A flower that blooms in frustration (1)
I left the office with Yerina. Ministry agents followed us.
“Are you sure? Aren’t you two fighting?”
“sure! It wasn’t that I wanted a divorce, it was that I was divorced. I heard it directly from Jeniel!”
Yerina ran from place to place. Judging by the size of the fuss, it seemed to be true. Moreover, since Yerina was always sincere to Jeniel, she trusted her even more.
“Where is Jeniel now?”
“It’s a lab. Private lab!”
I headed for the elevator. I thought as I pressed the button and waited for the slowly ascending elevator.
Divorce of Jeniel and Karios.
Although we often quarreled during the work, and although divorce was discussed a few times, we never actually divorced.
Both of them were talking empty words, because they had no intention of parting.
But what about divorce?
To think that such a big variable occurred just before the demonic fall.
It was an obvious handshake.
Even if the two of them ended the relationship under good agreement, the aftereffects of the breakup are bound to remain.
In particular, it will act as a great shock to Karios.
It’s because he doesn’t have any sense or sense, because deep down he loves Jeniel more than anyone else.
Even when Jeniel asked to break up with him a few months ago, he was also a failure, so he must be in trouble this time too.
Somehow, he said he was postponing his reinstatement at the academy.
Where else would you be drinking?
“A pathetic baby.”
I twisted my mouth. At the same time, the elevator door opened.
As Yerina and I boarded, the late agents pressed the first floor button.
Wei Ying-
A faintly audible descending sound.
Soon the elevator arrived at the first floor.
– Ding-dong. 1st floor.
I immediately moved on. Yerina asked.
“What are you going to do?”
“I plan to meet Jeniel first.”
First of all, I plan to listen to all the circumstances from Jeniel, and then visit Karios later.
It’s not that I ignore Karios—I do ignore it because it’s not there—but it’s usually Karios who makes mistakes.
What’s more serious is that the person himself may be wrong.
For example─ giving a free gift as a birthday present, saying that you don’t have to bring it for an anniversary, so you really don’t bring it, or putting an uninteresting vertical strip in a handwritten letter for your lover…
It was a gag point at the time of writing, but when I entered the novel, there was no carcinogenic character like this.
Yerina also completely agreed.
“Well, that would be nice. In many ways.”
I continued to walk like that, and came out of the Hectare Pavilion.
I looked up at the sky for a moment.
“·······”
Unfortunatly gloomy weather.
The vast sky was covered with gray clouds, and there was no wind at all. The temperature, which had been extremely cold, somehow felt cozy.
like it’s snowing
“What are you doing? Do you see anything?”
Yerina looked at the sky blankly and asked. I soon caught my eye.
“no. Let’s go.”
······
Building B on the 29th floor of the Magic Tower.
Lab corridors lined up like trains.
jerk- jerk-
I walked there with Yerina.
It’s usually crowded with researchers, but now it’s deserted for some reason.
All the lights were off in the lab, and the atmosphere in the hallway was calm.
It was as desolate as the gloomy sky beyond the window.
“Where have you all gone? Are there any group meetings?”
“Ah~ can that be? There is no such thing.”
Yerina shook her head. After blinking for a moment, he glared at me. He pursed his lips poutingly.
“And if there was such a meeting, of course I would have attended. Seriously, Leonard-sama, what do you see me as?”
“·······”
Oh right.
Yerina was also a researcher in the field of pharmacy.
I forgot because I had never seen him in a lab or doing research. The inner thoughts that had been dismissed as illegal potion dealers were revealed implicitly.
I tried to avert my gaze.
“······It’s a joke.”
“Are you sure?”
Yerina’s eyebrows twitched. His rather sharp eyes pierced his temples.
“·······”
“I see you don’t answer. Come to my lab.”
“Why is the laboratory…?”
I inadvertently turned my head.
Then, as if it had never happened, Yerina smiled Bessie. He lifted his tiptoe and whispered in his ear.
