Ruby Mage Tower.

Hong Yehwa strode forward with a hardened expression.

Before long, she stopped in front of her younger sister’s room.

She raised her fist and pounded the door like she meant to break it.

BANG-BANG-BANG!

“Hey! Hong Yeonhwa! Open up!”

BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG!

“Hong Yeonhwa! You’re not opening it?”

BANG-BANG-BANG!

“I warned you!”

With that much noise, there was no way she hadn’t heard it... but there was no response from inside.

Like always, she was ignoring her.

And Hong Yehwa’s response was always the same too.

She stepped back a few paces, like she was going to retreat—then she set her stance.

Flames surged up from her feet, engulfing her whole body, and she charged in and kicked the door in.

CRACK-CRACK-CRACK—!

Burning fragments scattered and rolled across the floor.

But she didn’t care.

You could always hang a new door.

“Hmph.”

Hong Yehwa snorted and turned her gaze.

In the corner of the bed, a lump of blanket was curled up.

It twitched faintly, so she was alive.

Not only that—she seemed to be mumbling complaints too. Obviously it would be something like, “Knock first,” or “Why are you breaking someone else’s door,” that kind of nonsense.

Hong Yehwa marched over and yelled.

“Hey, Hong Yeonhwa! Why are you sprawled out like this?”

“Mmph-mmph.......”

“Speak so I can understand!”

She yanked the blanket off, revealing Hong Yeonhwa.

She was curled up like a shrimp, clutching her pillow.

“Leave me alone. It’s break—what’s wrong with lazing around?”

“It’s wrong because you’ve taken it too far! How long has it been since you trained magic? Since you did research?”

“.......”

Hong Yeonhwa didn’t answer for a while.

Her efficiency had been dropping, and for the past several days she’d done nothing but shut herself in her room.

Then she changed the subject and grumbled.

“......Why are you nagging me so much? You graduated—go do your own work.”

“This is my work! This is my mage tower!”

“Why are you already acting like the tower master?”

“I’m not the tower master, I’m the next tower master—because you said you wouldn’t do it.”

Originally, Hong Yeonhwa—whose potential far surpassed everyone’s—had been the chosen one.

But the moment she went and formed a sovereign [Bond] with Kim Ho, it got handed over to Hong Yehwa.

Though to her, it didn’t feel like it got handed over so much as dumped on her.

Hong Yehwa delivered an ultimatum.

“Anyway, if you’re going to keep doing this, pack your stuff. I’ll send you to school.”

“Oh, who decided you can order me around.”

“Me! I’ve got that much authority!”

“I don’t wanna.......”

Hong Yeonhwa rolled over, throwing a full tantrum.

Hong Yehwa raised her hand like she was about to deliver a lava back-slap, then slowly lowered it again.

Because her sister had looked unusually down since earlier.

Even her rebellion felt weaker than usual.

So Hong Yehwa asked, looking a little worried.

“What’s wrong? I can’t know unless you say it.”

“.......”

“Is it because of Kim Ho? Did you fight?”

“What’s with Kim Ho again.......”

“Then what is it?”

“I don’t know.......”

But in truth, Hong Yehwa’s guess was pretty close to the mark.

They hadn’t fought, but it had been a long time since she’d seen Kim Ho.

She’d been fine during summer break, so she thought winter break would be fine too... but unlike what she’d expected, the longing just kept growing.

At least, like rain in a drought, they’d been exchanging messages every day or two.

But for some reason, even that had abruptly stopped about a week ago.

Bad imaginings sprouted and grew in Hong Yeonhwa’s head.

‘Me....... Did I get thrown away......?’

Was he having so much fun spending time with Seo Ye-in and Dang Gyu-young that she didn’t even matter anymore?

So he decided he wouldn’t message her anymore?

Of course, when distance grows, feelings can fade—and it was understandable, to some degree, to ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) become neglectful while apart.

But what if it wasn’t temporary?

What if it stayed like this not only during break, but even after school started again?

In her imagination, Kim Ho spoke coldly.

Hong Yeonhwa, sorry, but I think I’ll be fine without you.

World peace—we’ll handle it ourselves.

I’ll just release the [Bond] too.

“Whine.......”

Feeling tears prick, Hong Yeonhwa buried her face into the pillow.

Watching her, Hong Yehwa looked even more worried.

In a rare softened tone, she coaxed her.

“I won’t say anything. Just go eat something. If you keep starving, you’ll collapse.”

“I’m fine.......”

“There’s something you like. Hellfire Fire Chicken.”

“I said I’m fine.......”

Most fights used to get resolved at the Hellfire Fire Chicken line.

But even that wasn’t working?

That meant it was more serious than she’d thought.

Hong Yehwa was starting to feel awkward on top of her worry.

What was she supposed to do? Call their mom and dad?

But then—

“!?”

Hong Yeonhwa, who’d been rubbing her face into the pillow, snapped her head up.

The reason was obvious.

A message had arrived.

[Kim Ho:(waving puppy emoticon)]

[Kim Ho:what you doing]

“......!”

Hong Yeonhwa’s half-dead face flooded with life.

Her hands moved so fast they were practically invisible as she replied.

[Hong Yeonhwa:(extremely excited puppy emoticon)]

[Hong Yeonhwa:(bouncing puppy emoticon)]

[Hong Yeonhwa:(puppy doing a flip emoticon)]

[Hong Yeonhwa:just.......]

[Hong Yeonhwa:was here!]

[Kim Ho:wanna talk while we see each other’s faces for a bit?]

[Kim Ho:if it’s okay]

[Hong Yeonhwa:it’s okay]

[Hong Yeonhwa:wait!]

Hong Yeonhwa immediately sprang up and started scurrying around the room.

