Chapter 21

As Ralma spoke, I learned that even though my brother couldn’t use healing magic perfectly, he didn’t give up and worked hard to gain new skills.

...But in the end, he was told that he lacked talent even for those skills.

“!”

...Imagining my brother’s despair at that moment, a sharp pain shot through my chest.

Of course, that despair was only imagined.

But I had heard my brother’s lament when he could only use healing magic imperfectly and was being oppressed.

That’s why I can vividly picture my brother’s despair.

...And upon learning my brother’s past, what I felt was regret.

“No, it’s a mistake to say he lacked talent. After all, while an ordinary person would take years to learn either magic or qi, Rauast learned both in just a few months. That’s not a lack of talent but rather a genius. A talent that any magic tool craftsman would want desperately.”

As Ralma spoke with growing excitement, I lowered my head and bit my lip.

When I was saved, I had sworn to my brother that I would join his party one day.

I thought I would protect him someday.

But in reality, it was the other way around.

Still, I believed I was a support for my brother’s heart.

My brother had become brighter after I joined his party.

So I thought I was doing my part for my brother.

...But now, I can no longer trust that judgment.

“But, even though he was talented as a magic tool craftsman, he had no talent as an adventurer. I don’t know what it took for him to achieve such skill... Honestly, I don’t understand it, and even if I did, I couldn’t imitate it.”

Ralma’s words grew more passionate.

And it was only natural that Ralma was more excited than ever.

My brother had accomplished so much.

Despite being told he lacked talent and being oppressed, he worked hard and finally achieved the skill to stand alongside top-tier adventurers.

How much effort must have gone into that?

...But every time I learned about my brother’s greatness, all I felt was self-loathing.

Now, I understand why my brother’s self-evaluation was so low.

Being told he lacked talent and being oppressed, he worked hard, only to be told again that he lacked talent.

Still, he worked hard and finally achieved great skill.

...Yet, even after all that effort, no one recognized my brother.

How much must that have hurt my brother?

I can’t accurately understand that.

...But even in such a situation, I couldn’t be a support for my brother.

Realizing this, I now feel regret.

Not only could I do nothing, but I even deluded myself into thinking I was a support for my brother.

“Well, but the reason he could work so hard is all thanks to you, Narsena.”

“—!?”

That’s why in the next moment, I couldn’t hide my surprise at Ralma’s casual words.

◇◆◇

For a moment, I was stunned by Ralma’s words.

“No, that’s not true!”

But to correct Ralma’s outrageous misunderstanding, I immediately spoke up.

My brother had achieved the skill to be recognized by Ralma without any help from me.

Yet Ralma thought it was all thanks to me, and I couldn’t accept that.

...I wasn’t thick-skinned enough to continue lying and feel ashamed.

“My brother already had that much skill before I joined his party...”

So I tried to deny Ralma’s words.

“Is that so? But that foolish disciple seemed like a completely different person when he was with me?”

“Huh...”

But in response to my words, Ralma tilted his head and then leisurely sipped his tea.

“That foolish disciple kept whining about wanting companions, even though I was teaching him so many things... I didn’t expect him to become so cheerful as soon as he got his wish. ...Honestly, it’s disgusting.”

Ralma said this with a truly disgusted look on his face, munching on a cookie, and at that moment, he wasn’t paying any attention to me.

It was the usual Ralma I knew, and I understood that he was just speaking his thoughts.

“Ugh...”

And at that moment, I couldn’t help but feel teary-eyed.

Indeed, I might not have been a support for my brother during his hardest times.

But hearing Ralma say that my brother became brighter thanks to me, I felt that I had been a proper support for my brother.

“Hey, Narsena, what... Why are you crying...”

Finally noticing my state, Ralma looked unusually flustered, but I couldn’t stop my tears.

It was that much of a joy to know I had been of help to my brother.

“I’m... so... happy...”

“What are you saying, I can’t understand you!”

So I tried to convey this to Ralma, moving my mouth desperately.

...But my words didn’t reach Ralma.

For a while, I tried to tell Ralma that I wasn’t crying out of sadness, but we couldn’t communicate properly.

For a while, Ralma looked at me with a puzzled expression, then sighed and placed his hand on my head.

“...I don’t understand what’s going on, but it’s okay, Narsena. After all, you are from the Anarestia family.”

It was a misguided comfort, but it was enough to lift my spirits.

Yes, I am from the proud Anarestia family.

And with that thought in my heart, I made a vow.

Indeed, I couldn’t help my brother when he was truly suffering.

But if I am now a support for my brother, then if he ever truly suffers again, I will definitely help him.

“Ai!”

With that thought, I nodded vigorously at Ralma.

My voice was nasal and weak, but I shouted to convey my feelings.

...But at that moment, I didn’t realize.

That Ralma, who was stroking my head, was looking at the wall.

And when Ralma said “Anarestia,” something stirred behind the wall he was looking at...

I apologize for the lengthy explanation... Actually, there are many plot threads for the protagonist, so I included explanations, but I should have broken them down more.