedly surveying her surroundings, her expression suddenly shifted.
Her eyes rolled as she subtly glanced at me, contemplating something.
Taken aback for a moment by her response, I feigned a proud demeanor instead.
[Heh, believe it or not, I happen to have a lot of money! Seo-yul, you can buy all the stall food you want without anyone noticing!]
It was not just bragging. The expenses for daily life in this world wouldn’t significantly dent my bank balance.
Thinking back to the times when I was terrified of the steep prices in this world… it brought about a myriad of emotions.
Sure, expenses in the superhuman circles are exorbitant, but that’s something I can manage, thankfully.
[So don’t worry; you can eat everything you want!]
“…Okay.”
After my repeated assurances, Seo-yul finally nodded. But the slight reluctance in her expression suggested she didn’t quite grasp the idea of me being rich.
[Then shall we try that one first? Chicken… no, no, no, pork skewers!]
Reluctantly surveying the food choices, I stepped forward to explore the stalls myself.
They say the highlight of a festival is the food? True enough, each stall offered all kinds of food, freshly made and in abundance.
“Om nom nom…”
[How is it? Tasty?]
“Mmm… it’s good.”
I was already aware that Seo-yul could eat a lot. She was still in her growth phase, after all, often out-eating me.
Continuously feeding her, she carefully glanced at me while delightfully munching down on the food.
Kids in their growth phase certainly have insatiable appetites. Fueled by that, I strangely felt more energized and started bouncing around the stalls.
“Aah, now that I think about it, I haven’t been to many different festivals this year.”
That’s when it happened.
Yoonhwa, carefully eating a rice cup to avoid staining her scarf, suddenly opened her mouth as if recalling something.
“The food festival held in Taesan was so good. I could indulge in as much as I wanted.”
“Pig.”
“If I’m a pig, then you’re an overweight sea lion.”
“I’m fine with my build!”
“Come on, aren’t you just going overboard? Huh?”
“But you’re smaller than I am?”
“Hey!”
“Whoa, whoa, filters are coming off…! Oh look, shall we try that?”
An astonished Baek Ahrin suddenly pointed to one side. At the end of her finger was a machine set up near the arcade entrance.
Even I, who had never been to an arcade, recognized it instantly; it was a punching machine.
“How about making a bet after a long time?”
“Really? Ha! You’re hopeless at diverting attention, Sea Lion.”
At Baek Ahrin’s gesture, Yoonhwa’s lips curled into a smirk. Her expression made it clear she wouldn’t let this slide. Baek Ahrin sighed as if resigning herself to the situation.
“Ah~ If you’re scared, then I can’t help it.”
“What?”
Yoonhwa’s demeanor turned serious at Baek Ahrin’s nonchalant response. However, the grin on Baek Ahrin’s face indicated she understood everything immediately.
“Not that it’s not wise, right? There’s no reason to get into a fight you’re sure to lose. Especially since there’s nothing at stake this time, it’s best to back out if you think you’re going to lose~”
A torrent of dialogue erupted from Baek Ahrin.
“Fine, I’ll let you off this time. Be grateful.”
– Crack!
At that climactic moment, Yoonhwa’s spoon snapped in her hand. Trembling, she pointed at the punching machine.
“Follow me, damn it.”
“Looks like the filter function just broke down…”
Baek Ahrin cast a sidelong glance at the broken spoon as she approached the punching machine. Yoonhwa scoffed and followed closely behind, and the remaining party, intrigued, followed as well.
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