[Demon Bat’s Spellstone]
◆ Consumable Classification
―Spellstone
◆ Detailed Description
―A spellstone originating from a Demon Bat.
◆ Detailed Effects
―Upon absorption, you can acquire the stereoscopic skill with 100% certainty.
Spellstones that allowed one to learn skills each had different acquisition rates.
Naturally, the higher the acquisition rate, the rarer the stone.
It was uncommon for one to be complete in itself, like the one Min Hwiseong had given to Yeon Haneul.
Even setting aside the skill imbued within it, it was a spellstone of considerable value.
Inwardly, I was surprised by his generosity.
‘That aside, stereoscopic…? What kind of skill is that?’
Even if I had been a veteran in my previous life, there was no way for me to know about a skill that hadn’t existed in the game.
Together with Yeon Haneul, who was testing her aptitude, I listened closely to Min Hwiseong’s explanation.
“If the appraisal is correct, that spellstone should contain stereoscopic, one of the principles possessed by the Demon Bat. It’s a principle that helps calculate the coordinates of the world you perceive. It will make it especially easier to fix coordinates in the air or underwater. It should be useful for you, since you walk the path of a mage.”
“…Does that mean it becomes easier to fix coordinates in a world of three dimensions or higher?”
“I like how quick you are to understand. In that case, there’s no need for further explanation. How you use this principle is entirely up to you.”
“I will accept it gratefully, Lord Griffin.”
If I were to put it in game terms, should I take it as a skill that raised accuracy?
Since I didn’t specialize in magic, that was all I could grasp.
Unlike me, Yeon Haneul seemed to recognize its value at once.
As though worried Min Hwiseong might change his mind, she promptly expressed her thanks.
Min Hwiseong shrugged once, then showed interest in her.
“How far have you progressed?”
“At present, I’ve reached the 3rd tier.”
“Your level of achievement is similar to Arin’s. When did you start learning magic?”
“…When I was twelve. Five years ago.”
“The 3rd tier in five years… Considering your age, that’s quite fast. The Seven-Colored Witch must have taught you well. Then what field do you mainly specialize in?”
“Among elemental magic… darkness.”
“You have an affinity for an uncommon attribute. Naturally, you can handle dark elemental magic up to the 3rd tier… Did the Seven-Colored Witch not teach you other elemental magic? For reference, Arin can use fire up to the 3rd tier, wind up to the 2nd tier, and water up to the 1st tier.”
“I can use… wind up to the 3rd tier, earth and fire up to the 2nd tier, and lightning and water up to the 1st tier.”
“…Perhaps because you specialize in elemental magic, that is a remarkable achievement.”
“No….”
Having gauged Yeon Haneul’s level, Min Hwiseong admired her sincerely.
She lowered her head shyly.
But beside her, I could see the corners of her mouth twitching beneath the hair that covered her eyes.
She seemed pleased to receive praise from someone whom mages admired so deeply.
It was then that he spoke.
“In that case, this should help you as well.”
“….”
“Take it.”
Min Hwiseong once again slipped his hand inside his cloak.
He took out a thick book and handed it to Yeon Haneul.
Judging by the griffin engraved on the cover, the symbol of the arcane Min family, it was undoubtedly one of the family’s secret teachings.
Her eyes widened as she received the book almost by reflex.
“What… is this?”
“It’s a book I made by referencing the magic tome that caused Arin to run wild this time.”
“….”
“I removed the dangerous parts as much as possible, and there’s nothing written in it about forcibly raising one’s tier, so you don’t have to worry so much. That book only contains methods for strengthening magic of the 3rd tier and below.”
As if he had read our concerns, Min Hwiseong lightly shrugged.
To confirm the truth, I brought up the information window in my vision.
[Introductory Tier Enhancement Theory: Applications]
◆ Consumable Classification
―Secret Manual
◆ Detailed Description
―A magic book written by Min Hwiseong, the current head of the arcane Min family, for the young mages of his family.
―It contains the principles for strengthening magic of the 3rd tier and below.
◆ Effects
―Upon acquisition, increases the effects of all magic skills of the 3rd tier and below by up to 20%.
Judging by its contents, it was a secret manual that any mage would covet.
It didn’t seem to be a lie.
I couldn’t find any side effects or problematic parts.
Even so, before accepting it so readily, I couldn’t help but wonder what Min Hwiseong’s intentions were in giving away his family’s secret teachings.
