Chapter 28 - Chapter 27: Mika's Departure — To the Marquis Domain's Magic Academy
3rd Month of Earth, 5th Week, Sun Day.
Roughly late March in the world before.
The day Mika was to depart for the Magic Academy had arrived.
The paper handed down stated that he was to enter the dormitory at the Magic Academy within the Marquis Domain sometime this week.
Even though it was early morning just after sunrise, many villagers had come to the North Gate of the village to see him off.
Most of those seeing him off were members of the Vigilance Committee, people who had been involved in various tasks like tree felling from last autumn through winter.
"Mika, do your best. If it gets too hard, you can come back anytime, you know."
"No, that won't do..."
He couldn't help but retort to Loretta's words, which were as soft as ever toward Mika.
Since the Harvest Festival, Mika had gotten his own bed, but for the past few days, he had been forbidden from sleeping alone for the first time in a while.
It seemed she couldn't bear the thought of parting soon, so Loretta, rarely known for being selfish, had started making demands.
"There are only a few days left until we can be together, so you must sleep with Big Sister every day."
Naturally, Amalia would not stay silent if Loretta said such a thing.
It's unfair that only Loretta gets her way. She even started saying, "You must sleep with Mother too."
And so, for these past few days, he had ended up renting space on the beds used by the two of them, just as before.
Of course, Mika had no intention of accepting such requests straightforwardly.
However, seeing the two of them lose their vitality day by day as the departure date approached, he felt unable to stay put.
...Are these two really going to be okay?
If Mika left this house, wouldn't they collapse?
Helplessly, thinking this was the last time, he decided to grant their wishes.
Amalia seemed calm now.
She was greeting the Vigilance Committee members who had come to see him off, watching Mika's energetic responses with a bright gaze.
She might be feeling proud of her child who had grown up.
"Ninetiana-san, please take care of Mika."
"Don't worry so much. I'll see him off safely."
Amalia bowed her head to Ninetiana.
Ninetiana was to accompany Mika all the way to the Magic Academy in the Marquis Domain.
Ninetiana was wearing a leather chest plate and gauntlets, and had also donned a leather belt and boots.
Since she usually dressed like the other villagers, this must be Ninetiana's travel style.
It took three days to travel from Kotontesse to the capital city of the Marquis Domain, Sarbengeal.
It was hardly realistic to send a child on a three-day journey by transferring between shared horse-drawn carriages.
So, a discussion arose that an escort would be necessary, but in reality, most villagers had never left Rish Village.
It wasn't just Amalia and Loretta who were special; even the men were like that.
There were quite a few people who had been to Kotontesse, but almost no one had gone beyond that.
Adventurers: Diego and Ninetiana.
Kifrod and Radi, who had gone out due to church or monastery connections.
Horatio and a few others from outside Rish Village.
That was the extent of it.
Amazingly, even the Village Head had only ever been to Kotontesse.
So, everyone worried together about what to do.
Mika's suggestion that "one person can manage somehow" was dismissed outright.
It was a bit too harsh for the elderly Kifrod.
If something happened to the village, they wanted Diego and Radi to stay behind.
Horatio had a factory, so a round trip taking a week was difficult.
Ninetiana also had Dur, so it was impossible for her.
It was a difficult situation like that, but ultimately, they decided to ask Ninetiana.
Since Diego's parents were in Rish Village, Dur would be left with them.
Ninetiana's opinion settled the matter: "Ninetiana's child-rearing friends will provide support, so 'it should be fine for about a week.'"
Diego showed reluctance until the very end, but when Ninetiana cast a cold gaze at him saying, "Hmm, is that so?", he was crushed without a fight.
Judging by Diego's state of panic, one might suspect he was holding some leverage over him.
By the way, the travel expenses to Sarbengeal were a donation from the villagers.
It seemed Horatio took the lead and asked all the villagers, "Even one copper coin is fine."
"Good morning, everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting."
Horatio arrived from the direction of the factory, riding a cargo wagon.
Horatio was supposed to take Mika by cargo wagon all the way to Kotontesse.
Kotontesse wasn't too far to walk, but considering the long journey ahead, it was better to conserve stamina.
So, Horatio had volunteered to see them off to Kotontesse.
Mika's luggage consisted of only one long, narrow canvas bag filled with changes of clothes.
Mika greeted and thanked Horatio, then threw the canvas bag onto the cargo bed.
