Translator: Nox

My Nerdy Neighbor Is the Master of the Magic Tower

Chapter 24

Clang!

And surprisingly, it wasn't her hand that broke, but the axe.

Cecilia lowered her arm, staring blankly at the axe head that had fallen to the ground with a thud.

A faint light was radiating from her hand and forearm, just as it had when she blocked the falling glass shards.

“……It’s glowing?”

‘It wouldn't work no matter how much I practiced!’

As expected, humans really do evolve in the face of a crisis.

“It’s glowing, it’s glowing!”

The past nights she had spent frantically trying to use her Divine Power flashed before her eyes like a kaleidoscope.

Exhilaration took the place of fear.

“Ha, haha! It’s glowing!”

An ecstatic Cecilia thrust her hands out toward the villains' faces.

“Do you see it? The glow? You see it too, right! Huh?”

“W-what is this?”

“Hahaha! I can even turn it on and off now!”

The thugs seemed flustered by the Saintess’s sudden madness and took a wary step back.

“Dammit! What the hell is this?!”

The man holding nothing but the axe handle spat out curses, his confusion plain to see.

He soon discarded the broken weapon and drew a forearm-length knife from his waist.

“Die!”

The chilling blade swung in a wide arc. However, it came to a dead stop with a sharp clink, unable to touch even a hair on her skin.

Cecilia stared blankly at the blade hovering about three centimeters from her skin before nonchalantly grabbing it. Then, she snapped it in half just like that.

Truly, long live physical purification.

Is this how the martial arts masters in the novels I've read felt?

The villains who had seemed so terrifying now looked like nothing more than bugs she could crush under her heel.

“My goodness, look at that Divine Power! The articles must have been true!”

“I never doubted it for a second! As expected of the Saintess-nim!”

Admiration and praise poured from behind her.

Her shoulders squared in proportion to the compliments. With a confidence that had flipped like a palm, Cecilia curled the corners of her mouth into a dark smile.

You’re all dead.

Now the real blood festival begins. Surely the gods would willingly forgive a righteous executioner.

She had never thrown a punch at thugs holding weapons—no, she had never actually used violence against anyone in her life—but if she just clenched her fist and swung with all her might, wouldn't it work out somehow?

‘Since I’m invincible anyway!’

She was finally about to enjoy playing the role of a hero of justice, but before her lunging hand could even connect, the thugs were blown back like sheets of paper and slammed into the wall.

It was as if a giant invisible hand had shoved them away.

Dumbfounded, Cecilia slowly lowered her hand.

‘What, my own strength scares me.’

Beyond invincibility and super strength, could she now fire shockwaves too?

It was while she was staring down at her hands with a serious expression.

“Cecilia-nim!”

At the end of the alley, someone appeared with their robe fluttering. It was the male lead's entrance, several beats too late.

‘Ah, what’s with the timing?’

The disappointed gazes of the crowd, including Cecilia, fell upon Lien.

Lien, who had run over with a grave expression, came to a sudden halt. Observing her less-than-bright expression, he fidgeted with his hands and asked.

“……Shall I stand them back up?”

He gestured toward the trash sprawled out with their eyes rolled back.

What was the point of hitting someone who was already unconscious?

‘I thought I’d mastered shockwaves, but I guess not.’

Her excitement completely cooled, Cecilia shook her head.

Not long after, the guards came swarming in, even more belatedly than Lien.

“Gasp! It really is the Saintess-nim!”

“W-we greet the Saintess-nim!”

The guards hurriedly offered their greetings as if they were about to bow their heads to the ground.

“I witnessed these people extorting money. May I ask you to handle them?”

“O-of course!”

One guard nodded stiffly and approached the trash scattered on the ground.

Then he shouted in surprise.

“Ha, these guys!”

“Are they familiar faces?”

“Yes. They’ve been a headache because they commit so many crimes in this area……. As expected, you are amazing!”

“Thank you so much!”

“You are beautiful!”

“You idiots! Don't be disrespectful to the Saintess-nim!”

A guard who appeared to be the superior smacked the heads of the dazed guards.

It was a blow heavy enough to make a loud thud, but the guards were too busy praising the Saintess, smiling like people with holes in their lungs.

‘Technically, Lien is the one who caught them…….’

Watching the praise for the Saintess only grow louder, Cecilia had a premonition.

That she would grace the front page of the newspaper again tomorrow.

She let out a short sigh and began to agonize in advance over what kind of excuse she should give her father and Melanie, who would be clutching the back of their necks upon reading tomorrow's paper.

However, not a single plausible excuse came to mind.

‘If worst comes to worst, I’ll just run away to the Temple.’

While a weary Cecilia came to that conclusion, it was Lien who handled the handover.

“Where will these men be imprisoned?”

