* * *
Time flew by, and before I knew it, I was getting more comfortable learning barrier magic from Cedric.
Maybe it was thanks to the daily special training, but it wasn’t long before Cedric finally announced he had nothing left to teach me.
So today, I decided to take a breather and, while at it, spend some time with Ian.
After meeting Ian five more times or so, I’d be done siphoning… no, borrowing divine power from him.
With the barrier magic training and the divine power collection nearing completion, I could start feeling my goals coming within reach.
“Ian!”
“Lord Dowoon, it feels like it’s been a while since I last saw you.”
The imperial garden was exceptionally well-maintained, making it a perfect spot for a walk.
Standing beside Ian felt natural.
“Lord Dowoon, I’ll be nearby, so please call if you need me.”
As usual, Anna gave us space, stepping back to let Ian and me have our time together.
Now that I was here, maybe I should check Ian’s appreciation rate, too.
Piel’s was 33%… no, after some distance, it dropped to 30%.
And Baek Yigang was at 5%…. What would Ian’s be?
[SYSTEM: Would you like to check the appreciation rate of main character Ian Dirzio?]
The now-familiar blue text shimmered faintly.
I selected “Yes,” and after a short loading period, Ian’s results appeared.
[SYSTEM: Ian Dirzio’s appreciation rate towards player Cheong Dowoon is currently 36%.
※ The system reflects real-time values, so updates may take a little time.]
By now, I wasn’t even surprised.
How on earth is it possible for people I barely meet, like Ian and Piel, to have higher appreciation rates than Baek Yigang?!
No, maybe it’s not the system’s fault. Perhaps Baek Yigang is just exceptionally ungrateful.
Either way, it wasn’t surprising that Ian had the highest appreciation rate.
Of the three somewhat eccentric brothers, he was the most… normal.
But even Ian had a bit of an issue: he was overly generous with his gratitude.
For example, right now.
“Ian, that flower has thorns, so you shouldn’t touch it.”
“Oh, I see…! Thank you for letting me know.”
See?
He says “thank you” as if it’s a greeting!
Normally, that would be typical, but after dealing with Baek Yigang, it felt like a rare sight.
Either way, getting a sincere expression of gratitude from Ian would take some effort.
Piel, I’d rather avoid entirely.
And Baek Yigang… well, he practically has no chance at all.
“…Sigh.”
Understanding this complicated situation, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
The person I’m supposed to focus on is being left aside while I’m somehow progressing with these random guys…
This is ridiculous.
“Lord Dowoon, is the magic you’re learning going well?”
Seeing my troubled expression, Ian carefully asked, noticing my mood.
If it had been Baek Yigang, he would’ve told me not to breathe so heavily or complain… Ian was clearly an angel.
“Well, it’s coming along. It’s a new field, so it’s difficult, but I think I’m getting the hang of it.”
Learning barrier magic from Cedric instead of Reggie was truly a godsend.
They say he’s the best in the field, and it’s not an empty claim.
Cedric’s barriers were incredibly solid yet intricate.
Most of the palace’s barriers were made by the Wizard Tower, but all the important ones inside were Cedric’s work.
Maybe it’s because I have such a skilled teacher; the lessons are of high quality, though the Spartan style leaves me sore all over after each session… Well, anyway.
“Ian, give me your hand.”
Without hesitation, Ian placed his hand on mine.
By now, he handed me his hand whenever I asked.
He was like a well-trained puppy. I didn’t even give him treats.
Two men holding hands might seem odd to others, but for us… it had become almost ceremonial when we met.
At this point, Ian might think I have a hand-holding fetish.
But there’s only a little time left to go through this ritual, so it’s fine.
Besides, if I get embarrassed by this light skinship, I won’t be able to siphon divine power.
I need to be shameless for a reason.
Anyway, as I walked, holding Ian’s hand and subtly absorbing his divine power, I noticed some people making noise near the main palace.
“What’s going on?”
Curious, Ian and I slowly approached the main palace.
