Luke was watching the ants, not realizing how much time had passed.
In a way, ants were also part of the magic that made up this forest.
Though small, they played a significant role in the ecosystem.
They keep the insect population in check by preying on them while simultaneously becoming food for other animals.
Furthermore, by digging into the ground, they naturally make the soil soft and rich, allowing plants to grow well.
Thus, even a single ant has its role in the forest.
How mysterious is that?
Ultimately, Luke stood up from his spot only after all the leftover fish-shaped cakes he had intended to give to Pyris had disappeared into his stomach and the ants’ nests.
“Ah, has it already gotten this late?”
As he enjoyed snacks and sightings while soaking up mana, time seemed to fly by.
“I think I’ve gathered enough magic; it’s about time for me to head back.”
Stretching his body in the dim light of the Rienne Forest, Luke rose.
“Ugh! Hoo….”
Sitting for too long had caused his tense muscles to stretch, bringing a refreshing feeling.
Though it wasn’t something his body necessarily needed, it was merely an action taken to obtain a psychological sense of fulfillment.
Today, Yerna wouldn’t be home as she had something to do in Luke Forest.
So, even if he returned home late, there wouldn’t be any scolding or questioning.
There was no need to rush, but there was also no reason to remain sitting in this dark forest anymore.
He felt he had gathered enough magic for Liv as well.
Luke lightly picked up Liv and fully stood up.
By the way, what might Pyris be doing right now?
He first thought she was probably watching the Spirit Girl Meruru on her computer at home.
Recently, Pyris had been very immersed in Meruru.
Sometimes she would ignore him when he called out….
It seemed she had gotten a little spoiled, but he didn’t necessarily think that was a bad thing.
It was better than getting into trouble.
Besides, the fact that Meruru captivated her was an excellent learning opportunity for the spirit Pyris.
Suddenly, Luke recalled what Pyris had said to him a few days ago when she was watching Meruru.
“Sister, sister! Look at this!”
“What is it, Pyris?”
“They’re releasing a Meruru movie!”
“Oh, is that so? That’s good.”
“Listen, listen! In the movie, the Demon King appears, and not just Meruru, but other spirit girls come out too, and they join their hearts together to perform a fusion transformation! How cool is that? It sounds so fun!”
“Hmm…? Spirit girls can fuse…? Was that in the setting…? Well, I suppose that could be fun. Are you looking forward to it?”
“Yes! Yes! A lot-!”
“Hehe, then let’s tell Yerna that we should go to the theater later. It releases on December 21st….”
“Yes! But when is December 21st? How many nights do we have to wait?”
“…!”
That’s right.
To watch Meruru, Pyris had grasped the concept of ‘time’ to borrow the computer from him, and now she had mastered the concept of ‘date’ as well.
If he had tried to explain the concept of dates to her step by step, she would have likely found it boring and wouldn’t have listened properly.
Yet, wanting to know when the movie would release had motivated her to understand the concept of dates.
All of this was thanks to Meruru.
“Was Meruru that entertaining?”
Well, if she enjoyed it, that was what mattered.
“……Hmm?”
As he thought about this while retracing his steps, Luke suddenly discovered something.
It was the scratch marks on the tree and footprints.
‘This is….’
Luke approached slowly and examined the traces closely.
Considering the depth and height of the scratches on the tree and the shape of the footprints, this was definitely not the work of an ordinary animal.
Perhaps it was the mark of a human or a creature very similar to a human.
The tracks led deeper into the Rienne Forest.
And the direction was familiar to Luke.
It was the very place where Sigarmata had been banished and where the spatial fragments were forged from the Lunar Crystal.
With an uneasy feeling, Luke resolved to follow the traces as if entranced.
At that moment,
A hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
-Whoosh.
“Who is it?”
Feeling the touch on his shoulder, Luke quickly swatted it away and turned his head, revealing a man with brown hair dressed in a neat suit and a mage’s robe.
Moreover, he had a rather strong scent of cologne, a hint too much.
Noticing that Luke’s expression wasn’t very pleasant, he adjusted his round glasses and spoke somewhat awkwardly.
“Oh dear, did I startle you? You shouldn’t go that way; it’s a restricted area. You, of all kids, shouldn’t enter.”
Turning his gaze where the man pointed, Luke finally noticed a sign.
