The tower entrance exam is over, and it’s finally the weekend.
It’s a legit holiday, with big red underlines in the law books.
Even Shio-ram cadets take a break on weekends, just like regular folks.
Of course, there are some cadets who still show up for supplemental lectures or drown under a wave of assignments, looking like livestock being led to the slaughterhouse…
But today, I was set to go out.
[Okay, Seo-yul, raise your arms!]
“Whoosh!”
[That’s right!]
Responding to the signal, Seo-yul raised both arms high with enthusiasm.
That vibrant energy made me smile as I dressed him up in the outfit I’d prepared.
This weekend, I decided to take Seo-yul out for some fun.
I’ve been too busy buzzing around outside, leaving little time to spend with Seo-yul.
As a result, every time I came back to the dorm, I faced the gaze dripping with disappointment from Seo-yul.
To soothe that nagging guilt, I decided to spend a day together on the weekend.
Now Seo-yul had grown quite a bit, making him fully ready for some outdoor escapades.
“Tada!”
Seo-yul raised his arms once more.
He wore a neat sailor-collared dress.
The color matched his hair—a crisp white—featuring a V-shaped neckline that draped over his shoulders and back, adorned with a square fabric.
Honestly, I didn’t know much about fashion, but it looked like something you’d see in a naval uniform.
“Tadadada!”
Seo-yul stared at me with bright shiny eyes, clearly expecting something.
[Ahaha!]
That sight just made me smile uncontrollably.
I couldn’t help it and didn’t even think to hold back.
With those ticklish feelings surging, I spread my arms and pulled Seo-yul in for a big hug.
[Oh my, Seo-yul, you look amazing!]
“Hehe.”
Seo-yul burst into a cheerful laugh, snuggling into my embrace.
Behind Seo-yul’s head, his colorful fairy wings fluttered like a puppy’s tail.
‘Those wings are pretty amazing.’
There weren’t any holes in the dress for the wings.
I had learned earlier that fairy wings weren’t actually physical things.
Sure, they could take on a tangible form, but… they could also shimmer with what felt like magical essence, like now.
So, they fluttered without damaging the clothing, which was a relief. I had to recycle clothes with wing holes, but hey—good things even out.
I had dressed in a simple black t-shirt and pants… and just threw on a jacket over it…
[Hey, Seo-yul, did you pack everything?]
“Yup, yup, yup!”
Seo-yul nodded confidently, thumping his chest.
[Good job!]
When we reached the front door, his excitement bubbled over, his little feet bouncing up and down, and it was just too cute.
‘Maybe I should have taken him out sooner…’
I couldn’t help but give a wry smile.
Looking back, I seemed to have only made excuses about being too busy all the time.
If I’d suffered a bit more, maybe I could have carved more time out to spend with Seo-yul.
[Oh my, your hair is a mess!]
I tidied up his slightly rumpled hair and gently placed a white wide-brimmed hat on his head.
The hat matched in color and had a sky-blue ribbon that highlighted its cuteness.
[Hmm-mm.]
He looked adorable, all dressed in white from tip to toe, truly fitting of the title “fairy.”
[Alright, let’s get going!]
Holding Seo-yul’s hand, we stepped out the front door.
.
.
.
Honestly, while we’d agreed to hang out together, I wasn’t sure I could properly lead Seo-yul.
Even if he had grown quite a bit, he was still a big kid at heart, and here I was, a reclusive shut-in with only a handful of experiences wandering outside…
I wasn’t really fit to guide him around.
But luckily, a support squad appeared.
In the center of the commercial district stood a chic ten-story fountain made of white bricks.
Leaning against the nearby building, I spotted Baek Ahrin, gazing at a hologram.
Since we were out with Seo-yul to sightsee, I also planned to pick up some materials for equipment crafting.
I was hoping for Baek Ahrin’s help in that crafting process, and when I mentioned that I was gathering supplies today, Baek Ahrin eagerly offered to join.
It would be nice to have others around while out with Seo-yul, but everyone seemed too busy.
Hong Yeon-hwa and Elia had their own stuff to do.
Professor Riana was probably buried in tower records by now… And my mentor…
‘……’
Had been oddly avoiding me since last time.
I wasn’t about to cling to him while whining, “Why are you avoiding me?”
Well, the thrill of excitement had worn off, and I had realized how embarrassing my previous actions were…
Honestly, I considered myself lucky that it had ended merely awkwardly.
I was terrified it might spiral into permanent awkwardness… but I managed to calm myself down, holding faith in my mentor, plus I didn’t want to show any signs of awkwardness in front of Seo-yul.
Whatever the case, I decided to accept Baek Ahrin’s help in gathering supplies for Seo-yul’s outing.
[Baek Ahrin!]
I waved my arms as I approached Baek Ahrin.
She turned her head from the hologram toward me.
“?”
[Sorry to keep you waiting!]
“…Ah, Hae-yul! You made it!”
She blinked rapidly, alternating glances between me and Seo-yul holding my hand.
After tilting her head for a moment, Baek Ahrin unexpectedly gasped, and then her expression shifted to one of curiosity.
I mirrored her confusion.
[What’s up? Is there a problem…?]
“No, it’s not a problem or anything.”
Baek Ahrin shrugged and lifted a hand.
On her slender ring finger sat a ring that hadn’t been there before.
It was a silver band adorned with a sparkling green gem.
