Chapter 50
The next day.
It should have been day 3 of the ranking battles, but today became a holiday. A holiday given by Justitia to clean up yesterday's incident.
I didn't know well since I was inside the mist, but apparently it was chaos.
I'm not sure what exactly the problem is, but incidents I never put in are bursting out all over.
Actually I know. It's because of me and Raphael. So I tried to resolve it. But isn't this too much?
"A true ancestor I didn't put in pops up, apostles that one released attack people, trying to kidnap me. It's too dangerous."
"Do you know the butterfly effect? It's your own doing."
"Half of it is because of you."
"Huh? Why me?"
It's a problem if you don't know. You're the one who brought something like a grim reaper. From the start, there are countless incidents I caused because of this one making me rush.
"Even a sheet of paper is lighter when carried together."
"Sin isn't something to be shared."
It's your sin from the start. I shook my head and looked around. Traces of destruction visible here and there explained what happened yesterday.
"This is crazy."
"Why?"
"At this rate my body won't last. We haven't even had midterms yet. I haven't even properly interfered with Kim Taehyun once."
The only proper interference was preventing him from meeting Ishia, and removing the Sophia incident in advance.
Wow. Really nothing. What have I been doing? This is all because of Raphael. Because she keeps causing unplanned incidents, I've been busy cleaning up.
Whether knowing my mind or not, Raphael smiled brightly while looking around the destroyed downtown.
"But wasn't it fortunate we were in the mist from start to finish yesterday? Outside was a complete apocalypse."
That's right. Anyway since all external tourists have to leave by today, I was going to contact Ishia's father.
I don't know his number so I contacted Ishia but only got messages like [I'm busy.] What's busy? You? Or Lee Siwoo? Is it an ambiguous expression? While having such thoughts it didn't take long to realize it was Lee Siwoo.
[Ah! Father is!]
Because such a message arrived. Hmm. Send it all at once instead of confusingly. More importantly, thinking about it this one is a mask thief.
[Give back the mask.]
She read it but no answer. Did she fall for the mask's performance? Sorry but ownership is mine.
[You thief. They say those who have do more. You lay hands on your master's things?]
[N-no!! I'll give it back later!!]
[What later? Bring it now. That's precious.]
[Huh? Ah. An item that blocks vampires' evil eyes would be precious.]
You know something. Then bring it. As I was typing a message urging her, a message arrived faster.
[I'm on my way to the hospital now, so I'll give it later.]
Hospital? What hospital? Did she get badly hurt yesterday? I tilted my head and asked Raphael walking beside me.
"Was Ishia badly hurt yesterday?"
"Huh? Maybe? There were just some external wounds? She wasn't hurt that much."
Strange. Even going to the infirmary they'd heal her with magic or skills but hospital.
I sent a rough greeting message and turned off my phone. If Lee Siwoo is busy, it'll be hard to enter the treasure vault today.
It seems he's wrapping up yesterday's incident no matter how you look at it, so let's receive it later. It's not urgent anyway.
"Let's sit here. Here! This is the best spot with sunlight!"
"Shut up. What sunlight. My skin will crack. Let's go over there."
"Ah!! So this is how you come out!"
Noisy. I firmly rejected Raphael's words and sat in a shaded chair.
Then Raphael followed and sat while glaring with puffed up lips. If you have complaints pay for yourself.
And the black cat lord who was yawning lazily on my shoulder naturally came down to the table and lay down.
This would be the natural movement to steal Raphael's food.
"But even this place is quite destroyed yet operating normally. Amazing."
Raphael who had somehow ordered food and become happy asked. I was dumbfounded at her saying something so obvious so nonchalantly.
"Don't look down on small business owners."
"Heh. I don't know about such things."
I'm sure you don't. I ignored Raphael who was grinning with her face propped up as if thinking about the food coming soon and turned my phone on again.
The reason we're here.
There's only one such reason. To make moving plans.
Meaning, I need to look into rank 700s students I can beat. I called someone who's an expert at such things but they haven't come yet so I'm contacting them.
[Thank you. More importantly why to our father─]
I marked the message that came together as read and ignored it. I contacted another person.
[Where.]
[On the way.]
"Look at this."
"What is it?"
"There is."
I left the damn blonde saying what is it─!! and sticking to my side as I pressed the keyboard to reply.
Sophia usually replies sincerely when sent messages.
She uses emoticons and writes at least 10 characters. She almost always puts special characters at the end, but now she's giving short answers.
[Are you upset?]
[No.]
Seeing her just send 2 characters without even emoticons, I felt it.
"She's upset."
You think so too?
***
[On the way.]
[Arriving soon.]
[About 10 minutes.]
"Huh."
Seeing the messages that came in 3 consecutive hits, my mind went blank. Just how upset is she.
"But she's still coming when called even though upset. Is this the maid effect?"
Now that you mention it, that's right. A bit admirable. I sent a rough emoticon saying come quickly and put down my phone.
It's obvious only short answer rushes will come if I send more so it's more beneficial to have useless conversation with Raphael.
As if mocking such thoughts of mine. Raphael started playing with Lachesis's hand.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
"Never mind."
It's awkward to ask for conversation here so I just propped my chin and looked at the scenery. 10 minutes will pass quickly.
While looking at cloud shapes like that, I heard a conversation.
─Did you see that black-haired boy yesterday? He was flying around like crazy.
─Right right. So many people were saved by him.
─The thug-like person going around with him was handsome when I looked closely.
─I know!!
─Huh? Black hair? Isn't it that person?
Flinch.
