Free City (2)
“...No.”
It was clearly a deliberate timing for the question. Knowing full well how he'd react if she didn't answer, Ruina gave him a response.
“You really won't sleep?”
“Yeah. But I'm going to now. You should too.”
With that, she cut off the conversation. Before it could get any more annoying, Ruina closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.
But then, a rustling sound came from beside her. By the time Ruina turned toward the noise in reaction...
“Hehe, Senior Ruina.”
Rana had slipped into her bed. Judging by the speed of her movements, it wasn't her first or second time doing this.
Surprisingly, it wasn't unpleasant. Rana's body heat was warm, and her scent was sweet. That aside, being bothered was a different matter entirely. The only one allowed to bother her like this was her disciple, Kyle.
“I'm sleeping. Go away.”
She tried to shoo her off, but it was no use. Rana clung even closer and said,
“Can't I just talk with you a little, Senior?”
“Ugh...”
Ruina faltered at those sparkling eyes directed her way. No matter how many times she saw them, she could never get used to it. Some inexplicable, strange feeling washed over her, making her think she had to go along with it.
That was why, despite always finding it annoying, she ended up giving in every time—like she always had.
“Say it quick. I'm sleepy.”
In the end, Ruina gave in this time too.
“Thank you!”
At Ruina's permission, Rana hugged her even tighter. Being small, Ruina fit perfectly into Rana's embrace.
“It's stuffy...”
“Really stuffy?”
“Yeah.”
At her senior's affirmation, Rana loosened her hold a bit. Even a light embrace seemed too tight for her.
And so, the two lay facing each other in the same bed. Rana started the conversation with a light topic.
“Is this your first trip like this, Senior?”
“First time.”
If sleeping outside while traveling counted as a trip, then yes, it was her first. Ruina always returned home within a day, even when going somewhere.
“So, how's your first trip? Fun?”
“Yeah. Fun.”
Ruina's top interest was always alchemy, but that didn't mean this unfamiliar experience wasn't enjoyable. If anything, the novelty made it more fun. Especially since she was traveling with her disciple. Moving together, eating together, talking—all of it.
“Really fun.”
It was so enjoyable that an unconscious smile crept onto her face.
That was why she wanted to travel just the two of them, like last time in the Magic Kingdom, without anyone else tagging along. If it had been that way, surely...
“Would've been more fun just with my disciple.”
Yeah, definitely way more fun than now. Because he was her favorite junior and disciple.
Hearing that mutter right in front of her, Rana quietly asked,
“Does Senior Ruina... dislike me?”
At the question, a question mark popped up over Ruina's head. She couldn't understand why Rana would say that. Setting aside the annoyance, the girl in front of her was clearly a good person. She cared for Ruina almost as much as Kyle did.
Dislike a junior like that? Impossible.
“I like you. Second to my disciple.”
“I like you too, Senior!”
At those words, Rana beamed and hugged her again. The stuffiness enveloped her once more, but seeing that happy face, Ruina stayed still.
“Then, Senior.”
“Yeah.”
“What about Junior Evan?”
At the name Evan, Ruina's face scrunched up.
“Don't like him. Don't mention him.”
“What don't you like about him?”
“I told you. He resembles someone.”
“Kyle and Junior Evan don't resemble each other at all, though?”
“He just... does.”
Their faces, personalities, auras—Rana was right; there was no resemblance. But still, they were alike somehow. Ruina didn't know how to put it into words. There was just something that made her feel they were the same type.
And that wasn't the only reason she disliked him.
“Hanging around every day makes me dislike him more.”
Ruina might hole up in her workshop, but she knew who her disciple spent time with. And the one he was always with was that junior and him.
“Then do you dislike me too, since I hang around with him?”
“Yeah. Dislike. Cuts into my time with him.”
Less time with her disciple? She could never like that. Of course, Ruina liked Rana otherwise. But combining what she disliked with what she disliked made that guy utterly unlikable.
“Still, Senior Ruina.”
“What.”
“Couldn't you at least try getting along with Junior Evan? Even if not close.”
“No.”
Ruina answered instantly. Get along with that guy who soured her mood just by looking at him? She'd rather die.
“Even if it's a request from Kyle?”
“...He said that?”
“Yes! There'll be all sorts of troubles in the Free City, right? We can't keep fighting then. So Kyle asked me to put in a good word.”
Ruina pondered briefly, but the conclusion came quickly.
“Fine. I'll try...”
Truth be told, she didn't like it, but it was her disciple's request, so she'd do it. He'd been so considerate of her so far. Plus, Rana seemed to want it too, so she accepted.
Rana was her second-favorite junior. When both the ones she liked asked directly, she couldn't refuse. If it had been anyone else, she'd have shot it down without hesitation unless her disciple was there.
After that, the two chatted softly in the bed. Before long, Ruina's eyes began drooping occasionally.
“Sleepy?”
“Yeah... sleepy.”
Maybe because the bed was comfortable. Or because her mind was at peace. Unlike usual, her body craved sleep.
Hearing that, Rana quietly summoned a spirit. The dream spirit from the spirit realm carefully settled on the head of the nearly sleeping Ruina. At the same time, Rana sang a lullaby soft enough not to disturb her ears.
