While recalling the words that warned him not to get too attached to Scarlett, knowing it would be difficult later on.
He swung his sword.
While remembering the words that said he wouldn't live long, that his limit would be around the time he graduated from the academy.
He felt sad, angry, and resentful.
How could the world be so cruel?
Why did she have to be like this?
Biting his lip, he swung his sword again.
But with a sharp metallic sound, the sword was blocked, slipping from his hand and embedding itself in the ground.
After retrieving the stuck sword and summoning another to continue his attack, Yoon Siwoo stopped when he heard a voice.
[...You're not swinging a sword, but your emotions. It's better to stop practicing today.]
Yoon Siwoo exhaled heavily and sat on the ground, his breath ragged, in response to Lucy's criticism.
Could he change her fate even if he became stronger?
For the first time in his life, Yoon Siwoo felt powerless.
It was a daily occurrence for Lucy to scold him, saying that if he showed such weakness, he wouldn't become strong.
What would she say today? As he waited for Lucy to say something while she approached him,
to his surprise, she gently hugged him, and he closed his eyes tightly.
[If it's too hard, it's okay to complain sometimes.]
Perhaps because she had directly absorbed his sadness, anger, and resentment from the sword.
His chest felt heavy at Lucy's unusually warm behavior.
[You are my contractor, but also my family.]
For a moment, Yoon Siwoo was honest in her embrace.
*
The next day, while wandering outside with a troubled mind as usual, Yoon Siwoo saw Scarlett sitting on a park bench.
His steps involuntarily stopped.
He had no idea how to approach her.
But he had promised to continue being friends with her, so Yoon Siwoo tried to look as if nothing was wrong and approached her.
"......What are you doing?"
He tried to act as if everything was normal, but his voice trembled slightly.
If someone could act normally after hearing such a story, they would either be an extraordinary actor or someone who was broken in some way.
Their eyes met as Scarlett, who had been looking down, raised her head in response to his question.
Yoon Siwoo held his breath as she answered that she had something to think about.
Because she was usually expressionless, seeing her smile naturally made him wonder if something had changed in her.
As he thought this, he heard her voice.
"Hey, you said you'd help me if I had any problems, right? Is that still valid?"
He remembered saying that.
And even if he hadn't, he would probably have listened to her no matter what.
Yoon Siwoo nodded, thinking this.
"That's a relief. Let's go somewhere no one else can hear us. It's a bit sensitive to talk about outside. Is there anywhere we can go where no one will eavesdrop?"
After saying this, Scarlett stood up and motioned for him to follow her.
Then, she entered a clothing store on the street and bought some clothes.
After picking out some clothes from the display and asking if they suited her, Yoon Siwoo nodded absentmindedly.
He probably would have nodded no matter what she chose.
Scarlett nodded in response to his answer and went to pay, leaving Yoon Siwoo confused.
Why did she ask me if they suited her?
As he wondered this, the store clerk said with a smile, "Your girlfriend is really pretty."
His face turned red at the word "girlfriend," and he shook his head vigorously.
If others saw them like this, maybe it did look like a date.
As he thought this, the clerk's next words, "So, how about I be your girlfriend?" didn't register.
Watching Scarlett leave the store with her new clothes, Yoon Siwoo thought,
Whatever her problem was, if it could be solved this way, he would be happy to do his best.
But the moment he saw their next destination, his thoughts were swept away by a huge shock.
*
His heart was pounding wildly.
Waiting outside the door as instructed, Yoon Siwoo was on edge, hearing the sound of the shower from inside the room.
She had said she had a problem, so he had followed her.
Why was he waiting for Scarlett to finish showering in a motel?
His mind was racing, overwhelmed.
Lucy whispered to calm him down, but no man could remain calm in such a situation.
When the shower stopped, his heart beat so hard it felt like it would burst.
He thought, "We're students; is this okay?" and "Is it okay to follow my desires?"
"It's okay to come in now."
His thoughts stopped as he saw Scarlett.
Her hair was damp from the shower, and she was wearing the clothes he had said suited her.
When she sat on the bed and patted the spot next to her, his heart felt like it would explode.
[Don't worry about me. I'll dull your senses for a while, so just enjoy it.]
Hearing Lucy's voice, Yoon Siwoo shook his head and sat on the floor.
Then, Scarlett said,
"I won't let you leave me like that, right?"
Repeating his own words.
Weren't you unconscious then? Did you hear everything?
Embarrassment and the thought that maybe she was acting this way because of that filled his mind.
As he bowed his head, he heard her laugh.
Feeling like he didn't know what was happening, he trembled as he waited, and then realized she had gotten off the bed.
The touch of her hand and her words made his trembling stop.
"Thank you, for saying that."
He realized it wasn't the situation he had imagined.
But it was still a happy thing to hear.
He didn't need the Holy Sword to know.
That she was genuinely grateful to him.
When he looked up and met her eyes, she smiled slightly and continued.
"You took my side even though you knew everything. I was really happy. Being associated with a witch isn't a good thing. People will think I'm bad and scary. And to some extent, that's true."
Her words about not worrying about him.
Because being associated with a witch meant her true identity couldn't be revealed, she had to avoid people.
Fortunately, he and Sylvia had accepted her despite knowing her past, but most others wouldn't.
Now, he understood why she had been pushing him away.
"Sometimes, I hear the witch's voice. It tells me to burn everything. Sometimes, I see visions of my body burning. I try not to give in, but I'm scared. What if I can't hold on? What if people get hurt because of me?"
She had been fighting this battle alone, unable to tell anyone.
"I want to protect people. That's the life I, Scarlett Evangela, want to live. For the next three years, I want to live that way."
Despite not being recognized by people, she sincerely wanted to protect them.
"If, if I'm no longer Scarlett Evangela..."
She smiled as if she had already made up her mind.
"Then, I want you to kill me."
Her smile was like a brilliant flame.
Yoon Siwoo sighed.
Her problem, her request.
He had thought it would be a happy thing to solve, but reality was different.
But there was no hesitation or doubt.
If she truly wanted this, there was only one answer he could give.
Yoon Siwoo nodded and replied.
"I will."
To kill the girl he had sworn to protect.
And Yoon Siwoo was satisfied with his answer, seeing Scarlett nod in agreement.
"But, will you do one thing for me?"
Like the contract with Lucy, if he granted her request, she should grant his.
So, Yoon Siwoo said to Scarlett, who was tilting her head.
"If, in three years, that doesn't happen."
It was more of a wish than a request.
"I want you to be happy."
Scarlett looked stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"What kind of request is that? You idiot."
Then, she smiled shyly and replied.
"But, I'll try."
Her answer made Yoon Siwoo smile too.
Yeah, I'll try too.
He made this promise.
*
In fairy tales, the good receive blessings, and the evil receive punishment.
But the world gave the harshest fate to the kindest person.
It bestowed layer upon layer of misfortune on someone who deserved happiness.
It was sad, it was angering, it was resentful.
So, Yoon Siwoo swung his sword.
But the result was different from yesterday.
For a moment, Yoon Siwoo's sword pushed back Lucy's.
Lucy, who had been looking at Yoon Siwoo with concern, saw a glint of joy in her eyes.
[Amazing. To grow so much in just one day... Yes, a sword should not be swung with emotion. You have finally earned the right to be the true master of the Holy Swords.]
Swinging his sword, Yoon Siwoo thought.
If the world makes her unhappy, I won't let it.
If fate treats her cruelly, I will cut it down.
It was a vow, a resolve, a belief.
And a swordsman's resolve inevitably resembles his sword.