10. Dull and Genius (8)
Sitting next to each other, Vivian and Helena looked down at the contract on the desk.
It will be put into the next dungeon soon, so Ian suggested that he would take care of it before that.
“You can sign it.”
After completing the explanation on the other side, Ian handed over the quill.
Vivian glared at the contract.
The last time Ian brought up the subject of the contract at McDerlin Abbey, Vivian had hoped it would be delayed.
For Vivian, contracts brought to mind Felix and previous managers.
They used Vivian’s illiteracy and even less knowledge of legal provisions to bully Vivien under the pretext of the contract or threatened to pay a penalty when she tried to quit.
When I look at the contract, it reflexively reminds me of what happened at that time.
‘I don’t think Ian would, but… .’
It is inevitable that trauma will come to mind instinctively.
However, to Vivian, who had escaped from that memory, this contract was new and welcomed.
‘Ian and I, it’s official… .’
I keep thinking of a moving scene from a romance novel I recently started reading.
The things that a man and a woman exchange at their first meeting are a symbolic thing that defines their relationship. .
For some reason, Ian looked at Vivian, whose cheeks were red because he was alone.
He glared at the contract as if he were hunting for a contract.
“Is it okay if I sign here?”
As if Helena’s question was a sign, Vivian quickly signed.
It was the moment when he became the first official member of Ian’s party.
“… Yes, that’s right.”
When Ian saw Vivian, who had signed militantly, he replied bewildered.
Following this, Helena also signed.
Two contracts each.
Ian has one, and the contractees Vivian and Helena have the other.
“There won’t be much to show or write about this anywhere, but it would be comfortable for both of us to have it written down officially.”
Income settlement is 8:2.
Ian has 2, the warrior party has 8, and divides the 8 again by the number of people.
Vivian read the first clause of the contract, the sentence about the relationship between the contractor and the contractee, over and over again in his head.
Helena skimmed through the entire contract with a proud expression.
Ian, although he is not sure, looked at the two who seemed satisfied anyway and arranged the contract himself.
Even though Mercy laughed while watching those three, she couldn’t help but laugh when she saw Kati, who was sitting like a rock in Ian’s arms.
*
Helena, who took a day off after fainting, improved significantly, rather than falling.
Not to mention the miracles of healing, burning, and protection.
Physical strength and strength also increased noticeably.
For the mentally driven woman, Ian has now become a complete hiding place.
There is no fear, only anxiety that can be used appropriately.
After the fuss passed by Helena, who was too excited, to run into Ian and hug him.
“Hmm. Helena.”
Ian called Helena.
Originally, it was a goal to let her know when she grew up, but today I changed my mind.
“From now on, Helena will develop the protection system miracle in two directions.”
“Yes!”
“One is a skill that protects others rather than oneself.”
Putting protection on others, not on oneself.
It is essential for the future.
“Yes… ?”
“It seems impossible, but in reality it is possible.”
“Yes! All right!”
Helena didn’t feel it, but she believed it.
“The second is to make the armor smaller and thinner.”
“Small and thin… You mean?”
“As for how it feels… . do you have clothes? Like clothing, protection is wrapped around the curves of the body. It’s like armor.”
Currently, I spread the protection and use it like a shield, but later I have to use it in the same form as wearing clothes.
It’s a lot more difficult that way, but the activity is that much easier.
It’s like a kind of ‘Auror Armor’.
Putting protection on others and putting them on like clothes.
One day, Helena will have to come to the level of putting on the armor to come to others.
“However, it is difficult to maintain strength and anti-elasticity… .”
“You mean this?”
A soft light bloomed just above Helena’s shoulders and head, forming a curtain.
As Ian said, it looked like he was wearing protective clothing.
“… Why is this happening?”
“Um… . I do not know!”
Ian observed Helena for a moment.
The protection centered on the head, neck, and shoulders was biased toward the upper body.
Among them, it did not go below the elbow.
Not even below the waist.
‘… It’s strange. It usually starts from the fingertips.’
As I thought about how this unusual thing was possible, I remembered how Helena lived at Magdalen Abbey.
‘no way. The part Salome often hit… .’
Wanting to answer Ian’s question, Helena pondered seriously.