The sign, marked by an exclamation point indicating caution, read, “This area has unstable magic and may be dangerous, so please refrain from entering unless you are authorized.”
Additionally, in smaller text, it stated that they would assume no responsibility for any damages incurred while ignoring this warning and that compensation could be sought if any damage occurred.
It was that very sign often used to block off dangerous areas during construction in the city.
Luke was quite flustered.
Wait, when did that sign even appear?
There certainly hadn’t been one when he was forging spatial fragments from the Lunar Crystal.
“Ah, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
Luke deliberately spoke in a more childlike, innocent tone.
Though he had committed the error of wandering in a forbidden forest, few adults would likely scold a girl who genuinely seemed unaware.
And Luke’s calculation proved correct.
The man did not seem angry at all.
“It’s okay; getting lost in play can happen. But what’s a girl like you doing in such a forest? Did you get lost by any chance?”
He smiled and asked, glancing at Luke, who was wearing an academy uniform and hugging a teddy bear.
A girl wandering through the forest in an academy uniform with a small, cute teddy bear.
Anyone would undoubtedly jump to the same conclusion.
He probably viewed her as a child who had gotten lost while playing near the forest’s entrance.
Nodding at the thought of his own image, Luke agreed.
While he wasn’t actually lost, it was certainly true that he had been playing.
He lightly raised the bear he was holding and replied.
“I wanted to explore deeper after watching the ants with Liv.”
“Hmm, I see?”
He nodded in understanding.
“However, I can’t let you in there. That place is forbidden. Instead, I’ll take you out of the forest. Although it’s still light, it can get very dangerous when it gets dark.”
“Um… okay.”
Luke had no choice but to nod.
———-
Luke asked him quite a few questions.
“How old are you?” and “Why are you here?” he asked with an innocent expression, and he answered each question sincerely.
His name was Seyeo; he stated that he was a wizard dispatched to investigate this forest.
“So, Seyeo… you’re a wizard dispatched to the Rienne forest area, right?”
Seyeo nodded with a smile.
“Yeah, that’s right. Recently, the magic in this forest has been very unstable; magic storms have been occurring frequently.”
Luke feigned calm and nodded.
“Oh, I see. I’ve heard about that.”
“Oh, you know? You must have seen it on the news. You look young, but you seem quite interested in society already. Anyway, something significant has happened.”
In reality, he had not just heard about it; he had been entangled in the event himself.
However, it was quite strange.
He hadn’t seen that sign when he had visited the Rienne forest before.
In fact, wasn’t the situation gradually stabilizing?
If Luke were to have discovered it, he should have noticed it long before now.
He had visited the Rienne forest quite often.
Suddenly, Luke felt a question arise.
“Why has a sign that didn’t exist at the start of the forest’s troubles only just now appeared?”
But he couldn’t voice that question.
Simply knowing to ask it would be proof that he frequently entered the Rienne forest, and if he asked how Seyeo knew that, it would likely lead to a tricky situation.
As Luke pondered such thoughts while stroking Liv, Seyeo spoke.
“However, coming to this forest despite knowing that something happened means you really like it, huh? Do you perhaps like spirits as well?”
Luke nodded casually and replied.
“Yes, I love both very much.”
He liked the forest because it was easy to gain mana, and he was genuinely close to spirits.
Hearing Luke’s response, Seyeo continued to smile leisurely.
“I see, that’s good. But wandering the forest alone at this hour is dangerous. What if you got lost?”
“Yes.”
Though he wouldn’t get lost.
Having visited the Rienne forest more than once, Luke knew the way pretty well.
“…Wait.”
But Luke suddenly felt that this path was rather unfamiliar.
How strange.
“But, Seyeo? I don’t think this is the path I came by.”
“Oh, right. We’re taking a safer route. It’s in the direction where there are no monsters or dangerous magic storms. So it will differ from the path you took.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Luke nodded.
His explanation was somewhat convincing.
But, it was strange.
Looking up at Seyeo, Luke voiced his concern.
“By the way, Seyeo, I’ve been curious about something since a while ago.”
“Hahaha, you ask more questions than I expected! Sure, go ahead and ask anything.”
With his cheerful reply, Luke hesitated for a moment while looking at Seyeo and asked directly.
“Doesn’t it seem like there’s a strong scent of dark magic coming from here?”
“….”
He fell silent.
