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“Hah, so that was it. The reason Hanamana showed so much interest in humans… the reason she went out into the village to live with them…”

Keineu was chugging alcohol again with a dismal expression, having pulled out another bottle from somewhere.

Is it really that shocking that Hanamana has a preference for middle-aged men?

“I don’t think Hanamana came here for that reason, though.”

“Well, whatever. Just as you said, definitely it was impossible for my love to come true.”

“……”

Was Zion right after all?

I never thought a person could fall apart like this.

If Keineu had liked Hanamana since they were childhood friends, then their relationship is basically a nearly 200-year-long unrequited love story.

The conclusion of such a story is absurdly normal.

“Anyway, thanks. I want to be alone, so please go out for a bit. Maybe explore the village or something. I’ll let you know when Hanamana wakes up.”

Keineu waved his hands at us, as if urging us to leave.

After awkwardly nodding, I intended to step out, but—

“Um… is it okay if I take Hanamana with me?”

Zion seemed intent on looking after the unconscious Hanamana.

“Why? Are you worried about what I might do?”

“W-well, not really, but…”

“Hey, Hero. I understand I may seem untrustworthy, but Hanamana fainted from just a sip of alcohol. It would be easy for me to do something if I really wanted to. If I had genuine intentions, I would have acted long before you were even born. Got it?”

“……”

In the end, Zion had no choice but to nod and step out of the house, leaving Keineu behind.

Zion still wore a displeased expression. Was he worried about Hanamana?

“Don’t worry too much, Zion. If nothing else, I think his feelings for Hanamana are genuine.”

“I know that too. That’s why I wished he didn’t realize this…”

In truth, wandering around without Hanamana meant we had no idea where to go, and with no clear place to stay, we ended up heading to the village square with the most benches, where we could wait endlessly for Hanamana to wake up.

“Do you think he’ll be okay soon? He seemed utterly broken.”

We only had three days, and the person tasked with teaching space magic was drowning his sorrows in alcohol after a heartbreak on the very first day.

Feeling anxious, I asked Zion for his opinion.

“Broken… you say?”

Zion’s eyes widened in shock at my words.

Did something terrible happen?

“Could it be that Teacher Hop… if he’s broken, does that mean it doesn’t matter that he’s a man?”

“……”

What’s with the surprise?

“Zion, it seems you have some misunderstanding about me. I’m thrilled by the difference between my original shining self and my broken state, but that doesn’t mean I like everything broken.”

“Well, he’s still quite handsome for an elf, isn’t he?”

“You mean ‘he’? He’s still the king of a nation, you know…”

God knows how many contradictions I could point out just from that one comment… First, the most important thing must be clarified.

“And shining isn’t just about looks. It’s hard to explain accurately, but anyway, you and he are completely different, so don’t worry unnecessarily.”

“Actually, I was joking. The idea of Teacher Hop liking anything more than me is something I can’t even imagine.”

“Then should we kiss?”

“Sounds good.”

It was midday in the park, but it felt like no one was around, so we lightly pressed our lips together without hesitation.

The act of kissing, sneaking glances at each other, and smiling was immensely enjoyable.

Confirming our love for each other was a deeply fulfilling and satisfying experience.

Now, I don’t live to find the broken things—I live to see Zion.

Could Zion come to feel that way too? Could he escape his natural tendencies and predetermined fate to live for someone else?

If someone were to ask me that answer, I’d want to reply that I would never know, but the day I find out is steadily approaching.

A fear that tightens my chest overcomes me, yet I again try to ignore it.

Perhaps my eagerness to confirm Zion’s love whenever I get the chance is due to this anxiety.

***

“The way to handle space isn’t actually that hard. Space magic is just difficult to have an aptitude for, but once you have that, all you need is to know the tricks, and you could master it in a day.”

The next day, after a day had passed, Keineu seemed to have regained his senses and came to meet us first.

Thus, today became our day to learn space magic from him.

According to Keineu’s earlier explanation, it seemed that wasting a day wasn’t a big issue.

“Yes, your majesty.”

“First off, let’s change that title. From now on, call me ‘Master.'”

“Master?”

“Why are you surprised? You’re seeking my teachings; it’s only natural.”

That’s certainly a valid point, but the notion of this guy being a master feels off.

Then again, thinking about it, Keineu only acts strangely when it comes to anything related to Hanamana.

If he had set aside his feelings for her due to the heartbreak from yesterday, he’s just a normal elf now, right?

If that’s the case, there’s really nothing he can’t do.

“Understood, Master.”

“Alright. Then I’ll tell you a few key points you must know to handle space.”

Finally, Keineu’s space magic lecture is about to commence.

If mastering space magic can happen just by learning tricks, what method will he use to teach me?

“The first point is precisely the Spatial.”

“The first? I thought that would be more of an advanced topic.”

“Nope. That’s the usual thought process, meaning you need to change your perception of space first. Watch closely.”

Keineu placed his finger on the ground right next to a cup on the table and said,

“Local Space Movement Array, activate.”