“I was wearing an invisibility ring, so I was surprised when someone recognized me out of nowhere.”
‘Ah.’
The engraving on the gem contained a spell of invisibility. It must still be active right now.
Only then did I understand why Baek Ahrin had reacted like that.
She hadn’t registered us as exceptions yet, and I had spotted her instantly. I could see how that would be startling.
“Did you find me with your detection power?”
Finally dismissing her baffled face, Baek Ahrin’s eyes sparkled as she asked.
[Yes, thanks to my detection power!]
“Wow… just how sensitive does one’s detection ability have to be to pierce through invisibility like that?”
[Ahaha…]
Baek Ahrin muttered in awe softly. Her round eyes reflected genuine surprise.
Feeling awkward, I scratched my head.
‘Oops, I need to be more careful next time.’
My observation ability allowed me to perceive through invisibility spells. I had become too accustomed to that kind of knowledge from the spatial perception days.
Besides, even without employing observation, I could distinguish based on mana detection alone.
“That means you’re also aware of what I’m wearing, right?”
While I was having a mini existential crisis in my head, Baek Ahrin perked up, lifting her chin slightly, wearing a playful grin.
I took another look at her.
Baek Ahrin was dressed in casual attire.
She wore typical sweatpants with a black base and white stripes.
On her top, she had a black sleeveless shirt covered with a windbreaker, zipped all the way up.
Her mask was pulled down to her chin, and she sported a baseball cap plopped down over her head.
Uniquely, she was dressed in black from head to toe today.
“What do you think? It feels a bit light, but doesn’t the color and brand match perfectly?”
[Yes!]
[It looks great on you!]
Even though her outfit was pretty normal and light, her silhouette was so stellar it made her look like she just stepped off the runway.
Baek Ahrin was, after all, a beauty who could effortlessly overshadow any model or actress with her presence.
Honestly, they say the face makes the outfit, and with her kind of face and figure, I imagined she could make a potato sack look classy.
Moreover, thanks to the little coherence she’d brought, there was no chaotic impression to her look whatsoever.
“Ehehe, thanks!”
Satisfied with the compliments, Baek Ahrin chuckled softly.
– Squeeze… squeeze…
“……”
[Huh? Seo-yul? What’s wrong?]
Just then, Seo-yul tugged vigorously on my right sleeve.
His cheeks puffed up cutely, displaying clear dissatisfaction, and I felt perplexed as I calmed him down.
“This is Seo-yul! It must seem odd since he hasn’t been registered as an exception yet.”
[Ah, just a moment!]
Both Seo-yul and I were wearing invisibility artifacts. Mine was in the form of a necklace, and Seo-yul wore a bracelet.
Invisibility spells are already quite advanced magic, but you can get even more creative by enhancing its effects.
Exclusion registration was one of those additional extras, allowing a specific target to be exempt from the invisibility effect.
Moments later, I finished the exclusion registration.
Within my observation power, an unusual aura enveloping the three of us shifted.
“Wow, Seo-yul really dressed well! Hahaha, look at that big hat!”
It seemed Bar Ahrin finally noticed Seo-yul’s outfit.
She bent down to meet Seo-yul’s gaze.
“Hey! Do you remember when you met your sister last time? I gave you some candy.”
“…Yeah, I remember.”
“Oh, what a relief! Did you enjoy the candy?”
“…Nah, it wasn’t that great.”
“Yikes.”
Seo-yul responded firmly, his voice mixing awkwardness and wariness, and then he clung to my leg like a cicada.
Oh my, he’s just too cute.
Unconsciously reaching out to pat his hat, I noticed his previously firm expression softening like melting ice.
“Ahaha. Are you still feeling a bit awkward?”
Seeing Seo-yul like that made Baek Ahrin chuckle as she stood back up.
As she straightened from her crouch, a long figure suddenly shot up right in front of me.
Startled by the sudden appearance, I flinched.
“Hey, Hae-yul, why are you surprised?”
[Huh?]
[I wasn’t surprised!]
– Thump
“Hmmm…? I’ll let that slide this time. Should we get moving?”
[Yes, sounds good!]
Having said that, Baek Ahrin nodded and, naturally reaching out, took hold of my left hand.
The left one was my artificial arm, the hard, prosthetic one.
Even though I wore a sleeve over it, it wasn’t particularly comfortable, yet Baek Ahrin didn’t seem to care as she led me with an elegant air.
“It’s still morning. Have you eaten yet?”
[No, I just fed Seo-yul a light breakfast and headed out.]
“Perfect timing, I haven’t had breakfast either. How about we take Seo-yul around a bit and then grab something to eat? Oh, do you remember that rice cake shop I mentioned last time?”
[Rice cake shop…?]
[Oh, yes, I remember!]
“Yup, sadly it was closed last time, but I found out they’ve reopened now. Shall we visit there?”
[I’d love that!]
On my left was Baek Ahrin, on my right was Seo-yul…
Standing together like this, it felt peculiar in various ways.
The tallest among us was Baek Ahrin in her black outfit with blue hair.
In the middle was me, in black with white hair.
And the shortest was Seo-yul, in white clothes with white hair.
As we stood side by side, it created quite the amusing scene as we tallied down from left to right.
“……”
– Squeeze…
For some reason, Seo-yul seemed annoyed again, gripping my hand tightly as we went on.
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