Of All Things, I Became a Crow

*Rainelle’s POV

Regardless of the feeling of doom, time passed. What choice did I make? Of course, it’s to make a good image! Karmeut's ‘clinginess’ is, hmm... I, I can't just say it's bad. Because it's actually good...

The good thing is that he didn't bother all day long as he said he would.

Anyway, today is the day I made an appointment with Aria. Since I already told Karmeut...

I turned into a crow, spread my wings, and flew. This time I don't want to be stoned, so I fly at a high altitude and head to Aria's manor.

...I didn't see that male crow today either, huh?

Where did it go? ---Today is a historic(?) day when we weave Aria and Namuel together, so not being able to see that guy is rather helpful...

Shaking my head, I brushed off my thoughts about that crow.

It is today. TODAY! The day Aria hands over the Crobanlock to Namuel!

Thinking of it, I gave more strength to my wings.

---I don't know how things will turn out, but if Aria hands Namuel the Crobanlock, the problem of the plot will go away, right? Of course, there are still real-world problems, but I have to meet Myrdin-nim and that one crow...

For now, let's focus on Aria and Namuel.

***

*3^rd person POV

*Knock, knock, knock-“

At the sound of light knocking on his window, Namuel turned his head to look at the window.

There was a crow with black feathers that glistened under the sunlight. After confirming the sapphire necklace hanging from her neck, he put down the crystal bottle containing a reagent in his hand and headed towards the window.

"Welcome, Rainelle-nim."

Coming inside, the crow nodded her head with a brief cry. The crow, who entered the space that was filled with the smell of drugs, parchment, and ink, immediately turned into a human.

"How have you been? Namuel."

"Thank you for your concern."

Saying that, Namuel quickly looked around from the corner of his eyes.

"Excuse me, Rainelle-nim, um..."

Rainelle giggled quietly at the sight of him, who was rarely unable to speak and hesitate. Then, while tilting her head slightly, she said,

"Today, I came to deliver Aria's message, not a letter."

"---Adriana, I mean... a message from Count Gwynell's daughter?"

Rainelle nodded her head with a smile on her face. Seeing that playful face, Namuel regained his attitude. He coughed and straightened his expression.

Rainelle covered her mouth with one hand as if finding his behavior funny, then she opened her mouth in a cheerful voice,

"I was asked to tell you that she’s waiting at the place where you two last met. If it's Namuel, you know where it is, right?"

Namuel nodded his head.

‘If it was the last place we met, then...’

The wizard paused as he thought about that. It was only then that he realized that the behavior of Rainelle, who was smiling and looking at him, was different from usual.

Although Rainelle volunteered, her primary job was to deliver letters. She thought it was interesting. And she kept her crow appearance whenever possible, so he also accepted the letter with some ease.

But what about now?

‘She changed into a human form and delivered a message from Adriana.’

Namuel’s eyes narrowed at the completely unusual behavior.

"Excuse me, Rainelle-nim, may I ask you a question?"

"Okay. What is it?"

The wizard slowly opened his mouth as he watched the crow waiting for a question with a smile.

"Why are you sending a message, not a letter?"

Hearing that, Rainelle laughed.

"That's because Aria asked me to deliver it in words instead of a letter."

Namuel kept his mouth shut at the very simple answer.

‘---But that didn't solve all the questions.’

"Why...?"

"You will know that when you meet Aria. Isn't it special if it's different than usual?"

When she said “So, go and meet Aria," while still smiling, Namuel hardened his heart.

"Alright. I’m sorry to trouble you, Rainelle-nim."

“I did it because I wanted to, so you don’t have to worry too much about it.”

Saying that, Rainelle burst into laughter once more and turned into a crow. Then she swish through the open window and flew away.

Without looking at her figure to the end, Namuel hurried to get ready to go out.

To meet her.

*Namuel’s POV

The last place I met Adriana was at a restaurant in the southern part of the Capital.

The restaurant, mainly used by the nobles and wealthy merchants, was a place where the architecture, interior decoration, quality of food, and service were all excellent.

