Chapter 72

Finally, the book is on sale! Thank you so much!!

So, this is a special update for the occasion.

Please be careful not to skip over it.

The encounter with the mysterious red man completely changed the scenery that Sophilia saw.

Oh, it's not the beginning of a romantic love story or anything like that. Of course not. Rest assured, Sophilia's first love was a brain-damaging event that blossomed and burst before Revionis. It was dramatic. It was like a potent drug.

But it wasn't like that, not a metaphor or sarcasm. Literally, the scenery that Sophilia saw changed completely.

Because something was shining.

It was sparkling.

It wasn't the breath-taking, impressive light like that of the red man, but everyone was glowing. The haughty minister, the passersby, even the dog.

No, it wasn't just living things.

Plants and sometimes even inanimate objects had that light. The books in the library glowing were so fantastical and a bit moving.

Sophilia thoroughly enjoyed the new scenery, but people didn't notice her change.

She couldn't let them notice, so she lived a very ordinary life.

Just for a little while, when she wanted to divert her attention. When the carriage was swaying or when her father's shouting was too loud, at such times, if she concentrated as hard as she could and focused her eyes while recalling the feeling of holding hands with the red man, the world in Sophilia's eyes changed completely.

The light gradually became clearer, more vivid, and more distinct, like a breeze blowing through Sophilia's heart.

Just like the time she spent with the boy she met in the garden.

At 14, Sophilia's world changed color.

Following the scribbles of the man, Sophilia began to understand what was written in the book.

And, of course, once she understood, she wanted to practice. That's only natural.

So, Sophilia started practicing magic secretly. But.

In the midst of days so busy it felt like she was being hit over the head, there was almost no time to practice magic. Because there was so much to do every day, it was laughable. Busy days filled with cakes and syrups made from busyness, so bad they were inedible. There was no time to be tired.

Still.

Still, Sophilia practiced magic whenever she found a chance.

Every day, she was exhausted, struggling, and falling apart, but she couldn't stop.

Why?

Because in that moment of practicing magic, she could forget everything.

She didn't have to think about her worth, her role, or anything that made her tired. It sounds strange, but the moment she concentrated on practicing magic so hard that her head hurt, Sophilia could be something other than herself.

Over and over, over and over, Sophilia read the book, practiced magic, and learned defensive magic.

Ah, and.

– Sophilia remembers the day she first used magic very well.

After all, it was the day she defended herself against her father's punch.

She couldn't forget it. The overwhelming emotion that welled up from her body and the astonished look on her father's face!

Just thinking about it made her back straighten and her lips curl in a sense of accomplishment.

Well, her father was enraged that Sophilia used magic, especially to deflect his punch, and as a result, Sophilia suffered terribly, but now, it's a good memory. Determined to improve her half-hearted magic, Sophilia practiced and practiced, refining her defensive barrier. Thanks to that, she became good at pretending to be hit and no longer got injured. Yay.

Moreover, she was on a journey. To avoid holding Revion back, it was an essential skill.

So for Sophilia, it was a glorious memory of victory, right? Isn't it a fun story?

This room, filled with joy, doesn't need pity.

So, when Renetta asked, Sophilia simply said, "After that, I practiced while looking at the book and learned defensive magic."

Renetta nodded slightly.

"Do you remember whose book it was?"

Of course.

The name of the magician who helped Sophilia. She couldn't forget it.

"Rubeinis. There was no family name."

"Rubeinis...! That's great!"

Really? Sophilia tilted her head, and Renetta nodded. Her eyes seemed to sparkle. Hmm, she's cute even with a blank expression.

"Rubeinis, the Witch of the Red Cloud. She doesn't take disciples and prefers to write books. I read her works, and I like how easy to understand and uniquely structured her magic is."

"Exactly! It was very easy to understand! After all, I could use magic even though I had no knowledge."

"Then... Sophilia, you are a witch."

Huh?

Was that what she was talking about? Sophilia tilted her head, thinking it was an embarrassing story about self-study, and blinked at the unexpected words.

"You said it yourself. If you learn magic from a witch, you become a witch. If the way a witch uses and thinks about magic seeps into your body, you are a witch."

"But I just read a book? If that's the case, wouldn't the whole world be full of witches?"

"Few people who want to learn magic would pick up a witch's book... Besides, even if the whole world were full of witches, wouldn't that be fine?"

That's true. That's right.

But, aren't witches supposed to be more special? Isn't there a secret ritual passed down from master to apprentice? Isn't there a witch certification or something? What is it? Feeling a vague disappointment, like finding out a hero is just a neighbor, Sophilia nodded vaguely.

"Anyway, it's rare for someone to be able to use magic just by reading a book."

"Is that so...?"

"I heard that."

From whom? And who taught Renetta magic?

Sophilia had questions, but for some reason, the words wouldn't come out.

It's not worth getting into such details.

I don't want to waste Eirich and Eleonora's precious time.

So, when Sophilia simply told the story of meeting the red man and learning from the book, Reijinian opened his eyes wide in disbelief.

"That man was Rubeinis!"

"...Huh?"

Huh?

I've finally reached the day I've been so nervous and excited about, to the point of having a stomachache.

I thought about doing something special for everyone as a thank you, but I decided to focus on advancing the main story.

So, for the 10th, I will do a 10-day limited consecutive update.

Thank you for the 10 days!