The Villains I Taught Became Heroes - Chapter 68



67 – Jealousy – 3

The academy was located within a massive city, several times larger than Greenhilde.

This city, not belonging to any country, maintained its independent development by embracing the cultures of many nations, as befits a neutral zone.

The city was divided into four districts centered around the academy, and the place Lena and I were headed to today was the Magic District.

“Heh, hehehe…”

As we entered the Magic District, Lena’s eyes began to sparkle.

Perhaps because she was a magician herself, she seemed delighted to see magical items and materials.

“Is there anything you need?”

“Um, y-yes. A, a potion and a catalyst, just a little…”

“If there’s anything else you want, just say so. I’ll buy it for you.”

“Well, there’s nothing in particular that I need…”

“Really? What about a staff or a robe…”

“I still have the ones my master gave me… s-so…”

“You’re still using those?”

“Y-yes…”

Holding tightly onto the shadow robe and the magic staff I had given her, Lena nodded.

Of course, the magic staff and shadow robe were good artifacts, but someone of the Lord of the Colorless Tower’s caliber could surely use something better.

She really is too unambitious.

“Living without desire isn’t always a good thing. Sometimes, it’s important to pursue your wants.”

“Is, is that so?”

“Yes. Desire is the driving force that propels people forward.”

Lena looked up at me and grabbed my arm.

Just like she used to when we walked together before.

Even though she was no longer a child, she held my arm like a little kid, her face slightly anxious as she cautiously spoke.

“…O-Only for today, can I hold on to you like this…?”

“Oh dear. Is it alright for the Lord of the Colorless Tower to act like a child?”

“Well, it’s… what I want…”

“Alright, alright.”

As I teased her, Lena’s face turned red, yet she didn’t let go of my arm.

Was it something she really wanted to do?

If so, I should let her.

So, with Lena holding on to me, I wandered through the Magic District with her.

It was my first time in the Magic District as well, and there were many fascinating things to see.

Sometimes, it felt like it was necessary to roam freely like this…

“Hey? Is that you, Master?”

It was then that I heard a familiar voice. Looking over, I saw two familiar faces.

“Oh… is that Laila? It’s been a while!”

Laila, and beside her was Sowol.

Were they out shopping or something?

The two, holding coffee in their hands, walked over upon spotting me and Lena.

“Ugh, ugh.”

Maybe it was because of Laila, but Lena gripped my arm tightly.

And almost as if to hide behind me, she moved closer.

This girl. Still as shy as ever.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Oh, you know me, always the same. But you were here too?”

“Well, I have to assist the saintess, after all.”

“Why didn’t you enroll in the academy too?”

“Haha. I wish I could, but I have to juggle the church’s duties and the Eastern Merchant Guild’s work. Plus, I need to support the saintess at the academy… so I’m just staying here for now.”

It seemed Laila was still looking out for Sowol.

I turned my gaze to Sowol, who was watching us with a beaming smile.

She looked so happy, but somehow her eyes didn’t seem to smile.

“But what brings you two to the magical district?”

In many ways, Sowol seemed the least suited for magic.

What would the saintess of the church, who had perfectly mastered the Moonlight Sword, be doing in a magical district?

As I marveled, she looked straight at me, still smiling, and said,

“Just… I wanted to check on a few things!”

“A few things?”

“Yes, things like that! By the way, Lena?”

“Hi, hi!”

“Aren’t you a bit too close to the Master? It might make him uncomfortable!”

Lena, who had been practically clinging to me, seemed startled by her words and pressed even closer.

Just as Sowol was about to say something more, Laila chuckled and stopped her.

“Alright, alright. Let’s save it for later and start moving.”

“Hey! Let go of me! Just a bit!”

This girl. Such a temper.

I approached Sowol, who was struggling against Laila’s grip.

Even as I got closer, Sowol puffed up her cheeks and glared at me.

– Pshhh!

From noble mtl dot com

“Ah! Really!”

As I pressed my finger against her puffed cheek, a sound like air escaping was heard.

Sowol shouted back with a flushed face.

Some things really haven’t changed since the old days.

That’s cute. I patted Sowol’s head affectionately.

“Saintess, have you finished your homework?”

“I’ve done it all?!”

“It’s nice to see you being diligent.”

“Diligence is indeed a virtue that a saintess should possess!”

“Well then, make sure to review for tomorrow’s class. I’ll help you later.”

“Really?!”

“Of course.”

“Got it! Then please trust and wait for me! Hehehe!”