"Lady Adriana."

Following the guidance of the clerk, Namuel reached the seat with a good view. He greeted her, who was sitting and waiting.

"Oh, Namuel-nim."

Watching her beautiful blue eyes gently curving, he struggled to suppress his faintly beating heart.

"I'm sorry. Did you wait long?"

"No, I didn't wait that long."

Sitting across from Adriana, who smiled rather modestly, he looked at her.

When he met her for the first time, he didn't have any special feelings. He was more curious about Adriana, who had more knowledge about crows than he expected.

He was drawn to her intellect, and as he conversed with her, sending and receiving letters, he knew. That she was very different from any other noble girl.

Above all, the biggest shock was that Rainelle was close to Adriana without any rejection. The shock was easily extinguished by her knowledge.

She was very knowledgeable about animals, especially birds, and was curious about magic. Although she has no talent, it was amazing to see her asking this and that, saying she was interested in magic itself.

Having such knowledge, she must have liked Rainelle-nim. And what about the enthusiasm for learning?

Magic is a science. You can only dip your feet if you have the talent of magic, but if you don't build up your knowledge, the talent of magic becomes useless.

It was a pity that she has no talent for magic when I saw her academic zeal.

Because of that, he treated her a little more kindly. Although she may not be able to use magic, he thought that it would be enough if he could help her build her knowledge.

The beginning was like that. But now...

Her smile seemed to shine, so Namuel squinted his eyes. Then he hurriedly opened his mouth so as avoid the agitation inside him,

"I heard you want to meet me. I wonder what's going on..."

Adriana put on a slightly disappointed expression at those words.

"I'm sorry that I may have bothered you."

"...I’m not bothered."

No way. How can I call her a bother?

"I seem to have done something rude. Forgive me. I called you out without thinking of Namuel-nim’s circumstance."

Adriana, who had spoken her apology in a soft voice, then said with a burst of exclamation,

"Oh, this is not the time. I have something for you, Namuel-nim."

"---Something for me?"

With a “Yes,” Adriana nodded and took out a small box.

"...?"

Although the size of the box was small, the delicate decoration and gold leaf showed that the box was of high value.

"Please accept this."

Namuel blinked slowly at Adriana's action of holding out the box towards him.

Accepting it, he opened his mouth,

"...May I open it?"

Adriana nodded her head. Trying to look away from the blue eyes full of expectations, he slightly opened the lid of the box to check the inside.

"---!! This---!!"

A round sphere with a jewel-like shiny surface, which had a sweet scent. Having had it once in his hands, he couldn't help but know what it was.

Namuel hurriedly closed the lid because there were other people. Then, after using a barrier to block their voice from their surroundings, he raised his voice in bewilderment,

"La, Lady Adriana! This is---!!"

"...Namuel-nim is guessing right."

"It's okay to speak comfortably. I’ve erected a barrier to prevent our conversation from leaking out. But Lady, this is---!"

"Crobanlock, a fruit that 'awakens' those who ate it."

"I know. I know---!! Why are you giving me such a precious thing...?"

Seeing Namuel flustered, Adriana covered her mouth with one hand. Then she answered with a smile in her voice,

"Crobanlock is a valuable fruit. ...So, isn't it worth researching? Of course, Namuel-nim can eat it. The reason I'm giving this to you is..."

Adriana's white night turned red. As if shy, she held her hands together and avoided his gaze slightly. She then said in a small voice,

"---Namuel-nim, I just wanted to be of some help to you."

When she said that, Namuel was silent.

Perhaps the silence was disturbing, Adriana continued,

"Until now, Namuel-nim has helped me in many ways. And..."

Swallowing her saliva, Adriana raised her head and looked at Namuel. Her blue eyes were shining firmly as if she had decided on something.

"---I like Namuel-nim, so I wanted to give it to you."

Namuel's lips trembled slightly as he looked at her red cheeks.

"...Then, were you interested in magic because you liked me?"

At that, Adriana hesitated for a moment.

