As the visitor stepped past the main gate, they were greeted by a splendid array of flowers lined along both sides of the path leading to the mansion.
“Wow…”
Elia, who had been speechless since earlier, sparkled with excitement. She gently placed Seo-yul down from her arms, linked her hands with his, and squatted by the path to examine the flowers.
“They’re so beautiful…”
Different types and colors. Though they weren’t from the same season or region, they all bloomed together harmoniously in this odd display.
It was as if the view had been ripped directly from a fantasy landscape, leaving her awestruck.
In front of her, various flowers bloomed cheerfully together.
Elia tilted her head, alternating her gaze between two flowers, looking puzzled yet intrigued.
“Is this white flower an edelweiss? And the red one next to it…”
“Hibiscus.”
“Oh, that’s right! Hibiscus! That’s the name!”
“And the purple flower next to it… Agapanthus? They have all sorts here.”
Elia clapped her hands excitedly at the answer she had just received.
“Huh?”
Then, sensing something strange, she turned her head to look at the one who answered… no, the fairy Seo-yul.
“…Seo-yul knows about these flowers too?”
“I read it in a book.”
Seo-yul replied with a somewhat vague expression. As he tilted his head and looked around, vibrant, colorful wings unfurled gracefully from his back.
“Wow, our Seo-yul is so smart!”
“Heh.”
Seo-yul grinned shyly, wearing a mysterious smile, while Elia gave his head a gentle ruffle, beaming at him.
Both were dressed in bright-colored dresses, perfectly matching the beautiful flower backdrop.
They appeared as a heartwarming pair that one would want to capture in a photograph, resembling a happy mother and daughter.
“Hye-yul, is something wrong?”
Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been observing them with a dissatisfied look, approached me, who was seemingly lost in thought.
“No… It’s fine. I was just a bit dazed for a moment.”
I must’ve looked strange standing there, so I shook my head in response. Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me into her embrace.
I instinctively leaned against her.
“Hmph… If you’re feeling unwell, say it right away. I told you before, right? Don’t suffer in silence.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good, you’re sweet.”
Perhaps satisfied with my response, the previous frown on her face faded, replaced by a gentle smile as she patted my shoulder.
‘…This place…’
Leaning against Hong Yeon-hwa, I savored the comforting sensation, pondering the bizarre feelings that had been nudging at my body and mind since earlier.
‘What kind of space is this?’
The mansion, surrounded by magic that filled the estate, felt incredibly otherworldly.
Typically, magic is akin to calculation. By deciphering the spell, you can determine the effect it pertains to.
This place was different.
There were no incantations to interpret. There was no need to weave will into a complex spell; the will simply melted away like a painting.
Even the flowers blooming in this park were imbued with such will.
“Bloom, show your most beautiful self, bear your flowers fully, imbibe vitality…”
Responding to that will, the flowers stood in their most vibrant state, thoroughly brimming with energy.
The barrier surrounding the estate, centered around the main gate and wall, was similar.
It was a will that shielded against external gazes and intrusions.
So strong that I couldn’t peep inside, even with my observational powers.
The will was even more potent in the mansion, making it impossible to examine the interiors.
‘A key?’
Right now, I could observe it.
I toyed with the key in my hand, which had been trembling only moments ago, sensing a connection forming from it.
At that moment, as if determined to keep anything from crossing the threshold, the thorns standing guard fell away, and the tight seals were flung open.
It didn’t end there.
The will binding this place responded to me.
The throbbing headache, which I had surrendered to, subsided, and my body, aching from intense training, slowly started to recover.
The ground, the flowers, the blades of grass, and the trees… everything endowed with life brimmed with vitality and possessed exceptionally pure magical energy.
Breathing became easier.
As fatigue and pain vanished, my condition improved naturally.
The wings of the sky fluttered like a fish released into water.
I felt as if this place were tailor-made for me, and I was rejuvenating.
“Haah…”
“Eek!”
Suddenly taking a deep breath, I inhaled not just the clear air but the fragrant scent of Hong Yeon-hwa, filling my nostrils.
‘Ah, I was leaning against her.’
I had almost forgotten.
“Um… W-what’s with the sudden reaction?”
Startled by the sudden aroma, Hong Yeon-hwa jolted and subtly puffed out her chest.
.
.
.
After a brief tour of the park, we entered the mansion.
I roamed around, thoroughly inspecting the enormous residence.
Typically, you wouldn’t use the word ‘roam’ for a house, but this huge mansion warranted it.
“Wow… Did they just cram everything imaginable in here?”
Hong Yeon-hwa, looking exasperated, remarked after we explored together.
At first, she seemed to be just in awe of its size, but her expression morphed into one of disbelief as she realized how many areas were still left unexplored.
“A soccer field, basketball court, tennis court, movie theater, training hall, alchemy lab, magic measurement room… Seriously, there’s everything!”
“Haha… It is a bit massive, isn’t it? We’ll need days just to explore it all.”
“This isn’t just a ‘bit massive,’ you know?”
