Once the Curse of Reversed Likability Was Lifted, My Party Members Became Unbearably Heavy
Towering spires, magical devices suspended in the air.
Unnatural, dazzling light.
All shone with orderly brilliance, like symbols of human wisdom.
The Magical CityโLuminous Academia.
The kingdom’s foremost city for magical research, a hub of knowledge where sages and mages from all corners gather. Within its heart, on the top floor of the Ancient Magic Building, a laboratory remained shrouded in dusty silence once more.
Scattered parchments and open grimoires littered the desk. Outside, a levitating transport hummed softly as it passed by.
ใ
Noel Alphen set down her quill.
โโฆSeriously, another failed adjustment. No matter how much theory I pile on, the magic efficiency just won’t improve.โ
It was a mutter tinged with self-mockery and resignation.
Noel was called a genius.
She certainly stood out among her peersโbut she knew well.
Though hailed as the foremost candidate for court mage, she knew the immense barrier standing between her and that title.
She knew she would end just short of that barrier.
She set down her pen and leaned back in her chair.
At that moment, a quiet knock sounded on the door.
โCome in.โ
Beyond the door that opened silently, three figures stood.
One was a sister clad in pure white robes.
One was a female knight with golden hair tied back.
And at the front stood a young man with black hair. His back was straight, his expression unwavering.
Just his presence alone made the air in the room shift slightly.
โYou areโฆ Amagi Ren, recently granted the title of Hero by His Majesty the King, correct?โ
ใ
As she spoke, Noel narrowed her eyes slightly. Rumor had it he was the โnew Heroโ chosen by the King.
But whether that was based on true strength, or if he was merely a symbolic figure meant to dazzle the people, she didn’t know.
โYes. I apologize for barging in suddenly. I wish to learn the art of sealing magic from you.โ
His voice was direct. A directness that felt like it struck straight at the heart.
Noel reflexively furrowed her brow. She disliked such โstraightforward people.โ
Becauseโshe herself couldn’t believe in anything with such pure conviction.
โSealing magic? โฆThat’s a system lost in ancient times. The records are mostly fragmentary. It’s not something easily mastered.โ
“I understand. But it’s necessary to seal the magical artifact in the ruins that supplies the Demon King’s Army with magic power!”
Noel tapped the magic tome on the desk with her fingertips.
โThis man doesn’t understand the logic. But the โwillโ behind his words is genuine.
โYou have no idea how difficult what you’re asking is, do you?โ
โSorry, to be honest, I’m not good with difficult things.โ
“โฆHmm. Honest as ever, I see.”
That retort almost made her laugh. An honesty she herself lacked, a stubborn sincerity.
Acting not on logic, but on willโit was incomprehensible, and somehow enviable.
Noel twirled the tip of her pen, staring intently at him. She found herself wanting to know just a little more about this young man.
ใ
โโฆFine. If your purpose is genuine, I’ll cooperate. I wanted to investigate the ancient ruins anyway, and I’ll personally seal it for you while I’m at it.โ
โThank you so much!!!โ
Ren looked startled for a moment, then smiled shyly.
โฆIs there really a person with such straightforward eyes? Noel felt a faint stir deep within her chest.
It wasn’t logic, but emotion that stirred within her.
โโฆYou’re an interesting person. Well then, let’s see. If you truly deserve the name โHeroโ.โ
The genius mageโNoel Alphen.
That day, she encountered for the first time a being that couldn’t be measured by logic.
That journey proved immensely valuable for my research. With them, I could conquer ruins I certainly couldn’t have reached alone.
Ren’s prowess as a hero was genuine.
The Demon King’s army drew its magical power supply from ancient magical artifacts within the ruins. Sealing approximately twenty such sites was the purpose of our journey.
Analyzing ancient scripts, reconstructing sealing formations, eliminating magical interference. I methodically performed the magic calculations, working alongside Ren and the others to complete the seals.
โThird layer of the sealing array complete. โฆNext, you. Channel a little magic.โ
โRoger!โ
As Ren held out his hand, a faint light traced the lines of the magic circle.
With each flow of magic, a portion of the engraving rose, and the ancient script trembled softly.
Noel watched the scene, her eyes narrowed.
โThis man really is mysterious.
He understands nothing of magical theory, yet the flow of his magic alone is โbeautiful.โ Waste-free, without distortion. It’s as if he grasps the world not through theory, but through โsensationโโฆ a talent truly enviable.
โAlright, it worked!โ
Ren smiled and raised his hand.
Celia, watching beside him, smiled slightly, looking a bit embarrassed.
ใ
โAmazing, Ren sama. Your magic truly is special.โ
โNot at all. It’s because Noel was here.โ
โโฆYes, yes.โ
Noel adjusted her magic formula, noticing the faint blush on Celia’s cheeks.