Ian didn’t ask any more, thinking he would open up a pointless wound.
It’s important that you can do it, it doesn’t matter why.
“It’s good that you can do it. Now there’s a bit less work to do. Spreading it evenly throughout the body and spreading protection centering on others. Do you understand?”
“Yes! understand!”
“I’m not going to do it right away, but I will develop it slowly in the future, so just keep in mind.”
“Yes!”
Next it was Vivian’s turn to show.
Coordinate designation type magic that Ian instructed me to master.
It was time to write ‘Flame Strike’ and ‘Ice Bloom’.
Currently, the five types of magic that Vivian can handle are all projection types.
In the projection type, a magic circle is created near the caster’s body, and magic is fired from there.
The two new magics learned this time are magic in the form of casting magic from the coordinates designated by the caster far away.
Originally, at the temporary hero stage, 5 projectile magics were enough.
However, because Helena’s protection was too great, it became an ironic situation that rather became an obstacle to the projection type magic.
Therefore, for smooth cooperation between Vivien and Helena, Ian instructed them to learn the two magics.
“I will.”
Helena waited with anticipation for Vivian’s magic.
The first time I saw Vivian’s Ice Spear, I was speechless in admiration.
What will you show me today?
Ian also waits with some anticipation.
… … .
Nothing happened.
A magic circle appeared on the floor in front of Vivian, but the magic did not activate.
‘… uh?’
Failed to cast Flame Strike.
Vivian tried to stay calm and then cast ‘Ice Bloom’.
It was the same this time.
There was a lot of noise around the training ground, but around the three people it was awkwardly quiet.
Ian was the first to break the silence.
“It could be.”
“Um, this is, uh… .”
Vivian looked carefully at Ian.
Not satisfaction, but a smile of understanding and comfort.
thank you though
It’s okay to want his attention.
‘This… not really… .’
Disheartened, Vivian made no answer.
‘What do we do… ? What can I do to satisfy Ian again… ?’
***
After training, I came out to find out the next dungeon.
Vivian looks stunned at her first failure, but I don’t really care.
In the first place, it was enough just to implement the five projection magics neatly without a single failure.
It was a different case from Helena, so I didn’t even bother.
There is something compatible with magic, so those magics may not be compatible with Vivian.
‘It’s not like I can’t use it forever just because it doesn’t match. It will gradually get better.’
Thinking back to King Slime, Vivian is also a stronger type in real life.
It is also true that there is no choice but to realize more in actual combat rather than static training.
‘I can’t keep waiting just because I can’t use it. In any case, there is a way to adjust the protection on Helena’s side, not Vivian’s.’
In the second playthrough, it was not revealed, but in the third playthrough, many hidden dungeons were revealed due to the growing power of the empire.
This dungeon had such a possibility, so we had to rush into it.
As expected, it was registered at the Manager Guild’s Dungeon Request Center.
‘Two parties can enter, but one party has already registered? I’m glad I’m not too late.’
I just completed the registration process.
‘Parties that have already registered… . A party of E-class temporary warriors, four people.’
Brian, Dominic, Eileen and Claudia.
It’s a name I don’t know
There is nothing that takes memory correction.
At least not one of the future strongmen.
I could easily clear the dungeon and eat the hidden piece.
***
The day after the magic cast failed.
Vivian walked out of the Agnes Monastery with a rather forceful gait.
Even today, I was unable to implement the coordinate point type magic that Ian taught me.
I wanted to train more, but Ian asked if it would be nice to meet the kids for a while to calm down.
It worked pretty well.
Looking at the children reminds me of the difficult memories of the past, and makes me grateful for my current situation.
The desire to do better rises.
Rather than being anxious and impatient, you will be able to do your best calmly.
‘You can’t settle down… . Because Ian was disappointed. I’ll have to concentrate more.’
The biggest development was that he became close with Helena.
“The kids are so obedient!”
Ian had suggested that the two of them go to Agnes Monastery together.
Even though they were together, they hardly had time to get to know each other.
There was only public intimacy and cautious awkwardness.
But today, seeing each other sincerely care for the children, we became very close.
“Hehe… . I’ve been taking care of you for a long time. Didn’t Helena get used to taking care of the kids too?”