“Take a rest. There are things I couldn’t finish yesterday.”
after······
A breath aimed at the ear lobe.
In an instant, my whole body trembled. Seeing that reaction, Yerina smiled and slapped my forearm.
“I don’t know why you bounce when you like it so much~?”
I coughed loudly and loudly. He straightened the posture of the robe and covered it.
“It’s because it tickles me.”
“Really? I don’t think it’s that kind of tickling, right?”
Yerina’s words and actions are gradually adding or subtracting.
Ignoring it and speeding up my steps, Yerina followed me like a squirrel.
“Oh what! go with me~”
Then we arrived at Jeniel’s lab.
[B-2907/Pharmaceutical researcher – Jeniel]
Unlike other labs, the lights were on, and the sound of words leaked through the small open door.
I stopped at the door. I tilted my head and looked inside the laboratory.
“·······”
Jeniel sitting sullenly at his desk and numerous researchers surrounding him.
When I asked where everyone was, they were gathered in Jeniel’s lab. The researchers comforted Jeniel with pitiful expressions.
“I heard you. He said he broke up with Karios-sama.”
“What should I do… It must be really hard.”
“Don’t be too sad. Karios-sama isn’t the only man in the world.”
“right. You will meet someone better.”
When I just heard the words, it seemed like Jeniel was dumped.
However, that was impossible.
Because Karios would never turn away from Jeniel under any circumstances.
Even when I found out about Leonard and Jeniel’s internal relationship, I forgave him and her.
“Thank you guys…”
Jeniel let out a small sigh.
It was a worldly sight. Enough to make the viewer’s heart melt.
I suddenly felt it, but her outstanding beauty was as persuasive as her strong logic.
“Cheer. Unfold your face.”
“Yeah, what are you doing because you’re sorry?”
Is it because of that?
The level of consolation has risen even higher. For some reason, the atmosphere drifted toward slandering Karios.
“To say the least, you are worth a thousand times more.”
“Real recognition. To be honest, Karios-sama wasn’t nice to you. It only rots inside every day.”
“You have good abilities, but should I say that you have no sense? And I don’t know if he’s a very good person.”
“right. The Annals of Gates, and the prison raid, too… The more you know about something, the more uncomfortable you feel.”
It was felt once again that Karios’ reputation had been tarnished.
Well, it was understandable since a series of unfortunate incidents occurred one after another. Even so, it’s rude to gossip behind your back.
It was at that time that a certain emotion bloomed in the corner of my heart.
“Ah, no matter how, that’s a farce.”
A counter-question was heard from directly below.
“…?”
I lowered my gaze.
Yerina, who had been clinging to my back for some time, was watching Jeniel from an angle similar to mine. Yerina’s brow furrowed.
“Right? Was it a bit harsh?”
Karios completely immersed in him, as if he were his friend.
For some reason, I didn’t take Jeniel’s side. Its unexpected aspect felt admirable.
I gently stroked Yerina’s head. Then he knocked on the slightly open door.
smart-
entered the laboratory. Standing in front of the door, he said in a gentle voice.
“Jeniel. I came to hear you speak.”
Then the attention of the researchers was focused. The sad eyes widened all at once, and everyone turned into a surprised face. Some covered their mouths with their hands.
“Hull… It’s Professor Leonard.”
“······Great.”
“Oh right. You are close with Jeniel.”
He shyly said goodbye.
“Oh, hello Professor.”
“It’s been a while. I said hello last time, do you remember?”
Reactions I’m used to.
I responded with light silence. I approached Jeniel, not paying attention to the gazes around me.
Jeniel jumped up from his seat.
“Leonard…”
He looked at me with eyes that looked like they would cry at any moment. With a precarious gait, he hesitated and approached.
He rested his small head on his chest.
Tuk-tuk-
water droplets falling down it.
“·······”
I stood still and supported Jeniel. After shedding tears for a while, Jeniel looked up and looked around.
“Could you move away for a moment? Leonard and I have something to say.”
At that, the researchers left the lab. Everyone gives their consolation.