(โฆHmm.)
She pushed her glasses up slightly.ใ
It wasn’t just Celia. Rina, too, was always the first to rush to Ren whenever he was hurt,
and during sword practice, she was always watching him.
(I see. Those twoโฆ they have romantic feelings for him.)
She analyzed it calmly. Yet, somewhere deep in her chest, something felt rough.
โNoel, is something wrong?โ
โNothing. Just amazed at how thick-skinned you are.โ
โHuh? Thick-skinned? Me?โ
โโฆYes. Quite.โ
Celia chuckled softly. Rina sighed in exasperation.
Noel kept his gaze lowered, observing their reactions.
They were โinfatuatedโ with Ren. Undoubtedly. And Ren didn’t notice.
Noel murmured softly to himself.
โRomantic feelingsโฆ illogical. An emotion severely lacking in rationality.โ
Yet, every time he recalled Celia’s gentle smile, Rina’s direct gaze, andโthe soft expression Ren briefly showed when looking at themโa slight ache stirred deep within his chest.
ใ
(โฆI can’t understand it.)
She concluded this and stared into the campfire flames. Yet her eyes flickered ever so slightly.
It was after applying yet another new seal.
โThere’s something I’m a little concerned about. I’ll investigate it first.โ
Saying this, I headed alone down the path through the ruins.
ใ
Ren frowned for a moment.
โAre you sure you’ll be okay alone?โ
โI’m fine. It’s just investigating some murals. There’s no danger.โ
โBut monsters could suddenly appearโฆโ
โIf anything happens, I’ll call for help from the โHeroโ.โ
I shot back a flippant reply and turned my back on Ren and the others.
ใ
โYes, I genuinely didn’t think it was dangerous. High-level monsters shouldn’t exist around here anymore. Besides, she had pride in her abilities as a mage.
(โฆI’m not powerless. I can handle any situation calmly.)
That’s what I believed.
Butโ
โโฆ!โ
The instant she tried to decipher the mural’s text, something stirred beneath the earth.
Her feet emitted a distorted light for an instant, and a black shadow burst forth from a fissure.
Fangs, claws, the stench of decay. It was the โDemon-Eating Beastโ born from the remnants of the magic power she had just sealed away.
(Impossibleโฆ There shouldn’t have been any reaction from the surroundingsโฆ!)
She began chanting instinctively, but her throat trembled.ใMagic power surged chaotically. The edges of her vision flashed white.
Her mind knew it had to stay calm, but her body wouldn’t move.
โโFear.
The primal emotion she had always dismissed with logic began to paralyze her thoughts.
Before she could finish the defensive incantation, the beast’s claws tore into her. Burning pain. Her shoulder was ripped open, blood spurting out.
ใ
โโฆAhhโฆ!โ
I was slammed into the ground. My vision swayed violently.
My pride as a mage, my logic, my thoughtsโall vanished into thin air.
At that moment.
โNoel!โ
Light streaked through the darkness. A sword’s flash sliced through the shadows.
Ren burst in, gasping for breath.
ใ
Faster than the beast could roar, Ren’s blade severed its neck. Blood spattered, and the darkness fell silent.
Ren knelt beside Noel.
โAre you okay!? Your injuriesโโ
โIt’sโฆ nothing serious.โ
ใ
Even as she spoke, her voice trembled. Ren immediately pulled out a healing potion and poured it onto her shoulder. The pain and heat began to subside.
Then, Ren exhaled deeply, as if profoundly relieved.
โThank goodnessโฆ Truly, I’m so glad you’re safe.โ
Hearing that voice, Noel gasped.
Why.
Why do I feel so relieved?
Why are you looking at me with such gentle eyes?
The lingering fear and relief tangled deep within her chest, making her heart leap unbidden.
(Noโฆ This is fear-induced palpitations. Sympathetic nervous system excitement. Just a physiological reaction.)
She tried to convince herself. But the moment Ren smiled, her thoughts crumbled.
โโฆYou idiot.โ
โHuh?โ
โYou’re always like this. Whyโฆ do you always only care about othersโฆโ
ใ
Her voice trembled. Beyond her own control.
Ren tilted his head in confusion.
The instant she saw that expression, Noel realized.
โAh.
I’m already drawn to this person. Even as my mind rejected the word โlove,โ my heart had already acknowledged it.
It couldn’t be explained logically. It couldn’t be understood. Yet, it was an emotion that had undeniably โcome into existence.โ
Noel lowered her eyes. Tears streamed down her cheeks faster than she could comprehend it herself.
โNoel?โ
โโฆIt’s nothing.โ
She said it in a trembling voice and turned her face away from him.
Later, when we met up with Celia and Rina, I whispered to them, making sure Ren couldn’t hear.
โI have no intention of giving up from you two.โ