Chapter 51

51. Karla, Karla, Oh, Karla. (5)

The adaptability of humans truly has a frightening aspect to it. No matter how much you believe you’ll never get used to something, the moment comes when you find yourself accepting it without a second thought. And sometimes, that moment comes surprisingly quickly.

Ivan felt the same way.

He was referring to situations like this—one where Karla was sleeping right beside him.

He had thought he’d never get used to this kind of proximity, but at some point, he did.

‘Hmm.’

Ivan subtly shifted his gaze to steal a glance at Karla.

The curtains hadn’t completely blocked the moonlight, which cast an eerie glow into the room. It was strangely this dim moonlight that only highlighted Karla’s silhouette, creating an almost mystical atmosphere.

Looking at those graceful curves emphasized just how beautiful Karla was even in a state of rest.

As Ivan realized this once again, he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.

Thinking back, their connection had stretched all the way from childhood, and though it seemed severed for a time, they reunited here at the Academy after so many years. He had never imagined that the boy named Carlo, who was his age, would actually turn out to be such a beautiful woman.

With her sleeping right beside him like this, it was tough for Ivan to fall asleep. But even though he had been in this situation for a few days now and had grown accustomed to it, it still took quite a lot of time to drift off.

At some point, Ivan had asked whether they really needed to share a bed. But Karla had retorted, “Is there really a need?” leaving Ivan speechless.

Ivan’s eyes unconsciously traced Karla’s elegant curves.

Every curve was distinctly pronounced—what should rise, rises perfectly, and where it should dip, dips unmistakably, creating the mystery of a woman’s body.

Involuntarily, Ivan’s eyes were drawn to Karla’s neck.

If there was anything on her that could hold his gaze, it was her neck.

That pale, soft neck, delicate and slender enough to fit perfectly in Ivan’s hand—it evoked peculiar thoughts.

If he were to grip that neck tightly and apply force…

Karla would choke, coughing violently. Breathing in and out through that neck would become impossible.

Waking up, her eyes would meet Ivan’s with a cloud of confusion.

Only when her breath caught in her throat would she struggle to release Ivan’s grasp. Her gaze, clouded and drained of strength, would be filled with resentment toward him…

‘Iieek.’

Ivan took a deep breath and steadied his breathing.

Occasionally, he found himself indulging in such disturbing fantasies.

She was his friend, Karla was his friend—so why was he having these thoughts?

Ivan carefully got out of bed.

It seemed he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep early tonight. That thought led him to want a glass of water.

“…Where are you going?”

A voice groggy from sleep broke the air.

Ivan turned his head slightly to look at Karla while answering.

“To drink some water.”

“Get me some too…”

Still, Karla didn’t stir to sit up.

Seeing this, Ivan couldn’t help but smile faintly. He poured water from the kettle on the table, drank a glass, and then poured another for Karla, bringing it over to her.

“Here, I’ve brought you water.”

“Help me sit up…”

Her eyes were still closed.

Ivan placed the cup on the table and slid his hand beneath Karla’s back to help her sit up.

“You’re becoming quite the master, aren’t you?”

“Master… yes, a very good one. For a commoner…”

“That’s right, that’s correct. You’re indeed a commoner.”

After seating Karla, Ivan retrieved the cup.

When he noticed her left shoulder trembling slightly, he brought the cup to her lips.

“You really shouldn’t be without your left arm…”

Karla paused briefly, her gaze falling to her shoulder.

It still felt as though her missing left arm was still there.

How much more time would it take to grow accustomed to this emptiness? Or could one ever truly grow accustomed to it?

At her muttered words, Ivan felt deep sorrow.

Ivan’s sorcery was Wind Sorcery, and even if he had only one arm, it wouldn’t be a significant hindrance. He could replace limbs with wind, and in terms of wielding sorcery, limbs were not a critical factor.

But things were different for Karla. The loss of limbs was a devastating issue for her.

“That’s enough. Stop looking at me with that expression.”

After drinking a glass of water, Karla seemed a bit more alert.

When she glared at him with irritation, Ivan snapped out of his daze. Karla intensely disliked pity, and Ivan was no exception.

“…About the order of appearance. It’s still my turn to go first, right?”

Upon Karla’s words, Ivan didn’t respond verbally but gave a heavy nod.

“Of course, the weakest person should go first…”

Karla muttered, drawing her knees close.

Today was the day.

Today, the curtain would rise on the first round of the Exchange Battle—a major tournament.

Previously, Lorenzo had nonchalantly remarked that the weakest person should go first—likely to conserve the strength of Ivan, who was considered the strongest among the East and West Teams combined, by placing him last.

