novelzi Volume 1 - Ch 12
Volume 1 - Ch 12
Lute-kun had sold the rights to reversi and other toys to Malton-san the merchant and was in a daze, having bought some magic device called magic liquid metal from him.
Magic liquid metalWe had been taught in our lessons that it was an item gained after defeating monsters called metal slimes.
Magic liquid metal is metal with a trace of magic power, and it had the properties of taking shape of the image when touching it while imagining armor in ones head.
On top of having limited use and being hard to handle, it seems it was expensive for being a magic device.
It was something synonymous with the term unpopular item. He bought that kind of thing for a lot of money.
The worlds opinion of Lute-kun further fellfrom strange kid to creepy kid.
Not even noticing that people around him were taking their distance, he gleefully took the magic liquid metal and continuously experimented, saying not like this, not like that.
Unskillful but intelligent, full of curiosity, and having lots of energy he put whatever interests him into practice. He was just as I previously thought.
I dont understand what hes doing, but I thought, As his only childhood friend, I should look after him.
Lute-kun and I, age 6.
This year I came to somewhat understand what Lute-kun was making.
I saw him making something that looks like a metal tube with a handle?, and when I asked him about it, he cheerfully explained.
Lute-kun says that its a magic device called a gun.
He had gone and developed his own original magic device! Of course, I was amazed, and my head became dizzy.
Certainly, Lute-kun did make toys that everyone enjoys.
But toys and magic devices are two entirely different things.
Even if they made a house out of toy blocks, there is no one that would think that they made a real castle all by themselves.
To make an original magic device, he would need high-grade materials, magic knowledge, lots of money, and plenty of time.
There are lots of stories of magicians destroying themselves, and countries depleting their treasuries in order to develop a magic device, and yet Lute-kun who was smarter than me should have known this.
Peoples opinion of him changed from creepy kid to pitiful kid who does not have talent for magic but could not face the reality.
Lute-kun himself was puzzled that recently, the aunties helping out at the orphanage had been strangely kind, giving me sweets and all, he didnt notice at all.
Thickheaded as always, he continued on with the development of magic devices without noticing his surroundings.
The part when the gun that Lute-kun made caused a problem, was at the beginning of summer.
Early Summer.
The day when the suns rays start becoming harsh.
I was weak against the hot sun because of my racial traits. I was idling away in the afternoon in the shade of the girls room after having finished all my work.
The other girls were playing reversi or having a chat. It was a sight I was so used to seeing. I was falling into a doze, and started to close my eyes.
KABOOOM!
Just when I was going to fall asleep, I heard a sound like a bolt of thunder. The sleepiness vanished as if it had been a lie.
Wha, what was that loud noise just now! Hii!?
And then, Elle-senseis shriek. All of us heard the sound and ran to the backyard, Elle-sensei rushed over to the crouching Lute-kun.
gu!?
We all gasped.
Lute-kun was holding his hand in pain, but there was a smile on his face.
It was a very mismatched scene, with blood all over his face. The kids who were weak of heart started crying, even fainting on the spot.
The wreck of the magic device that was the source of the sound was still emitting a faint smoke.
Everyone, dont come! The older kids please take the young ones inside!
Sensei had noticed us, and gave out her instructions.
Everyone immediately obeyed, and the older kids took the younger ones back inside the orphanage.
I wanted to stay there because I was worried for Lute-kun, but an older girl forcibly took my hand and led me back inside.
That night.
There was a little bit of time before bed, the topic of discussion in the girls room was all about Lute-kun.
It seems that the cause of the incident was magic power running amok in the middle of magic device development.
Lute-kuns injuries were no problem thanks to Elle-senseis healing magic. And as punishment for the uproar this time, he was sentenced to a 30 day ban on experiments and doing punishment work.
Ignoring what the other girls say, I recalled the words Sensei once said.
There are those who still spend great effort even though they understand that they have no talent as magicians. Especially boys, among them there are those who do not accept reality, and get their hands on dangerous magic devices, then lose their lives
Maybe Lute-kun is one of those people.
If thats the case, then as a childhood friend, I had to put him back on the right path!
With the misdirected worry for Lute-kuns sake!, I vowed to make Lute-kun into a good and honest person.
Lute-kun and I, age 7.
The hot summer had passed, its the beginning of fall.
Ever since I turned 7, I had been joining the magicians basic classes that Elle-sensei opens in the afternoons.
At the beginning, rather than magic practice, it was harsh weight training, running to build up strength, hand-to-hand fighting, and swordplay. But after half a year had passed, we got used to it and became able to handle it easily.
