Chapter 64

After lunch, I visited the forest again with Lucash and Olivier.

The moment we stepped in, particles of light began to float around the three of us, seemingly from nowhere. They were fairies. Lucash gently reached out his hand and whispered, "Could you lead us to the source of the spring?"

The particle of light that rested on his childhood friend's finger blinked several times, as if trying to convey something. Lucash nodded in response and turned to me. Although I couldn't understand the fairies' words, I smiled and tilted my head, trying to grasp the situation. Then, Lucash started walking slowly, and Olivier and I followed a few steps forward—only to find ourselves near the great tree where the fairies' drinking water gushed out.

"Seems like we can enter the barrier from anywhere," Olivier muttered.

I nodded in agreement with his words.

The other day, when we reached the spring due to an injury, Olivier explained that this place was hidden by a barrier and that wandering around aimlessly would never lead us here. However, since it is hidden within the barrier, it is possible to enter from anywhere if an entrance to the barrier is created.

Surprised, I turned to Lucash, who asked me what I wanted to know.

"Laurel, what do you want to know?"

"Well, the history of this spring... Why did the fairies choose this spring as their drinking water, and why does this water have such great power for us humans? Do you have any idea about that?"

Lucash seemed to pass my question on to the fairies.

Several particles of light began to float around Lucash. They blinked busily, like children trying to speak earnestly. Lucash appeared to be listening intently, his eyes closed, while Olivier and I, unable to hear the fairies, watched quietly.

—Or perhaps Olivier could hear the fairies' words. After all, he raised his gaze to the great tree at the same moment Lucash did.

As a race of elves, who are said to have fairies as ancestors, it is entirely possible that Olivier can hear the fairies.

"This great tree is actually a great fairy who has returned to nature. Before the great fairy returned, it seems they directly bestowed power, but now they give power through this spring."

—A great fairy once became this great tree, and we receive its power through the spring. It was an unexpected answer.

I looked up at the great tree, and without thinking, I approached and tentatively touched its trunk.

Instantly, a slight warmth spread across my palm. It might have been an illusion because I was told this was once a great fairy, but it was clearly different from an ordinary tree trunk.

"Perhaps it's a relationship like that between a parent and a child. I'm honestly surprised to hear that such a relationship exists among fairies."

Olivier, who had stood beside me, placed his palm on the great tree and murmured.

"Great fairies loved life—humans and animals—and often helped injured people. Following their example, these fairies also helped humans with serious injuries or illnesses."

While listening to Lucash, an image of a woman with a gentle, motherly smile appeared in my mind. It was the image of the great fairy that my brain had conjured up.

A fairy who loved humans appeared in "Last Brave." They had a friendly personality and said it was fun to observe humans, and they willingly lent their power to the heroes. So, it makes sense that some fairies take an interest in humans.

The great fairy of this land, who has returned to the great tree, might simply be giving love and power to fairies and humans because they like them. It feels more like the unconditional love of a parent to a child rather than sympathy from the strong to the weak. However, the spring is fundamentally meant to give power to the particles of light—the fairies.

"…In a way, it's like we were receiving the overflow of a parent's love."

I could tell Olivier smiled slightly at my words. When I looked at him, he said, "That might be a fitting description."

(Thank you, I will borrow your power.)

I touched my forehead to the trunk and whispered in my heart.

It's reassuring to be able to borrow the power of a great fairy who loved humans and animals. Although the origin of the fairy spring didn't directly lead to a method of concoction, still—

—Right, what if I bring Elvira here directly? The great fairy and fairies who welcomed us with injuries might lend even more power when they see Elvira, who is suffering from a serious illness.

No matter what happens next, we will definitely need their help. Even if it's just a favor to the weak, it's best to show gratitude.

"Hey, Lucash, do the great fairy and fairies have any favorite things?"

I suddenly turned to Lucash and asked. He immediately conveyed my question to the fairies.

The particles of light blinked again, and Lucash nodded with a calm expression.

"The great fairy loved flowers, so that's why there are flowers here."

I looked at the white and blue flowers around the great tree. Indeed, this place, arranged by a deity, was not just for appearance but also reflected the great fairy's preferences.

Fortunately, Flaria is famous for its flowers. Perhaps a flower-loving great fairy has always been here, but regardless, it's perfect for making a bouquet. I could gather cool blue and white flowers, or perhaps make a more vibrant bouquet with red and pink flowers.

"Got it, thanks."

I smiled and left the great tree. I noticed Olivier standing beside me, deep in thought with a serious expression.

I wondered what he was thinking, but it didn't feel right to ask. Olivier usually has a gentle smile, so when it disappears, it becomes difficult to approach him.

Being a bit timid, I left the area without speaking to Olivier.

(Although I didn't get any hints for concoction... but if the source of power is the fairies, it makes sense that herbs can't interfere.)

I turned to the great tree again. After looking at it for a few seconds, I shifted my gaze to the spring. Suddenly, something glittered in the water.

I approached and peered in to see what it was. What I found was a stone as clear as a gem.

(It's so beautiful...)

I couldn't help but stare. My gaze was naturally drawn to the stone.

Suddenly, a particle of light appeared behind me. It blinked as if trying to convey something. However, not understanding the fairies' words, I just tilted my head, not knowing what it wanted to say.

The fairy seemed to understand and stopped blinking, surprisingly entering the water. I was secretly surprised that it could enter the water, and it quickly approached the stone I was looking at. It then blinked again, as if telling me to take it.

Tentatively, I reached for the stone. When I grabbed it, the particle of light blinked more strongly and larger, as if nodding in approval.

I held the stone up to the sun. It was a beautiful, clear stone, like a piece of water cut out. If processed, it would make a perfect gift, I thought—then Lucash's face came to mind.

