This place is the Sephiro 02 Mana Power Plant.
There was a man sitting by the window, sipping tea while looking outside.
The dark circles that usually lingered around his eyes were completely gone, and he appeared to be watching the birds sitting on the branches of the World Tree with joy.
How long has it been since the sound of those birds chirping felt so refreshing?
If he had a little more time, he might even feel like talking to them.
A woman watching him was aware that while she wanted to capture that scene in her memory, his sensitivity was not quite enough for that, so she did not really have high expectations.
“You look really happy, Senior Colson.”
“Of course I’m happy.”
“Is it because the World Tree is stabilized?”
“That’s right.”
Indeed, the stabilization of the World Tree. How long has it been since it was like this?
It had been causing trouble frequently lately, as if it was going through a rebellious phase, but now it was functioning perfectly.
“Back then, something was definitely wrong with the weather, you know.”
After repeated malfunctions, he had even thought recently, “Should we just plant a new World Tree altogether?”
He smiled as he looked at the greatly reduced stack of paperwork.
With optimistic thoughts that he might be able to finish work on time even while having a bit of fun today.
As Gerard turned on his computer, an unfamiliar email had arrived in his account.
The sender was none other than Gilbert.
He was a dwarf, a former classmate from the Academy, whom he used to drink with at a bar.
“What’s this email about?”
He tapped the crystal sphere to open the mail.
– It’s been a while since I’ve sent you an email, Gerard.
– I can’t call or text because right now I’m in Beriton, not Aires, so I had to send you an email.
– I came on a short trip to write a novel. Oh, you know that elves make fantastic drinks, right? If you ever find yourself in Beriton, make sure to try the handcrafted fruit wines.
– Anyway, remember what you asked me a few weeks ago while we were drinking? You asked about ‘Ere,’ right?
– I pondered over it for a long time but couldn’t recall it until I came to Beriton. I vaguely heard about it from a senile old elf during my travels. He said he was about 300 years old back then. I don’t know if he’s still alive. Anyway, I heard that this was quite an old tale. I’m curious as to where that kid picked up the word “Ere.” I’m not sure if this is correct, but it’s what I know, so pass it on as you see fit.
And that was the end of the page.
Gerard thought, “Wow, I didn’t forget after all,” as he flipped to the next page.
Unlike himself, who was almost half-dazed, perhaps dwarves had better clarity.
Gerard manipulated the crystal sphere to turn to the next page.
– Ere was not the name of a “person.” It was…
——
The sky was clear without a cloud in sight, making for a much more humid-feeling day.
As noon approached, the sensation intensified.
However, the child climbing the mountain with an adult elf male showed no signs of feeling hot at all.
Shirud had a unique physique that easily overheated due to the seasonal mana, but in reality, elves, like Yerna, usually were not sensitive to heat or cold.
But the Hyun were different.
Whether it was heat or cold, they were a species very sensitive to temperature.
Essentially, a very rare case, a Dragoonian Hyun would be strong against heat, but this child didn’t particularly look Dragoonian.
There were no visible scales on his skin.
“Aren’t you hot?”
“Umm, not at all.”
It felt as though the heat wasn’t that noticeable; when it was cold, he’d have to generate warmth with ‘Py,’ but now he had no need for ice.
This could be because part of Luke’s body was dragon-like.
– Are you excited?
“Hehe, of course I am!”
– Yes! I’m excited!
Py seemed to be conveying a similar feeling to Luke as he looked forward to Demilight.
As they were just hiking with smiles at the thought of seeing Demilight from this era, the elf man asked,
“Luke.”
“Why do you call me, Millerd?”
‘Millerd Zikfinde’
That was the name Luke found out from the badge hanging around the man’s neck.
“Why do you like flowers?”
“It’s a secret!”
“Haha, what’s that about?”
Luke’s quirky answer made him laugh helplessly.
What could possibly be so secretive?
With a lively step and a cheerful hum?
Millerd thought it looked incredibly cute, making it hard to suppress a smile.
It was so cute to the extent that he felt a strong desire to raise a daughter like this if he were to have one someday.
Like this, hiking together from time to time while sharing stories.
“What are your hobbies, Luke?”
Hobbies? Spending time in a box wasn’t exactly a hobby, and studying magic was similar. Both were instinctive urges for Luke.
Just like how ‘sleeping,’ ‘eating,’ or ‘breathing’ couldn’t be termed hobbies.
“Hmm…”
In that case, the closest thing to a hobby would probably be…
“I suppose gardening and cooking could be considered hobbies.”
“Gardening is your hobby? That’s impressive.”
