Token of Connection (4)
Just yesterday, I'd gotten a firsthand taste of what a seasoned mage's combat magic could do from Agnes. No matter how much I relied on Happy Moment, if her spell activated first and neutralized me, there was nothing I could do.
I hadn't mentioned it for fear of making her wary, but I'd secretly resolved to strike or dodge before any mage could cast in the future.
Besides, I wasn't alone anymore!
Reacting to the mana laced with intimidation, I channeled power into my sword and swung it toward her neck across the table.
Pana was a demon that had put Agnes on edge. I'd caught a glimpse of her near-peerless prowess in battle once before.
If she ever became an enemy, I couldn't afford to let my guard down for a second.
"If you refuse...!? H-how dare you... What do you think you're doing!?"
Knowing she took a liking to me, I halted the blade right in front of her nape. Just a slight twist of my arm, waist, or legs, and I could sever her head in an instant.
"I don't want to cut you down, but if you make even the slightest wrong move, I will. First, stop the magic. Then I'll sheath my sword."
"Magic? What are you talking about?"
Maintaining my stance, I flicked my eyes toward her horns.
"Ho ho, are you this startled just because I raised my horns a bit? Your reputation doesn't match your timid nature at all."
This woman wasn't listening properly.
Come to think of it, everyone Agnes disliked had that same trait.
"Sheathe that sword at once. I'm in a good mood, and I like you, so I don't want to ruin this moment."
Even with a blade at her throat, Pana glared at me defiantly. Did she have some trick up her sleeve? Or was that just her personality?
Either way, that fearless gaze in the face of death? I loved it. Her looks... and her scent... they got to me too.
She'd shown signs of forcing me to come along because she liked me. Meeting that gaze head-on meant she wanted me just as badly.
But I had no intention of going there.
"However, I cannot lightly overlook the insolence of pointing a sword at my neck. You would do well to remember this in the future. [I am...]"
I stopped time immediately and... sheathed my sword.
Honestly, I didn't want to cut her. From what she'd said, the magic she was about to unleash would only cause me some pain, not kill me.
But.
I'm not alone anymore, Pana.
My pain isn't just my pain!
I promptly shoved a piece of bread from the table into her mouth.
Then I draped her shed hood over her head, tying it tight to completely block her vision—just like she'd tried to do to me with Paranil earlier.
I didn't know why, but the mages had said this rendered them helpless.
"Mmph!? Mmmph!!"
Pana seemed startled by the sudden turn of events.
She jolted to her feet in surprise, flailing around before losing her balance and toppling backward.
Ah... this woman had poor balance from the start.
And she was still in those high heels.
She seemed subdued enough, so I caught her from behind to keep her from falling.
"Mmmph!?"
"Sorry it came to this, Pana, but if you stay still, I won't do anything else. Just let me lead you."
She clenched her fists in frustration, trembling with rage, but obediently let me guide her to a chair.
"Pana, I appreciate your kind offer to take me in, but I have to decline. I'm on an adventure with a purpose right now. No matter how much you threaten me with powerful magic, I can't abandon my current journey or my companions."
She quieted down a bit. Her fists were still balled up, though.
A munching sound came from under the tied hood. She was probably devouring the bread furiously in the darkness.
"Things turned out like this somehow, but I wanted to thank you for helping me before.
Truth be told, I like you. Your perfume is like a sweet floral scent, and it's a shame to leave this room."
"......"
"I hold no ill will toward you. I can't let you bind me, and I can't indulge your anger, so I'll take my leave first.
If fate brings us together again, we'll meet next time."
As I headed for the door, a pang of regret and guilt made me add one more thing.
"As long as you don't suddenly flare those horns like today, I'll gladly massage them for you next time too."
"...Mmph, gulp! Wait! Kirgil, you..."
She'd finally swallowed the bread in her mouth and called out to me, but I shut the door and slipped away fast.
As a woman of status, she might send trackers or have guards. I used my abilities to evade people's sight as much as possible.
Deep into the night.
That's how I safely reached Parania's mansion at the academy.
Rumble!!!
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning cracked from a clear sky in the distance.
...No way. Was Pana venting her frustration?
Now I'm scared to meet her again.
