Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 905. Sera (5)

They looked like they were at their breaking point, and I was sure anyone watching this scene would feel like crying.

The fact that the brothers were pointing their swords at each other wasn’t a good look.

Thronus surprised me[1] the most. Thronus was extremely indecisive back then, so I couldn't help but smile at satisfaction upon realizing that he had already made up his mind.

‘Thronus has become very loyal after I cut him off once.’

I really liked his attitude. Cutting him off was truly effective. Ah, he actually went through that twice. I had to do it again, or he wouldn't have learned his lesson.

- I warned you not to move, Cheru. Don’t make me hurt you. I don’t want to do this either...

- Thro, Sera is...

- Father will decide everything. Whatever his decision is, we must follow him. I’ll talk to him as well about Sera’s position... but your behavior right now is basically betrayal toward Father. If you’re really going against him, then I will not forgive you. Can you even imagine how heartbroken Father will feel?

- Thro...

- Do you know how Father was feeling when he said that? You’re not the only one who’s in pain, Cheru.

'We should go stargazing someday. I’ll be sure to give you my love.'

- You haven’t forgotten how much Father struggled to get us to where we are today, right? Cheru, we were born thanks to his grace. Are you planning on betraying his hopes?

- But... I can’t abandon Sera. If Father... abandons Sera...

- Let’s talk to Father together with Domi. Domi, take Sera away.

- Ah... okay.

Dominion quietly grabbed Sera.

And that was when Cherubim turned around...

- You!

Thronus exclaimed in surprise, as Cherubim was no longer within Thronus’ attack range. I actually expected that to happen because Thronus wouldn’t actually hurt Cherubim. He kind of lacked combat power... and more importantly, Cherubim knew that his threats were just empty words.

Thronus rushed toward Dominions and lashed out with his leg. He took advantage of the few seconds when Dominions was hesitating, and his foot reached her abdomen.

Dominions was sent flying away, but she started running away with Seraphim.

- Ah!

- Damn it!

“You don’t need to go after them, Thro,” I told him.

- I’m... sorry.

“You don’t need to apologize. I’m really happy knowing that you didn’t betray my trust. I’ll give you a gift, my lovely child,” I said.

- T-Thank you, Father.

They were having mixed emotions. They felt guilty for pointing their swords at each other and disappointed for not following their father’s will. It was like Thronus felt kind of relieved that Seraphim was no longer in danger but was also confused by the strange sense of joy upon knowing that I would reward them despite what happened.

Thronus probably felt that it was a bit immoral, but he was smiling unknowingly.

- Um... Father, about Cheru and Sera...

“I’ll think about what to do with them, but...” I trailed off.

- May I speak freely?

“Go ahead, Domi,” I replied.

- I-I think Cheru is just confused. Mother always tells me every time I make a mistake that... children are bound to make mistakes. She said children learn and grow through mistakes, and they should keep making mistakes.

- I think it's the same for Sera. H-He's not as competent as us right now, but as time goes by, I’m sure you’ll start loving—

“So you’re trying to teach me a lesson,” I interrupted.

- I’m sorry, Father. That’s not what I was trying to do...

“No, I’m not blaming you. Humans learn through mistakes. Lee Ji-Hye and I learned a lot through our mistakes. That makes a lot of sense, so I’ll reconsider. As you said, I hope Cheru and Sera will learn many things from this incident,” I said.

- Thank you.

“Help Rafael upon your return,” I ordered.

- Okay...

We hadn't come here to quarrel as a family. It was funny, but we came here to deal with the Mole Saint or whatever was her name. I focused my attention on Cherubim and Seraphim. It was funny seeing them running away desperately despite knowing that I had the Telescope.

Their tear-stricken faces caught my attention.

I was sure they were nervous and scared by the fact that they had betrayed their parents’ wishes. I was sure they were thinking that they would probably never receive any love from now on, and it was a painful thought that was eating away at them.

If I were to exaggerate it a bit, they'd probably have a mental breakdown soon, as they had basically ruined their life.

- A-Are you okay... Cheru?

- Yeah... I’m fine, Sera.

- Heuk... Kgh...

- Don’t cry. I’m here, and I have you.

- Father... Heck... Mom... Heck...

- Don’t cry, Sera... Don’t... Kgh...

- Mom... Mooom...!

Seraphim, who was crying in Cherubim’s arms, clenched his fists.

While I was tapping my thigh quietly, I heard Han Sora’s voice next to me.

“Sub Guild Master.”

“...”

“Sir?”

“Yes, Miss Sora,” I answered.

“Y-You’re not... seriously thinking about getting rid of Sera, are you? You’re just... trying to scare him, right?” Han Sora asked.

“...”

“You’re just giving him a warning... right?” Han Sora asked.

“...”

“Please...” she begged.

“I’m not sure,” I answered.

“Please don’t do it. Please... Heuk...” Han Sora cried.

'She’s making it seem like I’m the only bad guy here. Actually, she's right, but... it doesn't feel good.'

“I’m not going to kill him,” I told her.

“It sounds the same to me,” Han Sora argued.

