Mage and Knight (3): Snap
The sound of the magic tool on my wrist shattering into pieces.
"I got properly done in..."
I'd thought that final attack marked the end. There was no way basic magic alone could block it.
But Erin's wrist still had her magic tool intact.
"Actually, the one who got done in is you, right?"
Erin climbed on top of me as I lay on the floor. A soft, plush sensation pressed against my stomach.
"That last attack clearly exceeded basic magic's power. How do you think I blocked it?"
A magic circle began forming above Erin's hand. It was a complex one—at least, nothing I recognized.
"Advanced protection spell, Miria's Cocoon."
This spar was supposed to use only basic magic.
"It's my loss, Oppa."
In other words, Erin's loss for using magic beyond that level.
"Hard to call it a win when you went easy on me at the end."
"No, a win's a win. So the winner deserves a reward, don't you think?"
"What?"
Erin leaned in close. Standing on tiptoe to match my eye level, she whispered right in my ear.
"I'll grant you any one request."
That's when I realized why she'd suddenly asked for a spar. She'd planned this from the start.
"...Any request?"
"If it's what Oppa wants... anything at all."
She whispered again, drawing even closer.
"Even something hard to do for others."
"...You shouldn't make promises like that lightly."
"With Oppa... it's okay to be reckless?"
Watching her grin like that, the words "little devil" popped into my head. Just a short while ago, this was the girl talking about eternity together or sealing me away. How had she turned so seductive?
...This must be her real personality.
I pondered what request to make later as I walked over to Alessia and Lucia, who were watching from afar. With Erin hanging off my arm.
"Agh! Get away from Rion right now!"
"Magic, huh... That sounds good too."
Seeing Alessia fume at Erin and Lucia mutter something incomprehensible.
This kind of life might not be so bad, I thought. Blissfully unaware of what was to come.
※
After that, my routine didn't change much. Except for one thing.
"Alessia..."
"Yes, Rion!"
"...How did you pick the lock on the door?"
Following Erin's advice, I'd locked the door before bed and even layered on some magic in case she smashed it down.
But when I woke up, the door was inexplicably open, and there was Alessia, beaming as she gazed at my sleeping face.
"It opened when I turned it?"
"How...?"
"Doors are supposed to open when you open them."
She seemed to know the trick but had no intention of spilling it. Probably worried I'd block that method next time.
I gave up on getting an answer from her and shoved her out by the back.
"Let me help you change!"
"No thanks—just get out!"
I pushed the reluctant Alessia into the hallway.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump—
Suddenly, my chest scar throbbed with an alarmingly rapid heartbeat. Suspecting as much, I glanced around and locked eyes with Erin in the hallway.
"Why are you two... coming out together?"
She wasn't showing that recent seductive brightness—instead, it was the vibe from our first meeting.
"Erin, let me explain..."
"Had a fun time, huh? All... night long?"
"What?"
Erin’s head snapped 45 degrees at Alessia's interruption.
"This is bad..."
Her eyes went dead as she clenched her fists and formed a magic circle. Not to be outdone, Alessia pulled artifacts and magic tools from her bosom pocket.
Boom—!
The massive explosion brought a late-arriving Lucia to the half-destroyed hallway—that's another story.
※
Clink-clink—
The table, now set for four, buzzed with noise. Utensils clattering, salad crunching, plates chiming.
"Don't you think you're being too picky? That tiny height—you should grow some this time."
"Huh? What's wrong with it? This height difference with Oppa is perfect."
"With Rion? Pfft!"
"Shut up! Cow!"
"...What the hell?!"
The morning's fierce verbal sparring too.
It was definitely quiet at first.
Maybe feeling guilty about wrecking the hallway, Erin and Alessia ate silently at first. But Erin, still pissed about being teased, scratched back.
"What's so great about that flab?!"
"Hmm, men like it, or so they say..."
"Jealousy from someone flat as a board is silent."
"Oh, you wanna go both ways?"
And it devolved from there. Lucky no forks or knives flew—at least no one got physically hurt.
"Calling someone... a cow..."
"They're not small... average..."
Mentally, someone took a hit.
"Heh."
Of course, not everyone.
Afterward, Alessia stuck to me like glue.
"From now on, it's just me and Oppa's time."
"No one can come between Rion and me."
"What're you on about, you psycho bitch."
Lucia hadn't entered during my magic lessons with Erin since last time, so it was Erin's favorite slot. Knowing this new intruder wouldn't back off easily, Erin ground her teeth.
"You can't understand anyway, so why stay?"
"Who wants to hear your voice? Obviously here for Rion."
Alessia swung her legs from the chair, signaling she wasn't leaving.
"Fine, but stay quiet."
"Yes!"
"Hah...!"
Erin gaped as Alessia switched expressions like a mask at my words.
In the end, Alessia stayed glued to her spot through the whole lesson. And true to "stay quiet," she didn't utter a word.
Erin fumed at Alessia's antics till the end.
"Oppa, watch out for that bitch. No idea what she's scheming now, but it's all fake."
"Scheming... like you?"
"...Yeah, like I did."
Erin dragged the reluctant Alessia out, telling me to rest a bit.
"Did I time this poorly?"
I turned at the voice. Lucia leaned against the door, hesitating after seeing the hallway chaos and Alessia being hauled off.
"No, anytime's fine."
"Glad to hear it."
Lucia sat in the chair Alessia had vacated. Her nose twitched, and she stood right up.
"Your Highness?"
"Sorry. My nose is sensitive."
Alessia's nickname for her—bitch—flashed in my mind.
I flung open every window, conjured wind with magic for ventilation, and only then did Lucia sit, satisfied.
"Erin's one thing, but that psycho bitch's perfume reeks. Like she's marking her territory."
"That strong?"
"Yeah. Her actions scream dog more than me."
Something felt off about her casual words. I'd sensed it before, and now too.
"Your Highness, if it's rude..."
"Rude? Rion-kyung, it's fine from you. Even if wildly improper."
"That... bitch thing. Why?"
Alessia called her that without denial—like it was fact. And now, no hesitation calling herself a dog.
"Uh, um... That curious, huh..."
Lucia stammered, uncharacteristically unprepared for the question.
"Ahem, that's... later! I'll tell you later!"
Face flushing crimson, she fanned herself furiously, avoiding my eyes. Her ears were red too.
Seeing this rare side, I couldn't help but chuckle. It was just... cute.
"What's so funny..."
Her pouty grumble set me off again. It took minutes for us to calm down.
"Now, to business. That's why I came today."
Lucia slid a letter across to me. Ornately decorated—I could guess the source.
Ornate imperial stationery, sealed with the academy's emblem. Invitation to visit the capital before enrollment.
"They want me in the capital once before academy starts. I'll be away a few days soon. Sooner than expected, but you'll need to switch dorms that day too."
"Dorms aren't open yet though..."
"Don't worry. I'll arrange it. You can head over early and rest."
She answered as if anticipating my question.
"That's all for today."
"Understood."
The mood had lightened, her business done—perfect timing for what I wanted to say.
"Luc..."
"Business done, so I'll take my leave."
She exited, declaring no more to discuss.
Slam—
The door shut louder than usual.
"...Idiot, can't even speak."
I'd missed my chance to apologize to Lucia, turning into the fool.