I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

29 – Dance

For a few days, I had to stay at Delphius’s mansion.

Why? Because even just moving my body made me feel like my limbs would be torn off. Occasionally, I would spit blood, and I had to endure the agony of inexplicable headaches, even though I seemed fine.

Of course, I felt fortunate to be alive even after such an ordeal, but that didn’t mean everything was okay.

And when I went through such a state, Vanessa would rush from somewhere and grab my hand.

Of course, I wanted to tell her to go away with just my feelings, but my body, strangely aching, couldn’t resist the warmth spreading from her hands.

In the short time that was only a few days, it became natural for her to approach me.

My heart didn’t push her away anymore. I simply listened to her approaching words, replied, and heard her responses.

Spending time like that, my body slowly but surely began to recover. Although dark magic was densely accumulated throughout my body, making it sluggish, it gradually dispersed, and the frequency of spitting blood decreased.

Finally, after obtaining the priest’s permission to stroll around the garden, I was ecstatic.

Oh, of course, I couldn’t actually run. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t.

Basking in the sunlight, which I could only describe as seeing it after a long time, I walked slowly with an ordinary cane instead of a magic staff.

Beside me, Vanessa Delphius was sticking close.

“It’s winter, aren’t you cold?”

I raised my head and said.

“I’m fine. What kind of sorcerer would fuss about the cold?”

Vanessa, hearing my words, vehemently denied them.

“Because you’re still an unwell patient! You haven’t fully recovered yet. What if something goes wrong while you’re out in the cold breeze?”

“I’m an adult, and I take responsibility for my actions.”

Hearing my words, Vanessa snorted and said, “Hmph.”

“I’m responsible for myself? What responsibility is there in suffering from pain? That’s just being foolish. Up north, they blindly follow the words of priests and doctors. The environment is already dangerous, so not listening to those who provide care would be a huge problem.”

“I’m not from the north.”

“Even if you’re not from the north, this place is still part of the north! Sure, it might be the safest in the north, but it’s different from the southern empire.”

I sighed upon hearing that.

“…I understand. If I keep saying this from the sidelines, I can’t just keep wandering outside.”

When Vanessa looked at me, I spoke while gazing back at her.

“So, I should at least take a look around the mansion.”

With a bright face, Vanessa nodded.

“That’s perfectly fine. I’ll be your guide!”

She seemed so energetic; would that enthusiasm remain when wearing a mask? Suddenly, the thought struck me as I looked at Vanessa.

Beautiful.

The snow-white hair, the blue eyes, but most of all, that confidence and the brilliance of youthful exuberance were the most beautiful.

They probably never experienced failure in life.

They must have always been ahead of everyone through relentless effort from a young age, earning respect as the unique heir of the north.

That beauty was the radiance unique to such an individual.

The power to move many hearts, the strength to evoke groundless kindness and the desire to help.

I, in my current state, no matter how much I strive, can’t retrieve that light.

I’ve already faced the cold reality once.

The dream world I believed would last forever could so easily crumble with just one touch from the cold reality.

The moment you experience failure even once. The moment you learn pain. That brilliance fades in an instant.

It’s akin to how infants are held in high regard.

Adults, having experienced reality, pain, and failure, hold a radiance unattainable by them, hence why children are so celebrated.

And very few rare individuals manage to preserve that light throughout their growth.

Vanessa is one, and I was one in the past.

I’ve already lost my confidence after hitting the wall of reality, but perhaps it’s precisely because of that that I find pleasure in overlapping my past with Vanessa.

Suddenly, I spoke.

“It looks good.”

Vanessa looked at me with round, wide eyes, as if wondering what I meant.

Looking at her, I smiled and said, “I didn’t know when you were wearing a mask, but now that you’ve taken it off, you look lively and nice.”

Upon hearing my words, Vanessa blushed and said, “Oh, I was too excited… I’m sorry. I couldn’t control myself. I’m usually not like this.”

