By Zephyria 
Every time a eulogy for love, love, and more love was heard, an actor would reveal themselves from the shadows. The six gods crowned six figures each, and the ninth god, after carefully observing each of the six kings, disappeared behind the stage.
The composition somehow made one’s gaze linger on the places where shadows hid.
Even after the play ended, I remained lost in ecstasy for a long time.
“Was it fun?”
“Yes. ⋯If it were a play like this, I wouldn’t mind seeing it many more times.”
The weather was nice. On the way back, we decided to walk instead of taking the carriage.
Our conversation flowed, filled with talk about the play. We discussed the costume of one of the gods and the crowns worn by the six kings.
Then, Rubel suddenly asked,
“If, Young Master Ernhardt… if you were to fall for someone, but felt it could never be… what would you do?”
“⋯Hmm.”
Was he asking without any particular thought? I hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.
“What about you, Senior?”
“Me? ⋯Well.”
Rubel also didn’t answer.
We walked with about a fist’s width between our shoulders.
Our hands never touched.
After a brief silence, Rubel spoke again. Most of his questions were simple, and I answered them easily. Then, I suddenly noticed something strange.
The child was covering his mouth with one hand. It was quite peculiar.
Thinking back, I realized he seemed to have been doing the same thing during the play. I had thought he was just resting his chin, but why would one rest their chin while walking?
When we returned to the dormitory, unable to contain my curiosity, I asked why he was covering his mouth, and his answer was quite remarkable.
“⋯It’s just, I feel like I can still smell that medicine from earlier…”
I couldn’t hold back my laughter. I laughed heartily, and when the child became sulky, I spent a long time coaxing him.
❖ ❖ ❖
The first Friday in October.
Finally, all the eggs the students possessed had hatched.
It was thanks to the efforts of many children who had failed to hatch their eggs last month, who had helped each other for a full month. It was similar to how I had received help from Edwin.
Thanks to them, the lecture hall was filled with the chirping sounds of newly hatched birds.
The Ranunculuses born in the first month were about the size of a fist, while the newly hatched ones were only the size of a finger. The fluffy little things, being birds, were busy preening their feathers with their beaks.
I wondered why, in this life, I seemed to have such a deep connection with bird-like creatures. I easily grew fond of them.
Edwin and I sat side-by-side in the classroom, capturing a blue bird that kept trying to escape and holding it in my hand. Mine was blue, and Edwin’s was crimson gold. There were also some bright red ones like maple leaves and yellow ones like ginkgo leaves.
Every Ranunculus possessed its own unique color.
“As you can see, Ranunculuses resemble the color of the Mana they consume. Their feather colors will change based on the light of the Mana they continuously ingest. Therefore, you can infer which Ranunculus belongs to which Wizard.”
The Ranunculus perched on Alan’s shoulder was a giant bird, larger than a human head. Its tail feathers were long and lustrous, reaching Alan’s waist. I found its iridescent beauty, shimmering like mother-of-pearl, to be truly magnificent.
“Some Wizards occasionally use this trait to hide their identity. If a Ranunculus is fed Mana Stones of a different color than their own Circle, you can see a Ranunculus with mixed colors like this.”
Professor Lager provided a detailed explanation of the various attributes and habits of magical creatures, including Ranunculuses.
Thanks to him, I learned that the growth rate of a Ranunculus varies depending on the amount of Mana it consumes, and that it would take at least four years for one to grow as large as the one on Alan Lager’s shoulder.
I also heard that only a Ranunculus of such maturity could leave its owner’s side to reliably deliver messages.
Although I had secretly coveted the creature I had awakened, my reluctance to submit the Ranunculus as an assignment lessened after hearing this.
“Now, I will teach you how to teach language to a Ranunculus.”
Alan’s explanation was thorough and detailed. He explained that Ranunculuses consume Mana and voices incessantly from birth for four years.
Feed them a lot, let them hear a lot. It sounded simple, but for me, who had already turned an egg into stone by feeding it too much Mana, it felt daunting.
After class, I was pondering over my notes when Edwin kindly offered his help.
“Why? Do you need help?”
“Yes.”
“⋯Do you die if you answer at length?”
“What? Of course not.”
“⋯No, I’d rather die than suffer.”
“⋯What?”
“Ah, forget it!”
I figured he was just being temperamental again, and knowing he would eventually calm down on his own, I didn’t pay it much mind. Edwin, after letting out a heavy sigh, regained his proud expression as I quietly followed him. I walked beside him.
Since we would be using Mana, I thought it was a good idea to rent the auditorium, which had defensive magic cast upon it, and I was glad I had asked for help.
However, as we neared the auditorium, I was momentarily taken aback by the figure before me.
What business would Rubel have at the Magic Dormitory?
“⋯Senior?”
“Young Master Ernhardt.”