I asked on Yeon Haneul’s behalf.
“Is it all right to give Haneul your family’s secret teachings?”
“If one truly wishes for the advancement of magic, then one must be able to give those who show promise the chance to bloom. I believe that is the duty of those who stand at the highest point. Yeik and the other family heads likely think similarly. So I hope you won’t doubt my intentions. More than anything…”
“….”
“It is because I hope your existence can stimulate Arin’s desire to improve. That child has never once met someone who could be her lifelong rival. At most, perhaps the children of the dark magic O family and the light Seong family could be said to have stirred her ambition.”
But pure magic, dark magic, and white magic were clearly on different tracks.
The children of the dark magic O family and the light Seong family could not be true rivals in the real sense.
A fitting rival for Min Arin had to be found within pure magic.
There was certainty in Min Hwiseong’s voice as he spoke passionately.
“That is why I am very glad that you can become Arin’s rival. I hope the two of you will continue to temper each other and achieve greatness as mages.”
“…If that is your intention, then I will accept it gratefully without refusing.”
“Thank you, Family Head.”
“Yes, good.”
It seemed Min Hwiseong truly had no other intentions.
For us, who could gain an opportunity for growth, it wasn’t a bad thing.
So Yeon Haneul and I expressed our gratitude politely.
“Whether or not you can understand that book depends entirely on your ability. If you become able to fully understand what is written there… then you may be able to advance to the 4th tier.”
“Ah… I’ll work hard to understand it completely.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Then I should be going now. I’ll say it again: please get along well with Arin. I feel relieved that she has made so many friends.”
Min Hwiseong turned away, the hem of his cloak fluttering.
We were about to see him off as he headed up the stairs.
That was when it happened.
“Please wait, Family Head!”
“Hm?”
“….”
Out of nowhere, Kang Hanbyeol sprang from his seat and blocked Min Hwiseong’s path.
Both Min Hwiseong, who stopped walking, and we who were watching found his sudden action puzzling.
Then, standing at attention, he shouted.
“Before you go, could you please spar with me!? I really want to spar with you at least once, Family Head! I’m begging you!”
“Huh….”
“….”
…It was a very Kang Hanbyeol-like request.
Then again, for him, the disciple of the Fighting Demon, Min Hwiseong, head of the arcane Min family, was surely an opponent he yearned to spar with.
Since he didn’t know when he would meet him again—or whether he would be able to meet him again at all—he couldn’t afford to miss the chance.
Knowing how he felt, my friends and I could only smile wryly.
Only Yong Haerang followed Kang Hanbyeol’s lead, saying, “Me too! Please spar with me too!”
“I can understand Taesan’s grandson, but… you, though you’re not even blood-related, resemble that bastard Jeongjin. Back in the day, whenever he saw me, he would come charging in, desperate to fight.”
As if recalling old memories, Min Hwiseong let out a low laugh.
Then he patted Kang Hanbyeol and Yong Haerang on the shoulders and walked between them.
“Sorry, but I have no intention of sparring with those of you who haven’t even become Hunters yet. If you want to change my mind, at the very least, graduate from the Academy and come find me afterward. Then I’ll face you seriously.”
“Tch, understood. Then I’ll come find you for a spar in three years.”
“Please wait just three years! Yong Haerang of the Chivalrous Yong family will become someone worthy of his family’s name by then and come to see you, Family Head!”
“Yes, I’ll look forward to it and wait. Young Fighting Demon, hot-blooded child of the Chivalrous Yong family. And… blue child.”
“…If possible, please call me Rabbit.”
“Farewell.”
I hadn’t even asked him to spar….
Why did it feel like I’d been lumped in with Kang Hanbyeol and Yong Haerang as if I had?
I looked awkwardly at Min Hwiseong as he glanced at me and climbed the stairs.
He didn’t respond to my words and grew farther and farther away.
“Haneul.”
“Yeah, why?”
“You’ll show me that book too, right? Let me see it after you’re done reading it.”
“Mm, I wonder? What should I do—?”
“Shouldn’t good things be shared? And we’re… partners, aren’t we?”
“I’ll think about it depending on how you behave! Ah, I’m suddenly getting this urge to go for a walk later tonight, you know? But going out alone at night is scary…”
“Then while we’re studying, should we go out for a walk to get some air? On the way back, we can buy your favorite strawberry milk and soju too. Anything else you need?”
“Yeah! And also…”
“Just say the word. I’ll do it all.”
