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“DO you really have to go? Can’t you at least stay until tomorrow morning?” Lille pleaded. After the hat ceremony concluded and they turned the living room back to normal, August had packed his bags.
“I believe it best if I leave on a high note. The longer I stay, the harder it’ll become to leave,” he replied. The teleportation circle was already glowing around the front door.
“I’m actually pretty fond of you, Grand Master. Seems like Lille’s taken a shine to you, too, so feel free to stop by again,” Ark said. He had turned back into a bird as soon as the ceremony was over and was perched on top of August’s suitcase.
“Indeed. Next time, I’ll bring souvenirs,” he promised. “Hmm. Would you prefer something for humans or something for birds?”
“For birds, please,” Ark said, appearing to smile.
Even Leo, who was completely stiff with nerves, stepped toward August. “I, um…I think you should come back, too. Your…um, your lesson was really helpful.”
“I’m glad. I hope you’ll continue to devote yourself to your studies. We shan’t forget to perform your hat ceremony in three years’ time, too,” August said proudly. He turned to walk toward the magic circle. “Thank you for having me.”
All of a sudden, Charles tugged on the back of his robe desperately.
“Master August…!” he exclaimed.
“Goodness, Charles. What is it? You could’ve pulled me over.”
“Just, please…take care of your health. Try not to drink too much, and don’t ask too much of others,” he said solemnly.
“I’m already aware. You always nag too much…”
“Also…!” he interrupted, a pout on his lips. The tips of his ears were tinged slightly pink. “Whenever I forget to visit, you’re welcome to come to our house instead…Dad.”
When August heard that final word, a hot burst of steam whooshed up from his face. Compared to the other times Lille had seen it happen, its intensity was in a class of its own. The same burst of emotion rushed forth from Charles, who was making a valiant effort to avoid all eye contact.
“They really are a hopeless pair,” Ark chuckled, grinning at Lille. She grinned right back at him.
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AFTER they saw August off, Charles could only make wooden, jerky movements, as though he’d been struck by a petrification spell. Slowly but surely, however, the stiffness wore off until he returned to normal.
“By the way, Lille—the stone on your pendant’s jade-green, right?” he asked.
“Yes, it is.” She nodded. “Does the color mean something?”
“Apparently, it matches the color of your internal mana. My brooch was jade-green, too; that must mean our mana’s the same color,” he explained. “…Could I take a closer look at your pendant?”
It was still around her neck, so she shuffled closer and placed the charm in his upturned hand.
“Hm…? This stone…” He squinted, staring fixedly at it resting on his palm.
“Is there something wrong with it?”
“No… It’s just…” He hesitated. “Even if people often get presented with different types of stones, they usually all have the same value. But yours is…”
“What is it? Did the Grand Master give her some cheap old thing, thinking she wouldn’t realize?” Ark asked.
“…No, on the contrary. This magic stone is so valuable, I don’t even want to say how much it costs out loud,” Charles said, wincing.
“What?!” Lille yelped. All of a sudden, the pendant felt a hundred times heavier around her neck.
“Lille, are you sure you didn’t hit the Grand Master with some sorta spell that makes old men dote on their grandchildren?” Ark laughed wryly.
“I don’t know how to feel… He’s my own father, but I never knew he had this side to him.” Charles blinked. Lille could understand how he felt; she’d witnessed a lot of surprising behavior from Charles himself these past few days.
August had left them with multiple gifts: the bittersweet love between a parting family, Lille’s pride as a sorcerer, an appreciation for honesty about one’s feelings, and, finally…
Charles’s tears.
One day, she would understand what they meant—and in the not-so-distant future, too.
Her magic stone seemed to glitter for a moment, glowing the same color as Charles’s mana.