Chapter 218

Yulia Tsheringen, smiling faintly, rubbed her chin in thought before speaking to me.

“Don’t panic, Lucas. No backing out.”

“Hm?”

“I’m gonna give it my all.”

Yulia grinned like she was about to dive into something fun.

She tried to mask it for politeness, but couldn’t hide the excitement entirely.

* * *

There’s a reason I asked Yulia for this.

First, Leo’s playing the distant act, so acting chummy with him wouldn’t mean much.

Next, Elias and Narce.

They’re easier psychologically—real friends.

‘But they’d crack up…’

No question. They’d collapse laughing mid-act. Sometimes their faces alone make me laugh—how could they pull it off?

Then Ulrike or Heike?

Nah.

We’re not close enough to ask for acting, and while I could boost Favorability hanging out…

There’s a key problem. If a stalker attacks, they lack the judgment and Magic Power to counter.

Yulia, though, won’t laugh mid-act, has the skills to handle a special-ability criminal, and isn’t awkward enough for this request to strain things—perfect conditions.

“Ha…”

Leo’s sigh pierced my ears today.

We were in a different building.

Not the main stadium for the opening and international friendly tournament, but an ice hockey arena.

More blue decor than the main stadium, and far fewer people. We hadn’t met a soul. Felt like just the three of us in the building.

We walked, eyeing banners and panels.

[1898 Berlin Pentalon]

[Warmest welcome to athletes from 56 national delegations.]

Blackletter font, heavy with gravitas.

Yulia laughed, saying,

“Fun that the three of us are patrolling together today.”

She put a hand on my shoulder.

“Right, Lucas?”

“Yup.”

Smiling back, I caught Leo’s eye.

He didn’t know my plan, so my dragging Yulia along puzzled him.

At our destination, Yulia clapped.

“I’ve been with Narce, but we each took a room. You guys too?”

“Yeah.”

“Then… I’ll take the left row on the first floor. Leo, right row?”

“Lucas?”

Yulia, with a polite smile, shrugged at Leo’s question.

“Hm? With me, of course.”

“…….”

Leo stared silently, then turned, heading to the right room.

Entering the left room with Yulia, I swapped my wand for a staff, striking the floor.

No foreign magic reflected off mine. Moving the staff to check the walls, Yulia closed the door behind.

Click—

“Hm?”

“Haha…”

Yulia glanced at the window and ceiling, smiling, and approached slowly.

Puzzled, I watched. She waved it off.

“What? Keep going.”

“…….”

I gave a dry laugh, pressing the staff to the wall. Pink magic flowed along it. Nothing caught.

Stepping toward a central metal shelf, Yulia grabbed my left arm, spinning me to face her.

Golden eyes loomed close. Her hair, supposed to be waxed and tucked under a cap per regulations, brushed my forehead.

‘What the fuck’s this?’

I was too lax earlier.

I’m the one about to crack up.

Suppressing laughter, I whispered to Yulia.

“…Yulia, this isn’t what I asked for.”

“Just friends~”

“Friends, my ass.”

So smooth. She’s done this before, hasn’t she?

No Favorability window, so she’s not swept by weird vibes—just acting. Seemed to eye the window, too.

I’d come with hypotheses about the culprit. They likely weren’t watching through the window, but Yulia’s effort was enough, so no need to point out.

Diverting my focus, stifling laughter, light leaked through the door crack.

“…!”

I tried pushing Yulia, too late.

Boom—!

A deafening roar, and corridor light flooded in.

“Hey.”

Yulia, calm, turned slightly, only for Leo to grab her collar.

Pain stabbed my core.

Leo, dumbfounded, yanked Yulia’s shirt.

“What’re you doing?”

“Friendship bonding? Getting closer.”

“Don’t fuck around.”

Leo, irritated, shoved Yulia out and slammed the door.

With Yulia gone, the magic density spiked, choking me.

“What’s this? Think this is school? Even if it was, since when were you two that tight?”

“Later.”

