The Innocent Mage's Spellbinding Nights - Chapter 3
The parched sand slowly absorbed the moisture. Moments later, from beneath the ground where he had just been standing, a monstrous creature with hideous antennae and a massive body emerged. It was a sandworm, now a deep brown due to being soaked in the muddy water.
“This is going to sting quite a bit. In a way, I have you to thank for earning another reason to be disliked by my lovely senior sister.”
Suddenly, from the storm clouds that had formed, dozens of large, powerful lightning bolts struck down. Normally, such electric-type magic would not significantly harm a sandworm, but now, with its skin thoroughly drenched, the situation was different.
“Skreeeek!”
The sandworm twisted its body in agony, then collapsed, stirring up a fierce sandstorm.
Hesed, however, did not let his guard down. If it was the breeding season, it meant there were at least two more sandworms in the vicinity.
That’s why he used electric magic to capture it without drawing blood. The creatures had a keen sense of smell, and if they detected the blood of their kin, they would either come running for revenge or flee if they deemed the enemy too formidable.
“…Found you.”
About 30 minutes later, Hesed discovered another one hiding in the nearby sand. The relentless lightning struck once more.
After subjugating the two sandworms, he could finally try to sleep with a slightly lighter heart.
‘Please, let her not be angry in my dreams.’
*
On the first day of the investigation, the effect of Hesed’s actions in finding and killing two sandworms became evident within a few days.
“Vice Tower Master, reporting in. The water levels of the Batu clan’s oasis and the Maura clan’s oasis are stable.”
“That’s good news. It seems there are no more sandworms, or they’ve relocated upon sensing the deaths of their kin.”
“It’s thanks to you, Vice Tower Master, for swiftly locating and dealing with the sandworms.” The mage’s eyes were filled with admiration as he looked at Hesed. However, Hesed felt no particular emotion and, with a social smile, dismissed him.
‘If it were her, she would have found them more easily and quickly.’
Perhaps due to her gentle and kind nature, Irina not only had excellent mana affinity as a talented mage, but she also had an exceptional natural affinity, which was quite different from mana affinity.
The wind that swirled around her, the grass and trees in the vicinity, the animals encountered in the mountains and fields, they all liked her and followed her well.
Thanks to this, she could easily discover things that ordinary people found difficult to notice through hints or intuition given by these elements.
‘Moreover, she is also skilled at making magical potions.’
Unlike the southern and eastern regions, the western region strangely had a tendency to disregard the field of magical potions.
Irina did not deliberately reveal her potion-making skills, but her master, the former Tower Master, her fellow disciples, and mages close to her all knew. They were aware that she possessed skills on par with Luna, a renowned potion maker from the southern Red Tower.
‘It’s rare to find someone as talented in various fields as she is.’
Being recognized for her abilities and achievements was a joyous thing.
‘The start was a bit… rocky, but since it was resolved peacefully, she should be satisfied, right?’
However, when Hesed returned to the White Tower after wrapping up the affairs of the two clans, the situation had taken an odd turn.
***
“Tower Master, I report that Vice Tower Master’s swift action in eliminating two sandworms on the first day was effective, and the oasis water levels have remained stable since. The Batu clan and the Maura clan have accepted the mediation of Vice Tower Master, or rather, the White Tower.”
Within less than a week, this welcome news arrived.
It was indeed Hesed. As the remaining chief in charge, he had fulfilled his role exceptionally.
Before Irina could say anything, Celsia, the mage who reported to her, added with a bright face.
“That’s our Vice Tower Master! He always handles the tasks entrusted to him perfectly, making him truly reliable.”
Irina looked at Celsia thoughtfully. With her attractive purple hair, she was her aide, but she seemed far more interested in the Vice Tower Master than her direct superior.
‘I understand that she likes Hesed…’
Irina clicked her tongue inwardly. She would like to recommend Celsia as Hesed’s aide if only she could.
‘He’s strange too. Despite always smiling and getting along well with women, he avoids getting involved with them as much as possible.’
It was understandable that he preferred male aides, as Irina herself felt less burdened dealing with Celsia because they were the same gender.
However, even on external missions, unless there was a special reason, he preferred his team to be composed solely of men. So the possibility of Celsia becoming his aide seemed remote.
‘She’s very interested in Hesed, but she doesn’t neglect her duties as my aide. There’s nothing I can do…’
Regardless, perhaps because Celsia made such a fuss, Irina swallowed her words of praise for Hesed’s hard work.
“I’m glad the issue was resolved smoothly.”
“Oh, Tower Master! You’re so stingy with your praise for him, even though you readily commend others for minor tasks.”
Celsia pouted slightly. Irina’s hand paused momentarily while signing documents.
‘Am I really like that? More than just feeling uncomfortable with Hesed, do I…’
Feeling as if her secret embarrassment had been exposed, her face flushed hotly. If her voice trembled now, it would seem even stranger.
T/N: The former tower master’s disciples call themselves with the same honorifics that martial arts apprentices of the same teacher/master call each other (not sunbae), and it’s a bit difficult to encapsulate that in english. To make things simple, they will be calling each other ‘senior sister/brother’ or ‘junior sister/brother’, but they are in no way related by blood
