EVHE 33

Chapter 33

Time flew by, and before I knew it, it had already been two months since I started learning magic.

Life during that time wasn’t anything special.

I still volunteered at the temple once a week, and I attended tea parties and banquets hosted by noble ladies I had gotten close with.

There were no threats or incidents. They were truly peaceful days.

What mattered most, though, was that I was seeing the results of my nosebleed-inducing efforts.

I brought my hands together and stretched my palms flat. Then, a small red crystal shimmered into existence.

“It’s definitely better than last week.”

Though I was still at the beginner level, I was steadily building up magical knowledge and experience.

Even Saint, who was notoriously stingy with praise, said he’d never seen anyone manifest mana this quickly.

‘Am I… actually a genius?’

Not that my skills were anything to brag about just yet.

As I focused harder, the crystal swelled in size, and once it reached its limit, it shattered into pieces.

The red powder drifted around the bedroom before slowly disappearing.

“Red…”

The color was unsettling every time I saw it.

‘The form of mana reflects the caster’s most intense memory.’

That was something Saint explained on the first day.

The reason this particular color remained so deeply embedded in my subconscious was obvious.

Nox standing under a blood-red sunset. Crimson blood dripping from his sword.

I shook my head to shake off the chilling image.

“Maybe I should rest a little.”

Just as I was about to lie down, a loud noise came from the crystal ball I had placed on the dresser.

I gently pressed it with my finger, and the sound faded.

“You finally found something.”

It was related to that card that had given me that mysterious headache. I had requested the Rose Tower to look into the sender.

They promised to contact me immediately once they found anything, and this crystal ball was what they’d given me for that purpose.

“I hope it’s nothing serious…”

I was worried this might stir trouble in my otherwise peaceful life.

I hoped I was just overreacting to something completely meaningless.

The streets of Reuben were quiet. There were people around, but not a hint of liveliness.

The bright festive atmosphere had vanished like a dream.

I wore a dark robe that covered me from head to toe, with a magic cast over it to blur recognition.

I also brought along three of the most trustworthy knights from the estate as escorts.

I asked them to follow from a distance rather than walking right behind me, since that might look suspicious.

“……”

But it wasn’t long before I hit an unexpected obstacle.

‘I’m lost.’

Well, during the festival, it was Lake who guided me.

I was walking based on memory, but since the atmosphere was different, I couldn’t tell if it was the same street.

I had even brought a map just in case, but it was useless. There was no way my poor sense of spatial awareness could decipher such an old-fashioned map.

‘I’ll just go into any store and ask…’

I sighed deeply, nearly on the verge of tears.

As I turned a corner toward a nearby shop, I spotted a familiar figure leaning against a wall.

Though he was dressed plainly, his extraordinary and noble features couldn’t be hidden.

His black hair, though deliberately tousled, still gleamed, and his dark red eyes glinted fiercely despite his indifferent expression.

‘Oh, come on. Seriously?’

I immediately pulled my hood lower and turned back the way I came.

Thanks to the robe’s magic, Calix didn’t seem to notice me. Or so I hoped.

I zigzagged through narrow, dark alleyways like a maze, praying he wouldn’t follow.

‘Is he following me?’

I glanced behind me, but saw no sign of anyone.

Just as I was about to leave the alley, feeling relieved, a hand grabbed my shoulder.

‘Ack!’

I screamed inwardly and flinched hard.

But the one who had grabbed me was a clean-cut stranger I didn’t recognize.

“Are you lost?” he asked gently, seeming like just an ordinary passerby.

‘Phew.’

I let out a sigh of relief and replied kindly, “I’m fine.”

But even though I had clearly expressed that I didn’t need help, the man didn’t leave.

Flustered, I blinked rapidly, and the man smirked. As I stepped back warily, he suddenly grabbed my wrist tightly.

I tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let go. His grip was so firm it hurt.

Over his shoulder, I saw a few large men stepping out of the shadows. A chill ran down my spine.

The man’s once gentle smile had twisted into something vulgar.

“Uh… I…”

My voice trembled as I tried to speak.

But it wasn’t because of them.

It was because I sensed someone—or something—even more dangerous.

