Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins - Chapter 140

“I wanted to go on an outing. Achoo!”

A sneeze echoed through Schwerin Station.

Ellie’s small sneeze. The reason I feel guilty about this trivial thing is because I’m the one who promised the outing.

Susan, who had put down her suitcase on the platform, gently stroked Ellie’s golden hair.

“It can’t be helped. The weather suddenly turned cold because of the snow.”

“But there’s nothing more fun than a snowy day.”

“It would be terrible if you caught a cold while traveling, Ellie. It’s disappointing, but let’s look forward to next time.”

Susan tried gently persuading Ellie while she sniffled.

It was clear whose opinion was more reasonable. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

“Sniff. Okay.”

Ellie, who received a handkerchief from Susan and wiped her nose, nodded silently.

Indeed, it’s a cold that could break even a tomboy’s stubbornness.

The first snow that fell last night.

I wanted to check if the fields blanketed in pure white were suitable for an outing, but before I could confirm that, the cold and wind hit me first.

It’s a cold that makes one hesitant to even go out, let alone take an outing.

The winter weather in Berleu was incomparable to that of Frauzen.

As a result, we had to decide to return to Frauzen earlier than planned, and now, we all knew it was a wise decision.

The wind is so sharp that even now, gusts are flowing into the platform along the tracks.

I tightened the front of my coat to block the wind that kept rushing into my clothes.

Meanwhile, Benjamin, Professor Müller, Lena, Susan, and Sally were all trying to maximize their cold protection with their early winter outfits.

Julia gently crouched down in front of the sulking Ellie.

“Don’t be too disheartened. We’ll invite you to our garden soon.”

“…You mean the wedding?”

“Yes. Can you look forward to that?”

Julia’s head turned slightly towards me.

More precisely, towards where Lena and I were standing side by side in similar postures – blocking the cold.

As she smiled with her eyes, her amber eyes curved gently.

“People suffering from hangovers shouldn’t carelessly expose themselves to cold air. The wedding will be small, so we’ll be able to play together as much as we want, but if Eugene gets sick, it might be postponed. In that case, I’ll have to greet the new year alone again. Sniff.“

“Hmm. So you’re saying it’s brother and sister’s fault?”

“Oh my. Could you be a genius?”

“Hehe.”

Lena, who had been quietly listening to this ridiculous skit, laughed bitterly.

“You two get along so well.”

“Indeed.”

I, who had suddenly become someone suffering from a hangover, agreed.

I could understand Julia, but I didn’t expect even Ellie to catch on during the conversation and tease me. To think she would use her sixteen-year-old intelligence in this way.

Fortunately, luck seems to be on my side today.

In the distance, a train was rushing towards the platform, cutting through the falling snow.

“Let’s start getting ready.”

When there are about eight people traveling, even preparation for departure takes quite some time.

Until the train stopped at the platform, I handed out tickets to each person, checking the number of people and luggage. 

Julia, Lena, Susan, Professor Müller, Ellie and Sally…

…and Benjamin, who was sitting quietly on a nearby bench, smiling.

I smiled back at him and said:

“Shall we get up? Would you like me to offer you a hand?”

“Don’t treat me like an old man, Eugene. You might not know this, but surprisingly, people live longer with bent backs than with straight ones.”

“…I don’t think that’s quite right.”

A smile returned instead of an answer. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Benjamin slightly raised the corners of his mouth, then got up from the bench and received his ticket from me.

“Back to Frauzen, huh.”

“Huh? Yes.”

I quietly observed Benjamin’s expression.

It was peculiar.

Although words like past and future exist, people live in the present. They cry and laugh at what’s in front of them.

But now.

Benjamin’s eyes were immersed in nostalgia.

#December 13th. Clear.

<The first-class seats are all full, you say?>

That was already four hours ago.

I should feel surprised that I, who once had to perform tricks at the station because I didn’t have enough money for a third-class ticket, am now saying such things, or I should feel troubled about having to seat Julia and Professor Müller in third class. It means that my confusion about this was also four hours ago.

I muttered against the background of the rattling train noise.

“At least it’s a train bound for Frauzen.”

In the end, things worked out well.

It’s a crowded third-class car.

The narrow train compartment, which usually gets involved in petty disputes, was more peaceful than ever today.

It’s natural. If there’s a six-foot-eight figure sitting motionless in the corner of your view, anyone would be careful with their words and actions.

Another concern was Lena and Julia. The two were sound asleep, leaning on each other.

Julia, in particular, looked more comfortable than when she was in first class with me.

It must be more comfortable leaning on Lena, who is of similar height, than leaning on me.

I feel a bit resentful, but I can’t help but smile as I watch them.

Anyway.

I quietly looked at the scenery outside the window.

It’s a mistake to think that enjoying the scenery in the silence of a train where everyone is asleep will be enjoyable forever.

Unfortunately, the dynamic feeling of the rapidly passing outside scenery ends in just one day.

To make matters worse, because it was snowing, the scenery in view felt even more monotonous.

Well, if there’s nothing to see outside, I might as well look inward.

I had something to think about anyway.

<They say those who achieve their dreams often feel empty. Is it true for you?>

“……”

I fell into deep contemplation without hesitation.

Lena’s words from yesterday at the banquet hall keep echoing in my mind.

