The expression of Shukadi, a magician affiliated with the Croffle Mercenary Corps, turned a bit sour.

Having a constitution where magic doesn’t work is rare.

Generally, since mana accumulates in the body just by breathing, Ren’s constitution was particularly rare. The reason magic didn’t work was that his body seemed filled with energies other than mana, making it unable to accept any more different energies.

“In the end, it seems it’s better for me to leave when the owner is sleeping.”

Despite revealing the possibility of such a constitution to Ren, there was no sign of resistance from him. On the contrary, he seemed uncomfortable, showing a very disheartened appearance.

“Even though I wasn’t directly targeted with magic, is it reasonable that a gap in the protective spell occurred due to my constitution? Even Matopju’s magic is full of loopholes.”

Not only complaining but also grumbling, being irritable, sharp, and sarcastic.

Shukadi just kept his mouth shut and hurriedly avoided Ren’s gaze.

‘Magic is not all-powerful! Of course, it’s strange that Matopju made a mistake, but anyway, the magician is right in front of you. How impolite. Be respectful in front of Teacher Josunim!’

Ren did not hesitate to make complaints about the Croffle Mercenary Corps and Matopju.

He only kept quiet when Sharti intervened. Shukadi muttered complaints internally, wishing Sharti would also cover his eyes. Suddenly, he tilted his head in confusion.

‘Wait a minute, is he complaining because he can’t stay by Teacher’s side?’

Shukadi sighed briefly, looking dumbfounded.

Only then did Ren’s gaze become evident, focused only on Sharti. His disappointment and awkwardness were all centered around Sharti.

‘At first, I thought he was a bodyguard, but now he’s acting like there’s no separate slave.’

As if he were Sharti’s protector.

“I’ll be nearby. Do you think something bad will happen carefully? Even Matopju’s magic was pierced, so what’s the difference with mercenaries’ magic? Other than my owner’s safety, nothing else is important. Can I feel the blood-draining feeling of concern for my owner again?”

To outsiders, Ren seemed extremely eccentric.

Moreover, he spoke in a roundabout manner.

‘He’s saying we’re friends. I wonder?’

Really? Shukadi glanced at Ren and Sharti again with a bewildered expression.

Only then did it become apparent that Ren’s attention was focused solely on Sharti. His feelings of regret and embarrassment were all centered around Sharti.

‘At first, I thought they were friends, but it seems there’s no slave involved.’

Shukadi, with an expression of bewilderment, sighed briefly.

Even with his face covered with a hood, the emotions conveyed were there. And the currents flowing between the man and the woman were naturally felt.

Shukadi covered the raised corners of his mouth with his sleeve.

“Kukuku, you don’t have to do that.”

Shukadi gestured for Sharti to reach out to him. With a simple casting, he poked Sharti’s palm with his staff.

Whaaah . Emerald mana wrapped around Sharti’s body and disappeared.

“What did you do again?”

Naturally, Ren showed an explicit guard towards Shukadi. Despite Sharti’s attention, his tone remained the same.

Humph, Shukadi confidently raised his head, with a confident expression.
“I cast a protection spell on Teacher personally. Unauthorized individuals who try to touch will be repelled.”

“If I’m around, won’t the magic weaken again?”

Since learning about his constitution, Ren had become more overt in expressing his distrust of magic.

Shukadi pursed his lips.

“If it were the textbook magic of Matop’s affiliated magicians, it might be the case, but I used a bit of a workaround, so it doesn’t matter. I’ve set the protection spell to activate only for those except Teacher Josunim.”

“Excluding me?”

Ren, with a surprised expression, nodded.

“That’s fine.”

As anticipated but surprisingly rapid, it was a dramatic change in attitude.

“Thank you.”

Ren bowed his head without a hint of displeasure.

It meant that Sharti’s protective spell was worth bowing his head to express gratitude.

In a more dramatic shift than expected, Shukadi coughed slightly, pretending to clear his throat.

“I know a magic that can help Teacher Josunim, too.”

“Haven’t you told me that magic doesn’t work on me?”

“Not that I can do it, but I want to tell you.”

Ren raised an eyebrow.

It was a look that didn’t particularly show interest.

However, Shukadi was confident.

“Other than facial transformation magic, there’s a way to achieve a similar effect even without using permanent magic.”

“Are you talking about magical tools?”

“Yes! As expected, Teacher knows.”

Ren glanced at Sharti. He had probably searched for various methods to cover his face for the past five years, not just using a hood. However, due to the financial situation where even buying a magic tool was not affordable, magical tools were out of the question.

Unlike magic stones, magical tools required sophisticated and complex formulas, making them expensive.

“What’s the point of that?”