Let’s Block the Ruined Route in Advance

A dream.

 

Cordelia’s question made Eileen pause for a moment.

 

‘I’ve thought about the future, but I’ve never thought about dreams.’

 

A new life. All she ever wanted was a normal, happy life. Someone to love her, enough money to never go hungry, and a peaceful old age.

 

Maybe it was because she had lived an adult life once.

 

After averting both a disastrous future and the destruction of the empire, it would be enough to have a decent job and live a quiet life. If she met the right person, maybe she could even get married.

 

But she can’t say that after hearing such a clear and vivid dream.

 

Eileen scratched her cheek nervously, and Felix spoke first.

 “I just want to be happy.” 

Eileen’s eyes widened slightly at the revelation. Felix smiled as he stroked his teacup, which reflected the warm light.

 “I’m so happy right now, I want it to stay that way. I want us to be happy forever, just hanging out like this, eating good food and talking.” 

He set his glass down and tilted his head toward Eileen, his violet eyes twinkling with life.

 

His eyes were full of conviction, not expectation, and she looked away, not liking the look, but feeling a little overwhelmed.

 

The rain was still echoing, but it wasn’t lonely. She met Cordelia and Lucian’s eyes once, then turned her gaze back to Felix.

 

After a moment of silence and a nod, Eileen spoke up, her voice firm.

 “Yes, we will.” 

This was the spell she cast on them all.

  

***

  “This little guy did this?” “Yes.” 

Orgen held up Star with a grimace at the ruins of the greenhouse.

 “Do you think you can show me that old tree again that you’ve solved the situation?” “Um, I don’t think so. No matter how hard I tried to redo it, it just wouldn’t come out right.” 

He handed the flailing Star back to Eileen and rubbed his chin lazily, his eyes serious.

 “Up until now, Eileen’s way of manipulating life force has been by utilizing the plants around her, but if I’m right, this dead tree may not be just any tree, but the same one.” 

Orgen thought back to the day Eileen first signed on with Star.

“The nameless old tree that glowed with the shape of a heart and a pulsing life force”

.

 

He didn’t know how the power worked, but it was odd that the child’s body hadn’t suffered any damage after using such explosive force. A normal elementalist would have bled to death on the spot.

 “You said you didn’t have a fever or lose consciousness, right?” “Yes, but I was very hungry and sleepy.” “Okay, you’re not sick. Let’s go inside.” 

Eileen shrugged and headed back to the mansion, Star following behind her with excited steps. Orgen sighed heavily as he watched the chirping figure, as innocent as a puppy that had just opened its eyes.

 “Why do I have so much to worry about?” 

Orgen stayed at the mansion for another two weeks. He taught Eileen and Cordelia Elementalism in his spare time, and on the eve of his departure, he called the children together.

 “As I’m sure you’ve all somewhat expected, my lessons are over.” 

The two children exchanged glances before turning their attention back to Orgen.

 “You’ve been busy, haven’t you?” “Yes, and in a few years, you’ll be entering the academy, so I think you should spend the rest of your time learning with your friends.” “That’s true.” “Heads up.” “Yikes!” 

Eileen rubbed her head, having just been hit by a thunderbolt of honey balm. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t feel bad about the parting.

 

But she could see the dark circles under Orgen’s eyes, deepening by the day, and she couldn’t hold him back any longer.

 “You’ll do well at the Academy. You’re my handmaidens!” 

The man chuckled coolly as he placed his hands on the two children’s heads. The next day, when Orgen left without warning and without being seen off. Eileen burst out laughing at his behavior.

 “He’s such a teacher. I hope it’s no big deal.” “I know.” “Will I see him again?” “I’m sure he’ll show up one day, as usual.” “Maybe he’ll come in through the window again?” “Possibly.” 

They walked in the garden for a long time like that, imagining the future.

  

***

  

It’s been five months since Felix’s heart was healed.

 

He’d grown rapidly, as if his body had been restrained from growth. His height, which had been shorter than Eileen’s, was already a palm and a half taller than hers, and he had gained a pleasing amount of weight on his pathetically thin body.

