Winter.
Just when I thought Progenitor-san and the rest had finally returned, he headed out again, leaving Ria and Hakuren behind. It seemed his primary work was finished, but there were various loose ends to tidy up.
Lu and Tia mentioned that they had acquaintances living near Progenitor-san’s workplace, so they decided to pay them a visit. If luck was on our side, those acquaintances might agree to serve as teachers for the school at Big Roof Shashato. I allowed myself a bit of hope.
However, I had also asked the Civil Official Girls to recruit teachers for the school. I wondered if we might end up with more people than we actually needed. I had a feeling I’d made that kind of mistake more than a few times before.
When I voiced my concern, I was told that even if too many gathered, they would likely just conduct their own research independently, so it would be fine. Was that really how it worked? Regardless, I felt relieved for the moment.
...
Still, the compensation aspect worried me a little. While I intended to pay a solid base salary, the plan was to also provide a percentage of the tuition fees based on the number of students they taught. I just hoped they wouldn't start bickering over pupils.
Well, there was no point in worrying about it now. I’d deal with it once they actually gathered.
Alfred was busy practicing magic. His teacher was supposed to be Lu, but since she was away, Ria was acting as her substitute.
"I can't do it right," Alfred muttered.
"It's fine," Ria reassured him. "The composition itself is well-formed. The rest comes down to magic power manipulation. That's a matter of intuition, so all you can do is practice."
"I'll work hard."
Watching my son’s diligence warmed my heart. I leaned in and quietly asked Ria, "Just how difficult is the stuff Alfred is working on?"
"It's still the absolute basics. Think of it as training to increase his overall capacity for magic power."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. He's still a child, after all. It would be a disaster if I taught him attack magic and he caused an accidental discharge."
"Ah, good point."
Alfred was generally well-behaved, but he was still a child. It would be a nightmare if he used magic during a temper tantrum.
...
"On that note," I said, "I'd like you to wait until Hiichiro has grown a bit more before you teach him any magic."
I was the one currently standing in the way of Raimeiren, who was itching to begin Hiichiro's training. Yes, it was definitely still too early for him.
The cat was sleeping on his back on top of the kotatsu. He’d been inside it until a short while ago, so he’d likely overheated. I didn't mind; it was a common sight.
What I was actually concerned about was a partner for the cat—a mate. Up until now, I hadn’t seen any other cats in the forest. I’d expected him to eventually head out to find a partner like Kuro’s children did, but he showed no signs of doing so.
Was it okay to leave him like this? Perhaps I was being overly meddlesome. No, it wasn't that I was trying to force him to fulfill his duty as a male. Coercion was wrong. He should do it of his own volition...
Actually, that was impossible. If left to his own devices, it would never happen. He would undoubtedly spend his entire life lounging around and drinking sake with the sake slime.
I wondered if I was starting to sound like one of those neighborhood aunties who couldn't stop playing matchmaker. I didn't think he necessarily had to get married, but wasn't it better if he did? Besides, I wanted to see kittens.
I’d considered this before, but I supposed I should just bring in a female cat from somewhere.
...
My only lead was Michael-san. However, I was already asking him for so many things that I felt hesitant to bother him for a single cat. Since I didn't know what the cat’s "type" was, should I ask for ten? But then I’d have a surplus of females. In that case, I’d need more males...
I felt like this train of thought would go on forever. I needed to stay calm.
...How about nine males and ten females? They’d probably pair off on their own after that...
No, that would turn the village into a cat colony. That wouldn't work. I really wasn't being calm.
I should simply obtain one female cat from somewhere. Since I was reluctant to ask Michael-san for just one... who else could I turn to?
Beezel? I had an image of nobles keeping cats as pets. I decided to ask the Civil Official Girls about it.
"Unless someone is a true eccentric, they don't really keep cats," one explained.
"Cats tend to damage houses, so you'd need a dedicated building just for them."
"Dogs are much more popular."
"In port towns, there are so many of them that they're practically a nuisance, so I doubt many people go out of their way to keep them as pets..."
...
In other words, there was no point in asking Beezel.
"Though, he would likely manage to obtain one for you if you asked."
"He might even use somewhat forceful methods to get results."
Let's not do that. I didn't want one that badly. I had merely thought that if he had a noble acquaintance who kept cats, I could have him secure a kitten for me.
Hmm. It might actually be faster for me to catch a stray myself. I’d seen plenty of cats when I visited the seaside district of Shashato City.
Yes, that was the plan. Having made my resolution, I returned to the kotatsu. The cat had moved from the top back into the interior. It was a prime spot, but I couldn't stretch my legs with him there.
"Move a little to the side. Don't resist. You really should be nicer to me, you know. After all, I’m going to go find a partner for you."
A few days later.
When Lu and Tia returned, they had a pure white cat nestled in their arms. It wasn't... a normal cat. A glittering jewel was embedded in its forehead. It wasn't a prank someone had played; it was born that way.
Apparently, it was a magic beast known as a jewel cat. Among their kind, the white ones were exceptionally rare and were revered as sacred magic cats.
I see. And... it was a female.
It looked like I no longer needed to go on a catching expedition. I just hoped they would get along.
Throughout the winter, I frequently caught sight of the cat fleeing from the jewel cat. It seemed the jewel cat was the more proactive one in the relationship.
...
Good luck, buddy.
Wait, was that jewel cat using magic? Every now and then, she moved with unbelievable speed and agility.
"She is a jewel cat, after all," Lu said.
"They excel at physical reinforcement magic. They can use healing magic, too."
"Is that so?"
Even a jewel cat, however, was no match for Kuro’s offspring or Zabuton’s children. It had turned into a game where the cat would sprint toward the wolves or the spiders to hide.
...Ah, it looked like he got caught this time.
The jewel cat grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and began dragging him away. The cat had the vacant look of someone who had completely surrendered to fate.
Maybe I should offer some help—the jewel cat glared at me.
...
It wasn't right to stick one's nose into someone else's romance.
Yeah.