The Price of a Promise
I’ll give it a try, Lutes.
When you confessed in the lecture hall, I thought it was a lie. It felt so surreal that I assumed I’d misheard you. But it turned out you were actually confessing. My heart raced, and my head was spinning.
Honestly, I hesitated a lot at first. The reason was… well… could I really start something like this? My future was already set for the Magic Tower, and I had less than a year left. I’d never even had a friend, let alone a romantic partner—could I really hold a conversation with you? I was afraid.
…Still, I was curious about this feeling. What was this ache I felt whenever I saw you? I figured if I didn’t find out, I’d spend the rest of my life wondering.
Perhaps thinking of it as a chance given by fate, I accepted your confession.
That Saturday, when I called you out for a walk, your hands were large and warm. That warmth from two years ago came rushing back. Whenever I opened my eyes and turned my head to see you, and your warmth brushed against the wind to reach me, I felt at ease. I think that walk was truly a pleasant one.
Veron… was that his name? When that bug-like guy who isn’t even worth knowing started spewing nonsense at you, something boiled over inside me. Was this anger? Usually, I would have just ignored someone like that, as they weren't worth my time. But when I let that feeling of anger out, it wasn't as bad as I thought. It was actually refreshing. This, too, was a first for me.
In that brief moment in the hallway when you approached me, took my hand, and we walked together—you wouldn't have known, but my heart was pounding wildly. Whenever I held your hand tight, for some reason, I felt good. And when we parted at the stairs, I felt a sense of emptiness as your warmth faded away.
‘…’
Ironically, during that short time I spent with you, I could feel your warmth, Lutes, seeping into my body.
But you know, you still looked uncomfortable. You kept watching me with those awkward steps. Did I do something wrong? Did I make you uncomfortable? I tried to think and fix it myself, but it was difficult.
Chess. It was a game I’d briefly touched upon for a liberal arts course when I first entered the academy, but because I wanted to be with you longer, I started studying it again. It was hard. I was so bad at it that I felt embarrassed. Just as I wondered why I kept showing you such a side of myself, I caught a glimpse of your expression while playing chess. Your focused look. I really liked that look.
When I asked you about things I didn’t know, you explained them so comfortably, as if you were having fun.
Those were the expressions I wanted to see.
They were the same expressions of ease you’d shown during the entrance exam.
…At first, I was curious. Why did you confess to me? If you confessed, why do you keep looking so uncomfortable around me? Could this relationship even last? I pondered and pondered for a long time, but now… I don’t want to worry about it anymore.
Seeing that expression made me realize something. I wanted to see more.
If you find me uncomfortable, I’ll find out what that discomfort is. And I’ll shatter it. It doesn’t matter what it is. I want to see you by my side for a long time.
Because I like you, Lutes.
In the library, Eline grabbed my cheeks and lifted my face. She stared at me and said she wanted to see me by her side.
“…”
My heart raced. Had I ever seen her face this close before? I could feel her breath, and I could see every minute movement of her pupils.
“Lutes.”
“…Yeah?”
“Give me an answer.”
There was no tremor in her voice. She just stared at me quietly, her eyes suggesting she would entrust everything to my answer.
It was a first. Hearing someone say they liked me. My friends would never say such things. And at home, I was practically a neglected child. Even when I was bedridden with a high fever or had a broken leg, I only received the perfunctory care of servants. My family didn’t pay me any attention at all. Was it because I was the second son?
‘You use magic?’
My father, who hadn’t cared at all, had his eyes light up when he heard I used magic, and he sent me straight to the academy. Then he told me to support my older brother and come back home.
So, it was a first. Hearing someone say they liked me. Even while thinking that she might be someone far too good for me, ironically, I was happy. I don’t know why Eline cares for me this much. Even if I rack my brain, no memories come to mind. Still.
“Eline.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve touched my studies.”
“I know.”
“My grades are really low, so it’ll be very hard to raise them.”
“It’s fine.”
“…I might be taking away your study time, too.”
Eline said calmly,
“It doesn’t matter.”
“…”
“Give me an answer.”
Still. If there’s a path already set, wouldn't it be okay to pour everything into it just once? Just once?
“…I’ll try.”
I nodded. Eline’s hands tightened. My head felt like it was trembling along with her shaking hands.
“Thank you, Lutes.”
She smiled, very faintly. It wasn't just the corners of her mouth that went up; her entire eyes were curving into an arc.
“…”
She slowly took her hands off my cheeks. As always, silence hung between us, but it was a silence that felt more relaxed than before.
“…Was it obvious that I was uncomfortable?”
“Very.”
“Sorry.”
Was it that obvious? I’d tried my best to hide it, but I guess I couldn’t help it. At my apology, she began to tidy up the chessboard as if it were nothing.
“Lutes.”
“Yeah.”
“From today, study in the library every evening until I come.”
Every evening, until she comes.
“Every day?”
“Yes.”
I had expected it, but to start so quickly and face it head-on like this…
“Okay…”
No sooner had she heard my answer than Eline turned her head and began to scan the densely packed shelves.
