Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins

“Every time I come here, I feel that you getting this lab wasn’t a privilege as a promising magic scholar, but rather the result of the Research Institute generously giving away an old lab that was awkward to deal with. Theorist. Why don’t you ask for a new lab?”

“A lecturer who hasn’t even become a Full Professor couldn’t possibly make such a request.”

“You could ask Professor Klaus Müller for help, couldn’t you?”

“Even though my father-in-law has become more lenient, his iron rule remains firm. He doesn’t involve personal feelings in matters involving the Research Institute. His son-in-law is no exception. We’re both busy, so if you’re just here to talk nonsense, why don’t you go home? Mr. Experimental Magic Scholar who’s likely to win this year’s Russell Prize.”

“Guh. Well. As you might guess, I didn’t come here to talk nonsense.”

“So you’ve heard the news too.”

“The permission for travel and trade between the Federation and the former Imperial territories… Trade isn’t my concern, but the important thing is that from next month, anyone can cross over to Empire lands whenever they want. Everyone seems to understand it as a quasi-independence declaration. It’s unusual for the Federation to take a step back like this.”

“It’s been over fifteen years since the war. As those who remember the old power structure are retiring one by one, they probably judged that taking on the risk of being identified with the old Empire to gain unprofitable Imperial territories was an unfavorable deal. Of course, the name Bayel Empire won’t be coming back.”

“Oh ho. I didn’t know a theorist like you had such insight.”

“…One of my sisters in the military has become a higher-up beyond imagination. She said she chose a position with little responsibility and plenty of time to meet family, but it seems like she’s got her priorities backwards. Anyway…”

I looked into my friend’s eyes.

The one who took a sip of the coffee served to guests with a brazen smile, despite bearing a large scar in the middle of his face.

That is, in Werner Ross Diemann’s eyes.

I said:

“Have you made your decision?”

“Long ago. I’ll cross over within half a year. Whether I’ll bring her back right away, or stay in that land for years, I’ll only know when the time comes.”

“…I can’t guarantee what the public safety will be like there. You’re in a state where you can’t even run, even if you look fine on the outside.”

“Ugh. Well. It’s fine as long as I can walk at a pace that matches my mother’s.”

He laughs dryly and downs the rest of his coffee in one go.

Werner looked at me and asked:

“So. What will you do, Eugene?”

#November 7th. Clear.

A wedding more beautiful than any other.

It was a day that felt somewhat clumsy to describe it that way.

The bride being carried into the mansion by the groom in front of some early-arriving guests, and still using a cane even in her wedding dress…

The groom’s stiff posture that made it clear to anyone that he had lived his life at odds with ceremonies…

The very spacious and beautiful but somewhat cold garden of the mansion, and the food that was mostly snacks—I had been looking forward to how delicious the sausages from a rich household would be—in many ways, it was far from perfect.

But there were two things I could say for certain.

That day, on the day of the wedding…

There was a smile on everyone’s lips…

…and the two who exchanged kisses were shining with love.

Yes, just like a winter night’s dream.

Hmm.

Wait, a dream?

“Ack.”

“Wake up, sis.”

Ellie Oslo woke up with a start, her face flushed.

It wasn’t because she had dreamed of the person she had a crush on, as teenage girls often do. It was too red to be a subtle blush, and for that, physical intervention was necessary.

“I can’t breathe!”

Sally, who had been pinching her twin sister’s nose, let go with a playful laugh. Her green eyes curved in a smile.

“Breakfast, eat.”

“…Alright.”

Ellie replied grumpily while rubbing her numb nose.

The morning sunlight was unchanging for years.

But listening to the household sounds that had become quieter by one person’s worth, Ellie once again recalled the thought she had harbored many times.

She was the most unfortunate person in the Oslo family.

It’s not that the tomboy Ellie Oslo had grown into a thinker living with profound philosophical propositions as a result of aging.

It was the kind of worry that young people of that age typically suffer from. For example, a combination of ‘What have I done to be an adult the day after tomorrow’ and ‘What should I do for a living’, and as is typical for peers of that age, Ellie’s expression unabashedly revealed her mood.

She hoped that her family at the dining table would understand her unhappiness a little…

…But this was a house of geniuses and Benjamin, upon discovering Ellie’s thoroughly sullen expression, offered a hearty laugh instead of a morning greeting.

“Hahaha. Ellie, are you in ‘existential anguish’ again this early in the morning?”

“You tease her too much. Career worries are a serious matter. Ah, Ellie? Sit down quickly.”

“…”

Ellie sat down at the table with a thud, still wearing a sullen expression.

When did the usual breakfast time turn into an occasion for teasing?

Her twin sister always had a tendency for sharp words, and Benjamin seemed even more mischievous than herself when young. Even Susan, who had comforted her until relatively recently, seemed to have started enjoying teasing her at some point.

“Sigh. Really.”

Now, there was only one person she could rely on.

Ellie relaxed her sullen expression and looked across the table.

“Sister Lena.”

Lena, who was taking a small bite of toast, raised her eyes.

Lena Oslo.

