City of Witches Chapter 156

It had already been two weeks since Sharon and Siwoo began their sweet cohabitation.

Roughly speaking, their daily schedule during this time was as follows.

2 PM ~ 6 PM.

Free time during the day with no particular plans.

Each of them spent it doing whatever they felt comfortable with.

6 PM ~ 12 AM.

While Sharon went to her part-time job, Siwoo immersed himself in studying Magic.

12 AM ~ 3 AM.

Once Sharon's shift ended, they immediately went out to put up flyers.

Of course, the primary goal was searching for the Homunculus rather than the act of posting flyers itself...

But they hadn't found it yet.

3 AM ~ 6 AM.

Time for a simple late-night snack and movie watching.

Originally, it was just about eating a snack for an hour or two and calling it a night, but because Sharon loved movies so, so much, it naturally settled into a full screening time.

An added pleasure of their routine was discussing throughout the day what movie to watch that night.

6 AM ~ 10 AM.

A brief sleep time.

Since Sharon's bed arrived during the week, there was no longer any need to fight over sleeping arrangements.

10 AM ~ 2 PM.

Under the pretext of covering food expenses + rent, Sharon's Elemental Magic class commenced.

Sharon passed on various Magic knowledge she knew to Siwoo.

And right now was the time for Sharon's lecture.

"Alright, today let's learn about the second of the four great elements: 'Water.' The progress is really fast."

"It's all thanks to my wise Master."

"Is that so?"

Sharon and Siwoo had grown close enough to exchange friendly banter by now.

Sharon lightly tapped the whiteboard with a marker, refreshing the atmosphere.

Although they had grown close enough to exchange lighthearted jokes at any time, once class started, he became more serious than anyone.

"If the earth element we learned last time provides foundation, agitation, and groundwork, then water governs flow, operation, and re-transformation. In short, it can be called the second most important attribute. And..."

Truthfully, what Sharon was teaching Siwoo wasn't a very high-level class.

It was the most basic of basics, essential for teaching Apprentice Witches, and Siwoo already had deep expertise, having completed innate magic in one field.

She was aware that his learning had to be fast.

Nevertheless, Sharon couldn't help but be astonished by Siwoo's learning ability.

Because Siwoo absorbed all information at an astonishing speed, as if he were merely reviewing things he already knew from the start.

"...Just as the earth element was effective in understanding the foundation of all Elemental Magic, the water element will be the beginning of embracing and understanding the elements. The human body is 70% water, right? It's the most important element connecting the external world where magic is performed and the internal world of the performer. Okay so far?"

"Yeah, roughly."

Was it simply exceptional memorization? No.

Of course, his memory was much better than an average person's, but compared to the eccentric geniuses and prodigies overflowing among Apprentice Witches, it was an ordinary level—neither outstanding nor lacking.

However, Magic is not a discipline of simple memorization.

If everything could be solved with calculation and memorization, the world's strongest Witch would have been a computer.

No matter how excellent a Witch's thought acceleration ability is, it cannot match a computer.

Therefore, Siwoo's strengths lay in his ability to find organic connections and in the inspiration to break free from conventional methods and find his own path.

If you taught him one thing, he didn't stop there; he expanded his thinking, realized things on his own, and even presented shortcuts that Sharon hadn't thought of.

"I have a question."

"Yeah, go ahead."

A theoretical lecture that had taken Sharon over a week during her Apprentice Witch days ended in just an hour or two.

Sharon didn't need to explain everything.

She just needed to place dots on the blank canvas, and Siwoo would connect them all to form one big picture.

"Today's a bit complicated."

Sharon had only planned to teach the properties of each different element, but by the time the questions ended, Siwoo was already focusing on the interrelationship between the earth and water elements and presenting his own conclusions.

But even after producing such remarkable results, he didn't look very satisfied.

It was probably possible because he had no idea how remarkable what he was doing was.

Sharon also didn't praise his greatness every single time.

After all, complacency is always poison to learning.

"What's complicated?"

"Well... Magic was closer to mathematics for me. You input numbers into a formula and get a result. If a problem arose in that process, you could use a new formula and proof, or access new knowledge, but what you're teaching... I'm not blaming you, it's just a bit vague."

