10. Dull and Genius (4)
Warm water washes away the sweaty skin.
The first time she washed, she almost fainted from the water and sewage system in Superbia, but Helena quickly got used to it.
“Puh… .”
He wiped his face, then put his hand on his cheek again.
He was an adult soon, but the breast meat that had not yet fallen out was convex.
was laughing
Helena was unfamiliar with that sensation.
I have many times imitated a smile in front of others.
I don’t smile much when I’m alone.
But, these days, I smile a lot from my heart.
Especially in front of Ian.
‘great.’
Helena couldn’t express her feelings concretely at the moment.
I had never felt a similar feeling in my life, so there was nothing to compare it to.
So, Helena expressed her feelings with just one expression, ‘I like it.’
The turbulence of the heart that jumps up to the throat when out of breath, the muscles that exude a tearing presence every time they move.
Ian also sees himself like that.
everything was just fine
It is the first time in my life, the situation of ‘doing’ something.
When I was training at the monastery, I didn’t point out specifically what I couldn’t do because there were a lot of people together.
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Just do well if you do well, if you don’t, work harder.
It was just such an evaluation.
Ian is different.
When you say you’re good at it, praise it specifically for what and how you’re good at it.
It’s the same when you say you can’t do it, and you meticulously guide you on how to do better.
It is impossible without delicate and objective observation and understanding, and affection for the subject.
What do you like and what don’t you like?
What to do and what not to do
For Ian, it’s clear what he expects of how he wants the human Helena to be used.
‘Yes, lean on it.’
It’s the first time in my life that I’ve been expected by someone.
It’s not burdensome.
I just want to repay that expectation endlessly.
‘If it’s Ian, it’s okay to follow me. Because he was the manager of the first party… .’
This is not a revelation from God.
it’s my presence
my light illuminates him
It was a blind but grounded trust.
Suddenly, I saw a strand of red hair falling on the floor.
‘Vivian… .’
Although a kind and nice person, Helena found it difficult to deal with her.
Vivian is passive but has clearly shown a crush on Helena.
Helena was not inferior to her, but it was also true that it was strangely difficult.
It’s not that I hate or dislike Vivian.
The problem was that Vivian was too good compared to Helena.
‘When will I be able to catch up with Vivian… .’
Ian praises Helena, but much more often than not.
On the other hand, Vivian is full of compliments every time.
Whatever she does, she does it well, and Ian is satisfied.
It was natural.
Vivian had already been with Ian for several months, and Helena hadn’t even been two weeks.
I was envious of such Vivian.
He also wanted to quickly prove its usefulness and value to Ian and raise it.
Ian’s recognition was more painful than attention.
It’s not that I don’t like interest.
What he saw in himself, he just wants to continue to show.
‘I can’t have this mindset… . You have to work harder and be closer with Vivian. Because they’re colleagues who will stay together in the future.’
Don’t let Ian’s expectations of being stuck in him not be broken.
For Helena, who was dull and had little time together, hard work was the only way to survive.
***
In the afternoon, I visited Helena.
Today is a day without Helena’s afternoon training.
“Helena. Do you have something to do?”
“There is not!”
“Then let’s go out with me.”
“Yes! Yes!”
Mercy glanced over for no reason.
“That… . Helena, you shouldn’t carelessly follow such a bad man.”
“Ian is a good man!”
“Oh, you’re already bewitched… .”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Hasn’t it been a while since you two went out to play with me? Your love has cooled.”
“Aren’t you going to play?”
“Were you not going to play?!”
“ah.”
If you talk back, you’ll threaten me.
He just grabbed Helena’s wrist and led her.
Mercy chuckled from behind.
“Have a good trip.”
I opened the door and went out, and ran into Vivian who was about to enter.
Vivian’s eyes touched my hand holding Helena’s wrist for a fraction of a second, then returned.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to Taylor. I think it’s time to buy some clothes.”
“Ahh… .”
“What about Vivian? Isn’t it training time?”
“I left something behind for a while.”
“We will go first.”
“Miss Vivian! Cheer up!”
“… yes.”
I passed Vivian and down the hallway.
My back hurt for some reason, so when I turned around, Vivian was still looking this way.
When we met eyes, he smiled and waved his hand lightly.
“Ian? Why?”
“… no. let’s go.”
