The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 93



Mysterious Character

The Rise of the Blue Flame, Protagonist Eve.

I showed my bewilderment at her statement.

Hit by the dragon’s magic.

This meant she had noticed the remnants of the dragon within me.

How?

“`

I know because I’ve played Eve too.

She doesn’t have a Mirinae like Sharin.

So there’s no way she could notice the remnants of the ancient dragon.

But Eve noticed and spoke to me now.

My face became complicated for a moment.

At the same time, I quickly tried to read the emotions on Eve’s face.

Eve is a very blunt character.

Maybe that’s why it’s not easy to read her face.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I made an excuse for now.

Then Eve’s eyebrows slightly furrowed.

She has a look that fits the protagonist perfectly.

Maybe that’s why even such actions looked like a picture.

Now I understand her emotions.

I can control Eve’s emotions.

“Make excuses for what you can.”

With those words, Eve took a step closer to me.

Of course, I also took a step back.

Eve’s eyes glimmered with a subtle light.

“……Why are you running away?”

“Because you’re approaching me threateningly.”

Her eyebrows furrowed even more.

“Threatening? How so?”

Sorry, but it’s definitely threatening enough.

Eve is one of the protagonists along with Lucas.

Moreover, at this point, Eve is superior to Lucas in terms of sheer power.

‘To think that such a person noticed the magic of the ancient dragon.’

Although the remnants of the ancient dragon I possess are not widely known.

But powers related to the ancient dragon are globally forbidden magic.

Even though it looks like this, I was quite flustered.

“`

I never expected Eve to discover the remnants of the ancient dragon.

‘What should I do?’

I had intended to talk to Eve in some way.

But I never thought we would get entangled like this.

“…Am I that intimidating?”

At that moment, an unexpected answer came back.

Eve was looking at her toes, wrapping her arms around herself.

She was showing a timid side.

Seeing this, I tilted my head.

It was because Eve’s strength was her unyielding spirit, no matter what happened.

Her nickname, the Unbroken Blue Flame, wasn’t for nothing.

‘Did something happen to her over the past six months?’

I didn’t know much about Eve’s backstory.

Although Prelliz was a fallen kingdom, it had endured until the current generation.

So, apart from a brief appearance in the international individual exhibition, there was no chance to meet Eve in the main story.

“Who said you were intimidating?”

Still, perhaps because I had played as the protagonist, I felt a sense of affection.

I inadvertently asked back.

Then Eve showed a look of embarrassment.

“…Sorry, it’s nothing.”

Seeing that expression, it was clear that someone had said such a thing to her.

But now was the chance to continue the conversation.

I took the bait Eve had thrown without hesitation.

“If I had to say, you are intimidating.”

Eve’s shoulders flinched.

Her eyes shook violently.

It seemed that the word ‘intimidating’ she had heard before had hurt her.

To think that words could wound the Unbroken Blue Flame, it was not an easy statement.

“Miss Eve, you are usually expressionless and your atmosphere is sharp.”

“Sharp atmosphere? I’m not like that.”

“Yes, no matter what your true feelings are, atmosphere is something you’re born with.”

Eve is beautiful.

But there are different kinds of beauty.

For example, Isabel is like an endlessly bright golden retriever.

Her radiant face is so harmless that anyone who meets her feels at ease.

Eve stands on the opposite end of this spectrum.

She is beautiful, but in a fierce, tough older sister kind of way.

In reality, she would probably reign at the top caste in school.

Moreover, her skills are outstanding enough to be among the top six stars.

Her innate atmosphere and her background.

When these two combine, it’s only natural that she appears intimidating.

“…I don’t completely disagree with that.”

Eve fiddled with the ends of her hair, looking slightly melancholic.

“I even grew my hair out so I wouldn’t look like a tomboy.”

When you say tomboy, it’s not that she doesn’t have that vibe at all.

“…Even kids are scared of me.”

Now I understand who told Eve she was intimidating.

‘It must have been the kids.’

She wouldn’t be hurt by hearing that from her peers.

But there’s one thing.

The words of the kids were something even Eve couldn’t help but be hurt by.

Eve really likes children.

To be precise, she likes most small animals.

Hearing that she was intimidating to the children she liked so much must have been a big shock.

“Then, how about smiling a bit to change the atmosphere?”

A smile can easily change the atmosphere of someone who looks scary.

“When I smiled, the kids got even more scared.”

“That’s probably because you don’t know how to smile properly. People surprisingly don’t know how to use their faces well.”

I made various expressions as I said that.

“Kids are especially sensitive to expressions. The more exaggerated the expression, the better the effect.”

Eve’s eyes widened.

“…You use your face really well.”

“I practiced.”

To be precise, it was rehabilitation therapy.

I had facial paralysis as a sequela of an injury.

To treat it, I massaged my face while looking in the mirror and used my mouth, eyes, and nose diligently.

In the process, I learned how to make expressions more clearly.

Of course, my case is unique.

I don’t think other facial paralysis patients are like me.

Still, thanks to that, I managed to get through various situations with my expressions even after joining the Firefly Butterfly.

Especially in front of Isabel, I used it very well.

Isabel still wouldn’t be able to distinguish the fake expressions I make.

…I don’t know about recently.

“Shall I teach you?”

I asked as Eve was hesitating.

Then she flinched her shoulders and rolled her eyes.

The tips of her ears were slightly red, indicating she wanted to learn.

Then, as if something came to mind, she looked back at me.

“Wait. This isn’t the conversation I wanted to have.”

Oh no, did she notice?

I tried to change the subject naturally, but it seems I failed.

“More importantly, the problem is the dragon’s magic. It’s dangerous. If you don’t solve it right away, you might be eaten by the dragon.”

