Chapter 51
Chapter 51: The Day Victory Doesn’t Go to the One Who Made the First Move
The next day, I woke up refreshed, even though I was still slightly exhausted . It was my first time using a practical barrier, so I thought I would be more tired . But I was fine since I hadn’t used up all my magic .
I thought that I wouldn’t be able to hold the barrier for long if I used up too much magic, but if I knew that help would come that fast, then I would have made the barrier bigger and flung the Hollows further away from us . I think the most exhausting thing was seeing the Hollows up close . They’re really scary you know?
I sat blankly on top of the bed as Alistair came into the room .
“It’s time for breakfast . ”
“Aai . ”
He helped me change my clothes and then we went down to the first floor . Everyone greeted me and they seemed more relaxed than normal . I got Mill to cut my bread into small pieces and chewed on it as I surveyed the room . I feel like they’re not meeting my eyes .
“I wanth thea thoo . ” I had a good meal and tried to ask them for some tea . Mornings were busy, so I only had tea when they had days off .
“Here you go . ”
Mill made my tea at once . He added water after he put the tea into the cup . This way the tea would be both thin and cool . But I’m sure it isn’t their day off today .
Then it hit me . Are they angry because I was kidnapped yesterday? I held the teacup with both hands as I observed them nonchalantly, but I couldn’t tell .
“I’m shorry . ” I could only apologise .
“Hey, what’s wrong Lei? We’re not angry about what happened yesterday you know?” Bart quickly said, but their moods are strange .
“Mm, did you do something that you need to apologise for?” Mill said gently .
“Mmm, yuh . ” I was a little confused but decided to confess . If yesterday hadn’t happened then it would probably have been magic practice .
“Magwic thoowsh, magwic, channew . ”
“Buha . ”
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“Hey, that’s gross Bart . ”
Bart had been drinking tea, but he spurt it out .
“Y-y-you, don’t tell me you fiddled with the broken magic tools that Brendel gave you…?”
“Ai . If magwic thoow browen, directhwy magwic . ”
“Direct magic? Not from the magic stone but from your own body?”
“Ai . ”
“Ah, ah,” Kyaro covered his eyes with his hand . Bart rummaged around and brought out magic tools from his room .
“This is from my room, but try it . ”
“Ai . ”
*SHINE*
“Wow!”
“Bright!”
I was also blinded by the brightness when I first used the magic tool, so I couldn’t help but laugh .
“Lei . ”
“Ai . Shorry . ”
But it’s funny . This time, Bart took out the light tool used for travelling . He took out the magic stone, observed the tool and thought for a while .
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“Say, Lei . ”
“Aai . ”
“Will this work if we take out the slates and channel magic into it? As if it’s passing through the slate?”
“Oway . ”
I received the magic tool from Bart and channel magic directly into the moss without passing it through the blue slate . I practiced with barriers, so I was good at using my magic this way . I was able to make it shine with a little bit of magic .
“It’s brighter than usual . Lei, does it hurt from your magic running out?”
“Nup . ”
Alistair stared at it and then took the moss basket from the light in the room .
“H-hey, Alistair . Woah, bright!” Kyaro tried to stop Alistair but was hit by the light . I couldn’t help but laugh at him .
“Lei . ”
“Shorry . ”
Alistair got up and went to the 2nd floor without smiling, and came down with his barrier box .
He put the box onto the table, opened it up and took out the large magic stone . Everyone gulped .
“Hey, don’t tell me, you’re going to try-…”
Alistair began channelling his magic directly onto the blue slate . Little by little . Carefully . Then a barrier stretched from the centre of the box with a squeal . Alistair checked the barrier and then finally let go of the barrier box . He said, “Lei . ”
“Ai . ”
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I made myself smaller .
“Did you use this in secret?”
“… Ai . ”
Everyone fell silent in surprise .
“Why?” Alistair didn’t let this go .
“Fun . ”
“Fun? You- . ”
“Awishthair buiwding bwocwsh fun . Lei undershthanding magwic fun . Thame . ”
“It’s not the same!” Alistair stood up and yelled .
“You’ll faint if you use too much magic . It’s dangerous . Building blocks isn’t dangerous!”
You’re right . What should I do? Then, Mill crossed his hands behind his head, leaned back on the chair and said, “You know, Lei, had fun changing magic and was able to create a barrier by herself . ”
“… Ai . ”
That’s it .
“So you survived yesterday because you put this barrier around yourself?”
“… Ai . ”
That’s right . Bart scratched his head furiously when he heard my answer .
“Nothing we can do about it now since she’s already done it . Your life was saved because of this . If this gets found out then you won’t be able to go home and everyone in Wester will be scrambling to get you . Do you understand?”
It can’t be helped even if you say it like you’ve given up . I gradually lost interest and started to dangle my legs .
“Argh . You only act like a baby at times like this . I don’t know what to do . ”
Bart covered his face for some reason and then looked serious .
“I got the day off today because we saved Lei and the mayor’s daughter yesterday . I have to go tell the mayor about the barrier later . But well, you’re probably tired so let’s relax . ”
“Aai . ”
Alistair stood up .
“Then let’s go play in the workshop . ”
“Aai . ”
The workshop at the back of the counter on the first floor was cleaned by everyone little by little on their days off .
Alistair lifted me off my chair, put me on the ground and held my hand . We’re going to the workshop .
“Wait,” Alistair was startled by Clyde’s voice .
“Alistair, why’re you holding the barrier box?” Kyaro continued .
“If Lei can do it then I can too . I won’t faint from using too much magic if Lei watches over me . Lei said we’re playing, so we’re playing,” Alistair argued . You even said it was dangerous before!
“Isn’t it fine?” Mill backed him up .
“It’ll probably be fine if Lei’s there . ”
That feels strange . Bart sent us off as if he’d given up while Alistair and I went to the workshop .