“don’t worry. Everything will work out.”
“Because it will come on the day the sun rises.”
“go for it.”
The last researcher to leave closed the door.
Kiki Iik······ Kung-
Only two labs left.
I sat Jeniel on the desk chair. He got down on one knee and was eye level with her.
Leonard’s face was reflected in the most beautiful gold eyes in the world.
“Why are you divorced?”
I asked directly.
Then Jeniel bit his lower lip. said in a trembling tone.
“That’s… that’s why…”
Sentences that cannot be completed because of holding back the crying.
face twisted again. Puss in Boots has big eyes like a cat. red cheeks. Little swollen lips.
How can a crying face be this pretty?
It was a beauty that matched the setting of one color in the world. I didn’t express it, but I admired it inwardly.
I was naturally drawn to her feelings.
“It’s hard…”
Jeniel lowered his head slightly. Water droplets flowed from the corners of her beautiful eyes, and a curtain of blonde hair covered her jawline.
“That is all.”
“·······”
I nodded without speaking.
The reason was not as clear as I thought. It meant that there was a lot of it.
It’s not how much trouble that tender child suffered… Let’s wake up.
back-
I pinched my calf. What I have to worry about right now is Karios, not Jeniel.
The fact that there is no clear reason means that Kario’s shock will be more severe.
I had to go find him right away. First of all, you should search all the bars in the empire.
“······cheer up. Don’t be too heartbroken.”
I gave a few words of comfort. And then I tried to get up.
I was about to raise my knees slowly, but Jeniel grabbed my hand. Warmth flowed from her thin, white fingers.
“Leonard, I’m having a hard time…”
A soft tone that catches the footsteps.
Even the voice was pretty.
“Can’t you just stay with me for today?”
Eventually, Jeniel raised his head. Her hair clung to the tears that ran down her cheeks, and her vivid eyes were deeper and more distant.
Beyond beauty, it was even dreamy.
“only once······”
Jeniel showing off her cuteness while raising her index finger.
Her dazzling beauty threw me into a swamp of trouble.
＊＊＊
same time.
A-2713, Music Box’s private lab.
Narsha entered someone else’s laboratory for the first time after entering the Mage Tower. It was unfamiliar and awkward at first, but after a while, I quickly got used to it. The meeting went smoothly.
“Then, did you follow the research program as it is? Or make a new one?”
“Hmm… I think I’ll just have to edit the second half of the work separately?”
Randomly assigned individual research assignments.
Just in time, we were assigned a similar theme to the music box, and we decided to work together to solve the overlapping parts.
The two-hour meeting ended like that. Narsha raised her arms and stretched them out.
“Ugh…”
The music box said while saving the meeting materials.
“You know what, Narsha? It’s snowing this evening. After work later, do you call me snowflake chicken for beer?”
“no. busy.”
Narsha replied dryly. I didn’t even look at the music box.
It’s not that it’s not, the research subject has been pushed quite a bit.
And alcohol… I decided not to drink anymore.
“Wow, look at him hitting the iron wall. why? Do you want to see your boyfriend for the first time?”
The music box snorted as if it were absurd.
Narsha finally shifted her gaze.
“What, what? no.”
“No, what isn’t it? Even if you pretend, you pretend. Is this why you live alone because you’re sad?”
He gave me a disapproving look at the music box. How did Narsha try to explain it?
“That’s not-“
“Okay, I hate to hear it. Hurry and leave in Leonard’s arms! Get out now!”
In an instant, I was kicked out into the hallway. Soon, the door was closed fiercely.
thump-!
“…it’s a lot of research.”
It was useless to continue talking later. The tightly closed door did not open again.
What happened didn’t even give me a chance to explain.
Narsha stared blankly at the door, then moved to the stairs. He headed to his laboratory two floors above.
Tumble- Tumble-
Structurally, a mage tower with a very high floor height.
That is why the number of stairs was more than that of other buildings. It felt like twice as much.
“Ha… I’m going to take the elevator.”
