What is Life?
A month had passed. Ever since signing the contract with the Gold Wheel Merchant Guild, Martel Barony had transformed beyond recognition into a land of plenty. The shampoo factory had become a bustling hub of activity for the territory's people, and warehouses overflowed with top-grade flour and firewood supplied at cost by the guild, piled high like mountains. Father's humming never left his lips, and the townsfolk's faces glistened with healthy glows. For the first time, our perpetually cold and hungry northern frontier had welcomed a winter of abundance and warmth.
And today, fat snowflakes began tumbling outside the window. The first snow of the season.
"Ah, these tangerines are so good."
I was sunk deep into the rocking chair by the fireplace, peeling and eating them one by one. Warm room, fluffy blanket, sweet-tangy tangerines. Ahh, this is the life.
"Young master."
Then came the familiar voice shattering my peace. I turned to see Seria standing there, arms crossed, looking down at me.
"Lying around like that again? There's an old saying: eat and flop down right away, and you'll turn into a cow."
"If I turn into a cow, I'll have killer marbling."
"Something to brag about, huh. Get up and do some stretching at least. That's why you're not growing."
"Argh, come on! Do you know how much vitamin C is in these? It's all going straight to my height!"
"Vitamin C is for your immune system. If you wanna grow, drink milk and run around. Up you go."
Seria grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and hoisted me up like a kitten. Damn it. When am I gonna grow?! I flailed helplessly, dangling there.
"Okay, okay! I'll get up!"
Only then did she set me down. I straightened my clothes and cleared my throat.
"Ahem. With snow falling, lounging inside does kill the romance a bit."
"Shall we head to the courtyard then? Roll around in the snow for some stamina training..."
"Are you nuts? Why go out in this weather?"
I pointed at the swirling snow outside and grinned. "On a snowy day, it's hot springs time. Come on, Seria. Let's soak and warm up."
"...Yeah, can't argue with that."
"Right? You grab towels. I'll snag some snacks."
I bolted to the kitchen, grabbing two cups of sikhye and some roasted eggs. Bundled in thick coats, we headed to the backyard of the Lord's Castle.
The little pit we'd dug up by accident back then had evolved into a proper luxury open-air bath. Smooth marble lined the bottom, and a sturdy bamboo partition divided the men's and women's sections right in the center.
"Ooooh... this hits the spot."
Slipping into the steaming water, an uncle-like groan escaped my lips. Cold snowflakes drifted down from above, while sulfur-scented warmth enveloped me from below. This was winter's true flavor.
Splash.
A water sound came from beyond the bamboo fence—the women's side.
"Seria, you in?"
"Yes. Young master, don't splash at the edge. It's slippery."
"I'm sitting nice and still! You treat me like some kid you can't leave near water."
"At ten years old, you are exactly that."
Fair enough. Still, just you wait. Once my growth plates kick in, I'll pat that head of yours nonstop.
I floated the basket I'd brought on the water's surface. With a flick of my finger, I channeled some mana.
Hum.
The basket lifted slightly into the air and floated gracefully over the bamboo partition to the women's side.
"Here, service. Roasted eggs and sikhye."
"...Young master!"
A sharp voice shot back from the other side.
"Using magic again?! Forgot what the doctor said—no mana for a while?!"
"Hey, that was ages ago. And this much is like breathing. No overload."
"You said the same last time and collapsed! One more faint, and I'll bring boiling porridge in the pot itself!"
"Eek!"
I clapped both hands over my mouth in horror. That purple swamp-porridge Seria had made when I was bedridden last time. The taste of sweet and salty tap-dancing in my mouth—it sent chills down my spine just remembering.
"Okay, got it! I'll be careful!! Just spare me the porridge, please!"
"Hmph. Good. I'll enjoy the eggs."
Shell-cracking sounds came from beyond. I sighed in relief and cracked my roasted egg against my forehead.
"Hey, Seria."
"Munch munch... Yes?"
"Remember four years ago, when we first dug this up?"
"Of course. You suddenly insisted on finding a hot spring, shoveled like mad, and ended up covered in dirt."
"I dropped the water on you too, got you all wet."
"..."
"You were wearing a white shirt, so it went all see-through..."
Whoosh!!
Before I could finish, a high-pressure jet blasted through a gap in the bamboo, slamming my face.
"Pbbft! Gah! Cough cough!"
"Pervert young master! Wipe that awful memory right now!"
"What can I do, my eyes saw it! And back then you were just a kid too... Whoosh! Gaaah! Okay! I surrender! Mercy!"
Under Seria's merciless water-cannon barrage, I threw up my hands and feet. Thought my face was gonna cave in.
