Chapter 47

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While I was startled, Professor Romanov began to speak, prefacing his words with, "It's just a play on words," while staring intently at his clasped hands.

"Throwing tantrums, crying, and screaming actually take a lot of energy. And while being selfish or, well, 'desire' can be troublesome if it goes too far, it can also be a source of strength to live. The old you was overflowing with such things."

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Don't say it like that. You were actually very lively. Being lively, whether for elves or humans, is a kind of talent. The illness took all of that from you. Conversely, if you hadn't used up all the energy to throw tantrums and be selfish, you wouldn't have been able to overcome the illness. Perhaps you died once at that moment."

"Um, then, who am I now...?"

"You, the small you, fought with all your life force to protect the bare soul that is you... In short, it's proof that a miracle happened."

Some poetic expressions came up.

But the idea that I might have died once makes sense. After the fever broke, I felt like I was reborn.

It might also be because I experienced the death of my past life.

"You were given up on by the doctors, yet you survived. That can only be called a miracle. Therefore, your existence now is proof of that miracle. Mr. Rottmayr also agreed and even cried, saying, 'God has given us adults another chance to start over.'"

"Another chance... for Mr. Rottmayr and the others, not me?"

"Yes. If we truly empathize with your situation, we should have guided and disciplined you sincerely, rather than just blindly following your whims. After you almost died, he said he had a lot of regrets. So, he thought this was a second chance given by God, and he wanted to do everything he could."

Why would Mr. Rottmayr go that far?

He is one of the servants of Kikunoi, but he is not responsible for my upbringing. Besides, even though I had parents, I was practically abandoned. There was no need for him to care that much.

Before I knew it, my trembling lips were asking, "Why?"

Professor Romanov's head shook gently from side to side.

"I'm not her, so I can't say for sure. But she has known you since you were born, so she must have had a lot of thoughts."

The professor's expression was gentle.

From what Princess and Mr. Viktor have said, elves don't usually treat humans this kindly. But Professor Romanov is kind and an amazing elf, and Mr. Rottmayr, despite the connection, managed to find him. It's not something just anyone could do. Princess said as much.

"Let's put that aside for now."

Professor Romanov's voice pulled me back from my thoughts. His emerald eyes were filled with a gentle light.

"So, I thought that your lack of interest in the outside world was because you had lost that kind of energy. Therefore, my challenge was to figure out how to get you interested in the outside world. Since you were given a second chance at life, I wanted you to see, hear, and experience more and live a happy life."

"To become a respectable adult?"

"If there are respectable adults in this world, I'd like to meet them. I've lived for hundreds of years, and I still don't think I'm a fully grown adult. But life is short. There will be tough times, but living happily and being happy is enough. I'm just here to help with that."

"Um... not to become a respectable lord or something like that?"

"Being a lord is just one aspect of your life. If, overall, you make more people happy than unhappy in your life, including yourself, I think that's a good job as a person. Making someone else happy is incredibly difficult. If I can guide you to that point, I'll be proud as a teacher."

He switched his crossed legs again. The way he did it was so graceful, and I kind of wanted to imitate it.

But my legs are too short! I wiggled my legs, and Professor Romanov seemed to notice, letting out a small laugh.

"Anyway, I was thinking about how to approach you, but recently, I've noticed a change in you."

"A change in me...?"

"Ever since you took in Regulus, you suddenly started talking about education and industry, and you've become more concerned about the outside world. It's a huge change. But unfortunately, it's all for Regulus, not for yourself."

"Well, it's not exactly like that."

It's more personal, and if I push it to the extreme, it's self-serving.

Professor Romanov nodded with a wry smile.

"You said you wanted to create a music school and see a 'musical.' You started talking about dreams that require a connection to the outside world, and I thought my heart would leap out of my chest."

I knew that I had developed an interest in music since talking with Princess, and I recognized that I had talent because Princess paid attention to me. But somehow, without realizing it, I had become interested in the outside world.

While saying this, the professor pouted.

"I was also told by Princess to develop your musical talent. So I contacted Vitya and gradually started promoting you, and that's why we got the timing to bring you along."

It was perfect timing, but Professor Romanov didn't know that Princess and I had been talking about 'musicals' and such.

The plan was to introduce me to the musician Viktor and have me listen to the empire's top singer to spark my interest in the outside world. He had even prepared my allowance and thought about various things to go into the city, but the situation had progressed beyond what he had planned.

"Truly, you can't take your eyes off children. They grow up so quickly. I feel like I was watching a baby, excited to see when it would stand on its own, and when I looked away for a moment, the baby was already standing!"

"I know, it's a bit complicated to think about myself, but thinking about Regulus, it's really frustrating."

"Right? I enjoy seeing these moments, which is why I became a tutor. But Princess got the best part."

I had never seen an elf pout with a frown before.

"But," Professor Romanov continued.

"There's still a lot I want to teach you and a lot I want you to know. I want to teach and share everything I can."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

I bowed my head.

Then, he poked my cowlick.

When I looked up, the professor had a very beautiful face.

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