I patted her on the shoulder in response to her words.

“No, it’s okay. Being cheerful at your age is the best. It’s fine.”

Vanessa grinned and tilted her head.

“Isn’t there a considerable age difference between a wizard and me?”

I turned twenty this year, and she turns sixteen. It’s not a huge age difference, around five years.

However, rather than talking about that, I wanted to say that age isn’t important; it’s the radiance that matters. But before I could say that, I stopped and gently stroked her head.

“Five years is a big difference, you know? You might not know it now, but you’ll realize it after going to the academy.”

Vanessa didn’t seem to like my comment, and she pursed her lips.

“Don’t treat me like a child. I’m at the age to be treated as a lady, you know?”

Certainly, in the central social circles, they probably gave this young girl the name of a lady. But I didn’t.

“Talk to me after becoming an adult. I know you want to become an adult quickly, but becoming an adult is not just about fighting.”

At my words, Vanessa made a scoffing sound.

“It’s not that I want to become an adult quickly; it’s just that I’m already halfway there. I probably have more experience in monster hunting than you.”

Certainly, that would be true. Vanessa must have had more experience with blood on her hands than I did, especially in the north, where savages and monsters abound.

However, I just smiled.

“If you want to be called a lady, wait until after you become an adult. It’s not about fighting; it’s about meeting people.”

Vanessa muttered in a sulky tone, “I don’t want to become an adult quickly. I’m already halfway there. It’s not about wanting to be an adult; it’s just that I’m already halfway there. I probably have more experience in monster hunting than you.”

“There aren’t many people in the north, you know.”

“Well, the Academy has a massive population. Plus, if you debut in the imperial social circles, you’ll attract a lot of attention.”

She looked at me and asked, “People will gather around me? Really?”

“Of course. Vanessa, being beautiful, will undoubtedly be popular.”

Vanessa looked at me with hopeful eyes and said, “Have you participated in the central social circles, Mr. Wizard?”

At those words, I recalled the past.

“Yes, a lot…”

Countless people had praised me. Many had followed me. And… there had been someone walking by my side.

Though now, they were gone.

“… A lot. I’ve participated a lot.”

“Wow…”

Vanessa exclaimed, her mouth wide open.

“I envy you. I’ve been in many fights, but I haven’t had the chance to meet many people. Of course, most of the people I’ve met were good, though.”

I glanced at the girl’s hand. A hand with firm, calloused skin – evidence of numerous battles and training.

“… If you go to the Academy, you’ll meet even more good people.”

Upon hearing my words, Vanessa blushed and smiled.

“Listening to you, Mr. Wizard, you sound like a noble. Will you really not tell me your real name?”

Upon hearing that, I fell into thought.

…As expected, I didn’t want to reveal it. My name itself represented the trajectory of my life and the hardships I’ve faced. I didn’t want to expose such things to this bright girl.

“I’m sorry. It’s difficult for me to reveal my name.”

Of course, if she comes to the Academy, she’ll eventually learn my name. She’ll find out who I am, what I’ve done, and how I’ve lived.

…However, I just wanted to delay that moment a little.

Instead, in a secluded room with no one around, I spoke while watching her.

“I’m sorry for not being able to fulfill your request. Instead… would you like me to teach you a dance popular in social circles? If you want to meet a lot of people, learning to dance is essential.”

Vanessa, after hearing my words, opened her eyes wide and said, “Sure!”

Then, she immediately assessed my mood. “But, are you okay with dancing? Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

Of course, my current physical condition wasn’t great. Just walking caused exhaustion throughout my entire body.

However, I couldn’t resist the light emanating from the girl, so I raised my head and smiled. “It’s fine if it’s a gentle dance.”

Upon hearing that, Vanessa joyfully took my hand. I held her hand, and we stepped lightly.

One step. Another step. Moonlight danced on her pure white hair, casting a brilliant glow.

I smiled, hand in hand with the girl, her smile echoing mine.