With her neat attire and beautiful black hair that reached her shoulders tied back in a half-up style, she looked not much different from Ellie’s memories of long ago.

It was about ten years ago, wasn’t it? Lena, who was once praised as a young entrepreneur, is now adapting to her role as the director of the Magic Studies Research Foundation.

And now, at the same age as when Lena was making a name for herself as a young entrepreneur, she still needed help.

In Ellie’s common sense, being 19 didn’t mean she was an adult at all. *1

Ellie rested her chin on both palms and spoke pleadingly.

“You understand how I feel, right, sis?”

“As I always say, Ellie. There’s nothing I can do to help with your career.”

“Huuu.”

It seems the deliberately whiny voice was effective.

Lena, who had been mumbling with her toast, quickly swallowed it and put on a worried look.

“I, I support you. When I say there’s nothing I can do to help, I mean I can’t provide practical assistance… And, none of us are rushing you to decide your future quickly, right?”

“Yes. So, just eat the toast in your hand already.”

Sally chimes in with a comment.

They say the interfering sister-in-law is worse than the hitting mother-in-law. Sally’s expression was exactly like that.

It was obvious she’d be teased if she made another insincere whining sound.

After fumbling with her words for a moment, Ellie carefully revealed her true feelings.

“You all don’t understand because you live diligently and earnestly. Not to mention my sisters and brother, even Sally found her dream early on. Yet I, who grew up being called a genius, still don’t know what I want to do.”

“Many problems are solved by time, and pain is necessary to gain something.”

“Ugh…”

Lena answered without hesitation and then took another bite of her marmalade-topped toast.

It was frustrating how the rising sweet orange scent made her mouth water.

Benjamin, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, added with a grin.

“There’s a reason why general principles are general principles, Ellie. Nothing is as hard as living diligently and earnestly.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. Susan and I went through hardships to have a family. That’s how we met you all.”

“…”

“Not to mention the trouble Eugene caused, Louise and Dorothy are so busy they can barely show their faces once every few months. Lena ruthlessly cut off friendships for the sake of family and work. Hahaha!”

Ellie saw Lena’s eyes sharpen indescribably.

But true to her nature of not being able to hone her language as sharply as her gaze, Lena retorted in a sulky voice.

“I do have… Friends.”

“Oh ho. So your frequent visits to the newlyweds’ house, knowing you were being a nuisance, were to meet friends?”

“Th-that was… To buy gifts for Clara.”

A welcome name came up.

A new family member whose name was becoming increasingly familiar.

A child with such flowing chestnut hair that one might think the new sister-in-law had given birth to her alone, but Ellie remembered laughing out loud when she saw the child’s calm expression, just like her father’s, starting to show around her first birthday.

She had pinched those white cheeks a couple of times, and the feeling was really…

Ellie felt a faint smile escaping from her gloomy mood.

After all is said and done, the twins, Ellie and Sally, are no longer the youngest in the Oslo family.

Just as she had grown up under reliable siblings, shouldn’t that child do the same?

What’s needed to solve a problem is a solution, but an explicit answer isn’t always necessary to lighten the heart’s burden.

With a sigh mixed with a chuckle, she picked up a slice of toast.

“You have a lot of worries too, sis.”

“Ugh.”

“I’m sorry for saying such gloomy things first thing in the morning. Everyone. I’ll take my time to think about it. You’ll all be staying in Frauzen except for Sister Dorothy, right?”

“Hmm. That’s debatable.”

“…Huh?”

Ellie quickly turned her head.

At the end of her gaze was Benjamin.

He stroked his chin as if to deny the possibility of a joke.

“What do you mean, debatable?”

Ellie asked again.

Benjamin answered quite seriously.

“Your brother might leave, Ellie.”

“Oh my. Miss Ellie?”

“I, I came to visit. Can I come in?”

“Of course. You’ve matured a lot since I last saw you. As it happens, he and Clara are at the mansion for a while, so I needed someone to talk to.”

The woman, who had been engrossed in knitting while wearing a sweater the same color as her hair and a long skirt, carefully stood up.

Julia Oslo welcomed the untimely visitor with a gentle smile.

“You’re welcome.”

A house that always smells of freshly baked bread and a subtle rose scent.

That was the nickname for the duplex house known among the residents of Münz Street.

It was somewhat unexpected for Ellie. Given the reputation of the residents, it should be as famous as the house of geniuses.

Also, if it became known that both members of the couple were originally unable to live without a wheelchair or cane, it would become a topic of conversation, for better or worse.

Despite this, the fact that it had such a nickname…

It must be evidence that the two are living ordinarily and happily.

…Or so she had thought.

That was until she heard those words.

At that moment, Julia, who had brought out some refreshments, suddenly pressed Ellie’s cheeks with her thumb and index finger.

“You don’t look well. Do you have something on your mind?”

T/N

The legal adult age in South Korea is 19 (international age). If you’re wondering why the Korean age system doesn’t apply here, as of June 2023, South Korea officially adopted the international age system for most legal purposes, meaning age is now calculated the same way it is in most other countries.

Hello! Axiomatic here.

Thanks for reading, see you in the final chapter!