Before I even met the man known by the title of “The Great Sage.”
Before I was surrounded by vagrants just as starved as I was.
Before I was saved by flames that curved like an arc.
I had already heard the name Asher Astoria.
An affinity for mana approaching infinity.
An intellect that not only mastered the study of magic but reached beyond it.
A character so magnanimous that even those lunatics—troublemakers second to none—gathered around him.
If the concept of favoritism existed for the gods, then Asher was its embodiment.
He effortlessly surpassed the limits of talent and ability that a single person could possess.
Even as a child, I had heard the rumors about him.
And now, after countless years have passed…
A girl who resembled him—no, one who looked too much like him—stood before me, her face filled with confusion.
The precious girl whom I, after much deliberation, had concluded must be Asher’s own daughter.
“I don’t really understand what you’re saying right now.”
A voice tinged with confusion.
Her wavering eyes revealed her distress.
Yet the quiet smile on my lips did not falter.
Instead, I carefully reached out my hand.
Taking her delicate fingers, unmarked by calluses, I placed them upon my palm.
—Tap.
I pressed a light kiss to the back of her fair hand.
It was the utmost courtesy I could offer.
“?! Wh-what are you…!!”
A voice full of shock followed.
In response, I answered, “Karian Desar. That is the name of the man who was once indebted to your father.”
My apologies for the late introduction.
As I spoke to the girl, who seemed utterly shaken, a bitter smile formed on my lips.
Truthfully, I had noticed the resemblance from the very first meeting.
Even so, I could not immediately acknowledge it.
I feared it was mere coincidence—that she was simply a third party who happened to share the same hair and eye color.
But not anymore.
There were too many details, aligning too perfectly, for this to be chance.
Everything I had witnessed of Asher in the past confirmed the connection between him and this girl.
And most decisively, the information sent by my subordinate at the orphanage regarding Letter Yurt—all of it dated after Asher’s disappearance.
Thus, I spoke the name that both she and I knew.
A name she could not possibly be unfamiliar with.
“Asher Astoria.”
—Flinch.
“…So you do know that name.”
The small mouth that had sealed shut completely was proof that my theory was correct.
In other words, Letter Yurt was, without a doubt, the blood of the Great Sage.
‘Was it really that hard to believe…?’
That he had hidden such a lovely daughter from me and his other disciples.
It wasn’t that I felt no resentment, but I couldn’t say I didn’t understand.
Looking back, we—his disciples—had been far from the kind of people Asher could truly rely on.
In other words, to Asher, Letter had been that precious.
Precious enough to entrust her to an ancient dragon as her godfather so that no one could ever lay a hand on her.
As much as I hated to admit it, there was no shield stronger than the name of the dragon Orphion when it came to protection.
The noble house that took her in—surely, that had also been to ensure her safety.
Even sending her to Primus must have been to broaden her horizons.
Although she ultimately became a professor rather than just a student, that too was likely part of the experience.
‘Blood never lies, after all.’
With the single hypothesis that she was Asher’s daughter, all uncertainties fell neatly into place.
So, I asked.
“If she knew anything about the current whereabouts of the Great Sage.”
“Or if he had left any hints during his time teaching her.”
“Even the smallest detail would be enough, my lady. I will do everything in my power to reunite you with your father.”
Silence followed.
‘Of course, from her perspective, why would she entrust anything to a man who had appeared out of nowhere, claiming to be her father’s disciple?’
Yet, because I was more desperate than ever, I persisted.
And after what felt like an eternity, her tightly closed lips finally parted.
“He said… one day, when the time comes… he will return.”
Haltingly, she relayed the words of the Great Sage.
Her expression was filled with anguish—surely, the result of her longing for him.
“So… until then… to not cause any trouble… to wait patiently and behave….”
As Letter’s voice gradually faded, the tips of her fingers trembled slightly.
I remained silent.
I had seen it instantly—her unease, her emotions.
‘Letter Yurt.’