 

Eileen looked over at Felix, who was grinning as he bit into the cake, and she giggled heartily. There was no longer a trace of the original in him. Perhaps it was a good thing, or perhaps he’d been starved for affection, but he was becoming increasingly silly as he grew.

 

‘I’m still a little creeped out by him, but he’s an angel.’

 “Why should I be nice to a stranger?” “You can’t categorize a person’s worth by their needs. They’re just trying to live their lives, and they’re going to encounter a lot of favors in their lives, and if you reach out to them first, they’re going to return the favor.” “Hmm, so you’re saying don’t make enemies because they could be useful someday?” “Kind of…?” 

Eileen smirked, remembering the conversation from a few days ago. Even though he was still clumsy in the world due to the aftereffects of his past, she sincerely thought that he was still gentle and good.

 “He’s so nice, I’m worried about how he’ll get along at the academy, and he’s still a baby, so no one will bully him, right?” 

Cordelia and Lucian, now alone with Eileen for the first time in a long time, were stunned as if they had heard her words.

 “Have you ever seen the look on his face when you say he’s a good boy?” “He’s like a baby,”

she said, lightly dismissing the fact that he’d finished all his manners and history lessons in two months and was soaking up magic like a sponge.

 

Cordelia shuddered at Eileen’s overprotection and exchanged a look with Lucian.

 

Unrestrained, Felix was a monster, soaking up knowledge like water poured onto dry land, an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Lucian was an accomplished scholar himself, but Felix’s thirst for knowledge was dwarfed only by his natural talent as a sorcerer.

 

The small, foolish boy grew in stature and wisdom until he seemed like a different person. He became adept at dealing with business, calculating profits and losses, reading numbers, and making calculated moves.

 “What is he doing, acting like a little brother in front of Eileen?” 

Cordelia clicked her tongue at Eileen’s empty seat, who had gotten up to talk to Oslo for a moment.

 “It’s all a bit of a cop-out.” “I mean! She’s being deceived.” 

Felix was well aware of Eileen’s weakness for the small and young, so he’d deliberately acted childlike in her presence, basking in the attention in return. It was a laughing matter for those who knew what was going on.

 “I thought he was just a nice, sweet boy until a few months ago.” “I mean! Eileen should know about that.” “What?” “Felix?” 

Felix walked quietly through the open door. One of Lucian’s eyebrows went up.

 “You should have knocked.” “I thought you were talking about me.” 

He shrugged, sitting casually in one of the chairs. His steady, unreadable smile and dignified posture were both aristocratic and condescending.

 “Why don’t you act like this in front of Eileen?” “I’m too small and cute for that.” 

Purple eyes twinkled mischievously beneath pink bangs. Speechless, Lucian rubbed his chicken-fleshed arms.

 “Ugh, Eileen should know about this impudence.” “I’m not surprised. And it’s not like I’m the only one who’s being sassy. You’re all playing nice.” 

The three eerily similar children were silent for a moment, observing each other.

 

Lucian wasn’t wrong. It was hard for them to be as kind to everyone as Eileen, whose kindness was in her nature.

 

If Eileen was the type to easily empathize with the suffering of others and share her feelings, the three of them didn’t care much for anyone but those close to them.

 

Of course, if someone was suffering in front of them, they could offer sympathy and recognition within limits, bu

t it was impossible to pour out their hearts without limits like Eileen.

 

So, this sense of checks and balances was a kind of homophobia.

 “Everyone wants the same thing.” 

Eileen, sweet to everyone, sometimes reckless and heartbreaking.

 

The room falls silent, and after a moment of tension, Lucian snorts.

 “I’m well aware. But I’m not about to be taken for a fool.” 

Felix grinned right back.

 “Me neither.” 

It was such a tense moment of confrontation that anyone could almost see the sparks flying between them, and Cordelia, who had been watching fatly, straightened up haughtily and said,

 “Well, enjoy the moment, y’all, and when you both go to the Academy, Eileen’s mine for a year.” “Ugh!” 

Cordelia was the winner of the day.

Visit my Ko-fi for discounted advance chapters!!