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Chapter 97 – Strange Relationship (3)
April 30th, 2023
Afterward, I left the bookstore with several books that I had purchased. There were so many newly released books that it took me a long time to decide which ones to buy, but with Arwen’s help, I was able to shorten the time a bit. However, she only provided information on whether the book had depth and was suitable for someone knowledgeable like me, without giving her own subjective evaluation.
“By the way, all the books seem to be related to history. Do you like history?”
Arwen asked me as we walked down the street after leaving the bookstore. She seemed a bit puzzled that I had only chosen history books.
In response, I raised the paper bag that I held in my right hand, which contained the books I had purchased.
“It’s interesting. It’s fascinating that such events happened in the past.”
“Well, as you say, the past can be intriguing. Even I wonder if such events really happened. Moreover, the fact that the past influences the present and the future is of great interest.”
“Do you like history, Arwen? I mean, not just the history of elves, but that of other races as well?”
Elves tend to place great importance on their own history and traditions, but it’s a story that was only until the outbreak of the race wars. Until then, elves had almost no interest in other races.
However, there was one exception, and that was the demons. As descendants of angels, elves had to be cautious of the descendants of demons, and there were hidden conflicts between them, as recorded in the books.
But since the power of the two sides was similar, there was no direct military conflict. If there had been, one of the races would have been at risk of being wiped out, and as an elf, Arwen had no choice but to remain a spectator.
“Of course. Especially with humans like you, I have a deep curiosity. Despite their short lifespan, humans have achieved remarkable growth. Even magic was something that only the chosen ones could use during the race wars, but now it is widely available to the upper class. And in time, magic will become a power that even commoners can use easily.”
“That will take a long time.”
“Hmm
”
After hearing my curt response, Arwen stared at me intently. After pondering for a while, she turned her head forward and spoke her mind.
“It will indeed take a long time for your words to come true. However, humans possess infinite potential, and even we elves cannot deny that. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, magic may spread to the general public. Xenon’s Biography appeared in the world suddenly too. Do you know how the perception of the demons has changed?”
“Well, this world is full of unpredictable things.”
I listened to Arwen’s explanation and smirked. Even as the author of the Xenon’s Biography, I never thought it would turn out like this. What a cruel world.
One might think that magic is a privilege allowed only for the upper class, but upon closer examination, it is a naturally ingrained phenomenon.
Unlike the nobility who receive advanced education from a young age, commoners can only acquire power through their own efforts, and even accessing magic differs.
Occasionally, commoners may display the potential to become a wizard, but it is a truly rare occurrence. Moreover, because it is such an exceptional talent, the country focuses on caring for them.
In other words, if the accessibility issue is resolved, magic means that even commoners can use it easily.
Elves and demons may have a natural advantage in magic, but it may be due to the overwhelming accessibility.
“By the way, it’s true that the elves look down on humans, right? You and the elves I’ve met so far don’t seem to have that tendency.”
Thinking deeply about magic, I suddenly had a question for Arwen.
Whether it was Cindy or Elena, the elves I met didn’t seem to regard humans as inferior. On the contrary, Elena is evaluating me as a recommended student, and the same goes for Cindy.
“That’s just prejudice. Just like how humans see elves differently, we also look at humans with various perspectives. However, most of the elves who experienced the race war still look down on humans.”
“Why? If they went through such humiliation, their thoughts should have changed.”
“The reason is simple. The reason why we lost the race war was because of our own mistakes, not because humans were superior. It’s truly a ridiculous situation.”
“
 
”
I feel like my tongue is tied due to the elf-like thinking. I’ve heard that there is a serious conflict between generations among the elves, and I think I know why.
Still, it’s a relief that the younger elves have a positive view of humans.
“That’s why we ended up making a lake instead of digging a well with all our futile efforts
”
The problem is the same everywhere. Arwen seems to dislike them so much that he cringes, his face contorted.
To ease Arwen’s discomfort and relieve my boredom, I wandered around the streets. As expected of a festival, there were various vendors, and there was even food to be found.
As the son of a lord, I can’t lose face by not being able to buy food for the chance encounter I had.
“Arwen, is there anything you want to eat? I’ll buy it for you.”
“That, there’s no need. I already ate before I came here.”
“Eating and satisfying your bored mouth are different things. You didn’t fill your stomach with candy, did you?”
“I’m really okay
”
Arwen responded to me with a slight irritation.
“Isn’t it uncomfortable for me to inconvenience you? Sometimes I did look at some stalls, but I didn’t really care about it.”
“We’re meeting like this because it’s fate, so I should at least buy some food. And as a nobleman’s son, this is the least I can do.”
“Well then, I won’t refuse. But there’s one condition
”
“What condition?”
Arwen kept looking at someone next to me and hesitated. I looked where her gray eyes were pointing, but I couldn’t see or feel anything in the empty space. I was starting to wonder when she suddenly said.
“Buy two.”
“What?”
“If you’re buying, buy two each. I want to eat one right away, and savor the other one slowly.”
