novelraw Chapter 135 : Chapter 135
Chapter 135 : Chapter 135
Chapter 135. Serin (4)
“Can we speak to him from this side?”
Yohan hadn’t spoken with Raguel in a long time. He truly wanted to.
Serin hesitated for a moment before answering.
“It’s not possible.”
Yohan was genuinely disappointed.
If he could communicate with the outside world from here, many future problems would be much easier to manage.
At the very least, the problem of distance would vanish.
Real-time communication, regardless of location—he would’ve had it.
But Serin had been firm in her answer.
Yohan couldn’t help lingering on the thought.
“But didn’t it work with Serena?”
“That’s because Serena’s mirror is special. In here, I can only communicate with her.”
Apparently, the mirror in Serena’s room was a magical artifact.
Yohan clicked his tongue.
“That’s unfortunate.”
Serin looked at him quietly.
“…You must be really close to your little brother?”
There was a probing look in her eyes, as if she was trying to gauge something.
Yohan instantly understood her intent.
‘She feels a sense of kinship. This could be useful.’
He shrugged.
“Well, let’s just say ‘close’ doesn’t even begin to cover it. We’re that special to each other. Even though we’re not related by blood.”
It wasn’t a lie.
Yohan and Raguel had a truly unique bond.
They were bound by a master-servant contract, no less.
Serin smiled faintly—for the first time.
“I’m the same with Serena. She’s my only friend… and my support.”
Serin had no one but Serena.
She didn’t even speak to her father, Horentz.
He once tried to exploit Serin’s mirror powers for political gain. She saw right through him and had kept her distance ever since.
Serena was her entire world.
Yohan nodded.
“I get it. Completely. You only have Serena. That’s probably why you opposed our engagement—because of her.”
Serin’s face darkened.
She looked down, speaking in a gloomy voice.
“You’re right. Honestly… I’m still scared of you.”
She had seen Mapheltan’s true form.
Anyone who saw that horrific demon would be terrified.
Yohan spoke calmly.
“Sometimes I get startled when I look in the mirror too. Right now, I look human. But at night, something monstrous stares back from the reflection. Anyone with a human heart would find that disgusting.”
Serin quickly shook her head.
“N-No, it’s not disgusting! It’s just… so dark and big, it’s… intimidating? I don’t know how to explain it well, but it’s not hideous.”
She had a gentle heart.
She didn’t want to hurt Yohan.
There was already a growing emotional bond forming between them.
Serin glanced at him nervously.
Yohan smiled gently and said,
“Well, I’ve learned something important today. Serin, you have a very warm heart. You’re the first person to ever tell me I’m not hideous.”
He added his thanks and gently brushed her hair.
Serin flinched, but didn’t push his hand away.
“Y-You don’t have to thank me. I was just being honest.”
She averted her eyes shyly.
She wasn’t used to this kind of conversation or touch.
Yohan chuckled softly.
“Then let me ask again—do I still look like a monster?”
Earlier, he had spoken plainly about his convictions.
He had proven them through Raguel, and showed genuine affection for his younger brother.
Right now, in the daylight, he simply looked like an ordinary boy.
He didn’t seem like a monster at all.
Serin hesitantly shook her head.
“…No. I’m sorry for calling you that.”
Yohan grinned to himself.
‘She’s more honest than I expected.’
In a way, that made her easy to deal with.
He joked lightly.
“Do you really mean that apology?”
Serin nodded slowly.
“I think I was too harsh.”
Yohan smiled in a slightly mischievous way.
“Then, in that case, would you do me a favor?”
Unease crept across Serin’s face.
She whispered warily,
“W-What is it?”
Yohan smiled gently.
“Let’s be friends. What do you think?”
Serin looked surprised.
She muttered in a trembling voice,
“…Friends.”
That word felt so distant to her.
She had Serena and Towa—but neither were real friends.
One was a person outside the mirror, and the other a stuffed rabbit. She couldn’t truly interact with either of them.
Yohan was different.
He was right in front of her.
He had entered the mirror world and was talking to her directly.
Yohan could really be her friend.
He nodded.
“Yeah, friends. I think we’d get along great.”
Serin’s face brightened a little.
Something she had dreamed of was becoming real.
There was a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes.
Yohan watched her expression carefully.
‘She’s almost fully on my side.’
Just as he felt confident, a flicker of suspicion appeared on Serin’s face.
She spoke up.
“I’d like that too… but I’m not sure. From your perspective, is there any reason you need to be friends with me?”
Yohan had many people around him.
He didn’t need Serin.
So if he wanted her as a friend, there had to be an ulterior motive.
That was what Serin thought.
Yohan silently clicked his tongue.