“I’m not alone,” I whispered.

The man scoffed at my timid voice. He was about to say something when—

With a whoosh, he suddenly flew into the air and was slammed onto the ground, screaming in pain.

The men behind him toppled like bowling pins and didn’t get up again—either unconscious or worse.

I looked down to see a writhing, snake-like shadow on the ground. Anyone else would’ve found it horrifying.

Someone pressed close behind me. A cool palm covered my wrist, which was now red from being grabbed. The slow, gentle rubbing made me flinch—it tickled.

“I thought I was seeing things.”

A deep, pleasant voice whispered in my ear. My hood was pulled back.

My platinum blonde hair fluttered loose. I looked up—and met those deep red eyes.

“Why were you running away?”

Long, slender fingers gently brushed my chin.

“How could I not run away when you act like this?”

At my retort, Calix chuckled lowly. Before I could say more, he beat me to it.

“You know you’re being tailed, right?”

“Tailed…?”

I gasped at the word.

When? From where? I tried to recall, then realized he was mistaken.

“They’re my escort knights.”

To anyone else, three men following me might’ve looked suspicious.

“Wait… You didn’t attack them, did you?”

I asked, horrified. Calix raised an eyebrow. No wonder they hadn’t come running when I was in danger.

“You didn’t kill them, did you? Are you insane?!”

Despite my outburst, Calix responded with a calm, indifferent hum. He still hadn’t removed his hand from my chin.

“Let go of me!”

I shook him off with a shudder. Then I took three steps back, yanked my hood over my head again, and tightened my robe.

“What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same. Don’t you have duties at the palace? You seem awfully free.”

“I’m not exactly free… Anyway, answer me.”

He insisted stubbornly. But I couldn’t tell him the real reason I came here.

What could be a plausible excuse…?

“I came to buy potions.”

“Oh.”

His small exclamation made me nervous.

“So did I.”

His smile reminded me of a hunter who had just caught his prey.

“Perfect, let’s go together.”

The blow to my peace of mind landed squarely in my ear.

“…Actually, I lied about the potions.”

I confessed quickly, but Calix didn’t seem to care. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me along the street.

This bastard! I pounded his back with my fists, but it had no effect.

Fortunately, Calix hadn’t harmed the escorts—just tied them up. I let out a deep sigh of relief upon seeing them safe and sound.

We wandered all over Reuben. Calix apparently hadn’t lied about the potions, as he only visited alchemy shops.

“I told you I’m not here for potions.”

“Well, since we’re out, we might as well enjoy it.”

Calix was extremely stubborn. After being dragged around for ages, I finally gave up on resisting.

At each shop, he exchanged brief words with the shopkeepers.

From what I overheard, he was looking for a certain ingredient. But every shopkeeper gave the same answer—it was sold out.

After the fourth failed attempt, Calix let out a groan.

It was so faint most wouldn’t notice, but I heard it clearly.

The hand holding mine trembled slightly. His already pale skin looked even paler than usual.

“Are you sick?”

“No.”

He answered quickly, then looked away suspiciously.

I yanked his arm toward me. Normally, he wouldn’t budge, but this time he stumbled forward easily—another red flag.

I raised his hand and placed my palm on his forehead. There was a faint heat.

His dark red eyes, always so fierce and sharp, looked dulled.

Seeing that, he pulled a troubled face.

“What’s the point of having palace physicians if you don’t use them?”

He shut his mouth tightly.

“Should I call a priest?”

“No.”

He rejected the idea firmly and tried to pull away, so I held on with both hands. His forehead was warm, but his hands were still cold.

“You’re so stubborn.”

I pressed the acupressure point between his thumb and index finger with my fingers.

“What are you doing?”

“Folk remedy.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

He clearly didn’t like it, but he didn’t pull his hand away.

It was a technique used for indigestion, but maybe it would help a bit.

“So what’s wrong with you?”

“It’s nothing.”

“You’re not gonna tell me? Then I’m going home.”

I glared and threw a half-hearted threat. Calix frowned.

“I was poisoned.”

“…What?”

My jaw dropped at the answer that went far beyond my imagination.