To Siwoo, Sharon's lectures felt closer to art, like painting or music.

"So it seems pretty useless?"

"No, thinking about how to apply this is giving me a headache. It feels like 'solve the given problem artistically.'"

Siwoo gave a bitter smile.

Sharon stared intently at his face.

Because she sometimes liked it when he made that expression.

She didn't know why... If she had to give a reason, she'd say she liked the effort of being in a predicament yet trying not to show it.

"Come here."

"Do we have to hold hands again?"

"You don't want to?"

"It's not that I don't want to."

Sharon spread her palm wide and offered it to Siwoo.

Siwoo interlaced his fingers with that hand.

It was a kind of procedure to share Sharon's mental landscape.

Originally, 'resonance' becomes easier the larger the area of physical contact, but since they were of opposite genders, they compromised by holding hands for now.

Still, perhaps because they'd gotten somewhat used to it, his heart didn't race uncontrollably like before.

Siwoo and Sharon closed their eyes simultaneously.

"You don't have to be so impatient."

But today, there was a slight change.

While holding one of Siwoo's hands, Sharon pulled his other empty hand in and held them both.

Siwoo opened his eyes in surprise.

Before his eyes, he saw Sharon, who had drawn so close she was almost plastered against him.

"If you think of everything as numbers and calculations, Magic quickly becomes boring. What you need to do now is feel and accept the existence of the elements as they are."

Sharon's voice, whispering right before his nose.

Simultaneously, as if the ground gave way, Sharon and Siwoo's consciousness sank simultaneously.“Close your eyes and try painting a pointillist picture in your mind. A grand painting composed of elements. Don't just view Magic with knowledge; feel it, be moved by it, become one with it.”

-Plip!

“.....Huh?”

“Can you feel it?”

For a moment, it sounded like a droplet of water had fallen.

A single, clear droplet falling into the center of the pitch-black darkness behind his eyelids soon rippled through the world.

It was as if this world had transformed into one vast water surface.

Siwoo opened his eyes.

And he saw.

A world as if water sprites were holding a festival.

The blue light particles filling the empty universe.

The enormous, surging blue particles spiraled, meandered, and rotated, enveloping the vast world.

It was a world that changed, accepted, melted, and danced, like a festival.

And standing against that dreamlike backdrop was Sharon.

Holding Siwoo's hand firmly, she looked at him in wonder and smiled faintly.

And then.

“Ah....”

When Sharon let go of his hand, the brief journey also ended.

Siwoo and Sharon had returned to the room.

“Elements exist everywhere, but in reality, they might exist nowhere. We simply believe in their existence and pray earnestly. 'Please bestow a Miracle~', like that.”

Meanwhile, Siwoo's mind was captivated by that magnificent scenery.

His body had returned to the real world, but his spirit still felt trapped there.

Was it like the feeling when he first encountered Ain?

It felt like he had broken through another boundary in approaching Magic.

“This perspective also differs among Witches. Some believe we must control elements and use them efficiently, while others view them merely as mechanical devices that constitute a world without good, evil, likes, or dislikes. But whenever I see such scenery, I find myself praying spontaneously.”

“Sorry, there's something I want to try briefly.”

“Ah! Got it.”

At Siwoo's calm words, Sharon quickly cleared the space.

She anticipated that if he, who always went along with her words, was being so decisive, he must have gained some important insight.

Watching Siwoo immediately sit at the table and close his eyes, Sharon quietly left the room so as not to disturb him.

“I'm jealous....”

And she let out a soft sigh.

Unlike Sharon, who felt stagnant, Siwoo, who had gained a new tutor, grew day by day.

If he had been born a woman and formally inherited the Witch's Brand, what kind of monster would he have become?

His talent was dazzling enough to make his teacher feel shabby.

Enough to occasionally feel jealous.

“At this rate, won't I be the one learning later?”

Although they had just started the basic lectures, she didn't think it was an entirely empty statement.

In fact, there had already been several times when questions Siwoo raised had given Sharon small insights...

“This isn't the time for this.”

Today's lesson ended a bit early, leaving some time.

Sharon took one last glance at Siwoo's door and began her own research.

The end of an ordinary day, no different from any other.

Siwoo and Sharon each went to bed, but Sharon was lying there with her eyes wide open.

