❁❁❁
“WHAT? Her hat ceremony?” Charles said in surprise. He was portioning out their dinner—breaded white fish with tomato sauce—but his hands stilled when he heard the proposition.
“That’s right.” August nodded. “This young lady is sixteen, no? Usually, it’s over and done with by the age of fifteen. Though it wouldn’t surprise me if it never even crossed your mind, Charles.”
August was much more reserved that night. He was enjoying the food without a single glass of wine. Perhaps he was tired from working in the shop all afternoon. Lille was glad for the chance to serve him her signature ice cream, this time before it melted.
“Well, you’re not wrong… But isn’t that a school tradition?” Charles replied.
“It’s carried out at school as a matter of convenience. Really, it can be performed anywhere. Honestly—to think you were a government official with such a dire lack of knowledge…” He wrinkled his nose in disdain.
“Sorry…” Charles sulked.
Their conversation flew back and forth so quickly that Lille couldn’t find a good time to speak up. She didn’t know what they were talking about. Leo and Ark were listening with casual interest, so it appeared to be common knowledge among sorcerers, whatever it was.
There was a pause as August heaved a huge sigh and Charles hung his head in shame.
Lille seized the opportunity to ask, “Excuse me, but what’s a hat ceremony?”
“Oh, of course… You wouldn’t know about it, as you’re from a different country. The hat ceremony is a coming-of-age ceremony for sorcerers,” August explained.
Charles continued, “Every year, all sorcerers who turn fifteen that year come together to celebrate. In the past, each student was awarded with a three-cornered hat, which is how the ceremony got its name. However, as time went on, the hats were considered too old-fashioned, so they did away with them. Now, boys are awarded with brooches, and girls are awarded with pendants. Once the ceremony comes to an end, those sorcerers are considered adults.”
“Indeed,” August added. “All participants vow to pledge their magic to society, to use their magic to help others, and to live their lives as honorable adults. It is an extremely important occasion for sorcerers.”
“…Is it really okay for me to be recognized as a fully-fledged sorcerer?” she asked doubtfully. After all, she’d only been practicing magic freely for a few months. She was using a textbook intended for first-years; she felt she was a long way from becoming a qualified sorcerer.
“By all means. Having witnessed your mental fortitude and your attitude in class, I deem you worthy. You shall participate with your head held high,” August said firmly.
After a beat of silence, Lille nodded, replying, “…I will, Master August.” She turned toward Ark and Leo to see what they thought.
“Great work, Lille!” Ark exclaimed. “If I remember correctly, you’ll need two adults to be your witnesses. Luckily, we’ve got Master Charlie and the Great Master right here. You can definitely depend on them. I wish I could help, but I don’t think I’d technically count.”
“I’ve still gotta wait three years…” Leo sighed. “It’s kinda weird that you’re going ahead of me even though I know more stuff, but I guess it’ll be my turn soon anyway.”
She was happy to hear both of them offer words of encouragement.
“Hey, even Leo gave you his blessing!” Ark chortled.
“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Leo snapped.
“Thank you so much—both of you. And Master August, and Master Charlie, too.” Lille smiled.
“I’m really sorry for not realizing sooner, Lille. I was thoughtless. I know it’s such an important event, but it never even occurred to me…” Charles said, apologetically bowing his head, but Lille shook her head vehemently.
“No, no,” she insisted. “I didn’t know either, so it’s not your fault.”
“How about we do it tomorrow evening? The sooner the better, right? The living room’s just about wide enough, so we can do it there,” Charles said.
“T-Tomorrow? Will we be able to finish the preparations in time?” Lille fretted.
“I’ll make sure of it,” August said boldly. “I’ve already asked the current principal of the academy to send the relevant documents via teleportation.”
“…Ever since you became director, you do nothing but ask unreasonable favors from the school. I really feel for the principal,” Charles said, exhaling heavily.
“There’s no point in having authority if one does not make the most of it,” August retorted.