After the watery chaos subsided, peace returned to the open-air bath. Only the soft sound of snow piling on our heads.
Snowflakes touched the steaming surface and melted away in a hiss.
"...Seria."
"Yes."
"Nice, huh."
"...Yes. So warm."
Her voice from beyond had softened. Silence fell for a moment, then Seria spoke quietly.
"Back then."
"Yeah."
"I hated winter most."
A faint sadness tinged her words.
"Cold, hungry. And most of all... scared of being abandoned anytime. On snowy days, the chill pierced to my bones—I worried I'd freeze to death."
I leaned back against the bamboo in silence. I remembered that winter when Seria first arrived in our territory. The scrawny seven-year-old in thin rags, glaring at me with wary red eyes.
"And now?"
A small laugh came from the other side.
"Now... I look forward to winter."
"Oh? Why?"
"I can soak in warm water like this. Eat delicious eggs to my heart's content. And most of all..."
She paused.
"...I can watch the snow with you, young master."
Thump.
...This twelve-year-old making my heart race. My face burned. Must be the hot spring water, right? I cleared my throat and splashed idly.
"Ahem. Well, I am pretty awesome. Never a dull moment with me, huh?"
"Yes. Days fly by cleaning up after your mishaps."
"Hey, the mood was perfect—did you have to ruin it?"
"Just stating facts."
We giggled across the bamboo. Though I couldn't see her face, I could picture it: cheeks faintly flushed, eyes crinkled in that pretty smile.
I looked up at the night sky. Endless white flakes pouring from the black expanse—beautiful.
"Seria."
"Yes, young master."
"I'll keep making winters worth waiting for."
"...Pardon?"
"Next year, the year after. Even ten years from now. Every first snow, hot springs together."
I added playfully, "By then, I'll be way taller than you—no more head-pats to tease me."
A pfft of laughter burst from the other side.
"Ten years? You'll be a fine lord leading our territory by then. Height... well, keep trying."
"And you'll be the empire's top knight? Gotta protect me."
"Of course. I'm your sword and shield. I'll stay by your side forever."
"Promise?"
"Yes. I promise."
We couldn't pinky-swear, but backs to the bamboo, we felt each other's warmth. Snowy northern winter night. Yet the bath's air was warmer and fuzzier than ever.
"Oh, but young master."
"Yeah?"
"Next first snow, you'll be eleven."
"Yep."
"If you're still shorter, stamina training rolling in the snow. Got it?"
"...Hey! You ruined the romance!"
"Just a heads-up to drink lots of milk. Don't stay too long—dizzy spells incoming. Time to get out."
"Ugh, you're so annoying!"
We bickered as we rose. Countless first snows awaited us together.
-
Time flowed on, and before we knew it, two years had flown by. I was twelve, Seria fourteen.
In those two years, Martel Barony had struck gold with the shampoo business—total rags-to-riches. Townsfolk brimmed with leisure, and Father's belly had grown kindly plump.
Changes came to me too.
"Sigh..."
Chin on the windowsill, I gazed at falling leaves and let out a deep sigh.
"What... even is life."
Autumn breeze tousled my hair. Everything felt futile. Magic's truths, the territory's wealth—all too heavy a burden for dust like me in this vast universe.
I stared into the void with melancholic, lonely-wolf eyes.
"Where did I come from... where am I going..."
Smack!!
"Aaaah!!"
Wh-what?! I screamed and tumbled from the sill, clutching my back and rolling on the floor. Looking up, Seria stood there arms crossed—don't know when she'd snuck in.
"Where to? Training ground."
"Hey! You just smacked your lord on the back?!"
"You were hanging on the window moping, so I gave you some physical therapy to snap out of it."
Seria didn't bat an eye. Was this that puberty thing? Lately I'd felt all sentimental and autumn-mopey, but her ruthless back-smack vaporized it. Outstanding therapy.
"Ow, that really hurt! Your hand's brutal."
"No whining. Up. Stamina training time."
"No way! Not doing it! I'm off today—my joints ache!"
I flopped and flailed on the floor. But Seria snagged my collar like luggage and started dragging me.
"Let go! I'm a noble mage, you know!"
"Forgot our promise on that first snow two years ago? Shorter than me, you do stamina training."
"But we're almost the same now! I've grown tons!"
True story. At twelve, my growth spurt finally hit. Legs ached every night breaking me awake as I shot up—no more craning my neck at Seria.
"Almost doesn't count. And I'm still one centimeter taller."
"One centimeter? Pfft! Heels and I'd tower over you!"
"Save excuses for the training ground."
In the end, I got dragged out by Seria.