[Side Story] Wind Flower (2)
Spirits have no concept of death.
Even if the head is cut, the abdomen is pierced, and no matter how much blood is shed, it eventually returns to a fluid state and only has time to recover its magic power.
If they rest and restore their magic power for a certain period of time, they are able to appear again in response to the spiritist’s call as if they had never done so before.
However, the concept of lifespan exists. There is no concept of death, but there can be life… I wonder what that means.
It is difficult to call the spirit’s end a death, but it is a state in which it cannot even be said to be alive.
The method of calling it varies depending on the elemental scholar, but the most common is called ‘natural reduction’.
In order to exist in the world as a spirit, the magical power of a spirit master with excellent spirit sensitivity is required. If you are unable to increase the hierarchy and run out of magical power, the spirit’s soul returns to a fluid state and becomes a part of nature for a while.
It can be flowing water, it can be a blowing wind… In any case, while living as part of this cyclical structure in nature, it becomes a fluid spirit again, and then becomes a lower spirit and begins a new life.
However, even if a new cycle begins like that, no memories of before becoming a fluid spirit remain.
Circulating forever in the ambiguous boundary of whether it is a new life or a continuing life.
That was the life of a spirit.
“To go all the way to Pulan to investigate a bear spirit the size of Mount Tai, isn’t that a bit too hard work for a new professor with only a short title?”
“You have to work for what you get. In fact, no matter how hard you work, it’s still a surplus compared to what you get, so don’t worry too much.”
Two men were lighting cigarettes in the garden in front of the newly built Trix building.
Ed Rosstaylor didn’t necessarily have a habit of smoking tobacco, but since he often hung out with Professor Kalaid for work, he ended up smoking it once in a while.
Wearing a fancy magic professor’s robe, Department Head Kalide roughly threw the smoked cigar on the floor.
“How much of the school headquarters did you rob?”
“The negotiations were led by Tanya, not me, so it doesn’t mean much if you ask me. Anyway, since I posted the business trip report, are you coming back? “You don’t have any complaints, right?”
While Ed Rothtaylor is away, Kalide takes on the duties as deputy. This is because Assistant Professor Traceiana is not yet able to cook one serving perfectly.
Professor Kalide hated the increase in workload, but he didn’t say anything other than being arrogant.
After Ed Rothtaylor became a professor, he hung out with Professor Kalide a lot.
Because he was a young boy from a powerful imperial family, everyone hesitated or was busy being polite in front of Ed, but Kaleid was especially someone who broke away from that sense of authority.
In any case, Sylvania Academy is a place where the virtue of learning is more emphasized than status, and Kalide is nominally Ed’s superior, so there is no need to be very polite.
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t many people in the world who have a strong heart who can treat someone from the continent’s most powerful family without any hesitation.
Since he was a Professor Kalide who had been through all sorts of hardships, I was able to exchange candid stories with Ed.
“I was planning to have a drink today… “It’s hot, it’s hot.”
“It would be a good idea to refrain from drinking during the semester. “Now that you’re the head of the department, aren’t there more people looking at you?”
“Yes, but… What should I do if the alcohol tastes sweet? This kid is learning things like the beginning of the year. You shouldn’t smoke this… . “It’s bad for your body.”
He sat down on a bench in the garden of the Trix Building, put his forearms on the backrest, looked up at the sky, and said with a wistful expression.
“If life is dull, alcohol becomes sweet.” There will come a time when spirits from Goron or wine from Pulan will become sweet. What is that expression? The alcohol tastes bitter because life is still sweet. “You will know someday~.”
“… ”
“What is that expression?”
Ed said, looking at Kalide with a pitiful expression.
“If you are too pretentious, bad rumors will spread among students.”
“Huh, bluff?! Did you think I was just bluffing? ?!”
“If a drink is sweet, it’s sweet. If it’s bitter, it’s bitter. What kind of meaning is given to it?” .”
