SRC 32

Chapter 32

“Are you asking what I think of Senior Liam?”

“Yes.”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I stared at Liam, trying to figure out his intention, but nothing came through.

Was this resentment for only praising Aiden?

I gave my sister a pleading look for backup, but she, curious as well, didn’t stop Liam.

I carefully chose my words.

I could just say he was a good person, but then it might sound like I was admitting that Liam fit my previously mentioned ideal type.

I had said that my ideal type needed to be perfect in face, wealth, and personality to qualify objectively.

“Very…”

“Very?”

Seeing the hopeful expression on his face, I felt pressured to give a positive answer.

“You’re… a special person.”

Liam tilted his head, seemingly unable to understand my unexpected words.

My sister also seemed unable to read the hidden meaning in what I said.

“You are the Crown Prince, after all.”

“That’s obvious. I mean, don’t just say that—tell me how you personally think of me.”

I rested my chin on my hand, thinking carefully.

What exactly do I think about Liam?

After some thought, I decided to be honestly straightforward.

“…A harsh person?”

“What? Why?”

“Because you call me ‘Kong-Kong.’”

“Why is that harsh?”

“Was that the wrong choice of words? Then… someone I don’t like?”

As I continued answering, Liam’s expression darkened.

Even if I wanted to say something positive, he had already lost points in my mind, so no good words came out.

I had defined my relationship with my sister as friendship, and for several reasons, he simply didn’t appeal to me.

“Are you saying I’m worse than Aiden just because I call you ‘Kong-Kong’?”

“Huh?”

His voice sounded a little deflated, as if he’d been hurt.

I didn’t think he’d be the type to get hurt over something so trivial.

“Well, it’s not that you’re bad per se, but if you just changed the way you address me, I might consider you more positively.”

Honestly, I leaned more toward “I just don’t like it,” but if I said that directly, Liam would probably be shocked, so I carefully phrased it.

Liam, listening quietly, seemed to make up his mind and said firmly,

“I still won’t stop calling you Kong-Kong.”

“You’re choosing the hard path, huh.”

“I’d rather leave a strong impression, even if it’s a bad one, than just end up as a good person in your eyes. Honestly, it’s a bit unfair that Aiden seems to be treated better than me, but I’ll make you see me differently on my own.”

He seemed determined in a way that was hard to understand.

So, he wasn’t going to give up the nickname “Kong-Kong”?

I narrowed my eyes, thinking it was a pointless resolve.

“Alright, you’ll have to put in some effort, Liam.”

For once, my sister didn’t glare at Liam but seemed to accept it.

Perhaps because he was her closest friend?

At least she wanted Liam and me to get along.

“I’ll work to earn your approval, so be prepared.”

Approval for what, exactly?

Could it be… that he wanted to re-enter as a brother-in-law candidate?

He had drawn a clear line as a friend with my sister before, and suddenly he wanted to gain my approval—it was surprising.

But Liam had already been disqualified due to being the Crown Prince and issues with personality.

Regaining candidacy would require massive effort.

“We’ll see how it goes from now on.”

If Liam really tried to make up for his lost points in my mind, I might allow him back as a candidate.

Of course, he would have to overcome Lucas, who was stable and solid.

“Fine, I’ll try to become better than Aiden in your eyes.”

Liam’s real competitor was Lucas, not Aiden.

He couldn’t say that openly in front of my sister, so I just nodded.

I’d see if he could really regain qualification as a brother-in-law candidate.

“Shall we get some snacks on the way?”

A clever little trick.

“Extra points.”

He acted nonchalant, but actually… yeah, that was fair.

Liam looked confidently at me, as if to say, See?

Even if he was excluded from brother-in-law candidacy, I didn’t want to miss the advanced class with Noah.

Just being able to use magic made me feel useful.

I thought other skills could improve with study, but magic was a matter of talent, so it wasn’t easy to grasp.

At least I had hope.

After club activities, we headed to practice again in the second-year building’s backyard, like last time.

Naturally, we changed clothes and went with Noah.

“Still no new wildflowers today.”

“Great discoveries aren’t that easy.”

“It was funny when Liam brought the flower he picked last week thinking it was new.”

I giggled softly.

I could never do that in front of Liam.

“That guy… he’s been in the club for a while, but he still can’t really identify anything properly.”

I nodded at Noah’s sharp critique.

Since the club time was over, there weren’t many people in the backyard.

Perfect for magic practice.

As soon as we arrived, Noah looked at me.

“You know the drill?”

“What?”

“Mental strength comes from physical strength. First, run.”

I tried to object, but I couldn’t resist my teacher giving me free practice time.

Grudgingly, I ran a large lap around the backyard.

“Huff… okay?”

“Yes. From now on, always start by running first.”

Did I really have to keep doing this?

I was exhausted even before starting, but I forced a smile and hid it.

“Now that you’ve successfully formed the sphere, let’s try moving it.”

Thanks to relentless effort in class, I could now create a perfect circular light sphere.

Its brightness hurt my eyes at first, but after a few tries, I learned to adjust it.

This was all thanks to Noah.

I made a small sphere in my palm, just as he instructed.

“Now, move it.”

But moving it wasn’t easy.

The sphere only followed the movement of my hand.

“You have to put your will into it, make it move by itself. Holding a bomb in your hand without throwing it won’t work.”

All true words.

I gritted my teeth and tried to make the sphere move.

It didn’t respond easily.

Noah watched, then placed his hand over my wrist.

“Remember this feeling.”

Noah’s refreshing magic flowed into me.

It felt like blocked blood vessels opening.

The magic traveled from my palm to fingertips, lifting the sphere higher.

It then moved naturally in all directions.

“Now do you understand?”

“Mm.”

If I could grasp this in one try, it would prove I was a genius.

Of course, I wasn’t naturally gifted, so repeated practice was necessary.

After Noah repeatedly showed me the technique, the sphere finally reacted slightly.

“Oh? It moved.”

“Yes, keep trying.”

It was hard to move magic without motion, so I guided the energy outward with small finger movements.

The emitted magic wrapped the sphere like a web.

And it began to move according to my will.

Whenever I twitched a finger, the sphere twitched in that direction.

“Did I do it?”

“Huh… amazing. You did it, even though it’s not exactly how I taught you.”

“Wow!”

Anyway, this lesson was a success.

Smiling brightly, I moved the sphere around while Noah watched proudly.

“Grateful to Noah again today?”

“Yes, thanks, Noah.”

Overcome with emotion, tears welled up, and Noah suddenly asked,

“More than Aiden?”

“Huh?”

“Do you think I’m better than Aiden?”

“Why suddenly?”

Noah looked a little displeased.

“You became suddenly close to Aiden. I’m your friend, so why rely on Aiden more than me?”

What is he suddenly talking about?