There was once a behavior that was undoubtedly allowed in the past.
For Luke, it was the act of placing a hand on another mage’s heart to feel their achievements and circle.
Of course, generally speaking, unless in a master-apprentice relationship or extremely close friendship, it was not something people did… Not because the act was embarrassing to do with others, but because without such a relationship, there was a lack of “trust.”
Placing a hand on someone’s circle means having the ability to directly influence it, and it is an act that could potentially kill the other person unilaterally.
In the first place, the era in which Luke lived was not a society where such an act was interpreted as ‘touching someone’s chest.’
Since the circle engraved on the heart has no relation to sexuality.
Valuing reason over emotion, mages think nothing more than that a large chest may make it uncomfortable to place a hand on the heart area.
The desire for knowledge must take precedence over lust.
“Indeed, you are far too emotional.”
In that regard, Shirud was not very mage-like. After all, even if not entirely asexual, a mage should be capable of restraining such impulses.
“…”
But Shirud lay there silently, unable to say a word.
The fastest way to understand and stabilize a circle is through such contact.
Written words are not as effective as spoken words, and spoken words are not as effective as seeing, but nothing beats personal experience.
It’s a well-known fact in both the teaching and learning of magic.
Especially with circle magic, where personal understanding and systematization are important, such experiences are essential.
But how could Shirud be aware of that?
“This is troublesome in several ways.”
Luke placed a hand on Shirud’s chest and stabilized his circle.
“There. Do you understand now? This is the sensation of moving mana.”
“…”
Shirud also vaguely understood.
Why did this girl seem so fixated on the chest?
What was so special about my chest that she kept touching it?
Why did touching my chest stabilize the circle?
He understood completely.
“It wasn’t me who was the weird one.”
Now he thought he understood why he felt that way back then.
Frankly, he only felt fear back then, but the fact that the girl touching his chest made him feel suddenly reassured—wasn’t that strange?
“That sounds too perverted.”
Just thinking about it now made him feel embarrassed again.
“Shirud?”
Luke addressed Shirud, who hadn’t responded since earlier.
Avoiding Luke’s gaze, Shirud muttered under his breath.
“Ugh, why does the circle have to be engraved on the heart?”
It was as much as saying how much better it would be if the circle appeared on hands, feet, or the forehead—anywhere that could be touched without discomfort. Why must the circle appear only on the heart?
Luke answered.
“Because the heart is the most suitable place for mana to accumulate.”
The heart, a symbol of life, is an organ that beats until the very last moment of life, making its rhythm the most suitable and effective for the circle to take hold.
That’s why Luke was genuinely shocked when he saw the modern-day canes.
How could a circle function without life, when canes have no life of their own?
Back in 5000 years ago, this was common knowledge.
“But common sense has changed.”
Thinking that it would be great if he could conduct some research on canes sooner rather than later, Luke began speaking, ensuring Shirud would stabilize before starting.
“Shirud, I shall tell you the things you must know and remember as you familiarize yourself with the circle.”
Luke explained absolute no-go behaviors with the circle and how to control mana surges, teaching him a few suitable spells along the way.
Of course, among these, he excluded anything dangerous, difficult, or usable as an attack.
What he roughly taught Shirud was light magic, shielding, and basic methods to enhance metabolism.
Well, that would be enough to help him get the feel of handling mana, and with practice, reaching the second circle wouldn’t be an issue.
“The circle is a power for those who can manage their emotions, but it is a poison to those who cannot. Remember this: never flaunt your power to others. I’m teaching you circle magic because your circle was so unstable, not to harm others. Remember this well.”
“…I understand.”
Shirud muttered his understanding as if in a trance.
He initially thought this girl was just some strange pervert.
How could she know so much about handling circles?
When no matter how much he searched, he found no answers, how did she?
He didn’t know.
With the limited knowledge that young Shirud had, he couldn’t even begin to guess.
He merely felt as though she was something extraordinary.
“…”
Shirud always thought he was a special person.
But that specialness meant nothing in front of Luke.
It was a strange thing that this feeling didn’t make him unpleasant.
Impressed that Shirud had truly listened to his words, Luke stroked his head and said:
“Yes, good boy.”
Brush, brush.
Shirud thought that the touch of the hand stroking his head was somehow like that of his grandfather.
Must be because of the circle.
—
The moment the children entered the playroom, Yerna instinctively knew it was time to start the conversation.
“Come on, let’s talk.”
“Uh, yes.”
Serena smiled, and Yerna replied, slightly nervous.
“Don’t be tense, I didn’t come here to scold you.”
“What? What do you mean…?”
“Just that I’d like both our children, Shirud and your girl, to become close friends.”
“Uh?”
Yerna was startled.
She had come prepared with apologies, thinking she would need to apologize profusely, but all that preparation was washed away.
“Close friends?” she mused.
Why?
After all, Luke seemed like a mere fleeting acquaintance to Serena, one whose impression wasn’t even all that great…
“He is cute though…”
It wasn’t a world where being cute was a solution to everything.