The reason I'd come to Parania's mansion instead of the inn was because Ashu and Agnes were here.
Plus, with guards around, it was safer than the inn even if someone pursued us.
Anyway, when I woke in the morning, Agnes was sleeping beside me.
On the other side...
"Ashu was here too?"
Unlike Agnes, she wasn't asleep. She sat perched shyly on the edge of the bed.
"Yes, I was with Teacher all night. She just fell asleep a moment ago."
They must have talked through the night. Maybe the mood led her to my room.
Hmm, I wonder what they discussed?
She avoided my eyes when I stared suspiciously.
Looked like they'd conspired and snuck into my room.
"Ah!?"
I pulled the perched Ashu into my arms and laid her down.
For a proper interrogation, I'd have to ask her body.
So...
I held Ashu and massaged her scalp with my hands.
Probably because I'd massaged horns yesterday.
I'd just suddenly wanted to do it.
"Mmm, this is my first time. It hurts a bit but feels cool and refreshing too—it's amazing. As expected of Kirgil... mm... "
I'd heard scalp massages dated back to ancient times in my world. But this world didn't seem to have professional masseurs.
People here probably just thumped sore spots or stretched when stiff. With healing magic as the go-to solution, they hadn't specialized in it.
I'd picked it up naturally from years of caregiving. Who knew it'd give me a sense of civilizational superiority here?
I'd always wanted to feel that way over rice, doenjang, gochujang, or kimchi.
Anyway, Ashu couldn't withstand my "torture" and drifted off with a dazed, relaxed expression.
They'd both stayed up chatting happily, so let them sleep soundly.
To let them rest easy, I'd remove their outer clothes and shoes.
Lying on the bed in shoes bugged my eyes.
After washing up and dressing with the servants' guidance, I headed to the parlor. There was a guest—a small figure doffing his hat and bowing gentlemanly toward me.
"Kiii~ Isn't this the Hero himself?"
"Tibumira. Don't tell me..."
Did he come because of last night with Pana?
All the way here!?
I kept my tension hidden and was about to greet him when Parania appeared.
"Fascinating. You know Tibumira too, Kirgil? He's a merchant who supplies rare goods to our academy."
"Kiii, greetings, Vice President. A pleasure to see your face again today. Ki hi hi, it's always most comfortable meeting you among our guests. Kiiik, now I can deliver the gift up close."
"You're at it again. But keep such talk away from others. I appreciate the gift."
Tibumira joked that he liked Parania's short stature like his own, but they brushed it off lightly, showing their familiarity.
Tibumira was one of the merchants who visited Parania regularly.
Besides academy supplies, he sourced new or rare info, hidden artifacts, precious books, and even adventurer or expedition gear on request.
But.
Showing up today, of all times? It had to be because of me.
As if to prove it, as we entered the parlor, Tibumira glanced at me and winked subtly.
He'd want to talk after finishing with Parania.
No reason to dodge.
I had questions too.
Once their business wrapped up, as expected, Tibumira called me over, saying he had a gift for me.
After Parania left the parlor, Tibumira handed me a box brought by his subordinate.
"Is this from Pana?"
"Kiii... Pana? Ah, right. Yeah. It's a gift from her for you."
"Honestly, I'm scared to open it. It won't explode the second I do, right?"
"Ki hi hi!! I heard about it. Kiii, you bolted with ferocious momentum the moment she made her offer. Kkhum, true? Kiii."
Not wrong, but a lot was omitted.
He'd skipped the horn massage and me subduing her with the hood.
She probably couldn't tell her underling about her embarrassments.
Pana struck me as proud.
One more question before opening the box.
"Was Pana mad?"
"Kiii? Ah, no. Well... not really.
Kkhum. Truth be told, before handing over this box, she had a very bashful look. Kiii. Definitely not a bad gift."
Bashful? Hard to imagine from yesterday's display.
Anyway, I opened the box as carefully as possible.
I had no idea what precious thing was inside, but it was wrapped in two—no, three layers. Practically sealed.
I cautiously unpacked the tightly bound box, just in case.
"Huh, a handkerchief?"
"Kiiiik!?"
Just a handkerchief, yet Tibumira beside me suddenly broke into a cold sweat, tensing up.
What the...? Why's this goblin freaking out???