Chapter 250
"...What?"
When I felt a sign of presence, I thought they had come to capture me without fail. Honestly, that was the most natural reaction to expect.
And I felt sorry for the two of them, but I was also prepared to use force to subdue them if necessary.
However, this is... something I never even considered hearing.
"Don't pretend you didn't hear. I said we're going together."
Yeon Minha grumbled as she responded. In her two pupils, faint tear stains from yesterday were still visible. At the same time, I could sense her firm determination not to let me go alone.
"...No."
Of course, it was something I absolutely couldn't agree to.
"Do you even know where you're trying to follow me to? Absolutely not."
"Then kill me and go."
However, Yeon Minha was equally stubborn. With a calm face, she casually uttered terrifying words.
"What?"
"If you're going alone, then kill me first before you go."
"Senior Minha, what nonsense are you spouting? Are you asking me to..."
"Just in case, don't even think about putting me to sleep lightly and sneaking away."
And Yeon Minha continued speaking nonchalantly.
"If I wake up and don't see you, I'll hang myself on the spot."
"..."
Her next words left me speechless. Her unwavering pupils clearly showed that her words were neither lies nor threats but absolute sincerity.
"I can't let you go to such a dangerous place alone. Even though Yeon Minha spoke harshly, I feel the same way."
And then Yeon stepped forward in front of the glaring Yeon Minha. She seemed calm on the surface but was just as unyielding in her stance.
"We've already made up our minds. No matter what happens, we'll follow you."
Yeon smiled faintly. It was a radiant smile, but I could tell better than anyone that it was forced.
A different kind of calm sorrow emanated from her compared to yesterday's intensity.
"And by the way, I haven't given up yet."
"Yeona..."
"You never know. They might know how to fix you. After all, the original owner of that power was a witch. Soo-ah might still be too young to know anything, but..."
"If we catch them and pressure them, they'll spill everything."
And Yeon Minha gritted her teeth as she added. I was utterly flustered. Today's scene was a series of surprises.
I never imagined the two of them would get along so well. At the beginning of the semester, no... even just yesterday.
But soon I came to my senses and barely managed to shake my head.
"Absolutely not."
It wasn't that I didn't understand their perspective. But I also had lines I couldn't allow to be crossed.
With a heavy heart, I explained the circumstances so far. But I couldn't risk dragging them into danger because of it.
-If I wake up and don't see you, I'll hang myself on the spot.
If I can't forcibly separate them and leave... I'll have to convince them somehow.
"...You don't know anything about witches."
"We know everything we need to. We've already gone through all the related information disclosed by the Supreme Council. We even stayed up all night."
"You haven't fought them directly. I've faced those beings three times. They are absolutely not opponents you can handle with ordinary sensibilities."
"At best, they're just clever demon beasts. How are they gods? We've successfully subjugated them even 15 years ago. We can do it too."
Yeon Minha didn't back down a single step. If that wasn't enough, Yeon stepped in and backed up Yeon Minha instead of me.
"I'm the only mage who can compose a wide area group magic formula alone. You know that, right? I also hold the all-time high Ruben Value. And Yeon Minha is a Spirit Summoner with no limit to her wellspring. Even though witches can use magic without restrictions, it's not like we'll be easily defeated."
"It's not just magic. Witches also use divine power. You're speaking so lightly because you don't understand how terrifying those powers are..."
"What I'm most terrified of... is losing you forever."
"..."
And Yeon Minha whispered softly. Before I knew it, a faint moisture was once again lingering in her voice.
I was struck speechless once again. Then Yeon approached and held my hand as she spoke.
"I... don't want to make the same mistake twice."
"Yeona."
"This time, I won't leave you alone. No matter what happens. Absolutely not..."
Any discomfort disappeared, leaving only warm warmth. Then, Yeon Minha hesitantly approached and held my other, now-empty hand.
And with a small but resolute voice, she said.
"Don't think of brushing this off lightly."
"Senior..."
"Show us...your sincerity."
"..."
At this point, I realized. It was actually me who hadn't been properly understanding their hearts.
If I truly loved and cherished them, I couldn't just force my feelings onto them.
I had to respect their feelings.
Even if the end led to obvious death.
Time passed in silence. Several times, the sound of swallowing brought me back to awareness.
"...Alright."
And after long contemplation, I let out a deep sigh.
It was a mix of exhaustion and relief.
