Chapter 4: Towards Tomorrow④
“Seems like I’ve gone on for quite a while… but before we wrap up, I have one last question for the three of you.”
Ange tilted her head, curious. “What is it?”
“What are you all planning to do from here on out?”
It was a rather vague question, but I hoped my true intent would come across.
“I plan to stay by my master’s side,” Eris said, stepping closer to me.
Her earnestness struck me as amusing, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. When I did, Eris looked at me with her big, glistening eyes and asked, “Is that… not okay?”
Her eyes were shimmering with unshed tears…
“N-no, it’s not that it’s not okay. It’s just… living in this little hut together might be a bit…”
“Master… is it really not okay?”
Eris’s eyes became even more watery as she pressed me for an answer.
“…Talk it over with Sena.”
Well, it should be fine since things will be the same as before… Sorry, Sena, but I’ll be counting on you again. As I silently apologized to Sena for the burden I was placing on her, Ange answered my question next.
“I’ve received an invitation to teach at the Royal Academy, so I’m thinking of accepting it. If possible, I’d like to conduct some research on the side as well.”
“That’s amazing!”
“Hehe, it’s not that impressive…”
“You’ll definitely be a great teacher, Ange! You were so patient with someone like me, who had zero knowledge.”
Almost all the magic I could use now was developed alongside her. It was thanks to her that I had come this far.
“Stop it, you’re making me blush. That was all because you worked hard, Ichiro.”
“Don’t be so modest. You understand how those who struggle feel, and that’s going to help so many people.”
“Praising me won’t get you anywhere.”
With a soft laugh, Ange patted my shoulder. We had spent countless hours talking about trivial things, sharing laughter late into the night. That’s how it had always been between us.
“Angelica’s skills are truly remarkable. Without a doubt, she’ll become a top-notch teacher,” Mika chimed in, giving her seal of approval.
“Thank you… So, what about you, Mika?” Ange asked.
“I’m thinking of revisiting the paths we’ve traveled together.”
Eris looked puzzled, perhaps not fully grasping Mika’s intent. Sensing her confusion, Mika continued to explain.
“There are still people suffering from the foolishness of Ryuguin in the towns we visited. I want to help heal them, even if just a little. Of course, this is merely for my own satisfaction…”
Back then, she had been consumed by a sense of despair.
“Embarrassingly enough, until recently, I had considered retreating to the northernmost monastery to bear all the blame.”
At that time, I had no way to stop her from distancing herself from the world. But—
“During the time I spent with Lady Omi, she repeatedly told me, ‘Leaving the world behind is not atonement. To leave without atoning is to run away. There are things you must do before you run.'”
She really is a wise teacher.
“Taking her words to heart, I continued to ponder what I should truly do from here on out. Eventually, I arrived at the decision to heal those we had harmed during our travels.”
Seeing her once despondent expression now filled with determination was a sight to behold. Back then, I would have been unable to convince her.
I love you, Sensei!
“When I shared my thoughts with Lady Omi, she said, ‘I shall accompany you,’ and just like that, our journey together was decided.”
Huh? Wait a minute!?
“Are you saying Sensei is going too?”
This was news to me. What about Sena? Would she be left behind while Sensei, who Sena adored, went off somewhere again?
“Yes, I’ll be with Lady Omi. Just thinking about her being there makes me feel so reassured.”
Mika answered my question. This felt like a request from Sensei to me. I was entrusted with Sena.
“When did you all discuss this…? But I see… That must be why? You look happier than when I saw you last, Mika.”
“Lord Yamada, what are you saying…?”
Mika’s face turned crimson as she cupped her cheeks with both hands. Though she often appeared serious, that expression was undeniably adorable.
After discussing the future of the three of them, we were about to part ways.
“I have something I want to give you all.”
But I absolutely wouldn’t make this the last thing I said. I reached into my Magic Bag and pulled out three items.
What I held were bracelets. After pushing Kuroa to his limits and exhausting my own wealth to gather the necessary materials, I had finally managed to prepare these.
The three of them looked at me with curious expressions, but as I handed them over, I continued speaking without hesitation.
I was so nervous it felt like my heart might leap out of my chest.
“You all said you wanted to atone for your past, right?”
They each nodded hesitantly, unsure of my intent.
“Then—”
I paused, wetting my lips with my tongue.
“Will you listen to my request?”