Chapter 555: Jealousy is My Power (55)
Chapter 555: Jealousy is My Power (55)
Memory, memory, memory.
Is there any other word that carries such a diverse range of nuances?
It was a word that offered a new flavor every time I savored it. Sometimes it wafted a fragrance as sweet as fruit pulp; sometimes it held the fresh, bitter taste of earth; and sometimes, the metallic tang of blood refused to fade.
The man’s memories were no different.
The night in the Great Forest was biting cold. Though the woods still held the lingering warmth of the sun, the wind had grown sharper, offering a refreshing chill.
This was because humidity is as sensitive to low temperatures as it is to high ones.
It was also why the inhabitants of the Great Forest often mistakenly perceived the nights as freezing.
It was the middle of the night, with the dim moon hanging at an angle in the sky.
The sound of sobbing echoed through the forest, which was otherwise submerged in silence.
“Sniff, hic… Seriously, what a jerk…”
In the heart of the Great Forest lay the core that maintained the barrier imprisoning a legendary monster.
There sat a tiny village consisting of only a few huts.
It was the residence of the ‘Great Witch,’ the State Preceptor of the Southern Kingdoms and the one hailed as the Master of All Elements.
It was an incredibly secluded dwelling.
With only three residents, it was a place too small to even be called a village. Nevertheless, one fact remained unchanged.
To sustain life, one needs a water source.
No matter how great the ‘Great Witch’ was, she could not overturn this fundamental premise. Consequently, several water sources had to exist in the heart of the Great Forest, and among them was a hidden gem located in the most remote area.
It was known as the ‘Spring of Mystery.’
The pristine water bubbling up from the roots of the World Tree was rich in mana. Even at night, particles of light drifted above the water’s surface, creating an enchanting, ethereal landscape.
It was a beautiful sight.
And yet, standing before such a magnificent view, the only thing tickling my ears was the sound of someone whimpering.
It was a truly lamentable situation.
I let out a soft sigh and glanced behind me. There sat a girl with brown hair and a distinctive pointed hat.
She was busy wiping away the tears that refused to stop flowing.
I, too, was a human made of flesh and blood. It was only natural to want to wipe away the tears of a beautiful woman.
However, the reason I couldn't just step forward was that I was the cause of those tears.
Though, from my perspective, the reason was utterly unfair.
“Stop crying, Junior Sister… You might get caught crying all pathetically like this. Isn't that just how life goes?”
But at my teasing, the girl only raised her voice in a surge of emotion.
“Th-that’s the problem! And I told you, I’m not your ‘Junior Sister’!”
It was the reaction I expected.
I wasn't particularly surprised. She might be blubbering now, but she had long been famous for that temper of hers.
‘Lainella’s Fighting Dog,’ Elsie Lainella.
She was my senior by one year at the Academy and a genius who eventually graduated as the runner-up of the Magic Department. She was also well-known for her foul mouth and temperament, which stood in stark contrast to her doll-like appearance.
I had heard of her notoriety so often during my Academy days that my ears practically bled.
Along with Delphine Yurdina, the ‘Golden Lion,’ and Princess Cien, the ‘Blind Snake,’ she was one of the trio that one must absolutely never provoke.
She was a woman I had tried my best to avoid during my school years. And yet, here we were, the only two left in this strange, remote land, serving our Master.
It was a truly twisted twist of fate.
I spoke with a voice laced with a sigh.
“Are you really that upset about getting scolded today?”
“I-I didn't…”
“You burned the food today. You’ve been a disciple for three years now, yet you still got yelled at for not being able to control the heat.”
At my sharp point, Senior Elsie let out a faint groan.
It seemed I had hit the mark.
Well, she had looked particularly gloomy ever since then.
One way or another, we had been living under the same roof for over three years now.
No matter how much you might not want to see, there are things that inevitably become visible.
And it wasn't just me.
I was sure there were times when Senior Elsie could see right through my moods as well.
That was why she couldn't easily deny my words.
Toward the girl who remained silent instead of answering, I offered a low word of comfort.
“Master probably didn't mean to get that angry.”
There was no echo in return.
Senior Elsie buried her face even deeper. Her dejected eyes reflected the dim moonlight.
“It’s because you failed while trying to mix two elements today. It could have been dangerous for you, Senior Elsie…”
“…I know.”
The words came out abruptly, as if she were tossing them away.
I kept my mouth shut for the girl who was finally speaking her mind.
Now it was my turn to be silent.
“Do you think I don't know what that old hag is thinking? I’ve been rolling in the dirt under her for three years… I’m Elsie Lainella. I’m a genius among geniuses.”
“And yet you’re crying?”
“Because I’m angry.”
Her dew-kissed eyes were breathtakingly beautiful.
Perhaps the bewitching nature of the night had taken hold of me. Or perhaps, it had taken hold of this girl as well.
The woman, enchanted by the moonlight’s magic, confessed her true feelings without shame.
“I… I don't have time to be standing still like this. I have to get stronger quickly. Strong enough that no one can look down on me…”
“No one looks down on you now.”
“…What do you know?”
The words she spat out in her emotional state weren't particularly tinged with resentment toward me.
In fact, she didn't even mean them. Senior Elsie’s anger was merely a sort of defense mechanism.
Despite her appearance, she was an exceptionally fragile girl.
