＜ Imperial Conference (2) ＞
It’s been a week since the End Empire Conference ended.
Narsha did not step out of the house. He didn’t go to work at the Mage’s Tower, and he couldn’t stop by the shops he used to go to often. I was just lounging around at home for a week.
The reason was simple.
Because there are no plans right now. To be precise, the plan went awry.
Of course, he knew how to win an award at the Imperial Conference, and only planned after winning the award. I hadn’t even imagined it, let alone prepared for a fall.
Maybe that’s why… after falling, there was nothing to do. I didn’t know what to do. So I was just taking a break.
Narsha looked at the calendar hanging on the wall.
“·······”
A week has already passed.
Even on the first day, I thought I would be depressed for the rest of my life, I thought my life would collapse, but it turned out to be worse than I thought. Failure was nothing.
Rather, it was nice to have time to recharge.
It’s been a while since I got a good night’s sleep, cooled my head, and looked back on myself.
I also realized that there are surprisingly many people who are worried about me.
Narsha’s gaze turned downward. At the same time, the crystal ball, which had been quiet for a while, turned purple.
Geeing-
A text message had arrived.
Narsha pretended not to win and checked the contents of the text.
– Unread –
[ Yerina: What is it!? Why don’t you contact me and don’t go to work! kick in really?? ]
[ Music box: Good job Narsha. You did a good job, but it’s a pity… But since this isn’t the last time, it’ll be okay! ]
[Edelyn: I don’t know her, but I’m personally a fan, so I leave a message. The conference was so good! ]
[Mage Tower Master Catherine: Good job, don’t be too disappointed. They say you’re 11th out of 100. You did well, so don’t be discouraged]
– just arrived –
[Catherine, Master of Mage Tower: Do you chew on your boss’ phone calls and text messages for a week? Remember, you’re not a senior researcher yet. I’m starting a new research project, so make sure to go to work today. If you don’t come out today, you’ll be kicked out of the researcher for bad attitude! ]
It was Catherine again.
Until 3 days ago, he told me all sorts of warm words about why he wasn’t coming out, that he was worried, and now he’s even threatening me.
I guess the time has come for me to go to work.
Narsha let out a deep sigh.
“under······”
Narsha didn’t just stay at home because she didn’t want to go to work either.
The fact that the plan went wrong was just a kind of excuse, but in fact, there was another decisive reason.
It was because of the rudeness he had done to Leonard.
A week ago, in the heavy rain, she shed tears like a heroine of tragic love.
Now that I think about it, that was crazy. I couldn’t gurgle so I threw up my toe. If I could turn back time, I wanted to stop me at that time, even by hitting it with a club.
If I go back to that moment…
ㅡ······That’s right. That’s correct.
A scene that came to mind unexpectedly.
In an instant, goosebumps ran through my body. Both cheeks burned with shame.
Narsha kicked the blanket as hard as she could.
Pang- Pang- Puck
With a dull sound, fluff flew all over the house. A toe poked out through the hole in the duvet.
It was torn apart by blowing the blanket kick.
“Ah… Damn it…”
Like snowflakes in the middle of winter, heaps of down fell down. A clean house has turned into a mess.
Narsha, who blinked blankly, jumped up from her seat. I went straight to the closet and put on my commute robe.
No matter how embarrassing it was, no matter how embarrassing it was, I couldn’t put off going to work any longer.
If even the researcher is fired, you will have to stay at home for the rest of your life.
And… will you even run into Leonard? What is the reason for him to come to the Mage Tower?
Ki-Ik-
Narsha cautiously stepped out of the gate.
I headed for the mage tower with the robe hood tightly pressed down. As if he had been wanted, he entered the lobby on the first floor, hiding his identity as much as possible.
“·······”
Fortunately, I didn’t run into Leonard. All you have to do now is safely get on the elevator. Then there would be no need to worry about meeting Leonard today.
The moment I pressed the elevator button with such relief.
jerk- jerk-
I heard ominous footsteps behind me. At the same time, a certain scent rushed in.
His fragrant body odor, which he had not been aware of because he was used to it, but became unfamiliar for a week.
jerk- jerk-
The footsteps stopped right behind him. Leonardo was waiting for the elevator.
gulp-
Narsha swallowed dry saliva.
Although the distance was very close, they hadn’t been caught yet. Because he was covering his face with a hood. There was a better chance of not being noticed now.
ding-
The elevator door opened.
Narsha bowed her head and went inside. Leonardo followed and boarded.
A space where there are only the two of you.
It was then that Narsha hurriedly pressed the button on the 29th floor.
“Narsha…?”
Leonard suddenly said.
It felt like her heart was pounding, but Narsha used her wits and changed her voice. Narsha’s father also had a tone that made him feel sad.
