The Second Adoption (1)
My brief schedule in the Imperial Capital Dersia had come to an end, and it had been a fortnight since I'd returned to Handel to spend my days as usual. Mornings were for training Beatrice, lunch for feeding the exhausted girl delicious meals I'd cooked myself, and occasionally we'd go on nighttime outings together. Even to my eyes, our bond seemed to be growing stronger by the day. After all, we were spending nearly twenty-four hours a day together under the same roof. It would have been strange if our intimacy hadn't built up.
Anyway, if I had to point out a few changes from the past two weeks, the first would be Beatrice herself. Astonishingly, just a month and a half after starting to learn mana from me, she'd reached the 3rd Hierarchy. Even prodigies couldn't achieve that speed, which made it a genius-level talent befitting the Blood Witch. Her physical abilities had improved across the board, and she was starting to handle the three-sword style with some real form. At this point, she could probably manage solo combat. For example, she could take down those Edenberg back-alley thugs I'd seen before. No exaggeration. The 3rd Hierarchy might seem low at first glance, but it was the stage where one truly surpassed beginner level—based on standards for formal knights, no less. And Beatrice handled her aura more skillfully than any 3rd Hierarchy I'd observed. Whether she walked the path of the swordsman or the mage, she was clearly destined for greatness—a true child of mana.
If that talent combines with the power of blood... just how far will she reach?
From my perspective, it was a sight that stirred both expectations for my disciple and a sense of caution. Ensuring that power didn't go astray was precisely my role as her master.
Clap!
"That's enough for today, Riche."
I'd been watching Beatrice demonstrate the swordsmanship I'd taught her—awkwardly, but with effort—and clapped at the right moment to call her over. The sun was already high in the sky. It seemed fine to wrap up the morning training here.
Beatrice wiped the sweat streaming down her face with her sleeve and turned to me. I gave her a gentle smile and added,
"I've already prepared lunch while you were training, so hurry up, wash, and come down."
"Yeah!"
Her response was immediate. Beaming, she nodded, sheathed her sword, and dashed up to the second floor. That joyful reaction had sprung from hearing I'd made the meal.
"Heh."
I chuckled in satisfaction. For these past two months, I'd been taming her with food, more or less. Beatrice had fallen right into my trap, hooked so deeply she couldn't escape. Like one of those dogs that salivates at the sound of a bell? With this, that girl would only grow more inseparable from me. Foolish little daughter of mine.
"......"
I briefly wore the expression of a scheming villain, then quickly schooled my features back to normal. Enough playing around.
While Beatrice ate the meal I'd set out in the kitchen, I had my own task to attend to. I strolled leisurely around the courtyard to the back of the mansion. There stood a small, single-room shed shrouded in a black tent.
Whoosh!
I pulled aside the dark fabric and pushed open the iron door to step inside. Click—the lights revealed the interior. Nothing particularly special. Shelves lined with all sorts of magic tools, a dozen or so magical materials whose uses would baffle ordinary folk, and geometric patterns etched into the wall connected to the mansion, like a spell formula. That was it.
This was a standard magic circle used in wizards' towers or lairs—a barrier.
Over the past fortnight, even amid daily life, I'd devoted time to repairing and reinforcing it. For the second disaster... to bring in my second adopted daughter, I'd need to be away. I couldn't predict what harm might befall Beatrice in my absence, so precautions had to be thorough.
"Time to wrap it up."
Shaaa—
I slowly drew up my mana. Not the ashen hue of aura, but the pure blue of raw mana gleamed in my eyes. It had been four years since I'd self-studied magic after learning basic barrier techniques from a wandering mage I'd met on the battlefield during my mercenary days. I wasn't a proper wizard, but I'd peeked over their shoulders enough to mimic it somewhat. Naturally, it paled against barriers set by 8th Hierarchy grand mages.
Still, with the absurd time and resources I'd poured in, it should be decent. I'd even inscribed an alarm spell to notify me instantly of intruders, no matter where I was. I'd focused on durability to buy time until my return.
"Whew."
After tinkering, refining, and reinforcing the barrier for several dozen minutes, I let my mana settle. Wiping the beads of sweat from my forehead, I exhaled lightly.
"This should... do nicely."
I was satisfied with my own handiwork. Precautions enough. I left the shed, locked the door, and returned to the mansion.
"Ah, you're finally back."
"Hm?"
Beatrice, sitting in the kitchen and swinging her legs in clear annoyance, turned to me. The lunch I'd prepared for her sat untouched. As I hesitated in surprise, she puffed out her cheeks and scolded me.
"Where'd you disappear to this time, Dad? I thought you'd be quick, but I waited forever."
"......I figured you'd eat without me."
"No way. I'm eating with you, Dad. Sit."
She stated it with utter finality now. Chuckling wryly, I approached the kitchen, pulled out the chair opposite her, and sat.
"Good girl. Still, if you're hungry next time, go ahead and start without me. A swordsman at your level can skip a meal no problem."
"......"
"Don't pout like that. I have my own duties sometimes."
"Hmph."
"Oh dear?"
Beatrice ignored me and stabbed irritably at her food with her fork. She shoved a piece of cutlet into her mouth, chewing while glaring. Even that petulant glare felt endearing, drawing a laugh from me. But I had to say what needed saying.
"I should've mentioned earlier, but I'm heading out tonight. Short trip."
"......What?"
As I picked up my utensils and started in, she squinted one eye. Still, I calmly sliced my meat and continued.
"Might be back soon, or it could run late. Either way, I'll return within two days. Can you behave?"
"......"
"Just so you know, there's a reason I can't take you this time. Sorry."
I preempted any protests like last time in the capital. Sure enough, she clamped her slightly open mouth shut and sulked. With a sly smile, I teased her.
"What's this? You always complain about me treating you like a kid... but now that you're staying behind alone, you're lonely? Guess you're still just a little girl after all."
"......!"
It worked like a charm. A vein bulged on her pale forehead, and she slammed her fork on the table with a thunk!, growling at me.
"What're you talking about? No I'm not! Of course I can handle being alone. I don't need you around!"
"Oh ho, is that so? Then I can go without worry?"
"Duh, obviously...! Ugh, I'm so done. I'm fifteen, you know."
She grumbled, shot me another glare, then viciously speared a piece of bread. Her emotions were plain in every action, but I nodded in satisfaction.
"Alright then. Wait nicely. No crying from loneliness."
"Eek... I won't cry! Who's crying?!"
"Hahaha."
"Don't laugh! You're making me mad!"
Beatrice turned her head away as if refusing to look at me anymore. Her silky deep-blue hair swayed, wafting a faint jasmine scent to my nose. So that's what she'd bought with the pocket money from our commercial district trip—shampoo? Or perfume? Either way, Beatrice was persuaded. Such an easy mark, my daughter.
I ate slowly, glancing out the kitchen window. Perfectly aligned, it offered a view of Handel's snow-capped mountains towering into the sky. Known as the Hertesia Mountains, that was my destination tonight.
One reason I'd chosen this northern city as our base when bringing Beatrice here.
...Wonder if I'll return in one piece.
I twisted my lips with a hint of tension. The second disaster threatening this world's future. The Monstrous Strength Chaos God, who would one day lead hundreds of thousands of monsters to ravage the continent. My second adoption target was waiting deep in those mountains.