Chapter 8
“The illness is progressing quickly. I heard that now he spends more time lying down than sitting.”
“That’s unfortunate. He was a promising child. What about the matter we were investigating earlier?”
“I’m sorry. We contacted Laksimun of Dawn and Ishel of Afterglow… but even among the noble families under them, there is no information about anyone with the same Bijou.”
Admiral Diegon Pashayen has two sons.
The eldest, thirteen-year-old Micard.
The second, eleven-year-old Elzen.
Both were known as strong candidates for the next admiral.
But one day, Elzen suddenly fell ill.
There is only one way to cure it—
To find a partner with the same Bijou and share their life force.
“Enough. If that is his fate, then so be it. Anyway, today is the second class, isn’t it?”
Garlizard asked quietly. Cedric adjusted his glasses and answered immediately.
“If you are referring to Miss Shu, then yes.”
“Teach her about the Elemental Kings. There was no sign yet of a formal contract with one. In that case, we should guide her to become a contractor.”
“Yes. It would be a great blessing for the family… if it happens.”
“We must make it happen. If it does, she will be extremely useful. Even if she doesn’t become a resonator, she still has value.”
Garlizard’s eyes shone sharply.
Cedric lowered his head and quickly scribbled something on the parchment he was holding.
“More work… again… annoying…”
Garlizard chuckled kindly.
“Don’t complain.”
“…Yes.”
“Tsk, none of you have any manners.”
“I am a weak and lacking human who can only sleep three hours a day, so I am very tired.”
Cedric was extremely trusted—though he didn’t welcome it.
His real ambition?
A bed.
I want to sleep 12 hours! No— I don’t want to wake up at all! I don’t want to go to work!!
He submitted resignation letters every month, but Garlizard ignored them… so Cedric had become a bit reckless.
Garlizard was very tolerant toward talented people, so he let it slide.
“Now, you should go teach your class.”
“…Sigh, yes.”
Of course, he still made him work.
Just as Cedric dragged himself lazily toward the door—
“……?”
When he opened it, a small child was standing there.
Looking up at him with bright eyes.
“Hello. Is Marshmallow grandpa here?”
Who?
Cedric looked down at her with dull, lifeless eyes—then sniffed.
It definitely smelled like cookies.
“This… is for teacher.”
“…What?”
“If you eat it, you get energy!”
“…What?”
It didn’t make much sense.
But this child was currently the rising star of Pashayen.
And Admiral Diegon was backing her.
I should… accept it, right?
He was already being watched by Diegon because of the earlier incident at the training hall.
If he upset him further, he could forget about a peaceful retirement.
His dream of a “lazy life in bed” might turn into “being beaten half to death and stuck in bed.”
After calculating that, Cedric reluctantly accepted the cookie.
She’s just acting cute because she doesn’t understand things yet.
Soon, she would learn what it means to be a Pashayen princess.
And she would become like those troublesome children.
It was prejudice—but built from experience.
“Hey, are you only giving it to the teacher?”
“No! I have one for grandpa too. I made them yesterday!”
As the girl walked past him and offered a cookie to Garlizard, Cedric realized something slowly.
She’s not afraid… no, she has no hesitation at all.
How?
Even Lady Chesilia still trembles in front of her father…
Name: Shuperty Pashayen
(Claims her name is Chuu)
Commoner. Orphan. Public daycare background.
Dream: Chef.
According to daycare teachers, her physical development is delayed—around 4 years behind.
Appears to be about 2.5–3 years old. Exact age unknown.
Origin unknown. Parents unknown.
Awakened before being discovered. Details unknown.
Bijou: Unknown.
Possibility of being Diegon’s biological daughter: 1% (unlikely due to age).
In dangerous situations, the Water Elemental King protects her.
Was originally scheduled to enter a branch family next year, but was instead adopted into the main Pashayen family by the will of the ancestral whale.
As Cedric reviewed this information in his mind, a small curiosity appeared.
“Oh? It’s shaped like a bear.”
“If you take a bite… you become strong like an orca!”
“Alright, I’ll try it. Cedric will eat it too.”
Under subtle pressure, Cedric took a bite.
Sweetness spread immediately.
The taste was… normal.
What could such small hands really do?
Most of it was probably made by a maid.
He chewed casually—
Then suddenly froze.
“…Huh?”
I looked up at teacher nervously.
He still looked like he was in a bad mood.
I hope this gives him energy!
“By the way, why did you suddenly make this?”
“Teacher looked tired…”
“Oh? You made it because Cedric looked tired?”
“Yes!”
At grandpa’s words, I nodded strongly.
Water Elemental King proudly showed off how kind I was.
“Well done.”
Grandpa patted my head with his big hand.
It felt nice, so I smiled.
Getting praised made me happy!
“Miss.”
Then—
“How did you make this?”
Teacher Cedric approached me, trembling slightly, with a serious expression.
I looked at him and clapped happily.
“Teacher’s eyes became clear!”
The orca sugar must have worked!
* * *
“My lady, please sit here.”
“Huh?!”
W-what?
Teacher is being so kind!
Soon, I walked to class while holding Cedric’s hand.
“Let’s see… Are you hot? There’s a fan here.”
“Fan…?”
I tilted my head.
I had never seen this before.
But… why does it feel familiar?
Since I didn’t know what to do, I blinked.
Teacher placed it beside me.
“This stone, which looks like opal, contains a wind spirit. And this tiny stone next to it is a magic stone.”
“Yes!”
“It stabilizes the magic circle. Combining spirit stones and magic to create useful tools is called magitech engineering.”
My pink hair fluttered in the breeze.
It wasn’t very hot, but it felt cool.
“Thank you!”
Then I glanced behind me.
The other children were staring in shock.
“Hey, have you ever seen Cedric act like that?”
“No…”
“I’ve only seen him whining and begging to be dismissed by Lord Lewiwood.”
“This is unfair treatment!”
Whisper, whisper.
They were talking badly about me.
Then—
Flame Elemental King advised warmly:
“Those who can’t even speak in front of you aren’t worth caring about.”
Yes, that’s right.
I wanted to be friends with everyone, but… I’m not class leader anymore anyway.
Being in the classroom reminded me of my torn name tag.
I felt a little sad.
No… if I think about it, I’ll cry again.
I should be strong.
Those kids weren’t here today anyway.
And it sounded like the Elemental Kings punished them too.
“Now then, today we will learn about the eight Elemental Kings of this world.”
“Oh, I already know that!”
At teacher’s words, I sat up straight.
But complaints came from behind.
“Then leave if you don’t want to listen.”
Teacher’s eyes narrowed.
“I won’t stop you. In fact, I’ll inform the family head so you don’t attend future classes.”
“……!”
“You’re not leaving? Then we continue.”
Teacher is scary…
The children immediately became quiet.
Though they were still breathing angrily, they didn’t dare speak.
Meanwhile, Cedric began writing on the board.