He chanted the incantation and drew a magic circle beneath the cup.

Before long, a magic circle appeared simultaneously on my side across the table!

“What do you think the image in your head is when using this magic? Go ahead and tell me in order.”

The order of conducting the Space Movement Array? Well then…

“First, you need to decide where to arrive.”

“And next?”

“The shape of the magic circle…”

“Nope. Actually, this circle is just a deception. It doesn’t hold any meaning; it’s a secret among those with aptitude for space.”

“Excuse me?”

The magic circle is a ruse? Then how on earth is this magic supposed to be used?

“The next thing you have to do is visualize the passage connecting the spot you’re currently standing in and your destination.”

“A passage?”

“Let’s consider this table as space itself. Now, imagine there’s a hole connecting here, your starting point, and there, the destination, beneath this table.”

“A hole passing through underneath…”

“Exactly. Below this table. It constitutes the front and back of the space we live in, existing on the opposite side. That’s the Spatial. This space movement magic connects two points through this Spatial.”

I see now. If we follow Keineu’s explanation, this is basically a wormhole.

While a wormhole doesn’t exactly go through the Spatial and connects two points directly, roughly calling that tunnel the Spatial aligns with the image Keineu described.

Though I’m not well-versed in relativity, visualizing it isn’t too challenging.

“Activate.”

– Whoosh.

As Keineu activated the magic circle, the cup in front of me instantly teleported over. So this is space movement magic.

“This magic circle doesn’t create the magic. Since space is connected, movement is possible, and the magic circle simply indicates the area. You create the space while drawing the magic circle, and when you say you activate the magic circle, it’s like opening and closing the door for just a moment. That’s how you perform the Space Movement Array. You can’t use this magic without understanding the Spatial. Acknowledging the existence of the Spatial is the first step towards space magic. So, do you understand?”

Upon finishing his explanation, Keineu removed his finger from the magic circle and erased it.

“Could I give it a try?”

“Go ahead.”

Connecting the passage through the Spatial between the departure point and the destination, I thought.

“Local Space Movement Array, activate.”

I placed my finger beneath the cup and chanted the incantation, producing two magic circles. Did I succeed?

“Oh, you created a passage. You did it in one go!”

“It really is easy.”

Perhaps it was thanks to already knowing the image of the visualized Spatial?

My modern understanding of space assisted me here.

“It’s all thanks to my precise guidance.”

“How long does it usually take?”

“No idea. I’ve never taught anyone before.”

“Surely, you must have had a time it took for you.”

“It took me about 100 years.”

“100 years?!”

“Nobody taught me. As far as I know, this is the first time I’ve seen another aptitude holder.”

Aptitude holders are a talent that appears once every century. Given elves don’t interact with humans, the chances of 200-year-old Keineu meeting another aptitude holder is almost nonexistent.

So, Keineu must have mastered space magic all on his own after realizing the existence of the Spatial over 100 years, right?

It took him a century, but I certainly consider that a remarkable feat compared to my one-time success from having learned from someone.

Thinking about it, space magic hasn’t been passed down at all. The lack of related books or data makes my meeting Keineu quite a stroke of luck.

“Then let me teach you the rest. The next thing is…”

***

“I wonder if the Teacher is doing well?”

While teaching space magic took place, Zion was being shown around the elf village by Hanamana.

However, Hanamana, who was guiding Zion, didn’t look particularly bright.

“Hanamana should have told Kay about this, but she fainted, so…”

“Isn’t it unfair to feel sorry for him when he’s the one who tricked Hanamana into drinking?”

“Kay isn’t a bad person.”

When it came to Keineu, even though she fainted due to being tricked by him, Hanamana still defended him.

“Even if Kay looks like this, he has a deep heart and an open mind. He probably told you something he didn’t want Hanamana to hear. As a king, he can’t help but be cautious around humans, even if Hanamana is his friend. If Hanamana were awake, she wouldn’t be able to talk freely with you and the senior.”

“……”

To Zion, no matter how much he thought about it, he felt the deeper and more open heart belonged to Hanamana rather than Keineu.

To interpret things that way—what Kay said was definitely something Hanamana shouldn’t have heard. Zion felt lucky she hadn’t heard it.

‘Thank goodness Hanamana has unusual tastes. If she started liking something like that claiming to be childhood friends, I would be furious!’

Meanwhile, as Zion felt relief, Hanamana’s thoughts were…

‘Has Kay matured a lot since becoming king? Trying to use his debt to the senior to open his heart. He hasn’t been bullying Hanamana like before, making me feel some sort of distance from him.’

The attitude Keineu showed briefly when they were alone after Hanamana woke up, was a reflection of Keineu’s resignation upon knowing Hanamana’s preferences.

But perhaps because of the thought that during her time among humans, her childhood friend might have grown up a little, she thought,

‘Maybe… it’s a bit lonely.’

Hanamana felt an inexplicable heaviness in her heart.

 

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