Tia’s Smooth Life After Regression - Chapter 52

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Tiya’s Smooth Regression Life

 

Chapter 52

 

Her brother seemed unable to recognize her. It was probably because his body had been taken over by a spirit.

 

Unable to approach due to Noir circling around her, Tiya shouted with all her might.

 

“Brother! I’m here!”

 

No matter how many times she called out, Tiya wasn’t reflected in Rodion’s eyes.

 

They were just like an empty mirror, only reflecting shapes.

 

“I-I’m scared of snakes… Can’t you help me?”

 

Even though she knew it was because of the spirit’s rampage.

 

“Brother…”

 

Was it the fear of having a giant snake so close?

 

The sorrow she had been holding back all this time surged up.

 

“Don’t ignore me!”

 

The moment Rodion’s fingertips trembled at Tiya’s shout, the light of the stellar magic above Tiya’s head dimmed instantly.

 

【Don’t get emotional. Your mana is wavering.】

 

Winter tried to calm Tiya from the side, but it was useless.

 

“If you hate me, just say you hate me! I hate you too, brother!”

 

【Don’t lose your concentration!】

 

Winter shouted, but it didn’t reach Tiya’s ears.

 

Finally, the feelings she had been suppressing burst out.

 

The starlight above her head began to flicker dangerously.

 

“You didn’t even send letters. You promised you’d come get me!”

 

As Tiya fumed and shouted, light began to return to Rodion’s unfocused eyes.

 

And finally, the moment the stellar light faded.

 

The giant snake that had been circling around Tiya opened its jaws.

 

Tiya froze stiff like a frog before a snake, unable to move.

 

【Tiya!】

 

I’m going to be eaten!

 

She instinctively cowered.

 

But even after a long time, nothing happened.

 

In the blink of an eye, moonlight seeped in, dispelling the darkness that had filled Tiya’s vision, and the shapes in the room gradually became visible.

 

The ritual implements from the night of trials and Tiya’s toys scattered carelessly about.

 

Even Valentina and Lev lying there peacefully as if asleep.

 

Tiya quickly checked on them.

 

“Thank goodness.”

 

As Winter had said, they seemed to be just sleeping.

 

Now Tiya steeled herself and approached Rodion, who was crouched with his shoulders shaking.

 

“Brother, have you come to your senses?”

 

When she hesitantly took a couple of steps forward, Tiya smelled blood.

 

Looking closely, Rodion was gritting his teeth and gripping his left hand.

 

Blood mixed with the black ink flowing from the fountain pen that had roughly pierced his hand.

 

It was none other than Rodion himself who had stabbed his hand with the fountain pen.

 

“Brother, blood! Your hand is bleeding!”

 

Just as Tiya quickly approached to examine the wound.

 

【Don’t get close.】

 

“Don’t come near!”

 

Winter and Rodion spoke simultaneously.

 

Rather than Rodion’s rejection, it was the tension in Winter’s voice that stopped Tiya in her tracks.

 

Winter’s fingertip pointed to Rodion’s shadow.

 

【Rodion still can’t properly control his spirit. If you approach now, you’ll be attacked again.】

 

Just as he said, the border of Rodion’s shadow was bulging unevenly and distorting messily. Like something explosive being forcibly contained.

 

Right then, the shadow split like taut cloth being torn by a blade.

 

The moment she met the flashing crimson eyes through the gap, goosebumps rose.

 

Tiya instinctively recognized the identity of what lurked in Rodion’s shadow.

 

‘Snake eyes…’

 

Long ago, the white snake that was small and thin enough to barely wrap around Rodion’s wrist.

 

“This is my spirit, Noir.”

 

“Even though he’s this small and cute, he’s actually very scary. If Noir bites you, you’ll have nightmares.”

 

Brother’s shadow spirit, Noir.

 

Unlike the past, the spirit that had grown large enough to coil around its master’s body was glaring at Tiya with predator’s eyes.

 

As Winter said, with killing intent, as if wary of an enemy.

 

Suddenly she remembered what Winter had taught her during a previous magic lesson.

 

‘Magic is power given by the Star Deities, so it’s a power that doesn’t belong to this world.’

 

In contrast, spirits are this world itself. Therefore, they try to distance themselves from power that goes against nature’s laws.

 

That’s why a body imbued with magic cannot become a spirit’s nest.

 

But really, do they only distance themselves?

 

Seeing Noir’s eyes flashing with killing intent, an untimely curiosity arose.

 

Like people, spirits’ personalities are also vastly different.

 

Then, wouldn’t there be spirits that are not just incompatible, but hostile to the Star Deities’ power?

 

Tiya asked Rodion, who was barely suppressing Noir.

 

“It’s not brother… but Noir who hates me?”

 

Tiya clenched both fists and desperately hoped.

 

She wished that was the case.

 

At her earnest question, Rodion, who had barely composed himself, shook his head.

 

“It’s not like that, Tiya. Neither I nor Noir could ever hate you.”

 

Though his face was pale with cold sweat, he tried to smile to reassure his sister somehow.

 

“It’s just that I’m lacking. I promise. When I get better at handling Noir, I’ll definitely explain everything then. So… stay away from me. Okay?”

 

A lie.

 

Tiya couldn’t believe Rodion’s words.

 

“When will that ‘then’ that brother speaks of come?”

 

She had believed Rodion’s words that he would come get her with unwavering faith. Tiya learned to count numbers waiting only for that day.

 

Day one that brother didn’t come.

 

Day two that brother didn’t come.

 

Day one hundred that brother didn’t come. Day two hundred thirty. Day three hundred sixty…

 

But no matter how many numbers she counted, there was no word from brother.

 

“I’m not scared of nightmares or anything. It’s okay if brother’s spirit hates me. Nightmares are just over when you wake up!”

 

Tiya wanted to believe that Rodion didn’t hate her, but was trying to protect her.

 

But to Rodion, not only his sister’s wish, but even those words filled with suppressed sincerity didn’t seem to reach him.

 

“No. I don’t want to frighten you again, Tiya.”

 

With those words, Rodion turned his back on Tiya.

 

Tonight was a total lunar eclipse when shadow spirits’ power grows stronger.

 

He had reached his limit. As he hurriedly stepped away to distance himself from Tiya.

 

“Brother doesn’t know anything…”

 

Even Tiya’s gloomily sunken voice couldn’t hold back Rodion’s steps. He stepped toward the door while suppressing Noir.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“What I’m really afraid of… is brother’s back!”

 

Thud thud thud!

 

The moment Rodion reflexively turned his body at the commotion behind him, Tiya came flying at him. The strength with which she wrapped around him with both arms and legs was as desperate as it was tenacious.

 

“Tiya, let go!”

 

“No! I’ll never let go!”

 

When he grabbed her arms to pry her off, his sister’s small hands trembled violently.

 

In the moment he hesitated, worried that applying more force might break her slender bones.

 

Snap.

 

A sensation like something breaking deep inside his body sent chills down his spine.

 

Before he knew it, his shadow had expanded enough to cover the entire room.

 

Rodion slowly raised his head and looked straight ahead.

 

Creak—

 

Noir, having devoured the red moon’s shadow and grown massive, looked down at Tiya.

 

Dense darkness writhed within its gaping mouth.

 

“Damn it.”

 

Rodion cursed under his breath as he pulled Tiya tightly into his arms.

 

And whispered in her ear.

 

“Tiya, find the door. That’s the exit.”

 

With those final words, the spirit blinded by rage devoured not only its intended prey but its own master as well.

 

* * *

 

When she opened her eyes again, Astiya found herself facing several pairs of eyes watching her.

 

The girl looked around with a bewildered expression.

 

Father’s study.

 

Adults looking down at her as if she were a troublemaker.

 

Even the intimidating atmosphere like they were interrogating a criminal.

 

‘What was I doing?’

 

She definitely felt like she had encountered something terrifyingly frightening.

 

“Astiya Vladijef.”

 

Just then, a voice cold as frost called out to Astiya. Her mind snapped to attention as if she’d been doused with cold water.

 

Only then did the girl remember why she was standing here.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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