Episode 44
The Imperial Magic Tower, unique across the continent, was a sanctuary for all mages.
Magic.
It was a concept entirely independent of Abilitators. Unlike Abilitators, whose powers were tethered to their bloodline, the path of magic was open to anyone. While personal potential remained constrained by one’s innate mana and intellect, the fact that anyone could master it—and that one wasn’t restricted to a single, predetermined ability—made it an inherently attractive field of study for those who hadn’t awakened.
…Or so thought the current Master of the Magic Tower, Daniel.
But this was the highly subjective opinion of someone born with a magical talent that appeared maybe once in a century.
His blue eyes, framed by the monocle that had become a symbol of the Tower Master, fixed upon the boy. His long, white hair was pulled back into a single, neat braid. Though he was of an age where his own children could have been grown, his slowed aging meant he still possessed the appearance of a young man.
He had often claimed to be wedded to magic, remaining a bachelor despite the countless advances from many women. Naturally, he had no children to his name.
The Tower Master stared at the silver crown of the boy who had appeared in his office just days ago. The child had bypassed all of the Tower’s security spells, walking into the sanctum with nonchalant ease.
And the request he had made was…
[Master, you need a son, don’t you?]
[W-what? What is this?]
[Ah. How about the “long-lost secret son” trope? Our hair and eye colors happen to match quite well, don’t they?]
[What kind of nonsense are you spouting after breaking in like this? And what do you mean they match!]
[They’re similar.]
[They are clearly different! You have silver hair with a bluish tint, and I have pure, bleached white hair!]
[…Is being old something to brag about?]
[What did you say?!]
Sensing the Tower Master’s intense gaze, the boy tilted his head, meeting him with a defiant stare.
“If you have something to say, don’t just stare. Speak up.”
“…What kind of monster are you? Are you truly ten years old?”
Elision seemed like someone who had traveled back through time. However, an ability related to time was unheard of, and he knew that in the realm of magic, turning back the clock was an area bordering on the impossible.
Elision, a boy with a talent that stunned even the Tower Master, replied with a shrug.
“Where did I come from? The stork brought me, I suppose.”
“Y-y-y-y-you! Look at the way you talk! Are you saying the stork is your parent?”
He was a child of such extraordinary talent that, rather than letting him go, the Tower Master had been so bewitched that he had rushed through the adoption process right on the spot—if only to ensure no one else snatched him up. He was terrified someone like Duke Papiope would whisk the boy away, as the Duke was known to hire anyone with talent regardless of their background.
The boy acted insolently, clearly aware that the Master couldn’t simply abandon him. He picked at his ear, muttering whatever came to mind as if he were bored.
“My legal father is you now, Tower Master. Think carefully—did you ever have a one-night fling in your younger days?”
“I have lived a life of chastity!”
“Not even one?”
“Yes!”
“…That’s a pity.”
A look of genuine pity crossed Elision’s eyes. He looked as though he truly felt sorry for him. Being on the receiving end of a gaze of pity—something he’d never experienced in his life as Tower Master—Daniel felt the impact strike his heart like an arrow.
“…I say this so you don’t misunderstand, but it’s not as if I were unpopular. I was simply uninterested in women because I dedicated my whole life to magic.”
“Did I say otherwise?”
“Even now, if I asked who wanted to marry me, there would be a line!”
“I suppose it’s because a rich old man has a lot to leave behind.”
“…”
Why was it that the more they argued, the more pathetic he felt? From the start, the boy wasn’t speaking or thinking like a ten-year-old. His trademark cheeky, relaxed attitude felt like the persona of a man who had lived at least twice his age. What exactly was this brat?
The Tower Master gazed at Elision with unreadable eyes, issuing a warning as if demanding a confession.
“The adoption has only been filed; it hasn’t been legally processed yet, you brat. That means I can cancel it whenever I want.”
“…My biological parents already got what was coming to them and kicked the bucket, so don’t worry about that.”
