Chapter 111: This Is Not It

< Chapter 111: This Is Not It (3) >

The misunderstanding between the two was resolved quite easily. It was much easier compared to the time with Maiden and Yu Hwa.

“Wow, you’re a Beastmen princess.”

“So those animal ears were real.”

It had to be easy.

I had to lie to Group B (Maiden, Yu Hwa, Hermit, Choi Ji-hoon, etc.) who thought I was a survivor of a biological experiment.

But I didn’t need to lie to Group A (Shin Jia, Ha Si-yeon) who believed I was a half-angel, half-elf, and a hero.

—”What did you say this time? Don’t tell me you called me a test subject again.”

—”No, I didn’t need to lie to these two. I simply introduced you as the Beastmen princess.”

Princess Rena looked at me suspiciously.

—”Is that so? After all, I find it hard to believe that you easily convinced them that the Beastmen, who disappeared thousands of years ago, have reappeared.”

She was skeptical.

Is it because I’ve been playing too many pranks lately? She’s developed a tendency to doubt me first.

—”It’s true.”

Still, Princess Rena didn’t get rid of her skeptical look.

It was then that Ha Si-yeon spoke to me.

“Seo-yul, what is the princess saying?”

“She doesn’t seem happy. Did we do something rude?”

Both looked anxious.

They can’t understand what we’re saying, so of course, they’d feel that way.

“It’s not like that.”

“But her expression is frowning...”

Jia looked back and forth between me and Rena anxiously.

“There’s another reason for that. And there’s no need for formal speech. We’re the same age, so what’s with the honorifics?”

“Same age? 20 years old?”

Jia’s eyes widened.

“Yes. The average lifespan of a Beastmen is 200 years, so their growth rate is half ours.”

That explains why she looks about 10 years old.

“That appearance is 20 years old...”

Both of them stared at Rena, surprised. Then Rena spoke sharply.

—”What did you say to make them look at me like that?”

—”I just told them you’re 20 years old. They’re surprised, that’s all.”

Rena nodded in understanding.

—”Hmm. If we go by human standards, I do look around 10 years old. I understand.”

—”By the way, shouldn’t you introduce yourself first?”

—”Ah, right. That comes first.”

I’d forgotten.

Facing Jia and Si-yeon, who were still looking surprised, I spoke.

“Princess Rena wants to introduce herself first.”

“Ah, right. We forgot.”

“We were distracted.”

“Of course, a lot is going on. Princess Rena will go first.”

Both responded with a look of realization. I gestured to Princess Rena.

—”Ahem.”

Rena cleared her throat and stood up, adopting a solemn expression. Truly, she looked regal, worthy of being a direct descendant of a king.

Jia and Si-yeon swallowed. Pleased with their reaction, Rena spoke.

“Hello. I am Rena Beast Liperiel.”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

After adopting a solemn tone, to say ‘Hello’ like that. Knowing her usual tone, it was hilarious to me.

The gods who told Princess Rena that formal speech is solemn really played a trick.

Ah, this is so much fun.

“Princess, hello. My name is Ha Si-yeon.”

It seems only I found it funny.

After all, these two don’t know Rena’s solemn tone (in the Beastmen language). There’s no reason for them to find it funny. She just seems like a polite princess to them.

“My name is Shin Jia. Nice to meet you.”

Both finished introducing themselves cheerfully.

“Ha Si-yeon. Shin Jia.”

Princess Rena nodded at each of them.

She had memorized their names. A heartwarming scene, but communication wasn’t advancing because the languages didn’t match.

All three looked at me at the same time.

Their faces seemed to ask for some mediation.

“Um.”

This is frustrating when they can’t understand each other.

Because I’ve been focusing on learning magic, I’ve only had time to teach her basic words, and now we’re having this problem.

“Why are you two here? What’s going on?”

“Ah? Oh, nothing special. We came a little late for a housewarming visit.”

“Who could have guessed something like this would happen?”

Both smiled awkwardly.

“Ah, this is a housewarming gift.”

