By Zephyria 
The start of a new week always brought sword training alongside teachings on magic formulas.
Having succeeded in creating a Freezing Magic Formula for the first time just last week, I was greatly looking forward to this class.
My steps, crossing the academy to attend the Basic Class of Magic and Formula Principles, were filled with excitement.
I now knew that the practice of drawing Mana into my Middle Dantian and expelling it was no longer just a tedious, fruitless endeavor. It was especially enjoyable because if I waited patiently, I could repeatedly practice using the Freezing Magic Formula under Professor Angela Sting’s supervision.
So, when I finished class in good spirits, Edwin Kiadris blocking my path was an unexpected presence.
Still, I didn’t forget to nod my head in greeting. I intended to treat him with respect as a senior. I was puzzled by his action of trying to lead me away, saying he wanted to talk for a moment, but I followed him willingly.
I found myself sitting on a sofa in the Department of Magic’s break room, a place I hadn’t even known existed.
Tapesteries with peculiar patterns carved into them were hung all over the walls, catching my eye. I quietly waited for the boy to speak.
Edwin, as always, had his hair neatly combed and wore his uniform impeccably. For some reason, however, he hesitated, unable to speak immediately as he usually did.
“I’ve been thinking a lot, and I have many reservations about introducing you to a senior who will be graduating soon.”
“Excuse me?”
“I need to know why you specifically want someone from the Department of Magic by your side. If you’re seeking help with managing your territory, I can introduce you to a senior from the regional Magic Tower. If you’re interested in research, I can introduce you to someone from a research institute. If you simply want someone with a wide network, I can find a suitable person.”
It was then that I remembered the bet I had made with Edwin Kiadris during our Magic Duel.
I had completely forgotten, thanks to the fact that the boys and girls from the Department of Magic, who used to be afraid to speak a word to me, now greeted me casually, and thanks to Douglas Mustang’s introduction, I had become acquainted with high-level magicians like Mage Boulder.
A month had already passed, and seeing him remain silent, I had assumed he was going to pretend not to remember. I chuckled at the boy’s clumsy heart, which must have been preoccupied with this all this time. I knew he would be upset if I clicked my tongue, so I kept my mouth shut and pondered.
I wanted to give him a sincere answer, but nothing came to mind.
So, I decided to answer honestly.
“Do I need a reason?”
“⋯What?”
“I just thought it would be mutually beneficial if I made some close magician friends. Magic is fascinating, and I wanted to observe it up close. Also, in books, swordsmen, magicians, and alchemists often travel together, so I thought it would be nice to have such good companions.”
“⋯Are you serious right now? That magicians and swordsmen traveled together in books?”
“Yes. There wasn’t any particular reason.”
“Ha….”
I stared intently into Edwin Kiadris’s crimson gold eyes.
As I idly watched his sharp eyes narrow menacingly, Edwin pressed his furrowed brow with his fingers. He seemed to think for a moment before asking again, “⋯Are you planning to form an adventuring party and go on a trip somewhere?”
“Of course not.”
“Then.”
“I just wanted to ask questions if something piqued my curiosity.”
“If that’s the case, ask me. Just ask me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t bother other people by asking for introductions. Just ask me.”
“You dislike me, Senior.”
“⋯What?”
“Because I resemble Wesley Kiadris.”
A blush spread from his neck up to his ears.
I was puzzled as to why he was reacting so strongly, when everyone knew he disliked me.
Edwin, his face flushed crimson, opened and closed his mouth several times. He looked pathetic, like a carp pulled onto land, gasping for air.
However, after much thought, it didn’t seem like I had said anything I shouldn’t have.
People could dislike others for no reason, and love others without any particular cause. If there was a reason attached, it wasn’t something I couldn’t understand.
But if you keep someone you dislike by your side for too long, both the one being disliked and the one disliking them will feel hurt and burdened.
I could endure my own discomfort, but I had no hobby of watching someone suffer needlessly by my side.
The seat was comfortable, and I had no urgent business, so I didn’t rush the prolonged silence.
After a long while, the boy, whose face had been flushed red and then pale, lowered his gaze and covered his eyes with his hands. As if he were an ostrich, thinking that if he hid his head, his whole body was hidden.
“⋯I…”
He spoke one word and then remained silent for a long time. I noticed his voice was trembling. I felt a pang of embarrassment, like an adult toying with a clumsy child.
After a moment’s thought, I decided I needed to guide him, even if it wasn’t to comfort him, and spoke first.
“I am not hurt. I didn’t even realize you were trying to torment me in the first place.”
“⋯.”