“It’s enormous…”
Even Seo-yul, who had previously harbored some reluctance towards Hong Yeon-hwa, was nodding in agreement.
I couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly.
The mansion stood at three stories above ground and two below.
It was laid out in a ‘ㄷ’ shape, divided into a central building and the west and east wings.
The center housed all the required living facilities, fulfilling the role of a main hall.
For reference, you could throw open any random room and live there immediately without any issues.
The countless rooms already had furniture and amenities set up and were impeccably clean.
I casually flopped onto a bed, and it was incredibly luxurious—far better than anything in a dorm. Just laying down left my mouth agape with surprise.
The west side was packed with recreational facilities like soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a movie theater.
The east side had facilities for not just martial arts and magic but also alchemy and metallurgy.
These facilities were all maintained by the same strange magic, ensuring flawless functionality.
“Is this mansion it? There’s more behind it, isn’t there? When are we looking at that?”
Surprisingly, this wasn’t the end.
A bit away from the main mansion, there were several outbuildings.
Sure, they weren’t as large as the mansion, but by my standards, they were still plenty big. I thought they could easily accommodate the entire Shio-ram cadet corps.
Additionally, sprawling across this large estate were a park, a greenhouse, and even cultivation areas for medicinal herbs.
The area was so vast that I couldn’t even fathom exploring it all.
So for now, I simply let the nature-loving spirits roam freely. Perhaps due to the vibrant atmosphere and rich magic, the spirits sparkled and scattered everywhere.
“What kind of place is this that you’d just hand over like that…”
“I know, right?”
In the lobby of the central building, I nodded along to Hong Yeon-hwa’s murmured complaints as she plopped down onto one of the many sofas.
With a calm demeanor, I handed her the keys, saying, “This is the mansion’s key,” and expected something along the lines of what Baek Ahrin lived in.
I thought that would be more than enough, but to encounter such an outrageous estate was beyond my imagination…
[Still, there’s no need to explore everything in a single day.]
It was far too spacious to scrutinize in just one day.
[Should we drop all our things here?]
[I could hold onto them, but we ought to move to our own rooms now.]
For better or worse, I had already accepted the key.
I could return it, citing it was too burdensome, but… I wasn’t thinking that way at the moment.
“Ah, we need to choose our rooms now. I completely forgot because I was so busy exploring.”
Elia gasped, opening up an Aether pocket.
A large hole opened up. I quickly caught the items that spilled out with the wings of the sky and placed them on the ground.
“What room will Hye-yul use?”
As I set down the belongings, Hong Yeon-hwa sneaked closer, asking in a soft tone.
“I haven’t decided yet… But I plan to make it the room next to Seo-yul’s.”
“Oh, the room next to Seo-yul’s… Huh? Where are you going?”
Having emptied all the items, I stood after checking once more that nothing was left behind, and Hong Yeon-hwa tilted her head.
“Yeon-hwa and Elia, take a break for a moment. I’m going to start preparing food now.”
“Right, you said we’re having a housewarming party. Who’s coming?”
“Uh… Master, Professor Riana, and Baek Ahrin, and Senior Lee Ji-yeon…”
“Lee Ji-yeon? You invited Ji-yeon unnie too?”
“Ah, yes.”
“…Really?”
Hong Yeon-hwa, who had interrupted mid-sentence, showed a somewhat displeased expression.
“Is something wrong?”
“Uh… Nothing at all.”
“?”
Anyway, I had plenty to do.
Coincidentally, since tomorrow was a weekend, we were going to have dinner as a housewarming event.
I planned to cook a lot, and the kitchen was already well-prepared, so I could dive right into cooking.
And there was one more place I needed to visit before starting.
.
.
.
In one corner of the east wing of the mansion stood a firmly locked door.
At a glance, it appeared unremarkable. Just another thick brown wooden door that exuded the passage of time.
‘The lock is quite sturdy.’
I couldn’t peer inside. Even now, linked through the key, it was challenging to observe the interior. Even with the defenses lowered, this place still maintained its barriers.
It was immediately apparent this place had exceptional security.
From the moment I recognized its presence, I wanted to enter.
This was believed to be the residence of a past chancellor, and rumors suggested the current chancellor might still be hiding within.
For a place like this to still have such a strong boundary…
‘Hmm…’
Pausing briefly in front of the door, I took the key from my pocket and brought it to the door.
Shivering, the key vibrated.
– Click!
‘As expected.’
Though there was no keyhole, the sound of the lock clicking open rang out just by the key’s approach.
This key truly was an entry certificate.
It seemed the key itself granted authorization for using this mansion.
I grasped the doorknob.
– Creak…
The door opened with a strange sound, and simultaneously, the barrier surrounding the room crumbled, revealing the interior.
‘…What is this?’
Inside was a kind of study.
But it was enormous. It was dozens of times larger than I perceived from outside. It seemed to be under the effect of space-expansion magic.
The vast interior was lined with bookshelves that stretched endlessly, packed with countless tomes.
And…
‘A portrait?’
A large portrait hanging on the wall came into view.
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