“Now, what qualifies you to say that now!”

It was a repetition of the same story. Siod sighed.

“I didn’t teach alchemy just because I like it. But the kid wants it. You said you wouldn’t teach magic in this life, but that doesn’t solve all the problems.”

“What do you know? What happened when he learned alchemy? The result was always the same no matter what I did!”

Tragedy repeated three times. If she didn’t teach anything at all, if William couldn’t turn back time…

“Then is he just going to die?”

Uncontrollable fear began to consume Ginevra. Siod, who didn’t know her current state, nudged her as if expressing frustration.

“It’s different now than it was then. We’ve both changed. Why do you think so negatively about it?”

With the power of anger, Ginevra barely regained control of herself.

“What do you know? In this life, William will become the Duke of Rodante and live a peaceful and comfortable life. Do you think I’ll allow even a single flaw for him? Alchemy? People call it dark magic. I can’t let William hear all kinds of rumors I’ve heard, like newborn babies’ hearts being taken out to drink blood to gather magic. Even if I give him only good things, it’s not enough…”

Siod spoke calmly.

“Even in this life, let the kid live the life he wants.”
Ginevra hesitated. Siod wanted to persuade her this time.

“Ginevra, have you ever asked William how he wants to live even once? Do you know what his dream is? William wants to help people with alchemy. He wants to change the perception of alchemy himself.”

If Larisa hadn’t shown Siod the contract between William and Lyliss, he wouldn’t have known. So Siod wanted to get closer to William even more. He just wanted to have casual conversations, talk about the future, and nothing more.

But Ginevra said that it was impossible. Siod felt frustrated.

“I’m a dragon. I can assert that if there’s a race in this world that detests alchemy the most, it’s probably dragons. Alchemy itself was created to extract magic from dragon corpses. Even teaching that stuff doesn’t make me feel good. Dragons are the ones who constantly stigmatized alchemy. Teaching alchemy to William and supporting his dream is a direct challenge to what dragons have been doing. But!”

Siod took a deep breath and said.

“Even so, if William wants it, I’ll teach him.”
At first, it was simply a means to get closer to William. However, it changed after learning about his dream. Indeed, my son, my child, should have such aspirations. It was rather admirable that he wanted to overturn the history that dragons had worked on for thousands of years.

Teaching alchemy was no longer just a means to get closer to William. Now it was a determination and resolution to be entirely on Ginevra and William’s side. Siod hoped that Ginevra would understand that.

“Even if there comes a time when I have to confront Lord directly, I want to support William’s dream. Ginevra, let’s let him live the way he wants, at least this time.”

Without knowing anything, Ginevra shouted as if having a fit.

“William always lived as he wanted! Despite my constant objections, that damn alchemy of his continued. You know nothing. Do you know how much he ignores my words… you appeared after 64 years and act like you know everything about William!”

Avoiding something that kept coming towards him, Siod shouted.

“So now you want to play the role of a father. In 64 years, I’m still a baby who hasn’t even woken up from the crib!”

“If it weren’t for time regression, I would have been over sixty already, you bastard!”

Something continued to fly. Siod unconsciously avoided it a few times, realizing belatedly that the garden was being obliterated, and tried to disperse Ginevra’s magic. However, the situation was already too late.
Due to its proximity to the ballroom, people flocked to the scene. Siod, noticing this, quickly urged Ginevra.

“Wait, just a moment. Stop it. People are coming.”

“Die!”

“I told you to stop, didn’t I?”

Since the barrier created by Siod only blocked sound, there was nothing to hide. Siod, who spotted William among the crowd, exclaimed in contemplation.

“It’s William!”

“What?”

Only then did Ginevra, coming to her senses, abruptly stop. When she turned her head to where the attention was focused, William stood in the middle of the crowd with a shocked expression.

“Mother?”

“As expected… the lady I danced with earlier was your mother.”

The two of them sat in front of William like sinners. No, precisely, only Ginevra.

“Then… what about the fiancée from earlier?”

“That’s just nonsense.”

Ginevra cut in decisively. Siod sighed, clenching his fist. She was infuriated. She felt like the only culprit, and Siod acted as if he had done nothing wrong.

“Professor?”

“…”

Siod remained silent. This time, William sighed.

“So, why were you fighting?”

Ginevra, glaring at the silent Siod, reluctantly answered.

“It’s nothing. We just had a difference of opinion.”

“Using magic over a trivial matter?”

“…”

“Try giving some excuse. I need something to tell the headmaster.”