Because she didn't want her weak inner self to be discovered, she occasionally acted tough. She thought that was the only way to keep others from belittling her.
It was a futile effort.
“In the world of true nobility, there is no such thing as family. There are only competitors, enemies you have to bite and drag down… And you say no one laughs at me? Nonsense! There are plenty of bastards who would look down on me and try to trample me at any moment. Someone like you, who hasn't lost the only person you could call family, couldn't possibly understand my heart—!”
However, Senior Elsie couldn't finish her sentence.
She had cut herself off, startled by her own words. In her eyes, which were filled with obvious flustered panic, was the reflection of me silently staring at her.
It couldn't be helped.
I, too, had lost my family.
No, in truth, it wasn't just my family. My entire childhood had burned away on that day.
How could she possibly guess the heart of a noble who had lost both their house and their territory?
I didn't want to know, either.
Realizing her slip of the tongue, Senior Elsie hurriedly avoided my gaze. A voice tinged with guilt leaked through the gaps of her small, trembling lips.
“I-I’m sorry… It was a mistake. I didn't mean it—!”
“I know. We’re close, aren't we?”
Just before Senior Elsie could hang her head in restless anxiety.
I said those words and gave a small, awkward cough.
Now that I’d said it, the phrasing felt a bit strange. Normally, my Junior Sister would have used this as an excuse to tease me relentlessly.
But surprisingly, the girl didn't break into a wicked smile.
Instead, she just kept her mouth shut and turned her face away slightly.
Her complexion was flushed. Perhaps it was because the moon was too bright tonight.
I had to put in a great deal of effort to try and break the awkward atmosphere.
“So, what I’m saying is… you don't need to act so tough. From now on, if you feel like crying, just cry in front of me. Isn't acknowledging one's weakness also a form of courage? It’s more embarrassing to get caught crying alone. Between us…”
“…What exactly is ‘between us’?”
It was a sudden counter-question.
But her voice carried such a heavy scent of womanhood that I couldn't bring myself to move my lips.
I merely looked away and pretended not to hear.
Nevertheless, Senior Elsie didn't seem intent on giving up.
Whoosh. A sweet scent tickled the tip of my nose. Before I knew it, the girl had leaned her upper body toward me.
In the eyes of the woman, who had even placed both hands on the ground to lean in, dwelt a strong will. Though I had no idea what that will was directed toward.
My Junior Sister asked me again.
“I asked what exactly is ‘between us.’”
“Well, that’s…”
As I stammered, unable to overcome my predicament, I turned my head.
And our breaths met. Our breathing sounded like whispers to one another; it was a distance so close I felt I might be bewitched by her beauty before I could even measure the space between our eyes.
How many times did our inhalations and exhalations mingle?
Senior Elsie’s eyelids slowly closed. Her eyelashes, catching the moonlight, looked exceptionally beautiful today.
Hesitating, wavering.
My hand slowly moved toward Senior Elsie’s cheek. And as I closed my eyes, just like this…
“…Tsk, tsk. You two are certainly having fun.”
“Kya—kyaaaah?!”
The one who screamed first at that clicking of the tongue was Senior Elsie.
She fell back on her rear as if having a fit, her eyes filled with genuine terror. At the end of her gaze, tobacco smoke rose in curls.
It was our Master, the ‘Great Witch.’
A girl who, at a glance, looked no older than Senior Elsie, was biting down on a smoking pipe and wearing a chilling smile.
“What do you mean, ‘what is between us’? A master-disciple relationship is like family, so aren't you two like siblings? You naughty children, how many times have I told you… Tsk, tsk…”
At first listen, it sounded like a master scolding her disciples.
But Senior Elsie and I both knew. We could tell that spite was bleeding through that displeased tone.
Senior Elsie was hot-headed to begin with.
Having lost her reason from the shock, she eventually raised her voice.
“Wait, you old hag… are you seriously crazy?! The mood was just getting good, what do you think you’re— Kyaaaah?!”
Of course, the conclusion was the same as always.
Snap. The moment the Great Witch snapped her fingers, a bolt of lightning struck down toward Senior Elsie. Poor Senior Elsie had no choice but to be helplessly struck by the unexpected attack.
Tremble. Senior Elsie’s body shook before she collapsed face-forward.
Her muscles had been paralyzed by the aftereffects of the electric shock.
Even if she hadn't reached the level of a Master yet, to suppress a magician who specialized in lightning magic so instantly…
I felt a cold sweat run down my back.
“…No talking about age.”
With that refreshing declaration, the Great Witch showed a satisfied smile, as if she finally felt relieved. It didn't take long for Senior Elsie to groggily pick herself up.
With her pouting expression, Senior Elsie was still lovely.
The Great Witch must have felt similarly, as she even let out a light laugh.
“Puhuhu! You look just like a puppy that’s been struck by lightning!”
“…Just you wait, Master. I’ll get you back for this later.”
Despite the sound of teeth grinding, the Great Witch’s laughter only grew louder.
It was the same scene as always.
Finally feeling at ease, a faint smile played on my lips. Just as I was about to turn away, thinking it was over…
“However, I wasn't just saying that.”
The Great Witch said as she exhaled a cloud of smoke. The way she looked up at the moon with her hands behind her back seemed somewhat lonely, yet also deeply gratified.