A Heartwarming Morning and Liriet's Frosty Glare
"Haaam..."
Whew, I slept like a rock. No sooner had we arrived in Arkanell than we rushed off to Rozmil Village, and with all the side errands along the way, I must've been utterly exhausted. I woke up feeling so refreshed that my mind was crystal clear. Normally, I'd be groggy and stumbling around from sleep inertia.
"Hm?"
I'd planned to wake Yuria for breakfast, but when I looked around, she wasn't in bed. Where'd she go? Could that madman Clovis Haven have sent some beast after her in the night...?
My heart skipped a beat. Anxious, I threw on my overcoat and dashed out of the room.
"Yuria!"
I searched frantically, telling myself it couldn't be, when boisterous voices drifted over from somewhere nearby.
"My, my, you're quite good at this. Such nimble fingers."
"Here, try one of these candies."
"Hee hee, my granddaughter used to do the same..."
It sounded like it was coming from the balcony. I bolted toward the noise, only to find an utterly unexpected sight.
The elderly higher-ups of the Magic Association were gathered in small groups, and right in the middle sat Yuria, fiddling with what looked like knitting.
What am I even looking at?
"Yuria, there you are."
"Baal?"
I let out a sigh of relief as I approached, and Yuria turned her head toward me. The silly ahoge sprouting from her head swayed left and right like it had locked onto its target. It was like some kind of antenna.
"I didn't see you and got worried. You should've at least left a note."
"Didn't want to wake you."
"It's fine, so next time, wake me up, okay?"
"Yeah. Got it."
She was so obedient. If there was a contest for docility, she'd outshine even Liriet.
"Anyway, what brings everyone out here?"
"What do you mean? She was wandering the halls alone, so we were just keeping her company."
"Tch, tch. Old folks like us don't sleep in anymore."
"Come take a look at this. She made it—pretty impressive, right?"
They must've been treating her like a granddaughter they were playing with. Most of these people were in their sixties or so—grandkid age. It had probably been ages since they'd seen such a pure little child.
"Oh, that's quite good."
I couldn't help but admire the half-finished knitting in Yuria's hands. If she just had more time, the foundation was solid enough. There was no mention in the original story of her having any crafting talent, which made it all the more surprising.
"It's past ten already. Has everyone eaten?"
"Of course. Who hasn't by now?"
"Go feed your disciple already."
"Pardon? You didn't take Yuria with you?"
They hadn't been watching her from the start? That didn't make sense—they wouldn't leave her behind and eat without a care.
Puzzled, I asked, and Grita Morvel pointed at Yuria with a fond smile.
"We couldn't just leave you sleeping alone. She stayed put fiddling with that until we got back. Must be starving by now."
"Yuria did?"
She skipped eating on my account? She could've just asked for food anytime—she knew that. But maybe she didn't realize, given her background.
Honestly surprised, I stared at her in disbelief.
"Yeah. Yuria waited. V."
She flashed a V-sign with her fingers like she was promoting herself, appealing proudly.
"Yuria, where'd you learn that?"
"Grita taught me."
"My granddaughter did it all the time as a kid."
Teaching her the weirdest things. Her face was as blank as ever, but those little hands making a V-sign created such a bizarre contrast. And yet... it somehow suited her. Guess I was getting used to her quirks.
"Anyway, let's go eat. You must be famished from waiting."
"It's fine. Yuria's good at enduring. Can go a week without food. Even tried ten days."
"Good grief..."
"Poor thing."
"......"
She'd probably said it to show she was okay, but it only drew pitying exclamations from the crowd.
Figuring I should set things straight, I knelt to meet Yuria's eyes.
"Yuria, from now on, you have to eat three meals a day properly. Got it?"
"Three meals?"
"Yeah. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. No skipping, no matter how busy."
"Why?"
Why, huh? No good answer there. Maybe the same tactic I used on Liriet.
"That's how kids grow big and strong."
"Grow big? Bigger than Baal?"
"Hm... possible, depending on your effort."
At over 180cm, surpassing me might be a stretch, but for persuasion's sake, it was a white lie.
In the original story, she was tiny—probably from malnutrition and Clovis's abuse.
With three square meals under my roof, she might grow beyond recognition.
"Okay, then I'll eat. Three times a day, properly."
"Good thinking. Now, let's go eat."
"Yeah."
"Say goodbye to the elders who played with you first."
I turned her body gently, and with one hand firmly in mine, she waved the other limply. Her skinny arm flailed like a dried fern.
"Bye."
"See ya, kiddo."
"Aigoo, so patient. She'll break hearts when she grows up. Right?"
"I was like that too... sigh, time flies."
Even that feeble wave charmed the grannies; they waved back, beaming.
Once she became a proper mage, her backing would be formidable. The whole Magic Association seemed ready to support her.
"Oh? Just waking up?"
"Master."
On the way to the dining hall, I ran into one of those presumed backers—my own master, Godwin Lowell. No need to explain; he'd become a Yuria stan overnight. He denied it, but his vibe screamed he was smitten.
"Grandpa, hi."
"Ahem! Good morning."
Look at that—his mouth split into a grin the moment she waved her tiny hand.
Should've married sooner. Now he'd probably throw a fit for a granddaughter in his old age.
"I heard. Heading back home early?"
"Yes, planned to leave the day after tomorrow at latest. With Yuria and my niece to worry about."
He scowled at my words.
"Unbelievable. Are you really that bookworm who only had eyes for tomes?"
"People change with age, don't they?"
"Not this fast! Anyone'd think your soul got swapped!"
Oh, how'd he know? The dignity of an 8th Circle archmage, I suppose. Not quite a soul swap—just the other one awakening.
Sheepish, I grinned awkwardly. He tsked and tossed me something.
I caught it: a familiar item.
"Master, this is..."
"Was gonna give it at today's ceremony, but you're in a rush. Take it. Cleared it with Grita too."
It was the gold badge symbolizing Gold Star rank—the highest below the Grand Council led by the Association Lord.
Me? Even at 7th Circle, this wasn't easy to get.
"Am I worthy of this?"
"Who else? Your papers from last year alone had the Council reeling."
"I heard..."
Pre-7th Circle, I was more magitech engineer than mage, pumping out theory-heavy papers. Like experimental vs. theoretical physicists. I didn't grasp their impact then, but even Master praised them lavishly. Guess they were a big deal. A gold badge big.
"You earned it—don't be humble. I'll vouch at the palace too. Take the kid and go."
"Master, mind if I get a little teary?"
"Shut it, you brat, and get going!"
Ah, ruined the touching moment. My budding respect got slashed. Still, I couldn't help smiling. Once, as a mage aspirant, I'd idolized that badge. Few in the Tower's elite even had one. It meant recognition.
"Understood. We'll head out right after eating. Thank you again, Master."
I bowed deeply; Yuria mimicked awkwardly.
"Grandpa, thanks."
"Hey, kid—do you even know what that is?"
"Dunno. Baal said thanks, so I did."
"Master-disciple duo already clicking like pros."
"V."
"That's not praise, brat!"
Leaving the lively morning behind, we finished breakfast and boarded a carriage for the duchy— just the two of us.
I'd asked just in case—Ern Chesper and Seripia Valentine were staying put. So Yuria and I rode alone toward the ducal lands.
Alone, I'd have pushed nonstop, but mindful of her fatigue, we took breaks. We arrived the next day.
"Baal."
"What is it, Yuria?"
"Lots of people here."
"It's the ducal territory. See that big mansion ahead? That's your new home."
"Huge."
Even the emotionless Yuria showed childlike excitement—or instinct? As Argent Mansion came into view, she knelt on the seat, wiggling her hips.
Kids can't resist big, shiny things. No aversion was a good sign.
- Neigh!
The horses whinnied loudly as we arrived. Looked like family come to greet us. Perfect timing—I could introduce Yuria right away.
"Alright, Yuria. Let's get down."
"Yeah."
Holding her hand, I helped her off; she hopped lightly to the ground.
"Welcome back, Baal. Thought it'd take longer—you're early... Hm?"
Edmund Argent froze mid-welcome, assuming I was alone. He blinked at me, then Yuria, repeating several times.
"Who's the child?"
"Well, actually, I was about to expl—"
"Uncle."
Someone cut in, sending a chill down my spine. The air felt colder, like the warm spring breeze turned to midwinter north wind. Climate magic? Even Master couldn't pull that off.
I turned toward the voice, feeling the frost,
"You're back early. I'm so happy."
There stood Liriet Argent, gazing at me with eyes and aura clashing against her usual soft tone.
...Did I do something wrong?