Chapter 222: The Headmaster’s Melancholy
“I’m sorry… Rest-kun.”
As Rest stepped out and stared at the door, Verloid Harn, the Headmaster, let out a sigh-laden apology. He had been questioned about Leonardo Gascoigne, but there was a truth he had not explained to Rest.
It wasn’t that he had deceived him. Rather, he had judged that, despite being a noble, Rest was still a student who had yet to live for twenty years; there were things he should not have to know.
(For Lord Gascoigne to go out of his way to pay attention to him… it’s likely that Rest-kun is one of those Reincarnators.)
Rest had seemed to skirt around that topic, but the Headmaster had seen through the ambiguity. He knew that in this world, there existed beings known as “Reincarnators,” who had influenced various aspects of the world since ancient times. The core members of the Council of Sages, those who called themselves “Planets,” were all individuals who had reincarnated from other worlds.
(The Queen Dowager… Lady Frederica was also a Reincarnator. If only I had possessed more power back then, I could have prevented her from falling into despair…)
A bitter expression crossed the Headmaster’s face. He had known Lady Frederica Aiwood personally. He had been unable to rescue her from the tyrant who had taken her as his unwilling wife. He had failed to protect her fiancé, who had been his dear friend. Because of that… the Queen Dowager had succumbed to her fate. She had misused her power.
(If I had the strength and status I have now, perhaps I could have saved her…)
Back then, the Headmaster had been merely a somewhat talented magician. He had not yet joined the Council of Sages and lacked the influence to voice his opinions to the King. It was an unavoidable reality. It had to be. Yet, the memory of watching a woman he could have saved fall into darkness haunted him, a reminder of his own helplessness that refused to fade with the passing years.
“Rest-kun… you must do your best. Grow stronger, become more resilient…”
As he called out to the boy who was not present, he recalled the words Rest had spoken during his entrance interview.
“I… want to be happy. I want to become someone who is called a success.”
“The feelings of inferiority from not being loved by my parents, from being oppressed by those who should be family, still linger within me.”
“I want a family that can truly understand each other, a family that loves one another… Even if we argue, we should never oppress one another. I want a family that can connect deeply at the core… as many as possible.”
What Rest had expressed was a perfectly natural desire for a human being, yet the Headmaster understood how difficult it was to achieve.
(Just as the Council of Sages works for the peace of humanity… there are enemies in this world whose purpose is to disrupt it. There are those who wish for war and the end of the human realm.)
The existence of organizations that opposed the Council of Sages… it was still too early for Rest to learn of them. Aside from members like the Headmaster, only the leaders of various nations were aware of their existence.
(Eventually, they will come to know that Rest-kun is a powerful Reincarnator. They will not let him go. Just as they led Lady Frederica to her downfall, they will try to drag Rest-kun down as an enemy of humanity…)
Gascoigne feared this. He had warned Rest out of concern that he might fall into the hands of the enemy.
“It is for you to realize your dreams… so become even stronger.”
So that he could obtain and protect his beloved family. The Headmaster wished for Rest to grow stronger.
(Until you can protect your loved ones with your own hands… I must continue to strive…)
The Headmaster steeled his resolve once more.
It was still too early for him to retire. Even if his back ached and he could no longer harness his magical power as he did in his youth… he still had to work hard as an active member of society. He had to nurture the young and entrust the future to them. That was his duty as a seasoned pioneer and an educator.