Another Day Dawns
Ian stretched languidly, inhaling the fresh morning air as another day broke. 'The air here's damn good.' In this primitive medieval fantasy world where everything felt raw and unrefined, one of the few things Ian truly appreciated was the clean air. Unlike the polluted atmosphere of his industrialized modern life, the air here was crisp and pure no matter where you went. Well, flip that around, and it just meant the whole world was one big countryside... This medieval fantasy realm had none of the big three pollutions—no air pollution, no light pollution, no noise pollution. No buildings blazing through the night, no trucks and motorcycles roaring down midnight roads. For any sleep-deprived, high-strung office worker, a single night in this world would feel like paradise.
Ian leisurely brewed himself a cup of morning tea. It was chrysanthemum tea, made from the wildflowers common in the fields. 'What's healing got to be so special? This is healing.' Food without sweeteners. A regular schedule of early to bed, early to rise. And a stress-free environment to boot... This era was a naturalist's dream. The funny part was that the people of this time actually despised this boring wellness lifestyle. They craved greasy, sweet, salty food; they wanted to party late into the night... In the modern world where all those medieval dreams came true, the irony was that this dull medieval routine was quietly gaining popularity.
In the distance, farmers were diligently weeding the fields. From his perch on the hill, Ian sipped his chrysanthemum tea while idly watching the common folk toil away. '...'
If he hadn't become a mage, Ian would have been down there too, laboring alongside his parents back home in harmony. Just like those people in plain sight. But thanks to his stroke of luck becoming a mage, here he was, leisurely spectating the farmers. Life was that unpredictable.
"What're you doing up there?"
It was Belenca. She was in casual clothes, dressed in a way that was strikingly feminine. A long dress that fully covered her ankles, cinched at the waist with a cloth belt to accentuate her figure. Instead of Lucy's favored pointed hat, she'd tied her hair neatly with the hair ribbon Ian had gifted her. For the first time in a while, Ian found himself struck by Belenca's looks. With her golden blonde hair and blue eyes—the kind that drove Japanese folks wild—and dressed in medieval women's attire that wasn't over-the-top even by modern standards, she looked straight out of a Japanese anime: the quintessential blonde beauty.
"People-watching."
"People-watching? That's... kinda weird..."
Belenca blurted it out thoughtlessly, then cut herself off. Ian was a mage. The kind who did bizarre things like it was breakfast. What felt odd to her might be routine for him.
"Uh, forget I said that."
"What're you on about?"
Without asking, Belenca plopped down beside him. Ian didn't mind. That was just how she was. The only time she ever sought his permission was when it came to negotiating her own fee.
"What's that?"
"Chrysanthemum tea. But I've only got one cup."
"I see."
Belenca played it off casually, but by now Ian was getting used to her tells. That was her way of hinting disappointment. She probably figured he was being stingy with the fancy tea... But honestly, Ian just didn't want to share a cup he'd already used. He felt unfairly accused. Who're you calling cheap? I didn't share 'cause it's gross passing a cup mouth-to-mouth.
Feeling indignant, he piped up. "It's the one I was drinking from, but if you're cool with it...?"
How's that? Bet it's gross since I drank from it! But that was just Ian's assumption. Belenca beamed at the offer. Gross 'cause someone else used it? Nah, Belenca don't care!
"You sure I can have it?"
"... Go ahead and finish it. Plenty of water around."
Belenca lifted the cup straight to her lips—the same one Ian had been sipping from moments ago. No dodging the spot where his mouth had been. No dainty sips because it was someone else's cup. She was just unapologetically bold. Ian marveled at her girl-crush toughness. Damn. She's medieval through and through. No modern girl would ever do that.
In this post-apocalyptic society, sharing cups was no big deal. Resources were scarce compared to people, so passing around what little you had was everyday life.
"Nice aroma."
Belenca even left a casual review like it was nothing. Tea tastes great, owner's friendly~ Ian was dumbfounded but kept a straight face as he brewed a fresh batch. Liking it enough to stay planted, Belenca commandeered his tea.
"So why'd you come up here?"
"Everyone's bustling with travel prep, so I bailed. Oh, right—Galadin was looking for you."
"Not important."
"Nope, not at all."
Galadin was itching to drag Ian to the Drbosi Barony ASAP, but Ian couldn't care less. If anyone was desperate, it was Galadin, not him. It had only been a day since they'd visited Talian Baron's grave. He wanted to rest until the fatigue wore off.
"Ian. After meeting the Drbosi Baron, what then? Coming back here?"
"Back? To Talian?"
Ian tilted his head.
"No? Didn't you say before? You're heading north."
"Oh. Right."
