Epilogue
"Mom! A letter! A letter came! It's definitely from Mars and Clarice! Read it, read it!"
My daughter smashed through the door as if it didn't exist, rushing into the living room. She had a fresh bruise on her face and pale skin, but that clearly didn't matter to her. When it comes to those two, she loses sight of everything else.
My daughter changed after meeting them.
She started actively trying to learn magic, which she had shown little interest in before. She began swinging a wooden spear around and chasing that guy whenever he loitered nearby. Lately, her personal boom seems to be placing her hand on her back, chanting 《Wind》, and flying off in some random direction.
According to her, "someone I like" used to do the same thing. She must mean Mars, but there's no way Mars would do something like that. I have no idea how she’s imitating him to achieve that result, but her Wind Magic is improving rapidly, so I haven't said anything.
If she has free time, she talks about them. Every day she laments how much she wants to see them. And now, the reply to the letter we sent months ago has arrived at our home in Kanryou, a residential city in the Duchy of Regan. Her excitement couldn't possibly get any higher.
"Let me see."
I took the envelope from Misha. Inside were four letters. One from Mars, one from Clarice, one from Mars's father, Count Bryant. And finally, a blank sheet of paper.
The blank letter truly had nothing written on it, yet I felt something like bloodlust emanating from it. I won't give this to Mars. For some reason, the blank paper conveyed that message clearly.
The Bryant family had been promoted to Count. I heard rumors from an adventurer from Barcus that the Bryants had quelled a Dungeon Stampede. Count Bryant's letter was filled with words of gratitude for taking care of Mars and Clarice in the town of Ganal.
Next, I read Clarice's letter. The handwriting was too beautiful for a ten-year-old. I thought maybe someone wrote it for her, but it was signed by Clarice. Aside from the penmanship, the content was surprising.
After writing that she wanted to see Misha soon, she mentioned she had learned Wind Magic… I recall Misha telling me Clarice was a Water Mage… and she can use swords and bows too?
That alone is amazing, but then there's her appearance. Even I, an Elf, am envious of her beauty.
With all that, it's no wonder Mars fell for her and Count Bryant dotes on her. And according to that guy…
When I told Misha that Clarice learned Wind Magic, she fired up even more.
"As expected of Clarice! I'm going to catch up to her in no time!"
Her motivation switch flipped on. But if she gets any more motivated, I'm a little scared of what she might do.
Finally, Mars's letter.
The characters conveyed that he had written it carefully, with all his heart.
"Read it already!"
Misha was impatient. Skipping the gratitude directed at me, I read the rest aloud to her.
"Let's see… 'Lately, I've been training in Taijutsu often, and I lose every single day.'"
"Eeeh?! Mars is losing?! No way! Mars isn't allowed to lose!"
Misha pumped her small fist. She hangs on every word of Mars's letter. She only started showing her emotions this openly after meeting those two.
But reading that Mars was losing in Taijutsu, part of me felt relieved.
Swordsmanship recognized by Cyrus. Wind Magic that will likely surpass mine one day. And since he cast 《Firestorm》, he definitely has talent for Fire Magic too.
Also, the fact that he tried to cast 《Tornado》 right after 《Firestorm》 suggests he possesses a tremendous amount of MP.
That alone is too much, but if he had talent in Taijutsu on top of it, other nobles wouldn't stay silent. There would be a war to marry him off, with great nobles shoving their daughters at him.
I've seen that scene play out many times over the last century. Even now, in the Lister Federation, great nobles are offering their daughters with open arms to a boy the same age as Misha.
Thinking of Misha, I almost feel like I don't want Mars to grow any further. Though, knowing how diligent Mars is, that's impossible.
When I read the final sentence, Misha's joy exploded, and even I stood up involuntarily.
"'Lastly. Next year, we have decided to take the entrance exam for the Lister National School. We will do our very best, so please do your best too, Misha. I hope we can be in the same class.'"
Misha bounced around the house. Tables and chairs toppled over one after another, and she gained new bruises.
"You did it! Misha… hey, calm down!"
I hugged the bouncing Misha and rejoiced with her.
"Mom! Let's go train magic! Starting today, I'm going to work hard on Water Magic too!"
When Misha grabbed her wooden spear and tried to run outside, that guy, who had been peeking in, fled. He probably realized he was about to be chased around again.
"Alright! I'm going to be even stricter starting today!"
"Yeah!"
Misha burst out the door with great momentum, chasing Dameze toward the grassy plain where we always trained.
Watching Misha's energetic back, I swore an oath. I will absolutely repay my debt to those two.
But surely, they will grow far beyond my imagination and appear before us in a form I can't even predict. When that time comes, there might be nothing I can do for them.
Burying that anxiety in my chest, I chased after Misha.
And my prediction came true in the worst possible way.
Mars's unpredictable form… was the sight of him walking dejectedly from the school grounds to the main gate, stunned, having failed the first exam.
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