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Published at 9th of August 2022 07:02:52 AM


Chapter 73

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“Wait, wait. What do you mean by that?” I asked.

It’s weird, isn’t it? Why should I and Miu live together?

That’s what Miu just said. I mean, Miu shouldn’t have been convinced. What happened to your usual strength?

“It won’t be alright to keep her in my house all the time, yes?” Lucy asked.

“Yeah, I understand that,” I said.

Yes, that’s a good reason.

Lucy won’t be able to support Miu for the rest of her life, and she’s only taking temporary measures.

I understand that. But I don’t know about this future.

“Miu must also become independent. But that being said, I can’t just throw her out suddenly,” Lucy said.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“…”

The usual Miu would say, “I can live alone,” but she didn’t say anything here. Well, she didn’t know how to make a living other than being a pickpocket, so maybe she doesn’t know what to do if she can’t do it anymore.

“Hence, that’s where you come in, Beryl,” Lucy said.

“Why would that be the case…?” I asked.

It’s weird, isn’t it? I’ve said it many times, but it’s weird. The flow of the story is really beyond the scope of my understanding.

“You should know, Miu is all for it,” Lucy said.

“… Is this all right with you, Miu?” I asked.

“… Well, it’s not bad… it’s not good, either…” Miu replied, dodging the question.

Yeah, I think it’s a better response than being rejected, but I wonder if she really thinks I’m the best for this. I’m used to handling children at the dojo, but this is a little different from my students.

Maybe this and that of yesterday were having a bit of an effect? I did tell her she could do to accept her current life more, but I think it’s too urgent to suddenly be talking about moving in with an old man like me.

“… Fuu…” I sighed.

That said:

I’m sure I have to take some responsibility for Miu.

Maybe it’s because of her older sister. I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to take her place, but I still think that until she’s independent, I have my duty as an adult so long as I’m involved with her.

“And there is a good reason for choosing you, Beryl,” Lucy said.

“Hmm. Care to tell me?” I asked.

The expression, “We didn’t have a choice.” isn’t appropriate, but when it comes to thinking about Miu’s well-being, it seems that Lucy has a reason for choosing me.

Well then, let’s listen to that, too. It wouldn’t hurt to hear it.

“Miu has the magical aptitude,” Lucy said. “So, we’re convinced that it’s best for her to enroll in the Magician’s Academy.”

“That’s right,” I said.

I think that’s the way to go.

Arguably, the place in this country where those with the aptitude for magic can shine the brightest is the Magician’s Academy. You’re treated differently just because you can use magic.

And Lucy says it doesn’t matter where she came from or where she grew up, so given Miu’s situation, it’s probably the most ideal path for her.

“However, in order to enroll in the Magician’s Academy, a parent or guardian’s consent is required,” Lucy said.

“… Is that so?” I asked.

This is my first time hearing about it. I’m really ignorant of magic, so I didn’t even know there was such a rule.

However, I could read the flow of pinning the responsibility on me.

Miu has no parents. No, maybe they’re still alive, but I don’t have much hope in them since they haven’t been around as far back as Miu can remember.

And her only known relative, her older sister, is dead.

She is, as it was currently going, alone for the rest of her life. Under such circumstances, admission to the Magician’s Academy is a little difficult without an adult to give their consent.

Then, naturally, you have to make someone a guardian.

“Therefore, I’d like Beryl to be her guardian,” Lucy finished.

“I see…” I said.

I understand the flow of the story. The trouble now is whether or not I was convinced.

Being her guardian means that I will be responsible for Miu’s future life, at least until she graduates from the Magician’s Academy and becomes independent.

As expected, Miu wouldn’t think of resuming her life of crime from now on. I think we can trust her on that.

“… I’m not going to be a bother to you. Probably…” Miu muttered.

“Oh, I’m not worried about that part,” I said.

Perhaps she saw my conversation with Lucy in a negative light, Miu tried to help convince me.

What they’re asking me was certainly steep, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe in Miu. Let’s make it clear. Otherwise, I’d feel sorry for her.

“There is also a dormitory in the academy,” Lucy said. “Basically, she’ll be spending most of her time there, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.”

“Was that what you were worried about…?”

I don’t feel like they’re subtly distracting from the essence of the issue.

For sure, living in a dormitory would greatly reduce the chances of me and Miu meeting under the same roof, which may save me trouble.

“By the way, can’t you be in this role, Lucy?”

“If you see it from my point of view, it’s a little inconvenient,” Lucy said. “Even if I was capable of it, Miu’s opportunities will be narrowed.”

“Hmm…”

Well, it is true that there would be many bad rumors about an orphan who’s taken in by the Head Magus then enrolled in the Magician’s Academy.

It’s easy to forget, but Lucy’s a good person. It may be true if I look at her job title alone, but her history and weight, and above all, her name recognition and influence are different.

Considering the possibility that the troubles will befall Miu, it’s reasonable to want to avoid it if possible.

“Alexia… is no good, is she?” I asked.

“Right,” Lucy said. “It’s not good for her age.”

Alexia the Knight-Captain also knows the situation, but soon I realized that we couldn’t leave it to her.

She’s still young. She can’t suddenly carry such a burden. In the first place, it is not the duty of the Knights of Rebelio to take it on their backs.

“…. I see it now…” I said.

As a result of all the arguments, I was certainly the best choice, or rather the process of elimination left just me. Naturally, my hands stretch to my head. Only the sound of me scratching my head echoed quietly in the room.

I’m the one who’ll take responsibility for Miu, though I’m the only one who can. There was no lie in that claim, and I have a desire to do something about it.

“Well, that’s what I say, but in the end, it’s just a matter of paperwork,” Lucy said. “I can’t even say that you should act as a parent and child.”

No, I think that’s a bad thing to say, even from her point of view. This old man doesn’t think it’s right for the Head Magus to say that about the Magician’s Academy.

“Haa… I understand,” I said.

I’m certain I can’t replace Miu’s older sister.

However, I think I have more experience teaching small children at the dojo. Of course, I’m not saying that being a parent and a teacher is exactly the same, but I can’t express that anxiety in front of Miu.

“Se-Seriously…?” Miu asked.

“Yeah, well… looking forward to moving with you, too,” I said.

Children are really sly. If you make a face like that, everyone will want to hear out your request.

I’m not saying I don’t feel guilty for cutting down her sister, even though she was already dead. From Miu’s perspective, I should be blamed for not being honest with her about it.

But I didn’t have the option to tell her everything here. As I had sworn, this is the kind of truth that I and Lucy will each bring to our graves.

Is this my redemption for my crime? I’m not sure.

But, I will take care of her. If that would contribute greatly to her growth and her future life, this situation now felt like an acceptable compromise.

“Okay!” Lucy said. “This is the document to be sent to the academy, and here is a pen as well,” she said as she took two papers and the pen from her bosom.

“Well prepared, aren’t you…” I muttered.

Maybe it’s the document to enroll in the Academy of Wizards and a document to prove that I’m Miu’s guardian.

Fortunately or unfortunately, there are chairs and tables here. The setup was quick so I could sign the documents.

“By the way, can Miu write?” Lucy asked.

“… A little,” she said.

It is easy to guess that she has never had a decent education. It seems she’s at the stage of learning to read and write letters.

“It can’t be helped,” I said. “Should I help you study reading and writing when I’m at home?”

“… Got it,” Miu said.

“Haa-hahaha!” Lucy howled. “You’re already acting like parent and child!”

Oh, shut up. I swear, I might just beat you up for it.

No, as long as I get a house, will I be the one who owes her something in the end? I’m not sure anymore.

But well.

After all, responsibility must be taken for entering Miu’s world and then dragging her out without her permission.

It’s just that this is the time.

By the way, I’m used to dealing with children thanks to Selena. I’m sure I’ll do fine.

“Mmm…” Miu grumbles as she sits and tries to sign her name. “M-I-U… M-I… F…?”

“Oh, that letter’s supposed to be–” I said.

I just remembered I had yet to write a letter in a while. Maybe I should write one and send it to Bidden Village. I moved here and there were a lot of things that happened, so I’m wondering if the dojo and Landrid are doing well.

Immediately after wondering how to start writing the letter, I came up with one answer, I unknowingly made a bitter smile.

Dear Father,

Before I found a wife, I found a house and a kid.

T/N: And that’s it for Book 2! I’ll be returning to this series, maybe at the start of next month. I want to focus on another project that’s back to my usual genre, girl’s love and yuri.




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