Return.
Translated by M; Proofread by Annie, Ash, Mio.
???: …
Marketplace Man: Have you been traveling? All the stores here are already closed.
Marketplace Man: If you’re looking for a meal and drink, head a little further down the street…
???: …
Marketplace Man: Goodness, are you just a boy? I can’t see much with your hood pulled so low…
Marketplace Man: Oh, those are some fancy looking gauntlets. You look like quite the experienced traveler… Could you be…
???: … You’re wrong.
???: … Agh, I mean…
Marketplace Man: Huh?
???: …Where is the Magic Manor?
Marketplace Man: Well… I don’t really know. It’s near the capital, I believe.
Marketplace Man: I heard it’s usually protected by wards, normal people can’t see it.
Marketplace Man: It’s to protect the Master Sage and the Sage’s wizards.
???: … …Right.
???: Then I’m going to search for it.
Marketplace Man: Search for it…? I already told you, it’s hidden by various barriers.
???: …
Marketplace Woman: Are you talking about the Sage’s wizards? I hear they’re doing a major training exercise soon.
???: Wha-...
Marketplace Woman: I asked the lady at the confectionary shop about it. I’m pretty certain the wizards usually frequent there.
???: Major training…
Marketplace Woman: I believe they’re going to be doing something near the Ravages of Oz… If you can get there, you might be able to see them.
???: I see. I’ll try checking it out, thank you.
Marketplace Man: Even though it’s already night? … Could it be, are you really a wizard?
???: << Einrap Nisreen >>
Marketplace Man: …!
Marketplace: He… He’s gone…
???: … …Hah… I’m surprised…
???: …It’s just like the rumors I’ve heard. Just by walking down the street, I had someone randomly start talking to me…
???: …This really is Central Country…
???: …
???: Now’s not the time to get scared… I need to find them quickly…
???: My bats. Head towards the Ravages of Oz and look for any sign of the wizards.
???: << Einrap Nisreen >> [1]
Heathcliff: ..Shi-... …Shino!
Shino: …
Heathcliff: Finally, you opened your eyes. Good morning, Shino.
Shino: …Morning…
Heathcliff: It’s quite rare for you to wake up later than me.
Shino: I guess so… Is it sunrise?
Heathcliff: Not yet.
Shino: Good. I’ll be there in time for the training exercise.
Heathcliff: Yes, that’s right… I’m a little nervous about the group training.
Shino: It’s fine. I’ll protect you.
Heathcliff: You, me, and everyone else are meant to be protecting the Master Sage.
Shino: I’ll protect both you and the Sage.
Heathcliff: Okay… So what were you dreaming about?
Shino: …
Heathcliff: If you don’t want to tell me, that’s alright…
Shino: …It’s no big deal. I was just dreaming about when I was alone.
Shino: I was such an awful person…
Heathcliff: That’s not…
Shino: Don’t deny it. It may be hard to hear, but it’s the truth.
Heathcliff: …
Heathcliff: That isn’t fair. You always overlook all of my flaws.
Shino: You’re cute when you mess up.
Heathcliff: Cute...?
Shino: But I’m hopeless. Sometimes, I feel ashamed to even stand by your side.
Heathcliff: …
Shino: …I must still be half asleep. We’ve already talked too much. Let’s go.
Heathcliff: …Alright.
Shino: Let’s get dressed and leave out the window.
Heathcliff: Shino.
Shino: Hm?
Heathcliff: You should tell me about it one day. I don’t think it’s as bad as you believe.
Shino: …
Shino: Sigh…
The winds of a new dawn coasted across the plains before sunrise.
With my hair fluttering in the morning wind, I opened the Sage’s Journal and began writing diligently.
“Many days have passed since I have joined the world of the wizards and became what is known as the Sage…”
“Perhaps, this journal entry may very well be my last.”
Cock Robin: Master Sage? What ever could you be writing about?
I must have had quite the serious look on my face. Cock Robin peers down at me with worry.
Sakitty, stretching out upon my right shoulder, also seems concerned (probably).
I inhale deeply, changing my mind. I cross out the last sentence with a long line.
“I have faith in all of the wizards. The battle training today will be a resounding success!”
I gazed up, seeing a long sliver of light, similar to the line I just drew, shining along the dark horizon.
The sun begins to rise.
Akira: I’m okay. I’m mentally prepared!
Akira: Do whatever you want to me, I’m ready! [2]
Cock Robin: D-Don’t say something so intense with such a bright smile…
Snow: Ho ho ho! You appear as utterly ready to die as a fish on a hook!
White: There is naught to worry. We shall keep you safe.
Akira: Snow, White…
Snow: I request you to give us the Sacrificium.
White: Do not fret, you may have it back later.
Akira: Uu… Uu… Sakitty… Goodbye… I hope we meet again…
I hugged Sakitty close then handed her back to Snow and White.
Sakitty’s purpose is to stand in place of harm and protect me.
Having it around would ruin the role of the wizards.
That’s why Snow and White requested it back for the major training exercise.
Akira: (It would be sad if something happens to Sakitty during training and it disappears…)
Akira: (But if something does happen, would I have to take the brunt of the injury?)
Akira: (Like a bite from Cerberus, or being struck with Oz’s lightning...?)
Cock Robin: Best of luck, Master Sage! I will be here, writing down all of your heroic accomplishments as your secretary!
I nodded my acknowledgement towards Cock Robin’s words of encouragement, but my previous anxiety began to bubble up once more.
For the time, I just have to have trust in everyone and give it a shot.
Because this training exercise is pertinent in our fight to win against the Great Calamity.
I returned the Sage’s Journal to my bag, gazing up at the darkened sky.
Riquet appears, straddling his broomstick, suspended in the air. The contours of his broom are bathed silver in the shine of sunrise.
Riquet: Master Sage. It’s nearly time.
Riquet: When the sun finally rises, I will signal the start of the exercise with my lantern.
Akira: Understood.
Arthur: Riquet. With the light of your lantern, our fellow colleagues will start moving.
Arthur: But so will the enemy. Please be careful.
Riquet: Of course, Prince Arthur!
Arthur, standing at my side, smiles back at Riquet to reassure him, then gallantly mounts his broom.
He seems to be in high spirits, his magical book already summoned in his hands.
The wind howls around him, buffeting his silver hair, as if a clear demonstration of his overflowing power.
I felt as if the unseen spirits were urging him on, whispering: “Now, let us play, little prince.”
“We will supply you with the most pleasant winds.”
Arthur: Master Sage, do be careful!
Akira: Yes! You too, Arthur!
Arthur: Cain, please take care of him.
Cain: Leave it to me. Alright, let’s go, Akira!
Cain reaches down towards me, leaning from his broom.
Akira: Okay…!
Holding tight to Cain’s hand, I race across the early morning meadow, matching the speed of his broom.
The morning dew soaked my feet, bringing with it the crisp scent of grass. Cain tugs my arm, jerking me onto the broom with his practiced moves.
My body begins to float with the broom, feet disappearing from the ground.