The Villains I Taught Became Heroes - Chapter 105



104 – Before Seeing the True Ending – 3

***

“Instructor! It’s been a while!”

“Indeed. Have you all been well?”

It was the day to go to the Longbeak Mountain resort.

Just like when they went to Emerald Beach in the summer, the participants gathered at the academy, and as I assessed the numbers, I tilted my head.

“Huh? Is Sowol, Lena, and Arisha not attending?”

“It seems all three are busy.”

—

Rifa told me whether they had received contact from them.

It’s not mandatory to attend, but to not show up like this…

What could they be busy with?

“Instructor! Let’s go! Hurry!”

Ludwig, who seemed only eager to play, shouted urgently.

That must mean he’s really looking forward to it. I thought about waiting a bit longer but shrugged my shoulders.

Everyone is excited, and I can’t just not go because they aren’t coming.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

I led the cheerful kids through the dimensional magic circle.

The place we arrived at was a snowy field.

As soon as we reached the snowy expanse, where nothing but snow was visible, the kids began to run without waiting for anyone to take the lead.

“Yay!!”

“Let’s ski first!!”

They’re so happy.

Watching the kids dash around like puppies meeting snow, I called out to Ludwig.

It hadn’t been long since we arrived, but one of the kids, covered in snow from a snowball fight, approached me with a puzzled expression.

“Take the kids and head to the lodge first. Check in and let them play on their own.”

“Hmm? That’s fine, but why are you asking me? Are you planning to go somewhere?”

“Uh. I want to check on the ones who didn’t come.”

“Hmmm. Got it.”

“What’s with that reaction?”

“Nothing… I just thought the Saintess and the Colorless Guardian would be busy. I wonder if I’ll get to meet them.”

“Do you know something?”

“I don’t know the details, but I overheard His Majesty mention it a bit. It seems those two are researching the technology of the Magic Empire.”

“The technology of the Magic Empire? What kind?”

“I don’t know that much.”

Are they researching dimensional magic?

If that’s the case, it can’t be helped…

Still, it’s a bit disappointing not to see the ones who used to come every day.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to go check on them for support.

“Then I’ll leave it to you. Head of the Beautification Department.”

“Just trust me. You guys!! Let’s head to the lodge!!”

Shouting loudly at the excited kids, Ludwig took them toward the resort.

Even on the way, they seemed to be having a great time, making a lot of noise.

Alright. Should I go too?

The first place I arrived at through the dimensional magic circle was the church.

Perhaps because they recognized my face, the holy knights in the church didn’t stop me.

“I came to see the Saintess.”

“The Saintess is busy at the moment, but…”

“Could you ask her to spare a moment?”

—

“Um. May I ask you something?”

After the knight entered, a little while later, Sowol emerged, looking visibly tired.

She smiled brightly upon seeing me, but the dark circles under her eyes suggested she hadn’t slept properly for days.

“Master!”

Sowol rushed over to me with quick steps.

It had been a while since I last saw her, but she was still as pretty as ever.

I gently ruffled her hair, and despite her fatigue, she accepted my affection with a sweet smile.

“Are you getting enough rest?”

“Yes. I sleep for two hours a day.”

“…Are you really okay?”

No matter how strong Sowol is, it must be hard to function on that little sleep.

I led Sowol to the café in the church.

After ordering rich coffee and sweet drinks, I placed the beverages in front of the drowsy Sowol.

“Drink this. Something sweet will help restore your energy.”

“Um… thank you.”

Sowol, waking from her slumber, began to sip her drink.

What on earth is she researching that makes her this exhausted?

“There’s not much time left.”

“Still, take care of your health.”

“Hehe. Are you worried about me?”

“Of course.”

“That makes me happy.”

Sowol stood up from her seat and sat beside me.

Then she gently rested her head on my shoulder.

She must be really tired.

Seeing her do something she usually wouldn’t.

“Are you sleepy?”

“Yes…”

“Then go ahead and sleep.”

“But it’s time with you, Master… Haaah. I just want to stay awake a little longer…”

Sowol, clutching my hand tightly, rubbed her face against my shoulder.

How hard must it be for her to act like this?

I tightened my grip and gently woke her up.

“Um… are you leaving already?”

“No. I’m just going to the bench.”

I took Sowol to a nearby bench.

Sitting on the long seat, I took off my coat.

“I’ll let you use my lap as a pillow, so sleep a bit.”

“…Hehe. You’re too charming to refuse.”

Only then did Sowol lie down on the bench.

