Ella was frozen.
With a look of utter disbelief, she stood motionless, facing the Great Witch, as if someone had pressed a pause button on time or she had become overly engrossed in a game of freeze tag.
“Wake up, my sister.”
Tap.
If Anastasia hadn’t nudged Ella from the side, she might have remained like that all day.
“Uh, um….”
Coming back to her senses, Ella stared blankly at the Great Witch.
The Great Witch, looking awkward, fidgeted her body while her face displayed an expression that screamed she would rather be anywhere else, with a deep flush that even the heaviest makeup couldn’t conceal. No, it wasn’t just a flush; she was completely red from her neck down.
“Y-yes. Th-thank you…?”
Ella scrambled to find words while trying to calm her pounding heart and frantic breathing.
Still, the Great Witch’s inscrutable attitude was an assault on Ella’s mind, almost as if the challenging reality was torturing her. To escape, she closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
But whether she realized Ella’s shock or not, the Great Witch merely glanced sideways at Jinseong with her crimson face, as if seeking validation for her actions.
When Jinseong nodded in encouragement, Odilia quickly exited the room, presumably unable to bear the embarrassment any longer, moving as quickly as she could to escape.
Yet, the impact of her parting words lingered in the air. Those present could only stare in silence at Jinseong or the door through which the Great Witch had fled.
After a long, drawn-out silence, Iarin was the first to break the tension.
“Bro… what on earth just happened?”
Her voice was laced with a multitude of emotions.
The look Iarin directed at Jinseong was as if she were scrutinizing a rogue who preyed on women in the streets. No, she may have even thought it was worse than that.
From the way Jinseong seduced Ella using a completely different tone, dabbled with the elderly’s mannerisms to tease the Great Witch over the phone, to the way he had completely captivated the Great Witch in just moments; she had witnessed it all.
Iserin, standing next to Iarin, looked at him with similar suspicion. The only difference was that Iserin’s gaze also contained a curiosity about when, where, and how he had acquired such persuasive skills.
If it hadn’t been Jinseong, she would have most likely attempted to use her powers to pry secrets from him.
Jinseong shook his head lightly at their prying eyes and approached Agnes.
He gently took one of her hands, which had become lightheaded like Ella, and smiled brightly when she finally met his gaze.
“Greetings, Frau Laich.”
“Uh, yes. Yes…? Yes. N-nice to meet you, Hair Park. I’ve heard about you…”
In a daze, Agnes automatically returned his greeting. Slowly, it seemed her faculties were returning, a glint of determination sparking in her eyes as she cleared her throat awkwardly, embarrassed by the scene she had just caused and finally offered a gracious smile.
“I’ve heard you are like a flower blooming in a barren land, Hair Park. You possess tremendous skill even though magic has faded from your surroundings and are said to be an exceptionally powerful shaman for your age?”
“You’re too kind.”
“Moreover, I’ve been told you have a disposition matching your power. It’s common for those with strength at a young age to lean towards bad thoughts, seeking desires in twisted ways. But I’ve heard you resist such temptations and live by utilizing your power for good…”
Agnes beamed at Jinseong.
“How can I ever repay you for saving my student’s life from that evil shaman performing human sacrifices? I feel indebted beyond measure. But…”
She stood up to face him directly and bowed deeply in gratitude.
“I’ve heard that in the East, one shows gratitude this way. Thank you so much for saving my student’s life.”
“I merely did what had to be done. Please, rise.”
Jinseong helped her up and returned her to her seat.
Yet, Agnes continued to express her gratitude multiple times as if it wasn’t enough. She then promised the utmost compensation she could offer.
“That child is like my own daughter. Since you saved her life, it feels as if I’ve taken on an unimaginable debt. If there’s anything you wish for, as long as it’s within my power, I will grant it.”
A blank check.
She had essentially written a blank check to Jinseong.
However, Jinseong shook his head, looking troubled.
“I appreciate your offer. Ah, it’s not a matter of doubting your abilities, Frau Laich…”
“Just Agnes.”
