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Chapter 152: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 152



The process of inscribing magic circles.


Yoon Si-woo understood that it was a task that required significant concentration, time, and mana.


For a while, he had been following the construction work of installing magic circles throughout the perimeter areas, and what he saw was the faces of the mages installing the magic circles gradually turning more haggard by the day.


For an average mage, one or two a day.


Even for a skilled mage, three was the limit in a day.


From his past experience, that was what Yoon Si-woo knew to be true.


“...Are you really okay? You've already hit today's quota.”


“Quota? I only managed to inscribe three magic circles. If we want to finish this construction as soon as possible, we should do at least twice that amount. I still have plenty of mana left, so let’s move on to the next one.”


Si-woo couldn’t help but be surprised by the sight of the blond-haired mage, who had joined after finishing his academy classes, finishing an amount of work in just a few hours that would normally take others all day, and then urging them to continue.


...It was definitely Dwight from Class B, Year 1.


Si-woo had seen him a few times at the academy, and had even sparred with him before. He vaguely remembered him as a fairly outstanding mage, but he didn't expect this level of skill.


Watching Dwight, who seemed far more proficient in dealing with these magic circles than other mages, Yoon Si-woo couldn’t help but be genuinely impressed and muttered to himself.


“You... you're really something. Others would be collapsing after doing just that much.”


“I’m a mage who’s often called a genius, after all. This much is a breeze for me.”


“...Doesn’t it embarrass you to say that about yourself?”


“I’m just being objective about my own talent. There’s nothing shameful about stating facts as they are. Besides, being praised by the youngest hero feels kind of strange. People say you’re a talent that only comes once in a millennium. You’re the real genius among geniuses.”


“Ahaha...”


Yoon Si-woo chuckled awkwardly at Dwight’s matter-of-fact response, referring to himself as a genius.


Yoon Si-woo was aware of it too.


He knew that the talent he possessed was extraordinary.


However, he also believed that his strength was largely thanks to his exceptional mentor, Lucy, and the holy swords, so he found it a bit embarrassing to call himself a genius.


As they walked while laughing awkwardly, they soon arrived at the next location. As Dwight began inscribing the magic circle, he spoke again.


“...It’s ridiculous to compare me to other mages in drawing these anti-teleportation magic circles in the first place. The foundation of these magic circles originated from our family, after all. It would be a disgrace to the Neinhart name if I, who carry the Neinhart name, fell behind other mages in this kind of magic.”


“Huh? Isn’t this work overseen by Dolos?”


“Dolos is indeed a family with a long history, and they do invest in and research magic, but in terms of magic, Neinhart is the specialist. Our family was consulted on the anti-teleportation magic circles needed for this construction. We modified the magic circles used in the barrier for this purpose. Since the work was rushed, there are many imperfections, but... tsk, if we had more time, we could have made magic circles with fewer side effects.”


“...I didn’t know that. No wonder it seemed so familiar to you.”


“I’ve been studying these things since I was little, seeing them every day. It’s only natural that I’m good at it.”


Still, watching Dwight inscribe the magic circles with precise and unerring movements while conversing without missing a beat, Yoon Si-woo couldn’t help but feel impressed.


Staring blankly at Dwight's work, Si-woo snapped back to reality when Dwight stopped moving and took a breath not long after.


“...Are you done? Should we move to the next spot?”


“...No, I think we need to rest for a bit. I need to replenish my mana.”


“Oh, then let’s take a short break over there.”


“Let’s do that.”


Taking a brief rest against the wall, Yoon Si-woo glanced sideways at Dwight, who was sitting nearby.


Maybe because he was focusing on recovering his mana.


Dwight seemed in no mood to speak first.


It was fine to just sit quietly, but...


Si-woo thought that, since they were fellow students at the academy, they should at least try to keep a conversation going.


But when he actually considered striking up a conversation, he couldn’t quite think of what to talk about.


He had spoken to him earlier without much thought, but now that he was aware of it, he found it oddly more difficult to decide how to start.


Come to think of it, he had almost never talked with boys his age.