“You’re not going to eat both right away?”
“Well, I might want it later. It’s for the future.”
Arwen was surprised by her own unique idea when I asked her about it. People have different thoughts, but it was strange even considering that.
I looked at her hesitatingly and eventually agreed. Arwen’s face showed some relief as a result.
‘Does she have another companion with her?’
If it’s not that, there’s no need to buy two. I think they’re probably planning to meet up later.
Next, I bought three strawberry candies from a nearby street vendor. The original name is Tanghulu, a snack that skewers fruits and coats them with sugar, malt syrup, and other syrups before letting them freeze. It has a very sweet taste and the natural taste of the fruit is also mixed in. Surprisingly, it has a long history and is one of the foods that come to mind when you think of festivals.
“Here you go, sir. Enjoy.”
“Thank you.”
“It looks delicious.”
When I received three strawberry candies, Arwen’s eyes shone like a child’s. I paid the vendor and handed Arwen two of the candies.
Arwen held one candy in each hand and looked at them with a look that made her want to eat them. She looked like a child who couldn’t wait to eat.
“You haven’t had fruit candy before?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s one of my favorite foods.”
“Well, don’t bite it too hard. You’ll break your teeth.”
“
 You keep treating me like a child. As I said before, I’m over ten times older than you.”
Arwen pouted with inflated cheeks, as if she didn’t like being treated like a child. But that only made her seem more like a child.
I wanted to pat her head as if to comfort her, but I barely managed to restrain myself. Instead, I just smiled at her as if she were cute. Arwen looked at me with her chubby face for a moment before turning her head with a huff. Then, suddenly, she threw the strawberry candy that she had been holding in her left hand into the air, as if to show off.
Just as I was taken aback by her behavior, something happened that made me doubt my own eyes.
-Pop!
The strawberry candy that Arwen had thrown into the air disappeared in the blink of an eye. There was no sign of it ever being there in the first place.
Seeing my surprise at what had just happened, Arwen explained it in a nonchalant tone.
“It’s storage magic. I put it in a space I made using teleportation.”
“Storage magic?”
“Humans call it a subspace.”
Arwen mentioned the embodiment of storage magic that always appears in fantasy magic, subspace. Although Arwen spoke of it as if it were not that difficult, it was possible for her because she was an elf. It was one of the most difficult magics for humans.
If subspace was a tool prepared for elves to make pockets by sewing, humans had to start from scratch. As a result, subspace was highly practical, but very difficult.
Since it was my first time seeing magic in action, I looked at her with curiosity. Even though it looked difficult, elves still looked like elves.
“Can you take it out again?”
“Uh, yes?”
“You stored it, so you can take it out again, right?”
“Well, it’s just that
”
Arwen was greatly taken aback by my question. No, she was beyond taken aback; she looked bewildered.
When she saw my puzzled expression, she hesitated for a moment before answering urgently.
“I, I need some time!”
“You need time?”
“Yes. Just because an elf has a talent for magic doesn’t mean they can use it recklessly. Especially with spatial magic.”
Is it like a cooldown? I don’t know anything about magic, so I just shrugged it off.
Besides, since she seemed to have a reason, pretending not to know anything might be a good way to go.
“Okay. Still, it’s amazing. It’s my first time seeing magic with my own eyes.”
“If you want, I can show you a simple spell.”
“Like what?”
Swoosh-
Instead of answering, Arwen demonstrated with action. She neatly gathered both her hands together, and then blue water droplets floated up above them.
I couldn’t help but be amazed as the clear, beautiful droplets floated up from her delicate hands. I had only heard about magic before, so it was even more impressive to see it with my own eyes.
Arwen smiled contentedly as she opened her mouth wide and focused, moving her index finger gracefully. The water droplets moved smoothly towards where her finger was pointing.
“You treated me like a child earlier, and now you seem like an even younger child.”
Arwen teased, popping the water droplets like bubbles. It seemed like revenge for being treated like a child until now.
But I didn’t deny it and just nodded my head. It felt like the first time I saw a big soap bubble when I was a child.
There’s something charming about magic that makes men feel young at heart. Even if it’s just a low level of skill, magic is still magic.
“Can you show me more than this?”
“Of course. Then
”
“Isaac?”
A seductive voice cut through Arwen’s preparation for the next spell. It was a very familiar voice to me.
I turned my head back to see none other than Cecily, who seemed to have just finished a private conversation. I couldn’t see where Marie had gone.
“Oh, Cecily Noona, you’re here? What about Marie?”
“Marie will be here soon. But
”
As soon as Cecily and I met eyes for the first time, she looked at Arwen next to me. For a moment, her pupils dilated in her red eyes.
Then Cecily smiled brightly and asked kindly.
“Who are these people?”
“
 
”
At the same time as her question, an inexplicable chill ran through my body.
Translators note:
Ugh, I forgot to change the font color last chapter. fixed now
Also I got Bronya and Seele, I’m happy now.