12. clever fool (4)
I sat down facing Vivian.
I can guess what she was worried about, but I deliberately waited.
Vivian, who was wringing her hands, looked at me and smiled shyly.
“Hehe… .”
“… ?”
“I’m sorry. Actually, there is nothing to worry about… .”
“yes?”
Did you not expect this?
“It’s not like there isn’t any at all. Well. I felt a little more comfortable after my magic success today.”
“… It’s not to the extent that you need counseling, is it?”
“yes… . Hey, can I tell you?”
“No, what… . If it’s something you don’t want to say, you don’t have to… .”
I don’t know why, but all of a sudden Vivian’s dejection went down.
Are you missing something?
“… But I do want to hear it. I wonder.”
“Oh, is that so?! Hehe. No big deal. It’s the first time I’ve failed magic this time. What if I fail again in the future… I was worried about that.”
Well.
This is what I was expecting.
Vivian has never failed her magic since I met her.
Even if it was all a rudimentary form of projection, the first failure would have been just as shocking.
There is no law that you won’t fail again in the next magic you learn.
“But now that I’m here, I see it. I guess I was a bit complacent… . Once I realized it, I think I can do better next time, it seems.”
“It’s good that you enlightened yourself. … But is this your first failure?”
“yes? … Oh, come to think of it, this isn’t the first failure at all. When I first learned magic, I often failed… .”
be surprised
It’s already a talent that crosses the line, but I thought it was more than that… .
Not bad though.
“Yes. Wasn’t this the first time? hehe, thank you After all, talking to Ian makes things a little better.”
“Ugh. It didn’t do much, but I’m glad it helped.”
Suddenly, I saw Vivian’s face again.
It’s hard to imagine the low self-esteem of being ‘someone like me’ whenever you do anything.
He said he could do better in the future, and he even enlightened himself.
The change was extraordinary and I was grateful.
“But there is. Did Sylvia-sama ever waver like me?”
Oh, he’s kind of… .
From my point of view, Vivian’s talent and potential are far greater.
However, Sylvia’s talent is different.
The ability to understand the whole at once and to realize that understanding into practice.
Sylvia is a genius of understanding.
It can be seen that she is on the opposite side of Vivian, who has excellent intuition.
“Ah, Ian doesn’t even know that much… .”
“Ummm, as far as I know, I never flinched.”
“okay… .”
Unsurprisingly, Vivian became sullen.
She had Sylvia as her role model, so it was understandable.
“But, well, Vivian isn’t Sylvia anyway.”
“… … .”
“She said she would be my Vivian.”
“… yes?”
“You did that last time. I can’t be Sylvia, but I can be my Vivian. Then, I wonder if Sylvia had no reason to care about that, anyway.”
“… … .”
Oh, blushing is the biggest ever?
It’s like a real strawberry.
Although it was his own words, it was embarrassing because he was denying his role model, Sylvia.
“Anyway, Sylvia is worse than Vivian, and she’s a bastard… .”
“… … .”
It must be so embarrassing that I can’t even tell you to stop.
you should stop playing
“Any help?”
“yes… .”
“Well then… .”
It’s good time.
To return, the time was later than before.
If Kati is awake, I can spend it quietly, but I think she’s asleep by now… .
I had no choice but to make Vivian sleep on the bed next to me.
It was a large room with the beds far apart anyway, so there was nothing too uncomfortable about it.
“… Did Helena lie on this bed last time?”
“How did you know?”
“The hair… .”
“I said I was cleaning, but I guess it wasn’t perfect. sorry.”
“No. I’m sorry… .”
“But I can’t give you the bed I’ve been using all along.”
“… … .”
I turned off the light and lay down.
The room was plunged into darkness as if it had never been bright.
“Ian, I’ve been curious about something.”
“tell.”
“You said you were a former warrior, right? Then what level did Ian rise to?”
Being a former warrior is a lie.
There was no ‘hero’ in the 2nd round, and I never became a hero in the 3rd round.
It’s just a device to adequately excuse my superhuman abilities… .
I’ve been wondering too.
If I were to become a hero now, how far would I rise?
It may not be exact, but as a result of growing the first party and experiencing various things, I figured out an approximation.
“It was grade A.”
A grade average.
Depending on the opponent, you might want to aim for the upper ranks of A-rank, but that’s only when the compatibility is good.
“… A? For Class A… Yeah? That there are less than a few hundred on the entire continent… .”
“… Stop being surprised because you’re embarrassed.”
Even in the dark, you can feel Vivian staring at her with her eyes wide open.
Actually, she was surprised at the D+ earlier, but it’s shocking to say that it’s an A.
I think Vivian will pass A rank soon… .
Same goes for Helena.
“Me, more, more… . I’ll do better… !”
“If my embarrassment leads to such a result, I would be more embarrassed.”
“Then can I embarrass you more?”
“I will endure it for a while.”
At that, Vivian laughed.
Yes, what can I do to help the warriors I brought grow?
