Another year passed, and Adriana turned seven.
It was during this year that she developed Heat Treat by applying fire-attribute magic, and Joint through the application of earth-attribute magic.
"Ana, you really are a true genius."
Chatone, who had advanced to the advanced-level class that year, praised Adriana.
By then, the Craft Magic spells Adriana had created totaled five: Softening, Finish, Deodorant, Heat Treat, and Joint.
Both the senior disciples and the general students recognized her prowess.
"Hmm, this is difficult..."
"Ado, what are you thinking about now?"
"Ah, Papa. You see, I want a spell that blocks things like trash, dust, and fire."
"I see. Well, there is already Guard, a spell used to protect the practitioner while they are crafting things."
"Really?"
Shuuki explained the concept.
"...Based on that idea, you create a wall out of mana."
"I see. If that’s the case, it would be nice if I could make it appear only around my face or stomach."
"Ah, that’s true. It shouldn't interfere with manual labor... Wait, Ado, that’s a brilliant insight!"
"Ehehe."
Adriana’s intuition already seemed to surpass even that of the senior disciples. Shuuki thanked the heavens that he had been blessed with such a daughter.
"The size of the molecules in solids, liquids, and gases... No, that's not right. The size of the molecular aggregates is different. So, if you make a magical 'net' and vary the coarseness of its mesh..."
"You can make a barrier that lets air through but blocks water!"
"Exactly, Ado. That’s how you construct a Guard."
As Shuuki developed magic alongside Adriana, he would occasionally find himself drifting into the past.
His late wife, Adriana, had also been inspired by Shuuki’s words to develop all sorts of magic...
"Papa?"
Shuuki snapped back to reality at his daughter’s voice.
"Ah, sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment..."
"Honestly. Hey, look, look! See? Guard!"
"What? You’ve already done it!?"
In front of Shuuki, an invisible but tangible wall now existed—one that seemed perfectly capable of blocking dust and sparks.
Furthermore, from what he could tell of its functions, it was highly versatile. Its strength could be adjusted, and most importantly, it could selectively allow or block gases, liquids, and solids.
"Ado, you’re incredible. This isn't just a Guard anymore. Yes, this is a Barrier."
Shuuki hugged his daughter and stroked her head. Adriana let out a happy giggle.
At that moment, a sharp pain shot through Shuuki’s back.
"Gu... uugh!"
Shuuki let out a pained groan.
"Papa!"
"I'm... fine. It’s just my usual... chronic condition."
Despite his words, Shuuki’s face was deathly pale, and he was breaking out in a cold sweat.
Shuuki knew the truth.
If he existed in this world because magi had reconstructed his broken body after his accident in his original world, then there were parts of him that remained unreconstructed.
The lifespan of those remaining parts was nearing its limit.
"I still... need... a little more time... Someone..."
Normally, his senior disciples Liebeslau or Tora would cast healing magic, but unfortunately, both were currently away in the neighboring town.
"I'll do it!...Healing!"
Shuuki’s complexion improved slightly, but it was only a marginal change.
"This isn't enough... Healing!"
Casting the same spell repeatedly had almost no additional effect; Shuuki’s face remained contorted in agony.
"Papa! Stay with me!...Genesung!!"
In her desperation, Adriana chanted the supreme-level healing magic for internal medicine.
With her mental image, her intent, and her mana, Adriana finally mastered the pinnacle of healing magic.
"...The pain is gone."
Shuuki sat up. Realizing that his daughter had been the one to heal him, he hugged her with tears in his eyes.
"Thank you... Thank you, Adriana!"
"Papa, you're squeezing too hard."
Despite her protest, Adriana hugged her father back just as tightly.
From that day forward, Adriana was always by Shuuki’s side.
She was now the most powerful practitioner among all of Shuuki’s disciples.
Under Adriana’s guidance, even the senior disciples Liebeslau and Tora were able to master Genesung three months later.
"Adriana-sama, how should I handle the incantation for this part?"
When it came to teaching the regular students, Adriana was blunt.
"You don't need incantations. Magic is activated through your mental image and mana. Incantations are just things to help you hold that image."
"I... I see..."
For example, the advanced-level fire-attribute spell Fire Storm had the incantation: "O flames, burn all to ash." Adriana, however, could unleash a Fire Storm without saying a single word.
"Just the term 'Fire Storm' is enough to fully form the image of the magic."
Of course, only a select few were capable of such a feat.
Nevertheless, the fact that some could do it was proof that the logic was sound.
The general disciples practiced according to the curriculum, starting from the beginner-level, and eventually, they became able to activate spells up to the mid-level without incantations.
"As expected of the Magus's daughter."
"Adriana-sama is the greatest magi of our age."
"She will surely master every form of magic one day."
Adriana’s reputation grew with each passing day.
However, that also meant her personal time was disappearing.
Seeing the seven-year-old Adriana spending all her time among adults, doing nothing but lecturing and researching, caused Shuuki a secret ache in his heart.
One day, Shuuki took Adriana to a lake on the outskirts of Yurugano.
Unable to stand seeing her life consumed by magic, he had canceled all lectures for two days to take a short private vacation for just the two of them.
"Wow, what a pretty place!"
For this brief time, Adriana frolicked with the joy of a normal seven-year-old girl.
"You can go for a swim if you like."
"Really?"
It was August, the peak of summer. Shuuki had prepared proper swimwear for the occasion.
Though called "swimwear," the fabric was simple thin linen. Shuuki wore knee-length trousers, while Adriana wore a pair of shorts and a band of cloth wrapped around her chest.
(Once the Craft Magic system is complete, maybe I'll be able to produce knitted fabrics too.)
Even with all his knowledge, Shuuki had no idea how to weave stretchy knitted fabric.
"Papa, the water's cold and feels great!"
"Alright, I'm going to teach you how to swim!"
Hailing from Kochi, Shuuki was a skilled swimmer.
"Listen, we'll start by having you open your eyes underwater."
"Okay..."
Even the prodigious Adriana seemed hesitant when it came to learning swimming—a skill that had nothing to do with magic.
"That's it. Just relax your body... See? You're floating."
"I did it! I did it! Papa, I'm swimming!"
Whether it was due to Shuuki’s excellent instruction or her own natural talent, Adriana mastered the breaststroke in about half a day.
"Good girl. Now, let's swim side-by-side."
"Yeah!"
They enjoyed their time together in the water, just father and daughter.
"Staying in cold water for too long isn't good for you. Let's do a bit of 'shell-drying.'"
"Papa, what's shell-drying?"
"Ah, you know how turtles sometimes bask in the sun on top of rocks? It's called shell-drying because it's just like that."
"Hehe, that's funny."
They spread a cloth over the grass and lay down together.
It was a beautiful summer day, with the scorching sun shining down upon them.