Absolute One Is Also New to Fatherhood Chapter 188

"My Lord."

Kang-jun, who had been lying on the couch watching a variety show, glanced sideways at Dibald who had called him and responded.

"What is it?"

Dibald answered promptly.

"Forgive my impertinence, but I was wondering if it might be time to begin Her Highness's 'magic education.'"

"So soon?"

"Yes. Even among noble families' children or the gifted at the Magic Towers, this is typically the age they begin their magical training."

Ever since Seol's magical circuits had been unlocked, Dibald's greatest concern had become her 'early magical education.'

Not only had her circuits been unlocked through the pure mana from the World Tree, but she was also born with innate talent.

Before being a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠servant to the imperial family, as a grand mage who had left his mark on the continent's magical history...

He couldn't help but want to mentor the young princess, who was like an uncut gem waiting to be polished.

"Would you care to take a look?"

"What's this?"

"I've reconstructed it from memory."

In response to Kang-jun's question, Dibald handed over a thick notebook...

『 Introductory Magic Education Curriculum 』

Kang-jun meticulously examined every word of the contents without missing a single detail.

"Not bad."

It was a well-organized curriculum designed to help beginners overcome initial barriers and develop an interest in learning magic.

The beginner's magic theory was simplified for children to understand, and the book was structured to efficiently teach 1st-circle spells.

"During my time as a human, I wrote this textbook while tutoring noble children to earn my living expenses."

"Is that so...?"

"Yes. Though it's been so long that I couldn't recall every passage exactly, this should be fairly consistent with the original."

Dibald added a few words with a hint of pride.

"For your reference, most of the renowned grand mages from noble families across the Anux continent passed through my tutelage."

"Like who?"

"Starting with the wise and just Noel, the 22nd Tower Master, followed by Baron Berg, Voltimore, Decker, Dan, Isaac, and so on..."

At this, Kang-jun's eyes widened in surprise.

"You taught all of them?"

Most of the names Dibald mentioned were mages who had achieved feats worthy of being recorded in Anux continent's history.

Some had developed their own unique magical circuits or formulas, others had published groundbreaking theses that shocked academic circles...

There were even a few renowned battle mages who had performed extraordinary deeds in large-scale wars.

"If I were to list all my students who achieved notable success during my tenure as a Magic Tower professor, it would take days."

Dibald pleaded again.

"Forgive my boldness, but may I humbly request the honor of instructing Her Highness in magic?"

Kang-jun pondered this.

"Hmm..."

Dibald was undoubtedly a capable scholar and mage.

His qualifications as an educator also seemed quite exceptional.

"Alright."

Kang-jun added.

"I'm in favor."

In this turbulent world, having some magical ability to protect oneself would undoubtedly be beneficial.

"However..."

Kang-jun trailed off vaguely before speaking more seriously.

"Seol's wishes are what matter most."

Like all disciplines in the world, magic requires unimaginable effort and patience.

'Even if Dibald's introductory magic textbook is exceptionally well-explained, it might still feel tedious...'

Though brighter than her peers, she's only four years old, isn't she?

To his own child...

He couldn't bring himself to force concepts like 'patience' or 'effort' upon her.

"I'll talk to Seol first."

Seol returned from daycare, her face beaming as she sat at the table and began unwrapping the foil from a chocolate bar.

"Delicious..."

Today's snack was 'chocolate'...

"Mother, I pray you enjoy this delicacy."

It was a bribe prepared by ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Dibald.

"It's yummy..."

Seol murmured softly before taking a big bite of the chocolate, glancing alternately at Kang-jun and Dibald sitting across from her...

"Is this really okay to eat...?"

"Yeah."

"Can Daddy and Uncle Dibald have some too...?"

Then, with eyes full of unease, she looked back and forth between the two again.

How to describe it?

If someone told her she couldn't have it, she looked ready to burst into tears immediately.

"This humble servant declines."

"Ah, Daddy's fine too."

Seol sighed quietly, murmuring, "Phew, thank goodness..." before taking another bite of chocolate and chewing happily...

Dibald broached the main topic.

"Your Highness, have you ever thought about learning magic?"

After a soft "Magic?" Seol's eyes sparkled as she asked in return.

"If I learn magic, can I use it like the Snow Queen from Frozen?"

Dibald eagerly replied.

"Yes, of course."

Seol unconsciously let out an admiring sigh as she imagined herself singing and using magic like the Snow Queen.

"Wow..."

Her mouth was smeared with chocolate.

"Seol, think carefully—won't it be tiring?"

"What's tiring?"

"Wouldn't it be hard to study after coming home from daycare?"

Seol shook her head at this.

"But some of my friends in the love class say they study at home too."

"Really?"

