Chapter 38 (1/2)

Chapter 38

As I turned my head, I could see the citizens of the square in chaos, pointing and looking at one place. When I stuck my head out and looked up at the sky in the direction they were staring, there was a wizard flying freely in the air.

The moment I saw the face, I grit my teeth without realizing it. “Serek…….”

Did the law prohibiting the use of magic in the streets mean nothing at all to him? Even though the empress and the Imperial Magic Department were exceptions, wasn’t it something that should only be done in an emergency? Did everything seem easy under the protection of the empress?

Uncomfortably, I realized that the people seemed curious about the wizard’s translucent magic wings. I looked up with envy at how Serek flapped his impressive wings. The colorful white and red clothes were in the style of the empress’s uniform.

A slender aquiline face looked back at me.

The moment I looked at him as he turned his gaze towards me, his familiar gray hair and green eyes seemed somehow creepy. Why?

That thought was quickly lost as I saw him watch a small-looking man approach. Still, I felt uneasy.

Even the Serengevan I knew could never fly that skillfully. I knew that Serek was talented and that he had the aptitude for great magic, but even he had limitations–and judging from what I’d seen, he had gone far beyond what I expected him to be capable of. Something must have happened during the time we were apart. Something I didn’t know about. During the time I was sold as a slave, there must have been some development for Serek. How else could he have achieved such rapid growth?

He landed while I was staring in a daze. Then, he smiled proudly at the crowd’s applause. Then he split the crowd and walked into the pub.

“Long time no see, Celestia.” He came right in front of me and knelt down on one knee and asked for my hand.

I stared at his palm quietly and shot him an angry look. “Well, it looks like you’ve become a handsome nobleman.”

Serek forcibly took my hand. Before I could grab my hand away, he kissed the back of it lightly and got up.

I stiffened.

Aside from the feeling of getting filth on the back of my hand, at that moment, I felt a light heat, like how it felt when I touched the emperor’s body. No, it might be a little different from that. What was this feeling?

It was noticeable when I felt it, but it passed so quickly that I couldn’t tell what it was. But I had an ominous feeling that it had something to do with his sudden increase in abilities.

“I missed you, Celestia.”

I couldn’t think of anything because I had to use all my willpower not to punch his face after spewing such nonsense. “Why did you want to see me?”

Serek pulled a chair out for me and sat right next to me. I got up straight away and went around the big wooden table and sat across from him.

He chuckled and ruffled his hair. His eyes, framed with thick lashes, annoyed me so much. Those were eyes that I spent so much of my life loving. I’ve looked at them and thought he was lovely. All the more because I knew he had known how he affected me and used me.

I didn’t know if he can see me frowning to the fullest, but he spoke gently, with the expression he used to use to soothe me.

“Celestia, are you feeling better now?”

“…Did you ask me if I was relieved?”

If I had any water left in front of me, I would have thrown it at his face. Unfortunately, I couldn’t even do that. I clenched my fist tightly, and he even clasped my fist with his own hands. When I tried to shake his hand off as if it was something dirty, I could see Vinius in conflict over whether to take out his weapon or not.

How could this bastard be so consistently brazen?

I forced his hand away and crossed my arms. “Stop beating around the bush and just keep things simple. I’m busy.”

Serek smiled irritatingly like he had all the time in the world and raised his eyebrows. “Well, there’s something I’d like to tell you in advance.”

“What is it?”

“That we’ll see each other often in the future? If you’re really thinking of working in the palace. And… if you keep staying by the emperor’s side.”

I thought the way he said it was funny. I was a nobody. And here he was talking like I was someone that came to the Imperial Palace because I was needed there. I came to the Empire much earlier. Indirectly because of him. I was the one who came to the palace in great need, and yet that’s how he phrased it?

What he said was strange too, when I thought about it after my head had cooled down a bit. I knew he was working under the empress. I had heard that a magic unit would be created for the purpose of nurturing magic users.

So that’s why Serek was there last time.

But what did he mean by saying we’d see each other more often in the future?

“I’m the chief magic officer in the newly established Ministry of Magic Training under the empress dowager. As you might have guessed.”

“Are you…?”

With that skill?

“So, if the emperor has a chance to go hunting in the future, of course, he will accompany our department. We’re good enough to protect him. We’ll keep bumping into each other like that, so we don’t have to be uncomfortable, do we? I’m telling you this in advance so you can feel better.”

“You know, I feel like you’re wasting my time. Stop talking nonsense and get to the point. How can you be the chief? If there’s no one better than you, the empire should be ruined.”

Serek, who lived on a high horse, laughed quietly as if my words were a joke and swept up his bangs. “Why are you saying such harsh things? You always complimented me that I could do better, didn’t you? You were the one who recognized my brilliance the best.”