CH 83

Chapter 83

Translator: Yonnee

—

This was what Sante said about Ariel.

“So, let’s just say she’s like a dullard. Compared to other people, she couldn’t understand what others do.”

“Then, there’s something wrong with her?”

“Not like that. Even with humans, it’s not like you all were born with the same abilities, right? I’m better compared to other sirens, but I wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to Dian.”

Amidst humans who did not have the innate ability of understanding magic, a monster with exceptional magical abilities like Alei was born.

In other words, even among mermaids who had a natural affinity and understanding for magic, someone could also be born with a lower predilection for magic just like ordinary humans.

‘And Ariel is one of those.’

Even so, she was the youngest daughter who had a hard time after their mother passed away, but though it seemed like Ariel didn’t have any magic power, she actually did. At this, Ariel’s older sisters flailed their fins.

The problem here was that Ariel’s abilities for it were, unusually, much too high.

Ariel was then excluded from any and all things related to magic and the land.

“I was told that she fantasizes a lot about the surface ever since she was young, that’s why her sisters had a hard time with that kid. They wouldn’t even let her near the magic tower because they’re afraid that she would go out on her own if she started learning how to use magic.”

As soon as Ophelia heard this, it was like a new path had opened up in front of her as she was presented with something that she hadn’t thought of before.

The question was, why weren’t Ariel and the magic tower earlier?

After being restricted from everything there was about magic and the surface, Ariel had a taste of freedom for the first time during her coming-of-age.

So, at that moment, where else could she have wanted to go the most?

‘Simple.’

Apart from going directly to the mainland, it was the only other accessible place where there was a group of humans living together.

She must have been headed for the magic tower.

And, on the way, she saw Ian’s sinking ship.

If this theory proved true, then everything would be clear.

‘The place where Ian’s shipwreck happened.’

No accident was supposed to occur, it just so happened that Alei controlled the ocean’s currents and this mishap accidentally occurred in that part of the sea.

And that’s where the magic tower was.

‘So, I need to meet Ariel and check if this theory is correct.’

Apart from that, she would have to make sure where the magic tower exactly was.

Once she did this, then she surely would be able to go to the tower without a hitch.

‘I can do it.’

Then once she could meet Alei with less tumultuous thoughts, then they would be able to smooth out their relationship.

By then, she would not have to rely on Alei that much when it came to ‘using’ him.

‘At the very least, I’ll be able to ascertain whether I yearn to see him just because he’s of use to me, or whether I miss him just for who he is.’

She knew that today would be a crucial turning point.

As Ophelia thought so, she organized her thoughts.

“Sante, let’s meet again at sunset.’

“Should I postpone the meeting?”

“No, it can’t be helped. I’ll meet the other person later after I get back.”

Ophelia looked out the window behind her desk.

The afternoon sun’s rays slanted down over the western horizon.

It felt like everything was falling into place.

* * *

As he left through the window of Ophelia’s room, Sante flew lightly into the sky.

As if he was swimming in the waters, Sante was someone who could soar through the sky without having to think about it.

As his massive golden wings moved up and down, he shot up higher than the trees in the forest that were piercing the clouds.

In fact, Ladeen Castle was considered to be a towering fortress, but for Sante, it wasn’t that high.

At best, it seemed like he’d reach the watchtower at the castle walls in no time.

Sante gently descended upon the watchtower just above Ophelia’s room.

“You must’ve heard everything, Dian.”

And, he spoke to his friend who was just standing like a stone statue.

Alejandro Diarmuid. This guy had a look on his face that Sante never usually saw before.

“…Does it matter that I heard?”

Something close to being hurt, or perhaps it was anger.

Over his striking features was this cloud of emotion that could be seen painting his face.

No matter how much the sea breeze fluttered his hair, no matter how the sharp sunlight cast down upon his golden eyes that were like honey during teatime, he stood motionless.

The rumpled creases between his eyebrows evidently showed his apprehension.

Sante had never thought to imagine that Alei’s forehead could ever be that wrinkled, so this difference was just plain hilarious for the siren.

