“Phew.”
I opened my eyes, heavy with exhaustion.
I had gone to bed quite late last night, so I expected it would take so ti to wake up properly.
However, surprisingly, the sun had only just risen. The chirping of sparrows and the fresh morning air drifted into the room through the window.
Feeling the warmth and weight pressing against my chest and arms, I glanced down to see Eleanor and Aria fast asleep, clinging tightly to on either side.
I guess we overdid it last night.
They probably never expected that I would actually join in and play with them. Because of that, they had been in an unusually high-spirited mood, laughing and chatting until dawn.
It was a little embarrassing to see how happy they were just because I spent ti with them. It felt like they were overestimating my worth.
But still, knowing that I had made them happy was satisfying.
I wouldn’t mind spending ti with them like this from ti to ti.
As long as we don’t cross any lines.
Things like Eleanor showing up in her so-called “victory underwear” or Aria suddenly pushing onto the bed—those definitely needed to be avoided.
It felt like I was raising two young wolves.
I gazed down at the two girls resting their heads on my arms, their eyes still gently shut.
Carefully, I brought my hands together and placed them on their heads, softly stroking their hair.
“I’ve always carried a sense of guilt for burdening you two with so much at such a young age.”
The two of them flinched.
I knew they were only pretending to be asleep, which I found rather cute, so I continued speaking.
“You’re in your third year now. Two more years until graduation. I hope that, at least until then, you can enjoy a proper student life.”
There were experiences and mories that can only be made at that age.
I wanted them to have the ti they had missed out on, whether it was because of or because of the fate that had entangled them.
“Be happy. For my sake.”
If the ti I had taken from them could sohow be repaid, then maybe I, too, could find a little peace of mind.
Squeeze.
As their hands crossed, both of them wrapped their arms tightly around my waist. That alone was answer enough.
“Thank you for letting us see your back.”
Aria confessed those words as she nestled deeper into my embrace.
“You gave an experience no one else could. Being able to grow while watching you is my greatest pride.”
With a firm grip on my hand, Eleanor expressed her gratitude.
Knowing that the path I had walked had given them so kind of realization brought a satisfied smile to my face as well.
“Yet there’s still one idiot who hasn’t realized it despite seeing the sa thing.”
“Go teach that fool properly, too.”
The boy who had been watching from behind all this ti was now lost, unable to find his way.
This would probably be my final lesson for him.
“Yeah, it’s ti to go.”
It was ti to et Owen Valtany.
“By the way, can we live at your place after graduation?”
“Or should I just buy a house in Graypond?”
“…Talk about that after you graduate.”
“You already laid hands on your little sister, so why not a student too?”
“The princess’ first ti is all set.”
“The hero is ready, too. Been waiting for ages.”
It was a little unsettling to realize they were eagerly anticipating the mont when the bond between teacher and students would break.
***
“So, you stayed up all night playing with the girls?”
I did spend ti with Eleanor and Aria, but the real reason I ca to Graypond was, of course— Erica Bright, the blonde woman standing in front of , radiating the scent of lemons.
Unlike her usual deanor, she was staring at with a slightly pouty gaze.
I had planned to visit the royal palace around noon, but before I could, she had already co to wait in front of our hotel.
“I didn’t cross any lines or anything.”
I just played cards and board gas with the girls while snacking late at night.
They did try to push the boundaries, attempting to use bets to make the atmosphere more suggestive, but Stella quickly shut down those attempts.
“…”
Even after explaining, she still seed dissatisfied. Carefully, I took her hand and started walking down the street.
Caught off guard, Erica hesitated before hurriedly pulling down her hat to cover her face.
Though her walking around with a man wouldn’t have much impact on her status as an Archmage candidate, being cautious about such things wasn’t a bad habit to have.
“I don’t think I can stay in Graypond for too long. There’s the matter with the gods, but Findenai and the Dark Spiritualist are also getting restless.”
“Those two… Yeah, I can see why.”
Holding my hand tightly, Erica seed to relax a little as she engaged in the conversation.