And he pointed out Karla for the first round, implying that she was the weakest currently in the East Team, or even among both teams combined.

“There’s no denying it, I suppose.”

Saying this, Karla chuckled faintly.

On the contrary, Ivan couldn’t help but smile—understanding what emotions lay behind her remark.

“Cold reality must prevail. There aren’t many one-armed martial artists out there. And even if we could use weapons, her situation is slightly different…”

Karla’s muttering continued.

Ivan remained silent, watching her without a word.

“…Karla.”

“Hm?”

While muttering about wondering who the West Team would send out first, wishing Lucas would appear so she could plant a solid punch on his face for satisfaction, Karla turned to Ivan.

“I’ll be fine as long as you are.”

“Huh?”

Ivan climbing onto the bed drew Karla’s attention.

As Ivan fidgeted and moved closer, Karla stared at him silently.

“…I’ll definitely bring you victory. I will win this and bring victory right before your eyes.”

At this, Karla fell silent.

Then she met Ivan’s gaze, her expression unreadable.

“Of course, the sorcerer can fulfill such wishes—it is, after all, the family motto of the Cascata family.”

Karla didn’t answer.

Ignoring her absence of reply, Ivan continued.

“I wanted to be like you—I saw how you never give up, how you persistently fight through anything, and I wanted to be someone like that. So… you can trust me this time too. I’ll protect everything you’ve achieved.”

“Huh?”

At Ivan’s sudden outburst, Karla looked at him with surprise.

Ivan, too, stared at her as he repeated himself earnestly.

“…I’m strong, Karla. I might be stronger than you think. That’s why I can do it. Even if my teammates before me all lose and I have to fight against five people, I will win. I have the strength to do it. And when I win, I’ll say that it was because of you, Karla, that I was able to win.”

As Ivan spoke with conviction, Karla blinked.

…Why me?

Why do you want to bring victory to me?

Why?

“…Why?”

Karla’s unexpected question made Ivan blink as well.

Did he not even consider a reason? Thinking so, Karla asked again.

And just then—

“Of course. Because it’s because of you, Karla, that I am who I am now.”

“What? Why? What have I done?”

“How… You might think it’s not true, but…”

Ivan hesitated under her direct question.

Though he had boldly said it earlier, to voice it outright, especially to the person concerned—it was truly embarrassing.

“It’s… because of you, Karla, as competition… that I was pushed to work harder. Because of you, I began to want to win, that… competitive spirit, you know. So, it’s because of you, that I’ve become stronger, I think.”

Is this what’s happening?

Karla had relentlessly worked so hard to beat Ivan—this was an undeniable truth.

Because she didn’t want to lose, because she wanted to surpass Ivan, Karla had poured her heart and soul into it. She was willing to do anything—even alter her gender to compete—though it wasn’t consciously desired.

Could it be the same with Ivan?

Because he didn’t want to lose to Karla, was that also why he worked hard?

With this unexpected confession, Karla felt something strange.

“…Did you work hard to not lose to me?”

“Of course. Back then, I believed you were a boy… Boys are all like that, you know. We’ll do crazy things to avoid losing to our peers, and I made immense efforts, too. Maybe you wouldn’t know.”

“That’s true?”

“Yeah. I didn’t want to lose to you. You probably don’t know how much effort I put in.”

“I don’t even care to know.”

“Th! That’s not the point anyway! Karla, don’t feel too heartbroken even if you lose. I’ll take revenge for you. And I’ll crush the West Team entirely, bringing you victory. I’ll loudly proclaim, ‘Because of Karla, I was able to win.'”

Karla felt strange.

Because of Karla, he’d win. Karla had enabled his victory. Such claims by Ivan were unsettling.

She abruptly turned her back to him.

She pulled the blanket closer with her good arm and said,

“…Do what you will.”

“Alright. I’ll do as I please. I’ll say I won because of Karla, that Karla’s existence made me victorious…”

“Quit it, you idiot!”

A pillow flew toward Ivan’s face.

The throw lacked any real strength and didn’t hurt at all.

“…And our family motto is ‘The Sorcerer shall achieve thus,’ not ‘thus he shall be guided.'”

“Oh…is it?”

This is when Ivan’s lack of knowledge became apparent.

Still, it wasn’t overwhelmingly annoying…

At least not this time.

“…It’s not that important.”

But Karla still sighed and burrowed deeper under the covers.

An inexplicable warmth crept into her heart.

‘That guy… That’s why I can’t hate him.’

She tried to close her eyes and muttered softly,

“Alright, do as you wish. But win and bring me that victory.”