*
Taylor welcomed Vivian as warmly as she had the other day.
Her first comment on seeing Helena was like this.
“… What tin helmet?”
“Helena. I told you to take it off when I come in.”
“ah. that is… . sorry… !”
When Helena took off her helmet, Taylor said in surprise.
“Where did you get a baby like this?”
“… I am 19!”
“Does it sound more like a baby when you say that?”
As Helena was being dragged along to take measurements, she kept glancing at me anxiously.
Looking at that, Taylor smiled like she was cute.
“It looks like a real baby.”
But that laugh didn’t last long either.
she said worriedly.
“Why do you look a little anxious?”
“I’m still worried about that.”
It seems that he is trying not to show off, but he can see that he is anxious.
The reasons are probably complex.
I have to stay away from my only friend, Rachel.
In addition to being thrown into an unfamiliar environment and challenging new goals.
Because of Vivian, who is better than herself, she must be noticed.
What came out today is not just a reason to buy clothes.
I don’t know anything about Helena, other than what happened inside the monastery.
“You will do well. If it is Ian.”
“It should be.”
“Compared to Sylvia who said she would never obey unless Ian waited right in front of the changing room… .”
Helena, like Vivian, ordered a total of 12 pairs and came out.
As for the combat uniform, the same enchanted clothes as Vivian’s would be sufficient.
Considering the position, you’ll need plate armor, but that’s for later.
‘I don’t know if the old blacksmith is doing well.’
I bought another set of ready-to-wear for today, and walked the promenade together.
“Helena. Is the training worth it?”
“Well… . Honestly, it’s hard!”
“Because I really like being honest.”
“thank you! But it’s fun!”
“What is it?”
“Well… . I don’t know, but every time I move violently, I feel like my body feels so alive!”
Aren’t you not sure?
What do you like very specifically?
“And it’s even better when Ian compliments me!”
“Hmm… . It’s not good to do it too often. I should save some praise.”
“… I will try harder to be praised!”
Even if you joke, they take it very enthusiastically.
Helena is an obvious nerd.
It is to the point of contrasting with Vivian, who is without a doubt a genius.
Still, the potential is enough, and it’s okay because I have the spirit to work hard like this.
“Is it worth living with Vivian?”
“Well… .”
I didn’t expect to hesitate here.
Aren’t Vivien and Helena’s angular personalities too?
It could be that Vivian is a bit shy, so we haven’t gotten to know each other yet.
“Vivian-nim is a kind and nice person!”
“You said that being honest is good, but can I change my mind or not?”
“that is… . A little bit difficult.”
“Is Vivian difficult?”
“Well… . Vivian is an outstanding person in many ways. On the other hand, I don’t know how to do it right yet… . I am afraid I am becoming a nuisance!”
I knew that.
“I worry too much. You haven’t trained for days. Even if you say you can’t keep up, you haven’t even used a miracle yet.”
“I see… do!”
“It might bother you because you’re a party mate, but it doesn’t have to be. Helena just needs to focus on her own business.”
“All right!”
“Thank you for being honest with me.”
I just had to be aware of my worries and let them know that I was cheering them on.
Right now, nothing more can be done.
All that remained was for Helena to jump over herself.
While he was out, Helena asked why he decided to become a hero.
Helena briefly organized her thoughts and responded straight away.
The past, when he became a superman when he was young, and was unable to do anything while his family died far away.
As a result, he was caught up in a vengeance and wanted to become a hero.
It’s revenge… .
It is one of the most common motivators that motivate people.
At the same time, it is also a shackle that binds life only to revenge.
Her past, where she had to curse her weakness, seemed to be looking at me.
“Is the reason you followed me an extension of that revenge?”
“no.”
Helena answered without hesitation.
“Ian-nim is the only one who recognized and acknowledged my worth. For the first time, I felt like I had found my use in the world.”
Soon Helena looked at me and smiled.
“I followed Ian because I wanted to be recognized for his value and meet his expectations!”
Being recognized for your worth is your motivation.
Should I call this pure or comprehensible… .
Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter as long as you follow it well.
“Lean on me… . More than an aria?”
“… No, that’s right! Let’s do it!”
I like the confidence one.
*
Helena, like Vivian, decided to focus only on eating, exercising, and resting for the first two weeks.