I gestured.

Leo’s icy glare was clear—where his disbelief lay.

“Misunderstanding. Sorry. Explaining’s tough now, but this was legit.”

“Legit…”

“…….”

His cold sneer hit hard. Leo twisted his lips in a new expression.

Think I’m thrilled? This is to lure the culprit out.

My core stung like hell. I nearly flipped his core but stopped, knowing I’d schemed something shady at work.

“I’ll explain. Not slacking to make you work, so go.”

“When.”

Short question, but clear.

“Today.”

Can’t explain now.

The culprit might overhear, and if my hypothesis holds, silencing spells won’t help. Yulia tried hard; I can’t ruin it.

Leo’s stare bore into me.

Avoiding it, I met his eyes, and he turned, leaving, convinced I wasn’t lying.

I followed, watching.

‘She’d make a great manager.’

Hawk-eyed, no slacking. Then I remembered he’s already class rep.

Leo approached Yulia, retying her tie, and pushed her to the left room.

“Switch. I’m with Lucas, you’re solo.”

“Why? I wanna stick with Lucas.”

“Why?”

Leo’s sarcasm dripped.

“…….”

Asking why now?

That retort, that look—seasoned.

Yulia, outmatched, shrugged.

“Fine. Wait a sec.”

She pulled me a few steps from Leo.

Feeling Leo’s chill, Yulia gave an awkward smile.

“Gonna get axed by Leo before we catch the culprit?”

“He’s such a stickler…”

Not a playground—what’s this? That’s why he grilled us about school.

We’re working, and in perfect team mode, this wouldn’t fly.

Still, Yulia’s reckless push, unknown till now, was checked by Leo’s unexpected necessity.

“Hahaha! You know he’s a by-the-book guy. Hm, we’re just messing around while working…”

She trailed off, switching topics.

“After this, we hit the annex for breakfast. See you then.”

“Yeah.”

I nodded, following Leo to the right room.

Not wanting this eerie vibe, I passed Leo to check another room—saves time, good move.

But, predictably, Leo grabbed my collar like Yulia.

“…….”

I could fight back, but why get mad at a high schooler’s rigidity? To Leo, I looked like I was screwing around.

Three suffocating hours later, 8 AM.

I met Yulia. She held up breakfast from imperial subcontractors.

“Hm~ Salad today.”

“Nice.”

My core ached.

Giving me the stink-eye for talking? I tapped the table.

Leo’s signal stopped.

But peace didn’t last. Ten minutes into eating, Yulia said something, and Leo’s magic flared around my core.

“Asked before, but if I get you a new artifact, will you pierce your ear? Got one I want you to wear.”

“…Sorry. I’ll think about it later.”

I snapped my fingers under the table. Leo, visibly twitching, turned, scoffing.

Yulia, seeing Leo’s odd reaction, laughed.

“Guess I pushed too hard.”

“Nah, thanks for the offer.”

Five hours later.

The plan worked.

No notes after lunch.

‘Good. Stay gone.’

And let me land a punch. Contradictory, but that’s my raw desire.

I unclenched my fist, smiling.

Culprit’s peace came, but I dodged Leo’s collar-grabs multiple times.

Sending Yulia off, I faced Leo’s menacing approach.

“Why you always on my case?”

His face darkened.

We’re too close, so he’s picking on me, not Yulia.

Or he expected better from me.

He hasn’t grabbed me yet, just threatens.

He leaned close, unblinking sky-blue eyes low.

“Lucas, work.”

“I am.”

“Chatting with Tsheringen all day’s work? Tough mission…”

“…….”

Leo’s mocking smile hit, so I smiled, wringing my hands.

“…!”

Leo hunched, frowning, touching his core.

I call Yulia Tsheringen in my head, but saying it’s different.

His class rep and goody-two-shoes vibe hid his sarcasm, but he’s got bite.

‘Politician needs that edge.’

I get why he’s so strict, but his attitude needs work. I started this mess, so I won’t push harder.

