———Minho———
Mira didn't quite look herself since the announcement.
There was no smirk on her face, no confident laughter, no fufufu and kukuku.
She sulked all the way through lunch, even refusing to eat with Elena - for which I came up with an impromptu excuse, something something about a great mage needing to fast every now and then. The afternoon classes passed uneventfully, and even when the Academy was over, she still said nothing and quietly sulked her way back home with me.
Whatever it was, I knew it was something really bad. Like something worse than anything I've gone through with her so far.
Mira wasn't the kind of a girl to sulk. Normally if she was unhappy with something, she'd get enraged, annoyed, triggered. She'd whine and complain, foaming at her mouth. Or at least let it out on me one way or another.
She was just a petulant, insufferable, spoiled brat when she was in a lousy mood she probably didn't deserve much sympathy.
This time though, she looked so downcast that I was actually worried about her.
I tried to give her as much time as she needed, but even back at home she just threw her bag on the floor, laid face down on her bed, and didn't move or say anything.
Right.
I'm the grown-up here. Relatively speaking. I let the brat have her way most of the time but I guess it's time for me to sort things out.
"Hey, Mira."
No answer.
"What's wrong?"
All I heard was grrrgh.
"You can talk to me. I'll listen. And if I can help you. I will."
Dead silent.
"Was it something about the announcement?"
Well, I knew it was.
"I'm doomed."
Mira sighed in resignation.
"I heard you say that before. Why are you doomed?"
"We are doomed."
"That doesn't answer the question."
Mira then bolted up to sit on the bed with an angry face, then it quickly changed, and looked like she was going to cry.
Ah, shit.
I'm really not good with these things.
"Hey, hey, what's wrong?"
I moved over and sat next to the poor girl.
Mira plopped down again and buried herself in the pillow.
I didn't push it any further.
I guess all I can do is give her a bit more time-
:CRACK!:
The frigging bed collapsed with the combined weight of Mira and I, tilting the bed to the side I was sitting on. I slid to the ground and landed on my ass, and Mira rolled down the same side and crashed onto me.
"Ouch…"
I lay on my back on the hard wooden floor half expecting that the sulking brat would finally light up and start letting it out on me, but to my surprise, Mira just laid on the floor where she fell, next to me, with her head resting on my chest.
We just lay like that for a minute and the sulking girl finally spoke.
"Minho. We need to talk."
"Yeah. That's what I've been trying to do."
Then I felt her take a deep breath.
"I have something to confess."
"Go ahead. I won't judge."
"I… I…"
She couldn't continue.
Whatever it was, it must be hard for her…
Then after a full minute of not saying anything. She suddenly jumped up, accidentally stomping on my hand.
"Argh!"
It didn't stop her from moving her foot away though.
"Hahahaha! I'll let you in on a little secret, Human!"
"Can you get off my hand first?!!"
"Oopsie."
She finally got off.
Gees, this idiot.
"Right. Sit. There. Yes. Good boy. Listen carefully."
"OK."
"I, Minakong Ilennis Rasparan Ayenne of Kakwaszavoot Clan, have a top secret that I will share with you."
"Sigh… I'm honored."
"As you should be!"
"What is it then?"
"I have made a promise with my father that I shall not use my real magic power this year."
"Er… what?"
"You heard me right! Only Illusion magic is allowed to me this year."
"But… I saw you use tons of magic. You even attacked me with them?"
"Fufufu, you fool. Those were Illusion Magic, of course."
Then I recalled just how realistic the illusionary Mira was.
"But wait… it hurt though when that illusion of yours hit me?"
"It works under certain conditions. It's a new discovery for me too. You learn something new every day, eh? Hahaha."
Things weren't really making sense now.
"Why can't you use your magic this year?"
Mira had a big smirk on her face as she crossed her arms, looking down at me.
"Because I was once practicing magic on the farm and caused a MASSIVE destruction. My power was so great that I lost control. I almost destroyed the entire village!"
Frightening.
"Yes. You should be frightened. Such is my power. What can I say?"
"But… couldn't you make an exception for the Contest? This is very important for you, isn't it?"
"Nope. I'm a woman of honor. I shall keep the promise I made to my father. Uh-uh. No question about it."
"Then how are we going to fight?! Sir Vicario just announced today that we need to fight TOGETHER using magic!"
Ah-, shit. This was why she was acting weird.
But looking at her now, it seems she had a plan?
"I'm going to prove myself the best Mage in the Academy by using Illusion magic alone. Your full compliance and confidentiality is required."
"You are making it so hard for ourselves!"
"You shall do as I say, Human. We can still win this."
"How?"
"You do what you normally do. But I'm going to turn you into an ABSOLUTE MONSTROSITY before everyone's eyes."
"Huh?"
"No time to waste! The Contest starts tomorrow! Get up, you lazy lamb!"
Mira headed to the door without any delay.
I was still confused and unsure about this revelation and the new restrictions we had to contend with. No matter how great her Illusion Magic was, surely we'd be at a disadvantage compared to those who can use attack magic?
I guess I'll find out.