Because the Alei he knew was the kind of punk who would have just smirked at everything no matter what he did.

‘I thought you’re nothing but a living rock.’

That wasn’t to say that his body was as hard and immovable as a rock.

Sante meant that Alei seemed to be unbothered by anything that happened.

This composure was unique to those who were strong, and this was also a manifestation of the good-naturedness that Alejandro carried with him.

Sante was friends with Alei, but he also knew the man who raised Alei.

Abel Diarmuid, the previous lord of the magic tower, and the one who raised the orphaned Alei.

Sante suddenly recalled the time when Abel had first taken Alei under his care.

“I was wondering what kind of commotion was going on inside the tower, but it turns out you brought in a child, old man?”

“Who are you calling old man? I don’t want to hear that from a fellow who’s several times older than me.”

“If you feel that it’s unfair, then an old man like you should at least look younger than me.”

At that time, Sante did whatever he wanted, even more than he was doing so right now. So, if someone else would have seen this sight, no one would blame them if they commented on how disrespectful he was.

Of course, there was no such person here right now so no one was saying it, but even if there was, they wouldn’t have dared to say it.

Abel Diarmuid had the characteristic white beard of an old mage, and more than that, he also had an even more generous heart that suited him well.

“Fine, call me however you want. Trying to convince you otherwise would be just as foolish as trying to control the wind.”

That man frequently likened sirens to the wind.

Perhaps it’s because a siren’s freedom was similar to the wind, or perhaps it’s how they would soar across the sky as if they were the wind itself.

Sante liked this nickname quite a lot. The reason he liked Abel was partly because of that nickname.

“So then, where is that little rascal you took in? Why aren’t you introducing him to me? Are you sure there’s no relationship between you? Maybe it’s a baby you had with a hidden lov—”

“I’m not going to introduce my son to a punk like you who speaks so callously, so just stop it and go back now.”

“I got it, I got it. It was a joke.”

When Abel responded firmly, Sante only raised his hands in surrender. Of course, that mischievous smile on his lips was still there.

“I’m just curious, old man. You don’t have even a single blood relative anywhere, right? You’re not married, you don’t have any family, but you suddenly got a kid, so I’m curious.”

“…Yeah, you’re right. It was impulsive of me to take him in. It’s because I caught sight of a pretty huge sprout.”

“That’s just making me even more curious. Is he that extraordinary? As much as you, old man?”

“No, that child will surpass me.”

At a loss for words momentarily, Sante then asked once again.

“Aren’t you being too hasty to decide that? Old man, I’ve met many lords of the magic tower, even before I became the head of the sirens.”

And he could say that Abel Diarmuid was the strongest out of all the living mages right now.

Some of the other lords of the tower possessed a lot more mana than Abel, but he had the greatest innate understanding and grasp of how to use magic.

“I don’t think that a mage even better than you could be born next, but you’re not saying that just because he’s your kid, right? The others will say that you’re being blinded by love. Or that you’ve gone senile.”

“There’s really nothing you can’t say, huh. This punk.”

Though he seemed grumpy, Abel chuckled. He also thought that it’s funny for him to personally declare another mage to be better than himself.

This made Sante feel quite unfair.

“Are you really telling me off now? You should know too, right, old man? There’s no other way to be better than you unless the other guy’s using black magic.”

After he said so, Sante suddenly let out a small, ‘Ah.’

“So are you saying that the kid has an aptitude for black magic?”

This time, it was a heavy blow.

With one unexpected flick of the index finger, water began pouring over Sante while Abel clicked his tongue.

“Curse all you want, curse I say, as long as it’s someone else. But don’t say such a thing about my son. I can guarantee it.”

“Ugh, I’m all wet! What makes you believe and trust in that conviction?”

“Who knows. Because of that child’s humanity? I don’t want to toot my own horn, but since I’ve lived this long, I do think I’ve developed an eye for people.”

And what captivated Abel was that humanity or something else that he saw in the child.

“Well, don’t take me too seriously. At the very least, that’s what I think. Maybe you’ll see what the future holds.”

Whether he was right, whether he was wrong.