Chapter 7: The Flame Carries Love (3)

Chloe couldn’t fully understand Tehis’s words.

Even if they were lovers, it was fake, wasn’t it? What does that contract even mean?

They weren’t really in a relationship, yet he kept acting that way. Kept showing those reactions.

‘It’s as if he really loves me.’

Chloe’s eyes wandered for a moment before returning to Tehis. In the faint light of dawn, the night sea was facing her directly.

Chloe didn’t think he loved her. She knew he treated her more specially than others, but she judged it to be for a reason. She convinced herself that maybe this time, too, it was just something he said without much meaning.

So she thought that this tingling feeling was just because she was surprised by unexpected words. That’s what she thought.

“You’re really kind, Tess. I wonder why no one else notices this side of you.”

Chloe cleared her throat and spoke lightly. Soon, a fresh smile naturally appeared on her lips.

“Thanks to you, it was comfortable. It’s a shame we couldn’t hatch it here, but I’ll show you the Phoenix when it awakens later. And, of course, the Fairy too.”

“I look forward to it, Chloe.”

Tehis experienced a mix of emotions at Chloe’s casual response, but he couldn’t quite identify them.

It was only natural since he didn’t know what his own intentions were or why he said such things.

So, as always, he could only respond calmly.

“There’s still time until morning, so how about resting a bit more? We’re heading back to the Grand Duchy now, right?”

“Yes, Chloe. Since we’ve eliminated the cause of the anomaly, we’re planning to return.”

“If this place weren’t restricted, we could have used the warp magic circle, which is a pity.”

Space magic was tricky, and the unnatural mana patterns of the winter forest could cause interference. Considering the terrible things that could happen if the warp failed, it was better to be cautious.

“It can’t be helped. Still, please take care of us until we leave this place.”

“Leave it to me. Then I’ll be going now, so let’s meet again at breakfast.”

“Yes, Chloe. See you after some rest.”

Chloe nodded at Tehis’s farewell and started to walk away but then stopped. She turned back to him briefly and approached without hesitation.

“And, Tess.”

“What is it?”

Tehis asked, wondering if there was something left to discuss, as Chloe’s orange eyes quietly looked at him. She sensed the presence of the expedition members getting up and moving around for reconnaissance.

Yes, because there were others.

Chloe placed a hand on Tehis’s chest with a gentle smile. She recalled the reason for her actions once more and rose on her tiptoes.

Yes, because there were others.

Chloe gave a peck on Tehis’s ear and winked.

“A good morning kiss. Because you’re my lover.”

Returning his words exactly, Chloe left the spot without hesitation. Her light steps were followed by the dazed gazes of the reconnaissance team.

Tehis unconsciously lowered the awkwardly raised arm he had been about to use to support her. Then he lifted it again to touch his neck.

He felt a sense of déjà vu, as if he had experienced something similar before.

“……”

With his lips tightly closed, he turned around sharply. Then, from an angle where no one could see his face, he ordered.

“This path is all clear, so spread out and inspect both sides.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

Tehis stood still, listening to the sound of the reconnaissance team splitting to either side. A faint heat lingered on his body as he stood idly.

It was heat that had risen from scouting far away early on.

At least, that’s what he thought.

* * *

The journey from the winter forest back to the Derahin estate was uneventful.

They moved quickly, witnessing the decrease in the monsters’ abnormal behavior in real-time. Since they were retracing their steps, the time to reach their destination was significantly shortened.

The expedition team, returning a week after retrieving the Phoenix, declined the banquet invitation from Viscount Derahin and returned to the Grand Duchy.

“See you next time, Tess.”

“You worked hard, Chloe. Let’s stay in touch.”

Chloe parted ways with Tehis at the warp gate and headed straight to the Mage Tower. Accompanying her was the Phoenix egg, wrapped in snow troll skin.

Standing on the inter-floor warp circle of the Mage Tower, she moved to the top floor instead of her personal room or research lab.

Skipping formalities with the mana pattern that allowed free access, she entered the waiting room unannounced, where Isrion greeted her. It seemed as if he had foreseen her arrival, with tea for two already set.

“Welcome back, Chloe. I’m glad you came to see your Master right after returning.”

“How much do you know?”

Chloe cut straight to the point with Isrion, who smiled warmly. If she let her guard down, she might leave having only discussed unrelated topics with the sly man.

Even though it was customary for mages to get straight to the point when meeting, Isrion feigned being hurt, letting his shoulders droop. He sighed deeply and stirred half a spoon of honey into his tea.

