214 – ㅅㅅㄲㄲ (2)
I said to Alps.
“Do not lower your head. You are my aid, not my minion.”
“Ah, yes, yes!”
Alps immediately raised her head and smiled awkwardly.
“Anyway, sleeping in that position doesn’t make you tired. It’s like sitting down.”
“Ah, ah. Thanks for your concern, Theo! I’m fine! I’m used to sleeping in this position…”
Alps smiled bitterly.
“·······.”
Seeing that, I got angry for some reason.
Alps lived in a cold region covered with white snow all year round, and devoted himself to the [Cult of Light] At the age of 13 to survive after losing his parents. Since he possessed divine power, he was assigned to a training institution within the Church that trains combatants.
However, her original character was weak, and her divine power was mediocre, so she couldn’t adapt well to the nurturing institution that runs on an endless competition system. Because she was older, she could not escape the contempt and criticism of the members.
The result of enduring contempt and criticism from most people for the past five years is her current despondent appearance.
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Of course, it’s Alps’ own fault. After all, no one else is responsible for her own life.
There is no effect without a cause.
There is no such thing as “Suddenly.” That’s just an excuse for those who couldn’t respond.
And I am the one who believes in that word more firmly than anyone else.
······ But that assumes that I was in a rational and rational state.
Seeing her constantly looking at her surroundings and seeing her belittling herself reminded her of my past and annoyed her.
It may be a pointless meddling, but it was difficult to hold back the words that came out from within.
“Don’t do that.”
“・・・・・・Yes?”
Alps opened her eyes wide and looked at me. I made eye contact with her and her.
Within seconds, Alps’ eyes trembled and she turned her gaze away.
Fear of others’ gaze. Her eyes are windows through which she projects her mind.
······How useless and gnawing at her stress she is feeling on a daily basis.
It’s a thing of the past now, so I don’t remember it very well, but one thing is certain.
In the end, even for her own sake, she must overcome someday.
“It means don’t lower your head.”
“Yeah, but how dare I…”
Alps raised her head for a moment only when she spoke, and after she finished speaking, she immediately put her head on the floor.
I stared at the crown of her head without speaking.
Even for her awakening, she had to get rid of that gloomy stance to some extent.
‘But if she closes her heart, it’s all over.’
It’s a bad idea to be coercive in this place. She is mentally weak and fearful of those around her.
Talking too much can have the opposite effect.
Okay, a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. Let’s go in the direction of permeating little by little.
“I really hate being told twice.”
“·······Ah, ah! I’m sorry, Theo!”
Alps hurriedly raised her head and looked at her as lightly as a frightened deer.
······Whew. I hate to do this, but I think it would be better in the long run to enforce the rules.
I grabbed the Alps by the shoulders and made them stare at me.
“In addition to that, don’t apologize no matter what happens to me in the future. Be mindful.”
“Yes, yes…! Okay, I’ll keep that in mind!”
Alps replied. Her eyes were trembling. But maybe because I was holding my shoulders tight, I didn’t avert my gaze.
“······You’re awake, boy.”
“Ummm, hmmm. Someone is screaming while sleeping.”
Alps’ voice woke Amy and Piel from their slumber.
Piel rubbed his eyes with the sleeve of his clothes and looked at me and the Alps with a puzzled expression.
Like that or not, I spoke with my eyes fixed only on the Alps.
“Tell me two things I just told you not to do.”
“Do not lower your head! Don’t apologize! These two, two!”
Alps spoke like a new recruit in full discipline.
Fortunately, you remember the story I told you well. I took her hand off her shoulder.
“Good work, Alps. I don’t have anything else to keep, so please take good care of me from now on.”
I reached out to Alps.
Alps trembled all over.
“Ah, ah, no! I really appreciate you, Mr. Theo!”
She wiped her own palm on her clothes and held it out.
I took her hand. Tremors are transmitted from her clasped hands.
She looked pretty cute, so I smiled lightly.
Alps hurriedly lowered his head.
“I would have told you not to bow your head.”
