Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Mage's Workshop (2)
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The sun had set, and the moon was beginning to awaken in the night sky.
Lea and I stood before a forest where fireflies twinkled beautifully.
A little further in, and we'd reach the cave entrance leading to the mage's workshop.
"Are you students really okay with this? This isn't exactly a place where carriages come and go often..."
The coachman spoke up, his voice laced with worry, as if he felt bad about leaving just the two of us here.
We had ridden quite a distance from the academy, after all.
He seemed concerned we might not find a carriage back to the academy.
"We're fine. Thank you for your concern."
"Well, that's a relief, but..."
Hm? What was the problem now?
The coachman approached me cautiously and whispered in my ear.
"That girl you came with? She looked pretty pouty. After thirty years of getting nagged by my wife, I can spot it a mile away."
"...Pardon?"
"Shh! Looks like you two are that kind of couple, so as a senior in life, let me give you some advice. When a girl's that sulky, nothing beats a heartfelt gift. Just hand it over casually with a killer line! Ugh... That's how I ended up whipped like this..."
"Ahaha... Thanks for the advice."
The advice felt a bit off somehow.
The coachman muttered on about "those were the days..." with a nostalgic look on his face.
He'd been cheerful on the ride here, but I hadn't expected this much.
Soon, checking the time, he realized it was getting late to head home and climbed onto the carriage, ready to leave.
"Anyway, the forest gets dangerous at night, so be careful!"
With those final words, the coachman departed.
The forest, now filled only with the chirping of crickets, was left with just Lea and me.
"...Rowen. This is the place you meant by 'going somewhere'?"
Her tone screamed "I'm seriously pissed."
I turned to look at Lea. Her lips were pursed as she glared at me.
...I'd probably react the same if I'd gotten all dressed up and ended up at a forest.
"I'm really sorry, Lea. I didn't tell you it was a forest because I was afraid you'd get mad if I asked you to come along..."
"I'm not a kid or anything... It's just about going with you, Rowen."
Ugh... Hearing it like that made my conscience feel completely worn away...
My lame excuse even made me want to chuckle bitterly, and I was just gauging her mood when...
Lea burst out laughing at my cowering expression.
"Ahaha, what was that, Rowen? I'm not some kid you're worried about scolding. My little brother used to make that exact face whenever he messed up."
"Ugh... I'm really sorry."
"Huh? No need to apologize. It brought back old memories, and it was nice. But I'm still mad, so don't think this is over just like that!"
How could someone be this kind?
I knew I'd messed up big time this time and was racking my brain over how to apologize properly.
Maybe feeling sorry for me just standing there awkwardly, Lea extended an olive branch first.
"Once this is done, I was thinking of hitting up that cute café in the academy. If you'd join me, Lea, it'd be a dream come true..."
"Ahem! A cute café in the academy, huh... I don't usually go to places like that, but if you're asking so nicely, Rowen, I guess I have no choice!"
I'd worried she might say no, but it seemed like a good choice after all.
Lea looked pleased with my suggestion, smiling brightly.
'I was worried about entering the dungeon with her still mad. Glad she's over it.'
Even for an early dungeon, my stats were barely at the minimum threshold.
Without syncing well with my companion, there was a risk of getting hurt.
Of course, Lea was top-tier at the academy, so she'd probably be fine in a place like this anyway.
"Alright, Rowen, let's wrap this up quick and head back."
"Got it. Stay close, okay?"
Time was getting late, so moving fast was the way to go, just like Lea said.
I pulled a lamp from my backpack, and together we headed deeper into the forest.
By the time the moonlight's gaze was blocked by the trees.
A pitch-black cave loomed before me.
"...This can't be it, right?"
"Sorry..."
"What business could anyone have in a cave like this..."
From Lea's perspective, it probably didn't make much sense.
Caves in the middle of forests like this weren't exactly common destinations.
"Mana's leaking from the entrance... Looks like a dungeon."
Lea's face darkened the moment she sensed the telltale mana of a dungeon.
It must have brought back memories of losing her brother in one.
I thought she'd overcome her trauma to some extent, but it wasn't something you could forget that easily.
"Lea, you can wait here if you want. I can handle this dungeon alone. I'm already so grateful you came this far."