“Have I grown so old that you won’t even greet me? The Chloe I knew as a child…”

“……I’m back, Master. Have you been well?”

“Oh, of course. Sit down and try this tea. It’s a new blend I’ve developed; I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

Chloe reluctantly took a step back and sat opposite Isrion. The Phoenix egg, which had been floating, settled on the empty chair next to her.

Fortunately, the small talk was brief. After exchanging minor opinions about the new tea, the master and disciple quickly moved to the main topic.

“Did you leave the Phoenix in the winter forest, Master?”

“Why would I do such a thing?”

Chloe had no words for Isrion’s puzzled voice. She thought it didn’t make sense either.

It was just that there were only a few capable of such a feat, so she had come to him first.

Only a high-level mage could place a Phoenix egg in a forbidden area alongside a Phlagma.

‘The problem is there’s no reason for a mage to do such a thing.’

Unless they intended take it to raise it.

Chloe looked at the egg beside her with a troubled expression. Covered in white leather, it expanded and contracted repeatedly.

The heat it emitted in the winter forest seemed to be a desperate attempt to raise the surrounding temperature, and once fire attribute mana was steadily infused, it calmed down and breathed quietly.

“Then did you not know I would encounter a Phoenix there?”

“I saw that you’d be raising a Phoenix around this time, Chloe. But it’s surprising that it was a connection made in the winter forest.”

Isrion answered with a gentle smile. Chloe accepted it, knowing he had no reason to lie. There was nothing to gain from doubting the Grand Mage.

“By the way, do you know how to hatch a Phoenix? According to what I know, it should have hatched by now, but there’s no sign.”

“Well… don’t children always seem the same and then suddenly grow overnight? Just like you, Chloe. Haha.”

There he goes again. 

Chloe clicked her tongue inwardly. He sometimes made jokes that were hard to understand.

Having fulfilled her purpose for visiting, Chloe stood up. No questions were answered, but there was no reason to stay longer.

“I’m sorry for dropping by suddenly when you’re busy. I’ll be going now.”

“No need to apologize. Chloe, you’re always welcome. When you go down, could you tell Riel to stop by sometime next week?”

“Yes, Master. See you next time.”

Even though sending a telepathic message directly was no trouble for him, he always used others for such tasks.

Chloe, accustomed to such errands, left the top floor and headed to her lab. She intended to store the Phoenix before going to see Riel.

As she exited the makeshift warp circle and unlocked her private lab, she stopped.

It seemed someone was about to leave, as a small mage was approaching the door from inside.

“Riel?”

“Chloe.”

The usual dull voice greeted the lab’s owner. Riel naturally handed over the paper she was holding and spoke.

“Here, the Fairy observation log.”

“Thanks!”

Chloe, her face brightening, gratefully accepted Riel’s report. It seemed she had kept her promise to look after the Fairy, knowing Chloe might be away for a long time.

“What’s this?”

“Oh, it’s a Phoenix egg… I found it in the winter forest. Want to see?”

“…Phoenix?”

Riel looked at the object wrapped tightly in monster skin. Though unseen, the breathing of a creature slightly larger than a child was felt.

‘This…’

As Riel recalled something, Chloe removed the leather. The surface, much more fur-like than when first discovered, glistened.

“This is it. It’s your first time seeing a Phoenix too, right?”

Considering the extinction rumors, who would have seen one? Chloe laughed lightly and let the question pass as if it were nothing.

Riel, blinking slowly, asked a question more sluggish than usual.

“…You brought it from the winter forest?”

“Yes. I don’t know why it was there. I’ll share the feathers with you when it hatches.”

Riel quietly nodded at Chloe’s offer. Some suspicion crossed her mind, but she decided not to delve deeper due to indifference and reluctance.

“And Master wants you to visit sometime next week.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Have you finished the thesis you were working on?”

“Not yet. Almost done.”

After some small talk, the two parted ways.

After Riel left, Chloe briefly checked on the Fairy and placed the egg in the opposite corner. She layered several magic circles to create an environment the Phoenix would like.

Since she had to maintain the magic circles even in her absence, she reluctantly used up all her remaining mana stones.

‘Already used them all.’

Chloe clicked her tongue at the now-empty mana stone pouch. She had acquired a considerable amount this year, but the expedition had depleted them entirely. More than anything, the amount consumed because of the Phoenix was enormous.

‘Where should I get more?’

Should I look around for a contract I could handle? 

Chloe pondered as she organized the materials piled up in the laboratory. She planned to rest fully for a day and then focus on research again starting tomorrow.

* * *

The next day arrived like that.

Tehis’s gift has arrived.