“Oh, no.”
But the patch was somewhere else.
“Narsha is embroidered on the sleeve.”
“…?”
Narsha only lowered her eyes and looked at her sleeves.
The hand she reached out to press the button, the name Narsha was written on the sleeve above it. I had forgotten that it was a robe for going to work.
“·······”
Narsha gently lowered her hand and covered her embroidery with her half hand. However, the half hand was also embroidered.
If you cover one side, you see the other side, and if you cover that side, you see the other side.
While struggling in a dilemma, the hood of the robe came off. It was the expression of “inflammation”.
“Is that Narsha?”
His eyes widened and he saw Leonard’s face. Once again… he’s handsome.
Narsha averted her gaze for no reason.
“… that’s right, but what to do?”
“I finally got to work. Are you feeling better now?”
A delicate question spat out carelessly.
Narsha deliberately answered coldly. I looked up at Leonard with cold eyes.
“What is he saying now. It used to be fine.”
But Leonard’s reaction was strange.
Far from panicking, he slightly raised the corner of his mouth.
He was looking at me like he was somehow cute. Then, as if tossing it, he said.
“It looks like a hedgehog.”
Ding Dong-
The elevator arrived at the 29th floor just in time.
After saying that, Leonard leisurely went out into the hallway.
“hedgehog······?”
Suddenly, what kind of hedgehog?
What nonsense is this?
Narsha tilted her head and tried to move on. Then I suddenly looked in the elevator mirror. I checked my reflection in it.
Hair clinging tightly to a pressed hood.
A few strands of them were booth-raised from static electricity. It looked like a hedgehog to anyone.
Narsha reflexively shouted.
“Ai really!”
But Leonard had already left.
Instead, the eyes of the researchers passing in front of it were all focused. I was embarrassed. It was embarrassing to say the least. The whole situation was embarrassing.
Narsha pressed the hood down again.
“Could you tell me in advance…”
＊＊＊
Thanks to Narsha, I arrived on the 29th floor without getting bored (?).
My destination is B-2911. It was Yerina’s laboratory. I walked to the door and knocked.
smart-
Soon after, the door to the lab opened.
Along with her unique bubbly energy, Yerina peeked out her face. And then I was startled.
“Eh? Who is this? What is it, Professor Leonard?”
“I have a favor to ask you. may I come in?”
“Of course it is~”
Yerina opened the door wide as if it had never happened. The Ministry of Magic agents were standing in the lab.
After exchanging light eye contact with them, I sat down in the lab chair. Yerina asked as she dragged a chair with wheels.
“What is it? What do you want?”
“I want to make another baby.”
I said straight forward.
The agents approaching this way naturally turned their backs. He shook his head as if he was a man, and he didn’t even think about eavesdropping on the conversation because he already had a cumulative score.
Yerina asked incredulously.
“Why is that?”
“Something is needed.”
“Second Attack of Luca Delos” to be held in January next year.
Like the first attack, I couldn’t block it with my own abilities. This time, the help of a special potion was needed.
However, it was not as easy to obtain illegal medicine as it was back then, so I plan to prepare it in advance.
I glanced at the agents. The agents sitting in the corner of the lab were talking among themselves. Thankfully, he was dereliction of duty. Yerina said in a small voice.
“You can tell us the medicine first. Fire attribute resistance potion, sensitivity resistance potion, truth potion, magical power boost potion, and pain relief potion.”
The potions selected after a week of agony.
It was more diverse than last time. So I thought Yerina would like it too.
“Again?”
However, the response was beyond expectations.
Yerina showed a worried face, not an interesting face like the last time. he asked with a light sigh.
“What other signs did you find this time?”
“What is that…?”
“I am not stupid. The potion I made the other day, you used it against Luca Delos. As if everyone expected it.”
It was a word that struck a chord.
I had no rebuttal. I just silently listened to Yerina’s criticism.
“Like last time, this time too, these are all potions related to combat. At that time, if it wasn’t for Narsha-nim, I would have died, but will you do it again?”
“······please. These are essential.”
At the polite request, Yerina nodded as if she couldn’t help it.
“I know. I’ll text you. I don’t know if Leonard-sama will be able to save it.”
“We have to do our best.”
I answered humbly.
At those words, Yerina pursed her lips and shed her eyes. It was an expression of disapproval.
“Why do you think Leonard only does good things for others? I do all the difficult, troublesome, and dangerous work by myself.”
“·······”
“Live for yourself, yourself. Don’t live only for others every day.”
Live for others…
No, I live for myself more than anyone else.
mt dedicated professor, Z401 sentry professor, safe return club, mage seminar and imperial conference special judge, monster attack defense, various black magician arrests, etc.
