Chapter 50: A Gifted Robe and an Unspoken Message

“Serene’s Unexplained Feelings”

Serene wasn’t in a good mood today.

She couldn’t quite explain why.

But her eyes kept following Sion.

There are too many women around him…

In the morning, it had been Professor Ronda Margret.

Thanks to her Mana Vision, Serene could read emotions to some extent.

Professor Margret’s mana was always calm, like a still lake.

But today, it had burned like fire whenever she looked at Sion or spoke to him.

And that wasn’t all…

In the afternoon, there was Estroza Farewell.

She had clung to Sion, whispering something to him.

Then, Professor Heriju had embraced Sion, calling him her personal disciple.

And when Estroza had frozen in place, humiliated, Sion had smiled and comforted her.

Watching that scene, Serene had clenched her chest.

…Why does it sting so much?

Why did it sting when Sion talked to other women?

Why did it sting when Sion smiled at them?

Why did it sting when Sion wasn’t paying attention to her?

Why? Why? Why?

…I don’t know.

Even though she had the Mana Vision, which let her perceive everything in magical units—

She couldn’t understand her own emotions.

Just as eyes cannot see themselves without a mirror,

Serene couldn’t see what was inside her.

And the strange occurrences didn’t stop there.

“…Look at this.”

“Huh? What do you mean—Daram?!”

“I… I have this kind of relationship with Sion. So… let go.”

Serene had knowingly made an enemy of Professor Heriju and had firmly grabbed Sion’s left hand.

She had even gone so far as to pull out his student ID and show the picture to Heriju with confidence.

…That was something she normally wouldn’t have even imagined doing.

Why did I do that?

Why had she shown the picture on the back of the student ID?

Why had she claimed to have “this kind of relationship” with Sion?

She didn’t know.

This had never happened before.

The realization that she couldn’t control herself was terrifying.

But what was even scarier…

Was the thought of Sion hating her.

“Sorry. I said something weird earlier.”

As they walked through the academy shopping district, Serene had apologized.

Even if she didn’t understand the reason, she felt the need to say sorry.

What if he ends up hating me?

Just imagining that possibility made her chest tighten painfully.

Her hands trembled slightly, and she found it hard to meet Sion’s eyes.

Even just picturing him looking at her in disgust made her vision blur.

“Huh? It’s fine. These things happen.”

But the moment she heard Sion’s response, all those feelings vanished like mist.

“…These things happen?”

“Friends help each other when they’re in trouble, right? You were just trying to help me, weren’t you?”

“…!”

Friends.

Before, she would have been happy just to hear that word.

But now, it wasn’t enough.

She couldn’t be satisfied with just that anymore.

“…Yes, for now, we’re friends.”

“For now…?”

“You don’t need to know, Sion.”

“O-Okay?”

For now, they were friends.

But in the future…

Even Serene didn’t know what came next.

Maybe, just like the couples in the restaurant she had visited with Sion…

Feeding each other food, sharing drinks… and then… uh…

Just imagining it made her head go blank, and her heart pounded wildly.

Feeling flustered, Serene quickly glanced around as if checking for danger.

…But there was no one to explain these “feelings” to her.

…This is embarrassing.

She decided to keep her emotions locked away.

For now, she would just enjoy shopping peacefully at the magic tool shop with Sion.

After all, she knew for sure now—

That Sion didn’t dislike her.

But then, another woman appeared, and her mood sank once again.

“I am Kainstos Yggdrasil, the owner of Kainstos Magic Workshop!”

…Yggdrasil?

“That’s right. I may not look like it, but I’m an Elf. Ever heard of a Dark Elf?”

A Dark Elf who called herself Kainstos Yggdrasil.

Serene didn’t care who she was.

What mattered…

Was where Sion’s eyes were directed.

His gaze had shifted—

Between Kainstos’ face and her torso.

…Her chest.

Something Serene did not have.

“Sion.”

“Huh? Huh?!”

“Where are you looking?”

Sion immediately avoided her gaze.

That reaction irritated her.

But Kainstos wasn’t done with her antics.

“Just need to check something. Hm, you seem a little special.”

“What do you mea—Whoa?!”