Eve didn’t come to blame me for my mistakes.

She spoke to me purely out of concern, even though it was our first meeting today.

As expected of the protagonist of a side story.

She also had an innate goodness.

I slowly smiled at the kindness in her eyes.

“It is indeed dangerous.”

“That’s right.”

“But I need it.”

Eve’s body flinched.

The moment Eve discovered the remnants of the ancient dragon within me.

I had been stalling for time with pointless chatter.

And then I made a decision.

To use the remnants of the ancient dragon.

“I have something I need to do. So, can you keep it a secret?”

A smile crept onto my lips.

And within that smile, there was a faint trace of malice.

“Of course, if you don’t keep it a secret.”

A subtle chill emanated from my body.

I had lightly stirred the remnants of the ancient dragon.

“I might find myself in quite a predicament.”

Eve’s eyes narrowed.

At the same time, a blue flame began to slowly rise from her body.

“So, you’re trying to silence me now?”

The opponent was a six-star.

One of the top six in the same generation.

No matter how much I harbored the remnants of the ancient dragon.

Eve’s blue flame was the worst possible match.

If we fought, nine times out of ten, I would lose.

“Yes, so I’ll teach you how to make expressions. Will you keep it a secret?”

“What?”

“You want to learn how to make expressions, don’t you? It’s the price for your silence.”

I smiled slyly.

“Or do you want money? I don’t have much, so that would be difficult.”

“I don’t want money or anything like that.”

Eve stared at me with a face that couldn’t comprehend.

But I was sincere.

“How about it? It’s a pretty good deal, right?”

“No, the ancient dragon’s magic is dangerous.”

“Yes, I know, but I have to endure it.”

Eve stared at me with a frown.

She seemed to want to know my intentions, but she couldn’t read anything.

Of course not.

I have no intention of doing anything with the remnants of the ancient dragon right now.

No matter how much Eve tries to dig into my intentions, she won’t find anything.

“Then, I’ll teach you the expression later. I have things to do today.”

I turned around without a moment’s hesitation.

She tried to grab me with a bewildered face, but it was too late.

I quickly turned my steps back to the Jerion Academy room.

I was startled.

I never thought Eve would discover the ancient dragon’s magic.

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But knowing Eve’s personality, she wouldn’t inform anyone about the ancient dragon’s magic.

She wasn’t the type to do that without knowing my circumstances.

She would surely try to solve it on her own.

As I quietly exhaled, I felt the quiet atmosphere of the room.

There were two people watching me cautiously.

“Ah, you’re back?”

“Hanon, rest.”

I blinked.

‘Oh, come to think of it, I had said something before leaving.’

I had forgotten.

I should have given it a bit more time before coming back.

I came back too early.

I guess I should pretend to be angrier.

“Hanoon, I’m hungry.”

But soon, there was no need for that.

Seeing Sharin just made me angry.

Thanks to Sharin, I confirmed that my anger hadn’t subsided yet today.

＊＊＊

International Solo Exhibition Meeting.

As mentioned earlier, the true value of the meeting lies in the party that follows.

A party where everyone can freely converse.

Since the future leaders of the world gather, every conversation at the party becomes a network and an asset for the future.

So, at the party, the children search for someone to talk to with eyes wide open.

They were nothing short of political hyenas.

Inside the party hall where such children gathered.

A woman with a confident stride entered.

The woman in the fluttering black dress was none other than the 3rd princess of the Hyserion Empire.

Iris Hyserion.

Every step she took drew gazes.

Iris’s unique decadent beauty captivated the atmosphere in an instant.

The children stared at her in a daze.

Iris was like a black rose.

Her beauty unconsciously drew attention, but if one reached out, they would be pricked by thorns.

That was Iris.

But the people following her were no less impressive.

A woman with a languid face appeared in a school uniform, unlike Iris who wore a dress.

However, it was precisely because of this that she drew the attention of others.

The daughter of the Blue Tower Lord.

Sharin Sazarith.

She yawned with a languid face, her dark blue hair fluttering.

And beside her stood a woman with a radiant appearance like the sun.

Dressed in a neat scarlet dress, her face was exceptionally bright.

Her brightness influenced those who saw her, making them smile unconsciously.

The main heroine.

Isabel Luna.

The appearance of the three women made the children start whispering.

And there was a boy following them!

‘Oh, no one is paying attention to me.’

Master of Concealment Techniques, Hannon.

Of course, my face disguised as Hannon was decent, but in reality, it was overshadowed by the three others.

For me, it was rather fortunate.

While the attention was on the three, I planned to quickly step back.

‘Well then, let’s take it easy.’

I thought of stepping back and observing the situation.

It was at that moment.

Step-

I heard footsteps.

I raised my head with a face of disbelief at the familiar sound.

I didn’t expect anyone to come towards me at such a moment of attention.

But I had forgotten one thing.

The person didn’t care about such things.

“Hannon Airey.”

She called my name accurately, as if she had heard it from somewhere.

I swallowed hard and turned my head.

There stood a woman with blue hair in a bright blue dress.

Unyielding Blue Flame.

Eve.

She stood before me again, at this moment when all eyes were on her.

I never thought she would step forward so openly.

As if she were the protagonist of a side story, moving unpredictably.

Eve might be from the hood.

As Eve, who attracted as much attention as the three before, spoke to me, the children all looked this way.

But they weren’t the only ones looking at me.

I felt two piercing gazes on my face.

Isabel and Iris.

The two were glaring at me as if they could bore a hole through the back of my head.

It was as if they were speaking to the back of my head.

“Did you go out and flirt with a girl in that short time?”

And Sharin said it directly.

Unfair!