Standing among a crowd of people in unusual attire was Baek Yigang, as rigid as a tree.
Beside him was Philip, smiling brightly on behalf of his unsociable master as he greeted everyone.
“Oh, right. I heard someone was coming from the Arte Empire today. They were supposed to arrive late in the afternoon, but they’re early.”
After observing the scene for a moment, Ian seemed to understand and briefly explained.
Apparently, it was a diplomatic group from Arte.
But why were Arte people here?
The founding festival was over, so there shouldn’t be any business left…
‘The princess of Arte is coming in two weeks.’
Just then, I remembered something Baek Yigang had mentioned earlier.
Good grief… I’d been so busy that I’d completely forgotten.
The princess was supposed to arrive in just two days.
It seemed her attendants had arrived early to inspect the place where she’d be staying and handle other preparations.
“Hmm, Ian. Let’s take a different route.”
“Yes, that sounds best.”
Just as I turned away, understanding the situation, I suddenly locked eyes with Baek Yigang.
I wasn’t sure if he looked over here on purpose, but his gaze was fixed squarely on me.
His violet eyes, staring directly at me, gradually drifted downward and stopped at the place where Ian and I held hands.
After a brief pause, Baek Yigang abruptly turned his head away.
What… What was that?! Did he just pretend not to notice me even though he saw me?
I wasn’t expecting him to acknowledge me in front of the foreign dignitaries, but did he really have to look at me like that, all displeased, and turn away?
It’s annoying!
Ian and I decided to end our walk there.
We moved to Ian’s room, where we planned to part ways after a quick cup of tea.
As I nibbled on a small cookie with the warm tea, Ian, in a calm voice, spoke up, looking at me.
“Cheong Dowoon.”
“Yes?”
“It may be a bit impolite to ask, but…”
Ian, pausing as if hesitating, continued only after I gave him a reassuring nod to go on.
“Do you… like His Highness?”
The question didn’t seem to have any ulterior motive—it was simply asked as it was, straightforwardly.
Because of that, I didn’t feel embarrassed, surprised, or even flustered.
Yet, for some reason, I couldn’t seem to speak.
“…Why are you asking something like that all of a sudden?”
I could have just said “no,” but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
Blinking blankly, I finally pulled myself together enough to answer.
“His Highness is the Empire’s Crown Prince. He’s only going to get busier from here on out. He’s a good person, but not someone I think it’s wise to have feelings for.”
It was obvious why Ian would ask such a thing—he must have sensed that I liked Baek Yigang.
I’m not sure what gave him that impression, though…
But regardless, it wasn’t something Ian should be worrying about.
“Ian.”
“Actually, I know the reason why you keep seeking me out, Dowoon.”
Just as I was about to brush it off casually, Ian took the initiative to respond, even adding a rather… unsettling comment.
He knew why I was seeking him out?
That’s ridiculous.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
As soon as I asked, looking unconvinced, Ian suddenly took hold of my hand.
A tremendous surge of divine energy began to flow into me.
It was on a completely different level from the little bits I’d been absorbing up until now.
It was as if he were pouring in an entire reservoir of divine power.
“W-Wait! Ian, what are you doing?”
Shocked, I tried to pull my hand away, but Ian didn’t let go and filled me to my limit with divine energy.
Only then did he release me, his face calm as he met my gaze.
“This amount should be enough to help His Highness.”
What… What is he talking about? “To help His Highness”?
Wait, he knows I’ve been absorbing his divine power!
“…Was it that obvious?”
“Haha, very much so.”
Ian’s cheerful answer left me stunned.
Is that really something to say with a smile?
Especially in front of the person who’s been quietly siphoning his power?!
“But I was only taking tiny amounts…”
“It seems your idea of ‘tiny’ is rather different from that of a regular person.”
Ian’s lighthearted laugh echoed in my ears, and as I was hit with a wave of shock and dizziness, I couldn’t help but close my eyes.
* * *
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Caught Dowon