Chapter 28
“Huh?”
Cheyan’s eyes widened as he saw the little girl.
With a very indignant look, he exclaimed,
“Why are you letting her through? That’s cutting in line!”
A moment ago, when he had tried to go toward the entrance, the people had practically shouted at him with eyes blazing. But now, everyone was quiet.
Instead, those same people who’d been swearing just moments earlier were suddenly all smiles, looking like kind neighborhood uncles.
“She’s different.”
“Yeah, she’s different.”
“What’s different about—?”
Clack.
“Yulia.”
“Sis.”
Just then, the shop door opened and Seres appeared.
The girl’s steps quickened, and she ran straight into Seres’s arms.
“She’s the owner’s little sister.”
“Ah…”
Realizing who she was, Cheyan looked at the child with renewed interest.
Her big, bright green eyes were especially cute.
“Sis, are you busy today?”
“Why?”
Seres led the girl into the store herself.
She didn’t bother scolding her again for showing up here—there was no point when Yulia never listened anyway.
“Can’t you come with me to Dave’s house?”
“Dave’s house? Why?”
Didn’t she say his mom ran away from home?
Could they have come back already?
“I need to give him something he left behind.”
It turned out it was stuff from his academy locker. Today, Yulia had picked it up on his behalf—she had volunteered herself after the teacher said someone should deliver it.
“You never know, right? Maybe he got in touch somehow. If we know where he lives, we can at least send a letter.”
“…I doubt it.”
If someone ran away for good, it wasn’t likely they’d send word.
But Seres couldn’t bring herself to say that aloud—not in front of those hopeful eyes.
“I’ll be done soon, then we can go together.”
“Okay!”
“Sit over there and behave.”
Nod.
After seating the girl at a designated spot, Seres slipped back into the kitchen.
In the meantime, customers came and went in a steady stream.
“One stew, please.”
“Yes, just a moment.”
Cheyan finally entered the shop, found a seat, and placed his order.
“Huh?”
Yulia, who’d been restlessly watching customers as usual, suddenly froze—her gaze locking right onto Cheyan.
And since Cheyan happened to be looking her way too, their eyes met.
Suddenly—
“Magic isn’t hard at all!”
Yulia jumped to her feet and shouted, making the whole shop fall silent.
While other customers blinked in surprise at her sudden outburst, Cheyan only widened his eyes briefly—then brushed his long hair back and flashed a bright smile.
“Yes, that’s right! I am none other than the great archmage Cheyan, author of that very book!”
“Wow!”
Yulia clapped her hands gleefully as he struck the same pose as the illustration in his book.
Cheyan’s smile grew even broader at her reaction, and he spoke in an elegant tone.
“So, little lady, do you dream of becoming a magician yourself? Is that why you read my book?”
“Nope. I just read it because all my friends were reading it.”
“Ah… well, that happens. So—did you find it interesting? Did it spark your curiosity about magic?”
“Not at all.”
“…What?”
“It was super boring. It’s just a bunch of stories about how great the Tower Master is.”
“……”
…Yeah, definitely sisters.
“Next time you come, sign my book for me!”
“You said it was boring—why do you even want an autograph?”
Cheyan pouted, but Yulia just looked at him like he was the silly one.
“You don’t get it! People don’t buy that book because it’s fun or educational. They buy it for the picture at the front! Some even tear out the first page and carry it around.”
“…Thanks.”
At least they liked his face.
“But I didn’t tear mine out! My sister said it was expensive, and if I damaged it, I couldn’t even resell it later, so I take good care of it.”
“……”
The way she hit him with pure, painful honesty—it was obvious these two were siblings.
“Is it this house?”
“Yup.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve been here before. Dave’s mom even gave me a snack! Strawberry cake!”
“I never heard about that.”
“Well, it was my boyfriend’s house, so I told Sis to keep it a secret.”
“…Colin.”
As promised, when the shop quieted down, Seres took Yulia and headed for Dave’s house.
Apparently, she’d been here a few times with the butler, Colin.
Knock knock.
When they arrived, Seres knocked on the door.
But after quite some time, there was no response.
Knock knock.
“…I don’t think anyone’s home.”
“Then what do we do?”
“Hmm. Maybe we can leave it with a neighbor?”
“I don’t think so. The teacher said to give it to Dave’s house.”
Stubborn, as always.
In the end, Seres knocked again.
Maybe they’d have to come back tomorrow?
Clack!
“Who’s there…?”
At last, the door opened—and Dave’s father stood there.
His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Seres and Yulia.
“You’re…”
“Hello.”
He seemed to recognize Yulia right away.
“Ah, Lady Yulia. What brings you here?”
He greeted her with a polite, gentle smile. Though he was only a minor noble, he clearly knew Yulia came from a noble family, judging by his refined tone.
“The teacher told me to bring Dave’s things.”
“Ah…”
Taking the small bag from her, the man’s face clouded with sadness.
That faintly wistful look made Yulia’s own expression fall.
“Thank you.”
“Has there been any word from Dave?”
“No, I’m still waiting to hear from him myself.”
He crouched slightly to meet Yulia’s gaze.
“You were quite close with my son, weren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“If you happen to hear from him, could you please let me know as well?”
“Okay.”
“Thank you. I’d offer you a snack, but the house is a mess right now… Please take care on your way home.”
Waving farewell, he began to close the door—
Thunk.
But Seres, who had been quiet all this time, suddenly stopped it.
“Wh-what is it?”
She stepped closer, her eyes quickly scanning his appearance.
“You were cleaning?”
“Huh? Oh…”
The man faltered as he looked down, realizing his pant legs and sleeves were rolled up.
Water still clung to his hands and feet—it was obvious he’d been cleaning.
“Ah, yes. The house got a bit dirty.”
“I see.”
“Well then, thank you again for bringing Dave’s things.”
With another polite farewell, he stepped back inside.
“Hmm.”
But even after he disappeared, Seres didn’t immediately turn away.
“Sis?”
At Yulia’s call, she finally stepped back from the door with a click of her tongue.
“There’s a smell.”
“A smell? What kind of smell?”
“The kind healers use—a medicinal scent.”
“Huh?”
“There’s a specific kind.”
After one last glance at Dave’s house, Seres turned and hurried back toward the tavern for the evening shift.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
When the aide, Dell, entered the office, he found Kainel buried behind a mountain of documents.
Since arriving in the capital, his workload had exploded—delayed tasks piling endlessly on his desk.
Most were related to northern resources, so none could be handled carelessly.
“I brought your meal.”
Removing his glasses, Kainel gave Dell a look of irritation. He’d clearly said earlier that he didn’t need food today.
“You barely ate yesterday, sir. I made something special myself—please have at least a little, for my sake. You’ll collapse at this rate.”
“You’ve been talking more lately.”
“Haha, perhaps I’m getting old.”
“Are you complaining about your age in front of me now?”
“My apologies.”
“I’ll eat later. Just leave it.”
“You promise?”
“……”
“Understood. Please make sure you do.”
Seeing Kainel’s narrowing eyes, Dell quickly excused himself.
As he left, Kainel clicked his tongue lightly.
Was the man really getting old? He sure had been nagging a lot more these days.