Vivian, whose laughter had subsided, spoke in a soft voice.
“Good night, Ian.”
“Sleep well, Vivian. You must be tired.”
I said goodbye and quietly closed my eyes.
“… Ian.”
Suddenly she called me.
The soft voice became deeper, and the atmosphere was different.
When I turned my head, she was lying on her side, looking at me.
The room was dark, but enough to make out her face.
The first time I saw it, my hair, which was frizzy and split, became soft and shiny and nourished.
Her vibrant red hair seemed to glow slightly in the dark.
Her hair was tucked behind her ears, so her face lying on her side was clearly visible.
Light green eyes stare at me.
I just watched her slowly blinking in silence for a while.
Her first appearance and now seemed to overlap.
It is clear that this room is darker than the orphanage back then.
Somehow, the current Vivian seemed brighter.
“… You said you were hooked on Helena.”
“Um… . I did.”
“Me?”
“yes?”
“How was it when I first saw you?”
I lay down and thought about it.
It’s Vivian’s first impression… .
First of all, I was surprised by the size of the ignorant magic that didn’t suit the aspirant.
In the 2nd round, when I saw the no casting that only existed in theory, when the magic tower owner tried to talk and reach me until his mouth was worn out… .
It’s also similar to being plugged in.
But, something, it’s a bit strange to talk in this atmosphere, right?
If you spit it out, even if you misunderstand, there’s no excuse, right?
“I fell for you.”
That’s not what I said.
“… yes?”
said Vivian suddenly.
“yes? ah? No, ah, did you fall in love? that’s what you ask? Oh no… .”
Strawberries are broken.
Roughly translated, it seems that he forgot the question mark when he was trying to ask if he had a crush on him.
I wanted to make fun of her when I saw her flustered appearance, but I held back.
“Well, it sounds similar. Because no casting is enough ability. … You know there’s no other meaning, right?”
“yes! yes… . I know. I know. Umm… .”
And for a while, Vivian was silent, making sounds of pain to herself.
“Okay, good night… .”
Then, with difficulty, I broke the silence.
“And Vivian.”
Lie down and breathe slowly.
Vivian and Helena will take some time off, but I will be busier.
There will be a lot of things to sort out.
***
The moment Kati, who came out late at night, puts her ear to Ian’s visit.
– I fell in love.
It was Vivian’s voice.
Kati stood firm and still.
I have to go back, but it’s not polite to eavesdrop, but my steps didn’t fall.
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Judging from Vivian’s excuses and the atmosphere that followed, he realized that he had misunderstood.
It was funny to see myself relieved by that fact.
What are you feeling relieved and worried about?
If Vivian and Ian were like that, what would she do?
If not, what are you going to do then?
‘Anyway, I’m with the master… .’
Carty stopped thinking and went straight back to her room.
*
Vivian woke up early in the morning.
Looking to the side, Ian is still sleeping.
Ian told me that resting was also training and that I should sleep well, but I couldn’t sleep properly.
It was not an environment or situation in which I could sleep soundly.
yesternight.
Intoxicated by the dark and cozy atmosphere, he asked Ian as if possessed.
About your first impression.
And then, out of nowhere, he spat out strange words.
I was going to ask a question, but the words came out strangely.
’embarrassing… .’
I was so embarrassed that I wanted to hide under several layers of thick cotton blankets.
It was a funny situation where his heart beat at the words he said.
Did you even fall for it? Why did you choose that vocabulary?
I barely fell asleep and woke up, still remembering that moment.
‘Let’s forget, forget… .’
I looked at Ian, who was lying on the bed far away to shake off his thoughts.
A short distance that can be reached in a few steps.
Ian is lying on the bed, sleeping soundly.
The body rises and falls evenly with calm breathing.
‘Ian’s sleep… . First look.’
I remembered Marie’s face from the Magdalen Abbey.
The peaceful appearance that looked like a baby angel when sleeping.
What kind of face does Ian sleep with?
Vivian cautiously approached him.
I looked down at him with a very slow movement, afraid that he might wake up.
‘… Ian is Ian.’
It is calmer and more peaceful than usual, but the impression of the day that is unique to him has not disappeared.
It was like Ian, so I almost laughed a little.
‘Sleep well… .’
It was a rare sight, so Vivian stared at him.
An impression with thick lines that matched his physique and personality.
The diagonal scar drawn from the right eyebrow to the temple adds a ferocious feeling.
It is more so because the eyebrows do not grow in the place of the scar.
In contrast, the lips… .
-gulp.
Vivian swallowed heavily for no reason.
Once the eyes are stuck in the lips, they can’t move anywhere else.
-Kongdakdakdak.
My heart beats wildly.
I’m worried that the sound will wake Ian.
Still, Vivian didn’t get far.
My lips were dry, so I moistened them with my tongue.
The ends of his soft, red hair seemed to touch his face.
***
When are people most vulnerable?
I’m sure it’s time to sleep
So, I am a light sleeper.
It’s not just bright, it’s dirty bright.
