City of Witches Chapter 79

My mind only grew more tangled.

Amelia knew everything.

Even my last bastion for escaping slave life had been discovered.

In such a situation, what was Amelia's true intention in asking me to solve a magic problem?

"...I understand."

But Amelia disliked repeating the same thing two or three times.

Before figuring out what was going on, it was also important not to go against her mood.

Therefore, Siwoo's eyes reflexively scanned the problem.

A single Magic Circle, without even being told exactly what to solve.

Numerous straight and curved lines and twelve Rune characters chaotically embroidered on white paper.

He transposed the Magic Circle, each line drawn through meticulous calculation and design, into his mind.

If Siwoo had one outstanding ability, it was the ability to concentrate regardless of the situation.

Even Siwoo's heart, which had been pounding wildly, sank into a deep-sea-like stillness simultaneously with his focus.

As seen in Ain, the principle and manifestation of a Magic Circle occur in three dimensions.

A Magic Circle is merely a three-dimensional magic transferred to two dimensions for easier recording or notation by the caster.

Just as humans abstracted the natural phenomenon of 'sound,' which is difficult to record, into a 'musical score' on a staff.

Thus, Siwoo's thoughts transformed the Magic Circle drawn on paper into a three-dimensional structure like a pop-up book.

What he saw was no longer a flat Magic Circle drawn on paper.

It was a three-dimensional structure: a regular dodecahedron slowly rotating in the air like an intricate mechanical device, with a circumscribed sphere touching all vertices from outside the dodecahedron.

If he had predicted the form of the Magic Circle, the next step was its purpose.

Based on the flow of magic power and the Rune characters, he reverse-engineered how this Magic Circle would act upon reality.

"It's a magic power transmission Magic Formula. The maximum transmission capacity is the volume of the inscribed sphere."

Siwoo asked in a calm, low voice, watching Amelia's reaction.

He was trying his best not to lose his rationality.

Because he still didn't know what Amelia wanted.

"Is that all?"

No.

The formula Amelia had thrown at him was not perfect.

There were parts intentionally omitted.

"If left like this, magic power leakage during transmission would be too severe. It would fail to function properly even at 50M, no, 30M."

He picked up a pen and wrote characters in three places.

"Doing this would allow complete transmission without leakage up to at least 100M."

Amelia stared at the formula Siwoo had solved for a while.

Without any particular reaction, she handed him another problem.

"Solve this one too."

The sudden magic exam.

Amelia endlessly threw problems she had created herself at Siwoo.

Even Amelia, who was pretending to be calm while assessing the situation, couldn't help but be inwardly astonished.

In terms of difficulty alone, the problems so far weren't that difficult.

Problems at a level the Twins could solve and bring back within a day if given them.

However, the speed at which Siwoo solved the problems was clearly not ordinary.

After merely glancing over them a few times, he would pick up a pen and write down his own answers.

Magic has no fixed correct answer.

Even creating the same magic can yield thousands, tens of thousands of different answers.

It's a subjective question where what matters is how efficient and appropriate the answer is.

Yet, Siwoo's answers were quite accurate and reasonable, even considering Amelia's high grading standards.

To the extent that Amelia herself would have written similar answers if given the same time.

Therefore, she could be certain.

Siwoo hadn't received anyone's help, nor had he completed Magnetic Magic by a mere coincidence piled upon coincidence.

Everything was his own skill.

Finally, the pile of problems Amelia had amassed was all gone.

Only about three hours had passed.

"......."

Amelia, having checked the last answer sheet.

It was a problem of estimating the overall structure by looking at only a part of a large-scale barrier formula.

The difficulty level of the problems gradually increased towards the end, so this final problem was at a level where the Twins would have to struggle to solve it.

Yet, he produced a suitable answer in just 15 minutes.

The moment he handed the last problem sheet to Amelia, Siwoo felt a burning thirst.

It felt like he had swallowed a ball of fire.

Even the plush sofa felt like a bed of nails at that moment.

Why was Amelia acting like this?

