Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 70

To Teacher, From Vanessa 70

Vanessa reflected that while the Teacher, Gideon, Lina, and Chebati were all reliable supports, Leta seemed to have no one to lean on.

Leta lived in a rented room not far from Vanessa’s accommodation. With a tearful expression, she confessed that she often felt like quitting her job due to the hardship, but she persevered because she felt she had no other choice.

“When things get too tough, I pray to God. Ramaira is always listening.”

“Oh—Ramaira is the name of God?”

“Yes. There aren’t many believers these days, but in the past, the entire land of Friba was dotted with temples. This tradition dates back to the Edirne Empire.”

It was a time when the name of God held great power, when the protection offered by worldly authorities was insufficient, and many were vulnerable and suffering.

But then Night Bandalu appeared and shared knowledge of magic equally with everyone.

From the moment magic ceased to be the exclusive domain of the nobility, the influence of God gradually waned.

Consequently, the number of Ramaira’s followers dwindled, leaving only one temple in all of Friba. The king may have intentionally weakened the temple’s power.

Thus, even at the Academy, God was only mentioned briefly in a single paragraph. Theology was deemed to have little impact on art or other cultural developments.

Vanessa had never met anyone who believed in God, but she didn’t give it much thought, figuring it was good to have something to rely on.

Leta enthusiastically described the beauty of the temple, but as soon as Vanessa used magic to clean a stain from her sleeve, Leta’s enthusiasm deflated.

“I wish I could be a magician.”

Vanessa, unsure how to respond, scratched her eyebrow in embarrassment. Natural talent was, after all, something one either had or didn’t.

“Was that uncomfortable to hear? It’s just been my dream since I was little…. I’m sorry. I’m just envious.”

“No, it’s okay. I just don’t have any helpful advice….”

Vanessa regretted using magic and took a careful sip of her tea.

Leta scrutinized Vanessa and then smiled.

“You’re a really good person, Vanessa.”

Vanessa looked embarrassed, so Leta pushed the last dessert forward and kindly changed the subject.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

To Teacher,

Are you doing well, Teacher?

The weather has suddenly turned cold. Remember to have a cup of warm tea!

I haven’t written in a while. But I’ve made a lot of progress, so if you’re not satisfied after hearing everything, I’ll send you letters more than twice next week.

First of all, this is amazing! I’m telling you this first because I just succeeded for the first time.

I finally mastered space movement magic! Do you know why my handwriting is so crooked? I have a headache and I’m groaning as I write.

As you know, a thirsty person digs a well. I was a very thirsty person.

Because I caused a bit of an accident….

It’s the kind of thing I can’t tell you. Let’s just say I acted impulsively and without thinking.

Anyway, it turned out well in the end. I realized that people should always have a way to escape.

So, I opened the Language Magic Book organized by Jenien after a very long time.

As you know, space movement magic belongs to Language Magic, but it is so difficult that only those who truly understand the conditions even attempt it.

I’ve only seen one person use this magic, and that was Gideon, who belongs to the Special Forces, so you know how rare it is.

But as a thirsty person, I couldn’t give up.

People have to develop! I’m a working adult, so I definitely have to improve from when I was a student.

Every night after work, I practiced as much as my stamina allowed. For two months!

Of course, at first, I just stood still and got a terrible headache.

But just today! When I opened my eyes, I had moved one step! Can you believe it?

Wow, to conquer those terrible formulas.

So, I was excited and picked up a pen. I might be able to go to Nimrod soon and turn Jenien’s study upside down, or go to Seogote and enjoy warm soup!

Such a diligent magician was your protégé. Aren’t you proud?

Second news. I’m a little embarrassed to tell you this. But I really want to.

Okay, I take back what I said about the eldest of the Dyke brothers having a flower garden in his head [meaning he was foolish or impractical].

I didn’t know anything. He must have had a reason.

From Vanessa Rose.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The two were sitting in the reception room of Balder Castle.

The room, with one wall made of glass, was filled with the fading red light of the setting sun despite the increasingly cold weather. The increasingly bare trees outside could be appreciated like a painting.

