When I first met Grisha, I thought like this.

‘I’ve never seen such a pretty child in the world!’

As a child, Grisha was as beautiful as a fairy.

With a slender white face, and large eyes, nose, and mouth somehow crammed in. With long hair as black as ebony, he looked just like a girl.

He was so beautiful that even my eyes, which weren’t particularly interested in looks, were wide open.

So without even realizing it, my first greeting came out like this.

“Hello? Pretty one.”

At my greeting, Grisha made an expression of bewilderment and then spoke clearly.

“My name is Grisha.”

“Grisha? That’s a pretty name too. I’m Nelly Periway.”

I smiled brightly and complimented his name. But for some reason, Grisha made a sulky expression.

‘Does he not like having his name complimented?’

I’m not sure. I also entered the academy as a child, so I hardly had any conversations with children around my age.

‘It’s hard to say Grisha is the same age either.’

He’s much younger than me.

Looking down at Grisha, I was reminded not of the little sister I left behind at home, but of myself at seven years old when I first entered the academy.

Diana would be doing well, receiving plenty of love from our parents.

But I…

“Call me senior. No, is ‘elder sister’ more familiar at your age? Come to me anytime you’re in trouble.”

“When I’m in trouble?”

“When you’re crying because you’re lonely, or when you want to go home. At least I can be there for you.”

I’m quite slow, but even so, it was hard when I entered the academy.

The studies were too difficult, and when I slept alone, the nights were too long and cold.

I felt it anew. Even though our parents weren’t very affectionate, home was home.

It was a heartfelt thing to say, but Grisha politely declined with a shrug.

“I don’t think I’ll need that kind of help.”

“Really? I desperately needed it.”

It seems Grisha is stronger-willed than me.

At my muttering, Grisha opened his eyes wide. Then he asked in a much friendlier tone than before.

“…Is it that lonely? Life at the academy?”

Happy that he was asking me, I smiled broadly and chattered away to Grisha.

About how difficult it was to have to do everything myself – meals, bathing, laundry – at just seven years old.

“I can tie your hair for you. No one tied my hair for me, so I always just left it as it was.”

Forget tying, they didn’t even tell me where the soap was, so my hair was a mess at that time.

I smiled as I recalled those difficult times.

At least it was good that I had already experienced that time, so I could be considerate to Grisha.

“Ask for help anytime.”

Perhaps my sincerity got through, as Grisha grasped my hand with a bright smile.

“Gladly, elder sister.”

After that, we got along quite well. The academy is a very closed place, so we spent a lot of time together.

We relied on each other, complaining about professors and gossiping about fellow aspiring magicians who were ruthless even to children like us.

After a few years passed like that, when Grisha felt much more like family to me, this happened.

I was crouched in a corner of my narrow room, precariously piled with luggage, reading a letter, when Grisha turned on the light and asked.

“What are you doing, elder sister?”

“I was reading a letter from home.”

“Is your family harmonious?”

“Well…”

What is harmony? I left home at such a young age that I didn’t really know what an ideal family was.

As I struggled to explain about my family, I smiled brightly and talked about Diana.

“Ah, I have a younger sister. She’s older than you, Grisha. She’s a very pretty and smart sister. Our parents love her very much.”

“…I see.”

Grisha sat down next to me with a faint smile. Then he held out the ribbon he was holding.

I wondered why he suddenly came to my room, but it seems he came to have his hair tied.

‘Grisha’s hair is really nice. It feels like it’s slipping through my fingers.’

As I gently combed Grisha’s hair with my fingers to gather it, I asked him.

“What about you? Do you have siblings too?”

“I don’t have a home.”

“What?”

Why is he saying he doesn’t have a home? I’m sure Grisha had a family name.

‘Ugh, it’s been so long since we first met that I can’t remember how he introduced himself. I didn’t pay much attention either.’

After that, even when I asked Grisha about home, he always just smiled faintly and didn’t answer.

Today was no different.

“Here, I’m just Grisha. Isn’t that enough?”

“I suppose so.”

Whatever Grisha’s family is like, whoever Grisha is, to me, Grisha is Grisha.

After loosely tying Grisha’s hair, I hugged him tightly and said.

