Book 11 Chapter 9

Chapter 261

#6 His Younger Sibling's Epilogue.

"Oath."

The new year dawned.

As if conducting an orchestra, that clear voice made over three hundred students raise their right hands simultaneously.

"We, the freshmen class, as proud students of <Delaiten>, pledge to abide by the school regulations and fulfill our duties as students. Freshman Representative, Seri Ludwig."

The freshman representative position is an honor given only to the top-ranking admitted student of <Delaiten>, the Empire's foremost magic university.

In other words, only the most exceptional mage among their peers qualifies to represent the freshmen.

Feeling a strange emotion, Rain applauded, blessing his younger sister's future.

"It's not so bad watching my sister grow up."

From the seat next to the VIP section, Ellin Ludwig, who was clapping more vigorously than Rain, snorted and raised the corner of her eye.

"Now you're trying to act like a good brother? That's funny. All the hardship I went through because of you, I'll just get vicarious satisfaction watching Seri succeed, so don't you interfere."

"Is that so? I actually plan to be a bad brother for about another year."

"A year? What kind of a year?"

Thinking he was joking, Ellin playfully humored him.

"I have a promise with the Crown Prince… Until then, I thought I'd go out and explore the world for a bit."

"My, what an inexhaustible fellow. Again? So now he's seen the end of magic, is that it?"

"It might be so for me, but it's different for Nen and Mir. And for Aki too."

"Hm?"

"I want to show them the world. Because there are things only the world can teach. And I want to leave memories of our time together all over the world."

Ellin, realizing that joy and sorrow coexisted in the emotions emanating from her nephew's voice, let out a sigh.

"But there are also things the world can't teach. Can you learn mathematical formulas from the world?"

"Aunt, about me. I went on a five-year journey. Those five years, looking back on my whole life, it was only five years, but those five years changed my entire life."

Yes, it was those five years.

The five years that began the moment I met Rista changed my entire life.

If I hadn't taken that hand back then, what would I be like now?

"I want to create a similar five-year period for them, like what I experienced. I don't know if I can do it well, though."

Rain looked down at his palms.

He recalled the warmth of Rista's hand that had grasped his and led him out into the world.

As he stepped out into the world, the warmth of the Dean's hand that had pushed his back overlapped that warmth.

All I know about raising children is what I received from them. So I'm just giving what I received to those children.

With that resolve, he smiled gently and clenched his fist.

"That pathetic nephew of mine can now even make a rather grown-up expression."

A faint smile also graced Ellin's lips as she glanced sideways at her nephew. Of course, it was only for a very brief moment.

"But it's two years, not five, you fool. Can't you even add anymore? Ugh, you pathetic idiot!"

"Ah, sorry."

"Why are you spacing out? You need to get ready too."

Before she could finish her sentence, an assistant entered the VIP room and respectfully bowed.

"Would you please move to the stage? After the emcee finishes speaking."

"Yes."

Professor Kyle, who was emceeing the inauguration ceremony, introduced that a special person would be giving a congratulatory speech at this ceremony.

"The pride of our <Delaiten>, the Neo-Sage (7-star) Mage Rain Ludwig!"

A stunned silence seemed to linger, but as soon as Rain stepped onto the stage, a thunderous roar of cheers and applause erupted.

Neo-Sage (7-star), Mage.

A wise man whom even the Empire's highest nobles, the Electors, found difficult to meet, and who currently held sway over the Empire.

"I don't really feel that I'm that great. In fact, I couldn't even endure <Delaiten>'s first-year course and ran away."

As Rain let out a wry chuckle, the students, thinking it was a humble joke, responded with gentle laughter.

"You will learn mathematics at this school. But you, what you must learn from mathematics is not mere sequences of numbers and formulas."

Then what are we supposed to learn?

As the students tilted their heads in confusion, Rain preached the truth to them, hiding nothing.

"Possibility."

Yes, possibility.

What I learned while observing the world was possibility, and that is the door leading to truth.

"Magic is not about seeing the world at face value, but a study of understanding the infinite possibilities that the world, connections, and people hold."

Because people didn't know the love of creation.

