CH 102

Adandito didn’t yield and replied, 

“Who said I wanted to play with you?”

“It seemed like you wanted to play.”

“You misunderstood. I have no interest in such childish things.”

“Then, pray next to me at least.”

As the conversation ended, Adandito closed his mouth. His face showed a gloomy expression.

Hierian, who expected a clever response, looked disappointed.

“Why are you like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Was there something during the morning prayer?”

“Well, it was nothing.”

It wasn’t a face that indicated nothing happened, yet he claimed nothing happened.

‘It seems like something significant happened.’

From the beginning, Hierian had no interest in other people’s affairs, but when it came to the future a hundred years from now, he had a lot to say. That’s why he was curious about what Adandito had heard.

However, no matter how much he asked, Adandito wouldn’t answer. Even now, he kept his lips sealed with a stubborn expression. So Hierian decided to suppress the numerous questions that came to mind.

“Well, I don’t know, but sometimes I think you’re overly obsessive.”

“I…”

“I know, I just said it. Do as you please. I don’t have anything to say.”

Adandito kept his lips sealed, then asked, 

“You seem to know everything.”

“Well. You claim to be doing well.”

“That’s not…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.”

Hierian responded casually as if he found it bothersome. It was a clear signal that he wasn’t interested in Adandito.

Adandito silently observed Hierian, who seemed engrossed in reading. Each time his gaze moved quickly, the pages of the book turned. It was a terrifying concentration that evoked admiration.

‘He reads books so well with just his body.’

Even Hierian’s eyes sparkled. Whenever he saw something interesting, he would dive into it without hesitation. Adandito was curious about the source of that passion, so he suddenly asked, 

“Aren’t you tired?”

“What?”

“You remember a hundred years from now. We lived and did the same things in that distant past that we can’t remember now.”

Hierian quickly responded like an arrow flying through the air.

“No? Human progress is infinite, and the Mage Tower has always been at the center.”

“…”

“To be honest, I’m a bit disappointed. If I remembered everything, I could have achieved faster progress. Maybe I should gather all the facts I’ve learned and write a book. I could put it in the restricted area, where outsiders are not allowed so that even if I forget everything and reincarnate, I can still see it, don’t you think?”

Hierian seriously contemplated. There was an extra layer of vitality in his ashen eyes that sparkled.

‘Remembering a hundred years from now and still dreaming of becoming the next Administrator.’

Adandito was astonished, knowing well what Hierian had gone through to become the administrator. Hierian must have struggled as much as, if not more than, Adandito did. And yet, he seemed so indifferent.

No matter what he did, Adandito felt like he could never become like Hierian.

What if he didn’t care? After all, they were living different lives. Adandito withdrew his interest in Hierian, just as Hierian did to him.

A calm silence enveloped them. It was a peaceful and tranquil silence.

Adandito closed his eyes and lowered his head. The wind, which didn’t match the season, gently blew.

He blinked in that state. In his dream, he saw a small fairy. The fairy had a warm light and

fluttered its wings.

Adandito only followed the soft, feather-like thing with his eyes. The fairy flew around like a dandelion seed and then disappeared. 

Just as he was about to wake up, Hierian stood up loudly from his seat.

“Siaraaa!”

Like a dog guarding its home, like a child welcoming their parents, Hierian rushed towards Siara with a blindfolded expression.

A mischievous smile appeared on Adandito’s lips. He thought the same way, which was why he felt that way.

When he saw Siara again, all the worries he had seemed meaningless. He just had to get up from his seat and greet her. And…

‘You won’t know until you try.’

Adandito brushed off his seat and followed Hierian, who had moved away.

Siara hugged Hierian, who was running towards her without hesitation. Despite the displeased expressions on Count Astita’s and Therid’s faces from behind, she held onto him tighter.

Siara complained with Hierian half-dangling on her waist.

“Hierian, you’re heavy!”

“I’m heavy? Shall I make myself lighter?”

“Is that even possible?”

“Of course. I just need to shrink in size. Then I can be small and stay in Siara’s pocket every day.”