"...I'd be lying if I didn't feel that way at all. But I'm also serious about being interested in magic. Although I can’t be a mage because I have no talent, I think magic itself is very cool."

When she said that, Namuel closed his eyes Namuel. Then he let out a long sigh inside.

He was feeling disappointed, but more than that, his heart and mind were dizzy with bizarre feelings.

Feeling his head disorganized and in a mess, the wizard opened his eyes and looked at the noble young lady.

"---I’m grateful."

As he spits out the words that had been hovering in his mouth, the wizard stood up.

"Then I'll see you next time, Lady Adriana."

"...Yes, next time, again."

Namuel, who turned his head away from her, left the restaurant...

Despite his complicated mind and feelings, the wizard was holding the small box very preciously.

***

*Rainelle’s POV

I was looking at Namuel and Adriana alternately with my beak wide open. I was sitting on a nearby tree branch and listened to the conversation with Mui's help, but I didn't quite understand the situation.

...did it work out or not?

Namuel seems too cold to say that it worked out well, but to say it didn't work out… he took the Crobanlock with him, right?

As I was thinking while tilting my head, I saw Aria coming out of the restaurant and getting on the carriage.

There's Aria, too! Then I'll go to the manor first!

I went to the manor first and waited. Not long after, Aria returned. When Aria found me in her room, she dismissed everyone near her room, and I hurriedly returned to my human form.

“How was it, Aria? Do you think it’s a success?”

At my question, Aria bowed her head. Then her shoulders began to tremble.

Uh, huh?

"A, Aria? Are you okay?"

"…khuhuhuhuhuhu---"

"...?!"

I was startled by Aria's sudden disgraceful laughter, and I reflexively backed away. Regardless of that, Aria smiled strangely with “khuhuhuhu” sound... She then put her hands on her waist and continued to chuckle wildly.

"...Ar, Aria?"

‘Are you going crazy? It's ok, you can’t break down!’ Those words lingered in my mouth.

"Um, I know the shock of a broken heart is immense, but, what is it, uh, um, so... they say that there is no tree that stands firm after chopped at 10 times¹, right? So...?"

"Heh heh heh heh... Rainelle."

"Huh?"

"What are you talking about?! It’s a success!!"

Aria's face, while she was making a V sigh with her fingers and saying it was a success, was very refreshing.

Aria's lips twitched, seemingly couldn't overcome her joy.

"Eh? Success?"

"Yes! Success!! Oh, of course, in terms of a game, success would be the correct expression."

Aria, who struggled to drive away her laughter by taking a deep breath, went on,

"It's like the game. If it fails in the first place, Namuel won't accept the Crobanlock."

"Huh? Really?"

"Yes. Well, he’s disappointed because he thinks I tried to get closer by being interested in something that he likes. What do you just want to say? My favorability is done for and his route is a failure? Because it would go straight to Bad Ending No. 1, [The female protagonist ate well and lived a good life on her own], and it would be better to target the two other caharcters?"

“Um, isn’t there the assassin route too?”

"Sedarun? You indeed need all the target characters’ favorability to reach a certain level to get into the Sedarun route, but if I give Namuel a Crobanlock, the Sedarun route is automatically abandoned. The Crobanlock is the key to the start of a route. To attack Sedarun, I had to give the Crobanlock to him as the target, so it won’t happen now."

There was only one thought that came to my mind.

"...it's so difficult to get Namuel."

"When other target characters get Crobanlock, they either succeed in awakening or die. It would be easy to tell if the ending will be good or bad after the Crobanlock-giving moment, but that isn’t the case with Namuel..."

I silently approached Aria, who couldn't speak anymore and just trembled, then I patted her on the shoulder.

"It’s the hardship that must be endured to get the most hard-to-catch character."

"Oh---! But, but---!! Namuel really suits my taste---!! I can't give up---!!"

I nodded silently at Aria’s strong attitude.

***

Notes:

1 Korean idiom, meaning: People can achieve anything if they keep making efforts.^↩