“You’re the Angel of Magic, Miss Sora. You should know this by now... and I haven’t made a decision yet. Actually, it’s more like I’m trying not to make a decision. I’m going to let Ha-Yan decide,” I said.

“...”

‘Honestly, I feel kind of uncomfortable making the decision.’

To be honest, I was fine with discarding him. We had a bad relationship, after all, and even though we lacked manpower, it wasn’t so bad that we had to rely on Seraphim.

It was true that it was disappointing... but discarding him was probably the better move, as he didn't really matter. I was more worried about Ha-Yan than Seraphim. If I were to truly get rid of Seraphim...

‘I don’t think Ha-Yan will like it.’

Han Sora wouldn't like it, and it was highly likely that Jung Ha-Yan wouldn't like it as well. Since she had already decided to make Seraphim one of her people, she wouldn’t be able to push him away so easily. Jung Ha-Yan's relationships were generally like that. Entering her world was difficult, but exiting her world was even more difficult.

“Then, what you did just now...” Han Sora questioned.

“Well... apart from what just happened, he still needs to be punished. This isn’t enough, and I am not satisfied yet. However, I’m worried about Ha-Yan. I can’t stop thinking about her smile...” I answered.

“S-So you do care about her,” Han Sora commented.

“What do you take me for?” I questioned.

“I-It’s nothing, sir. Forget it. Also, from now on—”

“Regarding the kids who ran away from home, leave them alone for now. They need to realize that they’ll only end up suffering by running away from home. I plan on asking Ha-Yan indirectly,” I interrupted her.

“What?”

“You said you think he’s receiving her love because he’s competent. I need to fix that mindset of hers. If I do that, don’t you think she’ll get an answer? Honestly, I think it’s too late,” I replied.

“How are you going to do that?” Han Sora asked.

“Talking to her sincerely is probably the best way to go about it,” I responded.

“I’m sure she’ll like that as well,” Han Sora commented.

“If she can't understand it, then I’m going to try taking it away from her,” I told her.

“T-Take what?” she asked.

“Her magic,” I replied.

Han Sora looked at me as if I were crazy, and it was a reasonable reaction. Taking magic away from the God of Magic was basically absurd. Of course, I knew it was impossible.

‘Yeah, it’s actually impossible.’

It would be impossible if I were to use the system, but it was a different story using my own abilities. I just had to concoct a position that would restrict her mana for a short period of time.

It was going to be difficult, but it was possible if I used Jung Ha-Yan's blood as the catalyst for that potion.

After all, her blood was the essence of all magic itself.

I could easily obtain her blood, and I knew how to concoct that kind of potion, so it wouldn't be that difficult for me to make one that was powerful enough to restrict Jung Ha-Yan. Of course, I needed the right ingredients.

The problem was its effectiveness.

Even if I used every single legendary catalyst out there, I wasn’t sure whether the potion's effectiveness would last even a day.

It was kind of a strange method, but it was achievable with enough sincerity to my beloved. Moreover, Jung Ha-Yan was really quick-witted when it came to matters affecting her. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anyone I could consult with—wait, there was actually someone I could talk about it with.

'Perhaps I should ask him.'

[Excuse me, Commander.]

[Go away, Lee Ki-Young.]

[Do you have a family?]

[Go away.]

[Do you have someone you love?]

[Go away.]

[What do you think love is?]

[Crazy bastard.]

[Do you have children back on Earth?]

[Go away.]

I really had to take care of him once I had the opportunity to do so.

“Anyway, that was my plan,” I said.

“...”

“I’m saying this just in case, but don’t send Seraphim any support. I’m kind of narrow-minded, so I want to see him suffer. The same goes for Cherubim... Actually, let's not do that to him,” I said.

“You’re... compromising?” Han Sora asked, sounding dumbfounded.

“I compromise from time to time when it comes to the people I care about,” I told her.

Especially if it was Ha-Yan...

I could still see her crying through the Telescope.

[Sorry to ask this all of a sudden, but can you give me your blood?]

[Go away, Lee Ki-Young.]

[Wrong send.]

'This bastard. Did he make a macro to reply to me automatically?'

I sent a similar message to Jung Ha-Yan again.

Jung Ha-Yan’s face brightened up instantly, and she instantly sprang up from her bed.

I had no idea that she'd like that.

[Why? Why do you need it?]

[I suddenly want to store your blood.]

She giggled and wiped away her tears with one hand. The sight told me that she liked my request. She was crying her heart out not too long ago, but now, she was smiling, so she had to be feeling better now.

'I'm glad that she likes it...'

Jung Ha-Yan's face was flushed as she nodded continuously, and I was convinced that I had made the right choice. I decided not to watch what was about to happen, but I received blood packaged in a very pretty bottle.

After breakfast the next day, or more specifically, eleven hours later, Jung Ha-Yan lost her magic.

I went all out. I used Mythic-rank catalysts, Belial's Curse, and Jung Ha-Yan's blood as ingredients for the potion. The Alchemist of Light job effect was even activated, but the potion I concocted would only last three days.

Fortunately, Jung Ha-Yan immediately started hiding the fact that she had lost her magic.

1. Lee Ki-Young’s POV ☜