“Explain later.”

“…….”

Leo, about to speak, sighed and turned. He needed time to cool off.

I went out, approaching Yulia, who’d been fixing her tie all day because of Leo.

“Yulia, rein in that… class rep. What’s his deal?”

“…Hm, haha! She won’t be reined.”

“Why?”

Yulia, pondering, spoke lightly.

“Well, national interest’s her thing. You too, right? We grew up like that.”

National interest?

Random, but I get it. Before I could ask, she grabbed my shoulder.

“What now?”

“All day with weird vibes?”

“Haha~ Won’t we get awkward tomorrow?”

“Know better, behave…”

But it’s damn effective.

The culprit’s so pissed she’s silent.

No Favorability window, so Yulia’s not swept up, just acting.

This way, no personal drama ruins teamwork, and we mess with the culprit as planned.

Yulia held out her hand. I tapped it, but her fingers laced with mine.

“…….”

I held back laughter.

Yulia bit her lip, showing strain—there’s a limit to holding it in—but she forced a straight face, acting.

Clearing her throat, she smiled, peering into my eyes. My face reflected in her clear yellow eyes.

Absorbing my flowing magic, she murmured,

“Your Magic Power’s unique, you know?”

“Duh. Pink’s one-of-a-kind.”

“Haha, not that… Your pink magic’s probably unique worldwide.”

“Yup.”

I smiled, feeling chills.

“Then, know why I keep asking for your hand?”

“No clue.”

“Really? Better stay clueless.”

Yulia grinned brightly. I stared, like *why stop there?*

Unique magic and hand-holding are linked, I get.

She let go, likely thinking she’d drawn enough attention.

Truth hit right after.

I turned at footsteps, laughing dryly.

She let go because Leo approached.

Leo said nothing, just shot us a cold glance and passed.

“…….”

Yulia gave an awkward laugh, her 18-year friendship data kicking in.

I felt it too. Not a normal look. He doesn’t half-ignore.

Yulia grabbed my hand, chasing Leo.

“Come on, Leo.”

“…….”

Leo, scornful, glanced and walked on.

Whether we followed, Leo unfolded a map, checked, and opened a large door.

Yulia, despite the chill, spoke.

“Wow, huge~”

Labeled a supply room, it was a warehouse. Stale, unused air.

One side had daily items, the other artifacts—magic lamps, radios, projectors, no electricity. Far off, maintenance gear was neatly arranged.

“Finding magic anomalies here’ll take ages. These places always do.”

Yulia muttered, tapping a magic-item shelf with her wand.

Leo blocked her side, so I took the non-magic items, far off.

“Wow, Pentalon’s going color for broadcasts. Leo, your family’s magic’s in its budget, right?”

Yulia said, eyeing artifacts.

Color’s pricier—needs dyed magic.

“…….”

No reply. Yulia apologized seriously.

“You’re upset. Sorry.”

“Two slackers, who’d be happy?”

Leo’s reply dripped sarcasm.

‘Wasn’t slacking.’

Still, we soured the mood. Our acting creeped us out—third parties must gag.

‘Need mental compensation.’

Messing with a culprit pissed off a friend.

Gotta find a way to soothe him later.

The left door shook.

*Boom—!*

“Huh?”

“…….”

Eyes met. The open door slammed shut.

Leo shot up, and the magic lamps died.

‘Lamps out?’

Artifacts don’t die unless their lifespan’s up or air’s magic is cut.

Door closing didn’t kill them, so the air’s magic…

As I thought, corridor light faded.

Total darkness.

*Click—*

Leo tried the doorknob, locked. No give after tries.

Realizing it was locked, the air chilled.

“Yulia, Leo, feel anyone’s magic outside?”

“Nope.”

“…Nothing. We’re the only ones here.”

I felt none either.

What’s this mean?

Clear.

No face-to-face, as planned…

‘Finally, you bastard.’

Acting beyond letters.

That’s key.

Time to test my hypothesis.

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