章 14: Flowers
When the light penetrated into the split that appeared on the ground, Carla and Bella saw a black flower, shaped like a rose, and when they stared at the flower with narrowed eyes, they could faintly see the light flashing from the flower.
"How can there be a flower underground?" Bella asked.
"This park contains more spiritual energy and it is being absorbed by the trees here. Unfortunately, because they don't have any magical methods, the energy they absorb escapes from their roots, gathering underground. Time after time, the ground eventually grew spiritual plants." Arthur deliberately answered to give knowledge about magic to Carla who was studying magic.
The young woman couldn't help but ask after hearing his words. "Then, what are the benefits of this flower?"
"Can be used to make potions, of course. Consuming it right away is fine too but the benefits aren't as good as after concoction." Arthur moved his finger slightly and then, the wind gathered around the flower before carrying it towards him.
He grabbed the flower stalk, brought it to his nose and sniffed its fragrance.
"It's called the Flower of Sorrow, created because the spiritual energy here is contaminated by the bad auras generated by life in the city," he added. After that, he pointed the flower at Carla and said, "hold it!"
Carla followed his words, carefully reaching for the flower. She closed her eyes as she held it, seemingly feeling something coursing through her body.
"This makes me feel easier," she said, opening her eyes again. Bella couldn't help being curious so she moved to Carla's side.
"Arthur, can I hold it too?" She asked Arthur before doing anything.
Arthur nodded, allowing her if she wanted.
Bella immediately stretched out her hand to the black flower. Like Carla, she looked like she felt something coursing through her body, but because she hadn't learned spells yet, she didn't know what Carla's words meant.
"There should still be some, let's go around," said Arthur.
The flower was still in Carla's hand as they walked. The young woman became even more curious, turning the flower around to look at it from all sides.
"I don't feel like it contains anything bad, so what happens to the bad aura that's contaminating it?" She asked.
"It's not something bad anymore because it's already something different. You know, some animals eat poop, and humans who eat their flesh are fine as long as it's not overdone," Arthur replied.
His steps stopped after he said that. This time, in front of him was a mound covered in grass.
There was only one hole in the mound, but much bigger.
Arthur approached the hole, crouched in front of it then reached his hand into it. Carla and Bella were still unknowingly frightened by his actions because they felt that there was a bigger snake in the hole.
However, when Arthur withdrew his hand again, they found him holding another black flower.
"Aren't there snakes in there?" Bella couldn't help but ask.
"I'm sure you don't want to see it," Arthur answered, standing up. He placed the flower in Bella's hand and took another step.
After about 30 minutes of walking around the park, they found five flowers.
Since there was nothing there, Arthur left.
"Where next?" Bella again. The trip in the park made her feel like the world was a very different place, so she still wanted to go on a trip with Arthur.
"Now it's time to go home," Arthur answered.
Bella obviously didn't want to separate now, she held Carla's hand and said, "Carla, didn't we have a lot of homework today? — let's do it together, I'll be staying at your house."
Carla knew Bella's intentions, but she couldn't resist her bestie's wishes, so she nodded.
In the end, this wasn't his first time staying over at their house, so Arthur didn't feel uncomfortable.
"By the way, about the tigers earlier, are you still having doubts now?" he asked.
Bella immediately remembered their chat in the school cafeteria, she laughed softly and replied, "to be honest, I can't buy three tigers, my savings is only enough to buy one."
She smiled wryly. Even though she was from a rich family, of course there was a money limit in her hands. However, being able to buy one wild tiger, that means she has at least 500 thousand to 1 million Euros in her hands.
As Arthur looked disappointed by her words she continued "if it was my older sister it wouldn't be a problem. She really likes big cats so she definitely wouldn't hesitate buying you one if you can help her tame them."
"Your sister?" Arthur remembered a woman who had several times picked up Bella from school or from his house.
She is probably around 26 or 27 years old, a businesswoman, who is said to break new ground frequently.
Before going to the magic world, he admired her quite a bit.
"Now then, to make her believe, I have to tell her about your magic, is that alright?" she asked.
Hearing that, Arthur couldn't help but think. He wanted at least two tigers. Right now, he didn't have the money to buy them himself, but that didn't mean he couldn't buy them the next few days. The reason he asked Bella was because she was the one who spoke about it first. However, if it involved other people, he needed some consideration.
"Bella, I don't think that's a very good suggestion," Carla said.
Bella smiled wryly as if she agreed with her words. "It's difficult, unless it's my birthday, it's difficult to earn 1 or 2 million Euros."
Carla rolled her eyes at that. "I've never even held more than a thousand Euros," she said.
Bella laughed again, stuck out her tongue a little, then looked at Arthur. "So what do you think?"
"I wonder, is your sister the type who would accept if she were arranged by me?" he asked.
After a moment of thought, Arthur had some interest as he felt that maybe he could start a business partnership with Bella's sister.
That is the long term plan. As someone focused on magic, he naturally couldn't take care of things on his own.
As for Bella, she replied, "so far I've never seen my older sister less dominant than any man."
She looked proud and continued, "So, it depends on your own ability."
"I can subdue any woman, but sometimes, there are women who don't accept that, I'm just worried that your sister is that type," Arthur replied.
"Humph, so arrogant, I'm sure it's not that easy even if you show magic to her every day," Bella said.
"It's not just about magic, but a certain enchantment!" Arthur faced Bella, took her hand before grabbing her waist.
He made her waist arch forward so that her neck dropped slightly and then, he brought his face closer to hers.
"You?" Her mouth was open while her eyes were shaking. From under her ears to her neck she was very red.
"Look," Arthur said before letting go of his waist.
He only did that for a moment but it was enough to make her mind go blank.
Carla, on the other hand, pointed at Arthur with a shaking hand. "W-what are you doing?" She asked.
"Just showing her a bit of my merits," Arthur replied casually and looked her straight in the eye.
After that action, there might be a different impression of Arthur in her eyes. His gaze made her take a step back and her face blushed slightly.
Arthur didn't say anything else, he continued on his way.
The two women needed some time to calm down, so they were about fifteen paces behind when they started walking.
They looked at each other again. Bella said, "turns out he has that side too."
Carla had a desire to defend Arthur, she replied "I believe he is just showing his merits, as he said."
"I don't believe it, but it's not bad, men with a bit of a naughty side are more attractive, I'm sure you agree."
Carla, "..."
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