“Ha ha, it’s quite surprising that even with the Barley Lotus Pool’s capabilities, you couldn’t completely fix your condition…”
“Still, there was a great achievement. Thank you.”
“Indeed… The monastics that will be dispatched to the Central Plains have been somewhat narrowed down.”
Lastly, they reviewed the plan with Rano Jingbu. Information regarding the experts and powers to be cautious of in Yunnan was shared, and it was agreed to discuss that information periodically through the Wolbok-dang.
If they also had real-time updates from the Wolbok-dang regarding the status of the experts and powers in Yunnan, Podalap Palace would surely be able to manage just fine.
“Are you preparing to leave?”
“Yes. I’ve been in the western chamber for too long.”
“Is that so… Sara will be sad, won’t she?”
“Ha ha… I’ll try my best to not make her sad.”
“I know you all sincerely treated Sara well. I really appreciate your efforts for her until the very end.”
This would likely be Rano Jingbu’s last meeting as the lord of Podalap Palace. Rano Jingbu joined his hands in respect, and I also bowed as appropriately as I could to convey my respect.
Coming out of the palace, I headed towards my lodging, where I found Sara waiting for me with a cheerful expression.
“Welcome back, Magician!”
It seemed she was waiting for me, not wanting to go in alone because she was upset with the other three.
As we entered the lodging together, our group greeted Sara warmly.
“Hmph!”
It seemed Sara wasn’t completely ready to accept greetings.
“Sara.”
“Yes?”
“Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye wish to reconcile with you. How about accepting their reconciliation now?”
“….”
Sara seemed to know she couldn’t stay mad forever, as she kept her mouth shut. Sure, playing with me was fun, but she probably wanted to play with Yeo Il-ye or Black Cat too.
“Hmm… what to do? I need to create a new magic performance, but if Black Cat or Miss Yeo Il-ye are sulking, it feels like it wouldn’t come together properly…”
“A new… magic performance?”
Sara perked up at the mention. Well… she couldn’t resist a magic performance.
“How about this? If Sara reconciles with the two of them and lifts their spirits, I’ll specially let you join the Ho Cheon-an Magician’s troupe!”
“…Join?”
Although intrigued, Sara maintained a cautious demeanor, not quite understanding what “joining the troupe” meant.
“You’ll be helping us create the magic performance we’ll showcase in Rasa this week!”
“A performance…?”
“Yes! It’s a chance for you to see all the magic you want!”
Sara’s expression went blank with excitement. Although she loved magic as a whole, there were certainly spells she preferred over others. Could she actually create a performance made up entirely of her favorite spells?
“Uh, I’m only doing it because I feel sorry for them!”
“Of course~”
“I-I really mean it! I can’t help but feel sorry for them, that’s all!”
“Sure, I know!”
And so, with all kinds of excuses flowing from her lips, she was led by my hand toward Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye. Still looking a bit awkward, Sara glanced sideways, turning her head here and there.
“Magical Squirrel! I hope the magical squirrel is included in the show!”
However, as soon as we called the team together and began forming the last magic performance, she started actively sharing her ideas.
“Hehe, how about we include that magic?”
“Then let’s give it a spot in the lineup after mine…”
Both Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye actively agreed with Sara’s suggestions. With their enthusiastic support, Sara seemed thrilled.
“The Magical Squirrel is really fun magic! But the downside is that it can’t be seen from far away, so if we make shiny gold or silver versions, it’ll be visible even from a distance!”
With sparkling eyes, she mentioned points she’d been disappointed about during previous performances and suggested solutions.
“I’ll need to get some help from my master. Master?”
“Ah, got it.”
“Hmm, and I think the ring magic would’ve been even more magical if the colors had changed!”
“Master?”
“You’re really trying to suck me dry, huh… got it.”
Tang So-yeol let out a sigh mixed with cigarette smoke, but he nodded readily at the sight of Sara, whose eyes were twinkling like stars.
“And!”
Indulging in Sara’s endless requests, I decided to accept them for now. There were some unreasonable requests, but we could refine those during tomorrow’s rehearsal.
This stage was for Sara, and it was essential that she understood everything.
As we discussed various improvements and wishes from Sara, time slipped by quickly.
“Sara, it’s time to go back.”
“Aww… I want to stay a little longer.”
“We can’t break our promise to Mother and Father.”
Making a regretful expression, Sara hugged Yeo Il-ye and Black Cat once and… after a brief pause, hugged Tang So-yeol too before darting away.
“What a cute one.”
Tang So-yeol chuckled as he walked toward the smithy, probably to make some tools reflecting Sara’s requests.
“Hmm… The intent is good, but I’m a bit worried.”
“I feel that way too. If we reveal the entire rehearsal process, will we truly enjoy the final performance?”
Both Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye voiced their thoughts.
