Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: I'm Not Sulking
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"I'm not sulking."
"Everything checks out normal."
In the consultation room of a psychiatric clinic, a man with barely any hair left on the sides, slicked up top, spoke up.
His gentle expression, the stacks of documents and awards around him.
His relaxed demeanor and firm tone explained just how much authority he held in his field.
That was why Isia was flustered.
"N-Normal?"
"Yes. Completely normal."
"Th-That can't be right. The symptoms were exactly like what I saw online—!!"
As Isia cried out in panic, the man adjusted his glasses and picked up her file.
"All your tests came back normal. You had more than three, and they all showed nothing wrong. Even the counseling—"
That couldn't be. As Isia's face paled, a voice came from beside her.
It was a deep, yet charismatic voice.
"The test results. Are you certain?"
"Yes. Completely—"
"Certain?"
"...Yes."
Hmm. Isiu let out a low groan, his expression darkening. He'd dropped everything the moment his daughter mentioned going to a psychiatrist, using high-level magic Teleport to rush after her.
Others might think using Teleport for something so trivial was overkill, but to him, it was important.
"Normal, huh."
Hearing "normal" brought relief, but also an odd unease. Why was she so fixated on bipolar disorder?
"Or maybe it only happens in specific situations. Any ideas?"
At the question, Isia gazed up at the ceiling thoughtfully before speaking.
"Hmm. Not sure. It started suddenly yesterday. Oh, wait—yesterday I was with this one person the whole time. Maybe it's them? They're really good at pissing people off."
"Hmm. Who? Male or female? Tell me exactly what happened."
"Um. A guy. Seeing him talk to someone else made me furious, but when he talked to me, it went away—"
Hmm. The man gave her a strange look and asked what he framed as his final question.
"What's his name?"
"Lee Seong-hoon—"
BAM!!
Before Isia could finish, Isiu shot to his feet with a loud crash. His face wasn't fully visible, but the atmosphere shifted.
Stunned by her father's unfamiliar demeanor, Isia hesitated as words poured from his mouth.
"Again."
"Pardon?"
"Again. Run the tests again."
"No, sir. She's already normal—"
The man tried showing the test results, but the response was the same.
"Again."
Justitia's dorms are divided into five tiers.
They're grouped in blocks of 200 ranks, with better facilities and management the higher you go.
As for where someone ranked 1028 like me lives? About 28 people are stuck in the 800-1000 range rooms.
In other words, to move up, I need to beat someone in the 700s.
"Why are you explaining this to me?"
Sophia grumbled with a pout. Eyes narrowed, lips pursed. She wouldn't even meet my gaze.
If we crossed paths by chance, she'd huff and turn away. If I forced eye contact, she'd glare.
"You're really sulking."
"I don't know what you did, but it's your fault. Making such a beautiful lady pout like that."
What was with these guys ganging up? I didn't do anything wrong. She ditched me to meet that psycho, that's all.
Shouldn't she be impressed with me, her affinity shooting up, flags popping everywhere?
Blushing is the normal reaction, right?
"No, it's not."
We spoke in unison.
"You know what I'm thinking? Anyway, you two get along great."
Lucy crossed her arms and smirked smugly at my question.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"True. Though not friends."
Raphael beamed, cradling Lachesis. Saying something so vicious with a smile. Angels really are different.
"I'm not sulking."
What now? Saying that in this situation has zero credibility. At least tuck in those pouty lips first.
"I said I'm not."
"If you say so."
This was bordering on threats. Fine, she's not sulking. Hear that, neighbors? Sophia's not sulking!!
"Tsk tsk. No clue about a woman's heart."
"I wasn't gonna say it, but why are you still here? We have a strategy meeting. Mind leaving?"
Lucy smiled brightly at my words, fanning her mouth with her fan.
"Oh my. Who's the one who sat in my seat? I'm not going until I finish this black tea."
So I smiled back. Veins bulging on my forehead? But yeah, smiling.
"Yeah? Guess no choice then. Listen in, and you're an accomplice. Help out? This isn't a request. It's an order."
"Oh? Ordering me? Wanna test that? No one commands the Violet family."
"One just did! Yep, conversation over!! Meeting starts now, so chip in!!"
Crackle!!
Sparks flew as Lucy and I rose, glaring at each other.
"Whoa, Lachesis. People shoot lasers with their eyes these days."
Nyaang—!! Lachesis meowed, and moments later—
BAM!!!
A sound like a table shattering rang out. Looking over, the table was fine, but Sophia grinned innocently.
