Ch. 27.2

Imposing all these restrictions. I didn't know what would happen if I ignored the warning, but anyway, it didn't look good.

Inevitably, I had to make excuses to Edna again.

"There is a famous saying that the Progenitor Mage said while teaching magic. Do you know?"

"… I know."

It was very simple, but it was the most famous line.

'Mages, let the world only see half of your true form.'

Even at that time, mages fought against beings from another world to protect the world, but they were few in number.

So, while mages were almost worshiped as gods. What would happen if people discovered that their god-like beings were actually vomiting blood behind them to practice magic?

A mage was always required to present himself in the best possible light to the public. He had to always wear fancy clothes, never get tired after casting powerful magic, never get sick, and never lose to anyone.

That was why the Progenitor Mage said that.

'Let's only show half of our true faces and, let's just reveal half of our feelings. You and I have secrets we don't want to reveal."

"… Yes, fine."

Edna quickly agreed and asked immediately.

"Do you know the future?"

That was a serious remark. Let's reveal half, so I was trying to get everything out.

However, no matter how much she deduced, she would not know that I was a 'romance fantasy game possessor'. It would be enough if I didn't reveal it. She must have guessed that I already had some future knowledge.

Perhaps, she might also think of me as 'the possessor of the original Romance fantasy novel'.

Originally, I didn't want to reveal this too… but now I didn't have any choice.

But I didn't reveal it straight away. While answering, I could freely infer the other person's information.

"To ask such a question, you mean you're the same?"

I affirmed by saying the same, and Edna affirmed by not answering.

I already knew that she was a transmigrator, but I shouldn't pretend to know that. By deliberately hiding how much I knew, I had to have an informational advantage.

"This time, it's my question. What is your purpose in academy?"

Honestly, I didn't need anything else. After all, most people know about the external story of Edna. But, I was most curious about what she thought internally.

She hesitated for a moment, but then her lips softened.

"… Work my way toward a situation where the world doesn't end. This world is too dangerous for me."

I didn't know if it was true or not, but this was still a pretty positive answer.

Even in the original Romance fantasy novel, a group of dark demons existed and I heard that it was probably a sad ending, but she didn't seem to want such an ending either.

"Next, my question. Why are you behaving like that?"

"Well."

I pretended to be agonizing. Edna waited for me like that.

However.

There was a problem with the question. What kind of behavior was that…?

I did not understand what 'behavior' she was talking about. But could I say I didn't know? What if she found out that I didn't know the original Romance fantasy novel with this trivial question? That was not good. I had to avoid being informationally disadvantaged.

"… Just because I think it's best that I do this."

I thought it was a fairly satisfactory answer.

Suddenly, Edna's pupils shook violently.

"What, such… Why…"

What? It was not the reaction I expected.

Edna hung her head low and shook it as if she was thinking about something. Then, slowly, she looked up straight into my eyes.

"… I can not believe it. How can a person be so stupid? Obviously, something… There must be something, a purpose, something you want."

"There's nothing like that."

"Hurry up and say it!"

It was a surprise. Wasn't it my turn to ask a question now? I was a little offended, but I thought I could ask two more questions later, so I answered.

"If you ask what I want… Well, I don't really know."

"You don't know?"

"Oh, I'm sure there is something, but I'm not sure if this is right."

Whether or not finding the Twelve Moons was the right way to the true ending. To be honest, I was still confused.

"So, if the only purpose left now… I just want to live. That's all."

Wasn't that because everyone wanted to live?

"You… Want to live…?"

Edna opened her eyes wide in response to my answer and then smiled in despair. At that moment, I couldn't help but be confused.

Why? The reason there was sadness and compassion in those eyes.

'What's this? Are you sure you're not misunderstanding something?'

She muttered to herself.

"… I suppose so."

At the same time, she stood silently for a long time with her head lowered.

Then she abruptly raised her head and met my eyes with tears in her eyes. A momentary glance that made my heartache.

"Sorry. I'm sorry."

After saying that, she turned around and ran away.

"Huh…?"

It happened so suddenly that I couldn't comprehend anything.

'Wasn't it my turn to ask questions?'

I was standing in a daze because it was something ridiculous, but this time, I heard another voice from the back.

"Baek Yu-Seol."

A strange but familiar voice. When I turned my head, Haewonryang was staring at me with a terrifying expression.

"What were you talking about just now?"

"Uh… It was nothing. Why?"

To be honest, I was a little nervous when Haewonryang, the rival of Mayuseong – the world's strongest man, gave me such a cold look.

'I'm not going to be dragged into a mess, am I?'

"Answer me correctly. Why did Edna go back crying?"

With those words, I realized that he was misunderstanding something.

Come to think of it, was it the setting that Haewonryang had a crush on Edna in the game? I still remember it because there were a lot of players who wanted to lead the Haewonryang route.

"Nothing happened. Especially not what you think it is."

Personally, I would like for Edna to be closer to Mayuseong, but I resolved the misunderstanding because I did not intend to interfere with Haewonryang's love affair either.

Of course, he was not completely convinced by what I said, so he continued to stare at me, but he quickly turned his head and said.

"… I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm sorry for prying into your conversation. I tried to infringe on your privacy. I apologize."

"Oh, yeah.."

And Haewonryang headed back. Somehow, I felt sorry for the drooping shoulders.

No, rather than feeling sad… I was anxious.

"Isn't he that kind of kid?"

The Haewonryang I knew was more cynical, cool-headed, cold-blooded, and cold-hearted than anyone else. The current appearance seemed so awkward and unstable because he was the personification of the word 'a true chauvinist' of this era, who did not reveal his true feelings to even the woman he loved.

'It's very upsetting…'

I felt a bad premonition, but I tried to shake it off.