The cargo bed was high, and since Mika was too short to lift it, throwing it was the only option, but Kifrod scolded him for watching this.
"Really, you need to calm down a bit. From now on, strangers will be watching every single one of your actions? There is nothing to be gained by being thought of as a rough person."
"Ugh... I understand."
During this winter, he had also been left at the church during the day.
When there was no work in the village, Kifrod and Radi had thoroughly drilled him in studies at the church.
Etiquette and manners as well.
Thanks to that, his understanding of how things worked in this world had progressed.
...To a certain extent, at least.
Because he had visited every day for half a year, Kifrod had completely become "a grandfather strict about disciplining his grandson."
Radi was more like "a kind older cousin."
Considering their ages, "Auntie" might fit better, but since she looked young, the term "obasan" (middle-aged woman) felt awkward in terms of sound.
Over this half-year, Mika's "Laughing Virgin
For Mika, Radi was the absolute top of the 'People You Must Never Anger' ranking.
"Let us pray for the safety of your journey. And every day, I will pray for Mika-kun's healthy growth. Be well, Mika-kun."
"Thank you, Sister Radi. You be well too, Sister."
He went around greeting everyone who had come to see him off.
"Village Head, Diego-san, thank you for everything. Please take care of the village."
"Study hard at the Academy."
"Yeah. I don't need to be told by a monk. Don't worry about unnecessary things, just take care of yourself."
"Nanzaro-san, Mehitorute-san, be well too."
"Yeah, Mika-kun."
"Be well too, Mika-kun. The favor you did for me, I will never forget in my life."
Nanzaro and Mehitorute stood close together, looking affectionate.
There had been many things, but still, I'm glad I managed to save Mehitorute and the others even when I had to force myself during the fire.
He spoke to everyone, exchanging parting greetings.
And finally, two people remained.
"Big Sister."
"............Mikaaa......"
Loretta's face was a mess of tears.
It ruined her nicely arranged, beautiful face.
"I'm going. Be well. From now on, don't make yourself the priority, make yourself the number one. Big Sister is too kind."
When Mika spread his arms wide, Loretta hugged him.
Loretta had completely broken down into tears.
"...Still, I don't want to go... I don't want to be apart..."
Right by his ear, Loretta's crying words, "I don't want to go," pierced his heart.
It was probably Mika right now who was tearing this family apart.
If he, the boy Mika, hadn't swapped places on that day nine months ago, he wouldn't have nearly died.
And today, they wouldn't have had to part either.
He should have been able to live a small happiness in a small village called Rish Village, as Amalia wished.
But saying that changes nothing.
As for Mika, he didn't come to this world by choice.
He didn't choose to tear this family apart.
This is the "now" after living his best in a world suddenly thrown upon him.
Mika patted Loretta's back, smiling bitterly as she clung on tightly.
Helplessly, he called out to Amalia instead.
"I'm leaving, Mother."
"Mika... Be well. Do your best."
Amalia was trying to act strong.
She was trying hard to see him off with a smile, but tears could be seen gathering in her eyes.
"Mother, be well too."
Mika also made a smile.
But suddenly, tears spilled from Mika's cheek.
"...Sorry for always causing trouble."
Closing his eyes, the memories of these nine months flashed through Mika's mind.
"Always, always... I'm sorry for worrying you so much."
He had only disobeyed and broken promises.
"But... I'll do my best from now on!"
He looked straight at Amalia.
Amalia was shedding tears she couldn't hold back.
She pressed her hand to her mouth, trying to hold back her sobs.
"From now on, I'll be more reliable!"
He raised his voice as if shouting toward the sky.
Mika's tears overflowed as he couldn't hold back either.
"So please... don't worry so much anymore."
After hugging Loretta tightly, he slowly separated his body from hers.
Then, he hugged Amalia, who had collapsed in tears.
"I'm okay now..."
Feeling reluctant to leave Amalia's warmth, he still stood up firmly.
"...I'm leaving."
Mika wiped his tears and headed for the cargo wagon.
Ninetiana was already on the cargo bed, and Horatio was standing beside the wagon.
"Is it okay now?"
It seemed Horatio had caught the crying.
He lightly wiped his eyes, but they were completely red.
It seemed Horatio wasn't the only one catching the crying; sobbing sounds could be heard here and there.
"Yes, please."
When Mika answered, Horatio lifted him up and placed him on the driver's seat.
Then, he climbed onto the driver's seat himself and called out to Ninetiana behind.