Even if it looks like a sacrifice in the eyes of others, in fact, it was all choices for me.
The cruel episodes written by writer Lee Jin-wook.
No matter how many extras were sacrificed in it, it had nothing to do with the ending. It’s enough just to stop the affair and a few handshakes.
But I don’t like that, I don’t want to repeat the brutal episodes, I don’t want anyone to die anymore, so I’m desperate.
That’s why I live for myself more than anyone else.
Maybe it’s a very selfish choice.
“I’ll try to do that once this job is over.”
“Really?”
“yes. If possible.”
After saying that, he got up from his seat.
I went straight back to my office.
In order to prepare for “Lucadelos’ Second Attack”, we must prepare step by step from now on.
You can get medicinal materials after receiving the list from Yerina, so for now, attack magic polishing is the priority.
I expressed a small spark on my fingertips.
sigh
A fire attribute talent found in Kataracha.
I want to make the most of this unexpected talent. For example, the advanced offensive magic [Rising Sun], and the highest level speech technique [Ultimate Flame].
The only thing I’m worried about is that the Adonis tube will be burned and eaten… I guess I’ll have to wear a magic field and polish it.
“After-”
He extinguished the flame with his breath.
It was the time when I was about to move to the Adonis Hall.
smart-
A knock rang in the office.
I opened the door with 「Yeomdong」.
Ki-Ik-
The one who appeared through the gap in the open door was none other than Karios. Looking at Karios’ face, the corner of his mouth raised reflexively.
“·····Finally send it. Karios.”
It was the first moment we met after being taken to Kataracha in place of him.
My blood still boils when I think of the hardships I went through at that time.
Just in time, I was about to practice the art of fire, but it went well. To get revenge, to polish it, I’ll make you a whole roast.
I looked at him and smiled evilly. He tried to throw all sorts of swear words at him, and was even thinking of pinning him to the floor.
However, Karios spoke first.
“Leonard, I have a favor to ask you.”
Unpredictably serious atmosphere.
In an instant, the air in the office became calm. At the same time, for some reason, I felt an ominous feeling.
I asked, erasing the smile from my face.
“What?”
Maybe I shouldn’t have stopped by the office.
They should have gone straight to the Adonis coffin.
…No, I shouldn’t have done that.
“There will be a wedding next week.”
A direction that shouldn’t have been done to Leonard.
A mistake I, as a writer, overlooked because I was only immersed in the main character and the development of the novel.
“I want you to take care of the wedding security.”
First love’s wedding guard.
An essential quest that Leonard participated in in the original work.
The worst mistake made to Leonard in the novel turned into reality and returned like a boomerang.
＊＊＊
In front of Leonard’s office.
Jeniel took a deep breath. After making up my mind, I tried to knock. However, when I looked closely, the door was slightly open. Jeniel gently pushed the handle.
Ki-Ik-
The door opened gently.
The interior was filled with quiet air, and Leonard was sitting at the desk on the other side.
“…”
Leonard stares blankly out the window. Then, sensing someone’s presence, he turned his head. After confirming that the mysterious intruder was Jeniel, he smiled in relief.
Jeniel asked.
“Leonard, what were you thinking?”
“I was just dazed for a moment. But what happened all of a sudden?”
“Hmm… I have something to tell you.”
Jeniel lightly bit his lip. I looked down at my toes and pondered.
How should I say this, where should I begin…
Should I say I’m lucky?
Leonard spoke first.
“I heard from Karios.”
“…”
“Are you reconciled?”
A calm, subdued tone.
The grave question pierced his heart. He scratched his skin and touched a wound that hadn’t healed.
It was a pain that felt like my heart was being torn to pieces.
“yes.”
Even so, Jeniel smiled brightly.
It was a flawlessly beautiful smile that did not reflect the slightest hint of inner thoughts. It was a unique pretense that could be called family history.
This ability, which I had used well until now, which I thought was an advantage… Why do I hate it so much today?
“You made up well. We decided to proceed with the marriage as well.”
“…that’s good.”
And you… Why can’t you hide it like me?
It just makes me sadder.
The firm promise will crumble.
Even that complicated feeling, Jeniel hid everything. He spoke in a bright and transparent tone.
“So, as a wedding present, please grant me one wish.”
“What?”
“Come with me somewhere.”
Before hearing the answer, Jeniel grabbed Leonard’s wrist. And then I just grabbed it.
I left this lonely and gloomy office.
“Uh, where are you going?”
“…”
“Jeniel?”
“…”
Didn’t even answer the question.
just walked
this moment right now.
I feel like I have to go somewhere, I feel like I have to do something.
Still, I think it would be enough for you.
So… let’s run away for a while.
Only until the light seeps into our faces.