Since childhood, he was surrounded by more girls than boys, so he had little experience conversing with guys his own age, making it hard to figure out what they were interested in.


And just as he struggled to endure the awkward atmosphere and pulled out his phone, Yoon Si-woo, seeing the photo set as his phone’s background, spoke without thinking.


“...Hey, how’s Scarlet doing at the academy?”


“Scarlet... you mean Scarlet Evande from Class A, Year 1?”


“Oh... yeah...”


...Wait, doesn’t this sound like I’m asking about someone I like?


Realizing this after he had already spoken, Si-woo worried what Dwight might ask about his relationship with Scarlet, but thankfully, Dwight answered without any particular curiosity.


“If you mean her, she’s doing well. Up until last week, I thought she was overdoing it without sleeping, but today she seemed to have rested well over the weekend and regained her condition. She even looked a bit more cheerful, so there’s nothing to worry about.”


“Oh, yeah. That’s good to hear...”


Hearing that she seemed better after the weekend, Yoon Si-woo felt that his actions had been of some help to her, and a subtle smile formed on his lips. Then, he suddenly realized that Dwight's explanation was oddly detailed and asked in a meaningful tone.


“...By the way, your explanation seems pretty specific... Do you watch Scarlet closely or something?”


“Closely? Not that I intend to... well, maybe I do. Perhaps I’ve been watching her closely. She’s quite a special person to me, after all.”


“...A special person?”


Hearing the words “special person” coming from Dwight, who nodded as if realizing something, Yoon Si-woo’s expression stiffened.


Was it because he thought of that special person?


For the first time, Yoon Si-woo noticed a subtle change in Dwight’s usually calm eyes, and he felt a slight pang of discomfort.


Scarlet was a captivating person.


It wouldn’t be strange for anyone to regard Scarlet as special at any time.


But still, even so.


Yoon Si-woo wanted Scarlet to be a special person only to him.


Realizing his own feelings, Yoon Si-woo let out a bitter laugh inwardly.


It was a childish, almost immature kind of jealousy.


He found it somewhat surprising how petty he could be, but what was done was done, and feeling bad was still feeling bad, so Si-woo asked Dwight bluntly.


“What do you think of Scarlet?”


Dwight replied.


“I think of her as a rival who motivates me.”


“...Huh? A rival?”


“Yes. A rival. Seeing someone who works harder than me is motivating in itself. Despite losing an arm and being kidnapped by a witch, her unyielding mental strength is something I strive to emulate.”


Seeing Dwight nod and speak with conviction, Yoon Si-woo felt his previously sour mood dissipate and nodded with a smile.


This guy, he knows what's up.


Scarlet’s diligence and mental fortitude are certainly something worth emulating.


With that thought easing his mind, Yoon Si-woo chuckled playfully and asked Dwight,


“Haha, I see. So she’s your rival. Then, you’re not, like, interested in Scarlet romantically or anything, right?”


“Romantically? Romantically...”


Dwight replied to Yoon Si-woo’s question in a casual tone.


“I think I’ve had thoughts like, if I were to marry someday, it would be nice if it were to someone like her.”


“I see. As a wife... a wife?”


The word "wife" hit Yoon Si-woo like a heavy blow, causing his expression to stiffen.


...Wait, so does this mean that this guy likes Scarlet too?


And not just as a girlfriend, but to the point of wanting her as his wife?


It was possible.


Scarlet was an attractive person and a charming woman, so it was something that could happen.


But accepting it was a bit, no, very difficult.


With a hardened expression, Yoon Si-woo glared at Dwight and asked,


“What is it about Scarlet... that makes you like her so much?”


“Well... if I had to choose, it would be her personality. The way she can sacrifice herself for the sake of others—it’s the kind of dedication I envision in an ideal wife. Plus, I heard she bakes cookies for her classmates. If she’s good at cooking, that’s just perfect.”


“Haha... ha...”


Without realizing it, Yoon Si-woo let out a hollow laugh.


Just as Dwight said, Scarlet was dedicated.


To the extent that she prioritized others’ lives over her own.