"Well then, we're off."
"I'm ready anytime."
Ninetiana replied casually.
She stretched her legs on the cargo bed, completely in relaxation mode.
"Take care."
"Do your best properly."
Kifrod and Radi, who had come up to the side of the driver's seat, called out.
"I'm leaving. Please take care of the two of you."
Kifrod nodded firmly, and Radi replied, "Leave it to me."
When Horatio signaled with the reins, the cargo wagon slowly began to move.
"...She's gone."
Radi whispered softly.
The cargo wagon slowly moved away down the straight road.
A boy who suddenly used a special power granted by the gods one day.
That overly large power had suddenly caused a commotion in the peaceful village.
"For Mika, the hard part is yet to come. Well, with him now, there's no need to worry. ...Though I am a little anxious."
Perhaps because of his overly large power, Mika's actions were too reckless.
For this half-year, Kifrod had drilled "common sense" and "etiquette" into him to put a leash on such actions.
However, the troubling thing was that Mika understood such common sense and etiquette properly.
With that understanding, he broke them if he judged it necessary.
"If you understand, don't break them!"
He had told him so many, many times, until today, persistently.
He was too honest with his emotions and curiosity, with no rationality or restraint whatsoever.
It was a precarious balance formed by the deep thought of an adult and the innocence and recklessness of a child.
That was Kifrod's conclusion after spending half a year with Mika.
Kifrod turned back and looked at Amalia.
The sorrow of his beloved child leaving his hands was immeasurable.
Nevertheless, she showed the strength to encourage Loretta desperately and try to recover with her daughter.
"Amalia has become strong too."
"...Yes, she has."
"Well, she might be lonely for a while, but Amalia and the others now should be fine."
"Yes, she should."
Radi answered while staring at the road ahead.
"...I still haven't forgiven that day."
Radi, like that, whispered softly.
Hearing that whisper, Kifrod was startled and looked at Radi.
Kifrod immediately realized what Radi was talking about.
It was the words she said to Amalia, who was crushed after being notified of entering the Magic Academy.
An act that tested the bonds of family could be said to be the most unforgivable outrage for Radi.
"That was because I was thinking of that family's sake————."
"I know that. But I won't forgive."
"Hey, Radi!?"
When Radi turned back, she was smiling brightly.
"I will see Amalia-san and the others home. I think I'll have a little chat, so I might be late returning."
Saying that, Radi walked toward Amalia and the others.
Kifrod stared blankly at Radi's back and let out a big sigh.
"............She's much tougher than Mika. Oh my, oh my..."
Radi was faithful to the teachings of the scripture.
Too faithful, she wouldn't accept anything that went against the teachings.
This could become a big firebrand in itself.
Because not everyone can live like Radi.
Kifrod was returning to the church, wracking his brain about what to do.
The road from Rish Village to Sarbengeal, where the Magic Academy was located, was long.
The Limpēre Domain, where Rish Village was located, and the Leventein Domain, where the Magic Academy was located, were neighbors to the north and south.
The Leventein Domain was to the north, and the Limpēre Domain was to the south.
However, there was a deep forest at the border of the domains, and no road passed through here.
Powerful magic beasts lived there, and it was problematic if they ventured out of the forest due to reckless development, so no one had touched it.
Therefore, they had to go once to Yaunasun, the capital of the Viscount Domain of Allcosa to the west.
And from there, the route was to head north to the Leventein Domain.
That was the plan————.
First, Horatio would take them to Kotontesse.
In Kotontesse, they would take a shared horse-drawn carriage to Yaunasun.
This took one day by carriage.
Upon arriving at Yaunasun, they would take a shared horse-drawn carriage to Sarbengeal.
This took two days by carriage.
Roughly speaking, it was like that.
"I haven't been in a while either. Maybe I'll drop by a shop I'm familiar with."
"After I safely deliver Mika-kun, you are free to do as you please. However, if you return too late, who knows what Diego-san will do..."
Thirty minutes after leaving the village.
The cotton fields on both sides of the road continued for a while longer.
However, since seeds hadn't been sown yet, there was nothing to the fields.
Bare earth stretched far into the distance.
The sky was a pleasant clear day with almost no clouds.
It was chilly in the early morning, but the temperature seemed to rise considerably during the day.
For a while after leaving the village, Mika kept his head down.
After a little time, waiting for Mika to calm down, Ninetiana and Horatio started chatting.
