Ch.405Side Story: The Path Ahead

“Hoo.”

I open my eyes, laden with fatigue.

I thought it would take some time to get up since I stayed up quite late yesterday.

Unexpectedly, it seemed like the day had just begun, with chirping sparrows and fresh air flowing through the window into the room.

When I slightly lifted my head, feeling the weight and warmth on my chest and arms, I saw Elenoa and Aria sleeping on either side of me, holding me tight.

‘I did get overly excited with them yesterday.’

They probably never expected it.

That I would join them and play along. As a result, the two of them laughed and chatted all night with much higher energy than usual.

It was somewhat embarrassing that they were so happy just by my presence. It felt like they were valuing me too highly.

But whatever the case, I was satisfied that I made the two of them happy.

I thought it wouldn’t be bad to spend time with them like this occasionally.

‘As long as they don’t cross the line too much.’

Things like Elenoa wearing her “victory underwear” or Aria suddenly pushing me down on the bed and trying to pounce on me should be discouraged.

It felt like raising two young wolves, but still.

I look down at the two of them using my arms as pillows, with my eyes gently closed.

Carefully, I place my hands on their heads and stroke them softly.

“I’ve always felt guilty for burdening you two with so much at such a young age.”

The two of them flinch.

I knew they were pretending to sleep, so I found it cute and continued speaking.

“You’re third-years now. You have two years left until graduation from the academy. I hope you can live proper student lives at least until then.”

Because at that age, there are experiences you can only have and memories you can only make then.

I hope the two of them, who got involved with me or were swept up by fate and couldn’t properly enjoy that time, will do well.

“Be happy. For my sake.”

I hope the time I took from them will be repaid. If so, I might feel a bit more at ease.

Squeeze.

Their hands cross over and strongly embrace my waist. That alone was enough of an answer.

“Thank you for letting us see your back.”

Aria confessed this and snuggled deeper into my arms.

“You let us experience something no one else could. Being able to grow by watching you is my greatest pride.”

Elenoa expressed her gratitude while squeezing my hand.

I smiled with satisfaction at the meaning that the paths I had walked had given them some kind of enlightenment.

“There’s one idiot who still hasn’t realized it despite seeing the same thing.”

“Go and teach that fool well too.”

The path I’ve walked, the boy who has been watching me from behind is rather losing his way because of it.

This will probably be my last teaching.

“Yes, I should go.”

It was time to meet Owen Baltani.

“By the way, can I live at your place after graduation?”

“Or should I get a house in Greyford?”

“…Talk about that after graduation.”

“You’ve already touched your little sister, so isn’t it okay to touch students too?”

“Princess ready for first experience.”

“Hero also ready. Been waiting for a while.”

It was a bit creepy that the two of them were looking forward to the moment when the relationship between mentor and student would break, but still.

* * *

“So you stayed up all night playing with the kids?”

Although I spent time with Elenoa and Aria, the main reason I came to Greyford was obviously…

The blonde woman emitting a lemon scent in front of me. Erika Bright, glaring at me with eyes uncharacteristically prim.

I was planning to visit the royal palace for lunch, but somehow she had already come to wait in front of the hotel where we were staying.

“I didn’t cross any lines.”

I just played card games and board games with them while eating late-night snacks.

There were efforts by the two girls to cross lines or create a suggestive atmosphere through bets, but Stella cleanly blocked such attempts.

“…”

Even after saying that, she was still dissatisfied. I carefully took her hand and headed toward the street.

Erika was surprised at being suddenly dragged along, but she quickly put on the hat she had hastily brought and covered her face.

Although the fact that she, a candidate for Grand Mage, was walking with a man on the street probably wouldn’t greatly affect the outcome…

Still, being cautious in everything isn’t a bad thing.

“I don’t think I can stay in Greyford too long. Besides the issue with the gods, Findenai and the Dark Spiritmaster are going crazy with impatience.”

“Those two… I can understand why.”

Erika joined the conversation, seemingly in a better mood just from walking together while holding my hand tightly.