I was surprised and pretended not to hear. But the conversation I soon heard was too painful.
─No no. Not someone like that, he was super handsome. That person is...hmm. No.
"Puhaha!!"
"..."
For a moment I thought about killing them, but since I'd lose if we fought I just glared and ended it. But behind the damn blonde holding in her breath with shaking shoulders, I saw something.
A woman trembling all over. Her purple hair dances along with her shaking shoulders.
Tea drops from the teacup she was holding elegantly, and she's covering her mouth with her fan-holding hand.
"....What's that now."
My radar pointed. Saying there's something fun. I stood up abruptly and moved, ignoring Raphael asking 'Where are you going?!'
"Sob...hic...huhu...hic.."
When I plopped down in front of the damn Pororo still hiccuping without even noticing I came, she finally looks this way.
"Huh? Oh? H-hello...hic..HAHA!! Kuhaha..huhu..."
Is this one really a noble? Aren't you showing an unseemly appearance as the child of an honorable magic family?
Even when I glared with such meaning, she laughed for a while before calming down. She wiped the tears in her eyes and opened her fan.
"Acting elegant now doesn't work at all."
"It's not acting elegant but being elegant."
You're disgustingly shameless. I smiled brightly while watching Lucy smiling elegantly with her fan open.
"What business do you have?"
"Just. Saw you."
We smile at each other. Anyone watching would think we're crazy people, but the psychological battle going on was no joke. If you look under her fan her mouth won't be smiling at all.
Rather it would be twisted. Same for me. I'm just making a mechanical smile.
"Wow. I came to see something but this is really useless."
Shut up. I ignored Raphael holding Lachesis with a disgusted expression─ I tried to but Lucy opened her mouth.
"My. What a beautiful person. Are you acquainted with this person?"
"You don't need to say the whole world knows I'm beautiful. To express my relationship with this person in one word, we're enemies. We can't wait to eat each other alive."
Lucy made an expression like 'Oh! Comrade!' and patted the seat beside her for Raphael to sit. Then she held out her hand asking for a handshake.
Raphael tilted her head, then perhaps not wanting to shake hands, held out Lachesis's hand.
"Puhaha!!"
"....What are you doing?"
"A handshake."
Seeing Lucy's suddenly stiff expression, laughter burst out without me knowing. Serves you right damn Pororo.
Raphael's expression was especially the best. An innocent expression like she doesn't know anything. Even tilting her head when Lucy's expression stiffened.
There was no way to block it. Since she made such an innocent face, perhaps unable to say anything, Pororo glared at me fiercely.
What can I do.
"You don't want to shake hands with our Lachesis? Then does Seonghoon want to?"
"Sure. Nice to meet you Lachesis."
As if grasping the atmosphere, Lachesis also meowed─!! loudly. Perhaps not liking that, Lucy's gaze became even fiercer.
"What business. Do you have."
She's even speaking informally subtly. I smiled brightly and stated my business.
"Thinking about it, the cost-benefit doesn't match up."
"What cost-benefit?"
"Think about it. Do you really think you crawling between my legs and freeing Ishia from being a maid are equivalent?"
At my question Lucy pondered deeply then shook her head.
"My side loses much more. I'm the future family head who will inherit our family─ What? What's with that expression?"
Ah. Sorry. It was such a cliché line I ended up picking my ear without knowing.
Anyway whether the original world or here, whether past or present, what rich people say is all the same.
Do they get educated somewhere? Like 'Speak like this here~'?
"Then let's do this since you don't have to crawl between my legs."
When I held up one finger Lucy tilted her head. Seems she's curious.
"Give me your family heirloom. You have that purple elixir right."
"How do you know that? Did you hear from Ishia?"
"Is that important? Ah. And one more thing. If you lose to Ishia can I call you Pororo?"
"Poro, what?!"
"Pororo. Don't know I'll call you that from now on."
Is this crazy. I whistled and avoided Lucy's eyes as she glared. Well you're all purple everywhere so what else should I call you.
"Pororo...even giving 100 concessions that's okay, but the heirloom is not."
Right. No way you'd give a family heirloom~
"Not possible? Lee Siwoo said he'd open the treasure vault if Ishia wins? Shouldn't the Violet family bet something similar?"
"What? The Association President will open the treasure vault?!"
Lucy covered her mouth with her fan in surprise at my words. Well opening the treasure vault was half blackmail, but it's true right?
This is pawn shop style negotiation. Demand something ridiculous then say what you want to make them think 'at least it's better than earlier' - the basics of negotiation.
"Then. Let's do that. Ishia can't beat me anyway. Even if you roll her around all day I have methods for everything."
Huhu. Sorry to Lucy laughing elegantly, but Ishia learned "Magic Chant Breaking" yesterday. Good luck.
I inwardly prayed for future Lucy's soul while thinking about items to take from the two families' treasure vaults.
"More importantly the tea here is quite delicious. The place I usually go is closed."
"Tea tastes all the same."
"I'm fine as long as the cake is delicious!"
You be quiet.
"Huhu. Cake is important too. More importantly many shops around were closed today, do you know why?"
"What were you doing yesterday not to know?"
At my question Lucy answered as if it was obvious.
"I analyzed and prepared for Ishia's match all day. At home all day."
This is a crazy bitch. You didn't know yesterday's incident because you were doing that all day at home? Then why did you laugh earlier. Don't tell me you just laughed because you were making fun of me?
"Yes!"
Lucy smiles brightly as if reading my mind and answers. Feeling veins rising on my forehead, I asked.
"You just want to crawl between my legs? Huh? You want to?!"