Agnes interrupted Jinseong, saying,
“Please call me Agnes. You saved my daughter and even helped my other daughter. You are the beloved brother of my daughters’ unrivaled friend. Therefore, addressing me so formally doesn’t feel right… wouldn’t you agree?”
“Understood.”
Jinseong nodded and continued.
“I don’t doubt Agnes’s abilities. I can feel your strength myself. But…”
He glanced subtly towards the door and said,
“The cost must not be paid multiple times. The price I accepted for my actions will be paid by the Great Witch.”
“W-what? The Master…?”
The thought seemed unbelievable to Agnes.
Could it be that the Great Witch was so eager to pay the price for things unrelated to her, or even connected to Ella?
It painted a picture Agnes couldn’t easily imagine.
“Thus, there is no need for you to pay. However, if you insist on repaying me, I would appreciate it if you would shower Anastasia with love and attention.”
“Oh my.”
Agnes gazed at Jinseong as if moved.
“There exists such a kind young man….”
“You’re too kind.”
“I didn’t even need to be asked; I was already going to love that child. If she’s Ella’s sister, then she’s like a disciple to me, as good as family. Besides, given how long she has been deprived of warmth, I had every intention of giving her abundant love.”
Hearing this, Anastasia, realizing her cue had arrived, dashed to grasp Ella’s hand, still in a daze, and bounded over to Agnes, beaming in a manner reminiscent of Ella as a child.
“Master?”
“Oh my, A-sha.”
With that adorably affectionate display, Agnes’s expression melted away.
Delighted, Anastasia smiled brightly and beckoned for Ella, who was still frozen in place. Though hesitant at first, Ella slowly approached, prompted by Anastasia coaxing her as if it were an order from an older sister.
“Yap.”
As soon as Ella was close enough, Anastasia tugged at her clothes, pulling her towards Agnes. Off balance, Ella found herself comfortably nestled in Agnes’s arms.
Agnes.
Ella.
Anastasia.
The sight of the three together was like witnessing a harmonious family.
Especially with Anastasia nestled between Agnes in front and Ella behind, it gave off the feeling of a youngest daughter being cradled by her mother and older sister.
Smiling while wrapped around the two, Anastasia turned to Jinseong and asked,
“Jinseong Park, is my cost the same?”
“No.”
Jinseong replied firmly to the question.
“That is separate.”
“Tch. Fine.”
Anastasia, who had slyly tried to offload her burden to the Great Witch, pouted in disappointment. However, she quickly brightened up and chirped at Jinseong,
“Well, at least because of this debt, we’ll get to see each other frequently, so that’s a good thing, right?~”
Jinseong nodded at her comment, memories of the past flooding back.
Every time magic was discovered, he had expressed gratitude to Danbi for her transformed form before the return.
The future may have changed since before his return, but perhaps he would again witness her presence.
If that happened, he might gain magic he had previously missed out on.
With that thought, he slightly nodded in agreement with Anastasia.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
“Oh my, you’re leaving already? I wanted to talk more…”
“I have someone waiting, so I can’t linger.”
Squeak—
With a light farewell, Jinseong vanished using teleportation.
—
“Wow, how did he know to come without even contacting me?”
Viktor was visibly taken aback by Jinseong appearing suddenly at the dinner table.
He had been about to reach out to Jinseong for dinner discussions, but the young man had shown up as if he could read his mind.
However, he soon recalled that Jinseong was an extraordinary shaman capable of seeing into destinies.
“The stars whispered to me.”
“Stars? Ah….”
Viktor looked out the window.
In the daylight sky, not a single star or anything resembling one was visible.
“Yeah, well, he is indeed capable… without a unit and just a simple restaurant, not even bringing guards with him… it makes sense for him to get in here.”
A simple restaurant.
Unaccompanied.
And on top of that, the fact that he had planned to meet alone confirmed one thing.
“Right, Jinseong Park? Or should I say Park Jinseong?”
Viktor said.
“Let’s talk about my becoming ‘President’—just the two of us.”