“That’s not what I’m asking! I’m curious about your true motives for seeking me out!”
“I told you. You looked like you needed a son, so I came to be adopted.”
“Why would I need a son when I’ve lived alone my whole life?”
“Then why did you adopt me, Tower Master?”
“…”
Elision shrugged his shoulders lightly, as if to say, *See?*
“You might not believe it, but I really did come here to be your son. I’m still at an age that needs a guardian, and I thought you’d want me.”
“…”
“It’ll be on record that I was at the Papiope talent development center before coming here, so feel free to look into it if you’re worried.”
“Then what did you do before you entered the talent center?”
At the question, which seemed to evoke unpleasant memories, Elision raised an eyebrow. He contemplated the answer and replied as concisely as possible, honest yet devoid of artifice.
“I lived because I couldn’t die.”
“Ugh! Tell your father what happened! Are you even my son, acting like this?”
“Uncle, I’m sorry.”
At the way he drew a line without a second of hesitation, the Tower Master smacked his own forehead.
“Fine! Forget it, just forget it!”
The Tower Master ultimately gave up on trying to pry the truth out of him.
“Whether you fell from the sky or rose from the ground, you are my son now. Just try betraying me and running away—I’ll chase you to the ends of hell.”
He whipped his head away as if daring him to argue back. Elision spoke up, indifferent to whether the man was looking at him or not.
“Other than that, Tower Master.”
“…”
“Father.”
“…Did you call me?”
The Tower Master couldn’t suppress his joy; the corners of his mouth twitched as he looked at Elision demurely. Perhaps because he was happy to see that the Tower Master’s personality remained unchanged, both before and after his regression, a small smile curled onto Elision’s lips as well.
But their heartwarming moment didn’t last long, owing to the bombshell Elision dropped next.
“Regarding the ‘Agricultural Revolution’ project the Tower is conducting—the one that synthesizes nitrogen from the air into fertilizer. Could I participate in that as well? I think I can significantly reduce the research period.”
✦ ✦ ✦
After spending a few days adjusting to the Duke’s residence, the weekend arrived—the day Mr. Aiden was set to visit. Since we had already discussed it, we sent a reply confirming our acceptance as soon as the Duke sent the invitation.
“Lena, make me look pretty today!”
She laughed softly and brushed my hair with great care.
“Are you that happy, My Lady?”
“Yes. It’s the day I introduce Mr. Aiden to the Duke.”
“It seems this gentleman has been very kind to you, My Lady.”
*Mr. Aiden* and *My Lady*… the rhyme was killing me. I answered her, distracted by my own silly thoughts.
“Yes. He was kind, but more than that, he was the first person to reach out to me when I was abandoned. I’m truly grateful to him.”
“My Lady…”
“Don’t make that face. I didn’t say that to get your pity.”
It was the truth. But a deeper sadness appeared on Lena’s face.
“Even when you were struck so hard by Sir Lucian that you had bruises on the back of your hand, you didn’t even show a hint of pain.”
“No, that’s…”
It’s embarrassing to cry just because I got a light slap from a kid at my age. I parted my lips, unable to spit out the truth.
“People around you praise you for being very mature for your age, but I think it’s okay for you to be a little more like a child.”
“…Lena, you’re saying something similar to what he said.”
“I believe there is a difference between a child who matures early and a child who had no choice but to mature early.”
Lena seemed to think I was the latter. I was grateful for her concern, but how was I supposed to explain this?
“I have precognition. Even if I’ve lived through more of life than my peers by seeing the future?”
“Living a little longer does not necessarily mean one matures.”
“…I agree with that.”
“In any case, My Lady, you need to be a little more honest. Please, tell me when you are sad, and tell me when you are in pain.”
“Okay, I’ll try. Thank you for worrying about me.”
Why were the people of Papiope all so kind? I felt like I was already deeply attached to them.
…This was troubling, as it meant there were so many people I had to protect now.