“Recently, my health has deteriorated significantly. I do not know how much further I can go. However, I intend to go as far as I can. That is my promise to my late wife, Adriana.”
＊ ＊ ＊
The year was 2353.
Adriana Barbora Tsetse had turned thirteen.
The Magus, Shuuki Tsetse, was preparing to depart from the capital, Karnag.
“Dad, everything’s ready on this end.”
“Thank you, Ado. I’m finished here as well.”
They planned to travel further north to spread the teachings of magi-craft.
Three disciples would be accompanying them this time:
Fesmife—proficient in both Craft Magic and Healing.
Kelly—a promising Healing magic-user.
Carla—a woman who showed outstanding talent in Craft Magic.
All of them were capable disciples in their mid-thirties.
“Master, I shall miss you dearly.”
“Master, please stay healthy.”
“Master, I will surely spread your teachings in this land and let them take root.”
“Master, I hope that we might meet again someday.”
“Master, I will never forget this debt of gratitude for as long as I live.”
His long-time disciples—Liebeslau, Lotrao, Tempest, Dalsamut, and Alond—would remain in the capital to inherit and propagate Shuuki’s teachings.
The departure took place in April, during the spring.
The party set out slowly from the capital of Karnag, riding in two carriages gifted to them by King Gardrake Dragor Leonard.
“Hey, Dad, what’s that?”
Inside the carriage, Shuuki was busy with his hands, prompting Adriana to ask a question.
“This? This is... look!”
“Wow!”
It was an origami crane—the only thing Shuuki knew how to fold.
Until now, “paper” had exclusively meant parchment, which was usually over two millimeters thick—far too heavy to fold. However, this parchment was a special, improved variety; it was very thin, making it perfect for origami.
“Dad, that’s amazing!”
Adriana gazed at Shuuki with eyes full of respect.
From that day on, the origami crane became her greatest treasure.
＊ ＊ ＊
The next place they settled was Garakuro Town.
It was a large and prosperous town governed by the King’s cousin.
“Hoh, this is a fine town,” Shuuki remarked.
He spoke up because he was struck by the abundance of greenery throughout the streets.
“Street trees, I see...”
Garakuro was located quite close to the sea, and Shuuki mused that the higher rainfall likely allowed the vegetation to thrive.
“It’s a beautiful town, Dad.”
The air felt slightly moist, clearly different from the inland towns where they had spent their time until now.
“It is. I hear the sea is close by as well.”
“I want to see it!”
While Shuuki had seen many things in his life, Adriana had never once seen the ocean.
“I suppose we should. Once we’ve settled in, shall the two of us go together?”
“Yeah!”
＊ ＊ ＊
Thanks to the letter of introduction from the King, their housing was settled immediately.
“Wow, it’s huge.”
It was more than spacious enough for Shuuki, his daughter, and the three disciples—a testament to the influence of the King’s recommendation.
The house—more of a mansion, really—stood three stories tall. Shuuki and his daughter took the second floor, while the disciples lived on the third.
They planned to use the first floor as both a workshop and a classroom.
Of course, they intended to rent a more suitable space elsewhere if the number of students grew too large.
As she put away their few belongings, Adriana spoke to Shuuki in a slightly wistful voice.
“Hey, Dad. I’m sorry it didn’t work out with the Warp Gate.”
“Ah, yes, that is a shame.”
To construct a Warp Gate, high-quality, all-attribute magi-crystals were required.
They weren't needed for the basic function, but rather to link two specific points. Without high-quality crystals, it was impossible to bridge the gap between two distant locations.
However, even in the Leonard Kingdom—a land blessed with mineral resources—magi-crystals that met such strict requirements were incredibly rare.
“If we had a Warp Gate, we could visit Karnag, Yurugano, or even... Shaia Town whenever we wanted.”
“Indeed.”
For Adriana, Shaia Town—the place she had lived since she was old enough to remember, though it was only a village back then—was clearly a place she held dear.
“I’m going to work even harder. I’ll figure out how to improve the Warp Gate's performance and make it easier to use. Oh, and of course, I’ll work hard on all my other magi-craft too!”
Shuuki gently patted his beloved daughter’s head.
“Haha, you certainly are a hard worker, Adriana. But don't forget—what makes me happiest is simply seeing you happy.”
“Thank you, Dad. But my happiness comes from being useful to you.”
“I see. Thank you. Though, as a father, I’d also be happy to see you find a good person and get married one day.”
As Shuuki teased her, Adriana laughed and gave a playful reply.
“Then I’ll just marry you, Dad! That way we can stay together forever!”
“Haha, I suppose that’s true.”
Shuuki laughed as well. The bright sound of their shared laughter echoed through their new home.
The very next day, prospective students who had heard rumors of the arrival of the Magus, Shuuki Tsetse, began to appear.
There were roughly twenty of them.
All of them were already accomplished magi, a fact that left Shuuki pleasantly overwhelmed.
They immediately began looking for a building to use as a dedicated classroom.
Once again, thanks to the King’s letter of introduction, they found a place within a single day.
It was located right next door to their new home.
This was yet another example of the preferential treatment afforded to the Magus.
“Well, at least we didn't have to struggle to find a place.”
“Right, Dad?”
The following day, the Magus’s lectures began in earnest.
The number of people who gathered was not just twenty, but over fifty—more than double the original count.
“First, let me make one thing clear,” Shuuki began, addressing the crowd of over fifty magi.
“I am not a magi. I identify as a provider of knowledge. I can only teach you the theory; the practical demonstrations will be performed by my disciples and my daughter, Adriana. If anyone is dissatisfied with this arrangement, you need not return tomorrow. In fact, you are free to leave right now.”
Not a single person stood to leave. Shuuki nodded with satisfaction and continued.
“Very well. Then, first, I shall speak on the nature of magi-craft. This system is...”
Thus began a new chapter in Shuuki Tsetse’s journey of education.