“I was more stunned than I thought I’d be!”
She caught me off guard with her statement.
I was hit by the Ice Dragon’s magic!
This meant she had sensed the remnants of the Ice Dragon that were dwelling within me.
How could she?
I had played as Eve myself, so I knew she didn’t have anything close to a sixth sense like Sharine.
So there was no way she could recognize the remnants of the Ice Dragon.
Yet, Eve had sensed it and approached me with her words.
My face momentarily became a mix of emotions.
At the same time, I tried to quickly read the emotions on Eve’s face.
Eve is an incredibly blunt person.
So, it wasn’t easy to read her expression.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I feigned ignorance.
This made Eve’s eyebrows furrow slightly.
As expected of a protagonist, her look was loaded with undeniable plausibility.
Maybe that’s why her behavior seemed fitting.
Now I understood her emotions.
I could manipulate Eve’s feelings.
“You should probably deny it better.”
Eve stepped closer to me with those words.
Of course, I took a step back.
Eve’s eyes glimmered with a subtle light.
“…Why are you running away?”
“You approached me threateningly.”
Her brows furrowed even more.
“Threateningly? Where do you see that?”
Sorry, but she looks pretty threatening to me.
Eve is one of the protagonists along with Lucas.
Furthermore, at this moment, Eve holds more power than Lucas, simply based on pure strength.
‘I let myself be found out by such a girl regarding the Ice Dragon’s magic.’
Even though the remnants of the Ice Dragon I possessed were not commonly known.
Regardless, powers associated with the Ice Dragon are forbidden across the globe.
So, I was genuinely flustered.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think Eve would discover my connection to the Ice Dragon.
‘What should I do?’
I had planned to converse with Eve in some way.
But I never expected it would be like this.
“…Am I that threatening?”
At that moment, an unexpected response came back.
Eve was staring at her feet, wrapping her arms around herself.
This was a surprisingly passive display from her.
This caused my head to tilt slightly.
It made sense; Eve’s strength was her unwavering resolve no matter what happened.
There’s a reason why her nickname is the Unbreakable Blue Flame.
‘I wonder if something happened on her side these past six months.’
I don’t know much about Eve’s backstory.
Though Prelis is a fallen kingdom, it endures until this generation passes.
So apart from a brief appearance in the international individual competition, I hadn’t had a chance to meet Eve in the main story.
“Who said I was threatening?”
Since I had played as her, I felt a sense of attachment.
I reflexively asked back.
This made Eve show an awkward expression.
“…Sorry, don’t worry about it.”
Seeing that expression, it was clear someone had said such a thing to her.
But now, it’s a chance to keep the conversation going.
I didn’t hesitate to bite into the bait Eve had thrown out.
“If I had to say, yes, you come off as threatening.”
Eve’s shoulders flinched.
Her eyes began to shake wildly.
It seemed that the previously heard words, calling her threatening, had wounded her.
To describe the Unbreakable Blue Flame in such a hurtful manner was definitely not an easy feat.
“Eve, you have a serious resting face, and the atmosphere around you is sharp.”
“Sharp atmosphere? I’m not like that!”
“Yes, whatever your deep feelings may be, ambiance is innate.”
Eve is pretty.
But there are types of prettiness.
For example, Isabel is like an endlessly bright golden retriever.
Her cheerful face is characterized by a demeanor that makes anyone who meets her feel unthreatened.
Eve lies on the opposite end of that spectrum.
She’s pretty but has a fierce older sister vibe.
If this were reality, she’d probably rule the top caste at school.
Moreover, her skills are impressive enough to rank among the Six Stars.
With her natural aura and background combined, she can’t help but come off as threatening.
“…I’m not oblivious to that.”
Eve ran her fingers through her hair with a slightly gloomy expression.
“I grew my hair long to avoid looking like a tomboy.”
If we’re calling her a tomboy, there is a hint of an aura that hints at it.