“There’s nothing impressive about it. I just tended to an abandoned garden. Hmm, I hope nothing unusual happens when I return after my trip.”
“You worry about your garden too?”
“Of course, since I’ve been putting effort into it.”
Luke’s cheerful reply made Millerd’s smile grow even wider.
‘This kid speaks so well. Is he really a child?’ Seeing him articulate his thoughts so clearly made her think he must be quite intelligent.
He probably does well in school too?
“So, what do you usually do at home?”
At that question, Luke took a brief moment to think before answering.
“Well, it’s pretty ordinary. I wake up in the morning, take a bath, do laundry, prepare meals, and then clean. After roughly finishing household chores, I mostly study or take a nap. There’s nothing particularly special about it for me.”
That’s completely exemplary behavior.
Indeed, he was the epitome of a model student.
Millerd couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would be to have a daughter like that.
Though she didn’t even have a girlfriend yet…
“Haha, then your parents must be really happy.”
“Um, I don’t have parents…”
“…Huh?”
Millerd’s body froze.
Was that a bad joke?
The thought that followed was, ‘Haha, even a model student like Luke is joking around.’
But Luke’s somewhat embarrassed expression was already an answer in itself.
Feeling the pressure of Millerd’s gaze as she looked at him with wide eyes, Luke averted his gaze slightly and spoke.
“Don’t make that face; my mother and father passed away happily.”
There was no way that parents who left their 10-year-old child could have been happy.
It was clear they must have lied to spare their child the sorrow.
Before the imminent death, that was probably all they could do.
Millerd muttered in a clearly subdued voice.
“…I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, dear.”
“…”
Luke’s voice was still bright, but Millerd couldn’t bear to lift her head.
It was hot, but the atmosphere felt so frozen that it sent chills down her spine.
At such times, it would be better if a bug just buzzed in to annoy them, but the absence of even a single insect made the pleasant mountain path feel stifling.
Normally, she’d appreciate it, but right now it was just an unbearable feeling.
‘At least I’m glad Luke didn’t cry.’
Luke really was a brave child.
———
The Beriton Plant Research Institute, located on the mountain summit, was a quite large building.
Its appearance, like a giant glass greenhouse the size of a castle, felt entirely different from how it looked from below.
As she sparkled her eyes while looking around, an elderly elf approached, leaning on a cane.
“Ah, Professor…”
It seemed the appearance of the old man caught Millerd off guard, as she clearly appeared flustered.
The approaching elder spoke.
“Millerd, have you already finished taking care of the greenhouse plants I told you about? Hmm? Who is this little one?”
“Professor, this is a student from Tiga Academy who came to see Demilight, so I thought it would be nice to let him take a look around for a bit…”
At that, one of the old man’s eyebrows twitched.
And simultaneously, the old man’s wall-guarding staff moved swiftly.
“Yikes! Professor!”
“Hey! You don’t have time for that! Do you think the plants you have to take care of are few?”
“But he’s really excited to see it!”
“….”
With nothing else to say, Luke tried to forward his claim, narrowing his eyes and glancing at Millerd before asking.
“Millerd, you didn’t guide me here just because you don’t want to take care of the plants, did you?”
“….”
Millerd couldn’t open her mouth.
It couldn’t be said that she had no such thought, but…
Seeing that hint of intention on her face, Luke sighed and said.
“Then it’s no good. Sigh…”
Since his request unexpectedly became a nuisance, it would only be right for him to apologize.
Luke bowed deeply and offered his apology.
“This is my fault. I’m sorry. If you command me, I will descend the mountain with Millerd right away.”
“After all this, please allow us just to see it, Professor. He’s a budding dreamer.”
The elderly elf, watching patiently, looked down with interest at Luke’s earnestness.
“……. This child seems to have potential, unlike you, Millerd.”
“……Ugh.”
At the elder’s words, Millerd’s embarrassment made her fumble and twist her body.
Her face was already so red that it seemed she would rival a red rose.
In any case, it seemed the elder was quite pleased with Luke’s demeanor.
“Alright, I will show you Demilight. But Millerd, this time is just an exception. Show him only Demilight and then get back to work.”
“Ha… Yes, understood. Now, let’s go this way.”
Fortunately, he granted permission.
Millerd sighed and led Luke along.
She had initially planned to show him around the entire research facility, but it couldn’t be helped.
“But will you be coming too, Professor?”
“Of course. I am going to check if you’re explaining properly.”
“….”
Though he said that, it seemed that the professor also found Luke cute in his own way.
Seeing his eyes, which looked as if he were watching a granddaughter.
After all, it was hardly likely that a girl like Luke would come to this plant research institute.