RUSTLE-RUSTLE-RUSTLE!

“Crystal orb, crystal orb—where is it?”

RUSTLE-RUSTLE-RUSTLE!

“Mirror! Mirror! Comb! Comb! Damn it, why is it never there when I need it?”

Hong Yeonhwa smoothed her greasy, messy hair with her hands, practiced a pretty fake smile at the mirror, and kept setting up at breakneck speed.

Watching the spectacle, Hong Yehwa was two hundred percent certain.

‘It’s Kim Ho.’

There was no other way to explain this lunacy.

Self-loathing followed right behind.

‘Like I had nothing better to do than worry about that.......’

She felt like she’d taken a pointless loss.

At the same time, as if she’d become some kind of philosopher, Hong Yehwa tossed a question to herself.

‘What is love?’

What in the world was it, that it could change a hopeless mutt this much?

While Hong Yehwa sank into thought, Hong Yeonhwa finished her full setup in an instant and sat down in front of the communications crystal orb.

Still fixing her hair right up to the last second.

Then, with a few beeps, Kim Ho’s face appeared.

Sorry I haven’t been in touch much lately.

“No! No! It’s fine! If you’re busy, that happens!”

Hong Yeonhwa waved her hands frantically.

Just a moment ago she’d been whining about being neglected, being abandoned—yet now she pretended she was totally fine.

Kim Ho seemed to study her face closely, then asked.

Something happen? Your face looks like it got cut in half.

“No, it’s just... um... diet? I was, uh, watching my diet.”

It was a hastily made excuse, but Kim Ho didn’t press further, like he was going to let it slide.

I see. Don’t push yourself too hard. I’m worried.

“Yeah! I will!”

Hong Yeonhwa nodded, grinning without even realizing it.

While pretending not to see her sister’s sharp stare.

Then she asked carefully.

“Why...... did you want to see me?”

To check if you’re doing well, and I had something I wanted to ask.

“Something you wanted to ask......?”

I’ve got time for the rest of break. I was thinking about coming over there to hang out.

“Our....... home? Ruby Mage Tower?”

At the unexpected words, Hong Yeonhwa’s eyes widened.

Kim Ho’s explanation continued.

With things wrapping up at the Dang family, Dang Gyu-young would be entering Dungeon Island early, and Seo Ye-in was going to spend time in Hyeseong.

He could follow one of them if he wanted, but he figured it would be better to visit the Ruby Mage Tower—since he’d never been there even once.

I should’ve asked earlier, but I decided kind of suddenly too. I don’t know if it’ll be okay. If it’s not, then—

Before Kim Ho could change his words, Hong Yeonhwa hurriedly cut in.

“No, it’s okay! You can come tomorrow! No, today! No, right now! You can come!”

Thanks for welcoming me. If possible, I’d like to ask someone else too. Your father, for example.

Fair enough.

They were still second-years, and when you went to a friend’s house, it was polite to ask a parent or family member for permission.

In the next instant, an exclamation point popped over Hong Yeonhwa’s head.

“My sister—she’s here! She’s here right now!”

If I get your senior’s permission, can I go?

“Yeah, she said she has that kind of authority! She’s the ‘next’ Ruby Mage Tower Master!”

“.......”

Hong Yehwa’s expression crumpled.

It felt nasty to have her own words reflected back at her like some kind of martial art.

Still, she was the Ruby Mage Tower department head and a veteran leader of the White Magic Club.

She was strict about separating personal from professional, and she had her own social instincts.

Hong Yehwa put on a business smile and greeted Kim Ho through the crystal orb.

“Long time no see.”

Hello, senior.

“I heard. I’ve been right next to her. You want to come visit?”

Sorry for bringing it up so suddenly.

“It’s a bit sudden, but—”

Hong Yehwa stopped mid-sentence and closed her mouth.

Because her younger sister was staring at her with eyes so desperate they were practically pleading.

If she said, “No. Don’t come,” right now?

Her sister would obviously shut herself in again and mope like before.

It might even get worse.

And then it would be on Hong Yehwa to soothe her.

‘And even if I say don’t come, would he not come?’

In the first place, the one who invited Kim Ho had been their father, Hong Yeombaek.

Even if she refused, Hong Yeonhwa would run off with the crystal orb and ask him—then he’d welcome Kim Ho with open arms.

So either way, the outcome wouldn’t change.

‘And at least one thing—he’s good at teaching.’

The only reason her sister had been able to surge ahead in the prospect and disciplinary-leader competition was entirely thanks to Kim Ho.

He’d taken her to dungeon after dungeon and trained together with her, so she improved faster than everyone else.

Seen that way, if she kept him around for even the rest of break, her sister would probably train harder too.

So Hong Yehwa made her decision.

“—There’s no reason it can’t happen. It’s not like we’re short on rooms. I’ll tell Father in advance.”

Thank you, senior.

“Sure. See you soon.”

The call ended on a warm note.

Then the business smile slowly drained from Hong Yehwa’s face, replaced by an unhappy look.

Meanwhile, Hong Yeonhwa looked like she was about to die from happiness.

She grinned from ear to ear.

“Heehee.”

“You like him that much? Kim Ho?”

“Oh, it’s not like that....... Hee.”

Hong Yeonhwa kept grinning, then put a hand over her stomach.

And as she got up, she asked—

“I suddenly got hungry. You said there’s Hellfire Fire Chicken?”

“......Hey. Just starve.”

“Huh? Why?”

“You don’t get any.”

“You’re really going to be petty over food.”

“Whatever. I’m eating it all.”

Hong Yehwa pouted for no reason, feeling spiteful.

The two sisters traded competitive looks.

“.......”

“.......”

Then they both bolted for the dining hall at the same time.