44 – Preparation Period – 2
Protecting a treasure is often more challenging than finding one.
It seemed like a good opportunity to teach Lena that the world isn’t as easygoing as it might seem.
“Th-the, the request to b-borrow, is that what you meant…”
“Exactly.”
I gently patted Lena’s trembling back, like a frightened rabbit.
At the end of the avaricious gazes approaching from there were the staff imbued with magic held in Lena’s hand and the robe she wore, adorned with the power of nature.
“The bracelet on the leader there is called Talisman of Concentration; it enhances magic. And the one behind him with the one-handed staff is a Protective Staff with a protective spell. The one behind doesn’t have a special artifact, but the robe he’s wearing is made of silk, so it will fetch a high price.”
“Uh, um…”
“Now understand?”
Alright, let’s fight.
I stepped back, and the three chuckled.
“Uh, um. C-can you, uh, lend us what you have… please?”
Oh, be polite.
Lena bowed deeply and pleaded earnestly, but they just smiled broadly and immediately cast spells.
“Lightning Bolt!”
“Fire Bolt!”
“Ice Javelin!”
Elemental attack magic.
They were beginners in intermediate magic, having mastered basic spells.
Following their spells, elemental attack magic flew towards Lena.
How to block them?
At that moment, Lena, who had been trembling, flashed her eyes.
“…Speed!”
Wind. Powerful green wind spread out from Lena.
Although the intermediate spells attempted to pierce through the wind, they couldn’t overcome it in the end.
While they were bewildered by their magic disappearing into thin air.
“Magic Arrow!”
Her magic unfolded.
In conclusion, Lena won. No matter how skilled these guys were with intermediate magic, how could they defeat Lena with a phantom blade, multiple magic, and an abundance of mana?
In the end, they couldn’t hold on and fell, unconscious. I took only the expensive-looking items they had.
“Are you, um, okay?”
“I’m fine.”
One who tries to take what belongs to others.
Prepared to accept the inevitability of having one’s possessions taken.
But seriously, how much is this?
I earned the money for the drinks.
Feels good.
I filled Lena’s gaze, laden with worry, with items that seemed expensive to her.
Of course, I set aside things like staffs and expensive robes that Lena doesn’t currently need to sell.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Don’t ask why.”
I held Lena’s hand firmly as I spoke.
“From now on, you’re going to be a treasure goblin.”
“Wha, what?!”
Even if she just stands there, she knows how to fight, so I can’t miss this opportunity.
“It’s, it’s impossible! Impossible! Impossible! Impossible!”
For someone saying that, she fights quite well.
I tightly held Lena, who was desperately shaking her head.
Worry and fear were reflected in her eyes.
“It’s okay. Who do you think is behind you?”
“M, my master…”
“So do well! Haha! Shall we enjoy the big city together then?!”
****
Having defeated the fourth assailants, Lena let out a deep sigh.
After trying it a few times, it’s getting more stable.
Because of that, she keeps having different thoughts.
She was making an effort to avoid the returning gaze.
Since entering the big city, her heart had been pounding as if it were malfunctioning.
Why is that?
– This guy is mine.
She recalled the moment when she was embraced by Lee Hyun. His sturdy arms, broad chest, and his confident voice.
At that moment, she felt like she truly belonged to Lee Hyun.
‘W, what if I really become the master’s…?’
Becoming Hyun’s possession, I live a life for Hyun, nestled in Hyun’s arms.
Lena hesitated and looked back at her teacher.
A somewhat gaunt face, the characteristic black hair of an Eastern person. Tall stature. A sharp nose, piercing eyes.
In addition, large hands, broad chest. And. And.
“Do you have anything to say?”
“Hehehehe?!”
Lena was startled by Hyun’s gentle voice.
Could it be that he caught her stealing glances at him earlier?
What if the teacher thinks she’s a weirdo?
How can she avoid being caught?
Various thoughts swirled inside Lena’s mind.
“If you’re worried, here.”
But contrary to her imagination, Hyun simply reached out with a gentle tone as always.
A big and firm-looking hand.
Without realizing it, Lena found herself resting her chin on that hand.
“…Aside from that, I’ll hold your hand.”
“Ah. Um. Th-that, that was it!!”
Her face turned red.
Why am I so foolish? Lena thought as she hastily took his hand.
It was a warm hand.
