Namgung Se-ga, the warrior, was reincarnated in Romance

I tapped the back of the child’s hand with mine, urging them to speak. After a long pause, Marianne let out a soft groan and finally opened her mouth.

“Mikael doesn’t really keep people around him, does he? But after that, he’s been sticking to the Prince all the time, so it was hard not to notice. That senior’s expression was also obvious.”

“…Expression?”

Marianne hit my back with a firm paang.

“Someone who likes someone has a different look in their eyes. I was the same.”

“…”

“I could also tell what Mikael was worried about. But, you know, I don’t quite agree with what Sheyden thinks.”

I studied Marianne’s face. Covered in sweat and dust from running and rolling around, Marianne wore an even more mischievous expression than usual.

“Instead of worrying about whether to accept them or not, you should first think about whether you like that person. What does it matter if the other person likes you? In the end, what’s most important is your own feelings. Love isn’t something you do alone, Mikael.”

“…”

“The solution will come later. For now, that’s how I feel.”

Marianne suddenly jumped up, brushing the dirt off her pants. A puff of dust rose into the air.

“If you need any advice, just let me know. I can help you with relationship counseling anytime. Well then, good luck today!”

I watched Marianne dash away, shaking my head with a small, involuntary laugh.

After having that conversation with Marianne early in the morning, I felt a bit awkward when I saw Ruber’s face. I was worried that it might look like I was teasing the child, even though I already knew everything.

However, it was something I couldn’t let show.

I greeted Ruber first with a respectful nod, acknowledging him, and as always, we stood side by side to watch the sparring. Then, once again, I felt a lingering gaze on my cheek. My chest tingled.

“You should go to class.”

Though it wasn’t directed at me, Ruber quickly understood that the remark was meant for him.

His attention back on the sparring children, Ruber was acting calmly, but I couldn’t help but feel concerned about him. This time, I found it difficult to focus on the sparring as well. During the eight clashing strikes of the sword, the child, who had been pondering deeply, glanced back at me. A trace of disappointment could already be seen in their voice.

“You said I could watch before.”

“It’s fine when it’s not class time.”

“…That’s…”

Ruber, about to grumble, seemed to agree with my reasoning and fell silent. Every time the child whispered in my ear, my ear tingled.

“…Should we practice again this Saturday?”

“…”

It was about the dance.

Next month, due to exam period, it would be difficult to find time even on weekends. If we wanted to practice more, it was better to finish everything within this month. But… what if rumors started spreading that this child liked me?

Then again, I thought, it wasn’t as if we were really developing feelings for each other; the child was just silently harboring a crush. Who would gossip about that?

In a place like Sieron, where love was held in high regard, it might be fine. Ruber wasn’t yet the Emperor, and he didn’t have an engagement set up.

I glanced up at Ruber. His gaze was intense, making me feel itchy. Without realizing it, I nodded in response. As I looked up at the smile slowly spreading on the child’s face, I couldn’t help but smile myself.

It was a strange situation. Even though I was growing attached, it felt like I had already grown too attached.

Still, once I climbed the Unique Mountain, I wouldn’t see this child for a long time. It should be fine, just this much. I reassured myself again and again, trying to calm the uneasy feeling.

During Aura and Mana training, Mage Boulder was nowhere to be seen. He used to be persistent, pestering me every Thursday without fail, so I found it quite strange.

“…Where is Mage Boulder?”

“Haha, well…”

Douglas let out a sigh, wearing an embarrassed expression.

“He tried to create a dantian without us around… and now he’s a bit injured.”

“What happened?”

“Thankfully, his life isn’t in danger, but… he’s going to rest for a while. He should be back by the week after next. Until then, I think it’s fine if Mikael doesn’t visit. After the main subject exams, please stop by before the break begins.”

“…”

Is he out of his mind?

I didn’t voice my thoughts, as Douglas seemed genuinely worried. I hesitated for a moment before politely nodding and leaving the professor’s office.

Thinking about it, the three mages I was close with all had very unique personalities.

Marianne wasn’t exactly well-behaved, Edwin was notoriously picky, and Boulder always did strange things. I made a mental note to take better care of the children.

***

Friday afternoon. I caught Edwin, who was on his way, under the pretext of asking for help feeding mana to the ranunculus.

In truth, I had done it a few times and found that feeding mana to the ranunculus wasn’t particularly difficult.

However, after seeing Boulder’s mishap, I came to a deep realization. I thought that when this child was still young and their mind wasn’t set, I should treat them more like a person.