“Pardon? Ah, for now, we plan to lock them in the nearest temporary detention center.”

“……A temporary detention center.”

His gaze as he looked down at the pathetically sprawled thugs was chilling.

For a moment, it was a coldness that reminded her of the fact that he was the notorious Magic Tower Master.

“W-well then, we shall take our leave!”

The guards, having shrunk back, dragged away the thugs who barely seemed to be breathing.

“We will take responsibility for escorting the victims home. Thank you truly for your help.”

After giving a final greeting, the captain of the guards dispersed the gathered crowd and left the scene with Sena.

There had been trials and tribulations, but in any case, things had ended well.

As long as she dealt with Lien, who was still standing there like a statue.

“Lien?”

When she called him softly, his hardened expression crumbled like snow melting in spring.

Hanging his head and hunching his broad shoulders, he spoke despondently.

“If I had known this would happen, I would have returned sooner……. No, I shouldn't have left Cecilia-nim’s side in the first place.”

“Don’t blame yourself. It was resolved safely.”

Since he looked ready to dig himself into the earth's mantle again, Cecilia quickly comforted him.

Though it was a shame she couldn't deliver the final blow herself, at least this event had solved a major headache.

If the issue of Divine Power could be resolved, she could honestly endure this kind of cliché dozens of times over.

But Lien still seemed upset.

“But you were injured like this.”

‘Me?’

Lien gently took her fingertips in his gloved hand.

Perhaps because she was clumsy at shrouding herself in Divine Power, beads of blood were forming on the fingertips that had grabbed the blade.

“Ah, you’re right. I didn't even realize I was hurt.”

‘It always starts stinging once you see it.’

Cecilia clicked her tongue at the unpleasant pain that began to creep in.

Just as she was about to wipe it off on her clothes, something warm and soft touched her fingertips.

Surprisingly, yet predictably, that 'something' was his lips.

Cecilia briefly considered the possibility of a bacterial infection before simply basking in the fluttering sensation.

Whether he used magic after licking the blood or the act of licking itself was magic, the wound on her fingertip healed miraculously the moment his lips pulled away.

“Cecilia-nim.”

She raised her head at the low voice that suddenly sounded above her.

“This time, I will make sure to protect you.”

His violet eyes, reflecting the sunset, were redder than usual.

Cecilia slowly gazed at his slightly trembling, sturdy hands, his bobbing Adam's apple, and his lips faintly stained with blood.

She saw a desperation and earnestness for which she knew not the reason.

She didn't know who he was projecting onto her at this moment.

But she could tell one thing. That these words were not seeking an answer. That it was merely a vow he was making to himself.

Therefore, she simply let the corners of her mouth lift.

“Our outing became much longer than expected. Shall we head back now?”

The moment Cecilia turned away from him and stepped into the slanting sunset.

A warmth, both lukewarm and hot, touched the nape of her neck.

“Pardon me for a moment.”

Arms reaching from behind brushed past her hair.

Only after his presence and warmth had fully receded did Cecilia raise her hand.

Feeling around her neck where something felt foreign, she touched the sensation of cool metal and a hard mineral.

“It’s insufficient, but it’s a token of gratitude for the gift you gave me.”

Lien, who was now standing about two steps away, spoke hesitantly.

The 'token' he had personally placed around her neck was a necklace set with amber that looked expensive at a glance.

She had only thought about making him happy or winning his favor; she hadn't expected to receive a gift from him…….

Inhaling deeply at the indescribable feeling, Cecilia opened her lips.

“Is this why you were late?”

“……Yes. Didn't you say we wouldn't see each other for a while? If it’s not uncomfortable, I hoped you would wear it even after you go to the Temple…….”

‘Was there such a nice item at a nearby stall?’

She didn't know where on earth he had procured such a thing, but regardless, the unexpected gift moved her more than she thought.

To the point where his late arrival and taking all the good scenes were instantly understood.

The golden eyes staring up at him curved softly.

“So, does this mean you want me to think of Lien every now and then when I look at this necklace?”

“Pardon? I absolutely didn't give it to you with such underhanded intentions! Truly, I mean it……”

“I won't misunderstand.”

It was when she nodded roughly, thinking he might cry otherwise.

“W-well, if you could just a little bit……”

He muttered in a voice so small it was barely audible.

Cecilia pressed the back of her hand against her lips, which felt like they were about to break into a silly grin.

‘It seems Plan D was a smashing success.’

“Since I am Cecilia-nim’s f-friend!”

……Was I mistaken?

‘Well, whatever.’

“I will. Thank you for the gift.”

With a small smile, Cecilia tilted her head back toward the crimson sky.

It had been a messy day, contrary to her plans. But she couldn't deny that it was an outing with many harvests in various ways.