Vol 2 Chapter 20 – The Guy Who Saw My “True Self” (Elmina’s POV)【Vol 2: The Blazing Labyrinth and the Lonely Witch】 

“Hah… hah… Did we… do it…?”

I’d burned through every last drop of mana and plopped down like a deflated balloon.

Right where the fire dragon salamander used to be, only a massive magic stone sat there, glowing all dull and unimpressive.

(I beat it… Me… that stupid fire dragon salamander…)

My face was stuck in “no way” mode, but a solid wave of “heck yeah” satisfaction spread through my exhausted body like warm fuzzies.

But honestly? What really hogged my brain space was total shock—and a bunch of weird stuff that didn’t add up.

(What the heck… is this…?)

I stared down at my hands like they were aliens.

Just moments ago, the magic blasting from these puppies was a wild, uncontrollable mess—a violent blob on autopilot.

That so-called “talent” of mine? More like a curse gnawing at my soul.

But that last Catastrophe Flare? Totally different vibe.

My mana moved like it was my own dang limbs.

Massive energy, no chant needed, zero pushback—just flowed exactly how I pictured, laser-focused into one killer spear that skewered the enemy.

Smoother than butter, and way more OP than before.

(And thinking back… there was another fishy thing)

Flashback to mid-fight scene popped in my head.

That moment the fire dragon salamander belched its scorching breath.

(Why’d that breath suddenly flip to an absolute zero blizzard…?)

Post-cast attribute swap? Total 180.

Even mythic-level archmages couldn’t pull that stunt—it’s straight-up impossible.

Didn’t feel like the guy cast any spell. Looked like he just parried it with his sword…

(…No way, was it that guy…? Nah, but…)

Endless question loop spinning in my skull.

The perfect magic I’d chased forever but never nabbed, plus this bonkers miracle right in front of me.

And smack in the middle? Always that guy.

“—You okay?”

Voice dropped from above like a surprise party.

I snapped my head up—bam, black-haired dude standing there.

Staring down at me with eyes calm as a lazy pond.

(…This jerk…)

Everything flipped the second he showed up.

My mana, the salamander’s breath.

No clue how. But gut feeling: All the miracles? His doing.

The breath mystery? Suddenly irrelevant.

Nah, I had way bigger fish to fry—stuff I needed to know more.

“…Whatever!”

Next thing I knew, I was yelling.

Face heated up like a furnace—embarrassing much?

Heart pounding like a drum solo gone wrong.

“I-It’s not like you saved me or anything! I was already super strong! Don’t get the wrong idea!”

Full-on bluff mode.

No way I’d spit out a straight “thanks.”

“The Lone Genius Witch” Elmina, rescued by some rando dude? As if.

But deep down… questions piled up like laundry.

(Why…? How come I…?)

Words stuck in my throat, swallowed hard.

Pride barricade blocking any real talk.

I bit my lip, and the guy sighed like I was a lost cause.

“Yeah, yeah, got it. You’re strong, amazing genius, blah blah. Can you stand?”

He stuck out his hand all casual-like.

Calloused like a proper sword guy’s, a bit dirt-smudged.

“…! Don’t touch me so casually!”

I swatted it away like a fly.

But oops—his fingertips brushed mine for a split sec.

Shockingly warm.

“…Jeez, stubborn much?”

He didn’t push, just plunked down next to me like we were old pals.

Blazing Labyrinth depths.

Magma river bubbling nearby, yet around him? Air felt… different. Chill, almost.

Awkward silence stretch.

Super cringe.

Gotta say something. But what? Brain.exe crashed.

While I wrestled that, tears snuck up like ninjas.

(…Why am I…?)

Frustrating.

My own lame weaknesses, total fail vibes—infuriating.

And this weird jumble of feelings for the guy? Total mind mess.

“…………Why?”

Word slipped out before I knew.

Holding back the waterworks, I grilled him.

“…Why’d you think I could control my magic?”

The big question burning a hole in me.

Way deeper than the attribute flip mystery—super important.

Talent rampage.

My unique struggle no one got.

My spells were too OP, so control fail was “normal.” I’d convinced myself of that crap.

Even started doubting my own self.

But this guy? Nah.

‘True strength is wrangling that massive mana like a pro!’

‘—Trust me!’

He believed in my potential more than I did.

How…?

How could he say that junk?

My question made his eyes go wide, surprised.

Then he got this distant look, muttering like an old sage.

Answer? Total curveball.

“…Nah, I’ve been there—folks not getting me either.”

“Huh…?”

His side profile looked kinda lonely.

Deep in those eyes, a shade of isolation—different from mine, but weirdly similar.

(…This guy… gets my magic’s “core” better than I do…? What the heck is he…?!)

Mind blown.

He didn’t nitpick tech stuff.

Not “output too high” or “control sloppy”—surface BS.

He saw through to the loneliness underneath, the pain no one understood.

‘Genius,’ so obviously you nail it.

‘Genius,’ so solo’s fine.

Everyone built walls around me, isolating me with that label.

This guy? Pierced it all with one casual line.

(Only this guy…)

The one who saw me objectively.

First to look past the talent filter—at plain old me.

Click—that realization, and something deep inside cracked like cheap ice.

Years of building that thick frozen wall? Shattered in a dumb instant.

“…Ngh, ugh…”

Dam broke—tears gushed.

Once started, floodgates open.

Wailing like a kid in tantrum mode.

Frustration, relief—all the bottled junk poured out as salty rivers.

“…Hey, you good?”

He panicked a bit, all awkward like he had no clue what to do, clumsily patting my back.

That dorky kindness? Just cranked my tear machine higher.

“Shut up…! This is your fault…!”

I snapped through sobs; he just chuckled, all troubled.

How long we sat like that? No idea.

Tears finally quit, and my heart felt oddly calm—like post-storm vibes.

Sniffle city, but I pondered.

(Who even is this guy…?)

Wanna know more.

About him.

This weirdo who got my loneliness.

Maybe the start of my new chapter.

That gut feeling simmered quietly in my chest.