And as Dwight said, Scarlet was good at cooking.


Yoon Si-woo, who had tasted her cooking, could vouch for that.


And he knew these things better than anyone.


Have you seen it? What Scarlet was willing to do to change the future where she dies?


Have you tasted it? How warm is the food she made?


So what do you even know about Scarlet, to go around saying you want to make her your wife or not?


The storm of these thoughts swirled fiercely in Yoon Si-woo's heart.


And behind that storm of anger was nothing but anxiety.


Scarlet was living with him in his house.


But even though they were under the same roof, it was a fragile connection that she could break anytime if she wanted to leave.


And even that, the time they spent together was at most one day a week.


The one who went to the academy with her would spend much longer time with her than him.


Which meant that any time, Scarlet’s heart might lean towards him instead of Si-woo.


In Yoon Si-woo’s imagination, Scarlet smiled and said,


“Yoon Si-woo. Just like I promised you, I’ve found my happiness.”


Next to the man standing before him, not by his side.


“I think I can be happy with this person.”


And seeing her say that, could he truly...


...Bless her?


Yoon Si-woo stared blankly at Dwight, who stood next to Scarlet in his imagination.


Although dark circles were visible under his eyes, he had a face that anyone would call handsome aside from that.


His abilities, too, while not as exceptional as Yoon Si-woo’s, were still respectable and could hold their own anywhere.


Moreover, unlike Si-woo who had no parents, Dwight was from a renowned noble family.


Could it really be said that there’s no chance at all that Scarlet would choose him over Si-woo?


Looking at Dwight, who was calmly listing Scarlet’s virtues, a surge of impulse rose in Yoon Si-woo’s heart.


Ah, I want to run home right now.


Run home and tell Scarlet,


That she belongs to me, not to anyone else.


He wanted to make that clear to her.


While Yoon Si-woo's eyes were flashing fiercely, Dwight’s voice reached his ears.


“Well, even so, it’s not like I’d actually do something wasteful like getting married.”


Si-woo, whose mind had gone blank at Dwight’s sudden declaration of disinterest in marriage right after praising Scarlet so eagerly, responded with a dumbfounded voice.


“What...?”


“I said I’d never do something wasteful like getting married. If I got married, I’d lose time to someone else, wouldn’t I? I barely have enough time for magic as it is, so spending it on a relationship would be a waste. A woman is a luxury on the path of magic.”


Dwight’s statement, which suddenly dismissed Scarlet as a mere triviality, left Yoon Si-woo torn between feeling angry and relieved.


And as Yoon Si-woo remained confused, Dwight spoke to him.


“More than that, weren’t you dating her? Spending time on romance when you should be focusing on self-development seems like a waste to me, but I understand that for some people, it serves as a driving force. Personally, I think you make a good pair. Just make sure you’re there to support her so she doesn’t fall apart.”


“Huh...? Uh, um...”


“I’m rooting for you, so if it goes well and you end up getting married, I’d like to receive a wedding invitation. I’ll make sure to take time out to attend that day.”


Hearing the word “marriage,” Yoon Si-woo’s face flushed bright red, and he couldn’t get his thoughts together.


The words about them being a good match, the words of encouragement—they were all sincere.


For heaven’s sake, what was I even thinking about this great guy...


Perhaps it was his imagination, but Dwight seemed to be glowing with a radiant aura.


The men Yoon Si-woo had met so far were mostly busy feeling jealous whenever a woman they liked was near, so this was his first time receiving such pure support...


Suddenly, Yoon Si-woo found himself wanting to befriend the boy standing in front of him, so he shyly offered his phone and said,


“...Hey, let’s be friends from now on. Can I get your number?”


And so, for the first time in his life, Yoon Si-woo made a male friend.


Watching this, Lucy shook her head with a deep sigh.


---------------------


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Comments

  1. Dwight is just that bro, the guy...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lmao I love Dwight. He just like me frfr cuz if I got a gf I'd have less time to spend on the things I like its not like girls hate me or anything

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wish I got my priorities straight like Dwight

    ReplyDelete

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