“And stop wasting your mana. Why have you been using your skills this whole time?”
Rohan said that with a smile, but Clara who was holding Sion in her arms clearly felt the pounding heartbeat that seemed ready to explode.
She could tell because they were so close.
Sion hadn’t been using any mana at all.
N-No way… Sion unnie…?
Clara lifted her head from Sion’s embrace, pushing aside the breasts blocking her view as she looked up.
And the moment she saw Sion’s expression—
Clara realized it instantly.
This wasn’t a skill or anything of the sort. That was a face completely and utterly in love, so vividly expressive it could be used as a textbook example.
It looked like something straight out of a manga or an anime.
“…….”
Clara’s thoughts came to a grinding halt. Her mind went blank.
She was happy, really happy, that Sion had broken free from her sadness and was now experiencing pure freedom. But this situation itself was suffocating her.
She had always expected this day to come someday… but did she really have to gain such an overwhelmingly powerful rival with not even the slightest chance of victory?
And then, a certain book she had once read came to mind—
A book she had picked up at the Spider Lily Bookstore.
Wh-What if… that book was actually right…?
The reason that the number of pureblood elves was so critically low, almost to the point of being considered an endangered species compared to other races, was because of an absurd but very real condition that actually existed.
Elves, in their entire lifetime, could only fall in love once.
Without exception, they could love only one person outside of their family. If they failed to find that person, it was common for them to live their entire lives never knowing love at all.
It was an innate trait of pureblood elves.
Some had even recorded it as a curse bestowed by the Creator, alongside their beauty.
On top of that—
Elves had another peculiar issue. It took them an incredibly long time to open their hearts to others. Clara had seen those very words printed in bold in a book at the bookstore.
Even if they did open up, it usually ended at friendship. Developing romantic feelings for someone was an exceedingly rare phenomenon.
That too required an immense span of time, one permitted only to long-lived species. Because of that, elves most often ended up with other elves.
However—
There were always exceptions in the world.
The book had even said that if an elf happened to meet that one extraordinary person. Someone who could go through the eye of a needle and make them fall in love…. that love would never change for the rest of their lives.
If their love goes unfulfilled, they often wither away in despair and… d-die…
Recalling the unsettling words from the end of the book, Clara anxiously turned her head.
And there, standing right behind her, was Rohan.
The moment their eyes met, he smiled at her as he always did. Then he reached out and gently tidied the stray strands of her bangs.
“Clara, it’s the same for you. Just focus on living happily, okay?”
“O-Oppa…”
By now, Clara no longer questioned why Rohan treated her with such care.
The girl was too preoccupied with savoring this sweet moment.
Was her heart racing just as violently as Sion’s?
When she lowered her head in embarrassment and returned it to its original position—
Her eyes met Sion’s.
“”…….””
Sion saw in Clara who was now clinging tightly to her emotions that carried the same essence as her own.
Thanks to that, her expression remained blank and bewildered.
Was it because she had never received a proper education or lived a normal life?
To Clara, it seemed as though Sion had yet to fully grasp her own feelings. Her eyes were filled with uncertainty as if questioning whether she even understood what this was.
Feeling overwhelmed, Clara bit her lip and hid her face from view.
She buried her head in her chest,
“…Rohan.”
“Hmm?”
Sion spoke softly as she gently stroked Clara’s hair.
She looked just like an affectionate older sister embracing her young sister.
“In the past, you said you would target monsters and criminals.”
“That’s right.”
“And that’s what you and Clara have been preparing for. Wasn’t it also the condition you set? That once our agreement was fulfilled, you would help at least once if I asked?”
Rohan nodded as he looked down at the girl in Sion’s arms.
Watching Rohan smile fondly as if gazing at the most precious little creature—
Sion felt an odd heat rising within her.
“That’s right. But Sion, if there’s something you want to do, you don’t have to feel tied down. Don’t worry about it.”
“I figured you’d say that. Knowing your personality, I assume Clara is here of her own will as well.”
That question wasn’t something Rohan had any right to meddle in.
Clara’s silent presence alone was answer enough.
“Rohan. May I ask you one more thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“Do the criminals you’re targeting include those involved in this recent incident?”
“Of course they do.”
Sion began organizing her thoughts, making sure her words wouldn’t come out tangled.
She carefully selected her sentences, lowered her gaze slightly, and murmured in a small voice.
“Rohan, I know you’ll definitely track them down. I have no doubt about it.”
