Chapter 5: Departure

It has been two years since Eclara left, and I have continued practicing magic. During this time, I’ve discovered quite a few things, such as combining two elements together.

For example, if I used fire magic as a base and then slowly added water, it would create steam. By using water magic and fire magic’s ability to control temperature, I was able to make ice cubes. Combining fire magic with wind magic resulted in a very convenient hair dryer. As for earth magic, I was still unable to combine it with the other elements. One reason is because it’s hard and tough.

The only problem I’ve encountered during my experiments is my small amount of mana. My mana is just enough to make 12 ice cubes, fill a small room with steam, or create 30 minutes’ worth of hot air. If I exceed these amounts, I start breathing heavily, and my breathing usually returns to normal after ten minutes.

Also, my days haven’t really changed since she left. In the morning, I would spend time with my mother, reading books in my father’s study. In the afternoon, I would go to the garden and practice magic.

The only days that changed my routine were when we had visitors or celebrations. Like today, which is my seventh birthday.

“Happy birthday, Lumina. Today will be a bit more special than your other birthdays.”

My mother had a big smile as she congratulated me and seemed unusually more enthusiastic than last year.

“I can’t wait! Nee~ Mama, what do you mean by special?”

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I asked my mother, who sat beside me as the servants placed a lot of food on the dinner table. She didn’t answer my question but only laughed and said, “It’s a surprise.” Mother seemed really pleased seeing me impatient, so I continued to ask her.

Laughter reverberated inside the dining hall until the servants finished placing the food. Like in my previous world, a cake with seven lit candles was placed in front of me. As the preparations were completed, the chandelier above the dining table was turned off using a magic tool.

Well, this is a fantasy world, so magic tools are bound to exist.

The entire room became dark, and the only light source was the candles on top of the cake.

“Make a wish, Lumina.”

I was already content with the life I was living, so I only had one wish. While thinking of the wish, I blew out the candles, turning the room pitch dark.

Clap* Clap*

Applause resounded around me in the darkness, and when the lights returned to the room, a tall man with black hair and black eyes stood in front of me with a smile. He wore a full set of plate mail and a sword dangled at his waist. This meant that this man is...

“…Papa?”

I tilted my head to the side as I asked that question. When the man heard me, his smile broadened, and he opened his arms wide.

“It’s Papa, Lumina. I’m back!”

When he answered my question, my eyes opened wide in amazement and shock. Sometimes in the study, my mother would talk about my father and what he did. I would listen to her but didn’t feel anything special about it. But seeing him standing in front of me, emotions such as joy, sadness, and longing welled up within me.

(Eh? Why am I crying? Did I yearn for my father this much?)

“Eh? You’re crying? Eh?”

Father started panicking when he saw me, while my mother and the other servants laughed. I think he expected me to jump into his arms, but since I started crying, he became unsure of what to do.

Seeing him like that, I started laughing a little while tears continued to fall from my eyes.

(I really am loved in this world, huh.)

This was what I thought while we ate dinner together. Throughout the night, I talked to my father about the things I did and was able to do. I even showed him my magic. He was delighted to see a small fireball floating in front of him.

***

The next day, my mother, father, and I spent our time together in his study. We read books together, ate snacks together, and listened to my father talk about his days while he was on duty.

Weeks continued to pass like this, and one day, I tried asking my father a few questions.

“Nee~ Papa, how long will you be here?”

“Oh? Are you anxious that Papa might leave soon?”

I nodded, and a smile formed on his face.

“Don’t worry, Lumina. Papa will be here for a long while!”

Father laughed heartily as he answered my question. His laughter was infectious, and before I knew it, I was smiling widely. Seeing my smile, Father’s laughter grew louder, which made my mother curious, so she entered the room.

At dinner that night, my father made an announcement that tore me away from my family.

“Lumina… since you’re already seven years old, you’re old enough to go to school.”

“School?”

“Yes, I’m planning to enroll you in a school in the capital. It’s the only place where nobles like us can receive a proper education.”

(Now that he mentioned it, going to school sounds like fun. I wonder who I’ll meet. Will I fit in properly? Will I be able to make friends?)

I started thinking about many questions regarding school. But there was one question I wanted to ask before all of those.

“In the capital? Will we be moving to the capital?”

Father shook his head as he answered, “The school is a boarding school. You’ll be the only one going there and living with other children of your age, Lumina.”

“… Is that so?”

I became depressed upon hearing his answer. Father started to panic and tried to comfort me, but my mother, who was by my side, spoke to me with a gentle smile.

“Don’t worry, Lumina. Although it’ll be lonely at first, I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time there. Since you’re a very charming girl, you’ll make friends in no time. And as you grow older, you’ll find someone you love and marry him.”

(Marrying, huh… Since I was a guy in my previous life, I think that’ll be difficult.)

I glanced at my mother and nodded. I had become quite used to living here, so I was reluctant to leave. I then remembered an old saying I often heard in my previous life. I think it was ‘Nothing in this world is permanent except change.’

Seeing my expression slowly becoming more lively, Father coughed a bit and added, “Even if we don’t see each other for a while, just remember that we’ll always be here for you, Lumina. We will always love you.”

“Yes!”

I answered my father with a big “Yes” and resumed eating. I didn’t want them to feel depressed, so I smiled as I ate the food.

I had trouble sleeping that night. My thoughts revolved around school, and because of that, my eyes were red by the next day.

***

Three weeks have passed since Father announced that I would be going to school. Right now, I was standing in front of the carriage that would take me to the capital.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright by yourself?”

“Yes, Mama.”

“You won’t get lonely along the way, right?”

“I won’t, Papa.”

My mother and father continued asking me a lot of questions as a servant sorted my luggage onto the carriage. Although it wasn’t prohibited for my parents to come with me, I opted not to. My desire to stay with them would only grow stronger if they accompanied me. So, I wasn’t confident that I wouldn’t cry the moment we separated at school.

“Look, Papa, they’re done sorting the carriage. I’ve got to go.”

“Nn….”

Father couldn’t answer me as large beads of tears began falling from his eyes.

“Take care, Lumina. Don’t forget to find a servant to take care of you once you get there, okay?”

“Yes, Mama.”

The driver opened the door and helped me board the carriage. I sat on the cushioned chair and waved to my parents as I said my farewells.

“Mama! Papa! I’ll see you soon!”

“Nn….”

“Stay healthy, Lumina!”

The driver hopped onto his seat. The horses neighed as the driver whipped them to start moving. My parents’ silhouettes grew smaller as the distance increased. When I could no longer see them, tears fell from my eyes.

“Don’t worry, Mama, Papa. I’ll thoroughly enjoy my life at school.”