Feeling a comforting touch that eased her anxiety, Lena cautiously spoke up.
“Teacher…”
“Yes?”
“Why, why do you… treat me so well?”
“Because you’re my disciple.”
“Uh, hehehehe.”
At those words, Lena felt her fluttering heart calm down a bit.
The story of being Hyun’s disciple, of belonging to Hyun.
She couldn’t describe how at ease it made her feel to always be by his reliable side.
‘…What is it?’
However, in one corner of her heart, something uncomfortable lingered.
What could this emotion be?
With a firm grip on Lee Hyun’s hand, Lena pondered deeply.
But she couldn’t discern what it was.
“Hey! Do you have something good-looking?!”
“Can you lend it to me? I’ll only use it for ten years and return it! Hahaha!!”
“Our eyes met! It’s a showdown!”
Constantly being attacked by these guys made it impossible for her to think properly.
Thanks to them, she had gathered many artifacts, but she couldn’t figure out that emotion.
“M-Master…”
No matter how confident she might be as Lena, engaging in a duel to this extent was inevitably exhausting.
Already lacking in confidence and finding it difficult to socialize with others, Lena felt worn out after facing someone for the first time.
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“Shall we take a break then?”
“Yeah…”
With Lena struggling, Lee Hyun led her towards the theater.
Although it was an action in the hope that watching a play here would restore her physical and mental strength, Lena perceived it differently.
“A r-romance play!”
The play depicted the joyful disputes and expressions of affection between lovers, a delightful comedy that had been heard in the village.
As expected, in front of the theater, there were many seemingly affectionate couples, much like the ones Lena had heard often visited.
“Envious…”
Envious? Lena smirked. Her current situation was just as good as anyone else’s.
Comparing it to the past, it could be said that the difference was like heaven and earth.
Therefore, she was always content.
Grateful for the life she had been living with Lee Hyun since they met.
But envious? As if there were any dissatisfaction with reality.
“N-No, that’s not it.”
Lena hastily shook her head.
Her happiness at the moment was overflowing. Wanting more from here would be nothing but greed.
Lena tightly held the hand that Hyun had been holding.
“Why?”
“Oh, no. It’s just… well.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“Oh my~. Looks like quite an age gap between this couple~. Seems like they get along well~.”
Then it happened. Someone who seemed to be a ticketing staff approached cheerfully and spoke.
At the appearance of a stranger, Lena quickly hid behind Hyun. Without pointing out Lena’s now familiar behavior, Hyun smiled and handed over the money.
“A, a couple…?!”
A couple. A couple.
Do my master and I really look like that?
Lena tried to lift her head to observe Hyun, but her flushed face and thumping heart interfered with that.
In the end, she lowered her head deeply and couldn’t see Hyun’s reaction.
“I hope the master feels embarrassed too… I wish… that would be nice…”
Always feeling embarrassed herself.
Always feeling small herself.
Sometimes, it would be nice if the master felt a little embarrassed too.
As Lena thought this, Hyun’s calm voice reached her ears as usual.
“Teacher and student tickets, please.”
“Oh? I made a mistake! Hahaha~! Enjoy the show~.”
When Hyun turned after receiving the tickets, the hand that had been held gently slipped away.
With his always unpredictable actions, Hyun grinned, and Lena silently stared at him.
“…”
“Why?”
“Um, it’s, it’s nothing…”
Lena was always proud to be Hyun’s disciple.
As much as that, she should have been pleased with Hyun’s response.
But somehow, today, that statement felt a bit sad.
Why is that? Why is that?
With unanswered questions, Lena entered the theater with Hyun.
The play was as entertaining as she had heard in the village. The actors’ performances were excellent, and the story was perfect.
Laughing, crying, feeling tense, and finally witnessing the scene where lovers kissed, my heart raced.
“That was so much fun!!”
“Should we come to watch again next time?”
“Yes, definitely!”
Any previous unease and discontent seemed to have vanished as if washed away.
With Lena holding onto Ihyeon’s hand, she smiled widely, and her smile seemed to please Ihyeon as he smiled back at her.
It felt good.
The day was beautiful, Ihyeon was beside her, and there were no rushing crowds like earlier.
It felt good.
“Oh? Aren’t you Ihyeon?”
That lovely voice, heard from the side, instantly captivated the uplifting mood.