Water Magician

Editor: Tseirp

“Abel, are you really okay with this?”

“It’s fine. I don’t take on disciples, and honestly, I don’t even know how long I’ll be in this town. I can’t be irresponsible.”

Ryo and Abel were discussing this on their way back to the inn.

“But that girl… I don’t think she’s going to give up.”

When Ryo said this, Abel gave a small nod.

However, he said nothing further.

With no incident, the two returned to the inn.

The incident occurred in the early afternoon.

“No.”

The girl from earlier had come all the way to the inn to ask Abel to take her as his apprentice.

Of course, Abel immediately refused.

“I won’t leave until you agree to take me as your disciple!”

With that declaration, the girl went outside and stood in front of the inn.

“What a classic turn of events…”

Watching the scene unfold from a distance, Ryo was moved.

Time and time again, classic narrative tropes had been dashed before Ryo’s eyes, as though some cruel god was toying with him.

But at last, one had come to life.

How could he not be moved by this?

Granted, it wasn’t about him this time either— it was about Abel— but still…

Despite his feelings, Ryo began to grow concerned as the night fell and the girl remained standing outside the inn.

“Abel, is that girl going to be okay?”

“Hmm?”

“Judging by the look of things, she’s planning to stand out there all night. What if she gets kidnapped or something…?”

“With those skills?”

“Ah, well, you’ve got a point…”

Abel’s calm observation reminded Ryo of the girl’s skill with a sword.

Under most circumstances, she wouldn’t fall behind against thieves or common rogues.

“Besides, those people who were watching us in secret. They’re keeping an eye on her too, not just the patrol. She’ll be fine.”

“Ah, now that you mention it. She must be someone important. I wonder who she really is.”

Ryo thought about it.

The fact that she had to practice the violin suggested she wasn’t from a family struggling to make ends meet.

Living in a grand mansion, that much was clear.

On the second day, the girl continued standing.

And on the third day…

Ryo didn’t particularly like such harsh methods.

Of course, in this case, the girl had insisted on becoming Abel’s disciple, Abel had refused, and the girl had chosen to stand on her own.

Abel wasn’t at fault, and it certainly wasn’t Ryo’s place to intervene.

In a way, it was simply the girl’s stubbornness…

Even so, watching her, Ryo couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

People’s emotions are complicated like that.

“Abel, don’t you think it’s about time…?”

“Three days.”

When Ryo finally spoke up, Abel gave a small reply.

“When I asked my master to take me as a disciple, I was turned down. So, I stood in front of my master’s house for three days.”

“What…?”

“I was eight years old.”

“Wait, you mean your sword master? But Abel, weren’t you a prince back then?”

Ryo asked in surprise.

“Being a prince doesn’t matter. Back then, I couldn’t think of any other way to show my sincerity in wanting to become a disciple.”

Abel’s expression as he spoke was gentle.

His gaze was fixed on the girl standing outside the inn, now leaning on her sword for support.

“Is it because you had to stand, so you’re making her do the same?”

“Of course not. Or… maybe it is? No, this isn’t about her. It’s about my resolve.”

“Your resolve?”

Ryo tilted his head.

Not understanding what Abel meant at all.

“Taking on a disciple isn’t something you can do half-heartedly. That’s why I need time to make my decision. I’d be interfering in her life. The same goes for you, doesn’t it?”

“Uh… does it?”

Ryo had taken on a few magic apprentices, including children from the Gecko Trading Company, but he couldn’t recall ever thinking about it so deeply.

“When the Union invaded the Inbury Duchy, you rushed to help without hesitation.”

“Ah… That was just natural.”

“Exactly.”

Abel gave a slight smile.

Even if Ryo didn’t realize it himself, Abel understood that Ryo deeply valued his disciples.

And wouldn’t hesitate to act in ways that reflected that.

Abel himself had never forgotten the bond he shared with his own master.

“Abel, since you were a prince, couldn’t you have just asked your father… the king— to have your master teach you?”

“That wouldn’t have worked. My master was a renowned swordsman.”

“And if it wasn’t him, there must have been other sword masters available, right?”