“…Even the kids are scared of me.”
Only now I understood who Eve had been perceived as threatening by.
‘Ahh, the kids said that to her.’
She wouldn’t be hurt by hearing such things from her peers at all.
However, the one thing that would definitely hurt her was being called intimidating by kids.
Eve has a strong fondness for children.
More accurately, she loves most small creatures.
It must have been a huge shock to hear she was perceived as scary from those kids she adored.
“So, how about lightening the mood with a smile?”
A smile can easily change the atmosphere of scary-looking people.
“When I smiled, the kids became even more scared.”
“It’s probably because you don’t know how to smile properly. People surprisingly don’t know how to use their own face well.”
As I said that, I started making different faces.
“Kids are especially sensitive to expressions. The more exaggerated, the greater the effect.”
Eve’s eyes widened.
“…You’re really good at using your face.”
“I practiced.”
More accurately, it was a kind of rehabilitation.
After the accident, I had facial paralysis as a side effect.
To treat it, I would massage my face while looking in the mirror, focusing on opening and using my mouth, eyes, and nose.
Through that process, I learned how to express myself more reliably.
Of course, my situation is quite unique.
I don’t expect other facial paralysis patients to be like me.
But thanks to that, even after joining the Firefly arc, I managed to navigate various situations using my expressions.
Especially in front of Isabel, I really made good use of it.
Isabel probably still can’t distinguish my fake expressions.
…Though recently, I’m not so sure.
“Should I teach you?”
Seeing Eve looking around, I asked.
She flinched, then gave me a round-eyed stare.
Her ears were slightly reddened, showing her desire to learn.
Then, as if something clicked, she turned back to me.
“Wait. This isn’t the conversation I wanted to have.”
Oh no, did she catch on?
I had tried to change the subject smoothly, but it seems I failed.
“More importantly, the issue is the Ice Dragon’s magic. It’s dangerous. If not resolved soon, you could be devoured by the dragon.”
Eve didn’t come looking for me to point out my mistakes.
She approached purely out of concern for me.
She definitely had an innate kindness within her, not just as a side character of an extra episode.
Seeing the warmth in her eyes made me smile slowly.
“It’s definitely dangerous.”
“Right.”
“But I need it.”
Eve’s body tensed.
The moment she realized I knew about the remnants of the Ice Dragon, I had wasted time with foolish talk.
And then I made my decision.
I figured I might as well use the remnants of the Ice Dragon.
“I have things to do. So, could you keep it a secret?”
There was a smirk on my lips.
And in that smile was a hint of malevolence as well.
“Of course, if you don’t keep it a secret.”
A soft chill emanated from my body.
I had gently touched the remnants of the Ice Dragon, awakening its power.
“I think I would find myself in quite a predicament.”
Eve’s face scrunched up.
At the same time, a blue flame began to flicker around her.
“So, are you threatening me now?”
She’s one of the six stars.
A skilled warrior among the top six of her generation.
No matter how much I possess the remnants of the Ice Dragon.
It’s still the worst matchup against Eve’s Blue Flame.
In a fight, I’d most likely lose.
“Yes, that’s why I’ll teach you how to express yourself, so can you keep it a secret?”
“What?”
“You wanted to learn how to express yourself, right? Consider it your hush fee.”
I mischievously grinned.
“Or do you want money? I’m kind of broke, so that’d be a problem.”
“…I don’t want money or anything.”
Eve looked at me with an utterly bewildered expression.
But that was genuine.
“What do you think? It’s a pretty good offer, right?”
“No, Ice Dragon’s magic is dangerous.”
“Yeah, I know, but I have to take that risk.”
Eve glared at me with a frown.
Seems like she wanted to uncover my motives, but she couldn’t read anything.
Of course not.
I had no intention of doing anything with the remnants of the Ice Dragon right now.
No matter how much Eve tries to dig into my thoughts, nothing will surface.