“You believe in me more than I do myself. Thanks.”
At just those few words of gratitude, Sion nearly pulled down her goggles to hide her eyes.
Her heartbeat was so loud, that she feared it might be audible to those around her.
“…But I’m not the type to just lie down and wait, even if I know things will be handled.”
“Hmm?”
Rohan showed that he was listening attentively.
Sion lightly ran her tongue over her dry lips, moistening them as nervousness took hold.
“If it’s okay… I-I want to move with you, too.”
She had been prepared to say this the moment the opportunity arose.
Yet now that she was actually trying to voice it, why was it so difficult?
For once, Sion stumbled over her words as she expressed her intent.
Rohan blinked in surprise, then broke into a bright smile.
“A skilled partner who works well with me? I’d be more than happy to have you. What about you, Clara?”
The girl in his arms stirred, lifting her face as her shoulders tensed.
Her expression was filled with uncertainty.
“W-Wait… Aren’t you the boss, Oppa …?”
“Even so, I should still hear your opinion.”
Clara looked at Sion, who was holding onto her tightly, unwilling to let go.
The warmth in Sion’s gaze was gentle. Like that of family.
Her lips silently formed words, urging Clara to speak her mind freely.
For the briefest moment,
Dozens of thoughts raced through Clara’s head.
And she arrived at the most ideal answer.
“I like Sion… unnie.”
Sion truly meant it when she said she liked Clara.
If she placed that feeling on a scale against her desire to continue traveling with Rohan alone, the balance would be so even that she couldn’t easily make a decision.
But Clara knew.
Setting aside personal desires, if she truly wanted what was best for Rohan, this was the right path.
“Thank you. I like you too, Clara.”
Sion held Clara’s frail body even tighter.
The moment she had dreamed of was now within reach.
Realizing this, a deep smile spread across Sion’s lips.
…
…
[Quest complete.]
[Rewards acquired.]
Rohan dismissed the notification window and hurried to prepare.
If they wanted to return to Academy City on time, they needed to move quickly.
He retrieved the car he had hidden at the entrance of the ruins and opened the trunk.
He then scattered throughout the building an assortment of stolen goods that the criminals had taken from the armory. Bombs, explosives, flammable liquids, firearms, and ammunition.
Even as he gave one last check, neither Sion nor Clara seemed to have anything they wanted to take with them.
“Sion. Did you grab everything important? Just in case, check one more time.”
“Got it.”
Without argument, Sion turned toward her room.
There hadn’t been anything worth taking to begin with, so she simply took in the sight of the empty space before checking the small items in her vest pocket.
When she returned, Rohan continued his explanation.
“There should be plenty of valuables inside. The Chief Elder’s robe is useless now, but his staff is covered in gemstones.”
“Are you taking everything?”
At Sion’s question, Rohan shook his head. The only thing worth keeping was the Chief Elder’s three silver coins.
To be honest, it was tempting. Selling everything would bring in enough money to live in luxury.
But that would be an act of greed.
Once this place was destroyed, it was unclear how much interest the Reverse Reverence Society would take in Sion.
There was a chance they’d dismiss her as a failure, just like Abyss City, and turn their attention to another vessel.
Still, he didn’t want to leave any traces behind.
Tracking down sold goods would be child’s play. Not just for the Reverse Reverence Society, but for anyone.
With that thought, Rohan stepped outside.
He picked up a rod-shaped cluster grenade and led the other two away.
Sion and Clara put more distance between themselves and the building.
Once they were far enough, Rohan gave a satisfied nod and checked the time.
“It’s still early… Hmm, when we get back, I’ll head straight to training. You two can sleep in my dorm room.”
At the same time, he swung his arm with powerful force and hurled the cluster grenade.
As the grenade spun through the air toward the explosives-stacked building,
Rohan casually laid out his plan.
“To celebrate Sion joining us, I’ll treat everyone to a nice dinner. Let’s all go out to eat.”
Before the two girls could even respond, the grenade hit its target.
A deafening explosion shook the air.
Boom—!!! Bwaaang—!!!
The dilapidated building trembled from the blast before collapsing in on itself.
Huge flames roared, engulfing the rubble.
Satisfied with the firepower, Rohan turned away without hesitation and took the lead.
“Let’s go. The dust is kicking up.”
“Unnie…! Let’s hurry!”
As Sion looked at the two waiting for her,
She couldn’t hide her smile.
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