Crown of Thorns

31-32

CHAPTER 31

"It wouldn't be a bad idea to go out today."

"Huh?"

I continued to cast my eyes at the disheveled Evan. After the meal, Evan went to sit by the window, trying to feel the light, without me having to say anything. Thanks to the sunlight surrounding Evan, he looked even more white, almost transparent. I stared at his white hair and red eyes and soon turned to the window. Despite the changing future enticed by my different decisions, Evan's ability was almost at a standstill.

I was getting impatient because there wasn't much time left, even though I knew I couldn't help it. I was afraid that I would see the young man who was covered with wounds again, and that I would continue to live a life that would never end alone.

It was better to hurry a little. To seize the opportunity that comes. To send him there, as soon as I see a fence that is not the tower of the witch.

I had to focus on developing his abilities. So I decided to go outside first. In the first place, the idea of educating with limited light was wrong. It was foolish to teach Evan, blessed by the sun, without showing him to the sun.

I hardened my resolve and grabbed Evan's arm. Evan looked at me with a curious look on his face, but he did not refuse. A black mist covered the both of us and was soon dissipated with clear winds. And instead of the desolate tower, bright sunlight and thick grasses welcomed us.

"Oh? What is this? Have we gone outside? This fast? Just like that?"

Evan looked around in a flash, spouting questions. It was his first time teleporting, so he was trying to check out if the ground under his feet was solid, his gaze full of admiration and excitement. Soon after, he closed his eyes and felt the sun touching him. That relaxed, joyful look lightened my mind, too.

The breaking rays of sunshine were shining brighter around Evan. There was such a quick way for me to come out, but I couldn't understand what I was so afraid of that I wouldn't come out.

I looked at Evan leaning against the tower, avoiding the long grass. Evan was standing still to accept the light; perhaps it was because of the sun that he hadn't seen in a long time. It would be better to let him enjoy his leisure for a while rather than give him a headache with lessons.

Evan seemed to be leaving himself to light and wind, but in fact, he was trying to control the light that had stayed around, just as I had taught him. The amount was so vast that I thought he might definitely improve his skills by himself.

But Evan, who had been doing that for a while, suddenly ran to the tower, cleared up the thorns, and began pushing the stones away. I was about to ask him a question because I didn't understand why he was going in.

"I came out after a long time, so I'm going to clean this off. Stay here. I'll be right back. You can't go anywhere! Okay?"

Evan continued to emphasize, hiding the jar he pulled out behind his back, perhaps he was ashamed to show it to me. I thought it was something for me to say, but I just nodded quietly.

Evan entered the forest, though I eventually sent a shadow to chase after him. But when Evan arrived at the stream, instead of washing the jar, he put it down nearby and went into the water. Come to think of it, Evan had not even been able to wash properly. When I realized why he went there, I quickly removed the shadow.

Gazing at the swarms of floating clouds, for the first time in a long while, I also enjoyed a relaxing time.

Evan returned as I was drinking in the sight of the world, unaware of time. His white hair clung tightly to his cheeks and neck, and his clothes were soaked, so I could hear a rustling sound whenever he took a step. Why was he in so much of a hurry that he didn't even let his clothes dry?