* * *
In truth, it wasn’t as if he felt no regret.
If the ritual had succeeded, Min Arin would have advanced from the 3rd tier to the 5th tier.
In other words, the arcane Min family could have drawn closer to its long-cherished wish.
Through her, they would have been able to establish a more perfect theory for artificially raising one’s tier.
Perhaps they might even have put an end to a history that had continued for several generations.
The arcane Min family would at last have fulfilled its wish and gained the power to turn low-tier mages into elite mages in one fell swoop.
They would have been worshiped by all mages and secured their place among the Ten Great Families for eternity.
With Min Arin’s talent, it was worth expecting.
‘Arin’s eyes are special. Eyes that can glimpse the principles of all creation are something any mage would have no choice but to covet.’
Min Arin’s Gift, the Sage’s Eye.
Long ago, when Min Hwiseong grasped the nature of her Gift, he had been covetous as a mage, and satisfied as the head of the arcane Min family.
Because she was the existence they had been waiting for in order to fulfill the family’s long-cherished wish.
That was why he cherished her so dearly and supported the foundation of her growth without restraint.
He had subtly guided her to take interest in that wish.
She may have thought it was of her own will, but in truth, it had been nothing more than Min Hwiseong’s meticulous arrangement.
‘I thought those eyes would be able to see it….’
Arrogance begets ruin.
And after ruin, a new world is bound to be born.
If the ritual had succeeded, the arcane Min family would quite literally have obtained a new world.
Beyond the Ten Great Families and the hegemony of this nation, they could have seized dominion over the entire world.
And yet Min Arin had failed to advance.
He could not know what the problem had been, but it meant there was a flaw in the theory.
He had subtly sounded her out in order to find the cause of the failure, but unfortunately, she seemed not to know.
Even the Sage’s Eye had been unable to peer into it.
‘No, that isn’t it.’
Min Hwiseong immediately denied it.
In theory, the Sage’s Eye could look into all creation.
To overturn that theory, mana studies would have to be rebuilt from the beginning.
It was more reasonable to judge that Min Arin’s achievement was insufficient, and that the Gift’s performance had not reached that level.
‘In that case, I need only raise Arin further and look to the next future. If it is impossible in my generation, then it can be left to the next. By then, Arin will be the one leading it.’
Even if the long-cherished wish had not been achieved, Min Arin’s value did not change.
Her eyes were more than worth using.
They would continue to be useful in many ways.
So there was no need to needlessly crush her spirit.
That was why Min Hwiseong had not rebuked her.
Meanwhile, while investigating this incident, he had come across interesting information.
‘The disciple of the Seven-Colored Witch… They said she came to be called Bunny this time, did they?’
The disciple of the Seven-Colored Witch, Bunny Yeon Haneul, who had entered at the top of the class ahead of Min Arin.
According to the investigation, she had created clones and faced many enemies alone.
‘They said they weren’t illusions, but actual bodies… It was likely the effect of her Gift.’
Though her Gift was not known, Min Hwiseong guessed that it was a Gift that created clones by distributing the mana within her body.
‘I don’t know just how many clones she can create, but the burden of calculating spells will be reduced severalfold in proportion to the number of clones. Multiple casting should be possible as well….’
This world is made up of countless principles.
If so, in theory, if countless clones of Yeon Haneul each took charge of one principle….
Her very existence would become a world.
Realistically, it was said to be impossible, but she should be able to create a world of a smaller concept.
As a single mage, Min Hwiseong could not help but grow curious about her.
And so he went to meet Yeon Haneul, and even if only in fragments, he was able to gauge her ability.
The method was simple.
Pretending it was a token of thanks to Min Arin’s friends, he handed them intermediate mana stones.
The result was extremely surprising.
‘To think she doesn’t react even to an intermediate mana stone…. Does that mean this child’s ability is beyond that?’
He had expected her to be at a level similar to Min Arin’s, or perhaps slightly higher.
Yeon Haneul’s ability lay outside Min Hwiseong’s expectations.
He coveted her terribly.
Of course, he was also interested in Nam Yuri of the Yeonseong Nam Clan, Cha Eunsol of the Circulation Cha Clan, and Princess Lisa of the Grace Empire.
They, too, possessed considerable energy.
But unlike those girls, whose backgrounds were clear, Yeon Haneul had no definite backing.
Even if she was receiving support from the Divine Sword Do Clan, she was, in effect, nothing more than an orphan.
