Chapter 24

### Chapter 24: How to Steal a Wizard's Woman (1-8)

“You, you little...”

“Lewis, wait a moment.”

“W-wait!”

Sonia and Luna stopped Lewis, who was angrily getting up to come over to me.

For the first time, the mask of hypocrisy he had worn all this time was truly removed.

‘Hehe, what a fool.’

[I think it’s best to try to resolve this quickly.]

Although I didn’t really mean it, I apologized with a sincerity that could rival a set of Hanwoo beef.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think the magic would activate because I don’t have the mental attribute talent.”

“That’s the most ridiculous...”

Lewis wanted to say it was ridiculous but couldn’t.

Because he had said it himself.

That I didn’t have the talent.

Clearly, when I drew the mental attribute magic circle just now, it was white.

Moreover, a completed magic circle can’t hide its attribute if you want it to.

If I had drawn a mental attribute magic circle, it should have turned golden, which is normal.

And mine was clearly white.

“Guardian student is right. Guardian student didn’t do it on purpose. It couldn’t have been intentional.”

“...Right, Lewis, calm down.”

Sonia was trying to calm Lewis down.

But Luna looked at me with a suspicious gaze.

‘Oh, I hope I didn’t slip up again.’

[I don’t think so. She was clearly looking at Lewis.]

‘That’s a relief. But this is really something. Creating a magic circle with thoughts.’

While the three of them were ignoring me, I erased the white magic circle and immediately drew an identical mental attribute magic circle.

It was a simple form, so it wasn’t difficult to create.

The bully seemed to be calming down, and after checking the others, he sat back down.

“...Be more careful next time.”

“Haha, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect it to turn out like that.”

“...”

We managed to quietly resolve the incident and continue the activity.

Lewis, however, couldn’t concentrate due to the burn on his forehead.

***

For an hour, we only practiced simple mental attribute magics.

It was also a place to study how to use small things.

Starting from emitting small currents to levitating some objects with magnetic force, it felt like a science class from when I was a kid.

After the activity ended, Lewis and Luna got up first.

“Luna, don’t have time again today?”

“Sorry, I have somewhere to go.”

“Can’t I go with you?”

“Sorry.”

“...Alright, I understand.”

Luna glanced at me and left the club room.

Lewis, acting as if he didn’t care about me at all, only greeted Sonia.

“See you tomorrow, Professor.”

“Yes, be careful on your way home.”

After a brief exchange, Lewis also left.

‘He’s really gotten easier to deal with. Now that bully won’t bother me anymore.’

[But I’m worried his vigilance has increased.]

‘It was my fault for bothering him when he was trying to be quiet.’

I wanted to be invisible, but he’s the one who suffered from my provocation.

Sonia approached me after seeing the two off.

“Did I cause you trouble today?”

“It’s fine. It was more fun than I expected.”

It felt like a fun science class for kids, for a change.

But it probably won’t last long...

If I get bored, I might enjoy biology class with you...

Sonia smiled at me and said,

“Thank you for saying that.”

“I’ll come again tomorrow.”

“Thank you. But...”

“?”

Sonia carefully brought her face close to my shoulder and sniffed.

“...You really don’t use perfume?”

“No, I’ve never used anything like that.”

“That’s surprising...”

While other women showed no effect, I could feel that Sonia was reacting excessively.

‘That’s strange. Maybe she just has a sensitive sense of smell.’

[Guardian, there’s something about Sonia Friedrich’s temperament...]

‘Huh?’

-[Unfulfilled Desires]-

I hadn’t noticed it at all.

I had only glanced at Sonia’s temperament once and thought, ‘She’s a passionate professor.’

I hadn’t properly checked her or Armonia since they weren’t related to my mission.

‘Wow... I never would have guessed.’

I knew it was hard to judge a person by their appearance, but for someone who looks so pure to have unfulfilled desires...

‘Doesn’t she get enough with her husband?’

[It’s best to find out later.]

‘Wow, she’s still sniffing even though I didn’t say anything.’

Unlike in the classroom earlier, she seemed to be deeply absorbed in the smell, probably because she had been continuously exposed to it.

A hungry person is more sensitive to smells.

I guessed that was the case here.

This might turn out better than I expected.

But not now.

“Professor?”