Ah, correction. Not grinning. Just her eyes.
"I never said I'd help."
"S-Sophia. You're a maid—"
"I didn't say I would."
"..."
Scary. Terrifying. Normally she'd smile and help—what had gotten into her?
"I said I'm not sulking."
As if reading my mind, Sophia spoke. Now even her eyes weren't smiling.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but I'm really not. I wasn't worried after you left saying that yesterday. No contact until the next day, then suddenly 'come here'—definitely not mad about that."
"Um. Sophia."
"What!!"
She'd spilled it all herself.
"Ah!!"
Realizing what she'd said, Sophia's face flushed red. Matching her eye color, she bowed her head hurriedly.
Then she raised her hand. Steam rising from her face—are you okay?
Only her middle finger was up.
"O-One time."
"One time?"
"P-Pretend you didn't hear."
"Think that'll work?"
"N-No~ Of course not~?"
Why even ask the obvious?
For all her talk, our beet-red vampire lady did help out.
Isia, Sophia—why play hard to get when you're gonna help anyway?
Had they forgotten their maid duties? Time for a dictionary refresher on "maid."
Smacking your master in the back of the head when you're in a mood? That's a maid?
"Sophia."
"...What."
"Look up the dictionary definition of 'maid' tonight. Homework."
Sophia pouted at my words, glaring sleepily. Whatever.
Sure, it was my fault. But isn't a maid supposed to endure and wait even if the master's wrong?
"In this day and age, isn't the guy who turns women into maids the bad one?"
True, but once you're a maid, do your job.
You're the ones who benefit most from being my maids.
"Lady Sophia. Want to maid at our estate instead of that guy? Way better treatment. Name your pay."
What is this? Not like poaching from a rival corp.
Sophia shook her head with a smile at Lucy's words. Still embarrassed, her cheeks pink.
"Too bad. Opponent's set, so I'm off. Say bye to Isia. You."
"What? You prep the treasure vault. Purple punk."
"P-Purple punk?! I haven't lost yet?"
"Shut it. Go."
I shooed her, and Lucy rose with a twitching eyebrow. She greeted Raphael and Sophia, then vanished.
"Tsundere?"
"All tsun, no dere."
"She helped, so dere. What, deriyaki?"
"Is food all that's in your head?"
"Lower realm food's too tasty."
I ignored the ahem-ing weirdo.
I checked the target: some 700s nobody. An extra I'd never described.
Frontliner, easy prey for my rune magic.
Sophia wasn't much help. Her intel only covered half our class.
Lucy was different. Narrow scope, but this psycho watched every Justitia ranking match and prepped counters.
Classic crazy mage, but useful now. That's why I let her off easy at the end.
Am I not nice?
"Here we go again."
Quiet. As I ruffled the blonde's hair pityingly, Sophia clapped like she'd remembered something.
"No personality this time."
"Ah."
We said it together. Raphael and I locked eyes, faces screaming impossible.
I agree.
"No, depends on how they—"
"Don't. Wanna stay banned? Can't rank up if suspended again."
Was she my mom? I nodded at her worried gaze.
Fine, no provoking. Probably?
"Seong-hoon. I wanna live in a big house this time."
Don't talk like newlyweds starting small.
The black cat's meow-y eyes next to me were burdensome too.
Feeling like a boy head of household, I prepped to leave when Sophia approached.
Voice low enough Raphael playing with Lachesis wouldn't hear.
Whispering just for me, tickling my ear—I twitched.
"I was worried. Never doubted you."
She smiled at me, then stepped back waving.
"Thanks~ See ya tomorrow~"
Hmm. Hate to say it, but that was her first genuine smile since we met. Pure, unforced.
Why wave like crazy? Embarrassed?
"Then don't do embarrassing stuff."
"Shut up!! Go!!"
Yes. I'm the mood breaker.
The next day.
Ranking war day 4.
Day 3 skipped, but 4 was on schedule, thankfully.
My challenge turn today, and Isia's practice against Lucy.
Their fight's last day, so time left, but with Lucy Violet, prep backups beyond Chant Disruption.
Isia with Chant Disruption is near invincible, but "never say never."
As if mocking my thoughts, a downcast Isia stood before me.
Head nearly buried, on the verge of tears.
Why? No clue. Time to ask—
"What do I do?"
"I'm anxious. Spill quick."
At my voice, Isia looked up. Tears welling?
"My Chant Disruption won't activate."
"?"
What nonsense is this?