Ch. 117

If Annie wanted to ride my coattails into the academy, she’d have no choice but to study Spirit Arts at Drike, whether she liked it or not.

My influence barely carried weight even inside Royal Drike Academy. Outside of it, the power I held as a baron’s daughter was too insignificant to even call “power.”

“Drike is a prestigious academy, isn’t it? I wasn’t hoping for something that impressive. I thought something more ordinary…”

“It’s my alma mater, so it’s much easier for me to pull strings for Annie. And more than anything, the Spirit Studies department doesn’t have any students anymore. They were considering shutting it down after I graduate… but if a new student enrolls, they might keep it open. That would be a good thing for me too.”

I didn’t want the place I spent my childhood to disappear. If they gained a talented student out of it, the academy wouldn’t be at a loss either.

Luckily, this seemed like a win-win for both of us.

“Tuition won’t even be necessary. It’s a royal-funded academy, so the facilities are good, the food is great, and above all, it’s very peaceful.”

“Oh my…”

“Is Drike not good enough? Or is Dmitri just too far?”

“No, it’s not that… It’s just… this is all so wonderful I’m a bit stunned. Honestly, I thought you’d react negatively and refuse to help… Thank you, Geenie. You’re my savior.”

“Too soon to be thankful. Annie might not want to study Spirit Arts, you know.”

Big Sis looked absolutely delighted, but I had to douse her with a dose of reality.

The most important part of this arrangement was Annie. If she didn’t want it, nothing would work.

“She might not adapt to academy life, or fail to show talent and get expelled. We need to ask her if she’s okay with that. Annie’s opinion matters more than mine. Big Sis, this isn’t something we should decide for her—Annie has to choose for herself.”

After all, this was a commitment to study for the rest of her life.

—

By the time we returned to Big Sis’s house in the village, it was already late at night.

Annie was sound asleep. It was the first time I’d seen her so still.

She was always hiding somewhere or darting off like lightning.

Big Sis quietly watched over her sleeping daughter and gently stroked her hair for a long time. She wore a face I’d never seen before—a mother’s face.

I watched for a moment, then rested my head on Rai’s tail and fell asleep.

And for the first time in a long time, I dreamed of my family in this world.

A faintly remembered blonde father and mother, and three blurry older brothers.

—

– “Geenie, Geenie. See? She only looks when we call her that. I guess she likes the name.”

—

My mother’s touch was soft as flower petals.

—

– “Is that so? Then we’ll call her Geenie. Geenie Crowell.”

—

My father called me in a low, warm voice that felt so familiar and comforting, maybe because I’d heard it from the womb.

—

– “Father! That name’s too plain!”

– “Yeah! It doesn’t sound noble at all. She’s so tiny and cute—she needs a much fancier name!”

– “Hey, I want a turn too… Mom, can I hold her?”

—

My parents were surprisingly young, and my brothers were so lively they made me feel like I was in a fairy tale.

We weren’t outrageously wealthy, but we were a warm and loving family.

They were so different from my real family that it always made me hesitate… but I didn’t hate them.

It was just hard to accept them at first.

More than anything, we’d been separated before I could get used to them, so our relationship remained frozen in time.

We’d spent so long awkwardly fumbling around each other that I had no idea how to even talk to them. They were harder to approach than an emperor or king.

But still, if there were people who cried and worried when they thought I’d died, it would’ve been them.

Ah, there’s Bright, Mia, and Iruze too. And Master Yael. Hansen and Philo as well.

As I thought of the people who’d be worrying about me, one after another, my life didn’t seem all that bad.

Once I reached the city, I needed to send word that I was safe.

I was sure they’d be overjoyed.

—

“I don’t want to! I’m not going alone!”

“Annie!”

The morning was loud from the get-go.

The shouting match between Big Sis and Annie woke me up. I rubbed my eyes and let out a big yawn.

“You’re a dummy, Mom!”

Annie glared at me with an angry pout. She looked like she blamed me for this, but I just gave her a bored yawn and stretched.

They switched to their tribal tongue and kept arguing, so I couldn’t understand much after that. But it wasn’t long before Annie stormed out of the house and Big Sis sighed like the ground had collapsed beneath her.

“Haaah…”

“Big Sis, are you okay?”

