Dusk hung heavy over the western reaches of Majik Kingdom, where a row of tents had been pitched upon the vast plains.
Under the lamplight, the flap of a tent off to the side was lifted, and a young girl slowly stepped out. She took a deep breath, looked left and right, and after making sure no one was paying attention to her, turned and headed toward the small tent in the farthest corner.
I probably... won't get thrown out.
Upon reaching the entrance, Caroline did not go in at once. Instead, she stood outside the tent, silently cheering herself on.
This was her first time trying to express her feelings for someone of the opposite sex.
—Recently, a stranger had joined the troupe. They had encountered him within Frieden's borders. He claimed to be heading the same way and called himself a magician, performing a few tricks that no one could see through. The troupe leader thought he did not look like a bad person, so he allowed him to join them. He had followed the troupe all the way from Frieden, performing across Majik Kingdom. His performances had been outstanding several times over, and everyone in the troupe had nothing but praise for him. No one had a single bad word to say behind his back.
But Caroline found the man terribly mysterious.
Even the name he had given—North Watts... Northward Gaze? Who would choose such a strange name? Judging by his age, he ought to have been only in his twenties or thirties, yet he would always inadvertently reveal a maturity beyond his years. No one knew where he came from, and no one knew what sort of story he carried. He could chat and laugh merrily with everyone at the dinner table, yet would always quietly