Editor 48

Everything Is in Its Place

Vasco Greyer stared back and forth between the sword and the boy with eyes blazing.

“Will you let me handle that matter?”

“If you would take it on, I’d be grateful.”

“In return, I’d appreciate it if you helped restore magical tools occasionally when I’m away from the capital. I plan to depart for the Meridian continent again, and my niece keeps pestering me to restore the artifacts in the warehouse.”

Clayeo smiled brightly. It was the reaction she had waited and hoped for.

“I’ll do what I can. I can’t always promise success, but I think it will be a good experience.”

‘As long as I get paid well, I’m happy to do it. After all, you were the one who taught me magical restoration methods in the previous draft.’

Dione glanced at her and smiled shyly. As the one in charge of practical affairs, she would handle things well.

“Always, you say? Did you say always? Some spend their entire lives researching and never manage to restore a relic or a saint’s magical artifact even once. You truly are an extraordinary child.”

Vasco then turned toward Gideon Asser, who wore a rare expression of surprise.

“Baron Asser, you have nothing to worry about in this world. The eldest is such an outstanding heir, and the second could be called a prodigy of magic.”

“You flatter me.”

Despite his words, Gideon seemed to be in quite a good mood.

If his usual expression was at minus 20 degrees, his face now seemed closer to minus 5 degrees.

“Flatter you? I am certain this child will be the greatest mage of our generation. It’s difficult enough to master just one field of magic, but he has talent in both offensive and restorative arts. Even Professor Zebedi Physis was not at this level. It makes me want to give him even more.”

Listening to Vasco’s high praise, Gideon called Clayeo over to him.

“I was just thinking you deserved a reward. Clayeo, is there something you want?”

“It may be a bit much to ask… but may I make my request?”

“Let’s hear it.”

Clayeo had only one thing to wish for from Gideon.

The timing was right, so she just threw it out there, letting the chips fall where they may.

“Please give me this mansion.”

Apparently, it was such an unexpected answer that Baron Asser almost dropped the glass he was holding.

The mansion was not the only property Baron Asser owned in the capital.

There was the Asser Company’s capital branch building near Royal Circus, staff apartments in the outskirts, and various halls and warehouses used for different purposes.

But the most valuable residential property of all was this mansion.

“Aren’t you only just come of age? It’s too early to hand down your mother’s mansion. Besides, even if you inherited it, you have no funds to maintain the garden, pay taxes, or give salaries to the servants.”

“That’s…”

Even Madam Canton, who received the highest salary in the mansion, was paid 40,000 dinars a year. The salaries of the servants and maids, even paid generously, didn’t amount to a fifth of that.

She had ample resources to run the mansion.

But she couldn’t say anything about her assets to Gideon just yet.

Clayeo just clenched her fists for nothing.

‘I’m working so hard to build up my fortune so I can live by my own will, but I can’t reveal all my capital here. I’ll just say no until he brings out the land register.’

Of course, if her judgment was correct, Gideon wouldn’t resort to such a lowly tactic.

Baron Asser’s cold eyes, watching the hesitating Clayeo, curved meaningfully.

“The pension that comes with your decorations is insufficient, and the allowance I give you will stop when you graduate. You don’t intend to rely solely on Lord Greyer’s generosity, do you? Then how will you manage this mansion? If you can present a plan, I’ll give you suitable advice in advance.”

No matter how she looked at it, that attitude was a prompt to voluntarily declare her land purchase, knowing all about it already.

Katarina had found out who owned the land in the Oreilles district, and there was no way Gideon, with his demonic investigation bureau, didn’t know as well.

If she didn’t declare her assets, Gideon would continue to overlook what she did, but if she confessed them here, he would start interfering in her affairs.

It was a test, making her waver between her desire for the mansion and her wish to avoid interference.

At that moment, Vasco unexpectedly joined the father and son’s conversation.

“Then how about doing it like this? The baron’s second son received a knighthood at only seventeen, so he’ll surely rise higher one day. If he should obtain a title in the future, wouldn’t it be perfect to give the mansion as a congratulatory gift?”

“It’s worth considering. Vlad, what do you think?”

It was a brilliant solution. The short, eccentric wizard steered the conversation to a new direction.