Edwin, unaware of my inner thoughts, chuckled and boasted that if it wasn’t me, who could do it? He led the way toward the auditorium, where defensive runes were etched.

As I kept agreeing with everything Edwin said, he shouted in annoyance, asking if I was making fun of him.

“Why would I make fun of you, senior?”

“No, look, you’re only half-opening your eyes! Are you even listening to me?”

“Huh?”

“Ugh… Just pay attention.”

“Yes.”

It wasn’t easy to calm him down; dealing with his finicky nature made it hard to keep his mood in check.

Once we arrived at the auditorium, we learned several methods of feeding mana to the two ranunculuses, each sitting on their own.

I had learned about circles in class but hadn’t fully understood them until Edwin gave me a detailed explanation.

I held one of the little creatures in my arms, cradling it like a baby bird. The one that had been chirping nonstop eagerly drank the mana I offered, swallowing it eagerly. It was both fascinating and amusing, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.

After a while, when the ranunculus’s belly started to bulge, it flapped its wings as if asking to be let go. I gently released it, and the two of them flew off to play, chattering with each other.

“They… are they really not alive?”

“Where is this coming from?”

“They’re playing, eating, being affectionate… It’s strange that they aren’t alive.”

“Hmm… Have you ever seen a spirit?”

“No.”

“Spirits don’t fear death. They’re just masses of mana. They can communicate with higher spirits, but being born from mana and returning to mana is just part of a natural process. There are some differences, but that’s how it is.”

“…Hmm.”

“Magical creatures are similar. Even if they’re told to die, they don’t fear it. As long as there’s mana, they can live. They sleep and play, not out of necessity, but simply because they enjoy mimicking human behaviors.”

“…Mimicking?”

“Yeah. They just copy what they see because they’re used to it. As long as they have mana, they can keep going for days without getting tired or thinking anything is unpleasant.”

I turned my gaze to the two ranunculuses, flying around the auditorium like acrobats. With their golden and blue feathers glistening, they seemed to emit a silent, wondrous awe.

“That’s why they don’t hesitate to refuse orders to go into dangerous areas. That’s how they can deliver messages…”

“…Hmm.”

I recalled the large bird that had perched on Allen Lager’s shoulder.

I felt sorry for the little one I was taking care of, but if it was one that could speak clearly like that, it could easily climb the highest mountains.

“Then, senior. When I’m up in the Unique Mountain… when I’m away from the city…”

“Yeah?”

“If something happens with Valentina or Ernheart, would you be able to send a message using the ranunculuses?”

“Hmm? Oh, that much is fine.”

I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I didn’t quite trust Edwin. I quietly observed his expression, and Edwin narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“What, you don’t trust me?”

“No… It’s just that I’ve heard that wizards in the Magic Tower are often out of touch with news from outside.”

“That’s ridiculous. If you’re going to say that, then don’t ask me.”

“I trust you because you seem capable with politics.”

“Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“It’s a compliment.”

Seeing that Edwin was about to get angry, I quickly changed the topic.

“By the way, is going to the Unique Mountain something that benefits a wizard?”

“Hah… It’s a high concentration of mana, so while it’s tough, the rewards are definite. Wizards who frequent the Unique Mountain tend to become great mages earlier.”

“…Hmm.”

“Though the risk of dying is much higher.”

“Eh?”

That was the most frightening thing to hear when I had to take Marianne with me to the Unique Mountain. I asked more carefully, and Edwin adjusted his cloak, which he had neatly draped over his school uniform, and explained further.

“What do you think is the biggest difference between a knight and a wizard?”

“…Strength?”

“Well… I think it’s attitude.”

“Why?”

“A knight, when something happens, instinctively uses their body, while a wizard, when something happens, instinctively uses their mind. But in real situations, just thinking won’t get anything done. If you panic, you won’t even be able to think properly.”

“…Ah.”

“As long as you don’t get left behind. Well, I think Philo Dendor will manage just fine.”

Even though I hadn’t brought up Marianne, it seemed like Edwin already knew why I was asking. I kept quiet. Edwin sneered and added another remark.

“You’ve got a good hold on her. After all, you’ve got a knight to protect her.”

…No wonder he has no friends.

“What’s with that expression again?”

“Nothing.”

I felt a bit sorry for him and quietly watched Edwin, but since he was quick to catch on, I figured he might get annoyed again, so I stood up and prepared to leave.

The grumbling continued until we parted ways in front of the dorm, and it was worse than a drenched monk complaining.