Today after lunch, we gather in the backyard of the orphanage to move our bodies. The ones taking the class were 2 first years, 1 second year, and me as the only half-year, for a total of 4.
All are girls, they received senseis lessons happily.
One day before the beginning of class, I looked outside the window. I noticed a person who carried luggage come out of the backyard.
Lute-kun!
When I called out to him and waved my hand he stopped.
Lute-kun was wearing a hard leather belt with the magic device he made himself, hanging from its right hand side. In his hands he holds a little barrel and on top of it is a box made of metal.
When the children of the orphanage become 7 they leave for the city to do simple work. One part of that money goes to the orphanage and the remaining will be put aside for the future.
Originally, Lute-kun was also supposed to go out to work nowadays, but he alone was stopped from working by Elle-sensei.
When Lute-kun was 5 years old, he had sold the rights to reversi and other toys and gained a considerable sum of money and donated it to the orphanage. The reason Lute-kun was prohibited from working was because if he earns any more money the other kids are going to lose their motivation.
So in the mornings he would help Elle-sensei with classes, and in the afternoons he would do experiments with that dangerous magic device by the river.
I reflexively scowled at the magic device hanging from his waist.
Lute-kun is going to experiment on magic devices again today? Experiments were mostly finished back in summer. Now its mostly practice.
Ever since the magic device explosion incident, I had been coming over to him to say that I wanted him to stop with the magic device experiments, but he evaded the issue and continued.
I had thought of throwing away his magic device without him noticing several times, but. I didnt do it because there is an orphanage rule saying Other peoples belongings are not to be tampered with or thrown away.
I was so worried about him, but he just laughed nonchalantly
If you like, I can let you touch it. If you try shooting it you will definitely appreciate this magic devices awesomeness. Its fine. I dont want to touch such a dangerous toy. Lute-kun also, stop carelessly making strange toys. Its okay already, that blunder wont happen again. Ive made it nice and safe, see.
. without understanding peoples feelings.
Anyway, be careful okay. Im fine since I have sensei next to me, but Lute-kun doesnt. Dont do anything reckless. Yeah yeah, I get it. Well then, Snow too, do your best in class
With just the right timing, Sensei showed up and called out to everyone.
Well then everyone, lets begin magicians basic lessons See you later, Lute-kun. Take care. See you later.
Once again Lute-kun walked towards the riverside.
I saw him off, looking at his back with an uneasy expression.
But my worries and Lute-kuns bad reputation were completely changed when he solved an incident.
That incident was
With maddening desire boiling up, I muttered that inside of my heart.
Snow is admirable. Even when youre scared, you stayed behind so everyone can get away youre really great.
Lute-kun comforted me, who was only holding him back. My chest was sweetly strangled by his kindness until it hurts. I cant just stay silent.
Lute-kun too, thank you, you protected Snow and the kids. Thanks
We said our thanks to each other.
For some reason Lute-kun put on a smile as if getting a little bit of peace of mind.
Afterwards, the kids that fled earlier sought Elle-senseis help, and she rushed overuntil then, Snow and I kept on hugging, as if confirming each others warmth.
After the goblin attack incident, peoples opinion of Lute-kun totally changed.
Until now, he was the poor kid who didnt have talent in magic, but couldnt face reality, but because of this incident, it changed to genius who didnt have talent in magic, but compensated for it with magic devices.
Not even minding such opinions from people, Lute-kun made a difficult face and started making a new magic device.
I unintentionally smiled faintly at his usual carefree attitude.
And then, Lute-kun and I turned 8.
An afternoon I spent rather relaxedly, after the summers climax has passed.
After magicians basic class had ended, I hurriedly ran to the test firing range.
My beloved childhood friend was putting his hands in a small cask, he was in the middle of making some cartridges.
Without holding back, I clung to his back.
Lute-kun, sorry to make you wait! Didnt I tell you already, its dangerous if you suddenly cling to me like that. Also stop sniffing me. I reek of sweat, right? Not at all! You smell really nice! *sniff sniff* Stop sniffing already, it tickles. Ehehehe, sorry.
Before I know it, it had become our usual conversation.
Lute-kun breathed a sigh of resignation, and gently patted my head. His hand felt really good, and before I realized, my tail was already happily wagging left and right.
Again and again, Lute-kuns expression changed back and forth between wanting to hug me close, and not hugging me close.
Finally, as if shaking something off, he gripped my shoulders and pushed me off.
W, well then, lets start practice. Hey, Snow, let go I want to hug harder, just a little more. Afuu~!