And then—

She started touching him.

Kainstos grabbed and squeezed Sion’s arms and legs without restraint.

Seeing him get manhandled like that,

Serene felt a stronger emotion rise within her.

An intense, burning dislike.

She disliked what was happening to Sion.

And she disliked Kainstos.

“…Serene?”

“Why? What’s wrong? Are you… mad? Did something happen?”

“…I don’t know.”

Serene’s cheeks puffed up.

She wasn’t even aware of it happening.

“…Serene?”

“Huh?”

“Are… Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

“…Really?”

“Why do you keep asking?”

Puff!

Her cheeks were now round, like a child’s.

If poked with a needle, they might just deflate with a whoosh.

And the reason was—

I don’t know either!

She had never gone shopping with a male friend before.

So why was she suddenly so upset?

Think. Think about it. You made it through graduate school. You can figure this out. What’s the problem?

Sion hypnotized himself into deep thought.

Why had Serene suddenly gotten angry?

Why had her cheeks puffed up?

Had he done something wrong since they entered the magic tool shop?

Slowly, he rewound his memories.

“…Ah!!”

“Why are you suddenly shouting?”

The puzzle pieces clicked into place.

Serene still hadn’t let the air out of her cheeks.

Sion gently grabbed her hand.

“Serene, I’m sorry.”

“…?”

“I was being inconsiderate, wasn’t I?”

Whoosh.

At his words, the puffiness in Serene’s cheeks started deflating.

Her sleepy eyes widened slightly.

Seeing that, Sion became even more certain.

“Sorry. We came to a magic tool shop, and I didn’t know much, so it must’ve been frustrating for you to explain everything.”

“…?”

“And we came here together, but I kept talking to other people… That was rude of me. I’m really sorry.”

Sion thought to himself.

If you’re with a companion, but you leave them behind to chat with someone else… that would feel bad, right?

It was like when you were walking with Friend A, but then ran into Friend B and started talking.

If Friend A and Friend B knew each other, it was fine.

But if they didn’t, Friend A would feel left out.

I completely forgot about such a basic thing… No wonder she got mad.

Sion took Serene’s hand and led her back to the staff section.

“What kind of staff do you want? I don’t think I ever asked what kind of magic you specialize in.”

“…Idiot.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

Grip.

Serene tightly held onto his hand.

Her cheeks were no longer puffed out.

Sion hadn’t heard what she muttered,

But since her expression had returned to normal, he figured it was fine.

“What kind of staff are you getting?”

“I want one specialized for elemental magic… preferably for wind spells.”

“Oh? Then this one looks good.”

Sion picked up a wand.

[Product Name: Sylpha of the Wind]
[Size: L / 35cm]
[Effect: Wind Magic Power +10%, Elemental Magic Manifestation Speed +15%]

“A Matching Robe and an Unspoken Thought”

[Price: 2 gold coins]

The wand had a unique design, resembling intertwined branches.

It was a bit large, but with a 15% manifestation speed boost for wind magic, it wasn’t bad at all.

Not only that—this boost also applied to other elemental magic, including fire, earth, and water, making it even more valuable.

It’s more expensive than mine… but it’s not unreasonable.

It cost 50 silver coins more than the Armut of Manifestation that Sion had bought.

But given its enhanced effects, he had no complaints.

Serene swung the wand a few times, then gave a small nod.

“This one’s good.”

“Then… shall we head out?”

“Yeah… but before that.”

“…?”

Swish!

Serene suddenly pulled Sion along by the hand.

Since she was holding onto him, he had no choice but to follow.

Their destination…

“Robes?”

“Yeah, let’s buy one too.”

A robe—a quintessential piece of equipment for any mage.

Serene, still looking drowsy as ever, scanned the selection.

Then, she abruptly picked up a robe and pressed it against Sion’s chest.

…What is she trying to do?

Sion blinked in confusion.

With a serious expression, Serene continued grabbing different robes and holding them against him, as if testing their fit.

“…Serene?”

“Try this one on.”

“…Right now?”

“Hurry.”

Serene handed Sion a robe she had selected.

Under her steady gaze, he had no choice but to comply.

Luckily, there was a mirror on the shop wall labeled ‘OK’ for trying on clothes.

