Chapter 211
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: Cognitive Dissonance
"It's fucking huge."
My mouth uttered those words, and that was how ridiculously spacious this damn swordsmanship clan's estate was.
We'd clearly been on private property for a while now. Over twenty minutes? Yet this godforsaken limousine showed no signs of stopping.
According to the folks up front, it had something to do with magic and the size of the grounds.
Coming from a world without magic, I couldn't help but wonder if something like this was even possible back in Korea.
Whatever. Magic rules. Our magic is omnipotent, and since God is omniscient, doesn't having magic make you omnipotent too?
"That's blasphemy."
Suit yourself. Why so serious? That old man's got no divinity. If he just shaved that beard, I'd have no complaints.
Catching Michael’s unwavering glare, I instinctively averted my eyes, only to lock gazes with Shin Ga-yeon, who was smiling right in front of me.
Her bright blue eyes met mine, and she flashed a grin. Tilting her head naturally to the side, she beamed the cutest smile in the world.
"We're almost there. Sorry for the inconvenience. But isn't it great? All this vast estate could be yours!!"
What the hell was that? Giving it to me? Why would I want to get stabbed by that old man? Hell no.
But then again, what if I did own land like this?
Just thinking about it made my head shake side to side. I didn't even have a car, let alone a limousine—I walked everywhere. What good would land do me?
Better to sell it all and buy a house to hang out in with Levatein.
"I'll just take the sentiment."
"Oppa knows how to say that?! I thought you'd snatch it up with a thanks!!"
"Sion."
"Hehe."
When I playfully ruffled her hair, Sion laughed like a tomboy.
"Feel free to accept it!! I'm getting something out of it too!!"
"Sister. You're being greedy."
"B-but still!!"
What were these girls on about? As I stroked Sion's head and she gazed out the window sparkling with excitement.
Shin Ga-yeon pouted, Michael smirked smugly for a moment, then reverted to his blank expression.
What was his deal?
[Sometimes you really need to watch yourself, nya.]
"Why?"
[The daughter of a swordsmanship clan and the Magic Association chair? They could chop someone up and bury it quietly, nya.]
Why should I worry about that? None of it made sense, and just as cognitive dissonance started setting in.
The limousine finally stopped. The rear door swung open, revealing people in strange attire waiting for us.
"Whoa."
Stepping out in a daze, the first things I saw were the murderously grinning uncle with his arms crossed and a woman who looked like his twin.
The two of them stood waiting in front of the massive mansion's doors.
"Welcome!! To our clan, where not just anyone can enter!!"
"Welcome."
One laughed boisterously, the other warmly, as Shin Ga-yeon and Shin Chae-yeon led the way.
Flanking me were Sion and Michael. Somehow... this felt off. Something was weird.
What was this? This sense of dissonance. Tilting my head as I followed their lead, the cat provided the answer.
[It's like a family meeting, nya.]
That was it.
Something felt strange, and that's what it was. I was just a student here to hang out, so it didn't bother me much, and I kept walking.
But the guy next to me wasn't having it.
"Pardon...? What did you say?"
Michael halted, staring at me intently. His pupils shook unnaturally, unlike his usual self. He glanced at me, then at the Shin sisters, back and forth.
Mumbling something like "fam...ily meeting...?" he quickly stepped closer and said to me.
"Just for today."
"What?"
"Only today. I'll be the blade of your loyalty."
"????"
Suddenly? What the hell was this? But with his face full of resolve as he walked, I couldn't even ask.
What was going on? Still... whatever.
I liked it.
"Looking forward to it, Blade of Loyalty!!"
"Don't say it out loud. It's embarrassing."
Why? It's cool.
"It's not cool. Oppa."
Liar.
＊＊＊
Upon arrival, we had to change clothes first. When in Rome, do as the Romans do with their magic.
If you're in the Shin household, follow Shin rules.
So we all changed, but this outfit was kinda uncomfortable. It was traditional attire modernized for today.
Magic made it less bothersome, but it still felt off somehow.
That was the vibe. Putting it on wasn't hard, but preconceptions are scary.
For reference, I complimented Sion and Michael, who'd changed elsewhere, saying they looked cute.
Sion loved it, but Michael predictably shot back with "Don't hit on me."
Before, he'd say it stone-faced, but now he smirked a little.
Not so rigid anymore. Maybe sharing meals had thawed his icy heart a bit.
The devil's cooking melted the angel's resolve.
How beautiful is that?
And now.
We were─
"This is so good!! Oppa!! I knew coming here was the right call!!"