Sowol’s mood brightened instantly as she grabbed Laila’s arm and moved along.

As I waved back at Laila, who was waving her hand while being pulled along, Lena approached me and spoke in a small voice.

“I, I also finished my h-homework…”

“Really? Good job. You’re truly my student.”

“E-ehhehehe~.”

Seeing her smile happily made me feel good too.

Alright. Shall we explore a bit more?

It wasn’t possible to cover the vast magical district in just one day.

After picking up a few things, Lena and I headed to a café that was quite famous in the magical district.

“Um… C-can I go in there?”

The open café was quite crowded.

Although it was a café within the magical district, it seemed to attract a fair number of non-magic users due to its popularity.

Especially since there were many lively people inside, which Lena didn’t particularly like, it was rather noisy.

“I heard this place is nice.”

“W-who said that?”

“Ariasha.”

Being naturally lively and fond of wandering around, she always seemed to know about good places.

When I thought about going out with Lena and asked her where would be good, Ariasha had recommended this place.

“Is that so? Then…”

Perhaps gathering her courage, Lena tightened her grip on my arm.

Her spirit of challenge is commendable.

Even though she was nervous, she didn’t give up on going with me, and when we entered the café…

“Hmm… There’s no seat.”

It seemed that there were no empty spots due to the crowd.

As I was wondering if I should just buy coffee to go, I glanced around.

“Wow! Teacher!!”

“Hello, Instructor.”

In a nice spot in the café sat a beautiful blonde and a red-haired woman. Ariasha. And Rifa.

Dressed in pretty casual clothes rather than their uniforms, they looked like a picture-perfect beauty, as if they were truly enjoying their holiday.

“I can’t believe you actually came here?! I’m so happy!”

“I didn’t expect to run into you here!”

“Ah. That’s because Arisha said we should study here today…”

“Sometimes we have to study in a café! I also had to do some shopping!”

“Are you part of the café study group? I hope we’re not causing too much trouble for the shop!”

“Uh-huh! We ordered quite a lot, after all?!”

With her characteristic lively tone, Arisha glanced over at the café owner. Seeing him give a thumbs up, it seemed like we really did order a lot.

“Really? Ah. Is it okay if I sit here since there’s a spot open?”

“Yes! Of course!”

Arisha quickly cleared the seat next to her.

You said you came shopping, but what did you buy?

When I peeked into the paper bag, I saw some reagents and catalysts.

“I think Sowol also came to buy reagents and catalysts earlier. Are you preparing for the next class?”

“Yes! It’s a basic magic defense class.”

“It might be a class that Lord Gwanju would find boring.”

“Oh, no. It’s a class where we can re-confirm the direction of magic. I, I’m looking forward to it too… But, um. Arisha…”

“Huh?! Why?!”

“Oh, didn’t you say you were going to the library today…?”

“Ahaha~. Schedule change!”

“I, I see…”

While I nodded with a somewhat regretful expression, a staff member approached.

As I was looking at the menu, wondering what to order, Lena leaned slightly towards me.

“M-Master. I want to try this.”

What Lena chose was a fluffy pancake with a neat and pretty decoration that girls would likely enjoy.

I didn’t expect Lena to like this kind of thing. I should buy her something like this next time it’s sold.

“Oh. It’s a couple menu. Then, I guess this and… two coffees will be enough?”

“Hehe. Yes!”

“A couple menu…”

At that moment, I heard Arisha’s small voice from the side, and when I turned to look, the usually smiling girl had a blank expression on her face.

“Arisha?”

“Huh? What?”

Did I see it wrong?

Her pretty face was adorned with a smile that suited her well.

Hmm. Yeah. I must have seen it wrong.

There’s no way that sunshine-like Arisha would have that sticky, gloomy expression from earlier.

“If you guys want to order anything else, feel free. I’ll treat you.”

“Wow! Really?! Thank you! Teacher!”

“Thank you!”

As Arisha and Rifa joyfully picked out various items from the menu, the food we ordered arrived.

Hmm. This definitely looks delicious.

Just as I took a sip of the bitter coffee and was about to eat the pancake, Lena, who had cut her pancake first, hesitated for a moment before holding out a piece topped with whipped cream on her fork towards me.

“M-Master.”

“Uh?”

“Oh, ahhh~.”

She seems excited.

Is it good to be outside?

I smiled and was about to open my mouth when I felt a gaze fixed on me.

Again. The smile had vanished from Arisha’s face.