Could he have been looking for me? Rubel, of all people, knew that my Friday afternoon class was Magical Creatures. He was someone I would likely run into at the library tomorrow.
Thinking he might have an urgent matter, I examined Rubel’s appearance. But there was no way to tell just by looking.
“What is it?”
“⋯I just came to talk for a moment.”
Rubel’s gaze shifted to Edwin. Edwin, in a manner befitting his respect for royalty, bowed politely and stepped back half a pace. Seeing that made me even more flustered.
Is he suddenly going to dismiss Edwin like this?
The Rubel I knew wasn’t such a rude person.
“Is it urgent?”
“It’s not that…”
“In that case, wouldn’t it be better to talk tomorrow?”
“⋯Are you very busy right now?”
As Rubel’s voice took on a pitiable tone, Edwin’s gaze flickered towards Rubel before returning to me. Edwin’s next words were as chilling as a winter wind.
“I forgot I have homework to do. I’ll be heading back today.”
“⋯.”
“The Ranunculuses that have already hatched will cause a fuss if they can’t eat Mana when they’re full, so there’s little danger. Release a moderate amount of Mana in the morning and evening… if you can’t manage, come find me.”
“Yes, Senior. Thank you.”
“Alright. See you next week.”
Edwin, after leaving me with a brief farewell, bowed respectfully to Rubel. Rubel returned the bow, accepting his greeting.
It was strange that they exchanged greetings according to their hierarchy without me needing to intervene.
It was also frustrating and displeasing. Why was he deciding my schedule as he pleased?
Instead of voicing my displeasure immediately, I watched Edwin leave with a blank stare. Soon, Rubel, whose dignified face had returned to its usual flustered expression, called out to me.
“⋯Young Master Ernhardt?”
“What is it?”
It was the same question as before, but it went unanswered. Rubel, sensing my cold demeanor, lowered his eyebrows in distress.
Looking into his beautiful eyes, which seemed to be adorned with disappointment, my heart softened.
“⋯It’s nothing major, but…”
“Yes.”
“Before the vacation begins, I… I want to teach you how to dance.”
“What?”
I was stunned by the suddenness of his request.
Ever since I was born and could properly move my limbs, everyone around me had talked a lot about dancing.
However, in the Central Plains, dancing was an activity for ladies. I couldn’t imagine people who trained their bodies for martial arts carelessly flinging them about as a pastime.
There must be a reason for his sudden, urgent request. I paused for a moment and looked at Rubel’s face. Seeing the seriousness devoid of any playfulness, I replied,
“For what reason?”
“Well… your Debutante is really just around the corner, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“At the start of the Debutante, there’s a segment where fifteen-year-old boys and girls of that year dance together. Of course, if you strongly dislike it, you don’t have to participate, but…”
“⋯.”
“Social dancing is a kind of etiquette… If you, Young Master Ernhardt, who carries the blood of the Duke Valentia Family and the Ernhardt family, were to be completely unable to dance…”
“Ah.”
As I understood the reason Rubel had rushed to find me, my heart melted uncontrollably.
It was no different from when Shayden had come to me, worried I might go hungry when I first entered the Academy. He had rushed here at this late hour, concerned that I might appear lacking in the eyes of others.
Touched by his thoughtfulness, I couldn’t answer immediately and simply gazed at the child’s hesitant face. Rubel finally managed to speak, his voice barely audible.
“Of course, I know you dislike dancing… but if, if it’s alright with you… on the weekend, not at the library, but in my drawing-room…”
“I accept.”
“Ah, sorry, maybe it’s a bit…?”
“I said I accept, Senior.”
If it was such an important event, my stubbornness would be awkward and regrettable.
Practicing with Rubel would be less awkward than twirling around with a strange woman’s hand on my waist. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed acceptable.
“However, what I need to learn is probably the male role in the dance.”
“It’s fine! I’ve been practicing since I was very young, so I can do either role.”
“Hmm.”
Then there was no need to worry further. I patted the tense child’s shoulders a couple of times.
“Thank you for your concern. Shall I come to your room tomorrow then?”
“⋯Yes. Uh… around what time?”
“Let me see… I’ll come right after lunch.”
“Okay…”
I smiled, finding the child, who had become listless again now that he had said what he needed to say, adorable. I escorted Rubel to the entrance of the third-year dormitory.
As soon as I entered my room, the Ranunculus on my shoulder chirped, “Good,” repeating the word it had heard earlier.
“Good.”
“Yes, you like it too?”
Why did it pick out only that word to chatter? Amused by the incredibly cute and funny sight, I stroked the little Ranunculus’s soft fur as if to soothe it, and replied.
The Ranunculus chirped again with a high-pitched sound, flapped its wings, and said again,
“Good!”
“Yes, yes.”
I released a little Mana for the chattering Ranunculus to consume. I was already looking forward to tomorrow.