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Evelyn’s Ring Chapter 8

RUBY AND THE POCKET WATCH (1)

-… tio… apero.

The man mouthed some unfamiliar words with a soft smile. Kyren unwittingly shrunk his neck feeling some kind of somber energy choking his body. For a moment he felt like his whole body was bound like a mummy but soon that uncomfortable feeling from the pressure disappeared like a cloud of smoke. This was enough to consider the opponent for a smart person.

That guy just attacked me with evil intentions. Staring at the man politely extending his hands, Kyren’s hands went to his waist and tightly squeezed his sword hilt. It was not that he never met a sorcerer but he instinctively understood that his opponent was unusual. 

The most dangerous person he has ever met. Seeing his shoulders moving with breathlessness with those slender hands, Kyren, who always trusted his guts, took a step back without lowering his guard. Seeing Kyren’s demeanor, the man’s lips curved a bit more.

What a strong spirit for a Kid. I love that look in his eyes. What a shame. He could do great things once he grows up… Though it was not right to do such a thing to a child, my situation is also a bit urgent…

The man raised his hands, muttering something like a soliloquy, he slightly sighed, and with a prudent look started to chant carefully. Though his face became deathly pale, his voice was clear and resolute.

Spiritus necxum. (T/N: The spell mentioned in ch 7. It’s a spell that controls a person’s consciousness, leading to death by exhausting the energy/vitality.)

Kyren jolted awake, looked at the familiar ceiling of his room, and narrowed his eyes. It was a frequent dream since his childhood, yet his mood will be bad for the whole day once waking up from this dream. Above all, what haunts him the most is that he can’t figure out who that man was. He could only see his lips as he was wearing a hood. But that strange eerie smile scratched his nerves. It was too infuriating.

He can’t clearly tell whether what happened in that dream was just a dream or a fraction of his lost childhood memories. In fact, at the age of seven, he was once found unconscious in a villa at Gasta but his time alone was too short and there was no visible trauma. The sure thing was, the man in the dream cast a very vicious attack spell on him. The spell which used to be nothing more than a strange chant, this time he heard it very clearly.

Spiritus Necxum. Shackling the soul… Still, it’s likely to really happen.  First of all, there was no prerequisite for an 11th circle sorcerer to exist, and if there was, there was no reason for such a sorcerer to curse a seven-year-old child that barely had any mana. Above all, if he was really caught in such a curse, there would be no way for him to be perfectly alright until now.

Perhaps it’s because he frequently saw Evelyn Lehil using magic… It was a spell that left a deep impression and the mouthing was also similar, so the brain recognized it that way. After confirming there was no loophole in his logic, he stood up with a much lighter mood.

Would Evelyn Lehil also use such spells on people? If an 11th circle sorcerer is to come out of Berine in the future, Evelyn would most likely be one. Recalling her appearance, he unknowingly chuckled. Not at all like an aristocratic Agassi, what more she had a rough mouth. Even if she is to turn evil, it will also suit her.

Still… It won’t be, right? Though he can’t read a person’s mind, she doesn’t seem to be a sly person with daggers hidden in her smile. When she read the bondage spell, her face was filled with aversion and she soon turned to memorize its counter. An attitude to instinctively place one’s own position to protect others.

And she really jumped into the gate without any hesitation, that will terrify an average person. The nature of a person is revealed at the moment of crisis. No matter how confident you are of your abilities, in an extreme situation, not anyone can throw their life away without any hesitation.

That’s why he felt uncomfortable with Evelyn. The righteousness of a person who held everything from birth was in truth, ugly. Even though she was born with such identity and talent, she still grew up properly with no hint of a twisted personality. Kyren felt amazed by that. Almost all the high-ranking people that he had met were arrogant, cruel, and self-centered. Especially those immature youngsters.

-No matter how good you are, you are just a merchant. How dare you raise your head before this nobility?

That bastard also contributed to his hate towards sorcerers. Only after meeting Evelyn’s eyes did I realize that my face was stiff. Though I rectified it soon, her widened eyes were intently stuck on me. As if realizing her stare must be rude, she awkwardly changed her expression, and oddly enough, that consideration irritated Kyren.

“Maybe because she grew up without needing to please anyone that she can’t hide her emotions.”