Belenca's reaction felt off. Ian narrowed his eyes.
"What's up? Spit it out if you've got something to say."
Belenca slowly shook her head.
"Nah. Just caught me off guard, that's all."
"Off guard how?"
Which part exactly?
"Well... just..."
Ian was stunned by her response—the hesitation, the averted gaze. Belenca was embarrassed to even bring it up! This is the woman who slices people without batting an eye—why the hell...?
"I... thought you had your eye on Talian Baroness. Figured you wouldn't stray far from Talian."
"..."
Ian was too shocked to respond. My god. Belenca's a shipper...!
"You... were imagining stuff like that behind my back?"
"I-it's not imagining! You two are close, aren't you?!"
"It's 'cause Lucy's an E-type that it looks that way!"
"...?"
Ian genuinely believed that. The reason he and Lucy got along was her outgoing personality. It was the classic formula: [How Introverts Make Friends: Get Picked by an Extrovert with Tons of Buddies.] If Lucy had been quiet and shy? Ian would've bolted from Catania Earldom the second he arrived.
Unaware of that, Belenca had assumed Ian liked Lucy and that's why they were tight.
"Just friends, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Got it."
Belenca dusted off her spot and stood.
"Ian. Mind if I give you some advice?"
"??? Just say it."
Since when do you read the room? Ian found her sudden tact odd. But he should've heeded the warning—her advice came out of left field.
"Treat every girl so nicely, and... you'll regret it big time someday. Women read into the little things with delicate hearts."
Ian choked on his tea.
"Cough, cough!"
What the hell?! He wanted to argue, but Belenca was already flashing a grin and sauntering off.
"Later. Explain it well to the baroness."
"???"
Ian couldn't make sense of it. But soon enough, he'd have no choice but to recall that bizarre counsel.
With travel preparations complete, Ingrian was the first to depart Talian domain. Having negotiated his ransom well with Lucy, he planned to resume his quest for mysteries before heading back to the academy.
"Not going straight back?"
Ian asked, and Ingrian replied shamelessly.
"Why would I?"
"..."
"That's that, and this is this. I set out for knowledge, so I must pursue it."
His words sounded noble, but this was the guy caught tomb-robbing. If Ian hadn't shown up, he'd have made off with the magic sword. With Talian's treasures a bust, Ingrian was desperate for any find.
"Whatever... do what you want."
Ian was reminded anew that this was a stratified society. Your average tomb-robbing crook would've been enslaved, plowing fields with the oxen. But as a mage, Ingrian got the academy to cover his bail... It wasn't Ian's place to complain. He was part of the medieval elite too—mages got a pass on most crimes. The citizen revolution was centuries away (if it ever happened), so best to suck the honey carefree.
"Make sure to visit the academy."
"I'll handle it."
"With your skills, you'd be an assistant professor on day one!"
"... Assistant professor?"
Something about it sent a chill down his spine.
"Yep! Help with lectures, guide students, prove your magic, and boom—professorship awaits..."
Oof. Shit. That's an isekai grad student right there.
"Pretend you didn't say that."
After seeing Ingrian off, Ian headed to Talian Hall. Lucy greeted him warmly.
"Ian! Perfect timing! About that fairy silk I mentioned before...!"
"Oh. That."
A while back, Ian had discussed handling the fairy silk with Lucy. Since he had to travel, she'd store it in Talian domain in his stead.
"Just hoarding it feels off, right? My retainer says if we turn it into clothes and sell, we'll make a fortune!"
"Probably."
"Exactly! But Talian lacks artisans skilled with such fine fabric. So while you're at Drbosi, bring back a good tailor for the domain..."
"Huh?"
Ian tilted his head at Lucy's words. Oblivious to any slip-up, she kept bubbling on excitedly.
"Hold on, Lucy."
"What?"
"I... can't come back that soon."
This time, Lucy didn't get it.
"...What do you mean? Just check on Drbosi Baron and you're back."
"No."
"No?"
Lucy blinked. An awkward silence fell.
"I'm going north."
"North? We are north."
"Farther north. Beyond empire lands."
Lucy stared blankly at him.
"Then... when will you return?"
"Dunno. Three, four years maybe?"
"..."
Finally, it clicked for Lucy. Ian would venture into barbarian lands for hidden mysteries, explore various ones, and eventually circle back to Talian. Just to deal with the stockpiled fairy silk.
"Lucy?"
Ian called her name as she stood frozen.
"Sorry."
"You okay?"
"Sorry, Ian. Really sorry, but... could you step out for a bit?"
She sank into a chair.
"Please."
"..."
Ian did as asked, quietly closing the door behind him and leaving.