The way she slightly squeezed my hand showed she was strongly expressing that she didn’t want to let go.

“It was only a few days, but I want to meet the people I need to meet and then leave without regrets.”

“…”

I wanted to tell her that I could come anytime, but Erika seemed sad about the very fact of leaving, her cheeks slightly puffed.

“Recently…”

Erika glanced at me cautiously.

“My family has been suggesting that I consider marriage again. Since you disappeared, they want to form alliances with nobles in the capital region again.”

“…”

“I refused, of course, and I’ve now reached a position where my family can’t force me. Rather, they’re the ones being cautious around me.”

The confident Erika speaking now had completely shed her former uncertain self.

Not only had her magic grown, but her personal maturity had also increased significantly.

The fact that she could say such things without changing her expression, giving confidence with a subtle smile, was enough.

‘…Ah.’

But why was she saying these things?

I didn’t need to think deeply about that. I suppose I’ve become more perceptive about relationships with the opposite sex after spending time with various women.

I didn’t say much.

After all, conveying things through words isn’t really my style.

I simply let go of her hand and extended my arm around her waist, pulling her into my arms.

“Ah.”

Her cheek naturally touched my shoulder. With just that action, Erika’s expression softened, and all the dissatisfaction from yesterday about Elenoa and Aria seemed completely resolved.

“Hmph.”

Despite it being uncomfortable to walk, Erika deliberately put her hand around my waist.

Even if people around us were watching, we didn’t care, and to others, we must have looked like a shameless couple.

Indeed, passersby glanced at us with disapproval.

Yet Erika didn’t relax her posture at all.

“Is it okay for a Grand Mage candidate to be like this?”

Even with the hat on, it doesn’t completely hide her face.

I asked while embracing her more protectively, and Erika answered with a bright smile.

“If I can’t become Grand Mage because of this, then I don’t need to be one.”

“Well, it’s not that important.”

I had entrusted her with the final task to prevent arrows from targeting her as Deus’s fiancée.

I also helped her establish a solid position within the kingdom.

But that was already enough.

It wasn’t so urgent that Erika and the Bright family needed her to become Grand Mage.

Erika seemed pleased with my words and rubbed her cheek against me slightly.

“You know what? Recently, everyone I meet either worries about or encourages me regarding the Grand Mage position.”

“Well, that’s to be expected.”

It’s not just any position, but that of the mage at the right side of the throne in the Griffin Kingdom, considered the highest in the kingdom.

For mages, it could be said to be the pinnacle of what one can socially achieve.

Of course, people around her would have encouraged or worried about Erika.

“But you don’t.”

“I don’t think it’s something to make a big deal about.”

I felt like she might be attaching too much meaning to my actions, but…

“You don’t see it. It’s really severe. Especially my family and the academy headmaster, they pressure me saying I need to do well, and they even send weekly packages of health supplements.”

“…”

Naturally, the Bright family would prefer if Erika became Grand Mage, and for Robern Academy, having Professor Erika become Grand Mage would elevate the academy’s prestige.

Although Erika didn’t want it, she was receiving various expectations and encouragement from many people.

“Would it be okay if you don’t become Grand Mage?”

It was a mischievous question.

Even though I already knew the answer, Erika was looking up at me, saying she wanted to hear it anyway.

It felt like the words I needed to say were prepared like a script for a play, which wasn’t entirely to my liking, but…

“It would be fine.”

Because I loved the woman beside me more than that.

“You will be brilliant and beautiful at any time.”

“Hee.”

Satisfied with my words, Erika’s steps lightened, and she looked around.

Then, with a flushed face, she whispered to me.

“What should I do?”

“Don’t say it.”

I already anticipated what she was going to say. Other women had said it several times before.

“I can’t hold back.”

“Try. You’re going to be Grand Mage.”

“Then you shouldn’t excite me.”

Standing on her tiptoes, Erika kissed me in the middle of the street and began pulling me along while breathing seductively.