And today is the day Helena uses her miracle.
Helena was excited with anticipation.
It was because I heard what Vivian said yesterday.
Hearing the rumor from Vivian and me that he built an ice tower in the back training ground as the first magic he had saved for 14 days, it was worth looking forward to.
Same for me.
Today, Helena was also wearing the tracksuit Taylor had given her.
“Um… .”
It is an outfit that Taylor’s taste has been added to the fullest.
He said that he had brought a baby, and put a cute feeling in orange and light green.
The clothes look like oranges, so it suits them well… .
“Hmm… .”
Helena kept looking back and forth between her body and Vivian, as if she was dissatisfied.
“Why… .”
“My breasts have gotten smaller!”
I tried to ask, but I kept my mouth shut.
Helena groped her breasts with the palm of her hand.
no, not that small… .
“Mercy, you tell me.”
“Huh? Why don’t you?”
“I’m that… . No, it’s okay, hurry up.”
“Hehe. Isn’t it uncomfortable when your chest shakes when you run? Tight like this to prevent that shaking! It’s because it’s tightened up.”
“Aha!”
Helena’s gaze fell on Vivian’s aggression.
I instinctively followed his gaze and closed my eyes.
“It seems Vivian-nim hasn’t gotten smaller!”
“This is also getting smaller…” .”
… Should I give Helena some kind of sex education?
“Now it is done.”
When I opened my eyes, Mercy was right in front of me with a smiling face.
“Get out of the way, man.”
From the past, Mercy has been playing around with this kind of prank from time to time.
“Sheesh. I am not surprised anymore.”
“It should be once or twice.”
“huh. I won’t do it even if you ask me to do it later.”
“I don’t ask for it. Helena, do you know what it is today?”
“Yes!”
Helena’s eyes lit up as if she couldn’t stand it with anticipation.
“Keep calm, remember the order, right?”
“Yes!”
Protection, Healing, Ignite.
We will start with the most important protection.
Healing is less important because the two of them won’t get hurt even if they have the level of protection I expect.
Likewise, the firepower of the party is overflowing with Vivian alone, so the importance of scorching heat is pushed aside.
“I will try!”
Helena concentrated, extending a hand forward.
Fortunately, the habit of closing your eyes and praying with your hands together was soon corrected.
A soft yellow light emanated from Helena’s body, and then a hemispherical convex barrier spread out in front of her.
“Wow… .”
Vivian subconsciously admired.
It was a decent size.
The barrier was as massive as her height from top to side and from side to side.
It’s because it doesn’t have as much dignity as the ice tower that Vivian showed, but it’s not the level to show at the temporary hero stage.
You’ll have to beat it to find out exactly, but the hardness and elasticity weren’t bad either.
“I, this, this is my first time using a shield like this… !”
Helena also stuttered, as if embarrassed.
Certainly, it could be called a barrier rather than a shield.
“Um… .”
“Hey, Ian? You don’t like it… ?”
“Well… . Rather than not liking it… .”
It’s excellent, but it’s just a little bigger than the maximum shown by memory correction.
I think it could be better if you look at the mana status these days… .
I will grow in the future, but when I say it, I have to be clear.
“Helena.”
“Yes… !”
“Good job. Definitely better than before. But, to be honest, it’s a bit lacking. I think we can do more, but… .”
“… … .”
Helena smiled awkwardly and lowered her head.
It was the first time she had been pointed out like this.
Vivian was also nervous.
“Is this the maximum for now?”
“… Yes. That’s right.”
“All right. The more you train, the better you’ll get. Don’t be too heartbroken.”
“Yes… .”
“And what, it’s been two weeks now. Who’s to say it’ll work out right away? However, since the training schedule is following well now, he will improve quickly.”
It wasn’t enough to hit the whip too much, so I threw a carrot in moderation.
This is an important time for rapid adjustment.
“All right… !”
Helena then showed burning and healing as well.
This one also didn’t live up to expectations, but it wasn’t a field I expected too much from, so it was okay.
“it’s okay. I said from the beginning, I’m looking for someone who specializes in protection-type miracles. There is no need to be discouraged.”
“Yes… !”
Vivian also checked her magic status.
All three spells I told you about last time were excellent.
Lightning Bolt, Wind Cutter, Water Ball.