Lea pondered my words, closing her eyes tightly as if sorting through her thoughts.
...Did she think I was some big deal just because I saved her from Hardin's gang once?
I felt like I'd only hurt her more and was about to apologize when...
Having finished deliberating, Lea approached me and gently pressed her hands to my cheeks.
"Ugh. You were about to apologize again, weren't you? I can smell the guilt from a mile away. Forgot I can sense emotions?"
Seeing me fidget, Lea smiled softly and continued.
"To be honest, I haven't completely forgotten about that. I might never. It happened because of me."
Her expression turned bittersweet, still regretting that incident.
"But I don't want to repeat the same mistake. Back then, I would've ignored it and moved on, but you changed my life, Rowen. And if you're diving into a dungeon, you should've told me! What am I supposed to do if something happens to you..."
She shook her head vigorously, as if she couldn't bear the thought.
Then, as if annoyed that I'd planned to go alone, she grabbed my cheeks and stretched them out.
Eeeeek... My face is gonna rip...
Just as tears welled up in my eyes from the cheek punishment...
Lea let go, satisfied, and kept talking.
"Come on, let's head in already. Quit making those sad puppy eyes that weaken my resolve."
"...Okay."
"Pfft, now you're even acting cute? Don't think that'll save you—get moving!"
Cute? This wasn't cute...!
My pronunciation was just off because she yanked my cheeks so hard.
They still stung like fire.
...But since it was my fault, I had nothing to say.
With that, Lea and I slowly made our way deeper into the cave.
"Eek... It's so dark. What if ghosts come out...?"
"Please don't say stuff like that..."
The cave was much darker than I'd imagined.
And being in the forest, there were dripping water sounds—"drip... drip..."—and a weird smell too.
This was straight out of a horror movie.
I'm a total scaredy-cat who can't handle anything spooky...
Lea was just as freaked out, sticking close behind me and shivering.
"Hey, Lea. You didn't tell me to lead just because you're scared, did you?"
"...Shut up! What if something comes from behind? Hurry up... Kyaaah!"
As we crept forward, bats startled by the lantern light flew out of the cave.
Lea, who'd been bluffing, screamed in surprise.
I, at the front, nearly passed out for real.
'Did my heart stop?'
They say you can't even scream if you're too shocked.
I almost left this world before even fighting the guardian.
"...Let's hurry, Lea."
The workshop entrance should be just ahead, so better pick up the pace.
Definitely not because I'm scared...
Lea and I exchanged glances and dashed through the cave.
Luckily, a faint light soon appeared ahead, and we reached the dungeon entrance.
"It's bigger than I thought..."
A faint glow rose from the magic circle etched into the flat stone floor.
Torch sconces embedded with mana stones flanked the massive wooden archway door.
'To open the door, I have to take down the gatekeeper.'
As expected from the "Mage's Workshop," there was a golem to fend off intruders.
Though the Demon of Wisdom was more scholar than fighter, so it wasn't too strong.
"Lea, the gatekeeper's coming soon. There'll be a shield inside, so leave this to me."
Asking her to fight a golem unarmed felt wrong.
This golem was weaker than the ones from the entrance exam, so I could handle it solo.
Wuuung—drurururuk!
Right on cue, the gatekeeper sensed us, and nearby rocks gathered to form a golem.
A large boulder was shaping around the core.
No need to wait for the transformation like in some movie.
I drew my sword from my waist and began circulating aura when—
Bam! Kwang!
Something shot past me and started smashing the golem.
...What the hell?
Snapping to attention, I saw Lea pulverizing the golem with her bare fists, no shield in sight.
Bam! Kwang! Kwadududuk!
Not giving it a chance to regenerate, she poured aura into her fists and hammered away.
...What is this?
Lea, in her pristine white dress, was venting her stress by beating the golem to dust.
Soon, the core shattered, and the rocks lost cohesion, clattering to the ground.
"Ehehe, it's been a while since I cut loose. Feels like all my stress is gone!"
Having turned the gatekeeper to powder in seconds, Lea beamed at me innocently.
The contrast hit me hard, teaching me one clear lesson.
...Don't mess with her.