On the low table in front of the wide, fluffy sofa where they sat comfortably, tea steamed gently.

The reception room was warm and cozy.

It was the fifth day after the Special Forces captured numerous magicians on Dalorum Street.

Gideon had only sent Vanessa short letters occasionally. That day, he had contacted her to ask if she could come to Balder Castle.

It was difficult for Vanessa to sneak in, but she managed to enter the castle undetected.

This could be attributed to the deepening darkness, or to Ramona and Perez’s assistance.

Perez acted as if he would do anything to help his master rest, and Ramona seemed happy to see Vanessa. She said she liked Vanessa’s smiling face.

“I’m sorry,” Gideon apologized in a low voice. He looked genuinely sorry, but Vanessa was okay because she had expected it.

Instead, Vanessa was worried about Gideon. Goodness, what about everything else?

“So, you’re finished classifying the magicians and uncovering the remaining traces?”

“Yes. There are some common statements, but they are such small clues that they are insufficient. We are investigating as secretly as possible, but there is not much left.”

“Are there any Special Forces members helping with this? Almost all of them have been dispatched.”

“Colonel Riet, whom you saw last time, is involved.”

“Again?”

“Lieutenant Hisop too.”

“Again?”

From then on, Gideon just smiled awkwardly and didn’t say much. Vanessa’s eyes widened.

“It’s not just three, is it? Is it?”

“It’s not that many, but there are a few more. I didn’t think you would know their names. It’s a small group because I chose people who were exempt from dispatch.”

He must have barely made time for this. Vanessa drooped her eyes gloomily.

“You don’t have to take the time if you’re this busy.”

“I need to breathe too. Thank you for agreeing to come right away. I’ve been sad because I haven’t seen you often lately.”

Gideon smiled briefly and gently stroked Vanessa’s drooping eyes with concern. But Vanessa’s eyes didn’t seem to brighten at all.

Vanessa carefully examined Gideon’s face to see if he was hiding something, but he was still handsome, and she couldn’t discern anything.

“Is it difficult to collaborate with other departments?”

“If we collaborate, it’s with the Magic Department.”

Vanessa made an ambiguous expression.

Gideon saw that and finally laughed. Vanessa was terrible at hiding her expressions. No wonder she always avoided eye contact.

“We can also work with the Ministry of Justice. It’s okay, so don’t worry. I feel a little sorry instead.”

“Why?”

When Vanessa asked with genuine doubt, Gideon looked subtle. After hesitating, he sighed and confessed.

“I was going to go outside of Fydom this weekend. There’s a place a little further down that I thought you might be interested in.”

Vanessa shook her head, feeling regretful, and leaned comfortably against him.

His slightly stiff body relaxed after a moment, and he put his arm around her back, gently stroking her hair. Vanessa smiled, making eye contact with him.

“Outside of Fydom? It seems like it would be enough to just rest in the castle. And I’m busy too.”

Perhaps to ease his guilt, Vanessa enthusiastically listed her tasks.

Gideon appreciated Vanessa’s consideration and listened carefully to everything she said.

Then he tilted his head at the first name he heard.

“Letima Kina?”

“Ah, is that the first time you’ve heard the name? I heard she’s a new official in the Ministry of Finance, and I’ve met her occasionally since we bumped into each other last time. It’s fun to talk to her!”

“The Ministry of Finance. That place is very busy.”

“Where isn’t it busy?”

“That’s true… I don’t know. If I find out, I’ll definitely recommend it to you…. And I have to go there too.”

When Gideon leaned comfortably against the back of the chair, Vanessa leaned back as well. The sofa was soft and wide, making it a great place to rest.

The two were leaning comfortably against each other, as if they were lying in bed.

Vanessa realized for the first time that silence could be comfortable.

Most of the silence Vanessa knew was when someone was angry or frowning, but the silence now was peaceful and stable.

It was complete without cumbersome conversation.

In the silence, a large hand carefully wrapped around Vanessa’s hand.

Vanessa glanced sideways at his profile, but Gideon was just gently lowering his eyes.

She smiled softly and completely surrendered her hand.

The warmth that touched her made her feel ticklish again.