Chapter 33
They say that when a person is terrified, their body freezes and they can’t move.
Now, I finally understood what that meant.
…That was exactly my situation.
“Ah… ah…”
Even though I was staring straight into the red eyes of the monstrous beast, I couldn’t summon my magic or even think about moving—I was frozen in place.
Thinking about whether I could take down such a huge beast with my magic was a problem for later. Right now, the first thing I had to do was move this terrified, frozen body.
“Grrrr…”
“Ahhh…”
The beast let out a savage growl, and my trembling body responded immediately.
Perhaps noticing my slight trembling, the beast’s red eyes flickered with interest for a moment.
And in that instant, I realized my mistake.
It’s always best not to provoke a wild animal or a mad dog.
From the beast’s perspective, it looked like a perfectly vulnerable prey, trembling right in front of it, waiting to be eaten.
“…Wow. I’m really doomed.”
What should I do now?
I stood there, shivering, but unconsciously raised my hand and tightly gripped the magic stone hanging around my neck.
At that moment, the stone seemed to react to my magic, glowing a deep red.
“Grrrr!”
The beast, seemingly provoked by the red glow, let out a ferocious roar and started rushing toward me at an alarming speed.
Thinking about its sharp claws tearing through my delicate skin sent shivers all over my body, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
In the darkness that followed, I could feel a surge of blue magical energy rising.
“Ah, whatever!”
Panicked, I couldn’t even control my magic properly, let alone cast a spell.
Still, I couldn’t just stay frozen there. I drew the magic that was enveloping my body and summoned it as best I could.
Even with my eyes tightly shut, I could feel the blue energy rising from within me.
As the vast magical energy surged uncontrollably, I let out a low exhale, keeping my eyes closed.
“Listen, Eunice. Your magic is darker and more immense than most people’s, so you need to know how to control it properly.”
“Isn’t it said that the darker the magic, the stronger it is? And mine is vast too? That means…”
“If you lose control even for a moment, you could die.”
“…Is it okay to say that like it’s someone else’s problem?”
“Hmph. I didn’t say it carelessly.”
I realized it was Theodore’s voice I had remembered too late.
“I was warning you to be careful. Magic can explode in an instant.”
His unusually serious warning echoed in my mind.
“Really… if you’re going to remind me, could it at least happen before I cause a disaster!”
Typical of the Tower Master’s disciple—this was just so frustrating.
Even recalling Theodore’s serious warning, I couldn’t back down here.
Whether I died at the hands of the beast or from an uncontrolled explosion of magic… I had to do something.
With that thought, I closed my eyes tightly and unleashed all the magic that had been enveloping me.
At that moment, I felt the blue magic burst forth.
Soon, a horrible scream pierced my ears.
“Kruoo!”
It was the sound of the beast’s life ending.
Even after hearing that terrible sound, I kept my eyes tightly shut for a long moment.
It seemed like I had survived somehow, but I didn’t have the courage to face the scene before me.
More than half of my magic had been expended, my body unresponsive and still trembling with fear.
In that silent aftermath, I stayed frozen, eyes tightly shut.
“…Ah?”
Someone pulled my exhausted body. Warmth enveloped me, contrasting the forest’s cold chill, and I helplessly sank into it.
A familiar scent reached me, and only then did I realize whose touch this was.
“…Ethan?”
I buried my face in Ethan’s firm chest and then cautiously lifted my head.
His cool, composed eyes took in my appearance completely.
Even more intense and red than the eyes of the beast I had just faced.
Ironically, I didn’t feel as scared as I had before.
Instead, the anxious fluttering I had felt moments ago began to settle.
“…This is the first time I’ve felt calm in Ethan’s arms.”
Even I was unfamiliar with this feeling, so I stayed there, nestled in his embrace, unable to speak.
Perhaps noticing my depleted magic, Ethan slowly transferred his own energy to me.
“So that’s why you suddenly held me… to give me your magic?”
Ethan held me tightly, breathing heavily, yet he didn’t let go.
“…Ethan, what’s going on?”
“Are you okay?”
“Huh?”
His sudden question made me hesitate, and I answered nervously.
“I’m asking if you’re hurt, Eunice.”
“Uh… no. I’m fine. Not hurt.”
“….”
“…Ethan?”
I called his name again, but he just stared at me silently, giving no reply.
By the time his red eyes regained composure, he released his hold on me.
“Ah… ahh.”
Freed from Ethan’s embrace, my legs nearly gave out. But he caught my hand instantly, preventing me from falling.
Thanks to him, I could stand and see the scene of the chaos I had caused.
“…Wow.”
Before I could speak, a breath escaped me, laden with many emotions.
The beast that had threatened me earlier lay dead, its blood a brilliant blue rather than red.
Even the trees around it had been blown away.
Anyone seeing it might think a fierce battle had just taken place.
“…I really caused a mess, huh?”
I had expected my unleashed magic to be powerful, but not to this extent.
It was like…
“Complete chaos.”
Exactly!
Before I could finish my thought, a voice seemed to echo it for me.
Reacting instinctively, I turned to look in the direction of the voice.
Ethan wasn’t looking at me, but at the scene I had just caused, a smile of interest on his face.
I couldn’t guess what he would say, so I stayed silent, waiting.
“Even when you cause trouble, you do it properly.”
“….”
“Not that I’m surprised. Tower Master’s disciple. Reckless as ever.”
With that, Ethan finally relaxed, letting out a light laugh.
In that instant, the tense atmosphere broke, and I let out an unguarded sigh.
It wasn’t his usual teasing, irritating laugh—it was just a pure, effortless smile.
Seeing Ethan smile, I regained my composure and said,
“Y-you’re laughing now?! Because of… me?”
“What?”
His sharp gaze met mine, and I froze mid-sentence.
“Because of… me, right? Haha.”
This time, it wasn’t a playful evasion—it was the truth.
Admitting my mistake, Ethan lightly turned his head as if he had no intention of scolding me further.
“Don’t wander around unnecessarily and summon monsters.”
“…Y-yes. Understood.”
Though his words sounded blunt as usual, today they felt heavier, more impactful.
Perhaps because I had been trembling with fear just moments ago.
For some reason, Ethan’s cool, commanding voice felt weighty today.
Standing there with a heavy heart, Ethan extended his hand toward me.
I looked at it and raised my head to meet his red eyes.
“You’re the perfect prey for monsters. From now on, don’t wander alone—stick by my side.”
“…Huh?”
I tilted my head, unable to fully comprehend his words.
Ethan brought his hand closer to me.
“Take it. You’re still trembling, after all.”
Ouch.
His sharp remark made me flinch involuntarily.
I had tried to hide my trembling, but apparently, he noticed.
“You haven’t completely used up your magic, have you, Eunice?”
“…I can still manage.”
“That’s good. Now take my hand. As you said, it’s better not to waste more time here.”
Without a chance to hesitate, I grabbed his hand firmly.
Following his lead, I walked silently, watching his back.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Are you hurt, Eunice?’
‘Stick by my side from now on.’
Ethan’s intense gaze and unusually calm voice—it was so different from his usual teasing, dangerous demeanor.
I had never seen him this serious before, so I didn’t know how to respond.
But one thing was certain:
“…Thank you, Ethan.”
And somehow, that feeling didn’t feel bad at all.