If she discovered the draft escape Magic Circle, she could just stop it.

She could confiscate the research documents and send him to the labor camp.

No matter how much he thought about it, there was too little information.

He couldn't grasp at all what she wanted.

And when he came to his senses, her beautiful eyes were looking at him.

It was a gaze so intimidating it was hard to believe she was the same person who had acted dazed this morning.

"Lady Amelia."

"Speak."

"Actually, there's something I failed to mention earlier. It's related to Count Gemernai..."

As if she didn't need to hear it, or as if feigning ignorance, Amelia averted her gaze and spoke.

"I refused."

"Pardon?"

And then, as if steeling her resolve, she looked sharply at him.

It was an intense gaze, forcibly bolstered, to the point that 'glaring' would be a more fitting description.

"Count Gemernai visited this morning. I received a proposal to transfer ownership of Assistant Siwoo."

"You're saying you refused that proposal...?"

"That's right."

Count Gemernai had said he would prepare a gift to a level Amelia could accept.

Considering the courtesy they had shown Siwoo in the carriage, she likely wasn't a Witch who would break a promise with mere words.

She refused even though he promised sufficient compensation? Why on earth?

"...May I ask why?"

This time, it was Amelia's turn for her feelings to become complicated.

She thought she had organized what to say during the time he was asleep, but faced with the question directly, she hesitated a little.

"Because you seemed like you could be a useful assistant."

Like a child putting forth a rational reason to protect something she didn't want taken away, Amelia spoke as if it were no big deal.

That was the limit of the conclusion Amelia could reach.

A useful assistant?

If she refused for that reason, then discovering this draft would likely have come before meeting Gemernai.

Siwoo's expression hardened stiffly.

Seeing that expression, Amelia added hastily, as if in a hurry.Amelia knows he wants to leave Gehenna.

She can tell from how he independently conducts research and even requested to return to the Mortal Realm despite having the perfect opportunity to receive anything he wanted.

That’s why she hastily added, as if making an excuse.

To persuade him.

“Of course, I know what Assistant Siwoo wants.”

“.......”

“But that’s a request I cannot grant. Your magical talent is exceptional. For a mere slave to have self-taught magic to this level is unprecedented.

I thought it would be a waste to let such talent rot away as a slave.”

Amelia took a deep breath.

She slowly recited the words she had prepared and memorized.

“So from now on, I will personally instruct you in Magic. You will no longer be a slave but a retainer of the Marigold family.”

Siwoo felt a sudden surge of anger.

Was she telling him to give up and forget everything just because she taught Magic to a lowly slave and offered him status?

Amelia, seemingly oblivious, continued her prepared speech cheerfully.

“Shin Siwoo. You belong to me.”

Siwoo bowed his head deeply.

“I cannot tolerate you leaving my side and going out on your own. Therefore, appropriate measures will be taken regarding your unauthorized escape plan.”

At this point, using Gemernai’s favor to leave for the Mortal Realm had become impossible, and the true nature of the Magic Circle he had been researching had been uncovered.

Moreover, he had even heard her declare that she would prevent him from leaving on his own.

It felt as though everything piled up on the floor had come crashing down.

Now, nothing seemed to matter anymore.

“.........”

Amelia glanced at Siwoo, who gave no response.

An anxious feeling.

But his condition seemed very poor.

He neither spoke nor acted.

Eyes hollowed out to a pitiful emptiness.

A complete lack of reaction.

“From now on, you will be provided with a good environment. You can obtain any experimental materials you want from the Academy under my name, and the same goes for experimental tools.

Meals, desserts, cigarettes, clothes—ask me for anything you want. If I deem it acceptable, I will provide it.”

In Amelia’s opinion, these conditions were sufficient to persuade him.

There would be splendid meals.

Sweet desserts.

He could escape his status as a slave.

She had even prepared the cigarettes and clothes he liked.

Moreover, even though he is a man, now that he is properly walking the Magic Path, he wouldn’t want to miss the golden opportunity to receive Magic directly from a ‘Baroness.’

