GalaxyTL
—It’s a dream. A precognitive dream.
I don’t know where it is, but I’m standing there with a worried look on my face. And at the end of my gaze…
『 I’ll definitely defeat you! 』
『 …Come at me. 』
My two favorite people, glaring at each other, a distance between them.
Licht and Gil-san…? Eh, eh? Why? Why are they glaring at each other?
While I was bewildered, they finally started moving. At a speed that was hard to follow, but I’m able to at least keep up with their movements. Licht’s long sword emanated a pale light, and each time he swung it, the light flew towards Gil-san.
It looks just like lightning. To think you can release electric shocks… this isn’t the time to be thinking about those things.
Gil-san, of course, effortlessly dodged those attacks, just by swinging his sword once. He then blocked Licht, who’d charged in, with his sword.
『 Is that all you got? 』
『 That was just a warm-up! 』
When Gil-san provoked him, Licht also retorted, and then created some distance between them. Then he started gathering magic power… Is he going to release a large-scale offensive magic? W-Wait, if he releases that much magic, it won’t end well…!
I shouted something in my dream. Then started running… the two of them were looking at me, wide-eyed in surprise, and then…
『 『 Meg!! 』 』
They both called my name at the same time. And then—
I woke up. This hazy feeling, it’s definitely because I was dreaming. And it was a precognitive dream.
I sat up and crossed my arms. Hmm, hmm, I groaned, tilting my head up and down.
“No good, I can’t remember!”
I gave up trying to remember. Because I know from experience that it’s impossible to remember when it’s like this. If it’s an important dream, I’m sure I’ll remember it eventually, and it’s always worked out until now, so it’ll be fine, fine!
Eternal optimist, Meg, poster girl of Special-grade Guild Ortus, 70 years old!
…Just writing it looks horrible. 70 years old, that’s a grandmother, in human terms. I can’t really call myself a poster girl. But I have High Elf blood, a race that ages slowly. So in appearance, I’m still about 7 years old, in human terms. Even though I’ve lived for a long time, my mind is influenced by the age of my body.
The almost 30 years I lived as Megu, is now a distant memory. I do remember it sometimes, and my workaholic tendencies from back then also occasionally appear.
But in my mind, Megu is my past life now. It feels like I’m living as Meg, with the memories of my life as Megu.
“My hair’s gotten long, huh.”
I muttered this as I brushed my hair in front of the mirror. My soft hair, which now reaches my chest, still shines pink-gold, and my eyes are a deep blue. To be honest, the me reflected in the mirror is quite cute. …Am I being conceited? I know, it’s not a good thing to think. But that’s not it, I want to explain myself.
It’s just that I think the me reflected in the mirror is cute, I don’t really connect it to myself. Basically, I’m not aware of how cute I am. Honestly, I’ll never get used to this. I am somewhat aware, you know? Everyone’s always telling me how cute I am.
Hmm, it’s hard to explain… but basically, I don’t really care much about my appearance. Kei-san and Maryla-san would probably tell me it’s a waste, but…
“Okay, there. Done!”
So I always put my hair in a ponytail or half-up. Today, I went with half-up. It’s easy to do, and it looks nice enough if I just use a cute hair tie or ribbon.
Honestly, I want to just leave it as is, but they always tell me to at least brush it or to put on a hair clip… And if I ignore them, I’ll be held captive and played with like a doll… This hairstyle’s become a compromise.
Pigtails? Braids? They’re guaranteed to be asymmetrical. I’m a girl with clumsy hands.
Cut my hair? I’m not going to make all my guardians cry. That would be a lot of trouble!
I stood up. And checked my attire in the full-length mirror. I’ve made it a habit to check after going outside in my pajamas a few times. That was so embarrassing… Everyone still teases me about it.
Today’s outfit is something easy to move in because I’m transporting new books to the library. A tunic that reaches past my bottom, and easy to move in, stretchy, cherry blossom pink pants. It’s from Ran-chan’s shop. Maybe because Saura-san made a special order, there’s some frill detailing, so it’s a cute design, even though it’s work clothes.
I used to refuse when they tried to give me clothes as gifts, but everyone said, with tears in their eyes, that dressing me up is one of their joys in life, so I’ve given up. Of course, I’m grateful. Thanks to them, I get to wear different clothes every day. Just like a young lady.
“Alright, I’m good.”
I checked myself, doing a spin, clenched my fist to fire myself up, and then left the room. My destination is… the cafeteria! Breakfast! Breakfast!