Because she had become aware of a big problem.

“I've been playing too much lately....”

That's right.

Perhaps due to the recoil from living too tightly until now, Sharon's recent mindset had become utterly lax.

She had spent enjoyable times, briefly forgetting her debt worries, watching movies, and pondering what menu to eat today.

Thanks to Siwoo's kindness, her living environment had improved rapidly, and she no longer had to pay unnecessary rent.

However, that didn't erase Sharon's debt.

She hadn't been able to hunt Homunculi for nearly three weeks, and she had cut off the coin shop that provided occasional income, so she was worried about properly preparing money for the tribute payment due in two months.

“Sigh....”

Sharon took a deep sigh and abruptly sat up in bed.

Originally, she would have struggled to earn money without even sleeping, but since living together, she had been sleeping as if it were natural...

The cozy bed, plentiful food, enjoyable hobbies—the suddenly changed environment had strangely robbed her of her sense of reality.

Then, a scene flashed into Sharon's mind.

It was the proposal Siwoo made to Sharon during their first meeting.

‘I happen to have plenty of spare money. I could even pay the interest for you...’

Naturally, Sharon had flatly refused.

Because it was unpleasant and made her feel bad.

Although unfortunate circumstances had led her to a life of debt, Sharon's core still held the pride of a Witch.

If she were the type to readily accept pity thrown at her like charity, she would have risked Witch Point tracking and abused Magic to make money.

“Ugh....”

But the situation now was slightly different from back then.

Back then, she knew nothing about Siwoo, so his shallow pity felt unpleasant, but living with him, she learned he was a good person.

They had grown close enough that receiving help wouldn't cause a significant psychological aversion.

Was she unconsciously trying to ride on his goodwill to solve this hardship?

Had her desperation diminished because she now had the insurance that, even in the worst situation, Siwoo would somehow rescue her?

Sharon changed her clothes.

The ceremonial robe and Wand for utilizing elemental Magic felt heavy in her grasp.

“...I can't do that.”

Siwoo is a good friend.

She knew that if she were truly in trouble, he would extend a helping hand without any hesitation.

That's precisely why Sharon didn't want to lean on him.

She wanted to remain his equal, as friends.

The moment one side receives material help, the horizontal relationship shatters.

Even if Siwoo didn't mind at all, Sharon felt she couldn't erase the debt in her own heart.

Sharon opened the balcony and leaped down in one go.

To search for Homunculi.

Author's Note (Author's Afterword)

Sometimes taking a break like this feels good, hehe.

My inner energy and inspiration are filling up abundantly.

Starting today, I'll aim for two updates a day when possible!

To those who sponsored during the hiatus... the amount is staggering, thank you so much!

• Thank you Choi_XJoon_310 for 50 coins!

You sent a long message of support! The sponsorship notes are filled with so much praise that I'm embarrassed to show my faceㅜㅜAs you said, I'll take care of my health and try writing even more heart-fluttering, sweet stories!

• Thank you, Nanchoureu, for the 1,000 coins!

I'm back after a good rest! Resting is nice, but without readers' comments, it felt oddly lonely, haha. Human hearts are truly hard to understand.

• Thank you, nickname, for your support!

I'm back after a good rest!

• Thank you, KimXho_245, for the 100 coins!

Um... calling Sharon's poverty-stricken appearance "gabby" feels a bit too harsh, so let's think of other good expressions together!

• Thank you, Jo Ijang, for the 50 coins!

I'll diligently stock up on chapters for the day you return!

• Thank you, Takoyaki in Winter, for the 500 coins!

You binge-read it all in one day... To honor your support, I'll have takoyaki for my late-night snack today!

• Thank you, pedestrian, for your support!

I'll do my best!

• Thank you, Jewel Grouper, for the 50 coins!

Did you know? Continuous updates are actually a dark Magic that costs lifespan as a price...

• Thank you, Treni, for the 200 coins!

You've been generously supporting without a word! I'll work hard!

• Thank you, december, for your support!

Actually, the Mortal Realm episodes were a plot I crafted because I wanted to write urban fantasy—I'm glad you liked them!

• Thank you, Praising Dancing Whale, for the 100 coins!

As you said, I'll buy Sharon something delicious!!!!