I Became the Villain’s Childhood Friend – Chapter 40

Author: lipzoldyck

Arlea’s main activity is ‘cultivating thinking skills.’ However, in Arlea, people tended to do nothing and just do their own thing.

I just felt amazing that Senior Rosie wrote down and submitted activity reports in a club that did nothing.

My first impression of Arlea was the worst, but as time went by, I felt like I was getting into the club well. Because I now have a space where I can be at peace.

The sound of crunching pens filled the club room. It was only when I had almost finished my assignment that I heard a rustling sound coming from Oscar senior.

Heknows the ending time like a ghost. As expected, club time was about to end. I glanced at the wall clock and jumped up.

“Then I’ll go first!”

I bowed to the seniors and left the club room.

By now, the magic tool me and Gloria had probably created would have taken shape.

I hurried to the front of the production room, and there was an unexpected person standing in front of me. Thanks to this, my running steps gradually slowed down.

“Ah, Danae!”

Gloria, who was looking troubled in front of the production room, saw me and her face lit up as if it had never happened before. Then she came hurriedly towards me.

I don’t remember saying anything to Gloria. Yet Gloria, who was standing in front of me, was hesitant and just looking at me.

“I think it will be done by today, so…”

“Let’s check it out together.”

Gloria nodded her head.

I went into the production room with her and opened the crafting table.

Inside the container filled with holy water was a magic tool with a smooth surface.

Fortunately, the magic tool was in the correct shape as we had designed.

Gloria and I put on gloves and carefully removed the magic tools from the container.

The design that I thought best suited the Fluvia series of magic was the crane.

And this magic tool was mainly made to treat simple wounds.

We created a total of two cranes so that they can be used differently depending on the situation.

The crane made for decoration was designed to stand tall. And the crane that was made to be portable was made without legs.

Portable magic tools were made to a size that could be held in the hand.

It was also able to respond to the color of the user’s mana. Basically, according to Charis’ opinion, it was made to respond to the color silver, but as the user’s mana increases, it changes to the color of the user’s magical energy.

Of course, it was transparent because it wasn’t in use right now.

When I carefully placed the magic tool on a towel and gently wiped away the holy water on the surface with the towel, it looked quite convincing.

Of course, it wasn’t completed as it seemed on the outside.

I was afraid of Gloria’s reaction. When I glanced up at her, feeling my concerns, I saw that, contrary to my expectations, she had an expression on her face that said she really liked it.

Gloria clasped her hands together and shouted.

“It’s so pretty!”

“…Really?”

I couldn’t quite believe her reaction, so I asked back without realizing it. Then Gloria smiled brightly and nodded her head.

“Really.”

“T-Then that’s a good thing…”

But, feeling strangely anxious, I added another word.

“If there’s something you don’t like, feel free to tell me.”

“I’m not sure what the result will be since we haven’t used me and Senior’s magic yet, but I really like the way it looks.”

When I couldn’t answer what she said, Gloria emphasized her words again.

“Truly.”

“That’s a relief…”

This was sincere. To be honest, I was worried that she would tell me to change it from scratch because the design was the worst.

I sighed in relief and cautiously opened my mouth.

“Then do you want to try magic? Ah, does that require Senior to be here too?”

“It’s fine. The magic circle is completed anyway.”

Gloria took out some Grik from her bag.

Even at a glance, they were magic circles with a complex structure. It was hard to believe that this was made as a class assignment. It’s a strengthening magic that connects circles to circles, and it is the formula used…

How long will it take for me to perfectly learn that magic circle?

I let out a small exclamation and took the Griks that Gloria was holding. Gloria seemed worried as she was about to use magic.

“But this is my first time applying magic to a magic tool…”

“It’s okay. It’ll be the easiest thing you’ve ever done.”

Gloria didn’t seem to believe me. However, it was perfectly true that applying magic to magic tools was incomparably easier than making this magic circle.

“[Gugurnik.]”

As I memorized the starter word, a golden magic circle began to glow from the transparent crane. It was a magic circle that had been soaked in holy water before production. The magic circle was spinning slowly at a slow pace.

“Try to match the Grik to the joint of the magic circle. If the magic circle doesn’t fit properly, the light will go out right away. Compare and if the position is correct, just moisten the Grik with holy water and stick it on.”

It was the same as putting cogs in a clock.

