Episode 57: Unprecedented #3
Yohan’s day flowed busily.
He had to prepare detailed documents to explain the process of Closing the rift of the demonic lair to the knights.
At the same time, he conducted various experiments to preserve his mana and increase its purity.
Perhaps because he had consumed and fully absorbed all the elixirs from Duke Fervache, Yohan’s mana had become purer than ever before.
To put it simply in numbers: if the world’s mana had a purity level of 100, Yohan’s mana measured around 90.
‘It did feel strange when my mana affinity and control were abnormally high…’
Upon investigation, there was no one in the history of the empire with such a level of affinity.
The mythical Transcendence Mage, known as the first mage, remained shrouded in mystery, so they were excluded from comparison…
It also made sense why closing the demonic lair’s rifts had been impossible until now. The rifts needed to be filled with the world’s flowing mana, but no one capable of doing so had existed.
‘…My shoulders are getting heavier.’
Yohan took a deep breath. When he had reincarnated into this world, all he had wished for was a peaceful and uneventful life.
He had planned to marry someone chosen by his family, live a stable life without love, and quietly enjoy the comfort and privilege of being born into nobility.
He would fulfill his duties to a reasonable degree, enjoy the luxuries afforded to his status, and live peacefully.
There was a reason he felt this way.
He knew the truth about this world.
The main genre of this world was romance fantasy, notorious for its broken settings, and its subgenres included female-oriented tragedy combined with reverse harem.
In a romance fantasy with such tragic and reverse harem elements, every character was bound to be insane in some way, so the goal was to avoid entanglement at all costs.
From personal encounters, people like Fedelian, Cassis, and Violet—borderline characters—proved to be truly unhinged.
‘And now I have to close the demonic lairs’ rifts?’
Overnight, his value skyrocketed. He had become someone carrying the fate of the entire continent.
Many nations would probably take an interest in him.
‘The Holy Kingdom will likely make a move.’
The Holy Kingdom, located at the northernmost edge of the continent.
It was a nation founded on religion. For them, mages were considered priests, and knights were referred to as holy warriors.
If they learned that Yohan had closed the demonic lair’s rift, they would undoubtedly call him a saint and try to claim him as their own…
Given their fanatical obsession with religion, getting entangled with them would surely be exhausting. Though not as powerful as the Empire, the Holy Kingdom still held significant national strength with its many capable individuals.
‘Instead of protecting Francia, protecting myself has become the priority.’
Nevertheless, even if things became complicated and tedious, the need to close the demonic lair’s rift remained unchanged.
By now, he couldn’t imagine a life without Francia.
‘…Let’s keep going.’
Everything has an ending.
Whether that ending would be a happy one or a tragic one remained to be seen, but not trying just because the outcome was uncertain didn’t make sense.
Sitting cross-legged in the center of the training field, Yohan once again focused on the mana flowing in the air.
The cool and refreshing breeze cleared his mind. His breathing stabilized, falling into a steady rhythm.
It felt like he was one with the world.
Though his age, his mana continued to grow, and its purity only became higher and higher.
As the officials’ working hours came to an end, Yohan felt a cold snowflake land on his face.
When he lifted his head, pure white snowflakes, signaling the arrival of winter, were gently falling from the ashen sky.
“Yohan?”
A familiar voice called out from behind him. It was Francia, holding an umbrella. Yohan greeted her with a light smile.
“Francia. How was your day?”
“Well, the same as always.”
Francia smiled softly and brushed away the snowflakes that had piled up on Yohan’s head.
“Have you been sitting here all day?”
“Yes. I’ll need to close the demonic lair’s rift soon.”
In truth, Yohan felt a heavy burden knowing that he could potentially shake the entire world, but he didn’t let it show.
“You don’t need to worry. I’m sure you’ll be able to close it.”
At her confident reassurance, Yohan tilted his head.
“What makes you so certain?”
“Hmm… just a feeling? Haha.”
Francia answered evasively, as she often did when she seemed suspicious.
“…….”
Yohan always found it strange whenever she acted like that, but… he never asked. If she intended to say anything, she would have told him already.
“By the way, are you heading home now?”
“Yes. I was waiting to leave with you, Yohan.”
“Apologies, but you’ll have to go ahead without me today.”
“Huh, why?”
“I still have unfinished work to take care of.”
He hadn’t sorted out any documents due to focusing on his mana training. The reports about closing the demonic lair’s rift remained disorganized.
“Is that so…?”
Francia pouted regretfully, clasping her hands behind her back and scuffing her the ground with her foot. After all, she had always looked forward to their time together after work.
“This situation will likely continue until we finish this mission.”
Yohan felt just as disappointed, but focusing on closing the rift was the right thing to do. Once this was successfully resolved, everything—including his engagement to Francia—would proceed smoothly.
“I understand. I can’t whine while you’re working so hard.”
Francia nodded in agreement, knowing this as well.
“Then, I’ll head home first?”
“Yes. If it gets too late, you can go to bed without me.”
“I can’t do that. How could I sleep while you’re working late?”
Looking around to check that no one was nearby, she leaned forward and kissed Yohan’s cheek.
“Ahem…”
Francia cleared her throat awkwardly, her ears turning red. Small expressions of affection still made her embarrassed.
“Thank you.”
“…For what exactly?”
“Just… for everything.”