The only restriction is a little freedom.

After hearing his answer, she planned to discuss other matters.

She intended to properly apologize for the suffering he endured due to her whims and provide compensation accordingly.

The gap in perceptions regarding class.

Differences in lived environments.

And Amelia’s immature interpersonal skills.

These three factors were already causing a fatal misalignment.

Amelia simply hadn’t noticed.

She was running across a lake covered with thin ice, believing it to be solid ground.

“Ha...”

Siwoo let out a hollow laugh.

An irreverent act that didn’t hide in the slightest the displeasure and absurdity that flowed out like breath.

Amelia raised one eyebrow, looking puzzled.

“Shin Siwoo?”

Siwoo laughed.

He couldn’t bear it without laughing.

He felt like an idiot for being so easily swayed after enduring such torment, just because she treated him well for a few days.

“Really, I tried to endure and let it go, but I just can’t.”

Five years of longing had turned to nothing.

While completely blocking what he truly desired, she was throwing things he never even wanted at him as if doing him a favor. Siwoo felt a burning flame in his chest.

An unbearable sorrow and resentment.

“You’re really a bitch.”

A bitch?

Realizing that the insolent remark was directed at her, Amelia froze in place.

“Did I ask for something so great? To be paid the minimum wage to make up for unpaid salaries? To have my wishes granted?”

“What... what are you saying now...?”

“I was dragged here against my will and worked like a dog under you for five years. I have things I want to do outside too. Things I need to do, and I need to see my parents...! Damn it, even the fucking Ministry of National Defense bastards allowed leave, visits, and outings... You fucking bitch!”

Amelia, who had sprung up from her seat, turned pale.

She had never imagined such words would come from his mouth.

“Wh-what are you... saying now...? Are you in your right mind...?”

Flustered to the point of dizziness, Amelia stumbled over her words.

A slow realization that she had been subjected to an unbearable insult was rising, and just as she was about to feel anger—

She saw it.

The sight of Siwoo shedding tears pitifully.

The look in his eyes, burning with such fierce hatred that it was visible even from the outside.

“Does it feel satisfying to crush even my last hope like this? Well, I guess that’s why you tormented me so viciously.”

He wasn’t shouting.

He wasn’t yelling.

But the voice, condensed with heartfelt resentment, made Amelia shrink back.

“What the hell do you want from me? An assistant? Others can easily get that from other Witches. A Witch of your caliber would have plenty of Witches begging to be taken on as researchers... Why are you doing this only to me?”

“Shin Siwoo, I know you’re upset right now... so...”

“I told you to say it! What do you want from me that you’re tormenting me like this?”

Siwoo stood up and walked toward Amelia as if cornering her.

A being she could easily blow away with a single spell.

But the intense anger and resentment she was seeing for the first time.

The unfamiliar gaze filled with contempt and scorn turned Amelia into a helpless child.

Unable to think of a plausible spell or words, she merely retreated slowly, avoiding Siwoo.

“I’m sorry if I hurt your petty pride five years ago, but if you’re going to torment me like this while keeping an eye on me, why not just kill me instead?”

Before she knew it, Amelia had been pushed near the door and could retreat no further.

A frightened, confused expression, utterly unable to comprehend what was happening.

Amelia’s body was engulfed in Siwoo’s shadow.

“Answer me!”

“Eek...!”Finally, when Siwoo's voice, which had let out a shout, struck her ears, Amelia hurriedly opened the Gate and fled straight out.

Author's Note (Author's Afterword)

- Thank you, Naengmyeon-nim, for 100 coins

Amelia's hands boast a handmade noodle-level chewiness

- Thank you, Yachaenaengmyeon-nim, for 10 coins

I'm grateful for your supportive heart—does the amount really matter? Haha

- Thank you, Asterafe-nim, for 100 coins

I hope all your endeavors go well too

- Thank you, melleus-nim, for 100 coins

I'll write with conviction, but I plan to avoid content that readers would find significantly uncomfortable. Haha

- Thank you, Chocotime-nim, for 50 coins