Lucash's birthday was a few days ago. I had already wished him a happy birthday, but I had asked him to wait a bit for a gift.

Lucash had given me a handmade pouch on my birthday. While this wasn't a return gift, I had been thinking about giving him something handmade for his birthday.

—If I could make a gift using this stone.

"Um, can I take this?"

In response to my question, the fairy blinked and nodded slightly.

Interpreting the fairy's actions to my advantage, I smiled and said, "Thank you."

***

—The next day.

I received permission from Casper to end my training early, though it was only a few days.

On the day this decision was made, I went to the famous flower field in Flaria to make a bouquet as a thank-you to the great fairy. It seems that if you pay, you can pick as many flowers as you want from this field—Louisa told me this—and I had been moving around, trying to make a bouquet that the great fairy would like.

The bouquet I had in my hands was a refreshing one, centered around white and blue flowers. I thought it looked quite nice for a first attempt.

If I added a few more flowers, which ones should I choose? I was thinking about this when I heard footsteps behind me. The footsteps were definitely coming towards me. When I turned around, there was my childhood friend.

"Laurel, what are you doing?"

"I was thinking of giving a small thank-you to the great fairy before leaving. What about you, Lucash?"

Lucash stood beside me. He tilted his head slightly and looked at me.

"I couldn't see you. We're going back to the capital the day after tomorrow, right?"

His gaze moved from me to the bouquet in my hands.

"There were blue and white flowers there, so I gathered similar colors. How does it look?"

"Sure, they'll like it."

He smiled gently.

His gentle, indulgent smile made me naturally ask for his help.

"Hey, Lucash, can you come with me again?"

"Of course."

—And so, we returned to the great tree.

I might visit here often, but would I have to ask Lucash to come with me every time? From the fairies' behavior the other day—when they showed me the beautiful stone—I think they recognize me to some extent. I'll ask Lucash to tell them that I want to be guided even when I come alone.

"Um, this is a very small thank-you bouquet. I think I'll be back soon, so... please take care of me then."

I placed the bouquet gently beside the great tree. The particles of light slowly gathered around it. I wasn't sure if they were wary of the strange object or if they were happy.

I glanced at Lucash's expression. He was looking at the fairies with a delighted expression, so I took it as a positive sign.

—Then, I took out another gift from my jacket pocket. It was a charm made from the stone I found, with the help of Rina, Chelsea, and Louisa. It was too large to be a necklace or bracelet stone—about the size of a 500-yen coin in my previous life—so I made it into a small keychain. While it wasn't practical, it was heartfelt.

"And, Lucash. I'm a bit late, but happy birthday. It's a handmade charm, if you want it."

Lucash's eyes lit up as he approached. Despite the momentum, I handed him the gift.

"Thank you! I'll treasure it, I'll treasure it..."

"Since it's made from a stone I found here, it's sure to have the great fairy's blessing."

He was so happy that I felt a bit embarrassed and spoke quickly.

Lucash held the stone up to the sunlight and said, "It's a beautiful stone," in a light, melodic tone. I tried to change the subject naturally, as I was embarrassed by the attention on the gift.

"Lucash is 15 now, huh?"

"Finally caught up to you. In three more years, I'll be an adult, it'll be quick, I'm sure."

"Isn't that a bit premature? You just turned 15."

In this world, adulthood is at 18. While the time since my memories awakened—about six years—seemed to have passed quickly, Lucash has the enormous task of defeating the demon king before he reaches adulthood.

What will he think of his 15-year-old self when he becomes an adult? And what will I think of today?

Suddenly, I saw the young Lucash in front of me. His excitement, with his eyes shining and cheeks flushed, made him look very young, which made me feel nostalgic.

"You were so small not long ago."

"You were the same, Laurel."

Lucash quickly interjected. Every time I felt his growth, I became nostalgic—his face seemed higher than before.

His features had matured, losing their roundness.

"Before I knew it, you grew taller and your face became more adult-like. Your voice has changed too... Lucash? Why are you smiling?"

"Because, Laurel, you're saying things like my mom would."

I was surprised by Lucash's words.

While I hadn't intended to, thinking about what I said, it did sound like a mother reflecting on her son's growth. Perhaps the feelings I have for Lucash are close to those a mother has for her son, or more accurately, a sister for her younger brother.

"We're like family now."

"Right," Lucash nodded, adding a nostalgic sigh. He then tied the charm to his belt. The stone, reflecting light at his waist, looked like a good accessory for a hero.

Lucash looked at the charm again, then at me, bending his knees slightly to meet my gaze, and spoke slowly.

"Thank you so much, Laurel. I'll treasure this charm."

Lucash smiled. I smiled back. At that moment, sunlight filtered through the trees, illuminating Lucash and me. The perfectly timed sunlight made me think we were being blessed by the great fairy. But perhaps that wasn't entirely wrong. He is a hero who should be blessed by the world.

—Lucash Camille, 15 years old. Two years and a few months until he becomes a hero.

Thank you for always reading my work. I have an announcement.

I'm thrilled to announce that "The Hero's Childhood Friend" will be published as a book!

It is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2019.

I am truly grateful to all of you who have been reading, and this announcement would not be possible without your support!

Additionally, the title has been changed to "I Reincarnated as a Losing Heroine in the Hero's Childhood Friend's Profession, So I'm Changing My Job to an Alchemist."

I will gradually share more information in the afterword, activity reports, and on Twitter, so I hope you will continue to support "The Hero's Childhood Friend," now titled "I Reincarnated as a Losing Heroine in the Hero's Childhood Friend's Profession, So I'm Changing My Job to an Alchemist." Thank you!