With this, Vivian could handle all basic projection magic.
“Heh heh… .”
When I see that embarrassing smile, Marie’s words come to mind.
Humility is also deceit.
The breadth and speed of growth are staggering.
Seeing that, Helena’s expression was smiling, but it wasn’t a comfortable smile.
I’m sorry but I can’t help it.
No matter how much I help, it’s up to you to cross the wall.
Maybe he felt something similar to an inferiority complex while watching Vivian.
Today, I need to give more compliments than usual.
“Check finished. I’m going to train now, but the schedule will change slightly in the future. It’s nothing special… .”
The two of them should know how to put together from now on.
Helena has to do miracle training again from today.
“Vivian will learn a new magic, and I will tell you about it separately.”
“yes.”
“Helena will add miracle training to her autonomy training starting today.”
“Yes!”
Certainly, one more person adds more work to do.
***
Evening self-training time.
Helena came out to the training ground alone.
Mercy said she wanted to improve the quality of her cuisine, so she and Kati went out in search of a high-class restaurant.
Vivian was studying, and Ian was coordinating his future schedule.
It’s free time, so you can train alone, but you have to let Ian know.
Kati is stuck and needs to report her condition.
Even that seemed to be an obstacle to her colleagues, so Helena sneaked out.
‘I’m still not enough… .’
Talent is talent, but the absolute amount of time devoted to efficient training itself is far from lacking.
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Just because you fill up your time like Vivian, there’s no guarantee that you’ll do that well.
‘More, harder… .’
All Helena could do was try.
Ignorance, effort to the extent of putting too much strain on the body.
‘Ian-nim must have been disappointed… .’
Ian said he didn’t live up to expectations, but he didn’t say he was disappointed.
He even comforted me that I should work harder in the future.
However, Helena couldn’t be at ease.
‘I have to work harder. We have to meet Ian’s expectations… .’
Vivian said that her magic skills improved significantly with simple physical training and diet.
‘Maybe I haven’t caught up with the intensity of that physical training yet.’
So, Helena ran.
Even though I felt like I was going to suffocate because the breath I was inhaling was blocking my throat, I didn’t stop.
Ian’s expectations are not the only problem.
It might be a nuisance to Vivian as well.
‘I can’t… . I work harder… . no. can’t work hard You have to do well. must.’
I don’t know how much time has passed.
It was around the time when it became difficult to even realize that his body was moving.
Helena passed out and collapsed.
***
[master.]
‘yes?’
[Helena is missing.]
‘… no? Since when?’
[Judging by the traces, it doesn’t seem like he came in after dinner. He says he hasn’t even seen Vivian.]
“Uhm… .”
What is our sudden rash nun doing?
‘I’ll look for it. Let me know if you come back.’
[Yes.]
Finding Helena wasn’t difficult.
I was running along the outskirts of the training ground in the back.
How could you feel sorry for your own weakness?
I didn’t stop her right away.
Someone needs a moment to work hard with the thought of bumping into their limits like this.
It is pointless to block it.
I just waited, thinking about what to say to comfort Helena later.
Then, a thought crossed my mind.
‘Maybe it’s a mental problem… .’
Helena’s protection is really below expectations.
I thought it might be, but honestly it’s kind of weird.
Helena’s physical condition has improved significantly since her stay at Magdalen Abbey.
It is certain that the flow of mana is stabilizing day by day.
Even so, the output of protection came out lower than I expected.
It simply means that it may not be a problem with your body.
If the mind or spirit is uncomfortable and endangered, it affects the body.
Of course, there is no choice but to get in the way of realizing the miracle.
‘… but. Maybe I’m not completely trustworthy yet. Or it’s because it’s hard to believe in yourself.’
What should I comfort you to find peace of mind?
It’s a probability, but with a high probability, I think that the precariousness of the heart is suppressing Helena’s ability.
Extremely, the difference between when Sylvia escaped the trauma of murder and when she couldn’t escape was quite large.
In the end, it’s the point where I’m important.
You have to trust them and comfort them well.
‘… But how long will it run?’
Helena, struggling, collapsed to the floor.
He seems to have passed out because he has no sign of waking up.
‘You’re working too hard. I’m grateful, and I’m also sorry.’
Organizing the words that came to my mind, I approached her.