“Good moooorning!”
When I arrive at the cafeteria, there are already several Ortus members there. Some were just leaving after finishing their meal, some were in the middle of eating, etc. I always make it a point to cheerfully greet everyone here. Greetings are the window to the heart! My heart is always open! I don’t think there are many people who dislike being greeted.
“Good morning, Meg! You’re energetic as always.”
“Meg-chan, good morning!”
“Your cuteness is overflowing today too.”
See, I love how everyone responds. It makes me smile.
“Meg.”
“Gil-san!”
I was grinning at the entrance when I heard someone calling my name. I immediately knew who it was and turned around. Ah, I thought, and then properly bowed.
“Gilnandio-san, good morning!”
“Yeah, good morning.”
Ta-daaaa~! Did you see that!? Growth!
In these 20 years, I’ve finally mastered saying Gil-san’s name without messing up! It’s been a long time… such a long time! I still mess up when I’m nervous, but I can say it without any issues if I’m calm. It’s all thanks to making it a habit to properly greet him every day. I remember hugging him when I first succeeded. And everyone else was shedding tears and applauding.
“Let’s go get breakfast.”
“Okay!”
After greeting him, Gil-san always pats my head, and then we go get breakfast together. Then we eat together and go to the guild hall together. That’s our morning routine. Sometimes it’s not possible, because of Gil-san’s work, but on those days, someone else always eats with me.
Even on days I eat with Gil-san, sometimes it’s just the two of us, sometimes there are other people too. But I’m never alone. I’m so happy about that.
“Can I also… join you?”
Just as we got our breakfast and sat down, I heard that voice from my side.
“Ronny! Wait, I mean, Ronaldo, good morning! Of course, let’s eat together!”
“Yeah, good morning, Gil-san, Meg. Thank you.”
Ronny, who’s gotten taller and more manly since we first met, also sat down, and we started eating. The topic of conversation was usually our plans for the day.
“I’m… going with Kei-san on a quest. No physical attacks allowed, only magic.”
“You’re not good with magic, are you, Ronny? Be careful.”
It seems like it’s part of his training with Kei-san. A special menu item, because Ronny’s not good with magic.
“Practical experience is the best way to learn. And there’s nothing to worry about with Kei by your side. Do your best.”
“Okay, I will.”
Even Gil-san was encouraging Ronny. Hmm, Ronny’s also moving ahead. I’m a bit envious, because I haven’t had any practical experience yet. I have sparred with the other Ortus members during practice, but I haven’t actually fought any monsters.
And he’s gotten taller. His voice has also gotten a bit deeper. He’s gotten leaner and more muscular, more manly. I’m a bit sad, feeling like I’ve been left behind. Maybe it’s because I’m growing particularly slowly.
“Meg, you’ll probably also be training against monsters soon.”
“Eh, really? Gil-san!”
Was it written on my face? Gil-san gave me that good news. I looked up at Gil-san, who chuckled and nodded slightly.
“Yeah, I heard the Don say it.”
“Dad did? Then it must be true! I’ll ask him during our next training session.”
I answered cheerfully, and then Gil-san and Ronny both made worried expressions. …I’m sure they’re just being their usual overprotective selves. To think they’re still so overprotective, even though I’ve grown so much. I couldn’t help but to puff up my cheeks.
“I’ve also gotten a bit stronger, you know.”
“We know that, but…”
“I know that your magic, Meg, is among the best in Ortus.”
So basically, that’s not the point. It makes me happy that they’re worried, so I’ll let them be.
Just like Ronny said, even I have improved quite a bit with magic! The number of contract spirits I have for nature magic has increased, and I can now use powerful and efficient magic with my current spirits. And then there’s my endless magic power… It’s starting to sink in, that I really am a hybrid of Demon King and High Elf blood.
But even though my magical abilities have improved, everyone’s so overprotective that I haven’t had a chance to use them in practice. I don’t even know if I’ve actually gotten stronger. To be honest, I don’t have any confidence, and I even think that everyone’s just praising me because they want to make me happy.
So of course I’d be happy to hear that I can finally train in practice. I’m going to take this opportunity to test my abilities and learn as much as I can!
“Thanks for the food! Sorry for making you wait…”
Even though I was diligently eating while lost in thought, I’m always a slow eater and ended up having them wait for me. It’s a common occurrence! I mean, the two of them are also probably just fast eaters.
I listened to their words of, “Don’t worry about it,” cleared the table, and then we headed for the guild hall together.