Lady Astita exclaimed, “Oh my!” with warm eyes as she looked at Hierian, but the other two didn’t. Count Astita and Therid exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

However, since Hierian lost all awareness when he saw Siara, he decided to use magic. Although the magic failed…

The violet magic power turned into ashes and scattered. Hierian shook his head disappointedly.

“Oh, it didn’t work…”

Siara responded with a serious expression.

“I guess you can’t use transformation magic.”

“I didn’t know shrinking in size wouldn’t work either.”

“Yeah… Hierian, is there any reason to cling on?”

Hierian knew the reason vaguely but shook his head. Siara made a slightly regretful expression and patted his back. It seemed like she felt even more sorry for him as if she found it pitiful that he had been cursed.

Adandito, who had been silent, also wanted to intervene in the conversation. Until now, Hierian and her family had monopolized her, and he also wanted to spend time with Siara.

So he stood in front of Siara.

“Siara, I also have something to tell you.”

“Is it something important?”

“Yes, very.”

“What is it?”

Just as Therid’s sharp gaze was about to reach his face, Adandito continued to speak, seemingly unfazed.

“I also want to play with you, Siara.”

“……What?”

Siara opened her mouth as if she had heard something unbelievable. Even Therid, who had been eager to hear what he had to say, was completely surprised. His words seemed to have left them speechless.

Hierian, who had been too preoccupied with Siara all along, had the same reaction. He wrote the phrase “What’s wrong with him?” on his face.

The other members of Astita’s household were no different.

Everyone was surprised, and Adandito, who acted shamelessly as if he had worn a mask, felt embarrassed. But he didn’t stop and continued speaking. His clenched fist trembled with embarrassment and irritation.

“I also want to be embraced by you, just like Hierian. I want to be in your pocket, and also…”

“Uh, hey.”

Siara turned her gaze away from him and looked at her family. They all had shocked expressions. Only Lady Astita murmured with a bright smile.

“Oh, young love. Come on, should we give them some space?”

Lady Astita took the stiff Count and her son and went far away. Siara, who had been standing frozen all along, stuttered as she tried to speak.

“You…you want to play with me? Then, after dinner prayer…”

“We won’t be praying anymore.”

“Why?”

“Are you disappointed?”

Siara raised her head calmly. It was more of a surprised look than disappointment.

“Is it because I keep dozing off? Above all, it was you who said I needed to train.”

“Yes, that’s right. Until this morning, at least.”

“Well then…”

“From now on, you don’t have to do it anymore. Your training is sufficient now. There might be a need for it in the future, but we can think about it when the time comes.”

There was no absolute rule that Dianel had to disappear. Suddenly, he could change his mind and end up joining forces with the Demon King.

Countless other possibilities could happen unexpectedly. However, no matter how things turned out, Adandito had no intention of continuing his training.

He didn’t know what Siara and Eora had talked about.

He only heard from Eora that the “end” was approaching. If that was the case, there was no longer any meaning in continuing all of this. For the first time in his life, he arrogantly speculated about the will of the gods.

“For that reason, I want to play with Lady Siara. I want to treat you to delicious food and drinks as well. If you permit, I will prepare right away.”

“If you say it like that, well, there’s no reason to refuse.”

Siara nodded in a dazed state. 

Around that time, Hierian glared at Adandito disapprovingly. But in front of Siara, he quickly changed his expression.

“Wow, we’re going to eat delicious food? I’m excited.”

“Yes, please look forward to it.”

With a confident reply, Adandito walked towards the kitchen. His usually leisurely pace became faster as Siara disappeared.

His heart pounded as if going crazy, but he couldn’t tell if it was because he was running or for some other reason. Meanwhile, his whole body was drenched in sweat.

His hands were trembling so much that he couldn’t even cook. In the end, he poured a basin of water over his head. Passersby gave him strange looks, but he didn’t pay attention to them.

Instead, he leaned against the wall and muttered to himself. The words that had been blocking him flowed through his mind like a stream of water.

“I like you Siara. I can’t imagine living without you. There are so many things I want to do for you. I really… don’t want to leave you.”