Reading the Room (3)
Lately, Sivar hardly caused any accidents. His guardians and acquaintances kept a close eye on him, and he was never left alone. The moment anyone looked away, he'd wander off and stir up trouble—who could ignore that? It was just like a cat knocking a cup off the table. Blink, and disaster strikes. But you couldn't hate him for it; Sivar never quite got the hang of holding back his strength, so mishaps happened unintentionally.
"Ah... so you're that student. The one who lived in the forest..."
The priest belatedly recognized Sivar and showed some leniency. A bit of understanding, at least. But a wrong was a wrong. Luna, who'd been sweating bullets defending him, turned to Sivar.
"You can't just touch things like that. Unless you buy them. Got a lot of money? No?"
"Yeah."
"You're reflecting on it, right? Your big sis will take responsibility this time, so don't do it again."
Sivar was getting an earful from Kara. Though it felt more like gentle coaxing than real scolding. Her stern face had softened into a warm smile as it went on. Sivar seemed remorseful too, glancing around cautiously, which melted her heart even more.
'He can do more than just blank stares.'
Sivar reading the room—it was a first. A precious sight. Coming from the wilds, he rarely needed to. So this must count as 'social skills' of a sort. Sure, he'd caused a big mess today, but owning up instead of being shameless was progress enough.
'The President...'
His candy stash was already confiscated. If word of this reached Lord Sherman, a month's supply might vanish. Kara and Ellie snuck him treats on the sly, but not being able to enjoy them openly sucked. Maybe that's where the tact started—worrying the President might spot him.
"Still, it's fortunate. We have insurance for cases like this."
"Insurance?"
"Yes. Places like museums insure against folks like Sivar causing accidents. And this is more of a history exhibit, so no worries."
They just needed to ensure it didn't happen again. The priest said as much. Luna, already planning that, nodded. She stepped toward Sivar.
Kara was already chatting idly with him. She'd given him a proper talking-to, but things had lightened up fast.
"Sis. Priest says it's fine. Insurance or whatever—means no compensation needed."
"Good. Then what about this?"
Kara pointed with a long finger at Luna's words. Luna followed it. The monument model Sivar hadn't just touched—he'd smashed it to bits. It lay in rubble. Stone-carved, sure, but was it age-weakened... or just Sivar's freakish strength?
'They said they'd handle disposal...'
Luna glanced around before quietly picking up a shard. It was getting tossed anyway. The model looked ordinary enough. But Sivar's interest suggested otherwise.
'Because it looks like the tower he climbed?'
Every detail matched the monument: geometric patterns, even the clock. Spot-on.
"Sivar. Why'd you touch this? Wanted it?"
No clue what drew him to it. Time to ask straight.
If it was just toy-like, fair enough. But knowing beat guessing.
"Just."
"Just?"
"Yeah."
That killed her questions. Kara nearby offered to buy him something similar, but Sivar shook his head. Pure coincidence piled on accident, it seemed. Common sense about not touching stuff was still shaky for him.
Before setting the shard down, Luna eyed the engraved pattern closely. It rang familiar.
'...No way?'
While the other two bantered, she focused. Her blue eyes lit with realization.
[A magic circle created without using any color]
[Crafted for a special purpose. Only one group avoids colors.]
[Special Effect: ???]
The message filled her vision—she nearly dropped the shard. Her hairs stood on end.
Finally. Another demon magic circle. Proof for Lord Sherman.
Damage from the breakage hurt, but this sufficed.
'...Coincidence?'
Luna steadied her racing heart and eyed Sivar. Last time too, now again—he'd sniffed it out like a ghost. Process-wise, pure luck. The first one came from a slip of the tongue, even.
But Sivar? Hard to call it chance. Enigma of a man.
'Not coincidence. No way.'
Anyone else, she'd shrug it off. But him? Different story. That mural hinting at his 'future' self backed it up.
Luna alternated glances between the shards and Sivar, then pocketed a piece quietly. Priest wouldn't care.
"Sivar."
"Yeah."
"Tell me first if something catches your eye from now on. Got it?"
If her hunch held, Sivar sensed colorless magic circles instinctively. Like a drug-sniffing dog at a checkpoint. Trainable that way.
Not coincidence? Then his interests likely tied to them big-time.
'When can I get him alone?'
She eyed a chance to talk privately. Kara cramped that now. Luna schemed hard.
How to corner Sivar solo?
'After lunch might work.'
Sounded good. Schedule: Morning history and myths here. Afternoon splits by faith—Gaia church, Gulrak altar. Or skip.
No religion for her, so pass. Basics needed filling anyway—self-training it was.
'Kara-sis heads to Gulrak altar then.'
Devout follower. Likely. But confirm.
As the priest resumed guiding, Luna whispered to Kara.
"Sis. You'll hit the Gulrak altar afternoon, right?"
"Huh? Obviously. Skip it, and Gulrak-sama gets disappointed."
Bingo. Luna smirked inwardly. Perfect window for Sivar alone. Location scouted. Variable: bumping Ellie midterms-deep in study. Post-lunch? Flawless. Miss it, no shot.
But she'd dawdled too long?
"Sivar, come too? Chaos follower or not, visiting's fine."
"Yeah."
"Huh?"
Kara beat her to it. Sivar agreed. Luna's scheming crumbled in shock.
Sivar tagging with Kara? Ruined.
She blurted desperately, flustered.
"S-Sivar? Lunch break's for relaxing, no? Report to President, tune basics—stick with me. Better, right?"
"Hm?"
Words dripped unintended implications. Kara's eyes screamed oh really? Sivar just stood blankly, confused.
"What? You wanna chill, Luna? Didn't peg you religion-free."
"It's... muscle soreness worse than thought. Report to President, rest easy—seems best..."
"Then rest solo. Why drag Sivar?"
"Well..."
No comeback. Kara nailed it. Rest alone. Don't bother innocents.
Spot-on. Luna couldn't argue. But today or never.
"Doesn't Sivar deserve rest too? Altar's anytime."
"Hm. True. Group chill today ain't bad. Altar tomorrow together."
"......"
Read the room, lady!
Luna swallowed the urge to yell. Kara wasn't clueless usually. Quick on cues. Today? Oblivious.
Why? No clue.
"Oh. Mind if I join? Owe Sivar cake anyway."
"Buy me some too?"
"Princess has cash. Help yourself."
"Harsh."
Grace, eavesdropping, jumped in. Luna's frustration boiled. Yeonju tried slipping away—Grace nabbed her.
How'd it go so wrong? Luna bit her lip, seething.
'Agh. Seriously...!'
Nothing panned out. Her scowl slipped out.
Cute, maybe? Kara flashed her bright grin, leaning close. Whispered in Luna's ear.
"Think I'm clueless?"
"...?"
Luna stared, stunned. Kara smirked knowingly.
"You sly cutie. Sneaky naughty? Gotta watch you."
"......"
I wanna go home.