Chapter 156

After three years of observation, Trisha had no talent for magic but was smarter than me. If I taught her one thing, she grasped ten. Teaching her letters led her to understand grammar, and basic magical knowledge led her to instantly grasp its applications. Just by watching me work, she mastered various etiquettes and speech techniques. She was truly a genius, a talent that could be called nothing less.

“If only you had talent for magic, you would have surpassed me as a Tower Lord.”

That was the highest praise I could give. The circuits responsible for activating magic in her body were damaged, so using magic alone put a strain on her. But magic wasn’t everything in life.

“Hehehe… If only I had talent for magic, how great would that be? It’s sad.”

“Sadness, anger… hide all negative emotions. That’s what a sorcerer does.”

“But I can’t use magic.”

“Even if you’re not perfect, you’re a sorcerer. Doing as you please, that’s what a sorcerer is.”

Skadi always said that. The strongest sorcerer isn’t determined by the types of magic or their power, but by their freedom to act without restraint.

In that sense, that child truly did as she pleased. She’d climb onto the horse tied in the backyard, stand on the saddle without getting hurt, or pick fights with bullies throwing stones.

…From that perspective, Trisha might indeed be the greatest sorcerer.

“But why do you always dump chores on me and obsess over your research?”

“Someone’s dream.”

“Someone’s dream? It’s not your dream, is it? Then what’s your dream?”

“To fulfill that person’s dream.”

Fulfilling Skadi’s dream, and announcing its completion at her grave—that was my dream. Though I can no longer see her smiling face, I know she would smile brightly hearing that story.

“Then I’ve decided my dream too.”

“What is it? Standing on a saddle while riding? Becoming a vigilante beating up bullies?”

“To help you fulfill that dream.”

Her earnestness made me chuckle. It had been a long time since I laughed like that. I finally understood why Skadi smiled at me like that. Her naive, childish determination was endearing. And it was a bit embarrassing to think I might have looked the same to Skadi.

“Don’t talk nonsense. If you help with magic research, your body won’t hold up.”

“But I have to help somehow.”

“What do you mean?”

“The elders of the Magic Tower said so. I have no talent, yet you took me in, so I should know my place and repay the favor.”

Sigh… While I was busy with political battles, I spared the elders who served the Tierra family for generations, only to have them swear loyalty… and now this. In the end, they only knelt before my magic, and nothing changed.

“Then brew me some coffee tonight. I’ve been so sleepy lately, I feel like I’m dying.”

“That’s just because you’re getting old.”

…What a cheeky child.

“By the way, it hasn’t rained much lately.”

“Isn’t that good for you? Less work. Rain brings mold from the humidity.”

“No, I feel sad thinking about those who’d be sad without rain. Farmers, umbrella sellers…”

In that way, she truly resembled Skadi. Caring more for others than herself… a selfless, kind child. Just having her by my side made me feel as if Skadi was still watching over me.

“Trisha.”

“Yes, Master?”

“I wish it wouldn’t rain anymore.”

“Why?”

“Because the reason for the rain is gone.”

I smiled at the puzzled Trisha and dipped my quill in ink. We no longer needed the rain.

“By the way, Master, I finished sorting the papers today, so reward me again.”

“Again with that?”

I patted Trisha’s head and cleared my throat.

“Why does that nameless bird in the sky sing so sadly~?”

Honestly, I wasn’t confident in my singing, but I hoped this, too, would carry on like her dream. I wished for everything of hers to pass to me, from me to Trisha, and from Trisha to beyond.

Though it hadn’t rained lately, singing under the blazing sun as if it were a theater curtain wasn’t so bad.

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It was strange. Lately, even after drinking coffee, Trisha couldn’t sleep. It was truly odd. I even started eating things said to be good for health, wondering if I was really getting old. Of course, Trisha, who had to eat them with me, complained they tasted weird and threw a tantrum, but when I looked disappointed, she forced herself to swallow.

“Hmm… The burden of converting mana instead of chanting…”

Experimenting with various theories left me with more wounds. The stagnation in my recent research made me anxious. I grew restless, fearing I might not fulfill Skadi’s dream. As a result, I had no time to care for Trisha, and I couldn’t even remember the last time we went out together.

“Next holiday, we should go see the horses.”

That child loved horses. Truly, though she wasn’t my biological daughter, she resembled me so much. I dipped my quill in ink, planning the details of our next holiday.

“Master!”

When Trisha suddenly shouted, I instinctively ran to her room. The moment I flung open the door, I nearly fainted at the shocking sight.

“What is this…”

Huge stones clung to Trisha’s hands, forming rock hands like those of a golem from a fairy tale.

“I succeeded!”

“How did you…?”

I had only taught her theories and knowledge about magic. Just enough to grade tests and sort papers. She shouldn’t have had the knowledge to develop new magic.

“Actually, I put sleeping pills in your coffee, put you to sleep, and studied your research on my own!”

….I was speechless for about 30 seconds. The idea of drugging someone’s coffee was impressive, but even more so was her self-taught mastery of my research, completing this magic on her own despite her shallow knowledge.

“Are you okay? Using magic with your body…”

Though Trisha had an affinity for earth magic, her flawed circuits meant using magic strained her body.

“I’m a bit tired, but I’m fine!”

“Oh, you foolish child…”

Ignoring the pain like that, she really was out of her mind. In that way, she truly resembled Skadi. I almost wondered if Skadi had secretly had a daughter.

“I’m fine.”

“Later, we’ll find proper facilities for a thorough check-up.”

“Oh, and I wrote down all the theories here!”

Trisha handed me a worn-out notebook. She could have bought a proper one with the money I gave her, but she must have used an old one from the study.

“Now, the dream of the person you cherish, your dream, and my dream have all come true.”

“…Yes.”

Skadi’s dream, my dream, and Trisha’s dream had all been realized. The dream passed from Skadi to me, and from me to Trisha, had finally come to light. The joy was overwhelming, bringing tears to my eyes. I felt like I could fly, knowing I could now go to her and share the dream.

“Well done, Trisha… Of course, don’t use magic anymore. And as a reward, I’ll buy you anything you want.”

“Then I want a pony! I’ve even picked a name!”

“Fine, a pony or whatever you want, I’ll buy it.”

“Shall we have a small celebration then?”

“Sure, I’ll bring your favorite apple pie.”

It was a bit heavy for a night snack, but it was just a one-night indulgence. Besides, apple pie was Trisha’s favorite, so it seemed like a fitting small reward.

“Then I’ll make some tea.”

“…Don’t put sleeping pills in it this time.”

“Hehehe…”

Trisha scratched her head awkwardly. If doing as one pleases makes the greatest sorcerer… then Trisha was undoubtedly the greatest.

“Wait a moment.”

There was a dessert shop open until night, so I went there and bought three slices of Trisha’s favorite apple pie. I didn’t particularly like sweets, but she wouldn’t touch it unless I ate some too.

As I waited for the pie to be packed, droplets began to form on the shop window.

“It’s raining.”

It was about time for rain.

“Please pack it tightly so it doesn’t get wet. And do you have an umbrella for sale?”

When I returned home, the house was eerily quiet.

“I brought your favorite apple pie from the shop, and you didn’t even come to greet me? How selfish…”

What I found was Trisha, her entire body’s blood vessels burst, lying cold and lifeless.

“Trisha…?”

Trisha couldn’t answer.

It was the beginning of a relentless rainy season.