Chapter 234 - 3−38
The answer likely lay within me. However, even if the maiden with the power to go back in time was a Dark Saint, the next problem was the "healing magic stone she creates." I had no idea what that referred to.
Clutching my notebook, I went for a walk in the Garden with Kuro and Rose. We came to a Gazebo that sat quietly like a hidden retreat. It had white pillars with vine patterns and a light green pointed roof, with a small table and two chairs inside.
On the table lay my open notebook and several magic stones Lute-sama had provided.
"Magic stone... magic stone."
I leaned my elbows on the table, staring at the box of colorful, sparkling magic stones.
"Kyu?"
As I groaned, Rose peered into the box curiously.
"This country has magic stones, but maybe they aren't compatible with my mana."
About half the stones in the box were shattered. When I took the text literally, the simplest interpretation was to infuse my mana into a magic stone. But whenever I tried, the stones would sparkle for a moment before shattering.
I took a dark blue magic stone from the box and held it up to the sun. The stone sparkled in the light, and I could feel a great energy from it.
It looks like a normal magic stone, so what's the difference?
If I kept trying to infuse dark mana the same way, I would only end up with more broken stones. I sighed and slumped onto my notebook. I knew it was unladylike, but I told myself it was fine since no one was watching. Just then, a shadow fell over me. I turned my head and saw someone standing there.
"Excuse me."
"Eh, Theodore-sama? Why are you here?"
I scrambled up, and Theodore-sama looked at Kuro in his arms with a troubled frown.
"This cat came to me again."
"Nya!"
Kuro looked very pleased, rubbing his face against Theodore-sama's chest.
"Kuro. Come here."
Kuro glanced at my outstretched hand, then turned away and let out a sweet "Myaa" to Theodore-sama.
"Hey, you're bothering Theodore-sama."
I pulled Kuro out of Theodore-sama's arms, and he resisted by pushing against my face and neck with his paws. I muttered a small "Honestly" and set him on the ground. Rose immediately flew toward him with sparkling eyes. Kuro dashed away from the Gazebo to escape her, and Rose gave chase. I watched their usual game of tag with a wry smile until they were out of sight.
"What is this?"
I turned back to see Theodore-sama peering into the box of magic stones.
"Ah... that. I was... trying to put my dark mana into the magic stones. But I keep failing..."
"Why would you do that?"
Theodore-sama frowned suspiciously, and I looked around, unsure of what to say.
"...Is it for me?"
I bit my lip as those ruby eyes stared at me. Theodore-sama put a hand to his forehead and shook his head.
"I told you. I do not wish for that."
"...I know."
He told me every time we met. That there was no need to restore his memories. That I should stop wasting my time. I had expected him to say it again.
Still, it hurts to be rejected every single time.
I looked down with a self-deprecating smile. Then, I heard him let out a long breath. I looked up to see Theodore-sama watching me with a softer expression than usual, his brow lowered.
"And yet, you will continue no matter how many times I tell you to stop, won't you?"
"...Yes."
"Good grief... You truly are a stubborn person."
Theodore-sama crossed his arms and looked at me with an exasperated expression. It was the exact look he used to give me, and I widened my eyes in surprise.
"Lend me that."
"Eh?"
I had been staring, so I hurriedly looked where he was pointing.
"The notebook on the table. The one with 'mana' and 'magic stone' written in it..."
"This? Here. Ah, but... it's just my notes from the book, and it's not very well organized, so it might be hard to read..."
I tried to explain as I handed him the notebook, but Theodore-sama was already scanning the text, seemingly not hearing a word I said. He held the notebook in one hand, occasionally muttering a word that caught his eye. I stole a glance at his profile. Even without his memories, his core remained the same, which made me happy. Theodore-sama stopped on one particular part.
"...The magic stone she creates."
He seemed to be stuck on the same part I was.
"I think the power of that magic stone might be the key to undoing the technique placed on you, Theodore-sama."
Theodore-sama looked up from the notebook.
"...But I haven't been able to figure out what it means to 'create' a magic stone."
"Create, is it? I see. ...So that's why there are shattered magic stones on the table."
Theodore-sama looked at the powdered stones and nodded once.
"Why did you think to put mana into a magic stone in the first place?"
"Eh, because... putting mana into a magic stone is..."
A common thing. I started to say it but stopped.
Now that he mentions it, why did I assume that putting mana into a magic stone was the right way? I thought the problem was the compatibility of the stone, never doubting the method itself.
"Is it possible the fundamental approach is wrong?"
I tilted my head as I muttered. If so, was there another way to create a magic stone? Beside me, Theodore-sama's eyes widened slightly as if he had realized something.
"...Does it mean to manifest mana?"
Theodore-sama quickly drew a magic circle in the air with his finger and touched the center with his index finger. The magic circle emitted a golden light, which slowly condensed at the tip of his finger. In that moment, Theodore-sama opened his palm to catch the light.
"Eh, this is!"
In Theodore-sama's palm sat a golden, shimmering magic stone about the size of a pinky finger.
"How... how did you make this appear?"
I stared at his hand in disbelief. Theodore-sama held the stone out to me and smirked playfully.
"It's not that difficult. You just concentrate your internal mana to its maximum at a single point instantaneously. At that moment, you visualize it. ...A beautiful, sparkling crystal like a gemstone."
"...Visualize? What was that magic circle?"
"That was to help concentrate the mana. I expect you could do it without the circle once you get used to it."
No, I really don't think so.
"Could you teach me that magic circle?"
"Ah? Sure, can I write it in this notebook?"
I hurriedly grabbed the pen from the table and handed it to him. Theodore-sama drew it effortlessly.
"Where did you learn this magic circle? You only have that basic textbook, don't you?"
"Where? It's not that complicated. If you combine that textbook with the magic you told me about, the magic circle just... comes to mind, doesn't it?"
Theodore-sama tilted his head, and I clenched my fists and shook my head vigorously.
"It does not!"
Theodore-sama looked genuinely puzzled by my denial and muttered, "...Really?" while rubbing his chin.
Louis-sama, even without his memories, Theodore-sama is still Theodore-sama.
I appealed to Louis-sama in my heart. If he were here, he would surely shrug and laugh, saying, "Don't let him get to you." Just a month ago, that was a common sight. Theodore-sama would do something outrageous, Louis-sama would be exasperated, and I would watch them and laugh. That comfortable place felt so distant now. But that precious place must still exist within me, within Louis-sama, and within Theodore-sama.
My chest felt tight with emotion, and I blinked away tears as I tried to copy the magic circle Theodore-sama had drawn. I concentrated my mana at a single point on my index finger. When the magic circle glowed, my heart swelled with hope. If this worked, Theodore-sama's memories might return. But the magic circle fueled by my mana simply vanished into the air.
"...Nothing happened."
My palm was empty. Theodore-sama added something to the notebook as I slumped in disappointment.
"The circuit likely hasn't formed yet. It shouldn't be difficult once you become aware of the flow of mana and raise it to its maximum in an instant."
He drew arrows showing mana flowing through the body to the index finger, a diagram of mana being trapped through the magic circle, and a circle representing the resulting magic stone. His handwriting was clean and beautiful, despite how quickly he wrote. His tone and attitude had changed, but the fact that he was Theodore-sama remained. The path to creating a magic stone still felt far away, but the despair I felt when I first met the memory-wiped Theodore-sama was gone. In the near future, I would surely bring him back. And I would definitely return to Louis-sama.
I thought of Louis-sama under the same blue sky and felt a surge of determination. Theodore-sama stopped writing and muttered, "You have a very bright expression."
It was true that I had been looking gloomy every time I saw him, focusing only on his lost memories. And I had just failed to create a magic stone.
"That is better."
"Eh?"
"When you look down, shadows cast over your face. If you look up at the sky, the light will always illuminate you. Even if your heart is heavy, looking up brings a spark of light. ...The face is the mirror of the soul. So if you stay bright, your heavy heart... will surely find light."
I remembered Theodore-sama's words from before.
"Gaining or losing something special is beyond our control. So, let's just live with a smile."
If you look at the sky when you're feeling down, you'll eventually be able to smile from the bottom of your heart. Theodore-sama's kindness and his attempt to encourage me made my heart feel warm.
"Thank you. ...You really are kind, Theodore-sama."
"I told you, my name is... no, I..."
Theodore-sama started to correct me but stopped himself.
"Um, could you continue to speak casually? I'm not used to you being so formal, Theodore-sama."
"But..."
"You must have realized it yourself, but you aren't just any magician. You are the strongest magician, essential to the Kingdom of Dutoit. ...And you are my magic teacher."
Theodore-sama went quiet and looked away awkwardly, appearing troubled.
"So..."
As I continued to press him, Theodore-sama said, "...Truly a handful," in a tone that sounded amused despite the blunt words. He squinted as if the light were too bright.
"Even if I say no, you'll just keep saying it until I agree, won't you? That would be more of a hassle."
"Then!"
"...Only when it's just the two of us."
"Of course, that is fine."
My face lit up, and Theodore-sama smirked as he ran a hand through his hair. A soft breeze brought the sweet, refreshing scent of flowers. In the warm weather, I could hear Kuro and Rose playing in the distance. In that moment, I was filled with a baseless confidence that everything would work out. I believed without a doubt that the path ahead was shining brightly.