Chapter 198
Magic… could I really learn it? I want to learn it. Really… But does my opinion even matter?
“If… I learn magic, would that make Lord Ceres happy?”
If I learned magic, would it help them? Would they be pleased? Then… would they not abandon me?
“Zien, that’s your choice. My opinion doesn’t matter.”
…It doesn’t matter?
The orphanage head always acted like their opinion was the most important, as if my thoughts were worthless…
“I’ve told you before. If you want to do it, you do it. If not, you don’t. It’s your decision.”
Once again, I’m being told to make my own choice.
‘Really… is it okay for me to choose?’
My heart pounded. For a moment, the ring on my hand seemed to shimmer.
“…I’ll learn magic.”
“That kid’s a natural talent.”
“A natural talent?”
Chaian had come to the shop after a long time. As soon as he sat down, he brought up Zien, who had just joined as a student.
Ceres, who had also been curious about the child’s magical aptitude, listened intently.
“If you teach them one thing, they already know ten more.”
“Zien is smart, I’ll admit that.”
Even at home, it was obvious how clever the child was. Whenever something was explained, Zien grasped it instantly and was often already acting on it.
‘Quick-witted, you could say.’
Still, they seemed cautious of others, which was a little concerning—but perhaps that was better than being completely oblivious.
“They’re as smart as our Yulia.”
“Not just that!”
“…Wait, are you insulting our Yulia?”
“No, no. That’s not it.”
“My kid’s already learned all the letters.”
“…Yeah, Yulia’s smart too.”
That indifferent kid suddenly got all fired up when talking about their younger sibling.
Chaian awkwardly smiled and quickly changed the topic.
“I mean, their magical talent is extraordinary.”
“I know.”
Our Arty doesn’t just give rings to anyone.
“They were born to learn magic!”
“Yeah, yeah, got it. They’re keeping up with lessons, right?”
“It’s not the lessons! I mean, really, they’re incredible!”
“Alright, alright. Want some tea? We just got a new batch of honey.”
“…Yeah, lots.”
Ceres, apparently satisfied as long as the lessons were going well, returned to being indifferent, and Chaian quieted down too.
“The only issue is… the kid’s a bit rude.”
“Rude? You mean Zien?”
Ceres lightly clicked their tongue while placing a cup in front of Chaian.
“They don’t seem rude—it’s just that they don’t speak much.”
It was understandable if someone misunderstood, considering they didn’t know Zien’s past. But it wasn’t polite to reveal it either.
“They may speak little, but they really are a bit… rude.”
“It’s just shyness.”
“…Shyness?”
That didn’t seem right.
It was obvious from the first meeting that Zien was quiet. Yet during magic lessons, they answered questions well and nodded attentively.
‘The problem is…’
After class.
“Class is over for today.”
Bow.
“Zien, want to eat together?”
“……”
“If you don’t want food, how about cake? I found a nice dessert cafe recently.”
“……”
“Uh…”
“……”
“…See you.”
Bow.
After class, they wouldn’t respond to any questions. They just stared silently, with a clear sense of annoyance.
‘At least they make eye contact with me.’
According to the secretary Luka, Zien wouldn’t even exchange glances with anyone else.
They completely ignored people—passing by as if no one existed.
“They’re just not used to it yet.”
“Not used…?”
…That didn’t seem right.
“Our Zien is polite and very courteous.”
“Polite? Courteous…?”
…That also didn’t seem right.
Ding.
Just then, the shop door opened and Zien appeared.
“I’m… back.”
Still awkward, slightly blushing, and bowing their head deeply in greeting.
Finding it cute, Ceres approached and lightly ruffled their hair.
“Go straight home.”
“…I’ll help.”
“Help with what? Your job is to go home, study, and play.”
Since starting at the academy, Zien had visited the shop after lessons. Claiming they wanted to help.
Cleaning, carrying dishes… Even if told not to, they stubbornly insisted, asking to be allowed to do something.
Setting down their bag, Zien picked up a mop and started scrubbing here and there.
Whenever they approached, the mercenaries eating nearby flinched.
“Just finish that and then go home.”
“Yes…”
Ceres took off their apron after hearing the response.
“I’m going out for a bit.”
“Where?!”
“Why are you going out?!”
“Why, why!”
“…?”
Turning back in surprise at J, Ceres saw the mercenaries shouting as a group, asking where they were going.
‘…What’s with them?’
Wherever I go, what business is it of theirs?
“Where are you going?”
J, feeling sorry for the mercenaries, asked on their behalf.
“To the market. I need to buy something.”
“I’ll go!”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve got more free time than you, anyway.”
Some ingredients had run out—they needed to be bought before the evening service.
“No!”
“I’ll get it!”
“No, I’ll go!”
…Seriously, what is this?
Seeing a few mercenaries raising their hands in protest, Ceres wore a dumbfounded expression. Why are they going to the market?
“I’ll go.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
Ignoring the mercenaries, Ceres left the shop, accompanied by Zien and J.
“Ah…”
The mercenaries all let out a simultaneous sigh.
Until Ceres was completely out of sight, Zien glanced around nervously while standing in place, making the mercenaries flinch.
“……”
Thwack!
“Eek!”
The mop Zien held flew under one mercenary’s seat.
It seemed some stew and broth had spilled.
“No, no! I didn’t… uh, uh!”
The mercenary stammered, but couldn’t finish their sentence as their body suddenly floated into the air.
‘Grrr.’
‘Here it goes.’
“Hey, clean up that spill quickly!”
“Who spilled this?!”
Not just the body—the chair and table the mercenary had been sitting on floated as well. Zien diligently scrubbed underneath.
Fwoosh-
Once cleaning was finished, everything returned to its original place.
“Haa… haa.”
The mercenary, having experienced unwanted levitation, shivered. Yet they praised themselves for holding onto their stew bowl—their precious hangover stew was safe!
Swish.
Zien looked around for the next spot to clean, making the mercenaries tense again.
When Ceres was present, Zien behaved innocently, pretending to be meek. But as soon as she left, this was the result.
‘Look at that expression!’
Everyone was astonished seeing the child’s cold expression, so different from the faint blush and smile they had shown earlier before Ceres.
Whoosh!
“Waaah!”
Another mercenary lifted off the ground.
Scritch-scratch.
Zien worked diligently with the mop.
“……”
Watching all this, Chaian chuckled.
‘As expected of our naturally talented student. Using magic they were just taught—perfectly.’
Even quickly sweeping up some spilled tea with their foot.