Moreover, she was a demi-human whose parents were unknown.
In other words.
‘There is no obstacle to drawing that child into the family.’
Whether through marriage or adoption.
It meant he could welcome Yeon Haneul as a person of the Arcane Min Clan.
For Min Hwiseong, there was no way he would not be tempted.
In a sense, the reason he had passed on the family’s secret art to her was not only for Min Arin’s growth, but also to win her favor.
However, it was not as though there were no obstacles at all.
‘Was his name Do Gyeonwoo? She certainly seemed quite close to that boy….’
The Blue Whelp, Do Gyeonwoo.
He and Yeon Haneul had long been known to be on intimate terms with each other.
Unlike his close friend Do Yeik, Min Hwiseong found the existence of that boy with the gentle impression to be greatly concerning.
As long as he remained by her side, it seemed difficult to handle her as he wished.
But there was not no way.
‘To think Arin would show interest in the opposite sex…. Has that child reached that age now as well?’
Judging from the reaction Min Arin had shown in the visiting room, it seemed she had feelings for Do Gyeonwoo.
Then all he had to do was bring the two of them together.
Even if they developed into a good relationship, the Arcane Min Clan would suffer no loss.
Rather, it could even become a benefit.
‘Even if she were not my granddaughter, Arin is more than attractive enough as a member of the opposite sex. If the child of the Divine Sword Do Clan were to fall for Arin… he might even abandon his family and enter ours.’
If things went well, the Arcane Min Clan could obtain both Yeon Haneul and Do Gyeonwoo.
At the sudden thought that came to mind, the corners of Min Hwiseong’s mouth drew an arc.
And so….
“It can’t hurt to establish a connection.”
Min Hwiseong left Academy City.
Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss
(146) [Illustration]
Min Arin’s punishment was decided on the evening of the day Min Hwiseong visited the Academy.
As expected, she was able to avoid expulsion.
The circumstances taken into account were that this incident had not been an act of terrorism she had carried out with intent, but an accidental mishap; that she herself was deeply reflecting on it; that her usual academic attitude and grades were excellent; and above all, that there had been no deaths.
The fact that the Arcane Min Clan had agreed to compensate for all damages also had an effect.
‘There were probably other reasons that weren’t publicly announced as well.’
They could have sent a member of the family, yet the family head himself had gone out of his way to enter Academy City and meet with the chairwoman.
There was no way they had simply exchanged a warm, friendly conversation while asking for leniency for Min Arin.
Those of us who heard the news, myself included, assumed the Arcane Min Clan must have offered something more beneath the surface.
Unless one was directly involved, it was impossible to know.
In a sense, when the incident occurred, only So Hyeyul, who had “coincidentally” been absent, ended up benefiting.
No, those of us who participated in conquering the Thorny Vine Spire did gain something as well.
‘Though all we got was a discount when using facilities connected to the Arcane Min Clan, and a few coins.’
Still, it was better than getting nothing at all.
As Kang Hanbyeol said, devotion without compensation and effort without reward only lowered motivation.
On top of that, we also received personal rewards from Min Hwiseong.
I absorbed the mana stone I received from him and was able to raise my mana stat by 1.
While preparing for the midterms, Yeon Haneul was looking for ways to apply the new skill she had acquired.
Whenever she had spare time, she was also reading through the secret art of the Arcane Min Clan.
—Can’t you read that after the exams are over?
—That’s true, but… I’m curious. About what kind of contents are inside.
Yeon Haneul’s scholarly passion was incredible.
It was just like her, who had never once lost first place since becoming a middle school student.
Because of that, I also had to keep my butt planted for a long time alongside her.
Even if I finished my own studying first, I stayed in the seat beside her.
Watching her profile as she concentrated hard and read was enjoyable in its own way.
As was the way she would roll her red eyes and glance at me.
—Um… why do you keep looking at me? Is there something on my face?
—No? I just like looking at you.
—….
—It’s something I think every day, but you’re pretty. Haneul, every time I look at you, it feels new. How is that possible?
—Um, Gyeonwoo… I’m grateful that you say that, but… Eunbi is here, Lisa is here, and there are other people too, so saying things like that is a bit….
—No, Gyeonwoo! Don’t mind us and keep going!
—It’s fine. Think of us as people who aren’t here and continue.
—But aren’t you going to read your book?
—Ugh…. How am I supposed to read when you keep staring at me….