“Well, that could happen.”
Magic is often just simple tricks if you really think about it. No, the magic I perform is like that as well. I mean, strictly speaking, I’m not a real magician either.
Once you figure out all the tricks, the illusion of magic might vanish.
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to join in rather than just remaining an audience until the end?”
Yeo Il-ye chuckled.
“You really have that Honorable Person vibe.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m just relieved. To tell the truth, I was a bit anxious that I didn’t pressure you for an answer that day… but it seems I don’t have to worry anymore.”
Yeo Il-ye nodded with a more relaxed expression.
“Honestly! People like this or that just throw their hearts away! Well… I suppose that’s why they can be close.”
“Hehe, that’s right.”
At Black Cat’s words, Yeo Il-ye nodded. Hmm… engaging in conversation on this topic is just to my disadvantage.
I clapped my hands to draw attention back.
“Alright then, let’s rework the magic considering the points Sara mentioned today.”
“Okay, understood.”
“Can you see it from far away!!”
Yeo Il-ye, who was watching Ho Cheon-an’s magic from a distance with Sara, noticed the excited Sara and gazed at the stage.
‘Honorable Person.’
If we talk about gaining advantages or connections, there really was no need for Ho Cheon-an to work harder for Sara. After all, he was already her savior and their bond was strong.
So why go to all this trouble preparing a new stage?
‘Because he cares.’
Unlike Yeo Il-ye, who was cheerfully supportive, Black Cat, observing Ho Cheon-an demonstrating his magic from backstage, pondered similarly.
‘Because he wants to be with her.’
Ho Cheon-an does not take relationships lightly.
This stage was a testament to that. To Sara, Ho Cheon-an’s group was special, and he was well aware of that, which is precisely why he was preparing this stage to meet her expectations.
‘So that’s it.’
After the fight, or rather, the match with Yeo Il-ye, he had retracted his hand after seeing Sara’s tears. After that, he had awkwardly reconciled with Yeo Il-ye, partly out of having to read Sara’s feelings. Yet now, pondering reconciliation while passing time, the conclusion that he wanted to reconcile with Yeo Il-ye had just kind of popped up.
Ultimately, he had acted on that conclusion, but until yesterday, Black Cat had been completely baffled as to how he had reached it.
Had he not simply returned to a situation that was neither here nor there?
Perhaps he was merely dodging and turning away from the choice, leaving behind an uneasy feeling.
But now he understood. Or perhaps he had already understood yesterday.
He fully grasped that right now, in this moment, Ho Cheon-an was working hard for Sara.
Yeo Il-ye thought.
Ho Cheon-an was not someone who took others’ hearts lightly.
‘Yet he hasn’t given me an answer.’
That realization left her feeling disappointed and angry. It had been so long since she expressed her feelings, and now he just remained silent… it was natural to feel hurt.
So why had she forgiven Ho Cheon-an and apologized for their fight? She, too, like Black Cat, hadn’t found a clear answer.
‘He must value our connection too.’
Belief.
Just like how he practiced his magic late into the night for Sara, she believed he would also put in the effort to nurture the bond between her and Ho Cheon-an.
Even if right now, Ho Cheon-an’s silence might feel like a negative response, she trusted he wouldn’t take the connection between them lightly.
That’s why she could take a step back.
As Yeo Il-ye and Black Cat were lost in their thoughts, Ho Cheon-an’s demonstration ended. Sara’s applause pulled both of them back to reality.
“A little disappointing that I can’t see the cute Squirrel from afar… but it’s still plenty fun!”
“The fact that it can only be seen up close just adds to its secret charm.”
“Hmm… but I prefer enjoying magic together with everyone.”
Yeo Il-ye affectionately stroked Sara’s head. Completely relaxed, Sara beamed, accepting Yeo Il-ye’s gentle gesture.
“Alright, now we’ll start the demonstration with the rainbow-colored ring magic.”
“Wow!”
Black Cat brushed past Ho Cheon-an as she made her way to the stage. Seeing how hard Ho Cheon-an was working for Sara, she didn’t want to lag behind.
Black Cat, watching Sara waving with excitement, felt an indescribable pride bubbling up within her.
Suddenly, Black Cat wondered if her senior had felt the same way while looking at her. Turning back out of curiosity.
“…?”
Suddenly glancing back surprised Ho Cheon-an, who wore an oddly curious expression. In turn, Black Cat chuckled at the sight. What difference did it make? If she made him feel incredibly proud, then it was fine, and even if he didn’t, she could still make him feel that way from now on.
Yes, right now, she had to make sure Sara had fun first.
“Now, shall we begin!”
“Waaah!”
With Sara’s enthusiastic cheer leading the way, Black Cat raised the multicolored rings and began her magic act.
It was two days before the performance to be held in Rasa.