"Yeah! My friend Sae-ah said she does Kumon at home. And Yuri takes taekwondo and English classes!"

Must be the influence of the school district.

"Wow, they're already attending academies at that age..."

As Kang-jun muttered in surprise, Seol added.

"Can I do it too?"

Dibald then looked at Kang-jun...

Nod.

Kang-jun nodded and spoke gently.

"Alright, let's give it a try."

And so, Dibald's tutoring began.

From that day onward...

"Your Highness, shall we begin?"

After returning home from daycare, Seol began receiving an hour of magic lessons from Dibald every day.

"Mm-hmm!"

Fortunately, contrary to Kang-jun's worries, Seol seemed quite interested in the magic lessons.

"Now, for today's lesson..."

Just as Dibald opened the textbook...

Knock knock.

Someone tapped on the closed door...

"How's it going?"

Kang-jun entered with a tray piled high with clumsily cut fruit.

"Have some fruit while you study..."

Dibald responded firmly.

"My Lord."

Dibald had repeatedly asked Kang-jun not to enter the room during lessons.

"If Your Highness's concentration is disrupted, it could hinder her progress. I've asked multiple times not to open the door during lessons."

Kang-jun muttered in response.

"But I'm worried and want to see how she's doing..."

Dibald shook his head.

"You must trust me completely."

Huh, that line sounds familiar.

"Fine, alright..."

Kang-jun gently ruffled Seol's hair and said, "Seol, study hard. I'll see you later," before leaving the room...

Click.

He pressed his ear against the door, straining to listen to the conversation inside.

Wow, she's already learned all the theory?

Dibald's voice continued.

Kang-jun murmured quietly.

"Huh? What 1st-circle spell is that important?"

A few basic elemental spells came to mind—Fire, Ice, Wind, Lightning...

Then there were basic offensive spells like Magic Arrow and utility spells like Clean.

What spell could be so essential that even after great achievements, one would still rely on it?

"A spell so important that he still uses it and warns students never to neglect practicing it..."

Just as Kang-jun pressed his ear closer to the door...

"Kang-jun, can you help me move this?"

Soo-bin suddenly called him...

"Huh? Oh..."

Before he could find out what spell Seol was learning, Kang-jun had no choice but to leave the door.

Days passed in the blink of an eye, and soon a full week of tutoring had gone by.

"Exactly seven days today, right?"

"Indeed."

"Good work. Here's a little extra."

"Your generosity humbles me."

Kang-jun handed over a thick envelope.

It was the weekly tutoring fee they had agreed upon.

"Though I tried to decline, since you insist, I shall use this to purchase or create materials for Her Highness's education."

Kang-jun nodded and casually asked.

"By the way, how's Seol doing?"

"Her Highness is truly brilliant."

"She's keeping up well?"

"Undoubtedly extraordinary."

Dibald never missed a chance to praise Seol's magical talent to the skies.

"She's already mastered all the basic theory and even learned a core 1st-circle spell in just a few days."

"Really?"

"Moreover, though I never taught her how, she figured out how to apply it creatively on her own..."

Kang-jun recalled the conversation he'd overheard days ago and suddenly asked.

"So, what spell did you teach her?"

"Once she's a bit more proficient..."

"Come on, just tell me."

"My Lord, you must trust me completely..."

"Can't you just tell ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me?"

His curiosity about what spell Seol was learning had grown like a snowball.

Mainly because...

During lessons, he often heard something resembling music from behind the door.

Not only that...

When he asked Seol about it, she would only repeat that her teacher had asked her to keep it a secret.

"I had planned to show you once she achieved near-perfect mastery..."

After a moment of hesitation, Dibald murmured, "Hmm."

"Your Highness."

He called to Seol, who was engrossed in drawing on the floor...

"Huh?"

Dibald respectfully asked her.

"Would you like to show My Lord the spell you learned this week?"

Seol nodded eagerly and sprang to her feet...

"My Lord."

Dibald turned to Kang-jun.

"Could you play some music?"

"What kind?"

"Bubblegum's 'Rollin,' please."

Kang-jun raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Why music all of a sudden?"

Grumbling, he played the requested song...

"Your Highness, show him."

Seol began dancing to the music.

When did she even practice this?

"So cute..."

How can she dance so well?

"Ugh, adorable..."

Then...

As the song reached its climax...

Seol danced along perfectly...

And activated Light magic behind her.

Whoosh!

She even used Light magic to create multiple colors...

Music, dance, and magic became a 'holy trinity.'

"Ugh, so cute..."

The 1st-circle spell Dibald had deemed too important to neglect, the one he still used to this day, was Light magic...

"Dibald!"

Kang-jun clutched his chest and shouted.

"Starting next week, double the tutoring fee!"

Kang-jun declared double pay.