—It’s because of me again?
—Yes, because of you again.
—Is the book interesting?
—It’s fascinating and fun to see the principles of magic interpreted through ideas I never thought of. For example….
…Really.
Whenever Yeon Haneul explained a field she was interested in, the smile never left her face.
The sight of her puffing herself up with an ahem as if brimming with confidence, perking up her rabbit ears, and stirring the air with her fingers while explaining things logically was extremely impressive.
When I saw her like that, my mood improved as well, and even though I could not understand the explanation, I would quietly listen.
Unfortunately, the Arcane Min Clan’s secret art was also difficult for me to understand.
At my level, it did not seem possible to digest its profundities on my own.
In the end, I had no choice but to need her help.
—Haneul, no… my pretty goddess?
—…What is it? You’re about to ask me for something, aren’t you?
—It’s nothing much, but once the midterms are over, could you teach me the contents of the book in an easy-to-understand way? I don’t think I have a head for studying.
—Sigh…. Even if you hadn’t asked, I was planning to organize separate notes for you. I’ll show them to you later.
—As expected, there’s no one but my childhood friend.
—Seriously… how are you planning to live without me?
—Of course I can’t live without you.
—Hmph, if you know that, then be good to me.
—When have I ever not been good to you?
—Mmm… that’s true too…. Then be even better than you are now, little Do Gyeonwoo.
—Yes, goddess.
Meanwhile, the day after Min Arin’s punishment was handed down.
At last, she was released.
* * *
Even though Min Arin avoided expulsion, that did not mean there was no disciplinary action at all.
She received a punishment of 300 hours of on-campus service.
‘If it had been off-campus service, the Arcane Min Clan would have prepared some substitute measure, but since it’s on-campus service, they won’t be able to use any tricks. Her study time will be reduced while she does that, too.’
From now on, we would probably often see Min Arin serving at the lowest position in the Academy.
To her, it would be humiliating enough to wound her pride, but it did not matter.
It was not my business anyway.
If I happened to see her while passing by, all I had to do was wave and act like I knew her, and take a picture or two.
‘Before that, I should congratulate her on being released.’
Min Arin must surely have been very lonely, living locked up in solitary confinement.
If we did not go to meet her and let her return to the dormitory alone, she would feel hurt.
It was obvious she would pretend otherwise on the outside while feeling miserable and sad inside.
I could understand that feeling.
‘Before I was assigned to my unit from the training camp, everyone else met their parents and went to eat something good, but I went to the PX by myself….’
It was not as if I had no friends in my previous life.
I did have friends from the orphanage whom I could more or less entrust my heart to.
But back then, they were all in the middle of establishing themselves, so I could not bring myself to call them and interfere with their lives in society.
Even though they said they would come see me, I refused, saying we would have to part after barely seeing each other.
‘And then I regretted it so much afterward….’
People are beings who need someone’s recognition and feel loneliness.
They cannot live alone.
Happy occasions only have meaning when shared with others.
No matter how happy you are by yourself, it does not feel happy.
Back then, I had no choice but to face the truth I had been ignoring.
—Damn it, I thought I could eat it all by myself, but it’s too greasy to eat any more. I shouldn’t have bought it….
The memory of splurging at the PX to buy a cheesecake that cost nearly twenty thousand won, saying I would congratulate myself for having worked hard, came back to me vividly.
Compared to the reputation I had heard, the cheesecake was not very tasty.
More than anything, there was too much of it to eat alone.
In the end, I had no choice but to throw the cake I could not finish into the trash and move on to my unit.
So in my previous life, I had hated not only Philadelphia cake, but cheesecake itself.
‘Though now, well… I like it. Haneul and Yeeun like it, so I ended up acquiring a taste for it while eating it with them.’
In any case.
Having memories of my previous life, I did not want Min Arin to feel disappointed.
Even without that, for her, who had no friends, we were the only friends who would come to meet her.
And so, early that morning, we went to the School Detention Center to welcome her.
The School Detention Center was a place managed by the Student Council’s Security Department, where students who caused problems were confined.
On the way there, we encountered people who knew us.
“It’s the Blue Whelp’s group. Where are they going from this early on a weekend morning?”
“Aren’t those the Spire’s conquerors?”
“The Young Fighting Demon, Bunny, people from the Ten Clans, the Princess of the Grace Empire…. That lineup is incredible.”
“He’s the Blue Whelp? He looks surprisingly gentle.”
