-57-

“Hahaha, kukuku, Duchess.”

Jafflin still couldn’t stop laughing. This was a bit strange. Detecting something odd, I remained silent.

Only after looking into Jafflin’s playful violet eyes did I realize.

“……”

I was tricked. Again. As soon as I realized I’d been fooled by Jafflin once more, a wry smile crossed my face, and I felt a surge of heat from within. Can’t you see I’m serious right now?

Of all things, I couldn’t even hit him because he’s a noble royal and I might be accused of lese-majesty.

“You…”

“You don’t need to worry about that. The Duke will live a long life too. Perhaps even longer than you, Duchess.”

“What?”

In response to Jafflin’s cheerful words, I absentmindedly asked again.

“The reason why mages age slower is that they are ‘mana’ users. Therefore, those who can use aura, like sword masters, follow the same principle.”

“…So you’re saying Roan will live as long as I do?”

“If we’re just talking about aging, yes.”

Indeed, if I had thought about why mages live long from the beginning, I could have inferred it quickly. But thinking that most of the people around me, including Roan, would die before me made me momentarily unable to think straight.

“Then why didn’t you say that from the beginning?”

You really toy with people’s hearts. If you had told me from the start, I wouldn’t have been so anxious. I felt gloomy for no reason.

“Well…”

Jafflin replied, raising one corner of his mouth.

“Because your sulking face was quite amusing.”

“……”

Hey.

“Master.”

“Haha, yes?”

“Can I hit you just once?”

Just once, and I think I’d have no regrets.

Really, it’s just one hit. Won’t you let me? How much damage can this weak punch do anyway? I thought as I looked at my white fist.

…Though it does look quite firm. Is it because of the bones? Jafflin, who was also looking at my fist, decisively refused my suggestion.

“Violence is harmful not only to the body but also to mental health.”

It seems he doesn’t know who’s the most harmful to my mental health right now. Yes, he doesn’t know.

After casting a reproachful look as if to chide his lack of conscience, Jafflin immediately started the magic lesson. He’s only quick at times like this.

“As you know, there are countless types of magic, but they are broadly divided into three categories: attack, defense, and healing. Originally, magic was known to a very few people and was widely spread for combat… that is, for war. Though I’m sure the gods didn’t grant us these abilities for that purpose.”

“Aren’t you an atheist?”

“That’s not the point.”

Jafflin smiled slightly and continued.

“Of course, that’s just an arbitrary classification. There are many convenient magics for defrosting food, moving locations, and so on.”

“Oh! So I can do all that now?”

“Of course. But it’s better to master the basic magic I’ve taught you first.”

“…Yes, yes.”

Jafflin decisively crushed my excited heart.

“Then I guess teleportation magic is something I can only use much later.”

“Even though it looks easy, it consumes a lot of mana, so it’s a difficult magic to succeed in. Of course, I can do it. Moreover, if you make a slight mistake in controlling mana, you might end up in a completely different location than intended.”

Jafflin, who subtly inserted a brag into his explanation, seemed very annoying. The fact that it was true made it even harder to deny. Jafflin asked me with a curious look.

“But why do you want to use teleportation magic? You can just ride a carriage.”

“Well…”

When I trailed off, Jafflin squinted his eyes and stared at me.

“It seems like you have a reason. What is it?”

“If I could use that magic, I could quickly come and go… and also, I could visit where Roan is for a few minutes…”

“The conclusion is at the end. It’s a very helpful answer for those who make conclusions from just the beginning.”

Jafflin responded with a heavily twisted sentence full of sarcasm.

“I’ve always been someone who helps others.”

As I responded shamelessly, Jafflin looked at me with an incredulous gaze.

I met his eyes with a look that said, “What?” After all, I learned it from you.

“Haha.”

Jafflin let out a laugh that seemed a bit empty, then quickly wiped the smile off his face. Seeing his serious expression, which I hadn’t seen in a long time, felt strangely out of place.

