IWBCAS 53

Chapter 53

“Me? I don’t mind, but…”

As soon as I agreed, Killian pulled me into a hug. He’s much taller than me, but he lowered his head against my neck, and I could hear his breathing up close.

“I lost control for a moment earlier. I want to apologize for scaring you, Lydia.
And I’m fine now—my breathing is steady.”

Pressed against him, I could feel his calm rhythm. It tickled my nerves, so I pushed him away gently.

“You’re really okay now?”
“Yes. And… I hope you won’t cry because of me again.”
“…Okay.”

For some reason, that stung—like he was drawing a line. Maybe it was because I kept remembering the way he’d called “Yelena” so desperately.

Hendel cleared her throat and came over.
“Ahem, my Lady. There’s a festival at the market today—would you like to go see it?”
“A festival?”
“Yes. Today is Dragon’s Day. The square will be crowded.”

Killian suddenly coughed. I looked at him, worried, but he just cleared his throat.
“Lydia, don’t we have work to do?”
“We were going to shop anyway. We can look around naturally and see what the festival is like.”
“But…”
Hendel chimed in, “It’s quite a big festival in Tulin. You’ll enjoy it.”

I gave Killian a hopeful look; he finally nodded.
“If you’re not feeling well, I can go alone,” I added.
“That’s not acceptable,” he said firmly.

Hendel smiled and explained, “Dragon’s Day is the day of the twelfth full moon each year. People here believe it’s the day the Divine Dragon left Tulin. The deep lake in the center of town is said to be the Dragon’s tears. Outsiders laugh at the story, but we keep the tradition—turning sorrow into a big festival.”

“So we might see people in dragon costumes,” she added. “It’s like a small ritual—to bring the Dragon’s blessing back to Tulin.”

“Wow, I want to see it. Thank you, Hendel.”

Killian’s face stayed dark while she spoke. Maybe talk of dragons bothered him. I whispered, “Should we just go back to the inn?”
“It’s fine. If I’m with you, it will be good,” he said.

We said goodbye. Hendel bowed again and again, amazed at her now-spry knee, and wished to see us again.

After we left, Hendel went upstairs to scold Shane for not coming down. But Shane was standing by the bed where Killian had lain, staring at a cold bowl of soup.

“What are you doing? You should’ve seen them off!”
“Mom… look.”

Hendel followed his finger and covered her mouth, legs giving way.
“Oh my…”

On the bed lay pouches of gold coins and various gems.
“Maybe today really is a day blessed by the Divine One,” she whispered.

“Are you truly okay?” I asked Killian this time. Now I understood why he had always worried about me.
“I’m fine. I’m sorry I made you worry.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry. My mind went blank—I didn’t even think to use my power.”

Killian stopped walking. I looked back. He smiled faintly.
“Please don’t use that power on me.”
“Huh? Why not?”

No one had ever refused before. It sounded almost like a warning.

“It may not be good for people who use magic,” he said calmly as he came back to my side. “Please, promise me.”

“Oh… okay. I’ll be careful.”

I wondered why my healing power didn’t match well with magic. I’d never used it on a mage before. Could my power be related to magic somehow?

“Do you want to learn magic?” he asked.
“If I could. Even with magic crystals, I can’t use them by myself. I have to hire a mage to make magical tools.”

(Probably Xavier would be that mage—but one person wouldn’t be enough. And there are fewer mages now. There’s no Magic Tower, and most mages work on magitech trains or refining mana stones. Who would bother with small tools? I can’t exactly ask an archmage like Killian to craft them either.)

Killian gave a small laugh. “It’s a pity. Only people with mana can use magic. But I’ll help however I can.”
“Really? That’s great!”

So I don’t have mana—too bad, but fine. I wasn’t going back to that awful healing center anyway. I’d just check whether someone is a mage before using my power next time.

I turned my head—and something caught my eye.

“Ki—Killian! That carriage! Isn’t that ours?”

Our stolen carriage was right there, parked boldly in front of a tavern.