Hey, Mr. Jenica (3)
The eastern Sparde region, which requires three days and nights of horseback riding from the ecliptic, is an area with well-developed pastoral areas.
40% of the livestock products in the Cloel Empire are produced in the Sparde region, and the famous ‘Land of Pastures, Pulan’ also refers to the mountain range located in the southern part of the Sparde region.
As you drive deep into the valley of Pulan and look near the ridge, you will find Toren, a small village with a population of less than three hundred.
Although it is an infinitely small village, the amount of livestock products produced in this village is truly amazing compared to the size of the village. It is safe to say that this is enough to feed a small city.
Half of the village population is engaged in livestock farming, and the other half is engaged in livestock product processing… A small pastoral village in a mountain valley.
A decent-sized ranch on the outskirts. Failover Ranch has been standing there for four generations. The ranch’s only daughter was the pride of Toren Village.
Yenika Palover, a girl who started seeing spirits from the time she started babbling, is, by all accounts, a genius among geniuses who will shine this village in the future.
A pastoral village nestled in a mountain valley. It was a time when the residents were aging one by one, and young people who had left the village because they longed for the city were losing contact.
To put it in a good way, it is a peaceful and static village, but to put it in a bad way, it is a changeless and monotonous village.
In such a closed world, it is obvious what kind of childhood Yenica, who was gifted with extraordinary abilities, must have had. It was inevitable that she would monopolize the love of everyone in the village. Since she received a lot of affection, she was bound to grow up with a pretty personality without any flaws.
Holding a basket full of eggs with a small body spirit, they walk around the village square and hand out today’s fresh food to neighbors.
Jenika still vividly remembers the times when she would run between the fences with a lively face and the villagers would greet her warmly.
There are a few clouds lazily passing by in the sky. The scenery of the mountain range covered with green vegetation is the same every time you see it.
The only outsiders who come in and out of the village are peddlers who occasionally come to negotiate prices, logistics workers, or postmen.
If you grow up in such a village for more than ten years, you have no choice but to live only seeing the faces you have always seen.
Mr. Durin next door, Mr. Lethe across the street, Mr. Arun who lives next to the square, and Mr. Alcus, the village chief.
At best, Yenika only spent her childhood, so she was only an elder.
As Goyeo is a mountain village, the birth rate is at a miserable level. Yenica lived almost her whole life as the cute youngest child of the village.
That’s why I don’t remember ever experiencing respectful treatment towards myself.
It’s been three years since I left my hometown and went to Sylvania. It’s been a while since she got used to it, but there are still many things unfamiliar to Jenica, who is not yet an adult. One of them was the respectful treatment.
It took almost half a year just to get used to the treatment I received from the maids at Ofilis Hall.
“Look, Mr. Yenika.”
Suddenly, Yenika came to her senses when an academic staff member called her name. The location was the Trix Building’s administrative consultation room.
“You came here today too. I don’t know how many days it’s been already… If you have anything to discuss or apply for, just let me know. We can confirm it and if it is correct for our administrative processing, we can process it quickly.”
“Oh, uh… Stir… .”
In front of the academic staff who always treated her with respect, Yenika hesitated for a moment. She was contemplating whether to submit the documents in her sleeve right away, but then quickly shook her head.
The academic staff took a deep breath and nodded, saying they understood.
“I don’t know what’s so worrying… If you don’t know what to do, please consult with people around you, Mr. Yenika. “If Ms. Yenika says she is in trouble, needs counseling, etc., there are many people within the university who will step forward and give her support.”
“Ah, haha… It’s also a difficult problem to discuss with others… .”
Yenika hesitated and left the administrative consulting room.
Then, I open the document I was about to submit again and sigh.
“always… I’m busy living my life seeing only good things and thinking only good things… “Why do bad thoughts always creep in whenever an opportunity arises?”
Yenica shook her head for a moment, then gathered her thoughts again.
These days, I’m living an incredibly comfortable and happy bachelor’s life. I can handle all the classes, I’m always friendly with my friends, there are a lot of people who look up to Yenika, and the dormitory facilities are reasonably usable. , I even spend the whole day hanging out with the boy I have a crush on. There was a bit of a fight this morning, but it was just an incident.
In many ways, it’s a day’s work that doesn’t really make you cringe.
How many people are living such a happy bachelor’s life? If I express my dissatisfaction further here, I have nothing to say even if a well-fed person is criticized for being greedy.
However, the problems arising from Jenica’s good and sincere personality have never been resolved.
That chronic problem sometimes causes a strange pain in my chest.
Yenika took out the document she had written, read it quickly, and sighed again. While contemplating what to do with this, I quickly throw it into a nearby trash can.
A document that Yenika pushed slides in and lands on top of the almost full trash can. Only then does the content become slightly clearer.
― Dormitory move-out application: Dex Hall ―
After thinking about it one more time, Yenika seemed to have changed her mind again, so she quickly returned to the trash can and pulled out the document. She turns her head back and forth again and gets into trouble… There is no conclusion.
How much weight do those looks of expectation, envy, consideration, respect, and respect put on your shoulders? Even Yenika herself doesn’t know much.
Those things are burdensome, so the idea of running away is difficult. It’s natural. Running away is the act of distancing yourself from something that is difficult, difficult, or unpleasant.
How could she treat the expectations and gazes sent to Yenika by her friends, employees, and roommates at Dex Hall as a burden?
However, Yenika knows.
It has been almost a year since I moved from the Ofilis building, which uses private rooms, to the Dex building, which uses shared rooms.
It must be said that it was a space where Yenika was able to rest comfortably during that long period of time… In the end, there was only Ed’s camp.
* * * [I’m not overwhelmed with emotion… ? Around this time last year, you, who I didn’t know even though I was right next to you staring at you, are now able to call me and talk to me, even in this imperfect form. It’s really special once you’ve entered into a contractual relationship, right? ]
“… … .”
[ Of course, you don’t have to be in a contractual relationship to talk. Ed, you’re acting like it’s nothing, but you don’t know how much it means to be able to handle a high-ranking spirit… ? The strong people of this academy… Ziggs? Wade? Clevious? If I could use my full strength, it wouldn’t be a big deal. The problem is that I can’t use my full strength. ]
“then… .”
[ Of course, it will take a really long time for you to reach that level. You shouldn’t compare it to a special case like Yenika. However, if you continue training, your sensitivity will improve and you will be able to handle me better… Hmm, is that too far in the future? But anyway, we only saw each other for a day or two and we didn’t even talk. ]
A small lake appears when you leave the camp in the northern forest and walk toward the bachelor’s office.
‘Merilda’s Guardian Tree’ sits large on the grass island in the center… It was the place where the largest amount of naturally occurring magical power was gathered, and one of Yenica’s main spiritual training places.
There was no other place like this that could summon the imperfect Merilda.
The figure of a white-haired girl wearing a pure white dress with thin shoulder straps. At first glance, the figure looks like a human, but in reality, it is not.
The reason why I overinvested my magic and summoned Merilda was because of the story I had with Yenica yesterday.
I was certain that the higher my understanding with the high-ranking spirits, the more it would have a significant impact on my future combat abilities. I also agreed with that opinion.
In the end, the key to understanding is how often you join forces, use them in battle, manifest them, and have many conversations… Just manifesting it in human form like this consumed almost all of its magic power, so it was a bit difficult for me.
Still, when I called him over, it was more comfortable for him to talk to me on his own.
Yenika said she was a talkative person like no other in the world. It is only now that I realize that Yenika’s assessment was accurate.
[So, how is it with Yenika? Is this game of ups and downs, mutual respect, and polite language still ongoing? ]
“What is the purpose of talking like that when you were all watching?”
[I’m not free enough to follow you all the way to bachelor’s degree~ I wonder if something else happens during class~]
Merilda sat down near the thick roots of the guardian tree, swung her legs, and asked with an interested expression.
There’s no reason to lie to that… I decided to tell the story of the quarrel I had with Yenika in the morning.
As usual, when I said hello to Yenika, whom I met in the teaching building early in the morning, Yenika hugged the oak tree staff again, freaked out, and took a step back.
It was clear that the aftermath of yesterday still remained. Anyway, I feel like doing something for no reason only creates a strangely uncomfortable atmosphere between us.
[ Hmm~ So… ? ]
The story goes that Yenika blushed and avoided eye contact because she didn’t know what to say, and then quickly disappeared after saying hello.
Meanwhile, the respectful language continued.
“At first, I didn’t think about it too seriously, but as things got to a point, I realized that he was busy with something internally… Or, ‘Isn’t the inherent stress expressed in a strange way?’ “I also thought about it.”
[ Oh my, are you worried about Yenika? ]
“Of course I’m worried.”
[Hoo~]
What was so exciting about Merilda was that she was shaking her legs and nodding her head. Then, with a smile on her face, she asks me again.
[It definitely felt like it was a bit dangerous to just leave it alone, right? You have to do something. ]
“So, I’m asking, can I just cut a couple of useful branches from this tree?” ?”
[ tree? suddenly? ]
This guardian tree that Merilda and I are leaning against is an old tree that is over a thousand years old. The older the tree, the more it has the ability to gently absorb and emit magical energy.
Merilda’s guardian wood is a material so good that it would be a shame to rank second place in the process of magical engineering supplies. If you add lightning magic to it, it can be used as a complete material for the ‘Thousand-Year Wooden Staff Striked by Lightning’.
Compared to the old oak staff that Yenika carries, its performance and convenience are several degrees superior.
Let’s summarize the facts and deliver them to Merilda, [Hmm~ I see… But, strictly speaking, you don’t need to get my permission. ]
“Wasn’t this tree your tree…? ? The name itself is Merilda’s guardian tree… ?”
[Well, that’s a bit of an ambiguous question. A friend I met a long time ago just gave my name to this tree. I call myself the owner of this forest, but I don’t take care of it, even down to cutting off old tree branches. Do whatever you want. ]
“An old friend… Well, since you must have lived a long time, you must have had many relationships.”
Merilda jumped up and down near the tree, her white dress fluttering, and soon came back next to me.
Then, while shaking both of his shoulders, he assumed a seductive pose.
[In the first place, I am in the shape of a human like this. Did I tell you this isn’t that easy? How do you think this is possible? ]
“How is that possible…?” “Have you learned related magic?”
[ hmm… Please be different. When you become a high-ranking spirit, you can change into various forms, but the most important thing is how familiar and comfortable it is, or whether you can imitate it well. It is very difficult to transform into an entity that is completely out of the world. That’s why most spirits take the form of animals. It is easiest to find in nature. ]
Then, with a grin, she lifts the hem of her dress up to her shins and slightly bows her head. It was the etiquette of the empire. If you just look at it like this, it really is no different from a human.
[So, we need someone who can imitate this human aspect as a reference point. Basically, Ed, I signed a contract with you, so I accepted your inner psychology and became the girl closest to your ideal type. ]
“… what?”
[ how is it? A person’s inner psychology cannot be fooled, so doesn’t your heart beat for some reason when you do this? The girl of your dreams is standing right in front of you. ]
I rested my chin and stared at Merilda, who was making a fuss here and there for a long time.
“… My tastes were like this… ? surely… That’s surprising… .”
[ Of course, it was surprising. Because it’s a lie. ]
“… … .”
are you kidding.
With that in mind, I opened my eyes and glared at her, and Merilda let out a lively laugh and grabbed the hem of her dress and turned her body around. She looks like a girl who is excited about buying new clothes.
[There is no way you can imitate something by reading their inner psychology. To tell you the truth, it was an imitation of the most special and unique person I had ever met. like this… I was impressed by the fact that he never wore flashy clothes and was always easy-going. It was she who added my name to this tree.]
I saw Merilda’s human form again. The difference from the giant wolf that was fully manifested and ran rampant to destroy everything was so great that I honestly had a hard time getting used to it.
“who?”
When I asked that question, Merilda did not answer right away. She just smiles meaningfully.
[I lived a long time. Even the rise and fall of Sylvania Academy is so cute. Now it feels like Aken Island and Sylvania Academy are inseparable, but in fact, in the distant past when I lived, this was just an uninhabited island without even an academy. ]
Merilda blew out her hair that had been tied back like a tail. When her hair, which was thicker than she expected, was let loose, her appearance seemed to have completely changed.
When I saw that, I took a deep breath. I thought it was an oddly familiar face, but I saw an eerily similar one in a magic history book.
[ how is it? ]
Inject magic into the guardian tree and make it its source. Build this school. A person so old that he asked Merilda to protect this forest.
Really, was this really connected like this?
Since it was something I didn’t know about, it was also a relationship that wasn’t highlighted in the script.
The girl in front of me is an imperfect manifestation of Merilda. Now I can say for sure who she resembles.
A wizard and scholar who was stronger and more skilled than anyone else in the distant past.
It was the appearance of the great sage Sylvania.
* * *
“Seonghwang… You’re visiting… ?”
The location was the Obel Building, adjacent to the student center, and the student conference room there.
Approximately five days have passed since Tanya Rosstaylor took the position of student council president and began working properly.
It may be said that it is still an adjustment period, but in such important positions, there is no way to give yourself time to adapt well.
The largest and most important checked part of the report documents received from the student council secretary.
A man sitting atop the Church of Telos. Eldain, the Holy Emperor who rules over the holy city of Carpea.
And Archbishop Verdio assists him.
Even if an ordinary bishop-level priest were to come, there were a lot of protocols that had to be prepared, but just hearing the news that two high-ranking figures from the church were visiting at once was a headache.
“The purpose of the visit is… .”
Tanya skimmed through the documents. I was quite confident in speed reading.
Even if it was for the purpose of the visit, there was nothing special about it. I was planning to publicize the grace of Telos, welcome new believers to be baptized, and give a sermon on the podium.
Even so, it may only be a superficial reason.
The reason why the infinitely noble leader of the Telos Church would personally visit the remote Aken Island of this empire… In the end, it was obvious that it would be Clarisse, a saint whom the church cherishes like gold and jade.
Saint Clarice is a girl who can be said to be the heart of the Telos Church.
The desire for learning could not be avoided even by God’s beloved servant, so it was at the beginning of this semester that I ended up coming to Sylvania, the land of learning.
Probably the success… I want to see it with my own eyes.
Is Saint Clarice being treated properly, are the facilities okay, and are there any dangers?
If there were any grounds for disqualification, he might even be considering the possibility of taking Clarice away again.
It’s truly unfortunate, but in Sylvania, where accidents are a constant these days, it’s not at all strange if there are a few reasons for disqualification.
“hmm… After finishing work today, I’ll make plans to meet the saint at the Ofilis Pavilion. Secretary Irene, are you okay?”
“yes. “I will inquire with the escort personnel.”
And the student council secretary took out more documents. There is still a lot left.
“Oh right. The congregation was inquiring about a student they would like to interview separately. Should I transfer it to the bachelor’s department? Or would you like to check it?”
“interview… This… ? Who? “Is there anyone you would like to meet other than the saintly lady?”
“yes. I’m currently in the 2nd year. It’s called Adele Seris of the Ministry of Magic… .”
“Adele… Adele… “He’s a senior whose name I’ve heard of.”
“yes… “I heard that he is a unique person who is like the wind and you never know when or where he will appear.”
Tanya rubbed her chin and thought for a moment.
“Well, if they requested it, there’s no reason to say no.”
It is said that people from the Holy Emperor come to Aken Island at this time.
Very… It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
* * *
―Crack, crack. Grumbling.
So in the end, it was late at night when I met Yenika again.
Well, we ended up overloading our relationship with just one exchange of polite words, so we spent nearly a full day trying to sort out our emotions.
Night camp.
I was sitting by the campfire, memorizing basic magic formulas and simultaneously peeling apples with a knife.
Nowadays, it is possible to eat a variety of foods while paying attention to nutrients.
Now that I don’t forget to eat fruit after every meal, I feel like my life has become much more stable.
There was a time when I was tapping my apple a couple of times with a moderate amount of movement… That was when Yenika appeared through the grass.
I stopped peeling the apples for a moment and looked at Yenika. I was wondering what to say first… First, I stayed still for a while.
“ah… hi… ”
“… … .”
“… do? No, hello? summer solstice… ? do… ?”
It was still broken. How embarrassed were you?
But since it’s me, it’s hard to say anything in particular… I just nodded slowly. What was once again embarrassing was the same here.
After looking at each other quietly for a few seconds, Yenika walked over with a shy appearance and carefully sat down on the rock by the fire.
I asked, holding up the half-peeled apple.
“apologize… Want some… ? No, do you want to eat?”
“Yes, yes…” .”
“… … .”
Transition maintains the same direction. For a moment, all I could hear was the sound of the apple peeling away.
“Give me a plate…” .”
“W-I’m here… ruler… .”
Can’t we just do one of the two, either be respectful or not? ? I think only then will this suffocating atmosphere be resolved somehow.
Jenica turns her head to see if she is still breathing hard and takes a deep breath once in a while. She seems to think I don’t know.
Yenika took the plate, picked up an apple, and started gnawing on it like a rabbit.
I picked up a large piece, put it in my mouth, and started peeling the remaining apple.
Silence for a moment again.
“… … .”
“… … .”
Then, suddenly, Yenika falls into her lap and buries her face. Anyway, my every move is unpredictable.
“W-what… Yenika… . Where does it hurt… ?”
“Oh, no. Well, it’s kind of hard to say it just by looking at someone’s face, but… First of all, Ed, no, Mr. Ed. There’s something I want to ask you, and it’s a question that might sound a bit strange… . So, I would like you to listen to the end first and then answer… No, I wish… .”
“… … .”
Yenika, with her face buried in her knees, tells the story in rapid fire… After staring for a moment, she nodded.
Then I took a deep breath and began to focus on peeling the apples as if it were no big deal.
From the looks of it, Yenika ran out alone after the atmosphere suddenly became strange, and it seemed like she was worried about something. And then when she sees that she’s going to ask me something… It seems that there is something in her own way that she has decided upon after much deliberation.
If you’ve been thinking about it that seriously, it’s polite to listen as calmly as possible.
No matter what story is told, never make an awkward face, don’t be embarrassed, and even if you’re really embarrassed, never let it show. That much is possible. Even though my body looks like this, I am an adult.
With that thought in mind, I listened to Yenika’s next words. She reminded herself of her decision to accept whatever was said as nonchalantly and as neatly and plainly as possible.
“if… I came out of Dex Hall… What would it be like to live at camp with Ed? ?”
―Push!!!
The tip that deviated from the orbit cut off the thumb cleanly.
“… … .”
Blood was dripping down our fingers, but neither I nor Yenika could bear to pay attention to the wounds.
A camp in the dark northern forest.
The shining starry sky remains the same as always.
However, a strange surprise came without warning.
All I could do was stare blankly at Yenika while holding the apple and fruit…
Yenika just buried her red face, even down to her ears, deeper into her knees, as if she was trying to hide from my gaze.
For a long time, only the sound of the crackling bonfire was breaking the silence.