Gloria quietly nodded her head at my words. Then she began to compare the crane’s magic circle with Grik.

Because Gloria is tall, she chose a standing crane, which requires relatively little detailed work. Naturally, the portable crane became my responsibility.

Gloria and I finished our work almost at the same time.

The magic circle, which was shining gold, began to squeak and rotate little by little. As soon as I saw that the magic circle was slowly turning, it fell off the crane.

The magic circle, which had been spinning slowly, sped up and gave off a bigger light. Then the light disappeared, and the crane regained its original transparent color.

“Well, you know… did we fail?”

Gloria, who was quietly watching the scene, asked me carefully.

“I don’t think that’s true… Originally, magic tools only emit light when used.”

“Then shall we try it?”

Gloria said, taking off her gloves.

I nodded. I had a paper cut last time, and I thought it would be a good idea to test it with that cut.

At that moment, Gloria rolled up her sleeves. The sight of her picking up a sharp dagger was enough to instill anxiety in me.

…No way?

I jumped up from my seat and snatched the dagger she was holding.

“Are you crazy?”

“Huh?”

But Gloria didn’t seem to know what was wrong. I frowned slightly at her, lowering her arms again.

“No matter what, why would you hurt yourself on purpose?”

I almost got into real trouble.

I unconsciously closed my eyes at the terrible thought, and Gloria urgently grabbed my hand, perhaps interpreting my actions.

“I’m sorry for making you worry… but I did it because I trusted you in my own way.”

“…What?”

Why does Gloria trust me? Wasn’t she making such a fuss because she didn’t trust me until now?

She pursed her lips for a while, as if her words weren’t coming out properly. I waited in silence, and she soon quietly opened her mouth.

“You’re the person who lent me the gym clothes last time, right?”

She knew that…?

How?

Then Gloria continued as if she already knew my question.

“I knew it when I saw you go to Reynold to borrow gym clothes. I didn’t ask with certainty, but… judging by your reaction now, I guess it’s you?”

Ah, I was a fool.

I quietly avoided Gloria’s gaze. Then she reached out her hand and gently took my hand in hers.

“I didn’t know exactly who it was, so I couldn’t even say thank you. Thank you for the gym clothes at that time.”

“Y-You don’t even have to say thank you. It wasn’t anything special…”

I stammered. Then Gloria spoke quietly.

“Do you know my situation? I know very well that you can’t easily help me. I… am grateful for your courage.”

Seeing Gloria smiling prettily at me, I was dumbfounded for a moment.

Currently, I wasn’t the type of person who liked Gloria. But I felt like I knew why the original Reynold loved this child.

Gloria was someone he couldn’t help but love.

She continued her words calmly.

“Honestly, I want to be friends with you. But I can’t ask you to be friends…”

Gloria cautiously opened her mouth, as if she knew the situation well.

“If it’s fine with you… could you call me Ria when no one is watching?”

Who on earth could push away such an honest and lovely person? I couldn’t help but push away Gloria, who was looking at me with a twinkle in her eyes.

My face was completely blown up.

…I guess it was true that I had misunderstood Gloria all along.

As I nodded my head slightly without realizing it, Gloria’s eyes slowly widened. Joy instantly filled her big eyes.

Soon she ran towards me and hugged me.

…Does she like it that much? It’s true that I felt a little embarrassed, but it wasn’t a bad feeling.

After that, Gloria and I tested the magic tools we made. The paper cut has completely disappeared. We looked at each other and smiled slightly.

Looking at the subtle smile on her lips, I thought for a moment.

‘Maybe I can get along with Gloria?’

I mean so.

***

It was my first time meeting Rian since entering the Academy. Since we were in different departments and Rian and I didn’t have a strong kinship, there was no way we could have made an appointment to meet separately. And even if we bumped into each other while passing by, we often pretended not to know each other.

In that sense, it was very unusual for Rian to visit me today.

“Mother told me to bring this to you.”

He looked around, very wary of his surroundings. I asked, taking the red box that he held out.

“…What’s the matter?”

At my question, Rian frowned and lowered his voice.

“The Princess isn’t here, is she?”

“I don’t know, we’re not in the same department.”

At my words, Rian made an expression as if it was the first time he had heard such a thing in his life.

“Aren’t you from the Magic Department?”

“…What are you saying now?”

“Stop lying.”

He had a look of complete disbelief.