‘Definitely a Marcano—sharp instincts, even without real-world experience.’
Serin was, by nature, very perceptive.
Yohan replied in a calm voice.
“It’s a bit embarrassing, but… I don’t really have friends either. Everyone around me is tied to me through politics or work. I can’t afford to be vulnerable with them—if I show weakness, I’ll be exploited.”
That was often the nature of relationships.
Show weakness, and you get devoured.
Yohan had learned that lesson repeatedly.
Serin listened quietly and muttered,
“That’s… kind of sad.”
Yohan shrugged.
“Yeah, I guess it is. But Serin, you’re different. Living here, completely isolated… I feel like I could be honest with you.”
Serin was cut off from the outside world.
No matter what he said to her, there was no risk of it leaking out.
Her face sank a little.
“…You must’ve been through a lot. I read somewhere that the stronger and more mature someone appears, the more pain they carry inside.”
Yohan chuckled.
“Do I look strong and mature to you?”
Serin answered right away.
“Yeah. Way more than anyone your age.”
She had observed countless people through her mirrors.
There had been many boys, but none had the aura that Yohan did.
He was unique.
Yohan smiled warmly.
“We really do have a lot in common. Even though you look young, you’re basically a grown woman inside.”
Time barely moved in the mirror world.
Though Serin looked like a young girl, she was actually in her late teens.
She looked down at herself and said,
“I’m really just what I look like. People grow through experience, but I’ve never experienced anything.”
Yohan shook his head.
“Serin, you’re wiser than most old mages I’ve met. Let me prove it. I know we can be great friends.”
He held out his hand.
Serin stared at it and hesitated.
“B-But…”
“I’ll be your first everything. In return, be the friend I can confide in.”
Serin looked into Yohan’s eyes.
They were calm and steady.
A strange sense of trust filled her mind.
Slowly, she raised her hand.
“…Okay. Let’s get along.”
They shook hands.
Yohan smiled warmly.
“From now on, call me Yohan.”
“O-Okay. Yohan…”
Serin’s cheeks flushed slightly.
Calling someone by name was an unfamiliar experience for her.
***
It had been a full day since Yohan disappeared into the mirror.
Ilea and Lumina hadn’t taken a single break from their research.
They had to find a way to bring Yohan back.
Only by creating an exit could Yohan return from the mirror world.
After much effort, they finally found a solution.
Lumina let out a long sigh.
“…Was he always like this? The Watcher of the Abyss, I mean.”
He had jumped into the mirror without a second thought.
Even after being told there was no exit, he didn’t hesitate.
Ilea was used to this by now.
“He can be a bit reckless. Just… accept it.”
Lumina snorted.
“Just accept it? What if we hadn’t figured out how to get him out?”
Ilea answered calmly.
“I think Yohan believed we’d succeed.”
Lumina looked incredulous.
“You sound like you blindly trust him. Why? It’s not like he has Muel’s foresight.”
Ilea smiled softly.
“Spend more time with him, and you’ll understand. Yohan always proves himself—through results.”
Lumina gave a dry laugh.
She was about to say something when a sharp alarm rang out.
Her expression hardened.
“Wait a second… something’s going on outside.”
They were currently working inside a subspace Lumina had created.
Ilea stood up.
“Let’s go. Quickly.”
At once, Lumina’s spatial magic was deactivated.
The two were transported to the Miyatro Baron’s estate.
***
Several knights had lined up at the entrance.
A golden coin emblem was emblazoned on their breastplates.
They were all knights from the Marcano family.
They were in a standoff with a woman.
The woman was Ilea’s personal knight.
The young female knight stepped forward.
“What is the meaning of this disturbance? Lady Staviana is currently inside the Baron’s residence. Please leave at once.”
From among the Marcano knights, a woman stepped forward.
It was Serena Marcano.
“I have no business with Lady Staviana. I need to meet with the Watcher of the Abyss. Let me through.”
The knight didn’t budge. Ilea had ordered no one to be let in.
“Lady Staviana is currently meeting privately with the Watcher. Please return later.”
Serena wasn’t backing down either.
She had to find her missing sister.
“I’ll wait right here.”
The knight frowned.
Just as she was about to retort, the doors of the Baron’s estate opened.
Ilea walked out, eyes sweeping over the assembled knights.
She spoke coolly.
“For a mere visit, you’ve brought quite the force with you. Lady Marcano, can you give me a reasonable explanation for this situation?”
The air suddenly turned cold.
A chilling pressure weighed down on everyone.
Serena stepped forward, resisting the force.
“No. I think it’s you who owes me an explanation. The Watcher of the Abyss and Lady Staviana… Just what are you two?”