“Then, I’ll teach you the expressions later. I have things to do today.”
I turned around without a moment of hesitation.
She tried to catch me with a startled expression, but it was too late.
I quickly stepped back into the Jerion Academy room.
I was shocked.
Never did I think I would be caught by Eve regarding the Ice Dragon’s magic.
But knowing Eve’s character, she wouldn’t tell anyone about it.
She wasn’t the type to mindlessly spread my issues around.
She’d probably try to solve it herself.
As I quietly exhaled, the atmosphere in the room became still.
There were two people watching me closely.
“Did… you come back?”
“Hanon, take it easy.”
I blinked in surprise.
‘Ah, I forgot that I had mentioned something earlier.’
I had completely overlooked it.
I should have returned a little later.
I arrived too early.
I think I should play mad a bit longer.
“Hanon, I’m starving.”
But that soon became unnecessary.
Just looking at Sharine made me angry.
Thanks to her, I confirmed once again that my anger had yet to subside.
***
International Individual Competition Meeting.
As I mentioned earlier, the true value of the meeting lies in the following party.
A party where everyone can converse freely.
As future large-scale figures gather, each conversation at the party becomes a network and an asset for the future.
Thus, kids attending the party eagerly seek out conversation partners.
They are like political hyenas.
Inside that party hall, brimming with such children.
A woman walks in with a confident stride.
The woman, trailing her black dress, was none other than the 3rd Princess of the Haishirion Empire.
Iris Haishirion.
With each step she took, all gazes turned to her.
The seductive beauty unique to Iris captured the atmosphere in an instant.
Kids stared blankly at her, entranced.
Iris was like a black rose.
A breathtaking beauty that naturally draws one in, yet feels like one might get pricked by a thorn if they reached out.
That was Iris.
But the individuals following her weren’t to be underestimated either.
Unlike Iris, a woman in regular school uniform, her face wearied appeared in a stunning contrast.
Yet that added to her allure, grabbing people’s attention even more.
The daughter of the Blue Magic Tower Lord.
Sharine Sazarith.
She let her dark blue hair sway as she yawned with a bored expression.
And beside her stood a bright-faced woman radiating sunshine.
Wearing a neat scarlet dress, her cheerful demeanor was striking.
Her brightness had a way of influencing others, making them smile subconsciously.
The main heroine.
Isabel Luna.
With the appearance of these three women, the kids began to whisper among themselves.
And following them was one boy!
‘Oh wow, no one is looking at me.’
Master of disguise, Hanon!
Sure, I had a decent enough face disguised as Hanon, but compared to those three, I was practically invisible.
And honestly, that worked to my advantage.
While everyone’s attention was on the three, I planned to slip away quietly.
‘Well, let’s take it easy.’
As I pulled back, preparing to observe the situation.
That’s when I heard it.
Thud—
I heard footsteps approaching.
I raised my head in disbelief, recognizing the footsteps.
I never expected anyone would approach me right now, especially with all this attention.
But then I realized one fact: the one coming toward me was not the type to care about such things.
“Hanon Irey.”
With a pinpoint accuracy of my name, she approached.
I gulped silently and turned to her.
There stood a woman dressed in a blue gown, with blue hair flowing.
The Unbreakable Blue Flame.
Eve.
She stood before me again, while everyone’s attention was focused elsewhere.
Who would have thought she’d come out front like this?
Truly, as the protagonist of a side story, she moves unpredictably.
Eve might just be from a hood.
As Eve attracted as much attention as the others, she spoke to me, causing all the kids to turn their gaze toward us.
But those who looked at me weren’t just the kids.
I felt two piercing gazes on my back.
Isabel and Iris.
Both were glaring at me as if they could see straight through to my thoughts.
They seemed as if they were having a conversation that quietly aimed at me.
“So, you went out and charmed a girl during that short time, huh?”
And Sharine said it out loud.
I feel so wronged!