I think it’s a bit harsh, but I can’t help it.
It is a temperament created by the experience of the first episode where he was killed by a highwayman on the road and the second episode where he rolled like a dog trying to survive somehow.
Especially in the second round, I was walking around alone, so there was no one to stand guard when I slept.
At the time, I was so weak that it was hard to trust anyone.
If he changed his mind, he would have been able to become the prey.
After all, I had to stay half awake while my mind slept.
So I can’t always sleep deeply.
Maybe it’s one of the reasons why my impression is ferocious.
In order to secretly approach me while I am asleep, wouldn’t it be necessary to become the most elite member of the Dark Corps among the seven legions under the Demon King?
I’m sure it’s possible with Katy.
Anyway, that’s not important.
“ha… .”
Red hair that fell on the nape of the neck.
It’s Vivian’s.
I’ve been awake since Vivian got up.
It was not yet time for me to get up, and I did not pretend to wake up because I feared that she would go back to sleep or go to the next room.
I also wanted to sleep more.
So I stayed quiet, and Vivian came up to me.
I could feel her face hanging right over mine.
After that, I wanted to stay still and see my face.
I thought I would see it for a while, so I stayed silent, but since I had seen it for quite a while, I opened my eyes and tried to surprise him.
I did, but Vivian’s face got closer and closer to mine.
The sound of swallowing, the sound of tongue licking, the sound of hair brushing behind the ear, even the nervous breathing, everything was clearly audible.
After a brief pause in embarrassment, they got closer.
The moment I was about to open my eyes thinking that this was not the case, she hurriedly left the room.
It was a movement that was urgent but careful not to wake me up.
And now.
“What is it… .”
There is no doubt about this.
So, Vivian told me while I was asleep… .
“Whoa… . I will turn… .”
have to say
That I was actually awake when Vivian tried to do something.
You can’t keep hiding it.
Putting aside my frustration, it is not a problem that can be solved by hiding it.
‘Vivian made me… .’
Yes, emotions do not necessarily arise after a long period of time, and sometimes arise for no reason.
I can’t say it’s strange.
Although it is difficult.
‘I’d rather have a different purpose, but that won’t happen… .’
How you say it is also important.
If you refuse well, there will be no leftovers and the atmosphere of the party will not be spoiled.
You have a lot of work to do today, so think about how you might say no while dealing with it.
I need to find Amos first.
Holy relics must also be reported to the Seonghwangcheong… .
***
Marie looked at the notice indifferently.
She wasn’t the only one who received it, but several copies of the document were scattered in front of the manager’s guild.
[SS class warrior, Lorenzo di Fiorene boat duel competition.]
[Location: County of Fiorene, City of Fiorene]
“Ghuo.”
There was no need for Marie’s party because four people had already gathered.
Except for Rachel, who was brought from Magdalen Monastery, the other three are going to take the temporary warrior test soon, and the members will not change.
Above all, it is a dueling tournament hosted by Fiorene.
As if dividing weight classes, the duel is divided between C-class and lower, but the level of the participants will not be normal.
‘It’s SS class… . I’m a bit curious, but I don’t have the confidence to go and benefit from it.’
I was trying to get rid of it because it was unnecessary, but one person came to mind.
‘Come to think of it, there weren’t any warriors in Ian’s party yet, right?’
As the former manager of the first hero’s party, he could go and do something.
This notice reached the manager of the guild first, so Ian probably doesn’t know about this duel tournament yet.
‘I had a favor to ask of you, and it went well. Before I know, I have to go and tell them.’
After taking the notice, Marie went straight to Ian’s room.
*
Penny’s wagon has entered Supervia.
‘finally… .’
Tired from not getting enough sleep, Penny’s eyes lit up.
‘Philip… . you… .’
She looked in the direction where the training center would be in the distance.
Maybe Ian is there.
And with a high probability, that man will be Philip.
“Ha ha… .”
Penny sighed, punching her chest.
The secretary sitting in front asked in surprise.
“Penny? where are you sick? I can’t sleep… .”
“No, no… . no.”
Penny raised an eyebrow and shook her head.
It looked like a haggard, forced smile, but it wasn’t.
Truly, she was about to suffocate with joy and ecstasy.
‘Finally he… .’
I didn’t even hear Felix’s answer, but I feel like I’ve heard it already.
In my mind, I wanted to rush to the training center right away and find Ian.
But now I had to resist the urge.
‘For a more perfect encounter… . For his sake, no way.’
It would be futile to check it that way.
If you say no, you will only get into trouble.
Penny caught her breath and sat back down comfortably.
“We are going to the military police detention center as planned.”
“Yes… .”
The secretary reminded the coachman of his destination, and Penny struggled to calm her throbbing heart.
It is the moment to go to confirm the reality of Philip, whom he has admired and followed so much.
You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this day.
‘Philip… . Just wait.’
To the place where Felix is holding the clue.
Until the moment you find out the truth.
Penny had a hunch that it wasn’t far off.