“Ah, ah! I’m sorry, Theo! That, that’s me… Oh, no, I bowed my head to apologize!”
“Anyway, don’t keep your head down.”
“Yes, yes…! Wait a minute, wait a moment…”
About five minutes later, Alps raised its head again. For some reason, her cheeks were red.
* * *
The next day, Saturday morning.
On the front page of all media outlets on the continent, the invasion that occurred at Ellinia Academy the day before was published.
As a result, the entire continent was buzzing with the issue.
Ellinia Academy is a place that is no different from the symbol of the continent’s vested interests, the ‘Hero Society’.
Of course, the large guilds leading the ‘Hero Society’ took the current situation much more seriously than the general public.
Of course, the same was true for the 7th ranked guild, Ataraxia.
Since early Saturday morning, the lights have been on in Hayley’s office, the secretary-general.
“Ahhh… My head hurts.”
Hailey frowned and looked down at the numerous newspapers that filled the large desk.
“As I live, I see all the Ellinia Academy being robbed.”
Of course, the expression ‘robbed’ was not suitable because the damage was small due to the appropriate response of the Ellinia Academy, but it was an appropriate expression for her as the general secretary of the top guild.
She also graduated from her Ellinia Academy, so the place had a different meaning to her.
“This is why I can’t quit smoking.”
It seems stable from the outside, but the continent is unstable.
There are still numerous impure forces on the continent.
It’s a fact that only a part of the guild knows about because it’s a secret, but a week ago, we even discovered traces of the demonic world.
In other words, it is highly likely that a new contract with the devil has been created.
There are differences depending on the class and type of demon, but on average, even if you become a contractor with the most common mid-level demon, it is enough to destroy a small country.
Meanwhile, Ellinia Academy was robbed.
Even traces of the 8th circle great magic [Mass Teleport] And a drug strictly banned in all countries [Berserker Potion] Were found at the site.
There is no doubt that this is the testimony of the head of security at the academy.
After Haley threw away the burnt cigarette butt, she immediately took out her cigarette again and put it in her mouth.
“Ha, what is this again? ‘When a situation arises, the first to establish and execute a strategy is a student from the Faculty of Bravery’? All security chiefs should have their salaries confiscated, isn’t it embarrassing?
Took.
The tobacco fell from Haley’s mouth.
“That student is a freshman, Theo Lynn Balderk…?”
I found a familiar name in the newspaper.
No, beyond what I know, the fortress is the one I am keeping my eyes on the most.
I personally check everything about him, even the smallest information.
Not too long ago, at the Academy Festival, he participated in entertainment contests such as the [Snowball Fight Contest] And [Beauty Contest] And even knows that he won first place.
“A very enigmatic person…”
Haley thought hard for a moment.
“······As expected, it was a hatchling, not a wyvern.”
Haley opened the drawer and checked the schedule of her team’s hero.
There are a total of 13 warrior teams belonging to ‘Ataraxia’, which aims to be a small elite.
Among them, there was one team of warriors who had no schedule until next week. To be more specific, the team finished their big mission two days ago, so they are on vacation until next week.
But a matter is a matter. Hurry up.
“Okay, I’ve decided. Let’s throw the odds at this point.”
Of course, his schedule was full 365 days a year, but it was a waste of time to devote to such trivial schedules. He immediately canceled all of his weekend schedules on the pretext of breaking into Ellinia Academy.
After that, he took the crystal ball for contact and made a call to the unscheduled hero team.
* * *
Saturday evening.
I was lying alone on the bed in the hospital room in [The Hilte].
This is because Locke seriously recommended that we stay at the current location for security and safety reasons. That’s why I’m alone in a large special room.
Well, for me this is better than the dormitory.
My physical condition is not good, so eating the nutritious food provided by [The Hilte] Would be better for my recovery. If there’s a chance, I’ll have a serious talk with Taylor.
“Then let’s do the shopping we’ve been putting off.”
Amy, Piel, and Alps, who said they would stay together, were sent out because they wanted to be alone…
I must have saved quite a bit of shop currency…
Geeing──
I opened a shop window.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen this lightweight interface.