Chapter 8 : Childhood (8)

When a hawk gets old, its wings become heavy, and its beak and claws bend so much that it can no longer hunt.

At that point, the hawk has two choices.

Either starve to death or pluck out its beak and feathers to replace them with new ones, even at the risk of death.

This story, which reeks of self-improvement, was, as you might have guessed from its exaggerated tone, a complete lie.

Hawks do not pluck out their beaks and feathers. 

If a hawk’s beak, which is densely packed with blood vessels and nerves, were broken, it would suffer excruciating pain and die.

Besides, believing that merely plucking out one’s beak and feathers would allow one to escape death was an act of mocking death itself.

Time was not fair to everyone, but death was.

Everyone faced the end.

Children, young people, and the elderly.

Even wizards.

Drip. 

I poured water into a cup and headed to the bedroom.

As soon as I opened the door, a strong hospital-like smell filled the air.

Even though there was no medicine being used, the scent lingered.

“I’ll ventilate the room.”

I opened the window, letting fresh, clean air fill the space.

Cough.

“I’ll close it.”

“No. 

It’s fine. 

Leave it open.”

Kelton spoke weakly and closed his eyes.

I glanced at the bedside table.

The food was untouched.

Earlier, when I had tried to feed him, he said he would eat by himself, so I left it. 

But, as expected, he hadn’t eaten anything.

“If you don’t eat, your body will deteriorate.”

“…….”

“I’ll bring you something fresh.”

“Ruina.”

“Yes.”

“Sit down.”

I withdrew my hand from the bowl and sat on the chair.

As I stared at him, Kelton spoke again, keeping his eyes closed.

“Let’s play a game of chess.”

“Are you sure you’re up for it?”

“A wizard’s mind never stops until his mana is completely depleted. 

Remember that.”

I brought out the Arcana chessboard and set it up as Kelton wished.

After placing all the pieces in their designated spots, I asked him,

“You won’t be playing directly, right?”

“I’ll call out my moves, and you will move the pieces for me.”

“I’ll move my Royal Knight’s pawn to d4.”

“Then I’ll move my Royal Knight’s pawn to d5.”

Tap, tap, tap. 

The sound of chess pieces being placed echoed through the room.

After some time, I picked up a knight and declared,

“I’ll evolve my knight into a Dragon Knight for ultimate evolution!”

“Checkmate.”

“I won!”

Using the game’s one-time ultimate evolution, I captured Kelton’s king.

It was the first time in seven years that this had happened.

“I won.”

“You’ve improved a lot.”

“I won for the first time in seven years!”

“Stop making such a fuss.”

Kelton chuckled softly and then whispered,

“Actually, even my master could never beat me at Arcana chess. 

Not once after I became skilled in it.”

“No wonder. 

I’ve never lost a board game anywhere else, yet I could never beat you. 

It always felt strange.”

Even an 8th-tier Grand Mage couldn’t defeat him, so perhaps Kelton was the strongest chess player in human history.

“Maybe you are the greatest and most powerful chess player of all time.”

“Perhaps.”

“Which means, since I beat you, I’m number one now.”

“You barely managed to beat an old man who’s on the brink of death, and you’re already getting cocky.”

“You were the one who said that a wizard’s mind stays sharp until his mana is gone. 

It was a fair fight.”

Kelton laughed again. 

I laughed with him.

Outside, the birds chirped beautifully in the spring air, and warm sunlight filled the room.

I reached out and held Kelton’s hand.

Then, I slowly asked,

“Kelton, is there anything you wish for?”

“Kelton, is there anything you wish for?”

A wish. 

Kelton understood exactly why Ruina was asking this.

For taking him in, for caring for him, and for teaching him magic all these years—she was offering to grant him a wish in return.

A price. 

That was a word Kelton had always liked.

He had lived his whole life believing that every action required an equivalent exchange.

That was why he never revealed to anyone that his master was Adelian Croft. 

A mere 3rd-tier wizard claiming to be his disciple would have only tarnished his master’s name.

He had grown so accustomed to that mindset that even with his own disciple, he rarely spoke of his master.

When his master had been ready to leave after imparting all the knowledge he could, Kelton had asked, “How could I ever repay this debt?”

His master had replied, 

“Just take in a disciple yourself, like I did. 

That will be enough.”

Back then, the idea of a mere 3rd-tier wizard taking in a disciple had seemed ridiculous, so he had given up on the thought.

But eventually, after reaching the 4th tier, he took in a student.

In the end, he had repaid his debt—though belatedly.

There was a saying that reaching the 4th tier was possible through sheer effort.

That saying was true, but also cruel.

It was true because Kelton had managed to reach the 4th tier.

It was cruel because, despite training every day, he had only barely achieved it after turning seventy.

Kelton disliked the word ‘effort.’ 

More precisely, he never considered himself to be making an effort.

Effort was about grinding one’s soul to the bone, and Kelton had never gone that far.

He had simply trained diligently whenever he could.

And even with just that, he had reached the 4th tier—perhaps the most forgiving tier for a wizard.

