Chapter 89

Doing overdue homework isn’t a pleasant task. And it’s even less so when you’re the one doing it for someone else.

If the homework were literal assignments, we might occasionally help out, and perhaps even take over a few times, but it’s hard to empathize with “I didn’t level up until now, so I’ll cram it all in now!”

Still, I haven’t opposed or refused to tag along. While I may not be entirely focused, I am still partaking in party hunts.

I guess it’s partly because Doyugeon is now a high school student, and I feel slightly uneasy about outright stopping him. If he’s determined to research and work hard on his own, it would crush his spirit to embarrass him.

If it just ends with him being deflated, that’s one thing, but if he gets angry instead, it would be quite awkward. I might even get angry from how awkward it is. It probably wouldn’t end neatly like last time. In many ways.

I also wonder if he’s developed some sort of safety disregard. There’s an inevitability to it too. At first, due to unfamiliarity, he outright denied the existence of magic, but now he uses magic to hold books while reading. …It’s convenient and all.

The atmosphere around him has a significant influence as well. One day, I turned on the TV, and there were doctors as guests saying that this herb grown from a rift is incredibly helpful for memory and focus. They mentioned it was great for high school seniors and that even they, in menopause, ate it daily. Watching that diminishes any sense of urgency.

Because so many people died due to goblins, there was even a national commemoration. But now, it all seems like ancient history. I guess if it’s been more than two years, in today’s world, it counts as ancient. Healing wounds so quickly is indeed a testament to capitalism’s greatness.

The national sentiment is akin to: “Dear citizens, we will not bow to alien invasions. We will not let them destroy our daily lives. Go shopping at department stores! Maintain your normal routines! That is humanity’s spirit of resistance!” It’s an empowering feeling, boosting one’s sense of self-efficacy.

We didn’t originally have a TV at home, but when we moved in together to the new city, we naturally set one up. Now, I experience all sorts of unexpected things.

My magical prowess continues to grow steadily with physical development, but I’m somewhat worried I might get in over my head. I should still be actively researching and preparing, but am I doing anything like that now?

He’s holding on to replicating items, but he’s not putting in that much effort. If he were genuinely enthusiastic, he wouldn’t be doodling in a corner alone but would have attempted collaborations with our group’s research labs. The individuals there might not be able to use magic yet, only creating the occasional fireball with their job skills, but as experts, their capabilities differ. Plus, suppressing their findings with in-house research makes it easier.

There’s some part of me that thinks it’s fine to slack off this much. Strictly speaking, I didn’t want to put in that much effort either. Right?

Why is this happening? On reflection, adolescence has probably set in. It could happen. Physically, it’s that stage, and mentally, a first-year high school girl doesn’t get many chances to experience life.

A past life isn’t such a crucial fact. Reincarnation resetting progress is natural, isn’t it? If someone from the Joseon Dynasty reincarnated in the 23rd century, it would feel strange to claim it’s their second life. The same applies if a future person reincarnated in the past. People need to learn humility. Sure, their social, cultural, and technological eras might align, but it’s not a critical detail.

Now that I think about it, I’ve had occasions where I believed it was my second life. But not really. On second thought, maybe it could’ve happened, but it’s irrelevant.

But if adolescence is the reason, isn’t that the same as with Doyugeon and Yumina?

Hmm.

On careful reflection, it doesn’t seem like adolescence. Equating them is nonsensical.

Though, if we acknowledge some form of adolescence causing minor impacts, it’s acceptable. Fine. That’s a logical judgment.

I seem to have been somewhat influenced by the general psychological tendencies.

It’s not because of minor influences making me not want to work hard, right?

Setting aside these minor influences, and ruling out safety disregard and burnout, let’s search for another cause. The reason is Doyugeon.

At this point, I understand the reason. Yeah, that’s it. That’s the problem.

You should follow your own whims to a reasonable extent.

It’s not been just a day or two that I’ve been advising and cautioning him from the side.

He consistently counters with his own arguments while rejecting all advice. Wouldn’t that tire anyone out?

Engaging in dangerous behaviors, doing what he pleases, ignoring those who worry…

When he was younger, he might have been cute, but now that he’s grown taller, what am I saying? That doesn’t matter.

We’ll know once we make him suffer.

Go ahead, waste your time as you wish.

I don’t care if you regret it later.

You’ll experience a plot where you waste time and only realize it’s days before the college entrance exam. I’ll let you go through that.