“I used to volunteer at the monastery from time to time!”
Looking at the two of them, who became close to each other, Mercy smiled satisfactorily.
During the 1st party, I only saw them staring at each other and fighting.
Even though they were careful and difficult, they were a little jealous of each other and felt inferior to each other, but trying to be close was just as cute and admirable.
“It’s really nice to see.”
Katie didn’t answer, but she felt the same way.
I hoped that I would stay like this in the future and not hurt Ian’s heart.
In the middle of Vivian, whose worries have been relieved, moves on.
“Vivian?”
Someone blocked her way.
Four in total, a basic party composition.
“Ah, Eileen… .”
As if he were a wizard just like Vivian, he held a staff and put on a robe.
However, the color of the clothes was different.
Compared to the magician’s robe that Ian had bought, Eileen’s outfit was nothing short of rags.
There is a big difference even with Vivian’s simple casual clothes now.
“I couldn’t believe it, but it seems to be true. You shamelessly returned to the subject you ran away from. More than that, you’ve become a bit famous lately, haven’t you?”
It was an attitude of open contempt.
Helena, Mercy, and Kati, who didn’t know who they were, were taken aback.
“… Yes, thanks to meeting good people.”
“So, how did someone like you take such a risk… .”
Archer Dominic, behind him, took a step forward.
“Isn’t that King Slime a lie, too?”
A mockery that is unfamiliar yet not unfamiliar.
Vivian was familiar with these unfamiliar faces.
These are the people who were with me when I was under Felix.
Eileen was a wizard who ignored Vivian in particular, even though she was a member of the other party.
“After becoming a little famous, you became very shameless? Watch me open my eyes.”
Eileen said with almost spitting force.
as she said
Vivian felt unfamiliar with herself.
Stay calm.
I even think it’s cool.
If it was like before, I would have lowered my eyes and apologized recklessly, or I would have just laughed servilely.
I don’t feel like doing that at all.
I don’t see any reason to do so.
She just laughed lightly.
“Iknow, right. Being famous and being recognized for my abilities, I feel good these days.”
“her… .”
Everyone burst out laughing at the change from before.
Claudia, the priest, also took a step forward.
“Vivian. Cheating is not good.”
“… yes?”
“You can’t be that strong, can you? It is impossible without some backhanded action.”
“… … .”
It was a polite sarcasm.
Vivian felt unworthy to deal with and tried to back out, but Helena stepped in.
“Please apologize!”
“… ?”
“I don’t know who you guys are, and I don’t know what your relationship is with Vivian! But on a street like this, it’s not okay to crowd and insult someone! What is the benefit of doing this!”
“… What is this kid?”
“Helena, it’s okay. Let’s just go.”
Vivian didn’t want to make it big.
More than anything else, Ian might be in trouble.
Helena didn’t respond any further, as if she knew Vivian’s intentions.
Finally, Knight Brian threw a horse at the back of their heads as they turned.
“I heard that this guy named Ian is the former manager of the 1st party? You didn’t even sell your body to her? So, whether it’s power or money, he must have forced it to float.”
Helena looked back with a pale face.
What the hell did Vivian do wrong to say such bad things?
Even good people can do evil, and there is no guarantee that Vivian did not do it to them.
But anyway, isn’t this a bit harsh… .
Helena turned around and saw the look on their faces.
This is just timing.
Ugly jealousy when they see someone who was in a worse position than them doing well and can’t stand it.
“… … .”
Brian is the man who once asked Vivian if he would sell his body.
She didn’t feel the unbearable humiliation she used to.
However, it was difficult to bear the words that insulted even Ian.
When she turned around with a cold complexion.
Brian was already floating in the air.
“Hey… !”
Before Vivian, Kati couldn’t stand it.
Brian struggled in the air, strangled.
Kati, approaching at a moment she couldn’t even recognize, grabbed Brian by the neck and lifted him up.
“Eh, what is this… ! Where did you appear from?!”
Kati looked around at the confused three.
I feel a creepy gaze over the eyepatch.
Kati looked around at them and muttered coldly.
“I apologize.”
“… What?”
“If you don’t, this.”
“Kreak… .”
“I will kill you.”
Even though it was just a verbal warning, the complexion of the three of them turned blue.