Chapter 34: The Girl Who Sees Through Everything—Except Him

The type of Mystic Eye may be the same, but how it manifests differs from person to person.

For instance, the Eye of Perception can manifest as the ability to identify magic, read the flow of battle, or appraise items.

Serenne’s Mystic Eye, which allowed her to see the flow of mana—

Enabled her to perceive the very “nature” of people in the form of mana.

“A person’s true nature can be categorized into two types.”

To her eyes, people were divided into two kinds.

Those who forcibly suppressed their murky, repulsive selves beneath the surface.

And those whose filth seeped out, unable to be contained.

In other words, every human carried some form of “filth” within them.

The latter group—those who couldn’t even hide their true nature—were the people of her own family.

— “You can’t even swing a sword properly?”

— “Stop faking it! The doctors themselves said they don’t know what’s wrong with you.”

— “Swing it properly, ten thousand times. Otherwise, you won’t be eating today.”

Serenne Camillea belonged to the Camillea Count family.

They had operated the Black Panther Knights for over a hundred years.

But to them, Serenne—born with Mystic Eyes and suffering from their effects since birth—was a disgrace.

Her family mocked her inability to function due to the pain.

Even her own parents refused to treat her as their child.

Thus, her fragile heart shut itself away at an early age.

— “Magic?”

At the age of fifteen, she used magic for the first time.

Fleeing from her siblings’ violence, she had hidden in the library, where she happened to read an introductory magic book.

And from that moment, her talent blossomed.

Naturally, the family’s attitude toward her changed instantly.

— “H-How can this be?! Such talent?!”

— “A Mana Perception Eye? A Mystic Eye…? Why didn’t you say anything?”

— “Incredible! Our family has produced a magic prodigy!”

As if their past treatment had never happened, they suddenly welcomed her as one of their own.

Serenne only gazed at them with indifferent eyes.

The filth of their emotions had been tucked away inside them now.

Suppressing the nausea rising within her, she thought—

“Just endure until I get to the academy.”

The academy.

An institution of higher education in the Empire where anyone over the age of twenty could enroll.

At least, that was the official line.

In reality, only those who could afford the exorbitant tuition could attend.

But with her Mystic Eyes, Serenne had easily secured first place in the entrance exams.

“The academy has to be different.”

Her family was full of garbage.

But not all humans could be the same way.

Holding onto that hope, Serenne enrolled in the Magic Department at the academy—

Only to fall into despair once again.

— “You’re the top student, right? It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

— “I’ve heard about the Camillea family. Haha, the Black Panther Knights are famous even in our Viscounty.”

— “If it’s not too much trouble, we’d love to invite you to our banquet. As the top student, if you joined us, I’m sure the future—”

Everywhere she went, she was surrounded by nobles, carefully dressing up their selfish intentions.

They were her age, yet at twenty, they were already as revolting as the older nobles.

She could see through them all—

“I hate this.”

Magic, which had merely been an escape, was no longer enjoyable.

Food from the most famous restaurants tasted bland.

Everything felt meaningless.

Living in a society full of humans—

Yet unable to like them.

That realization planted a seed of despair within her.

A despair that made her wonder if life even had meaning.

“…”

“Uh… Serenne…? Ah, hello?”

And then, something unexpected happened.

“What… is this person?”

At Byzantium Academy’s opening ceremony—

A male student was practically shoved toward her.

At first, she assumed he was just another noble from the Magic Department, approaching her to exploit her status.

But the moment she saw his eyes—

She was shocked.

“Uh… hello?”

“……..”

“Serenne? You’re a little too close… W-Wait a second, Serenne!”

His startled eyes darted left and right, brimming with confusion.

But the flow of mana within them—

Was different from everyone else.

“So… pure.”

What she saw in his mana was pristine and beautiful.

Like something from another world, utterly unlike any other human.

The color, the shape, the essence—everything was completely different.

It was like discovering a shining gemstone in a pile of filth.

Serenne was mesmerized.

“…How fascinating.”

“Huh?”

“Your eyes. They’re fascinating.”

The intricate, shifting flow of mana—

It was like gazing at the highest form of magic.

Or rather, at Sion’s very essence.

So Serenne decided to approach him first.

“You’re Sion, right?”

“…?”

“Nice to meet you. I’ve been curious about something.”

“Wait. Aren’t you standing a little too close?”

In Professor Hurryju’s class, Serenne confirmed it once again.

Sion’s eyes were—

“I understand now. You have Mystic Eyes too.”

“…!!”

The reason she hadn’t recognized it through her Mana Perception was simple—

It wasn’t magic.

It was Mystic Eyes, like hers.

The moment she realized this, her perception of Sion changed.

“How much must he have suffered?”

Serenne had been an outcast in her family for fifteen years because of her Mystic Eyes.

As the daughter of a Count, she had at least been treated as a person.

But Sion…

He was a complete commoner, without even a family name.

Just imagining the pain he must have endured—

Living in poverty while dealing with the torment of Mystic Eyes—

There was no doubt in her mind that Sion had lived a far harsher life than she had.

“I want to know more about him.”

On impulse, she had asked to meet him after class.

It was the first time she had ever made plans with someone.

And also the first time she had ever been stood up.