To help them understand that love, even through academics, magic and mathematics were created.

"That is what mathematics aims to convey, and the truth that magic seeks to teach."

Ah, how beautiful it is.

That the continuity of mathematics means the beauty of the world.

I probably won't reach the same level as Karennen even if I live my entire life.

"Pursue that possibility with all your heart and might. Because when you truly have such a heart, magic will respond to your heart."

But that's okay.

It's enough for me to convey this.

If there's one regret, it's just that I couldn't tell the Dean about this truth.

- So I hope Lynn teaches it someday. Lynn will surely be able to reach the truth.

That's the only one.

Yes… that's the only one.

A fleeting illusion appeared before his eyes for a very brief moment, was it Lynn's profile, explaining the truth to the Dean and her classmates in an excited voice?

Suppressing the tears that almost welled up in his eyes with a bright smile, he finished the congratulatory speech he had prepared all night.

"That is all. I wish all new students academic success."

To the students who had pursued magic as a rational discipline, it was a somewhat distant and vague explanation, but there was a powerful force in his words.

There was a profound emotion that stirred the soul.

There was a pulsing tremor of a truth that everyone had yet to realize, held within their hearts. Amidst the students' applause, Rain exited.

'Phew…'

Honestly, I didn't want to do it.

This kind of thing doesn't suit me.

Loosening the tightly tied fastenings of his robe slightly as he left the grand hall, he encountered some rather welcome faces.

"When I oversaw your first exam, I vaguely thought it might come to this, but it's quite bewildering to see it become reality so quickly."

The handsome associate professor, Kyle.

As he shook hands warmly with him, Professor Caroline, always smiling gently, approached.

"She won't lose."

"Pardon?"

"Krista Warden will definitely catch up to you. I can guarantee it. So don't be too arrogant just because you're a bit ahead right now."

There won't be a realm beyond 7 stars, though…

As he gave an awkward smile and nodded, Professor Ellin blocked Caroline's path.

"That's funny! No matter how hard Krista tries, do you think she can catch up to Ellin Ludwig's nephew?"

"Hohohoho, you'll only know what's long and what's short when you measure them."

"It seems our Professor Caroline doesn't know the famous proverb that a warbler tears its crotch trying to follow a stork~?"

"You don't need legs to fly in the sky. All you need are wings."

"Hah, she really doesn't lose an argument, does she? Do you want to get hit?"

The two professors exchanged sly smiles, and for some reason, it felt as if sparks were flying between them…

"Ha! What the hell is this!"

Then hurried footsteps were heard, and soon a rather heavy hand slapped Rain's shoulder.

"You, who seemed dumber than a passing monkey, have appeared before me as such a top-tier big shot!"

This is really driving me crazy.

Just seeing this person makes me laugh. No, even just hearing his voice is funny.

"Now am I supposed to lick your shoes like a dog? 'Please forgive me for treating you carelessly, not knowing it would come to this,' something like that?"

"You don't need to do that, Professor Owen."

"No need to hold back. Even a monkey knows you've appeared here again aiming for that."

"I'm serious."

"Ha! How incredibly grateful I am that you would bestow such mercy upon this humble professor. If you ask me to dance as a sign of gratitude, I'll dance."

"Really?"

"Yes! This is a tremendous honor that even my mother, who gave birth to me and prepared my breakfast every morning, never enjoyed. Ha!"

"Is that so? If you're truly grateful, I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain. I imagine it would be quite a gruesome sight."

"Are you serious? It's now or never, Rain Ludwig. If you want to insult me, now's the perfect time."

"Honestly, I feel a bit regretful, but for the honor of my respected professor, I'll bravely give it up."

Owen began to laugh heartily, and Rain also ended up laughing out loud.

Meeting and talking again with the homeroom teacher he first met in his life, it was truly a warmth different from any he had felt before in his life.

In this beautiful world created by the Genesis Gods, he realized there were truly many different forms of warmth.

If he could have met the Dean again, would it have felt like this?

"I really don't want to admit it, but seeing your arrogant face again makes me unspeakably happy. Dammit."

He grasped the hand Owen extended heartily. Respectfully, with both hands, showing utmost courtesy. A teacher once, a teacher forever.