“But even if you could use teleportation magic, it wouldn’t be advisable. That area is currently in a state of conflict, and danger could strike at any moment. The Duke would surely object as soon as he hears about it.”

“…I suppose you’re right.”

Thinking back, ever since I possessed this body, I had never been apart from Roan for so long. As the saying goes, you don’t miss something until it’s gone, and that fact was hitting me harder these days.

Perhaps it’s because I have more time to sit and reflect alone than before. I was realizing anew that Roan was the one who kept me from feeling out of place here. Originally, I was a complete outsider to this world.

“Sigh.”

Maybe I’m just being foolish. Compared to Roan, I am in a much warmer and safer place, while he is on a battlefield where his life is constantly at risk. Jafflin, seeing my face burdened with the weight of the world, asked,

“What troubles you?”

Am I still struggling to make a painful decision? After hearing Alexandra tell me that he has to bear it alone, that he has to be fine, I felt even more weighed down.

Even without that, Roan was certainly not one to share his burdens with his soldiers.

Swallowing my bitter feelings, I spoke.

“I’m just… worried. Being apart means I can’t tell him anything, and I can’t hear anything from him.”

“I assure you, nothing will happen to the Duke. Unless an entirely unforeseen natural disaster occurs.”

If anything, it would be the opposite. Jafflin chuckled as he added.

‘I suppose everyone thinks that.’

Because he’s the Duke of Bannister, no less. But I believe that even the strongest person needs someone to lean on at times. Because, after all, they are human. I turned my head from the intricately crafted glass ornament beside Jafflin to look at him.

“My worries aren’t just about Roan being in danger.”

Hearing my words, Jafflin stared at me as if trying to see through me. Soon, his unyielding gaze softened a bit.

“…I understand what you mean.”

At that moment, I thought I saw a glint in Jafflin’s eyes. With his usual mischievous smile, he spoke to me.

“I do have an idea.”

“An idea?”

“If you merely want to convey a message, there’s a way to do it without going there or using a magic messenger.”

“W-What is it?”

-Knock, knock.

Just then, we heard a tapping sound from somewhere. Jafflin and I turned our heads toward the direction of the sound. A small bird with silver-gray feathers was pecking at the window of the room we were in.

“Oh. What’s that?”

“My steed.”

‘A steed?’

Jafflin approached the window, opened it, and lifted the bird onto his palm.

The bird hopped onto his shoulder and opened its beak slightly, as if speaking to Jafflin.

Jafflin tilted his head slightly and brushed his hand across his mouth, as if listening to the bird.

For a moment, his violet eyes took on a strange glow. Seeing a peculiar look in him that I had never noticed before, I felt a bit startled.

The bird closed its beak and quickly flew outside.

‘What was that just now?’

I’ve never seen a creature like that in my life.

“That bird… I mean, the steed. Can it talk?”

“It doesn’t have a personality, so it can’t speak, but it can relay information to me. It’s a steed meant for delivering messages.”

“I see.”

Though I wanted to ask more, something about Jafflin’s demeanor seemed off, so I kept my mouth shut. I decided to set aside my curiosity about the familiar and asked him.

“So, what’s the method you thought of?”

He rubbed his chin and sighed.

“Hmm. Just like that?”

I knew it. He’s always clear about give-and-take. I relaxed my temporarily tense body.

“Why are you so practical, even as a prince?”

I felt like applauding him for his thorough sense of transaction, even between teacher and student.

“Things should always be clear and mutual.”

I regretted feeling momentarily pleased, thinking things would go smoothly. Life indeed offers no freebies.

“So, what is it?”

He sighed dramatically, as if admiring his own ingenuity.

“To think of such a brilliant and innovative method… You are fortunate to have such a wise teacher, aren’t you? A teacher who provides immediate solutions is truly commendable, isn’t it?”

“Alright, alright, just tell me what it is.”

It felt like listening to a never-ending speech from a principal. His introduction was interminable. I started to lose interest in his empty words, feeling a sense of urgency typical of Koreans. I urged him to get to the point.

“In simple terms, it’s a magic that records images.”

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories