Chapter 27

"…What are you talking about?"

Suppressing a rising emotion, Sophy asked, and the fluffy white Azwelo looked up at her with a soft "muff."

Hmm, so cute.

"It was when you treated my leg. The bluish, purple light was beautiful."

Huh, huh??

Azwelo looking up at her was so cute. Okay. That's good. Very good. But, this conversation, if it continues, could turn into something very, very bad, especially for Sophy's mental state.

"I couldn't see it myself…"

"Yes, you had your eyes closed."

That's right. So Sophy didn't realize that it had turned into something so embarrassing. She could feel her body temperature rising.

"By the way, what image did you use to repair the damaged magic power at that time?"

"Eh, umm…"

Don't expand it! Don't expand this conversation!!!

Renehta's innocent eyes, filled with a pure interest in magic, made Sophy feel like her face was on fire. It's a good thing she can't use fire magic right now.

At that time, seeing the torn and painful holes in her magic power, Sophy, well, you know. That thing. She imagined that, that kind of feeling. It's not that she forgot, it's not a case of forgetting. It's just that she hesitates to put it into words. No, it's not that she doesn't want to say it, it's just that…

Because it's about her love for Livio, who saved her heart.

She can't say it!

Wait. Wait, wait. Then, what did Azwelo say?

Sophy remembered Azwelo saying, "You're not stupid."

No, that's not it.

"Then, you name it."

Yes, after that.

"I liked your shy, endearing, warm magic."

"A, that means…?!"

It's not just shy, it's embarrassing. Too embarrassing. What does this mean? So, every time Sophy casts a recovery spell, she has to say, "I like him" to everyone? What? If, by some chance, no, by a probability lower than one in a billion, Livio gets hurt, Sophy would have to say, "I love you!" Or even worse, "I told everyone I love you!"?

She doesn't want to think about it!!!!!

"A, ah, Renehta"

"Yes"

She doesn't understand. She doesn't get it. Please don't understand.

Sophy tried to calm herself, telling herself to stay calm. The black, gem-like eyes and the piercing gaze from Livio on her cheeks made her nervous.

"Can you change the image you use when casting magic?"

"? I think you can, but the first successful memory is the hardest to change, so it's difficult. That's why it's hard to change the habit of magic."

"Ah, I see…"

That's true. Everyone remembers their first impression or first experience. Like a first love, whether it's a sweet and bittersweet story or a silly mistake. No, maybe that's why.

Sophy couldn't be sure that she wouldn't remember today every time she cast a recovery spell. The impact was too strong.

"Please, Livio… don't get hurt…"

"? Yes"

Don't look. Please don't look at me.

Sophy couldn't look at Livio's face. She also couldn't look at Renehta's blank, questioning expression or the two Azwelo.

With no place to look left, right, or down, she looked forward. Ugh, Vaize's, that smirking, mischievous smile.

He knows.

He knows everything. He knows what Sophy was thinking and what she's thinking now.

No, no, it's not that. It's not that Sophy is hiding her love for Livio. She doesn't need to hide it anymore. But it's not that simple.

Think about your first love. That sweet, bittersweet, and embarrassingly foolish feeling that makes you want to curl up in your bed. Could you say "Yes!" loudly when asked if you like that person? That's it.

Of course, the embarrassment of exposing your heart isn't limited to romantic love. If you can't think of anything, imagine dropping a self-written poetry collection or lending a diary full of dreams to someone by mistake. How about it? Do you miss your bed? If you can't think of anything, look forward to it. You'll have a day when you want to hide in your bed.

Be like Sophy now!

By the way, Sophy has no experience writing poetry or keeping a dream-filled diary. It's a story she heard at a tea party. At the time, it didn't resonate with her at all, but now she really misses her bed. She wants to bury herself, curl up, like a larva sleeping in the ground.

Ah.

Vaize.

Opened his mouth.

"Whatever. The girl was confused, being her first time. Let's eat. I'm hungry."

Lord Vaize!!!!!!!

Sophy pledged her loyalty in her heart. If Vaize ever suffers from his love for Renehta, she'll bring a blanket. What, life and freedom? Those are Sophy's, so she won't give them away.

"So?"

After Sophy's heart and body were warmed by the delicious soup Livio made, Vaize spoke up.

"So, what?"

With small hands holding a mug and a spoon, Azwelo asked, and Vaize continued.

"What could make a god get hurt?"

"Ah, a very unpleasant story."

Azwelo's nod was very cute, but the story was quite serious. However, his adorable appearance, which responded to Sophy's request, should not be criticized.

"A hateful mage attacked me as soon as they saw me, even though I was in the form of a common monster in this area. If they wanted to eat me or use me as sustenance, it would be the way of life, and I wouldn't blame them."

But, Azwelo sipped the soup and continued. He exhaled, and it was still cute.

"But, they knew I wasn't a monster and still tried to capture me."

"!"

Azwelo's words made the air in the room tense. The mention of a madman or a villain who pollutes and captures monsters brought back memories for Sophy and the others. The incident with the large bird monster was the reason they met Vaize and Renehta.

"What did they look like?"

Vaize's carefully worded question made Azwelo turn away, placing his short hand on his chin, or what seemed to be his chin.

Azwelo nodded and hopped off Sophy's lap.

"They had golden hair and golden eyes. That was—"

A clatter echoed.

Sophy, startled, looked to her side to see Renehta's dish fall from her hand.

"Renehta!"

Sophy quickly touched Renehta's wet dress. Fortunately, the soup was cold, and the black dress was cold. It seemed Renehta wasn't burned, and Sophy sighed in relief. Then, she heard a small gasp.

When she looked up, Renehta, who had always been expressionless, was clearly stiff. Her furrowed brows and trembling lips showed her agitation. It was unclear if it was fear or sadness.

"Renehta…?"

When Sophy called her name, Renehta blinked and touched her trembling lips.

"…S, sorry, I—"

"It's okay. It's okay, Renehta. Come, let's go to the river. I'll go with you if you want."

Okay? Sophy smiled, and the tension in Renehta's furrowed brows eased. Her usual droopy eyebrows returned, and she nodded.

"Yes, that's a good idea. Thank you. I'll be right back."

Renehta stood up unsteadily, and Sophy looked up at her.

She wanted to go with her. Surely, Renehta shouldn't be alone. Alone, she might become even more sad. But Sophy also felt a wall between them. If it were her, could she so easily expose her heart? Could she open up her wounded heart?

The answer was no.

What should she do?

Sophy, who had lived her life keeping her distance from others, didn't know what to do in such a situation.

Feeling helpless and frustrated, she bit her lip, and Vaize called to his horse.

"Kataf, go with her."

Vaize's horse, with its fiery red mane, nodded and quietly followed Renehta. Is it normal for the horse of someone with abnormal stats to understand words?

Watching the long tail sway, Vaize clicked his tongue.

When Sophy turned her gaze back to Vaize, his frown had deepened. He looked angry or exasperated, running his hand through his long hair and clicking his tongue again.

"Damn."