Track 05. Kanin’s Circumstances (Part 1)

Vivian Gerhartz really didn’t know herself. Her hair, a light brown that shone like ripened wheat fields, her healthy and cute cheeks with a few freckles, and her round eyes with deep double eyelids looked as bright as a deer’s.

‘She’s beautiful.’

There were plenty of people in high society who would fetch any treasure if they could stand beside such a beautiful woman. Vivian was the only one who didn’t notice.

‘She could be happy even if she gave up being a mage.’

Many thought that about Vivian. Since she was suffering due to her overflowing mana, wouldn’t it be better if she passed it on to a child and found relief?

And Kanin laughed at such thoughts.

‘Vivian likes living as a mage.’

Even if her control over mana was lacking, no one could match Vivian in the purity or scale of her mana. While control could be assisted by a mage of the opposite attribute, there was no way to increase the total amount of mana.

‘Of course, people are more vocal about this because I’m the opposing attribute mage who can stabilize her.’

Ironically, among the many mages in the Moonlight Division, Kanin was the only water attribute mage.

There were many retainers who found it difficult to accept that only Kanin could help Vivian because the Gerhartz family had been long-time rivals of the Albrecht family.

‘Moreover, Duke Gerhartz cherishes Vivian dearly.’

When Kanin was still a young boy, he vividly remembered the reaction of Duke Gerhartz, who had come to him because Vivian had collapsed from mana exhaustion.

• My granddaughter! Save my granddaughter! Are you the water mage? Prince Albrecht?

• Yes, I am.

• Please save my granddaughter! I’ll give you anything, please!

It was the first time he saw an adult, built like a mountain, pleading so earnestly to a much younger child.

‘I wasn’t planning to help, actually.’

Just as Vivian felt suffocated by the expectations within the Gerhartz family, Kanin also suffered from the constant comparisons to Vivian since childhood.

For that reason, he had harbored a vague resentment toward Vivian, whom he had never even met. Even when he heard that she suffered as if being burned alive by her abundant mana, Kanin had remained indifferent.

‘If only he hadn’t begged so desperately.’

He would never have stepped foot into the Gerhartz household.

But when he reluctantly went there, the Vivian he met was as lovely as a fairy.

“Who are you?”

Her curly hair spread beautifully and shone under the sunlight. Kanin realized through Vivian that ordinary brown hair could be so beautiful.

And her sparkling, cat-like golden eyes.

Her slightly reddened eyes, perhaps from crying, were endearing.

‘She’s beautiful.’

Just meeting her eyes made Kanin feel as if he had placed his heart in the small hands of this child.

‘So, this is Vivian Gerhartz.’

Everyone said to Kanin:

-The daughter of the Gerhartz family has so much mana, they say.

-They’re excited, saying she’ll be a mage of the century.

-Why can’t you be like that?

How could one change the amount of mana they were born with? Hearing such words, Kanin thought spitefully:

‘She must be ugly and ill-tempered. She’s probably arrogant just because she has a lot of mana.’

However, the Vivian Gerhartz he met was nothing like he imagined. Unprepared to meet her, Kanin inadvertently retorted rudely.

“It’s noisy, so be quiet. Can’t you see I’m reading?”  

After speaking, he regretted it. He hadn’t meant to say something so mean.

‘It’s warm.’

Just as Vivian had suffered from heat and thirst since birth, Kanin also suffered from cold. It was inevitable due to the nature of the water mana he possessed.

But the moment he saw Vivian, the coldness that froze his extremities was pushed away, and warmth enveloped him.

‘So this is warmth.’

Kanin had encountered Fire Mages before, but the warmth they provided couldn’t compare to what Vivian gave.

If they were like candle flames, Vivian was like an eternally burning sun. The strength of the mana surrounding her was that different.

‘That flame is dangerous.’

Instinctively, he was drawn to the warmth. But at the same time, he felt wary. Even at a young age, he could tell.

‘It’s like a drug. I’ll get addicted.’

Where else could he experience such heat if not from this girl? It was clear he would become a wanderer, searching for the warmth he tasted once.

‘So don’t come near me.’

Kanin tensed up and pretended to focus on his book, avoiding looking at Vivian. Whether she noticed or not, Vivian, perhaps lacking the sense of caution due to her strong mana, sat beside Kanin. She even rested her head on his shoulder.

‘Gasp.’

When their eyes met earlier, his heart had pounded wildly, but now it felt like it was being squeezed. Kanin bit his lip desperately, fearing his heartbeat might leap out of his mouth.

Unaware, Vivian closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek against Kanin’s shoulder.

“This is the first time I’ve felt so peaceful. It’s cool.”  

Her smiling face was like that of a cat who loves people. A cute cat with golden eyes and soft brown fur.

“…….”

Kanin, tense, merely looked down at his book. He couldn’t focus on the words either. A faint warmth lingered at his fingertips.

‘It’s warm.’

The numbness he had always felt due to his cold body disappeared in an instant. Perhaps it was because of the cozy warmth, but he felt a strange sensation, as if he just wanted to lie down and relax.

‘Do other people feel this too?’

Is that why they hug and share body heat? 

Most people would be startled by his low temperature just by holding his hand, so this kind of affectionate closeness was almost a first for him.

‘This feels awkward.’

Kanin tensed his shoulders. At that moment, Vivian, noticing his silence, tilted her head up and met his gaze.

“Am I bothering you?”

The boy’s face reflected in her beautiful golden eyes was ridiculously flushed. Kanin hurriedly turned his head, avoiding her gaze.

“Sniff.”

Feeling rejected, Vivian whimpered. Kanin, realizing his mistake, forced the gentlest voice he could muster.

“No, you’re not.” 

Yet his voice was as hard as ice. Blaming himself for not being able to utter a single kind word, Kanin added another sentence.

“So just stay quiet.”

Would that be enough? 

Letting out a small sigh, he noticed Vivian pouting as she stared at him.

“That’s difficult.”  

Crack.

‘What do you mean, difficult? I’m trying so hard to choose my words carefully, and you just—’

When Kanin turned to look at Vivian with a frown, she was smiling brightly. It was a smile like sunshine.

“I like you so much, I have so many questions to ask.”  

“……!!”  

It was the first time he had seen someone so beautiful.

His heart pounded.

Just by smiling, Vivian had stolen the young Kanin’s heart in an instant.

Kanin clenched his fists tightly. His palms were sweaty and slippery—a first for him.

‘It’s hot.’

His heart pumped blood vigorously. His fingertips and toes tingled, and he sweated from tension. This feeling of rising body temperature.

It was love, something he had never felt before.

‘What are you…….’

What on earth was this girl? 

With an irresistible warmth, she walked in nonchalantly and snatched his heart, this little tyrant.

And why was she smiling so innocently?

“What’s your name? How old are you? Do you have something you like? Why did you come to our house? Will you come often?”  

“Ask one at a time.”

Despite his curt reply, Kanin answered each one.

My name is Kanin Albrecht.

Somehow…

You and I must be destined for each other.

And so began Kanin’s long, unrequited love.