But even if Gideon agreed, if Vlad—already named the heir—persistently objected, Clayeo could hardly claim her father’s property for herself.

Although Albion had no strict tradition of eldest or legitimate inheritance, many families followed the custom of bestowing the majority of their fortune on the most capable child. Remembering various precedents she’d read when purchasing land, Clayeo glanced at Vlad.

‘He’ll inherit the castle in Kolpos anyway, so he could at least give this to his little brother. Think bigger, will you?’

Did her desperate wish get through?

After a few seconds of blankly gazing at Clayeo, Vlad finally grinned.

“Haha, you all sure look far ahead! If Clayeo feels at home here, I’m fine with it.”

“Then it’s settled. We’ll discuss the mansion’s title again after your achievements warrant it.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“You’ve surprised me several times in a single day.”

“Did those surprises displease you, Father?”

Hearing his younger son’s bold reply, Gideon’s cold expression softened for just a moment.

“…That kind of surprise is welcome. Those who only walk the paved road go no farther than where it ends, but those who break new paths always go farther. You’ve grown a lot.”

Then, as always, he hid a hint of warmth inside his cold expression.

Clayeo regretted letting her emotions take over, blurting out such an answer even for a moment.

‘He should just get angry… I hope he doesn’t start having weird expectations of me because of this. Anyway, now I’ll have to make sure Arthur gets a title, too.’

Busy calculating various possibilities, Clayeo’s back was thumped by Vasco.

The middle-aged wizard, though short and small in build, was surprisingly strong. As Clayeo, reeling from the force, was helped to his feet, Vasco laughed heartily.

“Clayeo, you sure sound like you’ll obviously get a title! Quite different from the sickly way you look, your personality’s something else.”

“Uncle, I’ve told you about the little master so many times. What, you didn’t believe me until now?”

“No, I believed you. I really did. It’s just that he’s even better than I’d heard!”

---

By the time Clayeo’s sick leave ended, an early frost had fallen in Rundane.

There was a forecast that this winter would be colder than usual.

Ever anxious, Madam Canton packed all sorts of things into Clayeo’s luggage to keep the sickly young master from catching cold.

Two large hot-water bottles, two thick duvets stuffed with down, a cashmere scarf as long as Clayeo was tall, several warmly knitted woolen sweaters, woolen shirts, a new tailored uniform.

Plus, two snack baskets pressed into her arms, to share with friends.

What Clayeo herself packed was not insubstantial, either.

First, “Beg’s Sword,” which Vasco fitted with a splendid leather sheath and hilt, was packed in a long box.

Along with mana stones purchased on the cheap from both the Asser and Greyer companies, she added a box full of strong liquor to survive the winter.

As a result, when the carriage stopped in front of the Royal Capital Defense Academy’s dormitory, there were two carriages.

In one, Clayeo rode with Behemoth, and the other was filled entirely with luggage.

Even hurrying with two servants, it took quite a while to unload everything from the carriage.

The first to spot Clayeo unloading luggage were the twins, coming back from their weekend fencing practice.

“Oh! Ray!”

“Ray! Are you back now?”

“Yeah. Have you two been well?”

The twins came dashing over and latched onto Clayeo.

“We’re always healthy.”

“Ray, you’re looking much better now!”

“Thank goodness!”

Unable to withstand the strength of the two girls, he nearly stumbled, but someone caught him from behind.

Thin but strong arms, a faint scent of roses—it was Isiel.

“Are you alright?”

“Thanks to you. It’s been a while, Isiel. How have you been?”

Once Clayeo regained her balance, Isiel removed her arm and stood in front of him.

Truly, it felt like meeting after an incredibly long time.

‘Her hair’s grown out. It’s longer than before, past a short bob.’

Several months had passed since he’d first come here. Seeing Isiel’s longer hair made him feel the flow of time.

Whether Clayeo was feeling emotional or not, Isiel indifferently spoke her mind.

“Is this the time for you to be asking after my health? After all you’ve been through.”

Though her tone was blunt, he could sense her worry. She was always awkward at showing emotion.

“The newspapers made a big fuss about it, but it wasn’t….”