I put strength into my arms, and Lute-kun made a weird sound.
Th, that should be enough, no? If we cling like this any further well have no time for practice. Lute-kun is stingy. Yeah yeah, stingy is fine. Here, the gunbelt. Put the cylinder in yourself.
He bluntly handed me the gunbelt wrapped around his waist.
It was on him until just now, so it should be smelling of fresh sweat, but of course, sniffing would be rude, I thought as I received it.
While chanting in my heart patience, patience, I skillfully wrapped it around myself.
After the goblin incident, I also started practicing how to handle the magic device Lute-kun made.
He accepted, saying that I can use it for self-defense when I run out of magic power.
I took the revolver, and pushed the cylinder out. I took some 929.5mmR bullets from the remaining wooden boxes, and put them in. Raising my body abilities with body strengthening, I fired at the human shapes on the cliffs.
Practice Start.
As the evening falls we finished tidying up and went back to the orphanage hand in hand.
Just now I stole a glance at Lute-kuns face that was illuminated by the setting sun.
All the children in the orphanage have to leave when they turn 10, no exceptions.
As for me, I plan on enrolling into a magic school.
Lute-kun and I are both 8 years old. Its an age where we should soon think of our careers.
I wonder what Lute-kun plans to do.
Every once in a while, he looks far away much unlike someone his age.
What Lute-kun is thinking, what he is going to do, not even I, the closest childhood friend to him, knows.
So I sometimes become afraid.
Surely Lute-kun is going to accomplish something. Maybe something even the 5 great race heroes couldnt do, I think hes going to do something amazing like that.
The fact that he could make a magic device stronger than magic at 7 years old is proof above all.
For an ordinary person like me, its hard to be at his side, I suppose. Even though my feelings of I like him I love him wont lose to anyone.
If we leave the orphanage as we are now, the connection between Lute-kun and I will end just like this. After that, I dont think were ever going to cross paths againeven though Im supposed to return to his arms.
As I thought that, my body became cold, as if being suddenly thrown naked to some snowy mountain.
I want to stay at his side. In whatever way possible.
If I can be selfish, I want to connect Lute-kuns blood with the next generation in my belly. I want to bear his child. Seeking the strongest bonds over all relations, thats the instinct of a white wolf.
Im surely going to love that child more than myself.
Lute-kun what will you do when you become 10?
I resolved myself and asked him about his plans after graduation.
As I thought, youre going to Malton-sans place to run a toy store? No, thats not it.
Lute-kun said that without wavering.
I was thinking of going on a journey when I turn 10. Then If I can, I want to help people in trouble or in need of help. Why do you want to do that?
Receiving an unexpected answer, I reflexively asked again.
He hesitatedthen opened his mouth to talk.
Last year I helped Snow right? That time, I felt that helping others is something worth doing. If thats so, then Snow will go on a journey with Lute-kun! Snow will go to school when you turn 10, right? Then you will become a splendid magician and go to the north continent to look for your parents, that was your dream, right? If Im with Lute-kun, I can go to the north continent the way I am now.
It doesnt matter if I dont enter a magic school, as long as I can be with my beloved Lute-kun.
But hearing my remarks, Lute-kun made a very sad face.
I would be happy to be together with Snow. But, Snow has talent to become a magician. I dont want to be with Snow so much as to eat away Snows talent. I dont want to become a burden for Snow.
Lute-kun
Its sad, but what he said was right.
No matter how much I say I love him, I dont want to eat away at his talent, I dont want to be holding him back. Just staying together with him against his will, that wouldnt mean anything.
I like him I love himjust that feeling alone doesnt allow me to stay by his side.
Of course I had to become stronger, at least so I dont become a burden. Because of that, I have no choice but to go to a magic school.
But if I separate from Lute-kun just like that.
Once again I was struck by fear.
The fear of being separated from Lute-kun just as childhood friends, and not being able to meet him again.
I dont want that! I want to always be with Lute-kun!
I wiped my rising tears with my finger. I stopped my feet and released my hands, then turned around to face Lute-kun.
Miraculously, that place is exactly where I was attacked by goblins, and where he saved me.
I summoned my courage, and told him the feelings I always wanted to say.
I clasped my hands on my chest, mustered courage and raised my voice.
There is something Ive always wanted to tell Lute-kun.
He probably had guessed, and faced me with a serious look.
I mustered my courage with all my might, putting all my feelings as it is, and shouted.
Snow Please make Snow into Lute-kuns sex slave!
Huuuwwwwhhhaaaattttt!!!?