But even as she spoke, she gave my hand a slight squeeze as if to emphasize that she didn’t want to let go.
“It’s only been a few days, but once I et the people I need to, I’ll leave without regrets.”
“…”
I wanted to reassure her that I could return anyti, but just the idea of leaving seed to make her puff out her cheeks slightly in discontent.
“Lately…”
She glanced at hesitantly.
“My family has been bringing up marriage again. Now that you’ve disappeared, they want to form new alliances with noble houses in the capital.”
“…”
“Of course, I refused. And now, I’ve risen to a position where my family can’t force into anything. In fact, they’re the ones who have to watch my reactions now.”
Erica spoke with confidence, no longer the hesitant girl she once was.
Not only had she grown as a mage, but she had also matured as an individual.
Even while saying all this, she maintained a calm expression, offering a faint smile that conveyed reassurance.
…Ah.
But why was she bringing this up in the first place?
I didn’t need to overthink it. After spending so much ti around won, I had grown more perceptive in relationships.
I didn’t say anything.
Words were never really my strong suit, anyway.
Instead, I let go of her hand, stretched out my arm, and wrapped it around her waist—then pulled her into .
“Ah.”
Erica’s expression softened as her cheek naturally brushed against my shoulder, and any lingering dissatisfaction over Eleanor and Aria seed to completely disappear.
“Hehe.”
Even though walking this way was uncomfortable, Erica still wrapped her arm around my waist.
We must have looked like nothing more than a foolishly affectionate couple to anyone passing by.
So people even glanced at us with disapproving looks, finding it inappropriate.
However, even so, Erica didn’t loosen her embrace in the slightest.
“Is it really okay for an archmage candidate to act like this?”
Even with a hat on, it didn’t completely hide her face.
As I pulled her closer, as if shielding her, I asked. Erica smiled brightly and answered.
“If this is sothing that would stop from becoming an archmage, then I don’t need to be one.”
“Well, it’s not that important anyway.”
I had once entrusted her with my final request, ensuring that no harm would co her way as Deus’ fiancée.
I had also helped her secure a strong position within the kingdom.
However, that was already enough.
There was no urgent need for Erica or the Bright Household to go as far as making her an archmage.
My words seed to please her as she lightly rubbed her cheek against .
“Did you know? Lately, everyone I et has been either worrying about or cheering on to beco an archmage.”
“Well, that makes sense.”
After all, it wasn’t just any position—it was the highest rank a mage could achieve within the Griffin Kingdom, standing at the right hand of the throne.
It was the pinnacle of what a mage could reach in society.
Naturally, people around her would either encourage her or express their concerns.
“But you’re different.”
“I just don’t see why it’s such a big deal.”
I couldn’t help but feel that they were placing too much aning on my actions.
“That’s because you haven’t seen it. It’s actually pretty overwhelming. My family and the academy dean, especially, keep pressuring , saying I have to do well. They even send health supplents in the mail every week.”
“…”
Of course, Bright Household would benefit if Erica beca the Archmage, and Loberne Academy’s prestige would be greatly enhanced if one of its forr professors reached that rank.
Even if she didn’t want it, Erica was bearing the weight of many people’s expectations and support.
“So, does it really not matter if I don’t beco the Archmage?”
It was a teasing question.
She already knew the answer but still looked up at , wanting to hear it.
The fact that the words felt rehearsed, like a line from a play, wasn’t sothing I particularly liked. However…
“It doesn’t matter.”
Because I loved the woman beside more than anything.
“No matter what, you will always be brilliant and beautiful.”
“Heh.”
Satisfied with my words, Erica’s steps beca lighter as she glanced around.
Then, suddenly, her face turned bright red as she whispered to .
“What should I do?”
“Don’t say it.”
I already knew what she was about to say. The other won had said it to countless tis before.
“I can’t hold back.”
“Hold back. You’re going to be the archmage, aren’t you?”
“Then stop making feel this way.”
And just like that, right in the middle of the street, Erica rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against mine. With a seductive breath, she pulled along with her.
***
sko-fi/genesisforsaken
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