Chapter 19

This is a story from Lydia's perspective.

It was around late July when I received a letter from my old friend, Gowan Lockhart.

To be honest, I don't remember much of the contents.

I think it said something like, "I want you to teach my grandson, so I hope you can contact me," but I was happier that Gowan had reached out.

For the past few years, I had been holed up in the forest kingdom of Sartus, my birthplace. Yes, I had been a recluse.

I've always had trouble socializing.

When I lived in the village, it was fine. With Father and Mother around, I didn't feel too isolated. Of course, in the elf village, it was normal, but I had few friends my age. Still, the adults around me were all kind, and I had more happy memories than not.

When I was ten, it was discovered that I could use four attributes, and everything changed.

Father, Mother, and the village elders all wanted me to attend the magic academy. I wanted to stay in the village, but at thirteen, I was taken to the academy.

Before I left, Mother said,

"There are many children at the academy. You'll make lots of friends and have fun," and I reluctantly decided to go to the academy.

But the academy wasn't what Mother described.

No one spoke to me.

No, some people did speak to me, but I can't explain it, but I didn't like the way they looked at me. It reminded me of the disgust I felt when I saw goblins near the village.

I thought I might be able to make female friends, but even when I tried to talk to them, they found excuses not to hang out with me. I thought everyone hated me.

In the end, during my five years at the academy, I only made one friend.

I was admitted to the academy as the top student, so my tuition was waived, but I had to pay back the scholarship I received.

I could have taken a position somewhere, but that look would have followed me wherever I went.

So, I decided to become an adventurer to pay back the money and headed to the adventurer's town, Periclitur.

No one wanted to team up with me here either. I gave up and started taking on solo quests, like gathering herbs.

It was around three months later, in the deep autumn, when I met Gowy in the forest.

The first time I saw him, he was being chased by a pack of wild dogs. His sword was drenched in red, so he must have killed a few, but the pack was larger than he expected, and his body was covered in wounds.

His leather armor was stained red with blood from all over.

He stumbled into the thicket where I was gathering medicinal mushrooms.

When he saw me, he looked momentarily surprised and apologized,

"Sorry! I didn't know anyone was here!"

Before I could say anything, he shouted,

"I'll hold them off! Run while I distract them!" and faced the wild dogs, protecting me.

Without thinking, I shouted, "I'll support you with magic! Move when I signal!"

I don't remember why I decided to help him, but I know that decision was right.

When I supported him with wind magic, he quickly countered.

Together, we killed five wild dogs, and just as we were relieved, he collapsed.

I don't remember much after that, but I cast a healing spell on him, helped him up, and took him back to town.

After that, we started working as a team. Two months later, another companion, Baldur, joined us.

Baldur was a tall human, nearly two meters, who wielded a large halberd.

He was seven years older than us, twenty-five, and had been part of a famous mercenary group in the mercenary country of Fortis, but he became a solo adventurer due to some trouble. He hit it off with Gowy at a tavern and joined our group.

Gowy, a speed type, Baldur, a power type, and me, with my bow and magic for long-range attacks. Our names quickly spread throughout Periclitur.

Four years later, Gowy married a girl named Belinda.

His family was common, but they had a long history of serving the nobility.

He said, "I'm getting married to a fiancé chosen by my parents. I'll be gone for a month," and returned to his hometown.

True to his word, he came back in less than three months.

But for some reason, our relationship became strained. Thanks to Baldur's mediation, we managed to get by, but it was only a matter of time before we disbanded.

Then, Baldur died.

It wasn't anyone's fault. He wasn't careless.

At the end of a battle, an arrow came out of nowhere and pierced his neck. That was all it took for him to pass away.

I don't remember much after that.

I think I said something terrible to Gowy, but I don't remember what. He looked sad and returned to his hometown.

And I was alone again.

I didn't team up with anyone, nor did I want to. I completed quests alone and let the flow of time carry me.

I heard rumors that Gowy had distinguished himself and become a knight.

And that he had moved to his fief.

Five years after he moved to his fief, a plague was raging in his territory, the village of Lasmor.

Worried about him, I rushed to Lasmor without a second thought.

When I arrived, his wife, Belinda, had already passed away.

I was relieved. I had been wondering how I would face her.

Yes, I'm a terrible person. Gowy and I were never lovers, just close companions, but I felt a moment of joy when I heard about her death.

I stayed to work as a healer to stop the plague.

For two years.

I realized I couldn't stay like this and left the village when Matt got married.

I spent a few years in the village, but my heart didn't heal. Father and Mother were still healthy, and I had old acquaintances.

But the village didn't feel like home. The five years I spent with Gowy and Baldur were the only time I felt I had a place to belong.

I was starting to think about living quietly in the village when I received a letter from him.

At first, I was angry that he was contacting me just when I was finally starting to move on. But I was also thrilled to know that someone needed me.

Without a second thought, I left the village.

It was over a thousand kilometers from the village to Lasmor, but I made it in less than a month. I literally rushed here. Normally, a woman traveling alone would join a caravan, but this time, I changed horses three times to get here.