Muttering in a self-deprecating voice, Kyren shook his head and opened the door. They won’t meet once the course ends anyway so it doesn’t matter how she views him. Kyren is not someone who gets anxious for nothing nor did he have any time for that. Regardless of the holiday, the young Lord of Night Family had a lot of work. When his father was absent, the whole responsibility of the Lord of the Night family lies upon Kyren.

Kyren, who went out after a simple breakfast, went to look at the shops in the capital, then headed to the accessory shop. Then with a firm face, he went down to the workshop in the shop basement. No matter what, today I must get that consent from that stubborn elder. (T/N: The word used here is teo-jut-tae-gam. Someone who is a long-term resident. In this case, a person that must be living in that basement for a long time)

“Is Mastercraftsman Bucheri in?”

“Yes, young master. He has yet to start work, it’s okay to go in.”

In the innermost room, an elderly man inspecting Emerald with a magnifying glass looked up and nodded his head impatiently. Kyren didn’t lose his gentle smile from the insolent behavior of the employee, rather he bowed very respectfully.

“You are working hard even on a holiday, Master.”

“Likewise. Always coming to this dark basement in vain without being tired, how can this old man take care of his body?”

“I don’t think it’s futile. But if Master thinks so, how about agreeing to me?”

Cliff Bucheri, who served as the exclusive jeweler of Nights for thirty-five years, looked at modest Kyren. He lowered his head and clicked his tongue. For a few months now, he had been rejecting Kyren’s entreaty to be the jewelry art teacher in the soon to open technical school. He, who already decided to retire, even prepared a house with a garden.  

“How many times do I have to tell you? Eyes are blurry, my hands are not sturdy, my body is not like before. Hard to control my own body, how can I become a teacher? Once I finish the commissioned work, I will be done.”

“That’s why you all the more need to mold a successor. This god-gifted skill, you have to pass it on.”

“Which god? As someone who has yet to have a religion saying something like this, you must be in a hurry.”

Despite Bucheri’s blunt comment, Kyren’s smile was unchanging.

“Yes. The opening of Technical school is just 4 months away. The teachers must be confirmed at least by next month. Only then can we advertise that we have the best artisans in Berine. Master, please help me. You won’t be disappointed with the treatment.”

“I won’t be bought by money, you know it better than anyone. I have a lot of money. It’s just that I am really tired. I lived my whole life in my craft. I don’t want to live growing tomatoes or something. Basking in sunlight and stepping on earth… I want to live like that in my later years.”

Kyren was somewhat embarrassed by Bucheri’s complaint. But he wasn’t someone who easily gave up once he has decided on something. And he was really out of time. Seeing Kyren’s eyes becoming softer, Bucheri trembled in anger. This persistent young master seems already made up his mind.

“At any rate,  Master will become the skilled educator this fall.”

“Huh… Do you plan to put on a nose ring and drag me like a cow?

“With my character? I do raise them but I would rather grow tomatoes.”

“Who knows whether the tomatoes can bear fruit.”

The accustomed smiling eyes slightly turned cold. Though Kyren usually won’t shout nor act aggressive, Bucheri knows quite well that he could destroy a whole tomato field and turn them into a salt field if he wanted to. 

Damn it… I tried to hold on… To come like this, now there won’t be any more words but deeds. With the gentle threat from Kyren, Bucheri finally raised both hands in resignation.

Sigh….  I give up. I will do as you say.”

The moment those words fell, Kyren carefully took out two contracts and pointed at the blank space to Bucheri. The conditions were already filled, now only Bucheri’s signature was left. Staring at the contract with tired eyes, he can’t help but say:

“You are quite a dragon leader.” (T/N: Someone who does everything to attain one’s goal.)

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“I am not complimenting.”

Bucheri’s lips twitched. With a refreshing smile, Kyren kept one copy of the signed contract and in a good mood, he exited the workshop. Good.. now almost all teachers are set… Kyren stopped on his way to the first floor after hearing a familiar voice outside the window.

This… Who? He frowned as he couldn’t have a calm moment.

“What is this mess early in the morning? Let me sleep at least on holiday! Why the hell are you asking me to choose an accessory for you to wear?!”

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