“Instructor! It’s been a while!”
“Indeed. How’s everyone doing?”
It was the day to head to the Longbeak Mountain resort. Just like when we went to Emerald Beach in summer, everyone gathered at the Academy, and while I was counting heads, I tilted my head in confusion.
“Huh? Sowol, Lena, and Arisha are not coming?”
“Seems like all three are busy.”
Ripa told me that as if she’d received a message from them. It’s not mandatory to attend, but still, how could they all skip out? What were they busy with?
“Instructor! Let’s go! Hurry!”
Ludwig, just wanting to have fun, shouted urgently. It seemed he was that excited. I thought about waiting a bit longer but shrugged my shoulders.
Everyone’s excited; I can’t just not go because those kids aren’t here.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Leading the excited kids, we passed through the Dimension Magic Circle.
The place we arrived at was a snowy field.
Once we got there and saw nothing but snow, the kids started running without even saying who would go first.
“Woohoo!!”
“Let’s ski first!!”
Must be fun.
While watching the kids excitedly run around like puppies meeting snow, I called Ludwig over.
Hadn’t we just arrived, but one of them was already covered in snow from a snowball fight, and he approached me with a puzzled look.
“Take the kids and head to the lodge first. Check in and let them play.”
“Huh? I don’t mind that, but why are you asking me? Are you planning to go somewhere?”
“Uh, I want to check on the ones who didn’t come.”
“Hmm. Got it.”
“What’s with that reaction?”
“Well… I just think the Saint and the Colorless Astral Guard are probably too busy. I wonder if I can even meet them.”
“Do you know anything?”
“Not in detail, but I did overhear His Majesty talking a bit. It seems those two are researching the Magic Empire’s technology.”
“The Magic Empire’s technology? What kind?”
“Up to that point, I don’t know either.”
Could it be research on Dimension Magic? If that’s the case, there’s nothing to be done…
But I can’t help feeling sad that the kids who used to visit me all the time aren’t here.
It wouldn’t be bad to check on them for support.
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Ripa.”
“Just trust in me! You guys!! Let’s go to the lodge!!”
Shouting loudly at the jumping kids, Ludwig led them toward the resort.
Even on their way, they looked like they were having fun.
So, shall I go check it out too?
The first place I arrived at through the Dimension Magic Circle was a church.
Since they recognized my face, the Paladins at the church didn’t stop me.
“I’m here to see the Saint.”
“The Saint is quite busy right now…”
“Could you ask if she can spare a moment?”
“Uh, I’ll ask her.”
The Paladin went inside, and shortly after, a visibly tired Sowol came out.
She smiled brightly upon seeing me, but the dark circles under her eyes suggested she hadn’t slept well in days.
“Master!”
Sowol quickly rushed toward me.
It’s been a while since I last saw her, but she’s still such a beauty.
I patted Sowol’s head, and despite her being exhausted, she accepted my gesture with a bright smile.
“Are you taking proper breaks?”
“Yes, I sleep for two hours a day.”
“…Is that really okay?”
No matter how strong Sowol is, that little sleep can’t be good for her health.
I led Sowol to the café in the church.
I ordered a strong coffee and a sweet drink, placing them on the table in front of the still-sleepy Sowol.
“Drink up. Eating something sweet will help you regain your strength.”
“Umm… Thank you.”
Awakening, Sowol began sipping the drink.
What on earth are they researching that makes her so worn out?
“The end is near.”
“Still, take care of your health.”
“Hehe, are you worried about me?”
“Of course.”
“That makes me happy.”
Sowol stood up and sat next to me.
Then she gently leaned her head on my shoulder.
Seems she really is tired; she wouldn’t normally do this.
“Are you sleepy?”
“Yes…”
“Then just sleep.”
“But it’s time with you, Master… Ahhh. I want to stay awake even a little…”
Sowol, holding my hand tightly, rubbed her face against my shoulder.
How hard must it be for her?
I tightened my grip on her hand and gently woke her up.
“Uh… Are you leaving already?”
“No. I’m going to the bench.”
I led her to a nearby bench.
Sitting on the quite long seat, I took off my coat.
“I’ll let you rest your head on my lap, so sleep a bit.”
“…Hehe. You’re too charming; I can’t refuse.”
With that, Sowol finally lay down.