Then, when you’re feeling regretful and melancholic about why you didn’t listen to Chahanel, I’ll dramatically appear and forgive you because, naturally, I saw it coming. After that, I’ll tutor you while in college, you foolish college-repeat student. Since you’re smartish, if I teach you carefully, the scores should improve easily, right? Your grades are decent now; you’re just distracted.

That’s good.

No, better than good.

He needs a taste of life’s bitterness. If he steps into society behaving this way, the bitterness will genuinely make him miserable. This is just a brief indirect experience. He needs to reflect on his life during this regret and self-reproach, realizing the sacrifices and kindness of others. Then, maybe he’ll listen to advice more easily instead of having to be repeatedly stopped.

If he enters university without such an experience, he’d likely think he succeeded on his own. He’ll likely wander into other fruitless endeavors while preparing for employment, perhaps trying entrepreneurship next. It all sounds so plausible that it scares me. In any case, I’d plan to parachute him into an appropriate position or support him financially, but thinking about being dragged along makes me sigh in advance.

But that future is over now. Farewell.

Go ahead, waste as much time as you want.

You’re taking my goodwill for granted.

You need to realize something.

“What are you thinking about?”

That guy asked.

“Huh? About what?”

“You’re smiling.”

“Hmm…”

Glancing around for a suitable excuse, there was nothing. This is a rock mountain, sparsely dotted with shrubs and rocks quietly shimmering in the sunlight.

“I was smiling while anticipating lunch.”

“You just had lunch.”

That’s true.

Looking at the sky, clouds floated gently about. The wind was refreshing, and it felt good. The rift is a peculiar place. They said they don’t designate this as a boss area because it’s being left alone to be utilized as real estate. Is it the next colonization spot?

“The sky is pretty.”

I said casually. He stared at me for a while before looking at the sky himself.

“Right.”

“What? Why are you smiling?”

“I was smiling while anticipating lunch.”

How absurd.

Ignoring his nonsense, I scanned the area again. Why aren’t any mobs appearing here? Are they hiding among the rocks? The rocks have significant height differences, making it a good hiding spot. Laplace said large grubs are the basic mobs here, though.

“Look above.”

Following Doyugeon’s voice, I looked up to see a lone bird flying by. It was quite high, but even with the naked eye, it appeared enormous.

“That’s the boss.”

“That’s an unreasonable placement for a knight.”

“Just praise the wizard then.”

“This placement suits a wizard.”

“I didn’t mean just changing the word.”

How would one defeat that? Will it come down willingly? I could approach it by flying, but I don’t want to. I don’t want to duel it in the air—it’s a bird after all. I’d undoubtedly feel dizzy. I could end up fighting in an unstable state.

The bird circled above us before splitting into two.

Or maybe not?

The newly formed one looks different, and they’re getting bigger.

Just as I tried to discern its nature, I was suddenly grabbed from the side and lifted.

Why are you lifting me all of a sudden?

“What?”

“It’s falling!”

Ah. Falling. I didn’t notice because it was so high. Seems his level improvement has enhanced his vision as well.

I tried to look up to see what exactly was falling, but I couldn’t move freely because he had his arms around my waist, making it difficult to raise my head.

At times like this, you should carry a party member in your arms so they understand the situation…

Giving up, I hung limply, letting my arms and legs dangle.

Doyugeon only set me down after hiding behind a large rock. Now I can finally see.

As I stood up to peek over the rock, his hand placed itself on my head.

Pock.

My elevated body stopped. Following the pressure on my hand, my body descended, and my feet touched the ground again.

Ah…?

“That’s dangerous.”

That’s what he said as he straightened up and briefly peeked over the rock before quickly ducking down again.

Hah.

Heck.

I feel my pride crumbling.

Immediately after, an explosion resounded with the ground shaking.

Slimes flew over the rocks, scattering across the rocky terrain. It seemed like some kind of living organism had burst.

Doyugeon frowned.

“That’s strange… why isn’t this turning into experience points?”

“It’s not strange at all.”

“Normally, when something dies, it turns into experience points. Even if only part of the body is destroyed, that part should convert to points.”

“What do you mean? Just because something dies doesn’t mean it turns into experience points naturally.”

He naturally ignored me and observed the gooey substance before his eyes widened.

What is it?

Turning my gaze towards the slime, it writhed and formed a spherical shape before transforming into bunches of tiny grubs. Once one of them wriggled, the others began to thrash in sync. Their shapes unraveled, and they rolled chaotically on the floor. The ones at the bottom couldn’t withstand the weight, and liquid began oozing out.