Sion turned to check himself in the mirror.

…I actually look like a proper mage now.

The robe was a simple gray with golden embroidery along the edges.

It had a hood, making it stylish yet functional.

There were also pockets—a practical touch.

Serene let out a satisfied little huff through her nose.

“Yeah, it suits you.”

“Really? Maybe I should get it then… Huh?!”

The moment Sion glanced at the price tag, his body froze.

[Product Name: Gray Gorgeous Robe]
[Size: M]
[Effect: 10% magic damage reduction, self-repair (requires fabric)]
[Price: 1 gold coin]

Why the hell is this so expensive?!

It was just a robe!

It wasn’t surprising for wands to cost 1-2 gold coins…

But this simple piece of fabric was priced at 1 gold coin?!

Granted, it had magic resistance and a self-repair feature, but still…

This would cost nearly my entire savings.

After clearing Goblin Dungeons and Slime Dungeons, he had earned a decent amount.

Adding the 2 gold coins Kainstos threw at him, subtracting what he had just spent on the wand…

He barely had 1 gold coin left.

If he bought the robe, he’d be completely broke.

Sigh… What do I do?

He wanted to take the robe off immediately.

But Serene was watching him intently.

Saying, “I don’t have the money for it, sorry,” felt embarrassing.

Was he really going to have to buy it?

Just as he was hesitating…

“I’ll buy this one.”

“…Huh?”

“So, Sion, take off your robe. I’ll pay for it.”

Serene held the same robe in an S size, identical to the one Sion was wearing.

She reached out, signaling for him to hand over his robe.

Her fingers wiggled slightly, urging him to hurry.

“…You’re paying?”

“I’ll buy it for you.”

“…What? A robe?”

“You paid for my meal last time.”

“…Oh.”

Sion suddenly remembered.

Back when they ate at that overly romantic restaurant.

He had covered the bill for both of them and told Serene:

“I didn’t keep my promise last time, so let me pay.”

“I can pay too.”

“Nah, you can pay me back next time.”

Since he had broken their original meeting promise, he felt guilty and covered her meal.

She actually remembered that?

Sion had already forgotten about it.

Yet, Serene had kept it in mind this whole time.

Even with her always sleepy-looking expression,

She had a surprisingly good memory.

She really is a good friend.

“Alright, here’s your change. Thank you for your purchase.”

“Here’s the payment.”

“Alright, you’re all set.”

Before Sion could even process it,

Serene had already paid for both their robes, plus her wand.

“Sion? Hurry up.”

“Uh… r-right! I need to pay too—here’s my payment.”

Sion quickly handed over his coins to buy his wand.

After handing over 2 gold coins, he received 50 silver in change.

Carefully, he placed them into his coin pouch.

Jingle jingle!

As the doorbell chimed, the two of them stepped out of the magic tool shop.

Sion held his new wand in one hand and wore his robe.

…I actually look like a proper mage now.

Through the shop’s glass window, he glanced at his reflection.

The cold touch of the wand still felt unfamiliar.

But the mage-like appearance in the mirror looked surprisingly fitting.

Serene, standing beside him, wore the exact same robe.

Wait a second… We’re wearing the same design?

Sion just realized it.

…Isn’t this a bit… weird?

Matching gray robes.

Identical golden embroidery.

Although their sizes were different, anyone looking at them would immediately recognize—

This looks just like… a couple outfit.

“W-Wait! Serene, is this okay?”

“…Huh? What do you mean?”

“We’re wearing the same robe design. Are you… okay with that?”

Serene blinked slowly, as if she didn’t understand the question.

Then, in a whisper too soft to hear—

“…Sion really is an idiot.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

“…Wait, what?!”

Tap!

Serene grabbed his hand and started walking.

“It’s almost dinner time. Let’s eat.”

“Uh… S-Sure?”

“How about the place we went to before?”

“Uhh… that place is a bit…”

“Then somewhere else?”

“Wait, slow down, we just got—”

“Hurry up.”

“Okay, okay…”

Serene kept walking forward, holding his hand firmly.

As if telling him not to worry about the robes.

As if wanting people to see them wearing them together.