Eating. Sion shoveled food beside me, while Michael sat glued to my other side, glaring at everyone around.
"Why are you like that?"
"I've decided to be your blade of loyalty for the day."
"But."
"That means 24-hour surveillance. To keep you from doing anything stupid."
"Keep me from what? Isn't it the opposite?! You should be protecting me from trouble!!"
"No. With you, I figure you'd flirt with every servant in sight."
What the hell was he talking about? I've never flirted with anyone. Would I have stayed single for 25 years if I had?
I was dying of injustice, but he looked so serious I had nothing to say.
Fine, do what you want. I turned to chat with the people in front of me instead.
"She eats well. That's good."
"She's at that age where she grows with every bite. Sorry if it's too much."
"No need to apologize. You can tell at a glance she'll be great. Her aura's different."
It sure is. She's a dragon— it'd be weird if it wasn't.
"He says eat as much as you want."
"Really?!"
"Yeah."
At my words, Sion grinned widely and ramped up her eating speed. Nice to see her chow down without holding back for once.
Pleased by Sion's appetite, the uncle laughed heartily and ordered more food.
"Eat as much as you like. More importantly, let's talk. You're the one who taught my daughter spirits, right?"
"I did, but I just gave her a nudge. She bloomed it herself with her innate talent, so better to say she figured it out on her own. I didn't do much."
At my words, not just the uncle but Shin Chae-yeon stared at me in surprise.
Was that it? My allies on either side looked shocked too.
─Auntie. Why's Oppa acting like that?
─There's a reason. When that human gets like this, it's one of two things.
─Two things?
─Either massive gain in sight, or he'd die if he spoke carelessly.
─Oh. The first one?
─No. Both.
─Aha!!
Shut up. Really. Ignoring their whispers, I continued the conversation.
"I see. At first, I thought you were just a reckless strong guy, but you've got depth. Can't judge a book by its cover."
"Thank you."
"I like you. Thanks to you, my daughter's gotten really strong. By the end of summer break, even I was shocked. She could take over as head right now."
"Father..."
Shin Chae-yeon tried to interrupt out of embarrassment, but he barreled on.
Laughing boisterously, he continued.
"That's why I let you come. This swordsmanship clan's private grounds aren't open to just anyone."
I listened quietly. The flow was good. Helping Shin Chae-yeon was all for my benefit anyway, and this reception was perfect.
People who help others deserve rewards, right?
"We repay kindness and vengeance double. If you want something, name it."
Exactly.
I subtly flashed a victory pose under the table, acting nonchalant.
Opened my mouth. Of course, the stares from both sides burned.
Here, one line would do. Open the treasure vault. Give me all the elixirs.
But no. Getting blinded by short-term gains is amateur hour.
Always look far ahead. See the forest, not the trees.
So what I needed to say was─
"I'd be grateful for a spar."
"A spar?"
"Yes. Me against your clan's swordsmen. And this kid here too. I'd appreciate a match."
At my words, the head's eyes widened again. He blinked a few times, then burst into laughter.
"A spar!! Yes, a spar!! Instead of anything else, you pick a spar!! Hilarious. I love it!! Daughter, where'd you pick up this gem!!"
"Hehe."
"Fine. Spar accepted. Beat our clan's swordsmen and my daughters, and I'll open the treasure vault on a whim!!"
His bombshell remark nearly made me jump, but I barely held it in.
This was it. You gotta open your mouth first, right? Unlike me suppressing the urge to leap, the atmosphere stayed the same.
Quiet, even after that bomb dropped.
Of course. Who'd argue with the head?
That aside, I was thrilled.
The warehouse had fragments and treasures galore. Score.
─Auntie was right.
─I watch him constantly, so I know.
─Constantly?
─Ah. Pretend you didn't hear that.
─?!
Ignoring the idiots. Yeah. I was over the moon. Even kept smiling through the next conversation.
With Michael here, no way I'd lose a spar. Was this easy mode life?
As we chatted on, the extra food we'd ordered arrived.
Seeing the luxurious spread before us, in my good mood, I muttered.
"This is delicious. I could eat it forever."
"F-for... forever?!"
"Waking up to this every morning would be nice."
"M-morning?! Every day?!"
Shin Ga-yeon kept reacting to my words, but I was too happy to care.
Of course you'd want food this good every day.
"Michael. You too, it's delici─"
My words cut off. Turning, I saw white hair glaring at me with intense force.
"Your mouth is the problem. Should I sew it shut? Or just keep it closed?"
Why was he mad?
Too much I didn't get today.