I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 128
This is why the Baroness tightened her grip even more.
The issue was that Illein didnât want that at all.
In fact, as the person directly affected, she felt her affection for her mother fade with each confrontation.
Illein refused to succumb to the violence carried out in the name of parenthood.
Instead, she was focused solely on how to break free from the shackles of her current reality and escape.
The problem was that her parents were oblivious to this struggle.
Click!
As soon as Baroness Thierry completely left the room, Illein immediately cast a silence spell.
“Illenas.”
“Yes?”
Illein found herself unable to look Edwin in the eye. She lowered her head, trying to avoid his gaze.
She thought she had gotten used to her motherâs behavior, given that it wasnât the first time, but the embarrassment still overwhelmed her.
She felt ashamed not of her family’s poverty, but of how desperately she was clinging to her place in this situation.
It was humiliating to think she had told Edwin she wanted to be friends when she was in no position to say that.
“The snacks are quite delicious.”
“…What?”
“It seems your family has a surprisingly good palate.”
Before she knew it, Edwin had waved his wand to bring a tray over to the sofa. He popped a cheap cookie into his mouth.
“Edwin.”
“Did you say youâd teach me water magic?”
“Uh? Oh⌔
“Iâm not as quick to grasp things as you, so donât forget that it might be quite challenging.”
Illein felt a warmth in her eyes as Edwin treated her casually, as if he had forgotten the earlier events.
“Our family is a bit poor⌔
“⌔
“Iâm sorry. My mother isnât a bad person.”
Illein confessed, and Edwin reached out, tucking her hair behind her ear as he spoke.
“Iâm the bad one.”
“Pfft⌠Is this really the time for that?”
Seeing him being serious while also trying to lighten the mood made her feel much better.
“If you teach me properly, Iâll grant you one wish.”
Edwin said this in an effort to lift Illenasâs spirits.
“Do you think Iâd wish for something huge?”
“Then how about if I master it really well, I get to make my wish?”
“Come on, thatâs not fair. Youâre bound to do well anyway.”
“Then letâs say Iâll grant your wish instead.”
He smiled as he saw her expression gradually brighten.
“Am I going to be so awful at this that you might get mad?”
Illein smiled unconsciously at Edwin’s consideration. She found herself puzzled by the strange, tickling feeling in her chest.
She couldnât think about what Edwin might be up to that night.
“So, you want me to feel the water?”
“Yes.”
Illein spoke based on her experiences. She had found that thinking about the sensation and texture of water made it easier to create.
Of course, this wasnât just specific to water magic. The manifestation of magic didnât come with any special tricks.
Everyone understood the principles behind it well. However, because of that understanding, there was often a tendency to overlook the basics.
Illein believed that how well one followed those fundamentals when trying to manifest an unfamiliar type of magic could significantly affect the outcome.
With that thought in mind, Illein began to generate water around them.
She used a bit of wind magic to create a clump of water suspended in the air, making it easy for Edwin to touch.
“Go ahead and touch it.”
At Illein’s encouragement, Edwin brushed his fingertips against the water she had created. The sensation was cool and refreshing, spreading through his hand.
“It’s damp.”
“Remember that feeling.”
“Got it.”
“Now close your eyes and try to recall that sensation. Think about what water felt like.”
Edwin was strangely compliant with Illein’s instructions.
He wasnât usually this agreeable, but whenever she looked him in the eyes and asked him to do something, he found himself doing it without thinking.
He found the experience quite fascinating. It wasnât in his character to be so cooperative, yet in front of Illenas, he felt compelled to comply.
He had been surprised by his own actions more than once, noticing how he automatically followed her guidance. Oddly enough, he didnât mind it at all.
It was the same now. In reality, his intention to learn about water magic was a convenient excuse to lift the mood of the increasingly frustrated Illenas.
Deep down, he didnât have a strong desire to learn water magic. Yet, here he was, actively engaged in it.
This wasnât the original plan. Edwin had thought it would be better to teach Illenas defensive magic first and check if she could master it.
How did the situation change so drastically? Edwin still couldnât find a clear answer.