For a moment, she even wondered—

“Maybe he dislikes me?”

“Are you free after class today?”

“If lunch is okay…”

“That’s good enough. Then let’s have lunch today.”

Even so, she made plans with him again.

When she learned he had forgotten their promise, something stirred inside her chest.

But Serenne was too inexperienced with human relationships to understand what that feeling was.

Just the fact that she was with him now—

Had already made that strange feeling disappear.

“Uh… uh…?”

“If we don’t hurry, we’ll get swept away in the crowd. Let’s just go into any shop.”

“Ah, y-yeah! You’re right!”

Led into the restaurant by a firm grip, despite her small frame—

Serenne absentmindedly ordered a hamburger steak.

She was just about to wonder why Sion seemed a little stiff when—

“Honey, say ahhh~.”

“Ahhh~.”

A couple at the table beside them caught her eye.

A man and a woman, both smiling brightly as they fed each other.

Looking around, she noticed that everyone in the restaurant was doing the same.

‘…Is this just how people eat here?’

It was her first time dining out with someone.

So, seeing how others were behaving, she simply assumed that this was how things were done at this restaurant.

Which meant she should also…

“The food here is better than I expected. I see why it’s so popular.”

“Sion.”

“Hm?”

Sion was enjoying his rose pasta.

Serenne sliced a piece of her hamburger steak and stabbed it with her fork.

Her gaze flickered between the steak and Sion’s lips.

After about five seconds—

She shook her head.

“…It’s nothing. Just enjoy your meal.”

“Oh, okay. You too, Serenne.”

Instead of offering it to Sion, Serenne put the steak into her own mouth.

‘Why did I hesitate?’

She pondered the thought while chewing.

There was no reason to hesitate.

Just look around—everyone was feeding each other.

And yet, she had hesitated, done neither, and even failed to explain why she called his name.

Thump, thump.

Her small heart pounded continuously.

It wasn’t from mana overuse or the heart failure she had as a child.

Then why? What was the reason?

Ever since meeting Sion, strange emotions had been clouding her thoughts.

“Looks like we’re done. Should we head out?”

“Ah…”

Lost in thought while eating, she hadn’t noticed that the food was already gone.

When had time passed so quickly?

She stood up and followed Sion.

“Since I couldn’t keep my promise last time, I’ll pay for the meal.”

“…I don’t mind paying.”

“Nah, you can treat me next time.”

Sion smiled as he handed money to the waitress.

His casual remark—“Next time, you pay.”—

Made her heart pound again.

She didn’t know why, but something felt strange in her body.

Serenne placed a hand over her chest.

Before she could think too much, the waitress from before appeared in front of them.

“Oh my, did you enjoy your meal?”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, yes. It was delicious.”

“I’m glad to hear that! Now, before you leave, you need to take your couple’s photo~!”

“…What? W-Wait a second… uh…”

Without waiting for an answer, the waitress guided them somewhere.

Near the restaurant’s entrance was a photo zone.

In front of it stood a massive magical camera device.

“This is a very expensive artifact! If you just wait five seconds, you’ll have a keepsake of this moment forever! Ever heard of photographs? Hohoho! Now, now, stand close together~.”

The waitress fiddled with the magical device, gesturing for them to get closer.

Sion and Serenne awkwardly made eye contact.

Serenne hesitated before taking a small step toward him.

Sion, stiff, leaned in slightly and whispered near her ear.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to bring you to a place like this…”

“…It’s fine.”

She shook her head.

Sion looked apologetic, but Serenne’s face remained unreadable.

For the first time, she was grateful for her lack of facial expressions.

“Oh dear, why are you two acting so shy? Young couples should be more affectionate! Come on, let’s close this gap—”

Before they could react, the waitress placed her hands on their shoulders.

The space between them—enough to fit three fists—

Vanished in an instant.

Sion scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

Meanwhile—

‘…He smells nice.’

Serenne wrinkled her nose slightly, catching the faint scent of Sion.

It wasn’t the sweaty stench of the knights’ training ground.

Nor the strong perfume that magic students often wore.

Just a natural scent—the simple, clean smell of Sion himself.

‘…I liked that? Did I?’

Serenne was surprised at her own thought.

She usually either hated things or felt nothing about them.

“Like” and “really like” were never choices in her emotions.

So why now…?

“Alright, taking the photo! Young man, smile a bit more! As for your girlfriend… just stay as you are. Smiling seems impossible for you. Alright, don’t blink for five seconds! 5!”

The countdown began.

Sion forced a slightly awkward smile.

Serenne glanced at his face.

“4!”

Her eyes trailed down—

To his hand.

His fingers were out of his pocket.

The same hand she had held before entering the restaurant—

It had been warm and comfortable.

“3!”

Serenne withdrew her own hand from her pocket.

She hesitated, then slowly raised it toward her waist.

Her palms were unexpectedly sweaty.

“2!”

She wiped her damp hands against her clothes a few times.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Her heartbeat grew louder.

The five seconds felt unbearably long.

“1!”

“…S-Serenne?”

At the very last second—

Serenne reached out and held Sion’s hand.

Click!

The magical artifact captured the moment.

In the photo—

Serenne’s normally expressionless face.

Had the slightest—just the tiniest—hint of a smile at the corner of her lips.