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yumemory[Location: Lounge, morning]
Snow: It’s not so complicated. We went to a remote land in the Northern country where a large magical beast that ought not to have existed had been rampaging.
Snow: It was most likely an ancient animal that was revived under the influence of the Great Calamity.
White: Nonetheless, all five of us Northern wizards were present, so it wasn't as if we had any difficulty.
White: The only problem was that the beast had limitless strength. No matter how much it was boiled or scorched, it refused to be taken down.
Snow: Eventually, Mithra's patience hit its limit, and he opened his teleportation door...
Mithra: It was about to die, anyway, so I sped things up and threw it into a chamber of magma.
Mithra: And before I knew it, Bradley was gone.
Mithra: Ah, I think he might have gone through the door together with the beast… Something like that.
Mithra explained the incident in a tone as light as if he had dropped a keychain somewhere.
Contrary to the lack of tension in his voice, I felt my face turn pale.
Akira: Then, is Bradley really…?
Mithra: Sorry, I didn’t mean to.
Akira: No way...
White: I'm sorry that our children are causing you so much worry, Sage.
Snow: But please do not be disheartened by this. Bradley is not the kind of man who goes down easily.
Snow: He's a very bad boy who has outsmarted countless Northern wizards without ever turning to stone.
White: Unlike me, he does not die no matter how much you try to kill him. Wouldn’t you agree, Oz?
Oz: He's a nimble and agile man. Even I haven't been able to kill him yet.
Shylock: Hearing such words from Oz makes it rather convincing.
Faust: ...Well, considering the amount of magical power he has, he should be able to handle a chamber of magma...
Figaro: Right, right. If he's still alive, then he'll eventually come back on his own.
Shylock: So, will we simply wait for any development on this incident?
Figaro: It’s fine, isn’t it? Let’s just wait and see.
Snow and White: Yes indeedy. Wait and see, wait and see.
Faust: ...Maybe it's better to keep this between ourselves for now. It might be upsetting news for some of the others.
Shylock: I agree. For those who aren’t present in this meeting, let's just tell them he's currently on a different mission.
Murr: So it’s a secret?
Akira: Murr?!
Murr peeked out from behind the chair I was seated in.
Figaro: Oh. It looks like a naughty cat was listening in.
Snow: Murr, make sure to not tell anyone what you just heard.
White: It will be our little secret.
Faust: How long have you been lurking there...
Murr: Well, how long do you think?
Shylock: Ever since the Master Sage came into the room, I presume.
Oz: He was resting on the Sage’s shoulder in the form of a butterfly.
Murr: Ding ding! Correct! I'll give you a candy as a prize!
Shylock: Stop that, Murr.
Mithra: If you have candy, please give it to me. All this tea is not nearly enough to fill my stomach.
Faust: How can you say that when you've been devouring other people's cakes this entire time...?
Akira: (...Everyone is so calm.)
I felt alone and uncomfortable within this circle of people who didn't seem to be the least bit fazed about what happened.
Akira: (Maybe it's because they’re well-aware of how much of a strong wizard Bradley is, but still…)
[Location: Hallway]
That night, I knocked on Nero's door.
Nero: Sage? What’s up?
Akira: I'm sorry to bother you so late at night, but I need to talk to you. Are you available now?
Nero: Talk to me? Yeah, sure, come in.
[Location: Nero’s room]
We’d just talked about having a drink together the other day. Maybe Nero was also concerned that Bradley hadn't returned yet.
If I told him now, surely I would make him worry. But Nero is a good person. If he found out about it later, then it would only become a bigger shock for him...
After thinking about what to do, I remembered the friendly conversation he had with Bradley in the lounge that I accidentally overheard, and it's what made me decide to tell him.
Nero: ...I see.
After I told him what happened, Nero only nodded, then quickly laughed it off.
Nero: Bradley’ll be fine. I'm sure he'll come back safely.
Nero: Unlike me, he’s a pretty bold Northern wizard.
Nero's voice was light, as if he was just consoling someone for having a bit of misfortune.
Nero: If that's what the teachers told ya, I don't think you need to get too serious about it.
Nero: You’ll get overwhelmed if you worry too much, Sage.
Akira: Nero...
Hearing those words of concern slightly soothed my suffocated feelings.
Akira: Thank you so much. You’re really kind, Nero.
After saying that, I noticed a faint bitterness in Nero's expression, as if he didn't want to accept my words.
Nero: ...I’m not kind.
Nero: I'm a lot more heartless than you think.
Akira: ...Nero?
A smile then returned to his face.
Nero: Go back to your room now, 'kay? You need lotsa rest today.
Nero: Don’t worry too much.
Akira: Ah, okay… Good night.
Nero: Yeah, g’night.
Nero: ...Sigh.
Nero: (I’m... no longer in the position to do that.)
[Location: Staircase, morning]
Akira: (...I couldn’t sleep well.)
My agony kept me preoccupied the entire night, to the point that I didn't notice it was already morning. Rubbing my heavy eyelids, I headed for the dining hall.
[Location: Dining hall, morning]
As I took my seat, I could smell delicious aroma wafting through the air. My appetite, which had almost diminished, faintly increased.
Akira: (...Ah.)
What I saw on the table for today's breakfast were all my favorite dishes.
Akira: (Nero… He’s trying to cheer me up, isn’t he…)
I felt a pang in my chest. Nero's casual thoughtfulness was always expressed through the warmth of the food he made.
Akira: (He said he’s a heartless person, but…)
Akira: (He doesn’t seem that way to me at all.)
Shino: Sage, you’re early today.
Heathcliff: Master Sage, good morning.
Akira: Good morning, you two.
Shino: ...What’s with that face?
Akira: Huh?
Heathcliff: There are dark circles under your eyes... Did you not get enough sleep?
Akira: Uh, sort of... I didn't get much sleep last night because of what happened yesterday.
Heathcliff: Yesterday…?
TL: yumemory | Proofread: Alle
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