As I covered her with my coat like a blanket, she cuddled it, rubbing her face against my thigh.
“Umm… Master’s scent…”
“…Huh? Do I smell?”
“It’s a lovely scent… It calms me, makes me feel comfortable, and reminds me of the past… Didn’t this happen before?”
She was referring to the times when I trained her as a child.
After tiring training, there were times when she rested her head on my thigh when she was exhausted.
Once she started that, she’d always leaned on me during breaks.
I gently stroked Sowol’s pink hair like back then.
She seemed to enjoy it, slightly twitching her eyebrows.
“I wish we could keep doing this.”
“That can’t happen.”
“…That’s unfair.”
“Adults are usually unfair.”
“But I’m an adult too.”
“What would a kid with wet blood on their head know about being an adult?”
I playfully pinched her nose.
She flinched but puffed her cheeks momentarily.
Her breathing became even. She must have already fallen asleep.
I cast magic around her to keep it quiet so she could rest more comfortably.
“Sleep well.”
A few hours later, Sowol woke up.
Stretching, she didn’t move away from my leg until I pinched her cheek.
“I slept really well.”
“You look like it. I don’t know what kind of research you’re doing, but take care of your health.”
“Hehe. Got it. But Master, weren’t you heading to the Longbeak Mountain resort?”
“Worried since you guys weren’t coming, so I came to check on you.”
“So you’re saying you’ll visit the others too?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“…That’s really unfair.”
“Can’t help it if it’s unfair.”
Pouting, Sowol hugged me.
I patted her gently and headed back to the church with Sowol.
Still holding my hand, she looked up at me as we arrived at the church.
I thought she might want to say something, but she didn’t speak.
“Why?”
“…Just because. Well, see you after break.”
“Okay. Go on in.”
It wasn’t until I could no longer see her, even after she turned back a few times, that I headed to another place.
The next stop was the Ivory Tower.
I called for Lena, and after a while, she rushed out, looking flustered.
“M-M-Master…!”
Was she just out of the shower? Her silver hair was still damp.
She rushed over, grinning and jumped into my arms.
“Wowza! They’re hugging!”
“Lena, are you washing up just to hug this uncle? You smell like vinegar.”
Could they be coming out because they heard?
Yuria and Kanon commented on the Lena in my arms.
After lightly greeting them, I gently patted the Lena in my arms and asked, “Smell like vinegar?”
“W-W-Wait… No way!”
Uh-oh. Malfunction activated.
I sniffed at the nervous kid, but all I could smell was a floral scent; no vinegar in sight.
“Uncle! She hasn’t taken a shower for ten days!”
“And it seemed she smelled oily from her hair. Looks like she washed up for when you came.”
“Q-Quiet!!!”
Lena, casting magic at them, glared at me with watery eyes.
“No, I washed well and everything…”
“Sure, sure.”
If I tease her a bit more, she might actually cry.
Ignoring the two who had fallen over from my magic, I took Lena and headed to a nearby shop.
It seemed like it was a cafe frequently visited by mages, as many of them were there.
More people seemed to recognize Lena than me because as soon as she entered, they greeted her enthusiastically.
“Ha ha. That’s cool.”
“Ugh, I’m not as great as you, Master… So, what do you want? I’ll buy you anything.”
“It feels strange to be treated by my student.”
“D-Don’t just see me as a student… drink something…”
“Well, a student is still a student.”
Seeing Lena looking a bit disappointed, I bought her some snacks and coffee.
Sitting down with those, Lena naturally took a seat next to me.
There were seats across from us, but why was she intent on sitting here?
“The seat next to Master is my seat…”
“Who says that?”
“I do!”
Oh. How bold.
Proudly declaring it, Lena made me smile and nod.
I’m not sure what others would say if they heard, but since I came to offer support, I guess it’s better to give her that much.
“How’s it going these days?”
“It’s not easy… There are still many undisclosed parts of the Magic Empire’s technology…”
“But you’ll manage just fine.”
“Yeah. I definitely will…”
“But why are you working so hard?”
“…It’s a secret.”
Lena put her finger to her lips and looked up at me, then hugged my arm tightly.
“…I hope you won’t have to use what I researched…”
“Oh really?”
“…But I have no choice.”
In Lena’s eyes, as she gazed up at me, there was a clear determination.
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