I Can See the Comments on the Doomed Novel - Chapter 178



The People You Must Meet

“Wow, amazing, Ji-hoon! When did you reach this level?”

“It’s nothing special.”

At Ji-hoon’s humility, the professor in charge of magic at the academy shook his head as if to say, “What are you talking about?”

“It’s definitely not nothing! This is truly an incredible advancement!”

The professor glanced around for a moment before whispering just loud enough for Ji-hoon to hear.

“At this level, you might be the best in terms of skill at our school.”

Ji-hoon could only manage an awkward smile in response to the praise.

Ji-hoon was certainly aware of his exceptional skills.

Could it be that a talent that was once nonexistent has blossomed like this?

Is it the influence of touching Pandora’s box, including the divine?

Or perhaps it’s due to his experience of contracting with a deity related to spirits, which has heightened his magical sensitivity?

His magical abilities were improving day by day.

“At this rate, I think you’ll start getting offers from decent guilds, right? Or should I recommend you as an intern? You’re thinking of going into magic, aren’t you?”

Magic is fundamentally in high demand in many areas.

Unlike ordinary combatants who are simply used in battles, one can branch out into various fields.

However, depending on the path chosen, the amount of study required can become overwhelming.

Ji-hoon’s grades were among the top in his school.

It was an era where wizards were needed in every field.

If he continued to hone his skills like this, he could choose any place he wanted.

Of course, that was only if he had the desire to do so.

“I appreciate the thought, but I’m not planning to join a guild right now.”

“Oh, are you perhaps considering something else?”

“Yes, I want to go into research.”

Magical research was still a field in full swing.

Many wizards who should be conducting research often drifted into combat roles.

Researchers weren’t particularly popular.

There was no need to pursue that path when combat wizards were earning salaries from large corporations.

In reality, most who chose research were either afraid of fighting or found it difficult to apply magic in combat.

Neither of those applied to Ji-hoon.

“Hmm, that’s not a bad choice, but are you sure? It’s going to be a tough road.”

“It’s something I’ve decided since I first started learning magic.”

The professor didn’t hide his disappointment.

It wasn’t just the regret of losing a promising student who could elevate the academy’s name through his research.

There was also a sense of disappointment in the fact that this young wizard chose a path that would keep him confined to the classroom.

He could certainly aim higher if he wanted to.

Honestly, it felt like a waste.

“May I ask why?”

“I have something I need to do.”

“Something you need to do?”

“Yes, it’s something I must accomplish.”

Ji-hoon didn’t elaborate any further.

But his eyes were already shining with a strong conviction.

Perhaps if a long time had passed, it might have been different.

A student with such eyes would not bend their will, no matter the pressure.

The professor of magic struggled to suppress the rising greed.

“Well, if that’s the case, there’s nothing I can do. If you change your mind, feel free to reach out anytime.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Ji-hoon bowed his head slightly.

He didn’t dislike this kind of interference, after all.

It meant someone was concerned about his future.

Even if it wasn’t this professor, various places had shown interest based on his grades.

If it weren’t for ‘her,’ Ji-hoon would have jumped at the opportunity without hesitation.

In fact, some guilds had even offered substantial sums to scout him.

Still, no one could break Ji-hoon’s stubbornness.

Well, that doesn’t mean everyone accepted it as readily as the professor of magic had.

“Yo, Yoo-ri.”

“……”

As they exited the school gate, Yoo-ri was waiting with her arms crossed.

Perhaps it was the passage of time, or maybe it was the influence of Hyena and Eunbyeol that had led her to start dressing up a bit.

Yoo-ri looked even more beautiful than before.

With her standing there, the gazes of passersby were drawn to her.

But Yoo-ri paid no mind to those looks, glaring silently at Ji-hoon.

Her sulky expression clearly conveyed her dissatisfaction.

“Shall we go?”

“……”

The two walked side by side down the path.

If Hyena had been there, the atmosphere might have been a bit better.

Unfortunately, Hye-na had club activities today.

Even while walking, Yu-ri didn’t say a word.

“Are you still sulking because of the major I chose?”

“I’m not sulking. I’m just dissatisfied.”

“Isn’t that the same as sulking?”

“Not at all.”

Ji-hoon pondered quietly for a moment before deciding to stop thinking about it.

Yu-ri, how should I put it? When it comes to talking to him, her rational side tends to fade away.

Considering how coldly rational she is with others, it’s quite peculiar.

“You are sulking.”

“No, I’m not.”

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“It’s because I chose magic instead of swordsmanship, isn’t it?”

“…….”

At the academy, as students advance in grade, they choose their majors.

In fact, even though it’s called a major, it’s usually determined by which weapon one primarily uses.

And of course, Yu-ri chose swordsmanship without a second thought.

She had been a knight in her past life, wielding a sword throughout her downfall, and continued to swing a sword here, so it was only natural.

The problem was that Yu-ri assumed Ji-hoon would naturally choose swordsmanship as well.

As mentioned, Ji-hoon chose magic instead of a sword.

This fact seemed to greatly displease Yu-ri.

Perhaps because of that, she had been in this state ever since the major selection.

