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Chapter 33
Lucilea really loved lollipops.
This small obsession probably started in her previous life.
Back then, she would fight villains with a magic wand while shouting lines about not forgiving them in the name of love and justice.
“That magic wand looked a lot like a colorful lollipop.”
From that moment on, whenever she saw a lollipop, her heart would flutter as if she had become the protagonist of an animation.
She had once wished for the kind of power that would let her save the world from villains and protect herself, just like that hero.
So when she received a lollipop from Mei, it reminded her of those past memories, making her even more excited.
“Anyway, now I have a wand like that too, right?”
Even if it looked like a thin, dry stick.
“Well, I can always change its appearance later, so it doesn’t matter.”
Lucilea gazed at the wand she was holding.
Although it looked so fragile it might snap in the wind, it surprisingly fit comfortably in her hand.
She spoke to Noah.
“Thank you for the gift, Master. I’ll treasure it. Please forgive me for grumbling a little about the wand’s shape. I’m still young, after all. I’m only seven, right?”
Noah gave a gentle smile.
“Yes, you’re still too young to be fully mature. Don’t worry. I understand that.”
“Hehe.”
At times like this, she was glad she looked like a child.
Noah stroked her head and said,
“I hope it helps you use the power you possess.”
Lucilea raised the arm holding her wand and shouted,
“Yes! I’ll do my best!”
“Good.”
Noah folded his arms, lifted his chin, and asked,
“Then, are you ready for today’s lesson, my little apprentice?”
The feather decoration on his shoulder was more extravagant than usual, but his expression was more serious than usual.
And so, the lesson began.
“Today, I’ll teach you about magical elements.”
Noah brought four orbs of different colors.
“You’ve already seen fire set in the bedroom and water frozen in a cup, so it should be easy to understand.”
“……”
At the mention of the fire in the bedroom, Lucilea deliberately looked away.
Noah lined up the red, blue, ochre, and transparent orbs on the desk.
“The four basic elements of magic: fire, water, earth, and wind. Every mage chooses one to focus on for training.”
Noah picked up the blue orb and grinned.
“I mainly use water magic.”
Lucilea tilted her head and asked,
“Can’t you train in all of them?”
“No, you can’t.”
Noah’s answer was unexpectedly firm.
“Why?”
He paused briefly, then continued,
“There are several reasons. First, humans have limited time.”
He explained that even mastering a single element at a high level could take a lifetime.
“Learning multiple elements is like splitting a powerful river into shallow streams. In the end, neither side reaches its full potential.”
Ah, Lucilea nodded in understanding.
Noah continued,
“There’s an even more important reason.”
“What is it?”
“Elemental conflict.”
For a moment, Noah’s voice lowered.
“Water overcomes fire, fire overcomes wind, wind overcomes earth, and earth overcomes water. This great cycle of mutual dominance is called the ‘elemental affinity.’”
He connected the orbs with his fingers to visually show the relationships.
“Trying to master opposing elements is like waging an endless war inside your body.”
In other words, magical overload.
Lucilea swallowed hard. The thought of such a horrible event happening inside her gave her chills.
“Phew. I don’t need that kind of greed. Managing one element is hard enough—how could I handle all four?”
She wasn’t passionate enough to risk her life for such a challenge.
“But how do you know which element suits you?”
“You’ll feel it.”
Noah placed Lucilea’s hand over the four orbs.
“Even if not immediately, as you train and use magic, you’ll gradually realize which element truly resonates with you.”
The lesson continued for a while.
Noah guided her to subtly draw out the pure energy of each elemental orb.
Tiny flames flickered from her fingertips, gentle breezes brushed her cheeks and hair, small droplets formed on her palms, and little clumps of earth rose and collapsed with a snap of her fingers.
He carefully helped her feel the essence of each element.
Lucilea followed along surprisingly well.
Fire, water, wind, earth—each responded to her touch as she channeled magic through them.
Noah watched silently, a mixture of admiration, wonder, and a subtle fatigue crossing his face.
“Let’s stop here for today.”
Finally, he placed the orbs back in their box, signaling the end of the lesson.
“Thank you for today!”
Lucilea got up from her seat, smiling brightly.
“Oh, right.”
Noah, as if recalling something, spoke to her.
“You like sweets, right?”
Lucilea raised an eyebrow.
“Isn’t it harder to find someone who doesn’t like sweets?”
“Oh, really? Well, lollipops—you like those, don’t you?”
Ah, she had mentioned she was close to Mei. Noah must have heard from her.
He grinned.
“I’ll give you a lollipop. Want to come with me?”
“…….”
Lucilea frowned at him.
“Why are you talking like a kidnapper luring children with sweets?”
She asked suspiciously,
“Where to?”
“To the Duke’s office!”
Ugh, Lucilea’s frown deepened.
“No. I’m not going.”
Huh? Lucilea’s firm refusal made Noah’s eyes widen.
“Why?”
You like sweets, right? Lollipops, right?
Lucilea slowly backed toward the exit.
“I’m just not in the mood for sweets today.”
“No, come on—”
“See you tomorrow, Master!”
She quickly left the training ground before Noah could stop her.
“Phew, I’ve been avoiding the Duke lately and felt at ease… and now he wants to meet me in person?”
No way.
“I’ve been deliberately avoiding him as much as possible.”
In fact, Lucilea had almost run into Elbadin quite a few times.
Just as Serdian avoided her, she too dodged Elbadin.
Mostly, Cookie would shout, “The Duke’s here!” and she would immediately run in the opposite direction.
It seemed to work, as she rarely ran into him.
Not because she was scared, like the other children.
Simply.
“He’s uncomfortable.”
His penetrating gaze, unfriendly tone, and their familial connection—it all felt awkward.
“If I slip up, he might realize I’m his real daughter.”
It’s always uncomfortable to be around someone with whom you can’t speak freely.
Yep.
“We just don’t get along. Not at all.”
Lucilea shook her head, waving her wand in the air.
“Shoo! Go away!”
Like trying to drive out a demon, she attempted to erase the image of Elbadin from her mind.
Then she stopped swinging and looked closely at the stick.
“Hmm, maybe there’s a faint greenish glow.”
Still shabby, but having something of her own always brought joy.
Hehe, mine.
“My wand.”
Wand! Wand! Wand! Wand!
Excited, her steps became lighter.
Then—
Thunk—!
Gak!
Turning a corner, Lucilea suddenly collided with someone and bounced off.
