LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 69
White hair.
Red eyes.
Skin as white as if dusted with white powder.
A typical appearance of an albino.
But the reason Jinseong feels familiarity from the ‘rabbit’ isn’t just because of her classic albino look; it’s because she resembles someone he knows very well. She truly looks strikingly similar.
‘Anastasia Alexandrovna Vesna.’
She bore an uncanny resemblance to his former comrade, who was nicknamed ‘Danbi.’
Jinseong felt a surge of nostalgia for the childhood likeness of his old comrade.
‘She definitely looks much younger than during our mercenary days, but her appearance is an exact match.’
Excluding the fact that she looks significantly younger and has a noticeably smaller chest, it could be said that her appearance is a direct transfer of his old comrade.
Looking at his long-time companion, Jinseong felt as though he had returned to his mercenary days.
‘It’s not strange that she’s in Russia since she was definitely Russian. But time is truly bizarre; even after returning in time, I get to meet someone like this.’
He stepped forward with a sense of warmth, smiled, and extended his hand for a handshake.
“Hello. I’ve heard so much about you. My younger sister has been bragging that you’re her good friend. Indeed, you’re as beautiful as I’ve heard.”
His usual wise-beyond-his-years speech transformed into a gentle and polite manner.
Iserin and Iarin were taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor and stared at Jinseong, but he ignored his sisters’ gazes and continued to smile at her.
“Yes? Yes. Hello…”
She looked flustered, alternating her gaze between Jinseong’s face and his hand, then hesitantly reached out to accept his handshake.
Jinseong grinned, feeling the softness of her warm, uncalloused hand.
“Oh, I don’t know if you’ve heard my story. Let me introduce myself formally. I am Park Jinseong, the brother of Iarin and Iserin over there.”
“Yes? Y-yes… Um. I’ve heard a lot about you from Frau Li. She mentioned that there’s a shaman brother… Ah, no. That’s not right. Um.”
In her flustered state, she fumbled through her thoughts and finally introduced herself.
“I’m Ella B. Winter.”
Ella B. Winter?
Jinseong felt a sense of confusion at her name being so different from his memory.
“Your name is lovely.”
“Oh, yes… Thank you. Oh right, it’s cold, so please come inside. We’ve turned on the stove for our guest.”
Additionally, her manner of speaking was different.
Ella’s speech was refined, resembling that of the elite or aristocracy. It seemed she had been well-educated in etiquette, as her every gesture exuded grace.
However, his comrade, Anastasia, had been nothing less than a wild animal when it came to everyday manners, let alone table etiquette. She would pour water into combat rations and eat them straight with no thought for utensils; she would roll bread into a ball and munch on it like a rice ball, and sometimes she’d shove beverages and snacks into her canteen and drink a mixed juice of sorts.
Moreover, there were no food restrictions for her.
It was a given that she would eat insects or repulsive creatures without hesitation, and she had shown beast-like traits, such as cutting open a wild animal to eat its raw entrails when thirsty.
Yet, Ella exhibited not a single hint of such behavior.
“First, please try this. I prepared a beverage since you came from warm Japan; it’s Gluhwein. It’ll warm you up when you drink it.”
“Hey, rabbit! What’s the alcohol content in this?”
“Most of the alcohol evaporates during the making process.”
Jinseong accepted the glass Ella offered and scrutinized her.
‘She’s been educated. Not by an ordinary person, but clearly from someone in the privileged class.’
Moreover, as he surveyed the surroundings of the house, he noticed numerous items that witches would typically use.
On the stove was a large iron cauldron common for witches to brew potions, and various herbs were basking in sunlight on the windowsill. Additionally, a pleasant scent wafted from a cupboard, filled with what seemed to be Western incense used for rituals.
Among the ashes of the stove, remnants of a burnt dried frog were visible, and within a slightly open workshop, there were heaps of parchment piled up.
It was undoubtedly a typical witch’s dwelling.
‘Moreover, there’s a distinct witch-like scent coming from this woman.’
There’s a saying.
Wizards smell of cramped rooms, warriors smell of sweat, and witches smell of herbs.
Ella’s body exuded the distinct aroma of a witch.
Unlike older witches, who typically reek of perfume, she carried a strong herbal scent.
Additionally, Jinseong could sense the energy circulating in Ella’s dermis, meant for utilizing witchcraft.
‘Anastasia was close to being a wizard. But that woman must be a pure witch.’
Jinseong considered that Ella was not the Anastasia he knew.
While he observed Ella, who was awkwardly embarrassed beside Iarin, exclaiming how delicious the drink was, he finally spoke up.
“Frau Winter? Did you come to study abroad in Russia?”
“Yes. Just like Frau Li. I was attending the Berlin Specialization High School for Ability Users, and I applied when they announced an international exchange program.”
“You mean the Berlin Specialization High School for Ability Users… That’s the school famous for witches and warriors. I’ve heard that renowned witches active in Europe are all from that school, and in terms of swordsmanship, they contest for the top spot with China.”
“Oh my, you’ve heard of it?”
“Of course. While I have an interest only in shamanistic practices, I can’t help but hear about a place so famous. Moreover, witches often engage with shamans for materials, so naturally, it would come to my ears.”
As they conversed, Jinseong noticed Ella naturally leaning towards him. He also leaned slightly in her direction, brushing aside his bangs as he met her gaze.
“Studying abroad is truly a wonderful opportunity. Expanding one’s horizons and experiencing different cultures. Plus, each country’s Specialization High School has its own specialties, so there’s so much to learn. But you must’ve come alone, and at times, it must feel quite lonely.”
“Y-yes? Lonely?”
Jinseong blinked at her in a synchronized manner, maintaining eye contact, and he subtly leaned forward just enough for her not to notice as he continued speaking.
“Whenever you go to an unfamiliar place, it usually requires some resolve. You must miss your family and friends that you left behind. Especially when you’re busy, it’s hard to think of them, but once you start to adapt and get some leisure time, it’s often that it’s the first thing that comes to mind, right? I remember when I traveled to Japan; I was so caught up in my schedule that I wasn’t thinking at first, but once I settled into a routine, I began to miss Iarin and Iserin.”
“Yes, that makes sense…”
Iarin, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, chimed in.
“Wow, big bro is like a ghost! Rabbit was saying she’s lonely too… Uh!”
As Iarin interjected, Ella seemed startled and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. But perhaps it was a subconscious action, right after covering her mouth, she turned wide-eyed with surprise and removed her hand, while Iarin giggled at Ella.
“Hahaha. You don’t need to be embarrassed. It’s a feeling everyone experiences. Just like I missed my younger sister, Frau Winter’s sister must also feel lonely.”
“Yes? Sister? I’m an only child…”
“Oh, it seems I misused a word due to my poor German. I must have meant classmate when I accidentally used that term.”
Jinseong made that remark and continued the conversation with Ella.
They shared light topics about how good it is to have a pet when feeling lonely, a story about raising goats, and how Iarin frequently barges in to prevent boredom.
With Iarin sharing little anecdotes and Iserin chiming in to add spice to the conversations, Ella naturally began to feel a closeness with Jinseong.
The evidence of this was how much softer her demeanor became compared to earlier.
Time passed with their chatter.
“Oh dear. I almost forgot as I was so engaged in our discussion. I came to see the goats and guinea pigs, but I nearly forgot to head back.”
“Oh, right! Rabbit, can you show us the goats and guinea pigs?”
Now realizing their earlier oversight, Jinseong spoke, and Iarin pressed very closely beside Ella as she asked excitedly.
Ella rose from her seat, politely offering to lead them to see the animals.
As they entered the small barn, which was wonderfully heated, they spotted a large goat and two baby goats.