"Let's...go together."
***
The three of us moved just as we were out of the cradle. Since all preparations were already complete, nothing more was needed.
The cradle was still quiet since it was before the start of the daily routine. While there were guards, they wouldn't be subdued easily by force.
Considering who my companions were, there were plenty of ways to slip out quietly.
"By the way... what happened?"
I glanced back while walking ahead and asked. Yeon Minha, still sounding grumpy, replied in a prickly tone.
"What?"
"I was quite surprised to see you two together. What on earth happened overnight? Did you make up or something..."
"Huh?"
"What nonsense."
Then, a violent reaction erupted from both sides. Yeon Minha was no exception, and even Yeon's face was filled with visceral disgust.
Yeon, who usually maintained an air of elegance in front of others, reacted as if she absolutely couldn't accept what I had just said.
"...We've agreed to a temporary truce."
Realizing her mistake, Yeon belatedly lowered her tone as she spoke.
"We can't keep bickering in front of you. Right now, the most important thing is solving your issue. The choice...can wait until later."
"...Agreed."
Yeon Minha reluctantly nodded as she agreed with Yeon's words. Then, unable to hold back, she added one more comment.
"Well, in the end, it's obvious I'll be the one chosen."
"...Yeon Minha. That comment just broke the agreement. And by the way, you seem to have forgotten, but between Hyun and me, there's already a daughter..."
"Ugh...! Baek Seoyeon. Don't you have any shame? For how long do you plan to keep spouting that blatant lie...!"
A light quarrel began as if nothing had happened. For some reason, a smile lingered on my lips.
Then Yeon Minha, noticing my subtle change, turned her head sharply and stiffened her expression.
"...Are you laughing?"
"...Sorry."
"Do you know whose fault this is... And since when have you been speaking so casually? Do you think I'm easy, huh?"
"Dealing with you both at once, I must have unconsciously... would you like me to correct myself...?"
At that, Yeon and Yeon Minha exchanged glances. Somehow, Yeon had a smug look on her face.
"This is what closeness feels like. Hyun and I have always talked like this. I wouldn't know about someone who always tries to demand senior treatment..."
"This...!"
Yeon Minha gritted her teeth and turned her head with a huff. Then, as if reluctantly granting permission, she spoke.
"...As a senior, it's my duty to show generosity to an impudent junior. Fine, call me whatever you want... While we're at it, just drop the 'Senior' and call me by my name..."
"That's a bit..."
"...So you call Baek Seoyeon by her name, but not me?"
"Closeness doesn't form overnight. If you push it too hard, even the closeness you had might flee..."
"Baek Seoyeon, shut up. A girl who hasn't even kissed anyone is being so noisy..."
"Huh?"
And thus, a light argument continued. A truce, reconciliation—those were the kinds of words I vaguely remembered hearing earlier. Well, it's not an easy thing after all.
However, as crazy as it may sound, in this moment, I felt a profound sense of peace.
Yeon's earlier words came to mind again. Honestly, I'm skeptical that the witches know how to fix me. Even if they did, there's no way they'd tell me.
Yet hope is such a sweet thing.
Well, having one last moment of relief isn't too bad, is it?
"Guys, stop it now. Soon, we'll reach the main gate... huh?"
And just as I was about to stop the two who were bickering, I noticed someone standing ahead, blocking our path. I immediately gave a signal.
I could instantly recognize the identity of the one waiting for us.
"Principal?"
Arms crossed, Hae Wolhwa puffed out her cheeks and tapped the heel of one shoe against the ground. The dress that had been torn to shreds before had long since been perfectly restored.
Fixing her glare on me, she finally opened her mouth.
"...You're late."
It was as though she had expected me to come this way. Without realizing it, I lowered my posture, ready to pounce. Yeon and Yeon Minha also tensed up, each adopting a combat-ready stance.
I was curious about the principal's intentions. After saying all that, did she really come all this way just to catch me?
Tension filled the air for a moment. Hae Wolhwa furrowed her brows even further, as if displeased with our actions.
But the next moment.
Releasing the tension from her body, she waved her hand dismissively and let out a big sigh.
"Ah, what a life I have..."
"...?"
Her unexpected reaction left me feeling deflated. The principal gave me one last glare, full of lingering resentment.
Turning on her heel, she gestured for us to follow her.
"What are you all doing? Aren't you going to come this way?"