As the pleasant voice reached her ears, Ruina's consciousness sank deeper. Just before she fully drifted off...
“Good night, Senior Ruina.”
“Yeah...”
Rana whispered softly, and Ruina closed her eyes in Rana's arms.
Thus lost in dreams, Ruina. Watching her, Rana voiced her feelings.
“So cute.”
Her actions, her speech—nothing about her wasn't cute. Even sleeping, she was cute. How could such a being exist in the world? The senior in her arms was cute enough to call the cutest in the world.
“A little longer hug should be fine, right?”
With that, Rana carefully pulled Senior Ruina closer.
“Haa, Senior...”
Rough breaths escaped in her joy. If she let herself go even a bit more, she might lose control and squeeze tighter.
Truthfully, Rana's feelings toward her senior hadn't been this strong until just now. She'd always thought her cute, but no real affection had bloomed. The turning point was hearing Senior Ruina's thoughts moments ago.
Originally, she'd started the talk because of Kyle's request. As they'd discussed, Ruina and Evan weren't on good terms. So she'd led the conversation there, and...
She'd seen something unexpected. Rana had always seen Senior Ruina as blunt. She rarely showed emotions, and when she did, it was simply “like” or “dislike.”
But no. Senior Ruina felt emotions properly; she just didn't know what to call them.
Just now too. Wanting to be alone with Kyle was possessiveness. Not wanting him with others was jealousy. Liking Kyle was love.
Senior Ruina hadn't realized any of it. So it all boiled down to like or dislike. That made her even cuter, purer.
People called Rana pure, but that was wrong. She knew everything—how dirty, chaotic, and rotten the world was. So “pure” fit Senior Ruina, not her.
“To think someone like this becomes an adult next year.”
If one word defined her senior, it was child. A grown body with a child's mind. Senior Ruina was far too immature to call an adult.
What if she realized what her feelings were? Curiosity even stirred. Would she panic? Get embarrassed? Obsess over love?
Whatever it was, it'd be fun to see. Surely cute, no matter what.
Of course, she had no intention of just handing Kyle over. As she'd vowed in front of him, she'd claim his love first.
“Yawn~ Sleepy...”
Sleepiness finally overtook her. Rana closed her eyes too. But before drifting off...
“Hehe, so soft.”
She stroked her senior's hair one last time. There was something addicting about Senior Ruina's hair.
With her positivity fully recharged, Rana...
“Senior Ruina. Sweet dreams.”
...whispered again, looking forward to the day they'd be together.
Thanks to Rana's good talk, the train journey proceeded without issues. And after the long trip, they finally arrived in the Free City.
“Haa, that was long. Really.”
After seeing nothing but sand-filled deserts, the sight of the city was a welcome change.
How long she'd waited for this. The others felt the same.
“Uwaa! Land at last!”
“Ugh, that was rough.”
“Boring...”
No matter how luxurious the room, it only felt that way for the first 2-3 days. The body might rest, but the mind couldn't stay intact. Days confined in one place wear down the spirit.
We left the station and headed into the city. Instead of the dull sand tones, buildings in vibrant colors and unique designs greeted us.
“Hyungnim. I was worried about a city in the desert, but it's built as well as the imperial capital?”
Evan voiced his impressions. For a desert city, the Free City looked surprisingly intact. No sandstorms ravaging buildings. Not too hot, sunlight just right—people strolled freely.
“It's that barrier.”
The reason the city stayed pristine was the mana barrier enveloping it, blocking the desert's harsh elements.
“Whoa, that must cost a fortune?”
“About 20 top-grade magic stones a day.”
“Uh... how much is that?”
“One top-grade stone is 1,000 gold. So around 20,000 gold total!”
“Wow, that's insane spending. Can this small city handle it?”
Evan, being a commoner, would think that, but considering the profits, it was no issue at all.
Then Senior Ruina chimed in.
“Free City's the fourth richest on the continent. Why worry.”
“That much?”
“Look at those casinos. Don't look broke.”
The Free City was famous for auctions, but casinos were even more so. They took up half the city—the continent's largest facilities. That's why it's called the city of indulgence.
Just looking around, pleasures of all kinds abound. Desert and gambling. Somewhat expected, but the motif was Las Vegas.
“Idiot. You don't even know that.”
“Ehey, I might not. Your senior's too harsh, Hyungnim.”
“...Don't call me that.”
A spat broke out over Evan's form of address. She'd warned him multiple times, but he slipped it in occasionally. Still, this was much improved. It ended in mere words.
“Anyway, watch your wallets. One slip and they'll be cleaned out.”
Free City in name, but close to lawless. Watch for pickpockets and thieves. Gangs too. There was a market and guards, but they focused more on casinos—the biggest moneymakers.
“But where are we headed?”
“Thinking of booking rooms first...”
We needed a place until the auction. But with auction season, no vacancies likely. If any, sky-high prices.
Should've asked Ratral to book a hotel. Tricky situation.
Or someone to help us...
“No escort knights, kids coming alone.”
“Two girls, two boys. Pretty faces—good for slaves.”
“Take 'em!”
Right then, about ten thugs blocked our path.
“Here they come.”
The guys to get us out of this mess.