Chapter 80

80

When I looked at him with a shocked expression, Sharent Clown gave me a knowing look, pretending not to notice.

His slightly furrowed brows seemed to urge me to play along.

"Do I look like I like it?"

Dechar Clown’s tone rose, indicating his discomfort.

I had no choice but to open my mouth.

‘I’ll have to remember this as a debt.’

I’m doing this as a favor because I’ve taken care of it.

I’ll do it just this once. And I’m doing it because I feel sorry for your real niece.

‘It’s your birthday, Shalina.’

It wasn’t my birthday, but the real body’s, Shalina Clown’s birthday.

As if conceding defeat, I opened my mouth, and Dechar Clown gently pushed a silver lollipop into it.

Sucking on the lollipop, Dechar Clown’s lips finally curved into a smile.

He laughed very softly, which was uncharacteristic of him. It was strange to see where the fiery-tempered, fussy old man had gone.

‘I shouldn’t be the one receiving congratulations.’

The awkward feeling became even more subtle.

You should be the one receiving it.

"This is my gift. Since it’s your birthday, take it."

Sharent Clown also extended something to me.

A jewelry box filled with hexagonal magic stones, no larger than a pinky finger, and a small bracelet placed on top were visible.

It was a bracelet made of several hexagonal magic stones.

If you wear it on your wrist, you can cast magic directly without having to take the magic stones out of the subspace and hold them in your hand.

‘It’s convenient, but...’

Why is he giving this to me? He said he would take away all the magic stones if I used magic in front of him one more time.

"You need enough magic to protect your body."

With this bracelet, you don’t need to draw magic from the outside, so it might be a bit more convenient for an immediate reaction.

"I heard from the tutor that your head is very sharp."

"Umm..."

I had completely forgotten about the tutor, but he was there. As expected, he never came back after that.

‘I knew he wouldn’t come back after leaving like that.’

People don’t want to see someone better than themselves. Thanks to this, I was left alone again.

I tried to study by myself, but it was no help to read difficult books without any prior knowledge.

But, what does that have to do with this?

"Do you have the intention to learn magic as well?"

He asked while slowly putting the bracelet on my wrist.

Who will teach me magic? Is there anyone who knows more about magic than me?

I couldn’t say that out loud.

It’s frustrating to have a mouth but not be able to speak.

Ugh, I’ve created several spells and established a country of mages!

"The tutor wanted to continue your education, but I sent him away."

He wanted to continue my education? He didn’t run away?

I looked up with a disbelieving expression, and he clicked his tongue.

"If you wish, I will keep her, or if not, I will find a better teacher."

Who is he talking about that the great Sharent Clown is being so polite?

I slowly rolled my eyes.

If he’s saying this, it must be someone extraordinary.

I don’t like the idea of someone daring to teach me magic, but it might not be bad to have such a day once in a while.

"Thanks."

"Sure, I’ll ask about your intentions. That’s part of my birthday gift."

Why do you set a level for birthday gifts?

Dechar Clown’s gift was too small, and it didn’t look like he was in a good mood.

Of course, I understand that the lollipop took a very long time to make.

‘But Sharent Clown has already shown me one...’

I didn’t feel particularly moved.

Why did he show me something exactly the same? If it were different, I might have pretended to like it more.

I secretly moved the lollipop I had been holding to one side without Dechar Clown noticing.

"This time, it’s my turn, Father, Grandfather!"

A small hand reached out between the two glittering jewelry boxes.

It was Kai Shan Clown.

He was holding a piece of paper.

I couldn’t help but smile at the rolled-up scroll.

"Hey, you’re smiling. You must like it, right?"

"Umm, thank you."

I don’t know what the paper in my hand is, but it’s cute like a child.

I thought he might have drawn a picture of us holding hands, so I extended both hands with an open heart.

"Shalina, happy birthday."

Unlike his initial excited greeting, Kai Shan carefully handed me the scroll.

"I don’t have much pocket money, so I could only buy this. Well, I couldn’t afford anything expensive."

It’s fine, I don’t mind if it’s a drawing?

I prefer such a pure gift.

I don’t want to receive expensive lollipops that can only be resold or processed magic stones without a reason.

There’s no such thing as a reasonless gift.

I don’t want to make an exception to this fact.

I moved my fingers vigorously.

They still don’t move freely as I’d like.

My hands are too clumsy for delicate work. As expected, it took time to untie the string holding the scroll.

So, what kind of picture or letter is wrapped up like this? The dense writing suggests it might be a letter.

"It’s a toy store."

"..."

"I don’t have much pocket money, so I could only buy this."

"..."

"I wasn’t sure what Shalina would like..."

Kai Shan Clown blushed, embarrassed that he couldn’t give a proper gift.

I looked at him and then back down at the contract for a building.

I thought Kai Shan was a very ordinary and, to exaggerate, almost a commoner-like pure child.

I realized that even children from noble families can grow up like this if their parents are strict.

‘This is the difference in values...’

How much pocket money do you need to save to buy a store?

A few minutes ago, I thought the rolled-up thing was a crayon drawing or a letter, and now I want to cry.

"I didn’t expect you to like something like this..."

"You’re so greedy."

No, do I look like I like it to you? I’m speechless because it’s absurd and ridiculous.

I saw Kai Shan smiling widely.

"Grandpa, I was wondering where our granddaughter was going by herself."

"Yes, Grandpa."

"Hongja?"

You went to sign a contract by yourself? At just seven years old?

I’ve never done it, so I wouldn’t even know how to start.

You had to read the contract carefully, word by word.

And you did it all by yourself?

Is it the difference in early education, or am I just stupid? I’m starting to wonder.

"Huh? Yeah, it was a secret."

Even if you kept it a secret, Sharent Clown’s secret intelligence agency would have found out.

As expected, Sharent Clown seemed to know, but Dechar Clown didn’t.

"Let’s blow out the candles."

"Candle?"

"Umm! On birthdays, you blow out the candles on the cake and make a wish. The wish you make with the most effort is said to come true."

That’s a superstition.

Before I could say anything, Kai Shan was already running to the cake.

The servants moved the gifts to one side and placed the cake in front of me.

The flickering candles burned brightly.

"Happy birthday, Shalina!"

"Happy birthday."

Kai Shan and Dechar Clown congratulated me.

Sharent Clown crossed his arms and said nothing, just nodding slightly while looking at the cake.

‘Wish.’

I have only one wish.

I placed my hand on the table, recalled the wish I had been hoping for, and was about to blow out the candles when I saw the Clowns standing in front of me, looking only at me.

I took a deep breath and blew.

The three candles, placed close together, went out instantly. I slightly opened my eyes, which I had tightly closed.

After making a wish, everyone gathered around the table. The scene was so dreamlike that I couldn’t believe it.

I never thought I would receive birthday congratulations or receive gifts from anyone.

I never imagined that I would be taken care of at the same table.

I was Hella.

A great mage and the head of the magic tower.

The pillar of Silophia.

A solid pillar that must never fall, collapse, or fail, no matter what.

"Happy birthday."

Sharent Clown whispered softly as he placed the food cut into bite-sized pieces in front of me.

His voice, delivered softly and somewhat awkwardly, made my throat feel warm.

I know that the end for those who delve into black magic is never good. It’s natural for evil to attract more evil.

So, I had already chosen my place to die. I knew my body would soon be ruined.

Even if Melani hadn’t acted so hastily, I would have stepped down within about ten years.

I know that it’s not easy to congratulate someone.

So...

‘I hope the storm that will soon hit me will pass them by.’

For the first time in my life, I made a wish, relying on a ridiculous superstition.