BPFP 49

Chapter 49

“Will this be enough?”
[Yes.]
“Understood, I’ll follow your lead.”

Austin handed Zirk the fruit of life that the World Tree had offered.
“Eat it, Zirk.”
“Master…”
“Don’t worry about me—just grow. You fool.”

Zirk, his eyes brimming with emotion, took the fruit and devoured it in one bite.
A surge of vitality filled his body.
The overflowing life force invigorated Zirk, accelerating his growth.
His limbs lengthened, and his hair grew longer.
Before long, he had grown to nearly the same height as Austin.

Zirk gazed at his now larger hands in awe. His green eyes had deepened.
“Master…”
“You’ve grown properly.”
[Return, wizard.]

The World Tree opened a door to send them back.
Passing through, they arrived in Elia’s sleeping chamber.

Austin gently extended his hand toward the slumbering Elia.
Zirk swallowed hard, watching Austin carefully.

Austin formed a magic seal and infused Elia’s forehead with magical energy.
“Hah… to think such a little one is my contractor.”
“Master…”
“Zirk, remember this: this little one is our benefactor. Because of this little one, I was freed from the Magic Tower, and you’ve grown.”
“Shall I protect the lady?”
“Yes, protect her. The World Tree cherishes her dearly—how sad would it be if anything happened?”
“That’s true.”
“Still… it feels strange. This tiny one suddenly grew so big.”

Zirk smiled awkwardly.
“Same here. It feels strange to suddenly grow so fast.”
“Let’s go. I suppose I’m tired now that I’m getting older.”
“Yes, Master.”

After the two wizards disappeared, Gaji quietly watched over the sleeping Elia.
[Please live this life well.]
[You pamper her so much, no wonder her master acts as he pleases.]

Stella commented from the bracelet.
[What do you know? Have you raised a child before?]
[Can’t argue with that.]
[Go back to sleep.]

Gaji’s remark silenced Stella.
If they fought here, it would disturb Elia. It was better to let her rest.

“Oh my, you’ve fallen asleep already?”

Meryl opened the door and sighed as she looked at the sleeping Elia.
“She should eat something…”

After some thought, she shook her head.
“Sleep well.”

Quietly, she closed the door.

At the door, she ran into Noah, who nodded toward Elia’s room.
“She sleeping?”
“Yes, she’s resting.”
“And she hasn’t eaten?”

Seeing the food she carried, he asked.
“Yes. I guess she prefers sleep to food right now.”
“Isn’t she sleeping too much?”
“When sick, sleep is the best medicine.”
“Wasn’t she fully recovered?”
“Internal injuries healed faster than expected, but her body is still stiff, so walking is uncomfortable.”
“I see.”
“Yes. That’s why Prince, you should keep her company sometimes. You’re the only one her age in this castle.”
“Why me? I’m tired too.”

Noah immediately rejected Meryl’s suggestion but couldn’t understand why he kept thinking about her.

Time passed, and Elia fully recovered.
By the time May arrived, she could finally leave her bed.
Excited at the thought of being able to take walks again, Elia headed to Alexis’s office.
A small desk had been prepared there just for her.

“Good morning, Eli.”
“Good morning, Duke.”
“Have you been taking your medicine?”
“Yes, I have. But how long do I need to take it?”
“Until Sir Felix says it’s okay.”

Elia sighed.
“The medicine tastes awful.”
“But I gave you plenty of candy.”
“That helps a bit.”

“The candy made it sweet enough to bear.”

“I’m going to start working in the garden today.”
“Already?”
“Yes.”

Seeing her determined look, Alexis chuckled softly.
“Do as you wish. Also, Eli, we’ve decided to assign a tutor for Noah. Could you help pick one?”
“Me?”
“Yes, I have no idea.”

Alexis showed Elia a list of professors.
Their specialties and backgrounds were listed on the document.

“Fewer than I expected.”
“Because of the location, few are willing to come.”
“Shall I ask a good teacher I know?”
“You’d do that?”

There was someone in this world who was extraordinarily knowledgeable.
Elia immediately sought out Austin.

After meeting the World Tree, Austin was free—no longer bound by the Magic Tower.
He didn’t reveal what the World Tree demanded in return. Elia suspected he was being somewhat mischievous.
Her curiosity was piqued.

“What is it?”
“Would you teach someone?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“Prince Noah.”
“That brat?”
“Yes.”
“No.”

Austin rejected instantly, and Elia furrowed her brows.
“Why not?”
“He’s disrespectful.”
“If he’s disrespectful, you teach him. Become his master.”
“Why should I deal with that trouble?”
“Because I’m asking.”

Austin chuckled.
“What if I want to teach, but the brat refuses?”
“I’ll handle it.”
“I’ll be sure to listen to you, huh?”

Elia placed her hands on her hips, smirking confidently.
She then sought out Noah, who was pacing near the training ground.

“Prince, what are you doing here?”

Startled, Noah stopped.
“Why do you care?”
“You’re wandering suspiciously.”
“Suspicious?”
“Yes, you look like you have a purpose.”
“…Want to learn swordsmanship?”

Caught off-guard, Noah stayed silent.
“How will you learn swordsmanship when you’re still weak?”
“Are you teasing me now?”
“Wouldn’t it have been better if you grabbed my hand when I offered it?”
“Why would I grab your hand?”
“Better to hold the hand of someone you dislike than to die, right?”
“So grab my hand and ask me to save you?”
“Don’t want to? Then forget it.”

Elia knew Noah’s pride was unmatched.
“I won’t force you.”
“…”
“The Duke is looking for a tutor for the Prince.”
“A tutor?”
“Yes. The Prince needs proper education now.”

Noah had been left neglected in the palace and received no proper schooling.
“How about Austin as your tutor?”
“I don’t know.”
“Think about it. I’ve seen the professors’ records. None are better than him.”
“I know that too.”
“If you want, you can speak to him directly. If you want something, you must make the effort.”

“Why do you, younger than me, keep lecturing me?”
“Upset?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll hold back. It’s because I’m smarter than you.”
“What?”
“Then you should become as smart as me.”

Noah looked at her in disbelief. Indeed, she looked like a child.
He approached Elia, who had to tilt her head to meet his height.
“You’re tiny.”
“Excuse me?”
“You need to grow taller.”

Noah smirked and walked past her.
Watching him leave, Elia muttered,
“Was he teasing me just now?”
[Yes, he was, dummy.]
“Ugh.”
[Grow taller.]

She felt frustrated. She vowed to definitely grow taller.

A few days later, Noah began studying under the Magic Tower Master.

However…
“Why do I have to learn too?”

Elia looked at Austin in disbelief.
She and Noah now sat side by side, receiving Austin’s lessons.
He was teaching economics, liberal arts, and practical skills.

“You’ll improve faster if you study together.”
“Whose skills?”

Elia spun to face Noah.
“The Prince’s?”

Pointing at Noah with her finger, he frowned.
“Put your hand down. I don’t like it.”
“Tch.”

She was irritated to be learning something she already knew from her past life.
“I don’t really need to learn this.”