blueteamnovel Chapter 86 Interlude: Snow Festival (III)
Chapter 86 Interlude: Snow Festival (III)
Fwip!
"Time Acceleration!"
Puff—
"F—Fuck!"
I barely managed to react as the sudden force of the backlash hit me, sending me stumbling back a few steps.
My hands shook, my head ached, and my body felt like it had just run an entire marathon in a second.
"God damn it... fuu..."
Taking a deep breath, I furrowed my eyebrows, staring blankly at my hands. My fingers twitched slightly, but that was it.
No glow.
No lingering mana.
No sign that I had successfully cast anything at all.
Honestly, when I saw that my second affinity or element was Time, I was immediately ecstatic, however...
But I didn't think it would be this much of a problem.
From the moment I awakened my second affinity, I had been training like a madman to use it.
Every single day.
Every single night.
I barely even slept.
I even used mana to ease my body so I didn't need sleep.
The only problem was mental fatigue...
But it was all useless.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't properly activate Time Magic.
I had scoured the entire academy library, looking for anything—anything at all—that could help me understand how Time Magic worked.
But there was nothing.
Not a single book on Time Magic existed in the academy's collection.
It was almost as if it had been erased from history.
Which meant that if I wanted to learn, I was on my own.
A few days passed in complete frustration, I trained, failed, took a small break, and then tried again.
Again and again.
The cycle repeated itself over and over, but no matter what, I couldn't even manage a simple first-rank spell.
"Damn it..."
I clicked my tongue in frustration.
"One last try..."
Taking a deep breath, I focused.
This time, I wouldn't just shout the spell's name and hope for the best.
I would control it.
I would force it to work.
Slowly, I closed my eyes, reaching deep into myself and
Those sweet memories.
His happy friends.
Even his emotions...
They weren't just things I "remembered."
I felt them.
Lived them.
And because of that, I couldn't ignore them.
How could I?
How could I turn away when I knew what was coming?
When I knew what they would face?
Even though this wasn't my world, even though these weren't my people…
I couldn't just leave them to die.
Even if I wanted to.
Even if it wasn't "me" who cared…
I still cared.
So...
Aestrea…
Just be a little selfish.
Is that too much to ask?
"Master...?"
Alaine's voice was soft, laced with worry.
"Are you okay?"
Her green eyes, bright and filled with concern, met mine.
I stared at her for a second before a small smile tugged at my lips.
"A-ah... I'm alr—"
My voice faltered.
But then, looking at her—really looking at her—I let out a breath.
And smiled.
"I'm better than ever."
"!!!"
The moment Alaine saw my soft smile, her face lit up like a sunrise.
Her bright green eyes sparkled, and she tilted her head slightly to the side before flashing me an even brighter smile.
"Master… I… I—"
—BEEP!
«Attention, students! The first festival activity—'Mana Football' of the Snow Festival is about to begin. Every student who has signed up, please proceed to the main arena.»
—BOP!
The sudden announcement cut through the air, and I felt my expression shift slightly as I frowned.
I exhaled softly before slowly pushing myself up.
"I guess it's time…"
I started making my way toward the exit, but before I could take more than a few steps—
Rustle.
Alaine suddenly stepped in front of me, blocking my way.
Then, like a diligent wife, she carefully adjusted my clothes, smoothing out any wrinkles before giving my shoulders a gentle pat.
Her hands were soft, her movements slow and precise, as if she had done this countless times before.
She smiled up at me.
"Let's go," she said lightly before turning around and walking ahead.
I blinked.
Then, with a small chuckle, I followed her.
The main arena wasn't far, so it only took us a few minutes to get there.
The moment we arrived, I noticed two signs. One pointed toward the section for participants, and the other led to the spectators.
It was time for us to separate.
Alaine turned to face me.
"Good luck, Master."
Her voice was soft, carrying a warmth that made my chest tighten for a moment.
She then started walking toward the left passage—the one that would teleport her to the spectator area.
I watched her go.
My eyes followed her small, delicate back as she walked further and further away.
And I frowned.
'Just be a little selfish.'
The thought seemed to haunt my mind.
So...
I moved before I could stop myself.
I reached forward and softly grasped her wrist.
"M-Master…?"
Alaine stammered, turning around, her expression filled with confusion.
'...What was I doing?'
I sighed inwardly.
Her green, jewel-like eyes locked onto mine, glimmering with something I couldn't quite describe.
There was hesitation.
Uncertainty.
But also… a faint hint of anticipation.
Her brows furrowed slightly as a few loose strands of her silky, blonde blonde hair slipped onto her forehead, falling just above her lashes.
She looked stunning.
The soft glow of the arena's lights highlighted her delicate features, casting a faint shadow beneath her eyes.
Her lips—pale pink, slightly parted in surprise—looked impossibly soft.
Tempting.
I felt my heartbeat slow for a moment.
And then—
Fwoop.
With a quick movement, I pulled her toward me.
"Ah!"
Her small gasp filled the air as I stepped back slightly, twisting my body just enough to catch her off balance.
And then—
I caught her.
My arm wrapped securely around her waist, holding her close.
She barely had time to react before I tilted my head downward—
And closed the distance.
"....♡!"
A soft, fleeting kiss.
The warmth of her lips barely lingered before I slowly pulled away.
Alaine's eyes widened, her breath catching as her fingers trembled slightly against my chest.
I smiled.
"I'll see you later."
And without waiting for a response, I turned and stepped into the right passage.
In an instant—
Fwoosh!
I was teleported away.
Leaving Alaine standing there, speechless.