Homeward

Inside the cottage,

Lia flipped through the History of Magic, which Duncan had covered with notes in quill pen,

her eyes shining with admiration.

Every important point in time and every reference to an ancient text in the book

now had a detailed explanation.

The spaces that had once been blank along the margins

were now packed with Duncan's own insights and reflections from over the years.

Galan had once teased Duncan that he hadn't taken on a disciple, but a daughter.

Now those words seemed prophetic.

He had spent several days and nights working overtime,

and only today had he finally finished the enormous task.

Whenever he wrote late into the night,

he would remember his time in Weise,

when he had labored over all kinds of books in hopes of joining the Court Mages,

building up his theoretical knowledge.

Although he had Macht of the Golden Land, who was hailed as the strongest of the Seven Sages of Destruction, as his magic instructor,

Demons didn't understand the human system of magic very well,

so Duncan had been left to make up for that shortcoming through his own efforts.

And at times like those, Lecktire would always slip quietly into the study

and drape a warm coat over his shoulders, or bring him a cup of hot coffee and some dessert.

Those could be called the happiest days of his life,

even compared with the days after they later married.

Although the two of them hadn't yet begun a relationship, the faint, budding feelings between the young man and woman

surpassed every sweetness in the world that words could describe.

"Duncan, you're amazing!"

Lia turned to a page explaining texts about Tornado Magic and Gale Inferno Transformation Magic.

As exemplary cases of multi-element fusion,

the two forms of magic had excellent compatibility,

cleverly using the resilience and gentle force of wind to counter the ferocity inherent in the fire element.

They were a major subject of research in the Multi-Element field at modern magic academies.

Although Duncan wasn't a member of the Academic School,

he had studied most of those powerful newly developed spells.

"I poured my heart and soul into all of this. Make sure you study this book carefully from now on."

"But I won't necessarily be right about everything. If you come to your own understanding or find the real answers someday, there's no need to cling to what I wrote."

Though his words were the earnest instruction of an old teacher to his student,

the look he gave Lia held the tenderness of an old father, as if he were merely teasing her rather than admonishing her.

"Mm-hmm!"

Lia looked at him curiously.

For some reason, she felt that Duncan was much gentler today than usual.

Normally, whatever the circumstances, Duncan was always meticulous and serious about her magic lessons.

Though he wasn't extremely strict,

he was never as gentle as he was now...

"Tomorrow, I'll give you a final assessment. Make sure you prepare well."

"Huh?"

At that, Lia grew restless, surprise showing on her little face.

"So soon? But I don't feel ready yet..."

"Didn't you say before that the exam wouldn't be until next year?"

Looking at the somewhat nervous Lia,

Duncan silently turned to the window, unable to answer for a moment.

Yes.

If he could, he too would have wanted to stay away from that arena of competition for power

and spend his days here at leisure.

But he had yet to achieve his goal.

Even now, he had not fulfilled his ambition or gained enough power.

Even though the things that drove him forward had all been buried deep beneath the vanished Golden Land,

he believed that as long as he kept going,

he would surely find a way to restore Weise.

"The First-Class Mage Exam..."

He still didn't have time to compete for that privilege.

He had more important things he had to do.

He would have to wait a little longer...

A little longer...

The cottage door was pushed open.

The evening breeze swept in from the cliffs, carrying a trace of chill into the room.

But the door was quickly shut, keeping it outside.

Only the potted plant by the entrance swayed gently a couple of times in the embrace of the air.

"Galan, you're back so late again... Dinner's gone cold."

Lia pouted and hurried into the kitchen.

She brought out a plate of mostly cold hamburger patties and a very familiar-looking pudding.

"Huh? When did you learn to make Mekur Pudding?"

"Hehe, Duncan taught me yesterday. You were unconscious over there and needed to recuperate, so I didn't bring you any."

She looked eager to hear what Galan thought and held the plate out to him.

"I made this afternoon while you were out."

Galan took the spoon, gently scraped a piece off the jiggling pudding, and put it in his mouth.

It was very sweet,

but not cloying at all.

He hadn't eaten anything sweet in a long time, and tasting Mekur Pudding again stirred his long-dormant taste buds.

Looking back now, he really had lived like an ascetic before...

"It's good."

He smacked his lips, savoring the taste,

and answered Lia with a smile.

"I didn't expect you to know how to make Mekur Pudding too, Duncan."

He turned to look at Duncan behind him, and Duncan smiled without denying it.

"Galan, what's that on your back?"

Just then, Lia noticed the object wrapped in white cloth on Galan's back.

"Mm—"

Galan lowered his shoulder, took the Ebony Staff from his back, carefully peeled away the white cloth, and laid it before Lia.

"This is... a gift for you."

At the sight of the brand-new staff, Lia froze on the spot.

She seemed not to have expected such a gift and didn't react for quite a while.

"Hm?"

Seeing her like that, Galan was a little unsure what to do.

"Well... that old fire poker of yours really was too shabby. I've actually been meaning to get you a new staff for a long time. Uh... even if it's a little late, but..."

Before he could finish,

Lia lunged at him and locked her arms tightly around his waist.

Really tightly. She was squeezing him so hard he felt his freshly healed wounds were about to split open again.

"...That hurts a little."

"Mm—"

Although Galan tried to speak up for himself,

Lia acted as though she hadn't heard him and continued to hold him in a vice-like embrace.

It felt as though she were afraid he would suddenly disappear before her eyes...

"Thank you..."

"Hey, there's no need to react so strongly, is there...?"

"...Mm—"

"All right, all right. What's gotten into you...?"

Seeing Lia like this,

Galan was at a loss for what to do.

Duncan, standing behind them, wore a faint smile.

Somewhere no one noticed,

the staff Galan had set on the table for the moment

was now flashing with a strange silvery-white light.