While stroking the head of Leon, who had fallen asleep in my arms, I was looking through her sketchbook filled with the drawings she had made.
The first page of the sketchbook featured a drawing of a boy with white hair swinging a golden sword that shone brightly towards a dark sky.
Although the drawing was a bit crooked, as it was drawn by a young child, it was reminiscent of the moment a few days ago when Yun Siwoo had slain a monster with the Radiant Holy Sword.
It seemed too coincidental to be mere chance.
I had heard that there are countless peculiar ability users in this world, and many people awaken their abilities unknowingly when they are young.
So, it wouldn't be strange if Leon had some amazing abilities.
I flipped through the sketchbook again and looked at the drawing she had made of me.
The entire drawing was filled with red flames, the crayons worn down to stumps.
In the center of the drawing, a woman with red hair stood calmly, enveloped in flames.
What could this drawing mean?
Despite my curiosity, I could only notice one thing as I scrutinized the drawing again.
Even in a world filled with flames, the woman was smiling.
*
"...And so, the most evil and wicked witch of gluttony was ultimately defeated by the great hero Aegis. Thanks to this, people were able to live in peace for a long time."
Since children's energy is not infinite, after playing for a while, they grew tired, and Sylvia was reading a fairy tale to them.
The story of the great hero Aegis.
It seemed many of the children had already heard this famous story, and at first, a few of them didn't show much interest. But Sylvia was someone special.
When she used her elemental magic to create a starry sky that depicted the journey of the great hero Aegis, the children cheered and listened to her story with rapt attention.
As the story ended and Sylvia closed the fairy tale book, the children began sharing their thoughts, saying things like "It was cool!" and "It was fun!" One child raised his hand and asked Sylvia a question.
"But Aegis is gone now. Who will stop the witches if they come back?"
"Ah, well, the other heroes who are around now will...," Sylvia began to answer the child's slightly difficult question when a boy next to the questioner shouted loudly.
"Idiot! Didn't you see the broadcast yesterday? The witches will all be killed by big brother Yun Siwoo!"
The boy, recalling the hero inauguration ceremony he had seen on TV, jumped up and waved a toy sword in the air, imitating the Radiant Holy Sword.
"With a shining sword like this! So there's no need to be afraid of witches at all!"
Sylvia was momentarily taken aback by the boy's outburst but then smiled and said,
"You're right. Strong Yun Siwoo and the other heroes will protect all of you, so there's no need to worry. By the way, it seems you really like Yun Siwoo."
"He's awesome! The principal told us that big brother Yun Siwoo grew up here too. So I'm going to become a cool hero like him!"
"Hehe, I'm sure you can. By the way, I sat next to Yun Siwoo at the academy. If you're interested, I can tell you some stories about him."
"Really?! I want to hear them!"
At Sylvia's offer to tell stories about Yun Siwoo, the children became enthusiastic and focused their bright eyes on her again.
Watching this, I felt that I shouldn't just stand by.
We came here to volunteer, and it didn't seem right for Sylvia to handle all the children by herself...
So, while the children were making noise, I tried to put Leon, who had fallen asleep in my arms, on the floor and go help Sylvia, but...
"Don't leave me alone..."
Leon, who was still asleep, clung tightly to my shirt and refused to let go.
What should I do? Is it okay to just stay here...
While I was feeling uneasy, the principal, who had been watching Sylvia play with the children with a smile, approached me.
I asked the principal, who sat next to me while I was holding Leon, cautiously,
"Um, we came to play with the children. Is it okay if I keep doing this..."
"It's more than okay. You're really helping us right now."
The principal smiled and, while gently stroking Leon's head, continued,
"I was worried about how to help Leon open up to others. But it's a relief to see that she's opened up to you a bit. Knowing that she's not completely pushing others away gives me hope that she can become friends with our children soon. Thank you for coming today, Scarlett."
Hearing the principal's gratitude, I looked down at Leon's sleeping face and thought,
I see. You've already opened your heart to me.
You want to form a bond with me.
I was both incredibly happy and worried about forming new connections.
I remember losing my composure to the witch's self when I faced the witch of sloth.
Fortunately, it turned out well that time, but there's no guarantee it won't happen again.
Will I be able to handle it next time?
Maybe next time, the witch's self will consume me and burn the people I care about.
This worried and frightened me.
[Burn.]
The witch's faint whisper echoed in my ear.
I closed the sketchbook, trying to ignore it.
*
Leon, who had been sleeping in my arms for a while, opened her eyes just as it was time to finish our volunteer work.
I gently said goodbye to her, who was still half-asleep and clinging to my sleeve.
"I have to go now. Take care, Leon."
Leon looked up at me, gripping my sleeve tightly.
Her trembling eyes reflected sadness and reluctance.
Because of this, her tiny hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
It seemed that even such a short time was enough for someone to form an attachment.
If she had asked me not to go, I would have found it too hard to refuse.
But the words that came out of her small mouth were even harder to refuse.
"...Big sister, can we meet again next time?"
Leon asked with a pleading expression.
But getting close to me might not be good for her.
How could I say that to a child who had already experienced a painful farewell?
"......Yes, I'll come again next time. It's a promise."
So, I made a pinky promise with her.
The bright smile that reflected in her eyes beyond our pinky promise felt much more important to me.
This was enough, I thought.
*
That night, after finishing her other schedules, Sylvia came to my room.
"Um, what's the matter?"
"......Do I only come when there's something to talk about?"
"No, not at all!"
When I asked why she came, she answered with a hurt expression, and I waved my hands in denial.
In our living arrangement, I couldn't say anything if Sylvia came over.
Sitting on my bed, leaning back, and looking at me, Sylvia said,
"......Scarlett, I have a question. Can I ask you something?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"Why do you use formal language when talking to me? You don't do that with other people who aren't older than you."
I stiffened slightly at her question and answered,
"......Because you use formal language with me."
"I do this out of habit with everyone, but you only do it with me...... You once spoke informally to me. I liked it. It felt like we were close friends. But since then, you've only used formal language......"
......She was probably referring to the time right after I met the witch of sloth.
It was a mistake.
In a hurry and in a situation where I had to rely on her, I had forgotten to use the formal language I usually used consciously.
Sylvia slowly sat up and said with a sad look,
"......Is it because I'm not like Yun Siwoo, not your friend? Is it because you don't consider me a friend?"
Seeing her sad face, I felt a pang of guilt.
The reason I used formal language with her was to remind myself not to give her my heart or rely on her.
At first, it was because of the guilt of using her, but it had become a habit.
Sylvia was a girl who desperately wanted a friend.
She would probably do anything for a friend's request.
So, if I considered her a friend and gave her my heart and relied on her,
I was afraid I might end up making her sad with a request I didn't even realize I would make.
Honestly, I was worried and wanted to ask her, just like I had asked Yun Siwoo,
To protect the precious connections I have.
To kill me if I ever lost myself.
But I had seen the expression on Yun Siwoo's face when I asked him.
Even though I had asked the most trustworthy person as a last resort, I didn't want to make anyone else have that sad expression.
So, I had tried so hard not to give my heart to Sylvia,
But feelings are not something you can control just because you don't want to give them.
"......No, it's because you are important to me."
Hearing this, her eyes widened.
Seeing someone sad is so difficult.
Feelings are truly terrifying.
"As you know, I'm not an ordinary person. I might harm the people around me...... So, I wasn't sure if it was okay to get close to anyone. Please understand."
The uncertainty of when the witch's self might take over.
It was always a nerve-wracking experience, like living with a time bomb.
But if there was a way to prevent that bomb from harming others, if there