“I don’t know. She was so excited when we talked about the academy, but the moment I said I couldn’t come with her, she refused outright. I’m sure she knows it’s for her own good…”

Scratching the back of my head, I thought about how hard parenting must be.

I’d always been the one giving others grief, so I understood why Annie was resisting.

“It can’t be helped. She’s at that age where she doesn’t want to be away from her mom. And more than anything, this was so sudden.”

“Geenie, you said you’re leaving tomorrow, right?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Could you wait just a little longer? I think I need more time to persuade Annie.”

“Well… sure. A day or two is fine.”

I’d received enough already, so I didn’t mind delaying my departure for a couple days.

Any longer than that would be tough, though. I had family and friends of my own, and the city was too far to just sit around forever.

Someone out there was probably still mourning me right now.

“If going alone is the problem, how about you come with her, Big Sis? Once Annie enters the academy, you won’t get to see her for a long time anyway.”

“I’d love to, but right now I can’t leave the village. I’m in the middle of trials to become chieftain. I have two years left… and after that, it’ll be even harder to leave.”

Right. Big Sis was the next chieftain.

She really did seem to hold a special place in this village.

Even as an outsider, I could tell how much the tribe trusted and followed her.

Her shoulders had to feel impossibly heavy.

“If I go to Dmitri, I’d be away from the village for at least three or four months… That’s just not possible.”

“You could use the Warp Gate. If it’s about money, I’ll pay.”

“It’s not about money. Annie needs to learn how to be on her own. Leaving the jungle means learning that.”

“Hm, when you put it that way, it makes sense.”

“She relies on me too much. I can’t be there for her forever… I think now is the right time. A year is a long time for a child, you know? I also believe the earlier you start learning, the better. And I know this might be our only chance.”

She was right—it was obvious that chance was me. When else would a perfect outsider like me just drop into this village?

Someone with the connections to get a tribal child into an academy and the reliability to be entrusted with a child.

If Annie followed me now, she could get everything she wanted.

But it meant parting from her mother. Was that gaining everything, or losing it all?

For a young child, it was a tough question. I could imagine the fears spinning around in Annie’s little head.

“Isn’t it ironic? Once I become chieftain, giving Annie her freedom becomes even harder. People have expectations for the chieftain’s daughter. But Annie can’t even catch a single rabbit. If I can open another path for her, I want to do that.”

Parents really do think of more than we realize. Watching Big Sis’s somber expression made that thought pop into my head.

“I even considered giving up everything and going back to being a mercenary. Abandoning the jungle… I could do it for Annie. But…”

“But?”

“I’m scared I might die. It’s a fear I never had before. I’m afraid of leaving Annie behind, more than anything.”

I understood. Mercenary work was brutal and deadly. People hired mercenaries specifically to do dangerous jobs.

I had to acknowledge that Big Sis had made the best decision she could. Whether Annie would accept it or not was another matter.

“Please wait. I’ll find a way to convince Annie.”

Looking at her, I couldn’t help but think of my parents in this world again.

Do they worry about me this much, too, even though I’m not exactly a model daughter?

—

Before leaving, the first thing I packed was the sword Magi gave me.

It had a huge blue diamond embedded in the hilt. Crafted from Rai’s custom alloy, it was incredibly durable, and made by Magi, who boasted 200 years of blacksmithing experience. By human standards, it was a masterpiece.

Magi didn’t like it and had tossed it over his shoulder, but his standards were absurdly high.

Anyway, I’d picked it up with the intent to gift it to the king. I’d been carrying it on my back ever since.

It was way too long and bulky for me, but I brought it along anyway.

“Got my stuff, got the sword! Time to head out!”

[Yay!]

I had the perfect plan.

I’d present this sword to the king and tell him it came from a dragon—then bask in wealth and glory! Just a humble little dream!

One thing I’d realized early in life: if you’ve got a powerful backer, no one can touch you.

If I wanted to live as I pleased, the first thing I needed was a solid shield. And this sword was step one.

“Geenie, do you know how to use a sword?”

As I stepped out with the sword on my back, Big Sis must’ve noticed it and asked curiously.

“Nope! It’s just for style!”

“…Ah, I see.”

“Mom… do I really have to go with this lady? She’s weird!”

Wow, this little brat says whatever she wants.

Kids really don’t know when to keep their mouths shut. Maybe I should just leave her behind!