“Oh, by the way, what’s the child’s name again?”
“L, Luke. Luke Irushi.”
“Hmm, Irushi…? Ah, the child’s surname is different?”
Serena pointed that out.
To an outsider, the relationship between Luke and Yerna was extremely difficult to discern. They didn’t look alike, their surnames were different, and even their races were different.
Exactly how Luke ended up with Yerna or whether she was even his proper guardian was questionable.
The fact that no one had raised serious questions so far was due to a psychological reluctance to ask about complicated family affairs.
And typically, revealing that you were a temporary guardian would suffice to satisfy most people.
“Luke… I’ve been acting as the temporary guardian.”
“Temporary guardian, you say? For how long?”
“About three years.”
Serena slightly widened her eyes and said.
“Three years? Wow, that’s quite a long period for temporary guardianship.”
“Yes, there are various reasons…”
Unfortunate past, Hyun transformation surgery, circles… Such gloomy topics were lumped into the vague explanation of “various reasons.”
It was unnecessary to unnecessarily bring up the darker aspects.
Certainly, she would answer if asked, but Serena didn’t seem interested in delving into those details.
“Hmm, so it seems. Well, even if there were reasons, it looks like the government already considers you the guardian after three years?”
“Indeed…”
It seemed that the government inspector had already considered Yerna as Luke’s temporary guardian.
The only reason Yerna was still just a temporary guardian and not the official guardian was because the clause “must be married” in the adoption forms was considered crucial, though there was no other real cause for it.
“So, Luke won’t go to school, then?”
“Th…at’s right. Actually, since Luke has only recently become an official resident, he hasn’t been required to attend the mandatory education program yet.”
Serena smiled faintly and said.
“Well then, it’s time Luke started school.”
“School?”
School, well… Yerna hadn’t not thought about it, in fact, she had even thought of sending him eventually.
“How suitable Luke would be for school, or which one to send him to… I’m not quite sure…”
“Stop worrying, Ms. Yerna. Didn’t I say it already? I’d like Luke to become a close friend with Shirud.”
Serena chuckled lightly while taking a sip of her coffee. Watching her, Yerna hesitantly took a small sip of her green tea.
Setting down her coffee cup, she continued:
“Would the school Shirud attends now work? Tigr Academy.”
“Ah?”
Tigr Academy? If her memory served, wasn’t that an academy renowned for elites, complete with servants in the dormitories? A school only the most genuine “nobles” could attend.
And… one that was said to be quite expensive.
Reading Yerna’s troubled expression, Serena quickly added.
“Don’t worry about the tuition, I’ll cover it. Since I suggested it, it’s the least I can do. Additionally, I’ll also support costs for uniforms and educational materials.”
“Really? That’s…”
It was an astonishing offer.
Full tuition scholarship?
It would be foolish to let this opportunity slip.
Still, even with that in mind, it wasn’t something that could be decided on the spot.
Even if Yerna thought it was a great opportunity, Luke might feel differently.
“That… though I’m grateful, I should consult Luke before making any decision.”
“Agreed, it’s best to seek the child’s opinion first.”
Yerna and Serena both glanced briefly at the children playing in the nearby playroom.
Shirud was lying down with his arms resting over his stomach while Luke gently stroked him, whispering something quietly.
Seeing this, Serena couldn’t help but find it adorable and smiled.
“They look like they’re playing house.”
Is Shirud playing the baby?
It’s a rare sight indeed.
“Y, yes.”
As Yerna watched, all she felt was an unsettling sense.
Something about the atmosphere seemed off.
Had she provided Luke with sufficient sex education before?
She wasn’t entirely sure.
“Is there any problem, Ms. Yerna?”
“No, nothing… just… haha.”
“…”
An awkward laugh.
But as Serena didn’t know the reason, she could only feel curious.
Yerna looked at Luke again.
Well, if it’s just this level of interaction, it should be fine…
He’s not sitting on the other’s shoulders, after all…
But why does she feel so uneasy?
“Absolutely, the dormitory is out of the question.”
Forget the mana costs associated with explosions in the dormitory; just the feeling of unease made it clear dormitory life was absolutely out of the question.
—
“Looks like they’re role-playing.”
“Th-they probably are.”
Yerna’s heart was restless, watching them.
There was definitely something strange about the atmosphere.
Had she given him sufficient sex education before?
She couldn’t recall.
“Is there anything troubling you, Ms. Yerna?”
“No, not at all… hahaha.”
“…Is that so?”
An awkward laugh.
Serena didn’t understand the cause, so she could only feel bewildered.
Yerna glanced at Luke again.
Maybe this level of interaction was fine…
After all, nothing inappropriate was happening…
But why did she feel so uneasy?
“At least, the dormitory is out of the question.”
Even before considering the possibility of a mana explosion, there was a deeper sense of unease that firmly rejected the idea of dormitory life.
