Ch 48. Arte's Tears

*** Arte’s POV ***

I shouted at the evil being who dared to bully others.

“You evil! Release them or I will bully you instead!”

“Hahaha! What can you do, little girl? Just tremble in fear as I cast my black magic on them!”

“Hieeeng! But using hostages is not fair!”

“Everything is fair in war and love, little girl. Mwahaha!”

The black mage laughed like a maniac as I trembled with realization at his words.

‘Everything is fair in war and... Love!’

Amazing! As expected of an orphanage veteran kid! If not for the fact that I am currently playing heroes with my new friends, I would run up to this big brother and ask for his signature as a fan!

“Then, then! Is using real magic also fair?”

“Yes?”

The black mage blinked as if to ask what I meant. However, I learned from Oppa it was best to not explain in words!

‘You’ll believe it when you see it!’

It was a quote that my Oppa lives by! So it’s only natural for me to follow!

“Heok!”

The black mage and my new friends widened their eyes as I released a surge of mana and prepared my magic. But what magic should I use?

‘Hnnnn...’

Lots and lots of fun ideas popped into my head.

‘Oh, oh! That’s right! Since he is a black mage, wouldn’t he be weak against light?’

Yes! This is it! If I use light magic, the hostages won’t get harmed too! I smiled with glee and pointed toward the black mage.

“W-wait, Arte! I give up! Even a black mage can repent and become a saint!”

“Eii! Noisy! Oppa told me only true education can change a person!”

“No! What happened to playing?!”

“Watch closely! Because this is how the hero of light fights against a villain!”

[Gather], [Light]

I sucked the light from the surrounding, slowly, to not scare the hostages from fright. However, it seemed like I had no reason to worry about it. Why? Because the hostages are stronger than I thought!

“Wow! What are these balls of lights?”

“The hero said it’s magic! Amazing!”

“So pretty!”

“It is!”

“There must be hundreds of them!”

To not tremble in fear even in the face of a hero’s supreme magic... I like it! All hostages nowadays should be like this! Even the black mage's big brother is opening his mouth in amazement at the swirling ball of lights!

“Hehe, you let down your guard, black mage!”

“Huh?”

“Eat this! [Second Sun]!”

“Heuk!”

I don’t even know what this [Combination Magic] was originally called, but since it seems fitting, I decided to call it [Second Sun] for now! I threw the ball of lights into the black mage’s bald head and made it even more dazzling.

“Ahk! So bright!”

“M-my eyes!”

“It’s a second sun!”

“No, I can’t take this anymore!”

“The black mage is too shocked to fight! Now is our chance! Everyone, run!”

The hostages ran away in glee, leaving the black mage behind as they laughed at him. My magic shouldn’t hurt since it was just a gathering of lights, but, I wonder why?

“Black Mage? Are you crying?”

“I... I will grow my hair next time! Uwaaaah!”

“Eh?”

The black mage runs away in tears. It seems like even harmless magic can still harm others. I trembled at the realization. This is a new discovery that would shook the world!

‘Interesting! I should ask Oppa about it next time! Will he teach me if I ask nicely? Hehe, I can’t wait.’

It was the moment when my list of “Things I want to do with Oppa” increased by one.

‘Come to think of it, where is Oppa?’

I tilted my head. I haven’t seen Oppa since breakfast. So I wondered where he had been. Now that the kids had also run somewhere, our play must be over, too. So it was a good chance to go and find Oppa.

‘Is Oppa in the toilet, after all?’

Maybe I should take a look? Just a peek. Just a little peek wouldn’t hurt, right? It was the moment I clenched my fist with determination.

“So you are here, Arte.”

“Ah! Pretty Unnie!”

I turned around and saw a gentle smile that warmed my inside.

“Fufu, thank you for the praise, Arte. You are pretty, too, you know?”

“Hehe, really? But Oppa is the prettiest!”

“Hmm, you shouldn’t call good-looking males pretty, you know? Some of them might feel offended at the praise.”

That was the moment I learned the first wise words from my future teacher of love.

“I see! Oppa is the good-lookingest!”

“Try handsome instead.”

“Oppa is the handsomest!”

“Yes! That’s it! You’re doing great, Arte!”

“Hehe.”

I closed my eyes as Unnie rubbed my head gently. This feels nice! I should have Oppa do the same next time too!

“Come to think of it, were you looking for me, Unnie?”

“Right. I came to deliver a present from someone.”

“A present?! For me?!”

“Yes, sweetheart. For you.”

“Yay! What is it, what is it?!”

“Fufu. Don’t be surprised because the present is... this! Tada!”

Unnie showed me a white magic staff and a beautiful white dress. I especially like how both of them seemed to glitter softly like the stars!

“Wow! So pretty!”

I accepted both gifts and jumped around in place because I couldn’t contain my excitement. I looked up at Unnie and gave her my best smile.

“Thank you! Pretty Unnie! I like this a lot!”

“You’re welcome, Arte. And also, I only came to deliver the gift. If you want to thank someone, you should thank the one who gave this.”

“You’re right! But who is it?”

“It’s the Sain-- Kuhm. It’s your Oppa, Raon Eva.”

“My Oppa!”

As expected, Oppa is the best! My heart feels warmer as I look at both gifts now. I probably would remember Oppa’s face every time I look at these.

I was planning to search for Oppa anyway. But since Unnie seemed to have met Oppa just now, I should probably ask her.

“Unnie, where is Oppa?”

“That’s...”

I thought Unnie would tell me immediately, but what is it? Her face stiffened and her eyes shook for a moment. It was like Oppa’s face when I asked him difficult things! But did I ask Unnie difficult things? I only asked for Oppa, right?

“Why, Unnie? I want to thank Oppa. Unnie also told me to thank the giver, right?”

“Yes. Yes, but...”

Unnie seemed to be thinking hard about something. Did something happen to Oppa? I had a bad feeling. And that bad feeling was confirmed by Unnie’s next words.

“Arte, please stay calm and listen to me.”

Unnie told me in the gentlest way possible about what happened with Oppa. But even that gentleness isn’t enough to suppress the tears that gradually fall from my eyes.

“Ah…”

That was the moment I finally understood how being abandoned by someone you love feels like.

***

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