"In Sarbengeal, there was a delicious skewer stall in the square. It was marinated in a slightly spicy sauce and went well with alcohol."
"Oh, maybe not the bald old man's stall? The one with a huge scar on his right shoulder."
"Oh? You know? We used to go there often. I wonder if that stall is still running."
Somehow, the two of them got excited over local gourmet food.
"Mika-kun, once you've calmed down, you should definitely go. Every day, various stalls line up in that square. Since it's cheap, if you nibble on various things, you'll get full quickly."
"And then you'll get drunk."
It seemed to be a guide to drinking while eating street food.
"...They serve meals in the dormitory, so I probably won't eat much street food. It's a waste of money."
Although food and lodging were secured, everything else had to be covered by the five silver coins of allowance.
He had to save up steadily so he wouldn't be in trouble when the time came.
There were no families to help him at the Magic Academy, nor Kifrod or Radi.
"Well, having that kind of mindset at the start is fine. When you have time later, go check it out. You're going to a big town, so are you planning to shut yourself up in the dormitory?"
"What do you mean, 'at the start'?"
He argued verbally, but Mika thought that in a few months, he would probably be eating street food normally.
However, that would be after he figured out the money.
Relying solely on an income of five silver coins a month was risky, after all.
He had no idea how much money would be needed for life there, but he was thinking of looking for a way to earn money once he settled down.
Well, that was on the premise that there was a job he could do alongside the Academy.
Ninetiana and Horatio were checking Mika's condition.
Probably, to distract Mika's mind as much as possible, they had brought up the topic of Sarbengeal's stalls.
"You don't have to worry so much, I'm fine."
Even if apart, family is family.
He had feelings of cherishing his family, but that wasn't equal to always being together.
In fact, parting from family was lonely, but not particularly sad or painful.
In his previous world, he had lived alone for nearly thirty years.
Leaving his parents' home didn't mean he had any special thoughts about it.
But if that were the case, it wouldn't explain the parting with Amalia and Loretta just now.
Why had his emotions risen so much?
It's too embarrassing to cry like that... This is probably what Kifrod was talking about.
Regardless of Mika's will, his emotions rose on their own.
He couldn't control his emotional restraint well.
Previously, he had considered his current self as "a state mixed with the boy Mika," so perhaps this was the influence of that.
There was a possibility that the mental immaturity of the boy Mika, who was still a child, had been inherited.
Or perhaps the brain itself was still growing?
The frontal lobes, which controlled the restraint of emotions and impulses, should have taken time to mature.
...Anyway, regardless of appearance, the inside is an adult. I can't be so undignified if I can't restrain my emotions a bit more.
Not only learning magic, but training in this area would also be a future challenge.
Seeing Mika lost in thought about such things, Ninetiana shrugged her shoulders.
Then, making a serious face, she began to think about something, and suddenly snapped her fingers.
"Hey, Mika-kun. About the trip to Sarbengeal."
Ninetiana leaned out from the cargo bed and asked, resting her chin on Mika's shoulder.
"Going normally, or going like an adventurer. Which do you prefer?"
Ninetiana was flashing a somewhat suspicious smile.
"Hey, that's a bit too reckless————."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!"
"Even so, Mika-kun is still a child————."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait————!"
Horatio, with a panicked face, tried to stop Ninetiana's proposal, but Ninetiana pushed through with "wait, wait."
Horatio was very bad at arguing with people.
It was inevitable that he would be pushed over by Ninetiana's forcefulness.
"I'm not forcing you at all. You can choose whichever you like, Mika-kun. Whichever you choose, I guarantee I'll see you off to the Magic Academy properly. How about it?"
Ninetiana, saying it playfully, looked very happy.
...Going normally, or going like an adventurer? How are they different?
Probably, if he asked how they were different here, Ninetiana would withdraw the proposal.
If he was curious about such things, he should simply say "choose normal."
It was a proposal only possible because Ninetiana knew Mika was interested in adventurers.
Looking at Horatio, he shook his head with a grim face.
His face told him to stop.
But here, the "bad disease" inside Mika began to throb.
...I just decided to be careful, didn't I?
He knew that, but wasn't this Ninetiana's fault for tickling Mika's curiosity?
Mika smiled with a bad face, and Ninetiana happily retreated to the cargo bed saying, "Okay~."
Watching the two of them, Horatio slumped his shoulders and let out a huge sigh.