“Then I’ll just be Nelly too. Grisha, call me Nelly instead of elder sister.”

Grisha hugged me back gently and replied.

“I’ll call you that when I can stand on my own two feet.”

Transcending time, Grisha, now a full-grown man, called my name with a gentle smile.

“Nelly.”

He called my name, not “elder sister” as he used to call me. His growth suddenly felt very clear.

I smiled brightly and grasped both of Grisha’s hands, swinging them.

“You’ve become a magician! Congratulations!”

“Thank you.”

Even the way he responded maturely, he was now truly an adult.

‘When did that little kid grow up like this.’

Is this what parents feel? My heart swelled, and tears welled up in my eyes.

I rubbed my eyes with my index finger and patted Grisha’s shoulder.

“I wanted to congratulate you in person. I’m so sorry I couldn’t see your magician appointment ceremony.”

Grisha must have looked really cool. He would have filled the stage.

‘If only I didn’t have to pretend to be in this comatose state, I would have congratulated you from the closest spot.’

Earlier I cried because I was proud, now I cried because I was upset.

As I sniffled, Grisha looked troubled, then slowly put his arm around my shoulder to embrace me.

“It’s okay. I know your true feelings.”

“Grisha.”

Just as I was about to hug Grisha back,

“Now, now! This is troublesome here! Very troublesome! Please come inside first!”

As Hail pushed us both, Grisha had no choice but to let go of his arms around me.

I tilted my head in puzzlement, then clapped my hands.

“Ah! Someone passing by might see me. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Yes, actually, I’m not afraid of the gaze of some passing stranger I don’t even know, but…”

“Then is there someone else you’re afraid of?”

“…I’ll refrain from commenting.”

Hail turned his head, pretending not to know.

I puffed out my cheeks to show my dissatisfaction at hearing an unsatisfactory answer.

‘Hail always trails off like this!’

What are you thinking this time? Don’t just pique my curiosity, tell me properly!

Grisha gently pulled on my arm as I was sulking.

“I’m thirsty after coming from far away.”

“Ah! That’s right! Let’s go to the reception room!”

I left my guest standing on the road.

I pointed to the reception room with my finger. Then I asked Hail.

“Please bring some black tea to the reception room! Or just bring hot water and tea leaves, I’ll brew it myself.”

“I’m quite good at brewing tea too.”

Hail replied grumpily like that. But he stood there fidgeting with his fingers without moving his feet. I tilted my head.

“Why? Is there something on your mind?”

“Um, my lady. Do you know the young master?”

“Young master?”

I frowned at the strange title. Hail looked back and forth between me and Grisha as if checking the situation.

Like someone who has something to say but can’t bring themselves to speak first.

“What do you mean by young master?”

Finally, I turned to Grisha and asked back.

At my question, Grisha’s thin lips twisted slightly, then settled into his usual gentle smile.

Grisha extended his hand towards Hail and greeted him.

“Come to think of it, I forgot to greet you in my joy. I’m Grisha, recognized as a magician this year. And you are?”

“I’m Hail Cleban, serving as the adjutant to the captain in the Dragon Knight Order.”

Hail glanced warily but politely bowed his head and grasped Grisha’s hand.

Anyone could see that Grisha was the superior and Hail was the subordinate.

It was a notable sight, but I was so shocked by Hail’s greeting that I had to point out that part.

“Sir Hail was an adjutant?”

“…Thank you for your candid assessment of me.”

“No, I didn’t mean it in a bad way. You just looked so leisurely.”

“Please don’t say that to the captain. He’ll grind me to dust.”

“Ah.”

So when I want to get Hail rolled, I should tell Cedar that Hail looks comfortable these days.

I got a useful tip.

Hail’s wary flinching wasn’t because he didn’t know Grisha’s identity, but because he knew too well about him.

After the introductions, Hail burst out with what he wanted to say, as if he couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Grisha’s name is well-known even in the Dragon Knight Order. They say you can directly manipulate the mana circuits in the body!”

“That’s correct.”

“Then! Can you perhaps see my mana circuits too! I want to know what I’m lacking to become a Sword Master!”

Hail’s flushed face was a jumble of frustration at not reaching a higher level and hope that he could become a Sword Master.