With a shy smile, Francia fiddled with the pendant hanging from her neck and continued.
“I’m happy just being with you, Yohan.”
“…Is something wrong?”
“Huh?”
“You’re saying strange things all of a sudden, and it’s making me worried.”
She sounded like a lover preparing to say farewell. Yohan couldn’t shake the unease her words brought.
“Fufu, it’s just a simple expression of affection.”
Francia laughed lightly and took Yohan’s hand. Even in the cold wind, his warmth remained constant.
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. It’s nothing serious. You just seemed so worried lately, so I thought I’d say something.”
Yohan awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. He was used to her shy displays of affection, but it was the first time she’d done so so naturally, which felt a bit unfamiliar.
“Ah…! Finally!”
“…What is it?”
“I’ve been waiting to see that reaction.”
“What reaction?”
Francia smiled bashfully.
“Fufu, the way you look embarrassed. You always brushed off my affection so nonchalantly, remember?”
True enough. It was the first time he had reacted so awkwardly to her affection.
“Hmm. So this is what you wanted, Francia.”
Yohan nodded once, then smiled gently and brought a strand of her hair to his lips.
“Then I’ll make sure to show you more of this from now on.”
“Uh…!”
“Since you seem to like it.”
As he said this and inhaled the subtle scent of her hair, Francia flinched and quickly pulled her head back.
“…That’s the Yohan I know.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes…”
Yohan smiled mischievously, and Francia let out a sigh, shaking her head.
“I’ll never win against you, Yohan.”
“There’s no need to win, is there?”
“It just feels like I’m the only one falling for you.”
Francia pouted and dropped her gaze.
“You need to fall completely for me, too.”
“Hmm… It’s not like I haven’t.”
Yohan didn’t think too deeply about it. This was his first time experiencing love, his first time showing such deep feelings for someone.
He simply felt good when they were together and happy when he missed her—wasn’t that what love was?
“Hm-hm. We’ve been talking too long. I’m sorry for keeping you when you’re busy.”
Realizing the conversation had gone on for a while, Francia coughed awkwardly. Yohan tilted his head slightly with a smile.
“No need to apologize. I enjoyed the conversation, too. What man wouldn’t want to spend time with a beautiful woman like you, Francia?”
At Yohan’s casual comment, Francia opened her mouth in surprise, her eyes wide.
“Hmph…! You need to be careful with words like that, Yohan…! If you keep talking like that, anyone would fall for you!”
Indeed, Yohan’s tone often carried an unintentional charm. Most of the time, it was just to make the other person feel good, like a small compliment, but…
“…Is that so?”
He had to maintain a neutral image—showing moderate interest but being the kind of person who did that with everyone.
Otherwise, disputes between noble ladies would escalate, and he would inevitably get caught in the crossfire.
It had become a habit.
“Yes. Even I, your lover, fall for it so easily. Imagine how other women must feel…”
Francia covered her mouth with her hand and turned her gaze slightly, a rosy blush spreading across her cheeks.
“But…! I love that about you, so I’ll just accept it.”
“Thank you for that.”
“Fufu, you don’t need to be too grateful. I’m your woman, after all.”
Yohan gently brushed back her bangs with a smile.
“Then, I’ll be off now.”
“Yes. Don’t wait for too long.”
“No, I’ll wait.”
“Hmm. Then I’ll finish up as quickly as I can.”
“Just don’t rush yourself too much, okay?”
Francia rose on her tiptoes and planted another kiss on his cheek before smiling shyly and hurrying off.
‘She’s adorable.’
Yohan let out a faint laugh. The more he thought of her, the brighter his smile grew.
Snowflakes were falling from the ashen sky. In the cold air, the drifting snowflakes each carried a unique form.
‘Better finish up quickly.’
As he stepped into the building, snowflakes lightly landed on him. He had work to complete, and Francia would surely be waiting until he finished, so it was best to wrap up his work as soon as possible.
[On Restoring the Rift of the Demon Lairs.]
Yohan sat at his desk and immersed himself in the paperwork, which could almost pass as a research paper. His pen moved ceaselessly across the pages.
How much time had passed?
Before he knew it, night had fallen, and a soft moonlight spilled through the window. Outside, the snow lay thick and untouched, without a single footprint marring its surface.
As he pushed to finish the last of his documents, he suddenly noticed a faint white figure standing by the main gate.
It was a familiar silver hair—she wasn’t using an umbrella despite the falling snow.
“Could it be…?”
Grabbing an umbrella, Yohan hurriedly made his way outside.
Standing by the gate was Rudella. The cold had turned the tip of her nose bright red, and white snowflakes had gathered on her hair and shoulders. She had no umbrella, standing there as if oblivious to the snowfall.
Her slender shoulders trembled faintly in the bitter chill. The sight of her standing there, so stubborn and resolute, made Yohan’s chest ache.
“…What are you doing here?”
At the sound of Yohan’s voice, Rudella slowly raised her head. Her sky-blue eyes locked onto his.
“I was trying so hard to hold it in.”
Her voice finally broke the silence, trembling slightly as if it betrayed her resolve. Snowflakes drifted around her, and her fingertips quivered faintly.
“But I couldn’t bear it anymore…”
Rudella steadied her breathing, clasping her trembling hands tightly.
“…So I came to see you.”