“Since you seem to think you’ve done something shameful, I have no intention of blaming you further. I simply don’t wish to stay by your side if it means constantly recalling unpleasant thoughts.”
“⋯.”
“However, if you take this as a lesson and resolve not to do anything shameful in the future, I will ask for nothing more.”
His face, which had been bright red, turned pale again. At this point, I felt like leaving.
I couldn’t keep up with his delicate emotional shifts, and I was at a loss on how to comfort him if he started crying.
As I slowly ran my hand over the armrest of the sofa, gauging the right moment to say I was leaving, Edwin looked up and met Ikyun’s gaze.
“I’m sorry, Michael Ernhardt.”
“⋯.”
“I should have said this first, but I only realized it now. I acted childishly. Adding various excuses won’t erase what I did wrong, and I know you don’t want that, but…”
“Mm.”
“If you need a magician who can help you unconditionally, call me.”
I let out a small sigh of admiration.
No matter how frail he seemed, he was clearly the offspring of a predator. His slender eyes, devoid of tears, looked straight at me.
I was reminded of the bet Marianne and Jenny had whispered about after our duel. This time, Jenny would have to give me silver coins.
“Unconditionally?”
“Apologizing with nothing in return isn’t the Kiadris way. If I caused harm, I must compensate.”
“How many times?”
“⋯Are you asking me to write a contract?”
“No, I just have many questions. Then, I understand. My name is Michael Ernhardt.”
“⋯? I know. What’s suddenly…”
“Consider me a newly introduced senior.”
“⋯!”
Edwin Kiadris. He repeated my name and took the hand I offered.
As we shook hands, I examined his hand. It was soft, with calluses only on the tips of his index and middle fingers where he held a pen. It was strange to think that such a hand could generate such strong and fierce magic.
After a brief greeting, we parted ways, both feeling awkward and embarrassed.
❖ ❖ ❖
On Tuesday, during advanced swordsmanship class, I told Benjamin and Rubel about reconciling with Edwin.
Benjamin responded casually, saying it was good news, but Rubel seemed inexplicably displeased. When I asked why, he dismissed it as nothing, so I simply replied that I understood.
However, I thought to myself that if Rubel were to ascend to the throne of Emperor later, my closeness with a powerful Duke Family could pose a threat to imperial authority.
It was the Duke Family, home to Wesley Kiadris, a Grand Sword Master, and Edwin, who showed the potential of an Archmage.
If I, who aimed to become a Grand Sword Master, joined forces with them, there was a possibility of forming a formidable force.
Just as Wesley is now, Edwin and I could lead our own factions as we grew. Thinking this way, I understood his troubled feelings.
It was a shame that I had no way to prove that I had no desire to shake this warm and gentle world.
Shayden also congratulated me and Edwin on our reconciliation with a rather reluctant expression. It was easy to understand Shayden Rose’s reason for his reluctance, as he explained it sufficiently.
Shayden said that there were limits to offering unconditional help to someone, and he worried that I, who had received a blank check from the Duke Family, might not be able to use it properly.
I replied immediately.
“Then you can help me.”
“⋯Me?”
“Yes. True friends should help each other. I think Edwin and you, Shayden, have quite compatible personalities.”
Shayden’s handsome face contorted as if he had been insulted, but my opinion remained the same. Both were calm, thoughtful, and breathed in seeing and reading things I couldn’t.
I thought that if those two were put together, they would become inseparable companions who understood each other with just a glance.
However, I later learned that Shayden Rose had been displeased throughout the afternoon classes of World History and Imperial Genealogy, so I apologized for speaking incorrectly and received his forgiveness.
After training ended in the evening, I happened to meet Marianne and sought her advice on the matter.
Marianne offered the wise counsel that people who resemble each other can sometimes dislike each other, and upon careful consideration, I found her words to be true.
As I was at it, I also informed Marianne about my reconciliation with Edwin Kiadris. The girl hesitated for a moment and then asked me again what she had asked me once before.
“You said there’s no need to be close to someone with a bad temper…?”
“He showed signs of repentance, so there’s no reason not to forgive him.”
“Wow… But aren’t you really angry? Truly? Why?”
“He didn’t do anything too terrible… And I thought about how upset a child must have been…”
“⋯You’re letting him off easy because Senior Edwin is young?”
It seemed I had answered too honestly. Marianne looked at me as if I were something strange, so I brushed the sweat-soaked hair from my forehead and mumbled that I had just said something by mistake. After pacifying her chatter for a while, I suddenly asked something I was curious about.
“Are you going to get your 2 silver back from Jenny?”
“Of course. I’ll get it back with interest.”
I burst out laughing. Being with these adorable children made every day full of reasons to laugh.