Ugh!

Involuntary lightning struck multiple times, obliterating the grotesque scene. The effect was strong enough that the disgusting remnants disappeared, leaving behind golden particles fluttering in the air.

“Figures this was odd.”

“Yeah, you’re so great.”

Doyugeon nodded contentedly before standing up again to inspect over the rock. Maybe he’s flexing his height? Lucky him that he doesn’t need magic.

His inspection was brief. He quickly ducked down, his face pale.

“What’s wrong?”

Having lost for words, he was about to open his mouth when I attempted to stand up to take a direct look. He hurriedly spoke.

“That… maybe it’s better not to look.”

“…That bad?”

“Yeah, that bad.”

Though reluctant, I trusted his word and abandoned my curiosity. If it’s that bad, there’s nothing I can do.

I opened my mouth to propose discussing countermeasures for what lies ahead but couldn’t utter more than a few words before an explosion occurred. The impact was closer this time, and a greater volume of slime flew over and landed on our side of the rocks.

My spine tingled involuntarily.

I quickly resumed the conversation before it was too late.

“Maybe it’s time we call it quits. Breaking walls to live life is admirable, but some walls aren’t meant to be broken.”

“I agree.”

Without further ado, we hastily fled.

When we emerged from the rift, Laplace was leisurely licking his ice cream with a peaceful expression.

The momentum of our exit sent me flying straight into him with a “phewf!” and a “thud!”.

“Already finis—”

Colliding with Laplace with magical force sent him tumbling and rolling ungracefully behind a corner.

I slowly descended from the air as I watched this spectacle.

“Sorry. That wasn’t intentional.”

Though I apologized, Laplace, after coughing a few times while lying down, moved only his head.

“You have such an extravagant way of greeting, Lady. I’m overwhelmed.”

“What? Why so suddenly?!”

Startled by the sudden change of circumstances, Doyugeon approached.

“Why don’t you use this time discussing drinks instead of questions?”

After being scolded, he flinched.

Hmph.

That’s fair.

I’ll regain my lost pride by indulging in fried chicken tonight.

“Cappuccino, please. Quickly.”

With a gentle nudge on the back, Doyugeon departed from the alley without arguing, muttering to avoid a fight.

“To let this pass.”

“I haven’t ever used violence in front of you.”

“That’s violence you just did, though?”

“That was an accident and thus an exception.”

Laplace, with no intention of getting up, rolled over once and then seemed to be searching the floor. Judging from his focus on the fallen ice cream, he was probably looking for where his treat had ended up.

“I didn’t know you were eating. Sorry.”

I pulled out my wallet and picked a bill.

“Here as an apology. You can indulge in as much ice cream as you’d like.”

“What generous kindness!”

“Of course.”

I flicked his fingers holding the bill. The money that had been flying towards Laplace fell to the floor before going far.

“The apology seems done. Now, care to explain? The mobs haven’t been explained properly it seems. Isn’t supporting rift strategies the role of magical girls?”

“That’s correct.”

“So why are things so chaotic?”

Taking a few steps closer, I leaned over.

“You’ve never done your job properly; you only guide us to the rift’s location. Speak up.”

“I have a few reasons. First, a magical girl from our country would naturally have no goodwill towards the young mistress of any company. Second, I don’t feel like working. Third, it’s amusing to see the lady get upset.”

“All your reasons are trash.”

“And that’s why I am currently rolling on the ground!”

Laplace rolled over once.

Hmph.

I lifted my foot to step on the bill. A slight crumpling sound arose as I twisted it.

How did I end up without any normal people around me?

“It must be nice to enjoy yourself so much. Carry on while you can. There’ll come a time when you won’t be able to roll around like this anymore.”

“Much appreciated for your concern, but I’m good as is.”

Laplace, still lying down, reached for the bill.

I removed my foot, not intending to step on his hand.

Laplace picked up the bill and blew on it, removing the dust and debris.

“I’ll enjoy the ice cream well.”

Saying so with a smirk, he gave a tiny pause and then beckoned me closer. It probably meant for me to come closer. As I leaned over on approach but with further prompting, I ducked my head even further.

Laplace whispered.

“Did you know? Your errand boy isn’t at the shop.”

He asked something superfluous.

I whispered back.

“Yeah, I know.”

Will he leave now?

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