Chapter 59

It was pathetic. The people in this house who separated me from my Master, Camelian Peony who pretended to care about Master in a sneaky way, and that Little God brat who placed a restriction on my magic power as a condition to turn back time.

In my prime, I could easily handle someone like Glacia. If only that damn bratty god hadn’t interfered.

[Turn back time for the sake of your beloved? Wow, I’ve seen all kinds of lunatics in my time as a god. You really don’t give me a moment to be bored, huh?]

[So, will you do it or not?]

[No, turning back time alone is already a huge task… and now you want me to bring a soul from another world? And leave behind knowledge about this world in a different form? You’re really a rare kind of lunatic. Do you even know what the word “conscience” means?]

[So, you don’t want to do it?]

[Well, I understand the desire to turn back time… I can do it, but I hate the idea of you causing chaos after regressing. So, I’ll impose what’s called a “nerf” in gaming terms.]

That damn Little God brat said everything comes with a price, severed all my contracts with the Spirit Kings, and even placed a restriction on my maximum magic power. I thought about jumping him and beating him up, but I figured I’d lose, so I stopped.

But I should’ve fought him then, even if I lost. Leaving that damn ice witch and Master together was the biggest mistake of my life. Master probably doesn’t lay a hand on me because of my age, but in about a month, it’ll be my birthday. Then, I’ll legally be an adult and old enough to embrace Master.

Camelian Peony and Glacia might be laughing now, but I’ll be the one laughing last. Of course, I’m merciful, so I might allow them to be concubines if they beg.

But that Little God brat’s words still bother me.

[Even if you turn back time with lingering attachments, all that remains is regret. No matter how much you avoid pain… it always comes back in some form. But if you’re okay with that, I’ll turn back time for you.]

His words about pain always returning were profound. At the time, I ignored them because saving Master was my priority. But now, those words are like shackles, still holding me back. Like when Master almost died a few days ago.

I need to be careful so that damn Little God brat doesn’t pull any tricks.

As I was pondering how to beat that damn Little God brat, I heard a knock.

“Who is it?”

No answer. The only one who wouldn’t answer is Glacia. That woman has always acted all high and mighty, pretending to be different. I feel a little sorry for her because I know she loved Master, but her attitude really grates on me.

“…Come in.”

If Glacia was going to be rude to me, I didn’t need to be polite to her either.

I adjusted my gaze to where Glacia’s face would be, but I saw nothing.

Confused, I lowered my gaze slightly and saw a cute boy standing there. For a moment, I was bewildered, but then I remembered who he was. He was the boy from the picture Master showed me. The picture had many people, including a young version of my mother and father.

[Wow, Master, is this… our mother and father?]

[Yes, this was from when I was hunting demons. After killing them all, I painted this with my brothers and sisters as a memento.]

[Wow, then where are you, Master?]

[That brat between your mother and the woman with the hood is me.]

[…You’re lying, right? Your eyes are alive, and you’re smiling. You don’t look like you’re annoyed by everything.]

[Hahaha… My disciple is begging to die today.]

I remembered getting beaten up during a sparring session and felt tears welling up.

Anyway, the boy in front of me now…

“Master…?”

“You actually recognized me.”

“What’s going on…?”

“I had no choice for treatment. It’s complicated to explain, but… I’ll be back to normal tomorrow, so don’t worry, you damn brat.”

I couldn’t resist my desires. Master in his boy form had lively eyes, beautiful hair, and no wrinkles on his forehead. Master was always good-looking, but as a boy, he was truly the kind of beauty that would make all the girls his age fall for him.

Just yesterday, I was a minor, and Master was an adult. But today, I’m a minor, and so is Master.

It’s illegal for an adult to embrace a minor, but isn’t it legal for a minor to embrace another minor? So, hugging the younger version of Master now is both legal and morally acceptable.

“It’s a shame it’s only until tomorrow.”

Of course, adult Master was also cool. He always had that “everything’s annoying” look with a furrowed brow, but his natural looks were undeniable. Whenever we walked together, many women would stare at Master.

But like a rare delicacy, this form was too violently charming to my heart.

“Put me down, Airi, it’s hot.”

“It’s freezing cold in the north, how can it be hot? That’s a lame joke.”

“No, it’s warm inside with the fireplace burning…”

“It’s really cold, right? I’ve been rolling in the snow for days because of you, so I’m still cold. Holding you like this is the only way to feel a little less cold.”

I smiled and pressed on, and Master finally sighed and nodded. I didn’t want to miss this limited-time Master.

Feeling the warmth of the younger Master, I sat on the bed.

“So, Master, why did you come to see your cute disciple?”

The topic was obvious—he wanted us to return to our city, Bekem. Then, we could return to our peaceful daily life. Camelian Peony would naturally follow, and Glacia might too… but that was the city where Master and I lived. What could they do in a place that wasn’t even their base?

But Master gave an unexpected answer.

“Airi… would you follow me if I said I’m going to the capital?”

“Master, why the capital all of a sudden…?”

I hated the capital because that damn sorceress lived there. That arrogant sorceress who kept calling Master stupid and bad. She even showed up at Master’s funeral, shed not a single tear, glanced at the coffin, and then disappeared. Later, she vanished after saying she had things to take care of, that damn woman.

If we went to the capital, it was obvious that sorceress would torment Master.

“I’m planning to return as a royal sorcerer.”

“A royal sorcerer?”

It’s a job that guarantees money and honor but is equally dangerous, dirty, and difficult. I heard Master got hurt a lot when he was there as a child.

“Yeah, some things came up, so I’m planning to return. What do you think?”

“…I don’t like it. Let’s just go back to Bekem, where we lived together.”

“Airi…”

I didn’t want Master to get involved in dangerous things. It was better to live safely in Bekem, even if it was a bit dirty and old. This wasn’t selfishness. I just wanted Master to live in a safer place.

“If you’re really against it, then go to Brother Zick.”

“…Okay.”

The moment he told me to go to my father, I remembered the day Master passed away. That day still tears my heart apart. The guilt and regret still choke me.

“Why are you saying this… Please don’t…”

“I have to return no matter what.”

“Why, Master…?”

“I can’t ignore the great danger that will arise if I don’t return.”

Master was always like that. He’d say the world was rotten, that it was a trash can with no one to trust, yet he always worked tirelessly for the world.

He’d say you can’t trust others, that you should prioritize yourself, yet he always threw himself into danger for others.

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“No, why the sudden change of heart?”

Master wouldn’t change his mind even if I protested. So, I had to follow and protect him.

“Well… Master, your housekeeping skills are terrible. I have to go with you.”

“Sigh… Who do you think is the real terrible housekeeper here?”

Unfortunately… Master was the worst at cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Saying I’m going because of his terrible housekeeping isn’t a lie.