When I arrived on August 20th, it felt so nostalgic.

The village hadn't changed at all. The fields spread over the hills, the livestock grazing peacefully. Even the summer heat was nostalgic. It was a bit harsh coming from the cool Sartus.

When I passed through the gate of this manor, the first thing I thought of was Gowy. I was curious about how he would welcome me.

But when I arrived at the manor, something very strange greeted me.

At first, I thought it was a messenger from the gods. Why? Because I saw spirits flying around.

When I dismounted, a small boy was there.

He had beautiful golden hair and deep, clear blue eyes like the autumn sky, a very adorable human boy.

Around him, spirits of the eight attributes were dancing, surrounding him.

At that moment, I thought, this child is loved by the spirits, loved by all the spirits.

I wanted to see him more clearly, so I approached without thinking and knelt before him.

I couldn't help but stare at this beautiful human child.

It wasn't just his appearance. There are children more beautiful than him. But I saw something else because I could see the spirits.

A beautiful stage created by the seven colors of light and the occasional shadows. At the center stood a beautiful being that could only be described as a messenger of the gods.

After staring for a while, I finally came to my senses and noticed the boy standing frozen in front of me.

His eyes were wide open, his expression blank, and he was standing still.

At first, I thought he was wary of me. But I soon realized it was different.

He might have felt something when he saw me. No, maybe I just wanted to think that.

Time passed silently between us without a word.

When I finally spoke, he ran into the manor.

I was already drawn to him, wishing he would stay a little longer.

When Gowy came out and hugged me like old times, I felt a bit relieved.

He showed me that I still had a place here, just like before.

That night, as I listened to Gowy, I had conflicting thoughts.

I found it hard to believe that he had been granted the talent to use all attributes by the gods. But I could easily accept that. However, it was hard to believe that the soul of a boy his age was the same age as Gowy.

But I soon realized.

He had a much more mature mind than me. Yes, a more mature adult mind than Gowy.

I didn't ask about his past then, but he was a gentleman. He also had a sense of humor.

If I hadn't seen his appearance and heard his child's voice, I might have felt like he was someone like Father.

After that, I started teaching magic.

His friends, the children called the Zack group in the manor, also joined the lessons.

The two girls gave me hostile looks, but I enjoyed it.

In the village, I was always treated like a child. Not just Gowy, but Walt and his wife, Molly, also treated me with care, so I was aware that I could be childish.

But it was my first time dealing with actual children.

I tried to teach as I remembered from my academy days, and Zack seemed to notice, smiling wryly. But I continued teaching the four of them what I knew.

My daydreaming ended there.

I realized that the younger girl, Sharon, had a talent for magic.

She wasn't as loved by the spirits as Zack, but I thought she had considerable talent.

But as it stands, she has no future as a mage. Zack might be able to go to the academy, but it would be difficult for Sharon.

I was able to go to the academy because of the royal policy in Sartus. I don't think the village's financial resources alone would have been enough. Still, I was troubled by the considerable debt and scholarship.

If I were to live in this village permanently, it would be impossible.

I am an elf with a lifespan ten times that of a human.

If I stayed here, I would have to watch Gowy and the people I know pass away one by one.

I don't think I could bear that.

I think Gowy will live for another twenty years. But what about after that?

I think it's difficult for humans and elves to live together.

I postponed making a decision about Sharon, but I can train her to be competent while I'm here.

Maybe it's Zack's influence, but the boy Dan and the girl Mel are learning swordsmanship at an unprecedented speed.

If that's the case, Sharon might also learn magic at an exceptional speed.

In fact, Zack learned to use magic in just ten days.

I was called a genius and could use four attributes, but it took me more than half a year to be able to use magic after starting my training.

It took him just ten days. No, he succeeded on his second try after memorizing the spell.

If I told this to the professors at the academy, they would laugh.

Understanding the theory of magic, sensing mana, and manipulating it are one thing, but the technique to convey it to the spirits can't be mastered overnight. That's common knowledge.

I might have laughed at him too if I hadn't seen him do it. But he showed me. So, maybe Sharon can break the norm too.

I wonder what Zack, "that person," intends to do after entering the academy?

Maybe we can go to Doctus together, or maybe I can wait for him here.

I have about nine years.

I can make a decision by then.

There's no need to rush.

And what about after that...

But I'm glad I came here.

Meeting "that person" gave me so much hope.

I couldn't help but hug that small body just now.

I couldn't stop myself.

I also drank before he came.

I was afraid to meet him sober, no, I wanted to be honest because of the alcohol.

People would laugh if they knew.

A mature elf woman falling in love with a human child.

But I don't care. If I can be with him, if I can find a place to belong.

From tomorrow, I will start his magic training in earnest.

When that happens, I'll have to be strict and guide him. But for today, I'll let myself dream about the future. Yes, a happy dream...

This is the first time I've used the first-person perspective for an entire chapter.

It's challenging. Especially the romantic feelings of a woman are a whole new world for me (laughs).