“……Traitor.”

“Hey, I never said I would choose swordsmanship, so why am I a traitor?”

“If you’re part of the Möbius Knights, you should have chosen a sword, of course.”

“It’s a prejudice to think that all knights use swords.”

These days, there are so many knights who don’t use swords in novels.

In a world like this, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for a knight who uses magic to exist.

“……I naturally thought we would take classes together as we advanced in grade.”

“Oh dear, is that why our Yu-ri is sulking? Because she’s being left out all alone?”

“Get your hands off me.”

Ji-hoon chuckled softly as he patted Yu-ri’s head.

Even though he said that, Yu-ri didn’t actively try to pull her hand away.

In fact, she leaned in slightly, as if encouraging him to continue.

If another man had done this, he would have found himself with a broken arm, soaring through the air.

“Don’t be like that. This is a decision I’ve thought about for a long time.”

“Why magic, of all things?”

“Because there’s someone I need to meet.”

“…A woman, huh.”

Yu-ri narrowed her eyes and glared at Ji-hoon.

A woman’s intuition can be quite uncanny at times.

How could she pick up on that with just one sentence?

Ji-hoon felt a pang of guilt but quickly tried to change the subject.

“Oh, look! They’re selling cute stuff over there.”

What Ji-hoon pointed to was a penguin plushie displayed in the shop.

It was similar in size and shape to one he had seen at the Destruction Hotel before.

Ji-hoon bought it and handed it to Yu-ri.

Yu-ri looked at it with a haughty expression.

“…What is this?”

“A penguin plushie.”

“And why this all of a sudden?”

“Didn’t you like this?”

“Penguins aren’t really my thing. I’ve hardly even seen one.”

Ji-hoon was slightly taken aback.

When he had given it to her before, she had been so delighted that she wouldn’t let it out of her arms.

She had even come to retrieve it one night, claiming she couldn’t sleep without it.

‘Has her taste changed?’

Well, it was entirely possible, considering the different experiences Yu-ri had gone through since then.

The Yu-ri he had given it to back then wasn’t exactly in a normal state of mind.

If her feelings had changed, he could understand that.

“Well, I guess there’s nothing to be done about it.”

Shaking off her disappointment, she tried to take the penguin plush back.

But Yuri held onto it tightly, refusing to let go.

“Yuri?”

“What?”

“Didn’t you say you didn’t really like it earlier?”

“I never said I wouldn’t accept it.”

Well… that’s certainly true.

“No, but even if you don’t like it, keeping it just becomes a burden.”

“It’s not polite to refuse a gift.”

“It’s fine. I’ll give you something else next time, so just let go of this for now.”

“Then I’ll accept that too.”

This kid, ever since coming to this peaceful world, has become even more stubborn and prideful.

Yuri held on until the very end, refusing to release her grip.

In the end, Ji-hoon gave up, and the small fight concluded with Yuri hugging the penguin plush tightly.

“Anyway, I’ll gratefully accept it. But why this particular plush?”

…If she’s going to like it that much, she should have just accepted it from the start.

Honestly, she’s such an insincere person.

“It’s for a reason similar to why I’m learning magic.”

“…….You sometimes say things I can’t understand.”

Seeing Yuri’s puzzled expression, Ji-hoon forced a smile.

To everyone who has lost their memories, he must seem strange.

Yet, there is someone he can never give up on.

He swore to cherish her as his goddess forever.

How much time had passed, really?

The girl sat in a green garden where no one lived.

Just because there were no people didn’t mean she was alone.

Around her were cute rabbits and foxes, along with a large wolf that had settled nearby.

The girl lay comfortably, using the giant wolf as a pillow.

Her slightly short blue hair fluttered in the breeze.

The girl’s mysterious eyes gazed blankly at the blue sky.

She loved this quiet and distant peace.

There were no quarreling people, no fighting souls.

She cherished this warmth in her heart.

Having lived her whole life like this, she had no way of knowing what other worlds might be like.

Yet, living quietly with her spirit family was undoubtedly a happiness.

But why was it, then, that she felt a sense of emptiness somewhere within?

She had no memories of meeting anyone else.

The girl had lived in this garden since the day she was born.

And still, sometimes, a feeling of longing seeped into a corner of her heart.

It felt like she had made a very important promise…

In this peaceful, yet strangely lonely corner of the world.

Suddenly, the space warped, and a hand reached out.

The girl was so startled that her eyes widened in surprise.

The surrounding animals, too, were flustered by this sight they had never seen before.

Yet, strangely, fear did not cross her mind.

Instead, a sense of welcome took precedence.

“Sorry, I didn’t make much progress on the dimensional travel research. It took a while to create the magic and find this place.”

The person who had walked from that place murmured as he spoke.

He was a man, significantly taller than the girl, with striking black hair.

Certainly someone she had never seen before in her life.

A person she had no memory of at all.

Yet, still, he felt like someone she must not forget.

“I’ve come to get you, Eve.”

Such a person smiled at her.

Though she still didn’t understand why, tears began to flow.

A warm breeze brushed against her cheek.

It was a gentle, soft wind that melted her heart.