Chapter 91: The Unremembered Person

I narrowed my eyes at Isara and Seong Jiho.

"Didn't you say it was urgent?"

At my words, Isara smiled gently and placed a Shine Muscat cake in front of me.

"……."

I peeled the sweat-soaked T-shirt off my body in annoyance.

"If it was just chit-chat, I wouldn't have come."

I tied my sweat-drenched hair up high. I'd come straight from training, and my whole body felt sticky.

Isara giggled and handed me a fork.

"You came rushing cuz I said cake?"

"As if! Even if I like sweets, not that much!"

"But you came."

"Yeah. Rushing."

I bit my lip at their words and just shoveled the cake in. It was delicious. The cream seemed like proper fresh cream, not cheap stuff.

"Tasty…."

"See?"

"As expected of the Black Sugar Demon Lord~"

I pointed my fork at Seong Jiho.

"Tsk."

"Ahaha. Got it~ Won't tease anymore."

As I fiddled with the fork glaring at Seong Jiho, Isara handed me a large towel.

"Where'd the towel come from?"

"I always carry 'em~ It's in my bag."

Draping the thin towel over myself made it a bit warmer. A fresh fruit scent wafted from it.

"So, you okay with this?"

"What do you mean? Ranking War?"

Isara's 5-level, Seong Jiho's 4-level, and I'm 3-level. That it?

I shrugged.

"It's enough. Just show levels aren't everything."

At my words, Isara burst out laughing.

"Ahah!"

"…Why laugh."

"Not that."

Seong Jiho rubbed his forehead.

"Eunbyeol. It's her farewell stage soon. She's retiring."

"Ahaha. Eunha, you were lowkey caring about levels? Ahahaha!"

I flushed as Isara clutched her stomach laughing.

"No! But what'd you just say? Farewell stage?"

I widened my eyes. Retiring? The talent who should inherit Reverse Flow after me retiring?

"…You didn't know?"

I blankly nodded at Isara's words.

"I, I didn't know such a thing."

"Aigoo~ Pay more attention to others. She's kinda a colleague."

"……."

Yeah, building the tower, climbing personal zone, prepping for Ranking War—I hadn't paid attention to others.

"For real? Retiring…? That Eunbyeol?"

"Not confirmed…. But vibe's like that."

Isara said, cradling her warm mug.

"Usually juniors do a performance stage as farewell before retiring."

"……."

Seong Jiho leaned back, hands behind head.

"Well, Eunbyeol's performance stage would be pretty. Her magic sparkles a ton. Honestly cute face too."

"……."

I furrowed my brows, eyeing the half-eaten cake.

"Then Eunbyeol…."

As I tried to speak seriously, a woman approached hesitantly.

"Um, Isara Mage-nim, right? C-congrats on pro promotion!"

She handed over stiff paper with Magic.

"C-can I get an autograph?!"

"Ahah, of course~"

Isara smiled softly and signed elegantly. Only then did I notice the crowd subtly gathering. Everyone stared at Isara with sparkling eyes.

"Uh, um…."

Seong Jiho narrowed his eyes at my sullen face.

"What, hurt no one's into you?"

I pointed at my face.

"Me?"

I giggled at Seong Jiho.

"Worry about your own face first. Hehe, look at you all sulky not knowing what to do."

Seong Jiho hurriedly touched his face.

"N-no?"

"Sure~ Offended they don't recognize Crown Prince Your Highness?"

"No! Y-you looked sulky too."

"I was just thinking of Eunbyeol."

I teased Seong Jiho with a smile.

"Lowkey caring about popularity, huh. Like a kid."

As I started teasing, Seong Jiho bit his lip.

"Why am I always the one getting it when with you?"

"Different if just us two?"

Looking back and forth at Isara and Seong Jiho, he snorted.

"Sera's secretly airhead so I nag her."

Sera just smiled gently, signing for the next person. I nodded at Seong Jiho's odd expression.

"Yeah, hang in there."

"……."

"Ah, but that's not important."

I furrowed brows, tapping the table.

"Eunbyeol retiring—what's that mean."

"Hm, same procedure as other retiring mages, so probably, not certain."

"Then still a chance."

"Could be us jumping the gun."

I cut a small piece of cake, popped it in, nodded.

"Gotta see Eunbyeol."

"Huh? Now?"

"When else."

"N-now? I haven't finished all the autographs!"

I nodded at the huge line in front of Isara.

"Being famous must be a pain."

As I clicked tongue and sat back, a burly man came running from afar.

"Eunha-nim!!!"

Momentarily clenched fist at Mus-like build, but up close: masculine face, muscular body. The bear-like giant panted, handing me a photobook.

"Ah, photobook. Said it'd arrive today."

"S-sign please."

The man gasping, handing the photobook.

"So, requesting my autograph?"

"Yes. Ran here soon as I saw online."

I quietly glanced at Seong Jiho beside me. He just silently sipped bitter black tea.