“Ah, sorry! I was just curious... wondering where to buy it...”

Sonia, snapped out of her daze, started babbling nervously.

“It’s fine, Professor.”

“Sorry.”

“And you don’t have to keep apologizing.”

“Huh?”

“I really enjoy being with you. It’s uncomfortable when you keep apologizing...”

“Oh! S-Sorry... No, thank you...”

Actually, I was the one who was frustrated...

After calming Sonia down, I finished the club activity for the day.

***

Three days passed.

Today’s last class was a unique subject.

A professor I had never seen before was seated on the podium.

He was a kind-looking professor in his 50s.

“I am the professor who will be teaching special magic from today. Nice to meet you.”

Clap, clap, clap.

This was a class to learn unique magics other than elemental magic.

“The first class will cover mana drain.”

The professor started the lesson with a gentle tone.

“The history of mana drain began with the continental war. At that time, wizards were used as war weapons.”

Back then, wizards supporting from the rear were comparable to tanks or fighter jets in modern times.

However, the problem was mana.

During a war that required a continuous supply of large amounts of mana, a revolutionary magic called mana drain appeared.

“But there are almost no records of mana drain being effectively used. The problem was mana pressure.”

According to the explanation, mana pressure (魔壓) was similar to air or water pressure.

When a person with more mana tried to drain the mana of someone with less, the mana pressure would often cause the mana to be sucked in the opposite direction.

“Since there is always mana pressure in nature, the first research on mana drain ultimately failed. The second research took a different approach, which was to cast spells simultaneously.”

If you can’t absorb while casting, then try to absorb while casting! That was the second attempt.

But that also failed.

“Does anyone know why?”

“Yes.”

Lewis confidently stood up.

“Oh, please explain.”

“It’s impossible to draw two magic circles simultaneously.”

“Correct. Most people don’t know this, but you seem well-informed. What’s your name?”

“Lewis Brandtlopf.”

“I’ll give you 5 points in the store.”

“Thank you.”

As Lewis sat down with a smile, the professor called him.

“Student.”

“Yes?”

“Why do you have a bean on your forehead?”

Tittering laughter echoed around the room.

Mostly from the male students.

A black patch was stuck on his forehead.

It had formed after the burn from my spark healed.

“That... I got hurt...”

“Oh, sorry. I thought it was something you stuck on while eating today.”

“Haha...”

Lewis forced a smile.

Laughter spread around the room again.

Lewis, unable to lash out in front of the professor, maintained a forced smile and sat down.

“The student with the bean... no, Lewis, is correct.”

Everyone held back their laughter, fearing they might be penalized.

Lewis’s back was visibly trembling.

‘Hehe, he must be really embarrassed. His ears are red all the way to here.’

[Guardian, you’re laughing too much. Luna Stadtfeld is looking at you.]

‘So what if I laugh a little.’

Ignoring Luna’s intense gaze, I refocused on the lesson.

“Is there anyone here who can draw two magic circles simultaneously?”

No one answered.

‘Me~ I can probably draw six or so~’

[Except for Guardian, it seems impossible to draw more than two magic circles simultaneously. However, if someone is ambidextrous and can visualize and draw two magic circles at once, it might be possible.]

‘Still, only two at most.’

Moreover, the magic circles must be precise.

If even one is drawn incorrectly, the entire effort is wasted.

“Drawing two magic circles simultaneously is practically impossible. But there was someone who could do it.”

Ludwig Rippstein, a former war hero and current grand wizard, and the headmaster of Schutra Magic School.

He reportedly used two magic circles simultaneously during the war.

“But even that was only effective in a few battlefields, and there were no significant results. Mana drain requires the caster to create a magic circle directly on the target’s body. The reason is that if the target moves even slightly, the mana drain will be cast into the air due to the coordinates already set.”

Ultimately, even the headmaster gave up due to its inefficiency.

However, the room started to buzz.

(Dude, the continental war was over 300 years ago, right?)

(Really? He’s been alive since then?)

(Wow... I thought it was a joke.)

Everyone was discussing the headmaster.

His age is unknown.

But during his speeches, he appeared to be in his early 30s.

The aura he exuded didn’t look like someone in their 30s at all...

He was a mysterious and hidden monster.

But why didn’t the Zodiac reincarnate him and just keep him around?