‘No… the daughter of Asher Astoria…’
She was desperately trying to hold herself together.
Yet even she, now, was wavering as she recalled the past.
I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of sorrow.
Letter, forced to part with her father at such a young age and struggle alone in a foreign land, seemed unbearably pitiful.
Perhaps that was why.
“…Do not worry too much, my lady. From now on, you will not be alone.”
I promised to stay by Letter’s side until I found the Great Sage.
That I would no longer let her suffer alone.
That I would act as a guardian, even if only in the smallest way.
In response to this heartfelt vow, what I received was yet another startled voice.
“Y-you’re going to stay… by my side?”
“Yes.”
“H-how?”
“I heard the café is hiring staff. I plan to work there for a while.”
Karian, having sworn to protect Letter as much as he could, once again pressed a kiss to the back of her youthful hand.
At this, the poor girl, who looked as if she might cry at any moment, wore an expression of stunned disbelief.
So before parting ways, Karian left her with one final gift—a small ring, slipped onto her right ring finger, one that would allow her to call for his help no matter where she was or what situation she found herself in.
“I will not leave you, no matter what happens. Please, rest assured.”
“…Okay…”
Only after hearing Letter’s response did Karian rise and slowly disappear into the darkness.
Yet, the sight of her distressed expression lingered in his mind, intensifying his longing for the Great Sage.
“Where… are you…?”
“A café, you say?”
“Yes, Your Highness. He is currently speaking with first-year Isabelle Yurt.”
In the VIP residence of Primus, Lilian had just received word about Letter from her attendant.
With a brief command for them to leave, she turned her gaze toward another figure before her.
Platinum hair, much like her own.
The tension radiating from Irina was palpable, and Lilian couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.
“I hear you’ve become Professor Letter’s assistant.”
“Y-yes, sister.”
“And that quadruple-layered spell you used in today’s competition—did you learn it from your professor?”
“Ah, well… rather than learning it from her, it was more like she helped me practice.”
After hesitating for a moment, Irina carefully asked her older sister a question.
She had worked desperately to make Lilian proud, pushing herself to the limit and ultimately winning the competition—so did Lilian have anything to say?
“You didn’t say anything during the award ceremony… Did I do something wrong?”
“Something wrong? What are you talking about? I’m incredibly proud of you.”
“…!”
At Lilian’s lighthearted remark, Irina’s face brightened immediately.
A soft blush naturally spread across her cheeks.
But, as usual, Lilian paid no particular attention to Irina’s expression.
Instead, she spoke again, her true reason for meeting her sister finally surfacing.
After all, she had only accepted this meeting to gather information about Letter.
“There are all kinds of rumors about the new professor. I, too, am personally interested in her.”
She smiled at Irina and continued.
“Tell me what kind of person Letter Yurt is.”
***
However, unexpectedly—
The words that followed from Irina’s lips were far from the kind of information Lilian was hoping to hear.
“She really likes strawberry smoothies. She says sweet things help her think faster.”
“Hm?”
“Oh, and she really enjoys grape-flavored candy, too. If you offer her some when she looks tired, she’ll give you the brightest smile—it’s so cute!”
“Irina?”
“Honestly, her classes can be a bit difficult, but she answers almost all of my questions, so I’ve been managing. They’re actually pretty fun.”
“Wait a moment.”
“Sometimes I help her brush her hair, and it’s so soft that I keep wanting to braid it nicely—just like how you used to braid mine when I was little.”
At some point, Irina had started showering Letter with endless praise.
Lilian’s expression shifted subtly, a hint of disbelief creeping into her gaze.
In the end, she had learned nothing about Letter’s relationship with the ancient dragon—or any other significant information for that matter.
“Well then, I’ll be going now. It was nice seeing you, sister!”
“Ah, y-yes… Rest well…”
The door creaked shut, and only then did Lilian’s stiff smile fade.
A deep sigh escaped her lips, filled with exhaustion and frustration.
“Haah… The last thing I wanted to hear about was strawberry smoothies…”
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