“Follow me.”
I stood up and began to follow right behind her. The main library on the first floor, which extended down through the branches, was so large that one could easily get lost. But Eline tapped a few books as if she were out for a stroll and began to read their titles.
“This one.”
Thump.
She placed a book on top of me.
“This one.”
Thump.
She added another. She kept finding books and stacking them on me, and within minutes of looking around the archives, I was already supporting a tower of seven books.
“Eline, this is too many…”
“This is the last one.”
When she finally placed one more book on top, I felt the weight sink down heavily. Is my back going to be okay?
“You have to read all of these by the next midterm evaluation.”
“The next midterm evaluation?”
It was the earliest exam, after all. Of course, the problem was that there was only about a month left. Read all these books in a month…
“…Is that possible?”
It was a volume that I couldn't finish even if I were given two months, let alone one.
“It’s possible.”
A short answer. Eline tapped the book at the very bottom of the stack—the first one she’d chosen—with ease.
“Start with this book today.”
“That’s a bit difficult…”
“Read it.”
“Okay.”
I nodded without another word, and in the end, I started studying again for the first time in two years. The goal: to rise to the Alpha Class.
‘…Seriously?’
A goal that even I couldn't believe. I’d thought it was a different world entirely and hadn’t looked at it for two years. But swept up in the atmosphere, I’d impulsively accepted Eline’s words.
‘I regret it.’
Is it even possible? I don’t know. But what can I do? I have to try.
…After the lecture ended, I returned to the library. The afternoon library felt emptier than at lunch, as there were almost no people unless it was exam season. The central tree, bathed in the setting sun, took on an orange hue, and lamps began to flicker on one by one. It was a beautiful sight in its own way.
I sat at a table in the corner and opened the book Eline had told me to read: On Magic Theory. The content and structure seemed to be based on what was taught in the first year. As soon as I opened the first page, my eyes narrowed. I looked at the densely packed letters and closed the book again.
‘This really isn’t it, is it?’
Of course, I could read it, but how long would it take to finish this book? I felt like I could barely read ten pages. This was an ancient text with hundreds of pages.
Should I close it? Should I give up now?
‘I like you, Lutes.’
…My heart raced again.
‘…Oh, seriously.’
I’d seen Eline’s face up close and heard those words. Who would refuse in that situation?
“Haa…”
I steeled my heart and began to read. The basics I’d started reading were all things I knew, things I’d seen before, but reading them like this felt new. Of course… it was still boring. Just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s fun.
How many pages had I read? By now, the dark night sky had settled outside, and the lamps inside the library were shining brightly, creating a full nighttime atmosphere. And I was pushing through the book with a heated head.
‘Please, save me.’
In fact, at some point, the content of the book stopped entering my mind, and I was just reading out of inertia.
“Lutes.”
A welcome voice. I turned my head to see Eline, who had arrived with her bag, presumably finished with her classes.
“Are you done?”
She shifted her gaze to the book I was reading. Then, she naturally pulled a chair up next to me and sat down.
“Did you read a lot?”
“…Um.”
I had read a lot, but I’d just been pushing through it as I saw the words.
“No, I don’t think I read that much.”
At my words, Eline slowly approached and placed her bag beside her.
“Then just read up to here for today.”
She opened the page for me. About 50 pages’ worth. “You can do it, right?”
‘You can do it, right?’ Honestly, I wanted to quit right now, but Eline’s gaze was so resolute that I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. Yeah, 50 pages… I should try.
“…I’ll try.”
I started reading the book slowly again. Eline watched me for a moment before turning away to take out her own assignment and start reading. I was impressed by how she could focus immediately even after finishing her classes. ‘She really is something.’ Eventually, I followed her lead and started reading the book again, turning page after page.
Time passed. By the time I reached the page she’d specified, we were the only two people left in the library.
‘…Finished.’
I quietly cheered and turned to whisper to Eline.
“I finished reading it.”
She stopped her scratching quill and turned her head. She brushed her hair behind her ear and checked that I’d read up to the designated page.
“…Well done.”
Eline offered me quiet praise.
Praise. It wasn’t bad. Or rather, it felt like my shoulders were shrugging slightly. It was only natural since Eline herself said I’d done well, but still. ‘I should get home quickly.’
I closed the book with ease and savored the relief washing over me. It’s actually doable? ‘Yeah, well, this much…’
Swish—
Suddenly, I felt a tickle on my cheek. A soft and moist sensation.
…?
I slowly raised my hand to my cheek. It was faint, but I could feel moisture. “…Huh?”
I turned my head, completely caught off guard. Eline was there, her cheeks flushed, wearing a faint smile. Just now, as soon as I closed the book, her figure had drawn close. And she had touched my cheek. Her lips.
It was short, but soft. As the situation began to sink in, my heart started beating like crazy. “Eline… you just…”
“Lutes.”
She covered her mouth and rested her chin on her hand. “I’ll do it every 50 pages.”