“Tomorrow evening…” Lille whispered to herself. It didn’t feel real.
“Is that all right with you?” August asked her.
It was sudden, and a lot to take in, but perhaps better to do it soon than suffer the anxiety that came from having to wait, she thought. When she told August how she felt, he nodded, looking satisfied.
“You’re quite right. In any case, I’d best not leave my duties unattended for too long. Once the hat ceremony is over, I’ll return home,” he decided.
“That’s a shame…” Lille said.
Charles looked over at August with a clouded expression, watching him make short work of his ice cream. The following day would be very exciting, although Lille knew an undertone of loneliness would accompany it.
✦ ✦ ✦
❁❁❁
THE living room was decorated with countless floating candles, illuminating the space with a fairy-tale glow. Lille had changed out of her dress into a long robe, and she held a candle in one hand. The table was set up as an altar, and August was waiting for her on the other side of it.
“Are you nervous, Lille?” Charles asked from beside her. He was wearing a different robe than usual; this one was richly patterned.
With all the preparations for the hat ceremony in place, the atmosphere was even more reverent than Lille had imagined, and she felt as though it might completely engulf her.
“It’s like I’ve forgotten how to walk properly,” she said, biting her lip anxiously.
“You’ll be fine. I’m right here next to you. All you have to do is respond to what Master August asks you,” Charles said gently, taking her free hand in his own.
The warmth of his hand heated Lille’s pale, ice-cold skin. Her heart was beating so hard it was almost painful, but his touch calmed her, little by little.
“Okay.” She nodded. “I’ll be fine now.”
“All right. Let’s go.”
She walked slowly from one end of the room to the other, treading carefully so as not to trip over the hem of her robe. The flame of the candle flickered back and forth with each of her steps. She was scared to breathe too heavily in case it went out.
Somehow, she made it to the makeshift altar. August gave her a serious nod, and began to read from a large scroll. She could tell he was saying something important, but the words were too unfamiliar for her to fully understand.
“He’s basically saying you’ll be recognized as a fully-fledged sorcerer. Just in a more exaggerated way,” Charles whispered into her ear.
“Thou art Lille, a sorcerer.” Amidst the nonsensical jargon, she suddenly heard August say her name. She almost dropped her candlestick.
“Yes,” she replied, her voice shaking.
“Do you vow to use your magic for the good of the people, the good of society, and to refrain from any actions that may bring shame upon your mana?”
“…Yes, I do.”
“Very well. Now, pass the flame to this candle.”
Lille reached out with her candlestick toward the tower of candles placed across the altar. She lit one using her own flame, then, with a clear snap of August’s fingers, the remainder of them swiftly ignited all at once.
“Hic et nunc, a fully-fledged sorcerer has been born!” he declared.
The warm, orange glow of the flames illuminated everyone’s faces. Charles, Leo, and Ark—who was in human form for the special occasion—all clapped.
“Now, for the presentation of your pendant,” August announced. He lowered over her head a silver chain with a jade-green stone attached to the end. With the added weight pulling lightly on her neck and the cold sensation of silver against her skin, reality finally began to sink in.
✦ ✦ ✦
I’m actually a proper sorcerer now—someone who’ll help lots of people.
Her vision began to blur, and the lights of the candles appeared to double. Charles brought a hand to the top of her head and patted it softly.
“Master Charlie, I…” she began. There was something she needed to say before the special atmosphere faded away—something she’d been meaning to say ever since she arrived. “I’m glad I was born a sorcerer. I’m glad I’m alive. You taught me how beautiful and wondrous this world is. Thank you so, so much for saving me. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
“Lille…” he breathed, touched. A single tear ran down his cheek. Lille didn’t know what that tear might mean, but she could tell it was something warm. “…I should be the one thanking you…”
Almost as if he wanted to hide his tears, he wrapped Lille in a tight hug. In fact, it felt more like she was the one hugging him, rather than the other way around.