Kelton had reached the 4th tier. 

He had attained a level that wouldn’t bring shame to his master.

He had reached the 4th tier and raised a disciple. 

He had repaid the kindness his master had shown him, even if imperfectly.

Now, there were no more debts left for Kelton to pay.

Only debts that others owed him.

Kelton forced his weary eyes open and met Ruina’s gaze.

Her bright green eyes looked down at him.

A wish. 

A desire. 

A request.

Something he wanted Ruina to do.

He had lived his entire life paying back debts. 

He had lived for the purpose of repaying them.

Yet, despite all that, there was nothing he wanted from Ruina.

There was no need for a price to be paid.

At last, Kelton realized something.

Not all debts needed to be repaid.

There were some debts in this world that simply didn’t require compensation.

As the realization struck him, Kelton let out a low sigh internally.

Ah, I see.

I understand now.

But it’s too late.

A brief pang of regret struck him, but he quickly focused on what he could still do.

Kelton’s hand gently stroked the back of Ruina’s hand.

She blinked in surprise.

“Kelton?”

“…Ruina.”

“Yes.”

“This is a trade.”

Crackle. 

Mana surged violently.

He gathered the mana of his entire life, his lifelong resolve, and his lifelong understanding into a single spell.

A symbol was engraved on the back of Ruina’s hand.

A mark resembling a balance scale.

“I give this to you. 

In return, you must—”

Kelton spoke softly as he tenderly caressed Ruina’s face.

“For the love of everything, don’t ruin your beautiful face. 

A woman shouldn’t have scars, for heaven’s sake.”

“I’ve saved up a lot of money. 

If you donate it to the church, a high priest will completely heal your wounds. 

Get treated first. 

Don’t get sidetracked by anything else.”

“Don’t trade your lifespan for power. 

Take care of your body. 

Live a long and healthy life.”

“…Is that all?”

“Yes.”

“At this rate, the Unfair Trade Commission will come after me.”

“Didn’t I tell you? 

The price doesn’t always have to be a one-to-one exchange. 

Your memory is quite poor.”

Kelton let out a dry laugh.

Ruina fell silent, lost in thought for a moment before speaking again.

“That’s the money you saved up all your life. 

Isn’t it too much of a waste?”

“It’s my money. 

I’ll spend it however I want. 

You sure have a lot of opinions.”

Kelton had amassed his fortune simply by leading a frugal life. 

Since he never spent money, it naturally accumulated. 

He had never been particularly interested in wealth itself.

And more than anything, in his current state, he had no desire to cling desperately to his money.

“…Alright.”

“You sure listen well.”

“I’ve always been obedient.”

“At least try to sound convincing when you say that.”

This troublesome disciple always seemed obedient yet never truly was, constantly keeping people on edge.

Ruina suddenly spoke.

“Kelton.”

“Go ahead.”

“If I ever get the chance to bring someone back to life, should I choose you?”

Even at the very end, this disciple came up with the most unexpected remarks.

He truly hadn’t expected to hear something like this at a time like this.

Kelton relaxed his body and slightly parted his lips.

“There’s no need for that.”

“So even if I have the opportunity, I shouldn’t use it on you?”

“If such a situation does arise, save it until after you have children. 

Don’t use it before then.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m curious about what your child will look like. 

And I also want to know if your husband is a decent man.”

“What if he’s not?”

“I doubt you’d pick someone strange. 

If anything, it’s more likely that your husband will be the one struggling.”

“That’s such a typical stereotype.”

Ruina pouted in protest. 

That reaction was so amusing to Kelton.

This was the same person who had thrown herself into fire to learn magic, yet now she was acting all innocent and wronged.

Kelton chuckled softly and said,

“If you want to stay in the village, you can. 

I’ve spoken to the village chief, so he’ll look after you.”

“So that’s why he’s been so eager to hunt goblins lately.”

“If you ever want to rest in your hometown, you can come back anytime. 

I also spoke to the chief’s son. 

If he succeeds his father, the village will be safe for the next few decades. 

You’re a 3rd-tier mage, after all.”

“By then, I’ll be a 9th-tier mage.”

Yeah. 

That might actually happen.

Kelton genuinely believed it was possible.

Ruina continued speaking.

“And by then, I’ll be 3 meters and 10 centimeters tall.”

“Ruina, it’s time to accept reality. 

You’re not growing any taller.”

“You’re saying my height is going to stop at 160 cm?”

“It’s 159 cm.

 Not 160.”

“It’s 160 cm.”

What an absurd goal for a disciple to have.

The most ridiculous part was that she wasn’t even joking—she was genuinely aiming for that height.

Kelton chuckled to himself once more before forcing his weary eyes to focus on Ruina’s face one last time.

And as he felt the end approaching, he slowly closed his eyes.

“Ruina.”

“Yes, Kelton?”

“Be happy.”

Kelton, 5th-tier mage.

Unique Magic: Scales.

At the age of 79, he lived longer than the average person but passed away earlier than the average 5th-tier mage.