“Ray-chan. Here, say ahhh.”
“...Ahhh.”
Carol held a sandwich she had made herself up to Ray’s mouth. He took a bite, though his expression remained as stoic as ever.
“Is it good?”
“...Yeah.”
“I’m so glad! I made it just for you, Ray-chan! It was worth the effort!”
“...Thank you.”
Ray muttered his gratitude. Overcome by how adorable he looked, Carol couldn’t help herself and pulled him into a tight hug.
“Oh, you really are just too cute! I could just eat you up!!”
As Carol gushed, Lydia shot her a sharp look.
“Hey. Don't touch Ray so much. You’re dangerous in more ways than one.”
“Ehhh!? Could it be that Lydia-chan is jealous? Are you, are you?”
Carol shot back provocatively. Lydia’s cheek twitched in response.
“I’m just worried you’ll try something inappropriate. Ray is still young. Don’t go filling his head with weird ideas, alright?”
Lydia stared her down with half-closed eyes, but Carol didn’t seem the least bit bothered.
“Of course, I know that~!”
She was all smiles, but Lydia made a mental note to keep a very close watch on Carol’s movements.
Looking back, it was likely at this moment that Lydia’s doting parent tendencies truly began.
After the four of them finished their lunch, Lydia and Ray prepared for a match. Abby and Carol watched from the bench.
“Hey, Abby-chan.”
“What is it?”
“Ray-chan has amazing reflexes, doesn’t he?”
“Carol, did you actually read Lydia’s report?”
“I did. But I thought she was exaggerating a little...”
The moment the words left Carol’s mouth, she saw something that defied belief.
Ray, despite his small stature, was trading high-speed blows with Lydia in a perfectly balanced rally.
“Heh! Hahaha! Good, Ray! To think you can face me head-on like this!!”
“...I won’t lose.”
The ball moved so fast it was a struggle just to track its trajectory. Their shots had already exceeded the speed of any ordinary person. Both aimed for the corners with precision, yet they skillfully returned every strike.
Ray’s agility was nothing short of miraculous. Lydia was tall and long-limbed, possessing a natural physical advantage for tennis, yet Ray was matching her almost point for point.
Then, Ray changed the tempo entirely, executing a perfect drop shot.
“...Guh!! Not bad, Ray...!”
Ray took the point. The ball he hit didn't even bounce; it hit the ground and simply rolled away as if stuck to the surface.
It was one of Lydia’s signature moves, and Ray had replicated it perfectly—using it at the exact moment she left an opening.
“...I won’t lose.”
“Heh. I see it in your eyes; you understand. Very well, Ray. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to get serious. Hahaha!”
Carol watched the spectacle with her mouth hanging open.
“Wait... is Ray-chan some kind of junior tennis champion?”
“No. Apparently, this is his first time playing any sport,” Abby replied.
“Then that report was...?”
“Entirely factual. It was surprisingly well-summarized for Lydia. There’s no questioning Ray’s athletic genius.”
What followed on that tennis court could only be described as super-dimensional tennis. Impact tremors that sounded like explosions echoed throughout the area, yet the two of them sprinted across the battlefield-like court with total freedom.
“Hahahaha! I actually have six different counters!”
“...Guh!”
Lydia was overwhelming once she turned serious—or so it seemed. However, Ray was gradually closing the gap. Before anyone realized it, he scored an ace by striking at Lydia’s blind spot.
“What...!? Don't tell me you can actually see my blind spot!!”
“...Master has many openings. Wide open.”
“Kukuku... Ahahahahahaha!! Ah, Ray. You really are the best!”
As the match entered its final stage, it had transcended the definition of tennis. Craters marred the court and dust clouds swirled in the air. The two fired serious shots at one another, their forms weaving through the haze.
While Lydia held the ultimate advantage, Ray refused to let go. Eventually, however, the intensity took its toll, and Ray ended up sprawled out on his back in the middle of the dust.
“Haa... haa... My victory!!”
Lydia declared her win triumphantly, but Carol and Abby, realizing the boy might be exhausted, rushed to his side.
“Ray-chan!”
“Ray, are you alright!?”
The moment they called out, Ray sprang back to his feet with a sudden burst of energy.
He patted the dust off his clothes and whispered in a small voice.
“...Next time, I won't lose.”
Seeing him so determined, Abby and Carol shared a look—half-relieved and half-amused by how unusual he was.
Lydia approached and gently stroked Ray’s head.
“Yeah. I’ll take your challenge anytime. After all, I am your Master!”
Upon returning home, Carol whisked Ray away to the bathroom, insisting on giving him a bath. That left Lydia and Abby to handle dinner. In reality, Lydia didn't do much more than taste-test while Abby did the work.
The rhythmic sound of the knife echoed through the kitchen. Amidst the quiet, Abby spoke up.
“Lydia. Ray is truly incredible.”
“Right? He’s going to be someone legendary.”
Lydia smirked, her pride in him evident.
“I suspect he’s unconsciously utilizing Inside Code.”
“Oh? So even you noticed, Abby?”
“There’s no other explanation for those movements. While there are many cases of children using sorcery unconsciously, Ray’s case is abnormal. That isn't the domain of a child. His proficiency has likely already surpassed that of an average sorcerer.”
“Yeah. That’s exactly why I’m doing this.”
Lydia drained a glass of water in one go before explaining her reasoning.
“I want him to acclimate his physical senses through sports first. Formal sorcery training should come after that.”
“You’ve actually put that much thought into his education?”
“Of course. I am his Master. It’s only natural to consider my Disciple’s future.”
“...”
Abby’s eyes widened. Having known her for years, Abby knew that Lydia was rarely the type to consider the needs of others. It seemed the girl was slowly changing.
“You’ve changed, Lydia.”
The mutter was too quiet for Lydia to hear.
“? Did you say something?”
“Nothing. Teaching him sorcery is all well and good. But considering where that path leads...”
“I know. His talent is irregular. There is a possibility that he could eventually become a sorcerer who surpasses even my peak.”
“You really believe he has that much potential?”
“Yeah. I’m likely at the height of my powers right now. Most sorcerers peak between their late teens and early twenties. I’m no exception. Even with that in mind, Ray’s talent as a sorcerer is already closing in on my current level.”
It was a candid, honest assessment. It was a reality she had only grasped by spending time with him. She still didn't fully understand the path he had walked to get here, but that was why she felt he needed guidance—to ensure he wasn't crushed by his own gift.
“Talent carries responsibility. Military High Command is already aware of his existence. That’s all the more reason he needs to learn how to manage his own power. I want him to be ready, no matter what kind of life he chooses for himself.”
“...I see.”
Abby looked at Lydia with a softened expression.
—A genius recognizes a genius, it seems.
With that thought, Abby went back to finishing the dinner preparations.