“There were… I defeated all of them.”

“…At eight years old?”

“Yes, at eight.”

“What kind of genius story is this?”

Ryo was surprised. Genuinely astonished.

Defeating every sword instructor who had been assigned to a prince at the age of eight…

“In the end, my master taught me until I was fifteen… he was the Sword Saint of that time and the wielder of the holy sword Galahad.”

“Wait, isn’t that the sword Hugh-san has…?”

“Yeah. Now, it’s in the hands of the Grandmaster.”

The Holy Sword Galahad was famous as the sword wielded by Hugh McGrath, the Grandmaster of the Adventurers Guild in the Kingdom of Knightley.

“When my master passed away, he named the Grandmaster as his successor. At the time, the Grandmaster was already a B-rank adventurer… Even so, I was shocked.”

Abel smiled wryly, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

“I had naturally assumed that I, his only disciple, would inherit it.”

“Ah, I see.”

Ryo nodded in understanding.

He could empathize with that feeling.

“However, my master once told me, ‘This isn’t your sword’. At the time, I had no idea what he meant…”

As he spoke, Abel lightly tapped his beloved sword.

“Maybe he meant this one. I’m not completely sure yet, though.”

“Yes, I’m certain that’s the one. That magic sword is your partner, Abel.”

Ryo said with no evidence to back him up.

Evidence wasn’t necessary.

He believed it because it felt right.

That was enough.

Evidence is often sought only to justify failure.

“I based my decision on XX.”

“I followed expert opinions.”

“The evidence was solid.”

If such reasoning brings peace of mind, so be it.

But in reality, it doesn’t.

Deep down, anxiety lingers.

Compelling people to seek ‘evidence’ to mask their unease.

And the heart knows this, it remembers.

And never forgets.

When people don’t want to take responsibility, they cling to ‘evidence’.

It’s understandable but also saddening.

That’s why Ryo doesn’t rely on evidence.

“That magic sword is probably your true partner. Somehow, I guarantee it.”

“That’s… profoundly unconvincing.”

Indeed, without evidence, arguments often lack persuasion… a lamentable truth.

“It’s noon.”

Abel murmured, glancing at the inn’s clock.

The sparring match between Abel and the girl had occurred around midday.

Meaning 48 hours had passed.

Abel slowly rose and headed toward the inn’s entrance.

Outside, the girl stood, using her sword as support.

The moment she saw Abel emerge, she straightened her back as best she could.

And spoke.

“Um…”

She had been standing for two full days.

Her voice now hoarse.

Abel raised a hand to stop her and spoke first.

“I will take you as my disciple.”

At first, there was no visible reaction from the girl.

She hadn’t yet processed his words.

But after a moment, her eyes widened, and her small frame began to tremble.

“But there are a few things we need to discuss. And I have some questions… do you live in the manor where we had the sparring match?”

“Yes.”

She replied, her hoarse voice steady but not weak.

“Then let’s talk there. I’ll visit at 3 p.m. Go back and rest until then.”

Abel looked around before continuing.

“You all heard that? Take her back.”

At his command, several people emerged from the surroundings.

They had been covertly watching over the situation.

“Um…”

The girl tried to speak again, but her voice faltered.

“Rest first. Preparing your body to move when needed… is crucial for a swordsman.”

“Yes.”

Abel advised gently, and she replied, nodding earnestly.

With a bow, she allowed herself to be supported by the people who emerged and left.

“They sure came out in numbers.”

Ryo remarked as Abel returned to the inn.

“How many were hiding in the first place…?”

“Sixteen in total; eight came out. So the remaining eight are still watching you.”

“…I see.”

Abel sighed lightly.

“Scheduling the meeting for 3 p.m. was a good call.”

“She should have recovered enough to talk by then. And she can also take a bath.”

“Huh? I thought you set it for 3 because that’s when tea and snacks would be served.”

Ryo said, surprised by Abel’s unexpected response.

“…Only you would think of something like that first.”

“No way…”

TLN: Please read my translations at tseirptranslations.com, I did not give permission to any site to host my translations. 

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