Narsha, who was climbing the stairs, suddenly looked at the window hanging on one side of the wall.
hazy sky. thick clouds. Quiet air currents like the eve of a storm.
It was really snowy weather. Winter had already arrived.
By the way, I heard that you have to see the first snow with someone you love.
What is Leonard doing today? Are you busy?
“·······”
Scratching her head and worrying, Narsha soon ran up the stairs.
Thinking of text messages to send to Leonard.
＊＊＊
That night.
The first snow fell across the empire. Pungpung – Huge snow was pouring.
Snowflakes are added to the cold weather, and the atmosphere of the end of the year is even thicker.
A panoramic view of the city that has become cozy for some reason.
People came out and enjoyed the blessings from heaven.
Lovers walked around the city and watched the snow, children enjoyed snowball fights after a long time, and the streets were lined with different types of snowmen.
Laughter did not stop everywhere.
But not everyone was happy.
Tonight, which will be engraved as a memory in many people’s heads, was the most miserable moment for someone else.
“I’m sorry, but we won’t cooperate.”
Ergos, a private knight order located in the center of Mirvadiam.
A place where new attack wizards form the majority, and the reputation in the industry is not very good.
In front of the threshold of the Knights, who would not have even looked at it in the past, the archmage candidates knelt down.
However, the response that came back was cold.
“Please go back, Carios-sama.”
thud-
A door that slams shut.
The impact shook the snow-covered trees, and snowflakes rolled down Karios’ head.
Karios calmly stood up from his seat.
“·······”
So far, I have visited all the large and small knights in the empire, and I earnestly asked for cooperation for the protection of the north, but none of the knights responded.
On the contrary, he gave a look of contempt.
This is because the status of the attacking class was greatly lost due to the Sillock Gate. As a result, the Immortal Knights and the Cedric family became hated by both the lesser and the attackers.
Sabujak- Sabujak-
A field of snow twisting on the soles.
Karios moved to the mansion. Before I knew it, snow was piled up on my shoulders and head.
Whii-yi-yi—!
A gust of wind blew from afar.
It was cold. As if the whole body is frozen.
My body was cold, but my heart was much colder than that.
Maybe a little tired.
Sabujak- Sabujak-
The world begins to warp as you move.
It was a familiar vertigo by now. At the same time, my vision gradually became blurry.
Is it because you’re hungry?
When was the last time you had food?
Sabujak- Sabujak-
Karios unconsciously continued his steps.
ha ha ha ha
The sound of people laughing is getting fainter.
A road away from the light of the world.
“·······”
I don’t know where I’m going or if I’m on the right path.
I don’t know where I went wrong.
everyone left me
My beloved wife, my best friend, and the world that held me up.
I turned my back coldly.
All the things I had built up over the years were gone in an instant.
Maybe it’s all my fault.
The situation that has led me to this moment, the cold reality that has turned away from me, seemed to be all my fault.
Because I am a bubble, because I am a person who is infinitely lacking.
Sabujak- Sabujak-
Karios, who was taking such a hard step, tripped over a tree root hidden in the snow and fell.
Her untied legs were pinned to the ground, and her arms, barely outstretched, were buried in the snow. It was sore, as if his skin had been peeled, and the chilly cold seeped into his skin.
“Ugh…”
It was painful.
It was so painful, but I didn’t have the strength to get up again. There was no will left.
It had completely collapsed.
“It’s all over…”
Karios lowered his head. Hot tears streamed down his frozen cheeks.
“It’s all over…”
A sigh close to desperation.
A sense of helplessness, as if reaching the end of life.
The time when the eyelids became infinitely heavy and even the senses of the whole body became blurred.
“wake up.”
A strong voice rushed in.
After that, a long shadow fell down her arm.
Karios followed the shadow and raised his head.
“·······”
The night sky dyed dark gray.
countless snowfalls.
Leonard was standing under that hazy world.
“Stop talking like an idiot and wake up.”
With a hand to yourself that everyone turned away .