Ha Si-yeon pulled out a shopping bag.

“What is it?”

“Jia and I tried to make some side dishes. You’ve been eating delivery food every day since you left the dorm, haven’t you?”

Ha Si-yeon glanced at the cooling pork belly on the side.

I had nothing to say.

I have indeed been using a food delivery app for meals lately.

—”Pork belly.”

“Tsk.”

What Lust felt at that moment was regret.

Why did she cling to a man like Maestro?

There were times when she thought he was charming.

His resilience to Lust’s aura had been a major factor.

But not now.

His comment a while ago had indeed dampened her affections, and while that played a role, it wasn’t the primary reason.

“Seo-yul.”

Kang Seo-yul. The most wonderful, lovable, pure, and perfect man Lust had ever met. There was no way any other man could catch her eye now.

“Ah...”

Thinking of him, the irritation that was bubbling inside her seemed to melt away.

“Seo-yul...”

The most handsome man she had ever seen. The man to whom she wanted to give everything. The man who made her feel happy just by looking at him.

‘And...’

A man who doesn’t flinch at her touch.

For some reason, she can’t drain his life energy.

“My destined man.”

Lust’s ‘Siphon Energy’, based on the system, doesn’t work on Kang Seo-yul, whose existence within the system is unclear. Naturally, her aura that stirs lust also doesn’t work, nor does her ability to absorb life energy.

Of course, Lust doesn’t know this fact.

“I wish it was tomorrow already...”

Lust licked her lips with an enchanting gaze.

* * *

Sunday night.

I was once again practicing magic with the princess.

“You. Are you really using magic for the first time?”

“Why? Because I’m doing it so well?”

The princess fell silent.

And her silence was soon an affirmation.

“It’s my first time. Don’t you remember? You personally guided my magical power.”

“That is true, but...”

She looks incredulous.

After all, my talent is so exceptional. Whether it’s due to the knowledge my brother gave me or for some other reason, I’m not sure.

Once I got the hang of it, there was no hindrance afterward. Now, I’m even improving it.

...Of course, my magical power is so limited that I can only use low to mid-level magic.

“Now you’re about as good as me at fire magic.”

“As good? Am I not better?”

“Heh. That won’t work against me, who possesses the original magic of all four elements.”

Rena possesses magic imbued with all four elements earth, water, fire, and air. It’s unquestionably an overpowered talent.

Learning from such a genius, I too am rapidly evolving.

“Are you sure?”

“I can use any fire magic that you can, and you can use any magic that I can, so we’re about even.”

“Hmm.”

I think I have the upper hand in fire magic, but she’s not entirely wrong.

“Okay. If there’s a spell that I can use and you can’t, you’ll admit I’m better, right?”

“Heh. Try it if you can. That’s if you can!”

The princess lifts her head proudly and laughs. I laugh too.

I gather my magical power.

Whooooosh!

A Fire Arrow appears in an instant.

“Just a Fire Arrow? I could do that spell in my sleep.”

“Ah, don’t be hasty. Just watch.”

I smirk and pour more magical power into it.

“...What?”

The Fire Arrow turns white.

Slowly but surely, white overcame the red.

In no time, a special Fire Arrow, glowing in a translucent white, had formed in my palm.

It was a modified spell using the Spirit’s Flame.

No matter how you look at it, she can’t do this. I grinned proudly.

“How about it? Can you do this...?”

At that moment,

Whoooooosh!

Fire sprouted from behind my back.

“Wings?”

They were wings.

Surreal wings, glowing in a soft red and white.

Caught off guard by the unexpected event, I was stunned.

“...What?”

At that moment, something flashed through my mind.

I quickly removed my half-glove and checked the back of my hand.

“Gone.”

The tattoo of the Spirit race is gone.

In other words,

The use of the spirit flame just now has ‘fully integrated’ the characteristics of the Spirit race.

“But what is this effect?”

I stared dumbfounded at the wings on my back.

< Chapter 111: This Is Not It (3) > The End.