“Hey, don’t let your guard down just because he looks gentle. Do you know how many people got completely thrashed after picking a fight with him over the past few days?”
“According to the swordsmanship kids, his personality is different from how he looks. There’s even a theory that the reason he’s called the Blue Whelp is because his personality is a total mess.”
“I heard from the twins who follow the Blue Whelp a while ago, and apparently he’s a complete lunatic?”
“Then why do they follow him?”
“According to them, it’s the result of learned behavior or something….”
“….”
Blue Whelp, Blue Whelp, Blue Whelp….
Every time people saw me, they kept putting that alias in their mouths.
Because my alias had such a strong impression, the aliases of the others were not mentioned much.
I could only feel displeased by their reactions.
“Gyeonwoo, be good…. Just endure it.”
“No, I can’t endure it.”
Yeon Haneul, who noticed my mood, carefully tried to coax me.
I was sorry, but I could not grant her request.
I changed my alias to Blue Whelp and used the skill embedded in it.
A skill that intimidated opponents of a lower rank than oneself and reduced all their physical stats by 1%.
Borrowing the power of the alias, I glared at the people around us in that state.
The people whose eyes met mine flinched and hurriedly avoided the area.
“Now it’s finally a little quiet.”
“Sigh….”
I did not like the alias, but the skill was quite usable.
After changing my alias back to Rabbit, I continued on my way.
As for the triplets who seemed to have gone around badmouthing me, I decided to seize an opportunity soon and run them ragged.
Before long, the tall walls of the School Detention Center, built high to prevent students from escaping, came into view.
Standing in front of them, we waited for Min Arin to come out.
Not long after that.
“Ah! Arin’s coming out! Min—A—rin—! Over here, over here! We’re here!”
“Arin, Arin! Was the bean rice tasty!?”
Min Arin, giving off a modest air, appeared.
The moment we spotted her red hair, we waved at her and shouted.
“You guys….”
Min Arin looked surprised.
Soon, a bright smile began to spread across her face.
We didn’t miss that moment.
“Guys! Now!”
Go Eunbi, who had planned what was about to happen, gave the signal.
With her at the center, we spread out to the left and right, then bowed our heads in unison.
Then we shouted in booming voices.
“Welcome out, Boss!”
“…Wh-what!?”
“Congratulations on your release, Boss!”
“Why am I the boss!?”
Min Arin was flustered by the sudden situation.
Having successfully pulled off our prank, we burst into laughter at her reaction.
“Boss! I’ll carry your luggage!”
“Uh…. Here….”
“Boss! I’ll carry something too! Please give me your coat!”
Yong Haerang rushed forward and took the bag Min Arin was holding.
Bak Sagun took the coat she had been wearing.
In the blink of an eye, she was left in just her T-shirt.
Even after that, we kept teasing her as she floundered around, unable to deal with the situation.
“Boss! Hanbyeol brought the car! We’ll escort you there comfortably!”
“Huh? Really? That’s great. I was tired any—”
“Just kidding, Boss!”
“You fell for it, Boss!”
Go Eunbi acted with the most enthusiasm.
Kang Hanbyeol couldn’t stop laughing, his shoulders shaking.
Lisa covered her mouth with her hand as she chimed in.
“So childish, so childish….”
By then, Min Arin clicked her tongue with a dumbfounded, exasperated look.
Even so, the corners of her mouth were twitching.
In the end, she failed to keep her expression in check and burst into a peal of laughter.
She laughed so hard that she even wiped the corners of her eyes with her fingers.
I approached her.
“Arin.”
“Ah…. Do Gyeonu….”
“Here, eat this.”
Min Arin’s gaze came to rest on me.
Her mouth fell open as she called my name in a strangely dazed voice.
I held out a black plastic bag toward her oddly absentminded face.
Only then did she come to her senses and blink her yellow eyes.
“Wh-what is this?”
“What do you think? I bought it for you.”
“For… me…?”
“It’s tofu. Eat up. They say you’re supposed to eat this when you get out of prison.”
“….”
For a moment, she seemed touched.
But when I opened the bag and showed her the tofu, Min Arin’s gaze went cold.
Soon, looking pitiful, she accepted the tofu and gently bit off a corner.
“How is it? It’s warm, so it’s good, right?”
“Well… it’s not like I can’t eat it…. It’s tastier than I thought.”
“I warmed it up with magic for you.”