“I thought this was a pretty macho and cool line… ”
“It felt like a self-justification from a drunkard who had nothing to boast about except that he drinks well. Please exercise some restraint in front of students. “Once he becomes the head of a department, maintaining authority is important.”
In fact, Ed was in a position to say everything he could not say to Kaleid.
Kaleid is his immediate superior, but he is superior to Edgar in terms of status and influence.
In the end, thanks to that strangely balanced balance, they were able to treat each other without hesitation. It may have been a tiring situation for some people, but from Ed’s point of view, there were not many people he could talk to like this, so he thought it was quite okay.
“That’s harsh! Even though I am the head of the department, I am being treated bitterly. “This makes the drink sweet.”
“Anyway, I’ve uploaded all the necessary reports and the handover of duties has been completed, so I’ll go.”
“Okay~. “My Ed, I’m sure you’re very busy doing academic work and research, while also playing the role of a nobleman.”
“If you know, please do some work. “Okay then.”
Ed lifted the wooden case containing the documents, waved his hand roughly, and greeted Kalide. It was time for the arranged carriage to arrive, so he was ready to leave.
“Hey, Ed.”
However, Ed was about to head towards the stairs of the Trix Building hill when Kalide called out to him.
Kalide spoke calmly, taking out a new cigarette and smoking it.
“You are what you will become.”
Kaleid Roxter.
The head of the department who spent half of his life in battlefields or lawless areas, and eventually came to teach in Sylvania with the glory of a war hero.
A person who doesn’t shave properly, is always drunk with eyes wide open or smoking cigarettes, and is treated like an old man in the back room. He was the kind of person who was scolded not only by senior members of the department but also by junior professors.
However, even if it rots, it is acceptable.
“Don’t be like Glast or Zelan.”
Professor Kalide blew out a puff of tobacco smoke and spoke to Ed, who was quietly looking back while holding his wooden briefcase.
Three heroes of the demi-human war.
Seeker Glast, Outlaw Kaleid, and Slicer Zelan.
Among them, Glast died, and Zelan was said to be wandering the world, disillusioned with his life.
Both of them were likely battlefield comrades who had crossed the line of fire together with Kaleid.
Thinking of his comrades who did not end well, Kalide spoke with his head down.
“I’ve seen too many children who were supposed to be bad kids become unhappy for ridiculous reasons.”
“… ”
“I hope you don’t do that.”
Ed looked at Kalide, who was lighting up cigarettes, for a moment, then burst into laughter.
The dragon’s roar echoing through the sky soon died down, and the stage that seemed like it would continue forever came to an end.
I endured until the end in a war-like day where it was not strange to die at any time, and confirmed the end of the story.
What remains is an afterthought.
──I lived happily for a long time.
Most children’s books usually end like that.
With that one last sentence, you slam the book shut and the story comes to an end.
Kaleid wants nothing more, nothing less, just that.
“Thank you for your concern.”
There’s no way there’s anything worth saying in response.
Leaving behind only that formal thank you, Ed walked down the hill steps.
“… ”
Professor Kalide, who was left alone, leaned heavily on the back of the bench, looked up at the sky alone, and chuckled.
“It was just rain.”
*“Eh, Professor Ed… . When I applied the elemental response theory you mentioned last time, the magic response definitely got better… It was difficult for me to wake up on my own… that… I wanted to thank you… ”
I was reading a book while waiting for the carriage to arrive at the plaza at the entrance to the living building.
After completing my work report to Professor Kaleid, all I had to do was leave for Pulan.
The coachman who had been hired in advance was scheduled to come to Aken Island, carrying Jenica from Baron Palover’s mansion.
When Yenika comes, we rest for about half a day and then depart for Pulan. It will probably be a special experience for Yenika as it will be her first time in a bachelor’s setting in a long time.
“so… I am… that… A gift… ”
At that time, the student who came up to me sitting on the fountain railing looked familiar.
This is a girl who sat in the front of every class on elemental science and listened to the lecture with her bright eyes shining.
Since I am also human, I cannot help but feel more affectionate towards students who have a good attitude toward class. The way he worked hard in everything was like seeing myself as a student, so I remember giving him a lot of advice regarding elemental magic.
The girl, with her bangs neatly organized with a small hairpin, held out a small box to me with a hesitant movement.
“I have that poetry, that poetry, that skill…” It’s still not enough… It may not taste good, but… !”
“… ”
“Still, I wish I could at least repay you… Well, that part you gave was really helpful! therefore… I wanted to at least show my sincerity… ”
I held out one hand and accepted the beautifully wrapped box.
“Okay, thank you. Were you a Fjorn student of the Celcus family?”
“yes! You remembered my name… !”
“To begin with, I remember all the students in charge. However, since exchanging personal gifts or money may be misleading, it is best to refrain from doing so from now on. “What I’m giving you now doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a huge amount in terms of money, and it seems like it shows good faith, so I’ll accept it.”
“Yes, yes…” ! Well, I never thought of that. “I’m sorry if I was inconvenienced!”
“No, I didn’t mean it would be a nuisance, I was just saying to be careful. “Thank you for the sincere gift.”
When I sincerely expressed my gratitude, the girl just fidgeted with her fingers.
It seemed like he probably wanted me to open it right here.
It wasn’t that difficult at all, so it was time to sneakily look for the entrance to the box.
– Hee hee
– Crack, tap.
The sound of a tired horse slowly walking in.
After completing the entrance and exit procedures for Sylvania Academy, a large carriage came along the street at the entrance plaza of the living building.
Baron Palover’s carriage with its cosmos pattern is not flashy, but it is old-fashioned.
The door of the carriage that stopped in front of me across the noisy residential square slowly opened.
Eventually, Baroness Yenica, owner of the Barony of Palover, slowly appeared inside.
A name that no one who practices elemental arts in the central region of the empire would know. The appearance of Yenica Palover, a rare spiritist who was actually serving as a shield for Duke Rothtaylor, attracted the attention of the surrounding area.
I don’t find it too surprising since I see it often, but it may be an interesting sight for passers-by in the student plaza.
Perhaps because of her simple nature, Yenica Palover does not often wear fancy dresses.
Rather, a simple blouse and skirt with various flower-shaped embroidery look much better on her.
Although it is a robe with various pretty patterns harmoniously embroidered to preserve the dignity of an aristocrat, the overall impression of it being a simple attire does not disappear.
Jenica came down the carriage steps, the hem of her skirt fluttering, and looked around. It’s been a while since I last looked at Sylvania Academy’s academics, and it seems like things have changed quite a bit.
“Are you here, Yenika?”
“Ed!”
Yenika, who approached me with a smile, suddenly froze for a moment when she saw the girl next to me blushing and looking at me.
Student Fjorn felt like he had suddenly become frozen as he saw the appearance of the legendary spiritist who suddenly appeared.
“Who is this kid… ? Are you a student studying with Ed?”
“yes. I am a Fjorn student from the Kelcus family that manages the northeastern plains. I’m an honor student. Now, say hello.”
There are not as many opportunities to meet Yenica Failover as you might think. It would be good luck for Fjorn.
However, Yenika looked back and forth between the box in my hand and the cringing Fjorn… Soon, I broke into a cold sweat with my pupils shaking for no reason.
“Eh, Ed… “Do you seem to be very close with the students?”
“… ? No, we’re not particularly close, but… I don’t build a separate wall. “These are the kids I have to teach.”
“Okay… I see… Student Fjorn, thank you very much for giving this gift to Ed, the master of the Duchy of Rosstaylor… ”
“yes… ? Yes, yes… ”
Even as Jenica thanked Fjorn, her pupils dropped as if she was afraid of something.
As we exchanged greetings for a while, Yenika looked at Fjorn as if she was deep in thought, and then quickly turned her head towards me.
“Eh, Ed! What we always do! Hey! “You have to wake up every morning and do it like eating!”
“what?”
“Ahaha, Ed too… ! I already forgot… ? Now, here… That.. forehead… ”
Although there were many eyes watching, Yenika quickly approached me and exposed her forehead right in front of me.
I finally understand. The story is that here I will try to kiss your forehead, which I have failed to do several times due to overload.
Boldly sticking out her forehead in a place where so many eyes are watching is an expression of Yenica Palover’s will.
No matter how many times I practiced, I couldn’t believe that Ssukmaek, who would end up with a nosebleed on his own, could do this… Now that it’s almost time to go to Pulan, has my heart become stronger?
If I want to sincerely repay Jenica for her efforts, I have no choice but to agree with her.
I wrapped my arms around Jenica’s shoulders and kissed her forehead.
The heat of Yenika felt in that short period of time was almost like a furnace. With her blushing face, her mouth purring and her hands clasping her wand, it seemed like she was somehow holding back an explosion.
I remember when we first kissed, it seemed like Yenika was the one who attacked first… So how much courage did she have at that time? Now that she was looking at Yenika now, she wanted to give her applause even more to Yenika then.
“star… ”
Yenika, who didn’t think it would be strange if she fainted right away, opened her mouth with difficulty.
“It’s no big deal! It’s like a routine kiss that we do every day, so it doesn’t feel particularly special and it’s just normal! That’s right, for us, a kiss like this is like saying hello!”
I was about to point out that he should take a breather before speaking. If I get pointed out like that for no reason, I feel like my shame will reach its limit and I will collapse.
Yenika quickly lowered her forehead and spoke to Fjorn proudly.
“Oh, I’m sorry, student Fjorn! I was suddenly embarrassed! This is our daily life! daily!”
“her… uh… ”
“yes! If we want to meet our research schedule, we have to go to Pulan quickly! We have to leave right now! Isn’t that right, Ed?!”
“what? You must have had a hard time just coming all the way from Ross Taylor’s territory, but I took a break for about half a day and looked around the school for the first time in a while… ”
“no! I have to go now! You can’t put off work! Let’s go! ruler!”
Yenika quickly pulled me into the carriage, holding my arm tightly and pulling me.
It doesn’t matter to me because it’s good for me to get things done quickly, but I was worried that Yenika would be tired after coming a long way, so I set the schedule a bit loosely.
He stubbornly refused and pulled me toward the carriage, saying it was okay, so I had no choice but to nod that I understood.
-bang!
Just like that, the carriage door closed. I could see Fjorn’s bewildered expression through the window.
A gentle breeze blew as she stared blankly at the carriage moving forward. Fjorn had no choice but to calmly welcome her carriage, brushing away her flowing hair.
*“Wow, these cookies are delicious! no! “Actually, it’s not that delicious!”
Jenica ate almost all of the homemade cookies that Fjorn gave her.
“It doesn’t taste very good! No, but that… very… A lot of sincerity went into it… I worked so hard to make it, but it’s a bit… to say it’s not delicious. Isn’t this a courtesy to sincerity? You must have worked hard to make it… ”
“… ”
“No, it still doesn’t taste good! “It’s not like it’s not!”
“… ”
I’m not asking myself anything… . Yenica, who was criticizing her cookies, took heart and declared that she was not tasty.
Still, the one who couldn’t give up his kind heart and ignore the sincerity put into the cookies was Yenika Palover.
If you make up your mind to do something, do you do it until the end? His attitude, which was neither of these things, was almost laughable if you watched him from the side. No matter how hard you try to be stoic, that is your limit.
“Aren’t you tired, Yenica?”
“I think it would be more tiring to stay on the Bachelor together…” ”
The carriage that had left Aken Island was slowly heading towards Pulan.
Flowers were blooming here and there in the plains visible outside the window.
A peaceful sight with a few butterflies flying in the warm sunlight. The sound of the carriage wheels rolling and the languid sight of the coachman cracking his whip from time to time put me at ease.
“Hey… Ed receives many gifts like this… ?”
“What, to the students?”
“huh.”
I thought for a moment and finally answered.
“I get paid quite a lot. Thankfully, there seem to be quite a few students who want to express their gratitude for what they have been taught. When I was a student, I didn’t know anything about that… After my position changed, I wish I would have expressed it that way too. Well, my life was in danger at the time, so I couldn’t afford it.”
“Well, I see… So it happens quite often… ”
“That’s the way it is.”
Yenica lowered her gaze for a moment and then spoke hesitantly.
“Hey… Ed, I’m not jealous… ”
“… ”
“No, let me correct you.”
As for Yenika, it looks like she has had a change of heart…
“I’m jealous.”
After taking a deep breath, he says this with a dignified face.
“… For someone who says it with such an energetic face, the content is a bit strange… ”
“I, too, am self-aware! But what can I do when I feel jealous?”
“… ”
“Well, based on my experience, I feel jealous, but if I pretend not to be jealous, I will only become more miserable!”
“okay… The very attitude of learning something from experience is highly valued… ”
“But even if I admit that I’m jealous, I feel miserable… What is this… No matter what I do, am I bound to be miserable? ”
“Well, is there any need to be miserable?”
After wondering how to comfort Yenika, I decided to just tell it like it is.
“It’s the same even if you change your position. “If you talk to another man like you’re getting along well, I might get jealous.”
“Huh, Edgar? To me? “Jealousy?”
“I told you. “I take pride in being on good terms with you.”
“Yeah, yeah… ?!”
Well, it’s just an assumption that something like that would happen, but Yenika raises the corner of her mouth as if it makes her feel so good.
“But the premise is so unrealistic… It’s a man other than Ed… I’ve never really imagined it… ”
“Actually, even if it’s not about men, if you become a noble, it would be a good idea to spread your legs here and there.”
“Well… When I was at the bachelor’s, it was nice that everyone treated me comfortably, but after becoming the hostess of the baron’s house, I didn’t know how to behave… “We are going through a difficult time.”
“Time will tell everything.”
“It seems like I’m the only one losing money by doing this! Structurally, I have no choice but to be jealous… !”
Yenika was talking about this while shaking her head, and suddenly sighed as if she felt despondent.
“Ugh… ”
It was a lament filled with many emotions. If you were to give me the reason…
“I used to be a jealous person.”
“In the first place, people cannot always live with only positive emotions. is not it?”
“Still, I didn’t want to be a burden to Ed.”
“No luggage.”
“It doesn’t bother me if you grunt like this.”
“Do you think human relationships can be maintained without that much bickering?”
It was hard to leave Yenika alone as she was sighing over her emotions, so I made sure to tell her.
“And you said it once. Is there any relationship that isn’t completely inconvenient to each other? You owe me what you do, and I owe you what I do. “That’s how we live, fighting against each other.”
“is it… Ed is probably right. Like the princess and prince in a fairy tale, there is no such thing as a match made in heaven promised by fate… Yes, because it’s reality.”
While saying that, Yenika suddenly straightened her shoulders with a gasp.
I’m suddenly hesitant. It’s not something that happens in a day or two. Perhaps he belatedly realized what he meant by comparing himself to a princess and a prince.
“No, I mean!”
[Aha, everyone is full of energy. ]
The moment Yenika blushed and was about to say something, a wind spirit suddenly appeared across from the carriage seat.
The original form of the spirit, which took the form of a girl, was a wolf the size of a house. However, it is currently manifested in a form with minimal magical power consumption.
“Merilda.”
[It doesn’t look like I need a companion on the trip. Both of you. Still, I came here because I wanted to say something. ]
Inside the carriage heading to Pulan.
Merilda, the high-ranking wind spirit who had been astutely quiet until now, started humming to the sound of the polygonal carriage wheels… Eventually, he continued speaking.
[ Speaking of the highest-ranking wind spirit, ‘Tirkalax’… I recommend not digging into the giant bear’s fate. ]
This is a guy who doesn’t often appear suddenly of his own volition.
Still, as if she wanted to say something, Merilda sat down with a bewitching look on her face, waving her white bare feet.
