Warding Magic
### Chapter 12: Warding Magic
I've turned seven now.
Norn and Aisha are growing up well, but they cry at the drop of a hat—they cry when they wet the bed, they cry when they poop, they cry when they're hungry, they cry when they are bored, and they cry even more when there's no reason.
Whether it is during the day or night, they cry ceaselessly.
Our house became chaotic.
As someone who's never experienced this firsthand, it's a bit overwhelming, to be honest.
But Lilia seems to be full of energy.
"Indeed, this is what raising children should feel like! With Rudeus, it had been too easy, not truly experiencing the challenges of parenting!"
Yeah, she's got a point.
I never cried as a child, so Paul and Zenith hardly got the full experience of taking care of a baby.
It's like I grew up without even realizing it.
Looking back, I should've given them some training.
...
One afternoon, while practicing swordsmanship, Paul mentioned something about school, but it was just in passing.
Kids my age are just starting to learn to read, write, and do math.
But I've already mastered those skills through self-study, so Paul thinks I don't need to go.
But school isn't just about knowledge; it's about social skills and building connections.
Without those, I might end up like Eris, you know?
Speaking of Eris...
It's about time to address that, too...
...
Sylphie has been coming to our house more often.
She's interested in watching me practice swordsmanship in the morning and studying magic together in the afternoon.
Speaking of which...
I've never been particularly skilled in swordsmanship, so what's so interesting about watching me?
Maybe only Sylphie finds it fascinating.
Sylphie has become quite dependent on me.
Even though I know I'll be leaving soon, I can't help but get closer to her.
And then...
Not long after, I received a letter from Roxy.
By this time, she had already moved to the capital of the Shirone Kingdom, and, thanks to her reputation as an adventurer, was hired as the tutor for the Prince's home school.
Yeah...
I know about that prince.
He's a bit of a pervert.
But although he's always making advances towards Roxy, he's not a bad person at heart.
I believe one thing: those who believe in and admire Roxy are good people.
The letter mentioned that Roxy had become a Water King-ranked mage.
As for me...
Yeah.
In these past few years, I haven't made any progress aside from increasing my overall magical power.
There's simply no room for improvement.
I've mastered Gravity Magic, Lightning Magic... everything I could possibly learn, I did so to perfection in my previous life.
Magic is different from swordsmanship; once you learn it, you know it. As long as the memories remain, and there's magic power, I can use it.
There's nothing left for me to learn at the Magic University.
Well...
Maybe there is.
In the Magic University, what's important isn't knowledge, but connections.
Nanohoshi.
Zanoba.
Cliff.
I need their help.
Although I know how to make Magic Armor, with Cliff's assistance, I could improve it even further.
Nanohoshi is the key to my research on Summoning Magic and finding the Dragon God.
As for Zanoba, he's indispensable in the process of making Magic Armor.
And...
They're all my closest friends.
When the time is right, I'll go to the Magic University to find them, but it's not the right time yet.
Even so...
To stick to the original plan, I brought up the topic at the dinner table.
"I want to enter the Ranoa Magic University."
"...Oh."
Everyone was a bit surprised to hear me say that.
But here's the kicker.
"If Sylphie finds out, she'll definitely be reluctant to let me go."
"Oh, Rudeus! You're quite like me!"
Paul was smug.
Well...
Isn't he being a bit too cocky?
But whatever, it doesn't matter.
Long story short, after a long discussion, I got the same answer as in my previous life.
Paul will introduce me to a job to earn enough money for Sylphie and me to go to the Magic University together.
Lilia and Zenith were a bit uneasy.
But I already know what job it will be.
Eris.
I'm coming for you.
I'll repay what I owed you in my past life in full this time.
But before leaving, there's one more important thing to do.
Zenith.
During the Metastasis Event when I was ten, Zenith was unfortunately transferred deep into the Teleportation Labyrinth and became... not a Divine Child (Miko), but rather a Cursed Child.
She lost her memory and only retained her consciousness in her own world.
I won't stand by and let this happen.
One afternoon, while Zenith was having tea, her cup somehow broke.
Not paying attention, she accidentally cut her finger.
"Ah, I was so careless..."
Zenith was a bit frustrated, wondering where her agility from her days as an adventurer had gone.
Lilia quickly came over to help clean up the broken cup.
Looking at the wound, Zenith decided to cast healing magic to treat herself.
But before she could...
I stepped forward.
"Mother, let me do it. I'm quite proficient in healing magic now."
"Well, then, Rudeus, please."
Zenith smiled, enjoying the warmth of being cared for by her son.
"May the holy power turn into nourishing food, bestowing strength upon the powerless once again."
I chanted and released healing magic, healing Zenith's wound.
At the same time...
With my other hand, I quickly cast another spell using chantless magic.
It was a magic called 'Warding Magic' which I had researched in my past life to compensate for my regrets.
It adds a protective layer to memories and souls.
It can effectively prevent any force from eroding them.
But because this magic can only provide preventive measures, I used to think it was useless.
But now...
This magic came in handy.
"It's all healed now, Mother."
"Thank you, Rudeus."
Zenith smiled and touched my head.
And I smiled back happily.
Mother.
Please wait patiently.
This time, I'll successfully reunite our family.