Chapter 99
"...Can't go a day without recharging that much."
"...She's seriously impressive."
Yoo Seol-ah kept playing with the shadows. Now she was even shaping them into human figures, like some kind of doll play. It had zero lethality—just decorative magic—but that was exactly what made it so amazing. Casting spells wasn't hard if you had even a bit of mana. In Astasia, about one in ten people could use magic, so it was pretty common. I could handle combat spells with ease myself. From basic mana bursts to shadow magic I'd picked up tips for from Seol-ah, which I often used lethally.
But right now, Seol-ah was wielding lethal magic safely. It was like saying a gun doesn't hurt if you shoot lightly. Not only had she stripped away the killing power, she was carving sharp blades into sculptures. Her mana control was on another level—I couldn't even fathom its limits.
"...But why 'impressive' like that?"
Seol-ah piped up after listening quietly. Was my praise too vague? Her slightly pouty face suggested yes. Guess I needed to lay it on thicker.
"Whoa, your mana control is insane. As expected from a Grand Mage."
"Ah, Baek Sion, seriously...!"
Her voice shot up an octave at the real praise. They say praise makes whales dance, and Seol-ah—way lighter than a whale—was a total pushover.
"You two, fighting again...?"
"We're not."
"No, Baek Sion keeps subtly pissing me off..."
"Got it. Don't get so worked up—come here."
Lee Seo-yeon nodded and spread her arms toward Seol-ah. Was she offering a hug to cheer her up? I felt a little wronged. I was just praising her. And sure enough, Seol-ah got up and headed straight to her. She'd always grumbled but secretly loved Seo-yeon's hugs before, and lately she was upfront about it. Seol-ah had a thing for pretty people, and Seo-yeon's style was perfect for her. Thinking about that soft, plush sensation pressing against her petite frame when they hugged made it understandable. How could a sparrow pass a mill?
It was less "hugged" and more "buried," but as Seol-ah enjoyed the fluffiness, she suddenly shrieked.
"Kyaa!?"
I sensed a flicker of divine power—Seo-yeon must've used her saintess repulsion gently. Seol-ah floated up almost airborne, slowly bouncing my way. I couldn't let her crash, so I extended an arm to catch her upper body. She landed naturally on my lap, her face flushing crimson.
"W-what are you doing, Seo-yeon...!"
"Stay like that. Looks good."
So it wasn't a hug—she'd lured her over to me. Seo-yeon was unpredictable.
"See? You two only stop bickering when you're stuck together."
"......"
Any skinship scrambled Seol-ah's brain, dropping her aggression in that dazed state. Seo-yeon was a pro at handling her. With her small build—except in a few key spots—sitting on my lap still felt dainty. We were all here, so I wasn't even holding her tight; she could've gotten up anytime. But she didn't budge.
"How long you gonna sit?"
"......Well, it's pretty comfy as a chair, so do I really need to get up...?"
The softness was her body, not my lap. No chair could beat that, but deep down, she just wanted to stay glued.
I let out a soft, deflating chuckle, and she bit her lip, glancing back at me.
"Don't laugh for real...!"
She wasn't getting up, though. Adorable, so who cared? She wasn't heavy anyway. Do-yoon hyung chuckled at us, while Seo-yeon looked amused at her own setup.
"...Someone said breaking up couple fights is the world's most useless job."
We weren't really fighting, but point taken. Her bittersweet tone probably came from being single now, if not forever.
The day had come. The MT—mandatory after starting university—was tomorrow. It was Thursday night, so a 1-night, 2-day trip starting Friday, back by Saturday lunch? MTs were just booze, games, booze, food, booze. No real excitement, especially without Seol-ah.
"Told Dad Monday's a free day, so he wants me over Sunday."
"Cool. I'm free."
Seol-ah sprawled beside me, tapping her phone. Her schedule was usually open, but this week felt packed. I'd attended all but tomorrow's lectures—definitely felt like a college student.
"Haaa..."
She tossed her phone and rolled closer, her tone unusually down. I lay on my side.
"What's up?"
"...Nothing, just..."
Not buying it. Seol-ah had no worries short of world-ending stuff. Top guesses: meeting my parents or the MT. Both unstoppable forces, Grand Mage or not. She wasn't tense about her folks, so MT it was.
"Hate MTs?"
"...Not my thing."
"Me neither, honestly."
Neither of us loved group hangs outside close friends. We'd get along fine once started, but we didn't crave it. Still, not enough to mope like this. As I held her gaze, she fidgeted, then spoke.
"......MT means we're apart all day."
"Huh?"
I first thought she meant her clothing dept folks. Her sour face suggested drama, but nah—my bad.
"...Depts go separate, so no seeing you all day... you..."
Apart from me? The actual separation was under 24 hours—I hadn't clocked it. We were always together, so it felt longer. Nights made her sentimental too.
I pulled her waist with one arm instead of answering.
"Eek..."
Her pupils shook, face red, but she didn't push away or turn. Her gem-like eyes slowly hid under lids. It was late, so I kissed her snowy cheek. She opened them slowly, face stiffening as she glared.
"...Ha. Why the cheek there...?"
She straddled my lower abs in a flash, hands framing my face, peering down.
...Kinda flustered. She sighed at my tension, then dipped with short words.
"Fine, I'll do it. Mm... smack."
I'd half-expected it from her climb, but she went straight for tongue.
"...Mm, smack. Haa..."
Even leading, her sensitivity showed in twitches, but no stopping.
...It was nearly 2 a.m. Classes tomorrow. But switched-on Seol-ah ignored that.
"...Haa. Can't go a day without recharging that much..."
Her hand slid down, clarifying "recharge." Stroking confirmed hardness; she smirked mysteriously.
...How much was she planning to charge?
"See you tomorrow."
"Yeah. Have fun."
After morning and afternoon classes, I bid Seol-ah goodbye and headed to our OFF class meetup.
"I'll run today's MT too. Not bored yet? Too bad if you are."
Expected for class MT—Kim Yujeong sunbae grabbed the mic, Jia unnie beside her. Quick brief, then bus to pension. Everyone gawked.
"Whoa..."
Not the usual cramped 5-per-room dump—a clean, spacious new build. As we toured in awe, another bus pulled up. Our 1st/2nd years were all on one, so confusion hit till Yujeong grabbed the mic again.
"Okay, secret event time! It's play day—more people, more fun, right?"
Odd vibe. I glanced at the door—familiar silver hair.
...Why was she here?
"This MT's joint with Clothing Dept! Place is huge—lots to do! Booze-only MTs suck, yeah?"
One connection came to mind. I eyed Jia unnie nearby; she shrugged innocently.
"Know someone in their student council. Total coincidence."
"...Didn't say anything."
Truth aside, not getting it from her easily. Clothing folks looked baffled too, till their rep explained and nods spread. Short break to unpack—I tossed my small bag in a room and stepped out. Nice trails, cozy interiors.
Wandering, I spotted Seol-ah peering around. Our eyes met.
"......"
She paused, then walked over, looking baffled despite hearing.
"......What'd unnie do?"
"Knows someone in their council."
"...Oh, she mentioned Aram unnie..."
Seol-ah was clueless too. Jia unnie probably tacked it on casually. If she considered us, super grateful. Same space as Seol-ah beat separate activities.
"...But if we're together, why recharge so mu—"
"Say one more word...!"
"......"
"How was I supposed to predict this...!"
Blocks my mouth after daring me? Her brighter face said together was best, obviously.