‘Why isn’t that guy using the reincarnation system?’

[It’s probably because the reincarnation system can cause losses during the empty time, so it’s more cost-effective to extend his lifespan with Ener.]

‘Hmph, so he’s using Ener for that too.’

As the last line of defense, there’s nothing he can’t do...

The professor finished explaining why mana drain was abandoned and drew a baseball-sized magic circle on the podium.

“Now, everyone, practice mana drain with the student sitting next to you.”

When I looked to my side, Luna was already staring at me with a stern expression.

Oh, wow!

With a cheer in my heart, Luna extended her palm to me.

“...Will you do it?”

“Sure, why not. It’s a class...”

I reluctantly moved my desk next to hers and gently held her hand.

‘Wow... really soft. Her hands are beautiful too.’

[It seems to be helping the relationship. That’s a relief.]

‘I’ll have to get her to do some errands for me later.’

[...]

I drew a small rod-like magic circle on the back of her hand with my fingers.

I was careful not to damage her skin.

“...Huh.”

“?”

“...It tickles.”

It was a simple task, so I finished it quickly.

I activated it immediately.

“...”

“...”

Wow, I really don’t feel anything.

The professor, observing the students practicing mana drain, said,

“You might think you’ll feel the mana flowing, but you won’t. Unless a large amount of mana is drained instantly, you won’t feel much.”

Since that rarely happens, mana drain doesn’t cause discomfort.

“That’s right. Then... huh?”

“I’ll try it too.”

I was about to return to my seat when she suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Try it.”

She extended her palm.

Luna carefully drew a magic circle on the back of my hand and activated it.

Nothing happened, as expected.

Thinking I was done, I returned my desk to its original position.

But Luna’s voice came again.

“...I’ll wait for you today.”

“...”

I didn’t respond and focused on the lesson.

***

After the special magic class, Luna tidied up her desk and left the classroom.

Cheng Shuhuo was still sitting at his desk, deep in thought.

Luna had noticed something about Cheng Shuhuo.

He often stared into space, making various expressions.

‘...He’s smiling again today.’

To Luna, Cheng Shuhuo was a mysterious person.

His mana seemed low, and he didn’t appear to be particularly powerful.

But his unique abilities always amazed her.

‘...Is he really not coming?’

If Cheng Shuhuo didn’t come, she was considering going to find him.

She didn’t want to give up on his abilities.

“Luna.”

“Ah.”

As Luna left the classroom, Lewis called her from behind.

Lewis looked at her with concern.

“Are you okay today?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You did that strange practice with that guy. I was worried you might feel bad.”

“...I’m fine. I didn’t feel bad or anything.”

Luna and Lewis had known each other for a long time.

Not just acquaintances.

When Luna was young, her family owed a huge debt to Lewis’s family.

Her family was falsely accused of treason and executed, but she managed to survive.

Thanks to Lewis’s family, she survived.

He was her only friend she could open up to, but she felt sorry when his true nature showed.

‘He used to be such a considerate kid...’

It’s not that Lewis was bad now.

But the Lewis she knew in the past was different, and she felt sorry for him.

“Ah... Lewis.”

“Yeah?”

“Can you try mana drain with me?”

“Sure.”

Lewis smiled at her and extended his palm.

‘He’s really nice at times like this.’

Luna didn’t realize that Lewis’s smile was reserved only for her.

She drew a magic circle on Lewis’s palm and activated it.

“Now, do it to me.”

“Okay.”

Lewis drew a mana drain magic circle on Luna’s palm and activated it.

Nothing happened, as expected.

“...Let’s go to the club room.”

“Huh? Why do you want to try this suddenly?”

“...No reason. I just wanted to review.”

“Typical, Luna.”

Lewis smiled at her.

But she was lost in thought, not noticing his smile.

‘Why did my heart race when I did the drain with that guy...’

Earlier, when Luna practiced mana drain with Cheng Shuhuo, her heart had raced.

At first, she thought it might be a side effect of the mana drain, but the sensation started when she held his hand.

Moreover, when she tried mana drain with Lewis, the same sensation didn’t occur.

It wasn’t a side effect of the mana drain.

And...

‘What kind of perfume is he using... I should ask him later.’

Thinking about what she wanted to ask him later, she headed to the club room.