“If monster-slaying is no big deal, then the Capital Defense Academy needn’t even exist. Enough, I don’t want to hear any more of your sly words.”

Isiel cut off the conversation and quietly picked up two boxes on the ground.

Behemoth curled around her legs in greeting.

“Weuuuuu―.”

‘That sly beast, can’t resist pretty girls…’

Isiel, momentarily frozen, hesitated for a second and then bent her waist slightly while still holding the boxes.

Behemoth nimbly jumped onto the top of the boxes she was holding.

“Meow. (I’m going. Thanks.)”

“Oh, we’ll help too!”

“Let’s carry together!”

The twins quickly picked up more boxes with ease. Though small, their arms, exposed under rolled-up short sleeves, were solid with muscle.

The addition of the two girls made the house servants happy. They clearly wondered when they’d ever finish moving all that luggage.

.

.

.

Though the parlor wasn’t small, with the twins, Isiel, Chell and Arthur who showed up after hearing the news, and Nebo who just returned from home, it became noisy and crowded.

There weren’t enough seats, so chairs had to be brought from the bedrooms.

The twins sat right down on the floor, petting Behemoth.

After the staff brought in tea, the snack baskets were opened.

With two large rattan baskets packed full of colorful sweets, the twins exclaimed.

“Clayeo’s teatime is the best I’ve ever been to.”

“There’s even Victoria cake!”

“Want to try the toffee nut tart too!”

With quick, practiced motions, the twins swiftly spread the desserts on the table.

“Oh, give me a slice of the toffee nut tart too.”

Nebo grabbed a big slice of tart, and Chell picked up a pale pink macaron.

Cheerfully sampling one cute sweet after another, Chell also picked one for Isiel, who sat a little apart.

“Isiel, you like rose scent, right? The rose cream in this macaron is really well made. Thanks to you, Clayeo, I’m getting to try really fine desserts.”

“If I tell Madam Canton that the hotelier’s child praised her, she’ll be thrilled.”

While Chell and Clayeo chatted, Isiel, after slowly tasting her macaron, uncharacteristically relaxed her expression.

“…Delicious.”

Apparently surprised to have spoken aloud without thinking, Isiel immediately pressed her lips shut.

Seeing that, Chell laughed heartily.

“Haha! Eat more, Isiel. Let’s just give all the macarons to her.”

“Good idea!”

“I always thought Isiel wasn’t into sweets!”

“But Nebo, could you stop eating now? There’s only two pieces of tart left.”

“Ah, it was just so good I lost count….”

Arthur, standing with his teacup in front of the centerpiece, was already on his second olive cookie.

With such a variety of desserts available, everyone seemed to have found something they liked.

Surrounded by idle chatter, the clink of teacups, a purring cat, and children’s laughter, Clayeo felt a strange sense of tranquility.

‘In a world that could open a dungeon or break into war at any time, here I am…’

It was a feeling she had never experienced in her previous life.

A real sense that this was where she belonged, that peace.

It seemed almost absurd that it took losing her very body and name to gain such stability—but with the children’s laughter so pleasant, Clayeo simply laughed along.

Tea time ended only when the Tempus River and the western side across its waters turned crimson in the setting sun.

Having eaten plenty of sweets and feeling good, the children looked happy.

The twins were first to jump up, saying it was time for dinner.

It was amazing that they could eat again after all those snacks, but considering the two girls’ fencing regimen, it wasn’t surprising.

“Thanks for the food!”

“Thanks, Ray!”

“No, I should thank you. You made moving all the luggage easy.”

“Ray, you’re so skinny, you must be weak! You have to eat more!”

“But we’ll help again next time.”

“Just hearing that is encouraging.”

Soon everyone left for their rooms or the dining hall, and Arthur and Isiel were the last to leave the parlor.

Clayeo, who had waited until they were alone, stopped Arthur.

“Arthur, wait a moment.”

“Yeah, why?”

“Let’s go to my room.”

“What is it?”

As Arthur stopped, Isiel naturally stopped as well.

“Um… you already told Isiel everything, right?”

The two loyal friends immediately understood what Clayeo meant.

Without words, the boy and girl exchanged glances and followed Clayeo into the room.