As I draped my coat over her body, resting her head on my thigh, she pulled it close like a blanket and rubbed her face against me.

“Mmm… Master’s scent…”

“…Huh? Do I smell?”

“It’s a nice fragrance… it calms my heart, makes me feel at ease. It’s comforting… There was a time like this before, wasn’t there…?”

She was referring to the time when I trained the young Sowol.

After a long training session, when Sowol was tired, she had once rested her head on my thigh.

Since that first time, perhaps she liked it, as she would lean on me every time we took a break.

Just like back then, I gently stroked Sowol’s pink hair.

She seemed to feel good, her eyebrows twitching slightly.

“I wish we could stay like this forever.”

“That’s not possible.”

“…That’s unfair.”

“Adults are inherently unfair.”

“But I’m an adult too.”

“What does a kid with barely any blood in her head know?”

I playfully pinched her nose.

She flinched, puffing out her cheeks, but it was only for a moment.

Her breathing became steady. It seemed she had already fallen asleep.

I cast a spell around her to ensure she could sleep more comfortably, muffling any noise.

“Sweet dreams.”

Sowol woke up a few hours later.

Stretching but still not moving away from my legs, she only got up after I pinched her cheek.

“I slept really well.”

“You look like it. I don’t know what kind of research you’re doing, but take care of your health.”

“Hehe. Got it. But Master, didn’t you go to the Longbake Mountain Resort?”

“I came to check on you since you weren’t coming.”

“Then you’re saying you’ll visit the others too?”

“I plan to.”

“…That’s really unfair.”

“Even if it’s unfair, it can’t be helped.”

Pouting, Sowol hugged me tightly.

I patted her gently and led her toward the church.

Holding my hand, she looked up at me as we reached the church.

I wondered if she had something to say, but she remained silent.

“Why?”

“…Just because. Well, see you after the break.”

“Okay. Go on in.”

It was only when Sowol turned back to look at me several times that I finally headed elsewhere.

The next place I went was the Ivory Tower.

How long had it been since I called for Lena? I saw her rush out in a flurry.

“U, M, Master…!”

Her silver hair was damp, as if she had just come out of the shower.

With a wide grin, she ran and threw herself into my arms.

“Look at that! They’re hugging!”

“Rena, are you washing up and hugging the uncle? I could smell vinegar on you.”

Did she follow them out?

From noble mtl dot com

Yuria and Kanon spoke to Rena, who was nestled in my embrace.

I lightly greeted them and patted Rena, asking, “Vinegar smell?”

“Th, th, th, th, that.”

Ah. She’s malfunctioning.

I caught a whiff of the nervous girl, who was trembling with tension.

All I could smell was a floral scent; there was no trace of vinegar.

“Uncle! She hasn’t washed in ten days!”

“I could smell oil from her hair. Looks like she washed up because you were coming.”

“Q, quiet down!!”

Rena, who had cast a spell on the teasing duo, glared at me with tearful eyes.

“N, no. I, I washed well and all…”

“Right. Right.”

If I tease her any further, she might cry.

I deliberately ignored the two who had fallen over from the spell and took Rena to a nearby shop.

Perhaps because it was a café frequently visited by wizards, there were quite a few of them around.

It seemed that more people recognized Rena than me, as they greeted her deeply the moment she walked in.

“Haha. Impressive.”

“U, M, I’m not as good as you, Master… W, what would you like to eat? I’ll buy you anything.”

“It feels a bit wrong to be treated by my disciple.”

“D, don’t just see me as your disciple, please eat…”

“A disciple is a disciple.”

I bought snacks and coffee for the disappointed Rena.

Carrying them, she naturally sat down next to me.

There were seats across from us, but I wondered if it was necessary for her to sit so close.

“T, this seat next to you is m, my spot…”

“Who says that?”

“I, I do!”

Oh. How bold.

I smiled and nodded at Rena, who proudly declared it. I didn’t know what the others would say if they heard, but since I was here to comfort her, it was better to acknowledge this much.

“How have you been lately?”

“It’s n, not easy… There are still many parts of the Mage Empire’s techniques that are u, uncovered…”

“But you’ll manage just fine.”

“Y, yes. I will, for sure…”

“Then why are you working so hard?”

“…It’s a secret.”

Rena brought her finger to her lips, looked up at me, and tightly hugged my arm.

“…I wish I didn’t have to write about what I’ve researched…”

“Really?”

“…I guess I have no choice.”

In Rena’s eyes, which gazed up at me softly, there was a clear determination.