“I-I see….”
“And of course it tastes good.”
“Huh?”
“I bought it with your card.”
“What?”
“I used it well while you were gone.”
“…!”
I took Min Arin’s card out of my pocket.
She stopped eating the tofu, her mouth hanging open, her face dyed with shock.
She raised her voice.
“Y-you! H-how much did you use!?”
“Who knows…. I don’t think I spent that much? At most, to you it’s just pocket change—”
“G-give me my card! Give it back right now!”
“Sorry, but I can’t do that yet.”
“No, why not!?”
Min Arin leapt at me, hopping up and down as she tried to snatch the card away.
I held her off as she threw a tantrum and protected the card.
“Shouldn’t you treat us to something to celebrate your release? I’ll spend freely with this card.”
“N-no….”
Was it because Min Arin had grown comfortable around us?
Or was it because she was excited to see us again after so long?
Her emotional expressions were so varied that teasing her was fun.
* * *
The friends noisily chatted away, celebrating Min Arin’s release.
Yeon Haneul also joined in on their pranks and shared in the cheerful mood.
Perhaps this incident had affected her state of mind, because Min Arin’s attitude had become much softer.
Then, when things around them had quieted down to some extent, she opened her mouth.
“Um, guys.”
“….”
“U-um, it’s….”
Min Arin kept sweeping her hair back with an embarrassed look on her face.
Her lips repeatedly parted and closed, as if she were hesitating to speak.
After struggling like that, she soon said to her friends,
“I-it’s late to say this now, but….”
“….”
“Everyone… thank you for saving me….”
Min Arin conveyed her gratitude shyly while watching her friends’ reactions.
Her friends, who had never expected her to say something like that, were momentarily stunned.
Then, one after another, they began to smile.
“Why are you thanking us for something obvious!?”
“Still, it’s not bad to receive a thank-you.”
“But why are you speaking so formally?”
Until now, Min Arin had always been prickly and acted superior.
It was only natural that her honest expression made everyone unexpectedly happy.
They felt satisfied, sensing that their efforts had been worthwhile.
Yeon Haneul felt the same as them.
She thought that from now on, dealing with Min Arin might become at least a little easier.
That thought lasted only a moment.
‘Huh?’
Yeon Haneul realized the source of the strange sense of discomfort she had been feeling.
At first, she had thought it was because Min Arin was excited after coming outside, but somehow, the way she looked at Do Gyeonu was odd.
‘She didn’t look at him like that before….’
Do Gyeonu didn’t seem to notice.
But while talking with the others, Min Arin kept glancing at him from time to time.
Her face, as though she were being swayed by her own emotions and unconsciously chasing after him, was just like….
“….”
Yeon Haneul’s face darkened as she recalled a possibility she absolutely did not want.
The red eyes directed at Min Arin gradually lost their light.
Soon, she bit her lip.
It seemed.
‘I hate her.’
The relationship between herself and Min Arin was likely to remain unchanged.
No, Yeon Haneul disliked her even more than before.
* * *
It was a night when everyone had fallen asleep.
At a late hour, the Star Witch So Hyeyul descended the stairs of the faculty building.
Her shoes clicking, she headed for the lowest floor and found a basement unknown to anyone.
Creeeak.
With the sound of rusted iron moving, darkness too deep to see inside welcomed So Hyeyul.
Illuminating the darkness with magic, she advanced along a path that continued like a maze.
At the end of the path stood a massive crystal sphere.
“….”
A crystal sphere brimming with a radiant aura.
Inside, where all sorts of colors shone, a considerable amount of mana was stored.
Two pitch-black Gate Keys and several blue Gate Keys were also drifting within it.
“It’s filled up a lot, thanks to this incident.”
So Hyeyul murmured in a melancholy tone as she placed her hand on the crystal sphere.
After staring inside for a long while, she opened a subspace and put her hand into it.
In her hand was a blue Gate Key.
It was the Gate Key she had received from Min Hwiseong, head of the magical Min family, as a condition for sparing Min Arin from expulsion.
“It was a good thing I squeezed it out of Hwiseong.”
She pushed the Gate Key into the crystal sphere.
For a while, So Hyeyul observed the changes happening inside.
At last, after confirming a meaningful change, she let out a bitter, self-deprecating smile.
“At the latest, I’ll have them all gathered in three years.”
I wonder if someone else will cause trouble for me….
So Hyeyul murmured quietly.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss