Ren didn’t engage in prolonged eye contact with Sharti. Instead of awkwardness, he seemed uncomfortable.

Turning away from Sharti’s gaze, Ren looked at the wizard.

“How long will this magic last?”

“It will soon wear off. Face-altering magic consumes an enormous amount of magic power.”

Even though the explanation indicated that the magic would wear off shortly, Ren still glared at the wizard with a displeased expression.

“Oh, no, I was just covering my face so that you could be more comfortable…”

The wizard apologized with a troubled expression.

“It was necessary for demonstrating an example.”

The wizard who cast the magic on Sharti squatted down, taking the patient’s hand.

Closing his eyes, the wizard quietly began manipulating mana.

“The, the spots… are disappearing!”

The wizard extracted mana from the patient as if drawing it out.

Gradually, the fluorescent spots lost their glow, becoming blurry and then disappearing.

As the spots vanished, the patient’s breathing became more relaxed.

“Wow, it’s already full even though I only took half.”

The wizard who treated the patient showed excessive satisfaction, shaking his hands.

However, despite looking tired, he was overflowing with energy from receiving a substantial supply of mana.

“I’ve shown you a safe treatment just now. From now on, we will absorb the mana from everyone in the village into our bodies to treat them in this way.”

“You might find it challenging to trust a magic user you just met today. We understand your concerns, and we will do our best to answer those anxieties sincerely. Please trust us from now on.”

Unlike wizards who typically flaunt their knowledge but aren’t friendly, the presentation was more like flaunting the difference between ordinary people and wizards rather than explaining. However, for peaceful coexistence in the village, it was essential to create a friendly and trustworthy impression.

Unlike naive wizards affiliated with the Tower, the social skills of the seasoned mercenaries from the Crophel Mercenary Group’s magic users were well-developed.

“Please take care of us, Master Wizard!”

With detailed and visually understandable explanations added, the trust and liking towards the Crophel Mercenary Group naturally increased.

Sharti, who was ready to play a mediator role, swept her chest in relief.

‘Fortunately.’

Since they didn’t waste time with rejection and suspicion, she felt relieved.

Sharti swept her still awkward black hair.

‘What concerns me the most right now is…’

Sharti turned her gaze towards Ren.

Still, Ren didn’t give Sharti a single glance. His posture, with clenched fists and a turned head, seemed like a deliberate effort to avoid eye contact.

It couldn’t be attributed to his mood.

‘…This has never happened before.’

Even when she rambled incoherently, causing seizures and fits, Ren didn’t avoid her like this.

‘He didn’t avoid me even when he saw my real face.’

Instead, every time, Ren stared blankly without blinking.
So Ren’s attitude of not even making eye contact was not understandable for Sharti.

‘Perhaps it’s because of the magic, but it seems more beautiful than my original face.’

Sharti glanced at her confident face in the mirror again. Compared to her neglected natural face, the magically altered one looked aristocratic, sophisticated, and charming.

‘Is it strange…’

Finally removing the hood and being able to make eye contact, her excitement quickly faded.

Without knowing the reason, Sharti didn’t like being ignored by Ren.

“Let’s go outside for a moment.”

At that moment, Vireta approached and whispered to Sharti.

Since the mercenary wizards had started attending to the patients, there was nothing for Sharti to do now.

As Sharti followed Vireta out of the hut, Ren naturally followed behind.

“Stay far away, you damn mongrel.”

“…”

Vireta flicked her hand contemptuously.

Ren raised an eyebrow slightly but remained silent, stepping aside.

As Ren distanced himself to block people’s approach, Vireta smirked.

“That damn mongrel hasn’t changed a bit.”

Still sending disapproving glances, Vireta looked at Sharti.

“The village should be fine now. Negotiations with the village chief went well, so from now on, leave it to the mercenary group I brought and take a break.”

Sharti nodded. Her tasks were nearly finished now.

However, Sharti’s heart still felt heavy.

She had completely entrusted the responsibility and burden of the mess she had caused to Vireta.

Reading the note, Vireta burst into a hearty laugh.

“If you didn’t call me, then yes, I would have been angry.”

Vireta was also stunned when she first heard the news.

Contrary to what Sharti said, she wasn’t angry with her.

The pitiful child entangled in such troubles every time made her feel sorry for the suffering child.

“I heard it from the village chief. You persuaded him while talking about your story, right?”