"The same goes for me, Professor. I'm happy to see you looking healthy."

Around that time, students who had finished the inauguration ceremony were coming out, guided.

Seri, who spotted Rain among the professors, immediately broke into a welcoming smile.

But she quickly erased it, and approached him with the haughty and dignified gait befitting a noble young lady.

"Wow, it's Miss Seri…"

"The undisputed top student of <Libarden> Magic School…"

"They say she's already a Limitless (2-star) Mage…"

The students' murmurs reached Rain's ears, but as soon as they noticed the presence in Seri's direction, gasps bordering on astonishment arose.

"Seeing him up close, he's so young, but his presence is no joke."

"Did you hear? They say he crushed Gryffinvalor in his first year."

"Ah, come on, no matter what, you have to say something that makes sense. What a load of…"

But they only whispered, and no one dared to come close, which meant Owen was that intimidating to the freshmen…

But Seri, who had two welcome faces there, eventually came closer.

Ellin pulled Seri's cheeks, and tossed out a compliment that sounded like a scolding.

"Why aren't you going to your assigned classroom and coming here instead? Do you want to be scolded? Huh? Do you want to be scolded?"

"I'm, I'm sorryyyyy…"

"Did you think that if you came all the way here to greet, this genius professor Ellin would welcome you? Go at once!"

"Seri."

The voice that stopped Seri, who was about to head towards the classroom as if being chased, was Rain's.

"Yes, big brother?"

"You'll meet many people while attending school."

"……?"

"Your power, your talent, the light of magic… Always remember that it's not for showing off, but for helping others."

After saying that, his cheeks flushed, and he felt unnecessarily shy. He scratched his cheek with a finger and gave an awkward smile.

"I, who only attended school for a mere year, and didn't even attend that year properly, may not be in a position to give you advice, but."

But Seri, with determined, shining eyes, nodded her head.

"I will be a student my aunt and big brother can be proud of. Just like you taught me magic back then, big brother."

Ah, is there nothing to worry about?

Children are truly amazing. Because they become adults before you know it… Aki was like that, and Seri is the same.

"By the way, didn't Aki come?"

"She's outside the school gate. Outsiders aren't allowed during the inauguration ceremony, you know. I only came for the congratulatory speech. Why, do you want to meet her?"

"Me? No, no, no. How could I meet her on a day like this? If anyone heard, they'd think I asked because I wanted to see Aki."

As if she didn't.

After seeing Seri off, and bowing to the professors once more, he exited the school gate.

Miria was struggling to calm Aki and Setsunen, who were nagging that they wanted to see Rain, but as soon as they saw Rain, all their faces brightened.

"Abat!"

"Justice!"

As he stroked Aki and Nen's heads, Miria approached and asked.

"How was it? After preparing so hard all night."

"I don't know if it went well. For now, everyone responded because I'm a Neo-Sage (7-star)."

I wanted to meet Kassena on this occasion too, but I was told that after graduating from university, she left <Golden Rose> to become an adventurer.

"Well, with work all done, shall we go?"

A promise made 300 years ago.

That promise to go explore the world together. That promise, which could only be fulfilled after 300 years.

Breaking down the barrier of time from the distant past, grasping the outstretched hand, he steps forward, into the future that had been closed.

* * *

Around that time, the poisonous aura surging from the wide-open fissure in the Arctic <Harbadonia> was chilling.

Chains of Radiance.

Bound by those chains, his entire body shackled, the being emitting an evil scream was the now-forgotten King.

Ru……

……Boa……

…………Karis…….

The thoughts deeply permeated within that poisonous aura were the King's Command, and only the old nobles dared to obey that King's Command.

「…….」

The poisonous aura swept across the former king's territory, leaped over the <Snow Spirit Great Wall>, and descended upon a swamp.

Where was its destination?

The old battlefield, now covered in swamp, and the noble who had been slumbering there for an eternity.

The wedge that pierced the noble's heart, the Guangxu Magic Formation, began to melt away due to the poisonous aura…

The moment the wedge completely disappeared, the eyes of the foremost noble opened wide.