Not only that. An elderly gentleman’s question about where I would go next also comes to mind.

I thought, resting my chin on my hand.

Why is my heart so calm? [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Why can’t I come up with an answer to the question of where to go next?

The Federation has officially recognized me as an outstanding magic scholar.

I’ve achieved all the learning and research I dreamed of under the bridge.

As Lena said, I’ve achieved my dream. 

Then I should feel satisfied, or look for the next dream to achieve?

At least emptiness should come.

Why am I so peaceful?

My brow furrowed involuntarily. I learned painfully at the Nocturne Club that getting too deep into philosophical questions leads nowhere.

I never thought I’d be doing career contemplation like this, which I couldn’t do in my youth.

It seemed better to think logically.

When one achieves their dream, either satisfaction or emptiness should come.

But all that came to me was peacefulness.

Therefore, the fact that neither satisfaction nor emptiness came means—

“—That I haven’t achieved my dream yet?”

“Yawn. Aren’t you tired, Eugene?”

I was startled.

Was it because Benjamin in the next seat suddenly stretched? The logic I had built up until just now crumbled like a sand castle dried in the wind.

I replied, trying to appear calm.

“Were you awake?”

“I dozed off for a bit, but the train should shake just right. I must be getting old if my sleep is this light. I guess I can’t complain about being treated like an old man at this rate.”

“……”

“Why that expression? Were you lost in strange thoughts again?”

“You’re quite perceptive.”

“Hehehe.”

Benjamin laughed out loud.

“Dreams, huh.”

“…So you were awake after all.”

“There’s nothing more interesting than secretly observing someone lost in melancholy. Anyway, I didn’t know you were still worrying about such things.”

“Why did you think that?”

“Let’s see. It’s been six years since you crossed over to the Federation.”

“Yes.”

“And it’s been nine years since we met. Even you yourself must think you’ve seen and experienced a lot.”

“That’s true. I suppose so.”

To think I’d win such an award right before my wedding.

It’s something the me from long ago couldn’t even have imagined.

Benjamin nodded.

“You’re an excellent magic scholar, Eugene. I thought I could rest easy now, thinking you no longer needed the teachings of a quack professor.”

“……”

“But seeing you talk about not achieving your dream and whatnot, there’s one thing I have to ask.”

“What is it?”

“What is magic?”

Benjamin looks at me.

I look at him too.

At my wrinkled, hunched teacher and father. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

The rattling third-class car. The creaking of wooden seats forms a duet with passengers’ snoring, and in one corner of my view, Julia yawns quietly and falls back asleep.

In the midst of this, I opened my eyes wide.

The calmest realization washed over me.

<What is magic? All the mature magic scholars I know have their own answer to that question.>

Words I had given to Julia, of all people.

They had come back to me after five years.

I was completely unprepared for this question.

Sure enough, a mess of an answer flowed out.

“Family. Or, the past nine years or so.”

“Well, well. Why not throw in tonight’s dinner while you’re at it?”

“Pfft.”

Laughter flowed out involuntarily.

Where should I go next, you ask? It’s natural not to know.

I haven’t even matured as a magic scholar yet.

I confessed honestly.

“I’m not sure yet. I think I’ll need to think about it for a while.”

“Take your time thinking. But don’t drag it out too long. If I get praised somewhere as the teacher of a Russell Award winner, I might not be able to breathe from embarrassment.”

“Hahaha.”

Despite his gruff response, Benjamin was smiling broadly.

I was about to say something but closed my mouth again.

Something appeared at the edge of my vision.

Frauzen.

The mecca of magic studies and my second hometown.

“Benjamin.”

“Mm.”

I don’t know what my answer is yet, even to myself.

So, for now, I just need to return.

To find the answer someday, to the place where it’s buried.

To my magic.

I smiled.

“We’ll be arriving soon. Let’s wake up the sleeping people. They might slip on the snowy road if they’re half-asleep.”

“Hehehe. The sleeping people might be more worried about you slipping. Have you ever walked on an icy road with that leg?”

“…I’ll have to try. Just like I’ve done until now.”

The ashen boy returned to the village.

Seeing this, the villagers heaved a deep sigh.

The boy was empty-handed.

They thought he might return pulling a ship full of treasures since he said he would cross the sea no matter what, but they never expected he wouldn’t even bring back a single gold coin.

The villagers turned away from the boy who proclaimed he had returned to set off on a new adventure. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

He was just like those braggarts who prattle on about true treasure being dreams, tears, and connections, not mere gold.

The villagers knew well that these were the very people who raged the most when faced with an empty treasure chest.

Therefore, no one was interested in the boy’s adventure story.

Except for one person, the eccentric old man who smiled and asked how the adventure was.

It was none other than the eccentric old man who had encouraged the boy to go on an adventure in the first place.

How was the adventure? It would be fortunate if he didn’t resent him for wasting his time because of him.

When everyone expected harsh words to spill from his mouth…

The boy, staring intently at the old man, answered with a bright smile.

It was truly a magical adventure, he said.

T/N

Hello!  Axiomatic here.

That concludes the main story of Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins. I’ll save my yapping for when the author does his afterword, so, for now, thanks for reading the main story, and see you in the epilogue chapters!