I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

4 – 4. Gift

Since that day, I dedicated myself to practicing magic.

Perhaps it was because I remembered the way Ariel looked at me, sparkling with admiration.

Well, even if that wasn’t the reason, considering my plan to enroll in the academy, mastering magic was something I had to continue practicing.

Anyway, after diligently practicing magic, showcasing basic spells to Ariel with shining eyes became a part of my daily routine.

Although it wasn’t anything extraordinary, just creating a small cup of water or momentarily conjuring fire, Ariel loved it immensely.

And so, with her positive reaction in mind, I practiced magic again.

In the midst of it, I found myself becoming obsessed with a sudden thought.

Of course, even in the midst of that, I didn’t forget my encounters with Ariel.

And on that day as well, I was engaged in a conversation with her.

Some time had passed since our engagement; we were both eighteen now.

“Why isn’t your skill improving?”

Ariel said as she arranged the scattered chess pieces.

I looked at her and grimaced, replying, “I told you. I don’t have time for chess because of magic practice.”

Ariel looked at me and, with an enthusiastic smile, said, “Why is your tongue so sharp? It’s unattractive.”

I barely managed to suppress the urge to blurt out a curse. Despite my struggle, Ariel found it amusing and asked me with a laugh, “So, how’s that magic practice going? Show me once.”

I shook my head and said, “No, it’s not ready yet. Isn’t your birthday in a few days?”

Ariel opened her mouth upon hearing those words.

“What?”

“I’ll show you then. I have something prepared.”

Ariel smiled at my words and spoke.

“What is it, really? Are you seriously looking forward to it?”

As I said that, I sighed, looking at her with amethyst-colored eyes.

“No, it’s nothing special. Not extraordinary at all. Just… I thought it’s better to put in some effort myself rather than giving a gift that can be patched up with money, you know?”

Ariel listened to my words and stared at me intently.

It felt like her gaze could pierce through.

“Hmm…”

I refused to continue the conversation with her.

Then, Ariel seemed to realize that she couldn’t pry any further into the matter and changed the subject.

“Well, let’s leave it at that for now. By the way, are you still carrying that around?”

Ariel pointed at my finger and spoke.

I raised my hand, looked at my finger, and replied.

“Oh, this? I just keep wearing it because I think it’s better that way. It’s enchanted, so it’s not uncomfortable either.”

What she pointed at was the engagement ring between us.

Since the engagement ring was enchanted to adjust its size to fit the wearer’s finger and wouldn’t come off unless the wearer took it off themselves, I had been wearing it everywhere since we exchanged rings.

I looked at her and said.

“Why don’t you wear it for a change? It’s an item made for wearing, after all.”

Ariel stuck out her tongue.

“How about if you beg me?”

I chuckled in disbelief.

“What nonsense. And even if I did, you wouldn’t wear it anyway.”

In response to my words, Ariel widened her eyes, then slapped my arm lightly.

“Oh~ Do you finally recognize me?”

“Obviously. So, you won’t give me a present even on your birthday?”

She looked up for a moment, contemplating, then spoke to me.

“Well, what about you?”

I nodded in response to her words.

“Fine. I should’ve wished for something.”

…

Finally, it was Ariel’s birthday. And there I was, in the midst of everyone’s attention at the 14th birthday party for Ariel.

“Hello, Master Kong?”

“Pleased to meet the Master of Kainus.”

“Oh, yeah.”

I skillfully dealt with the approaching crowd and, while searching for Ariel, I finally spotted her and approached.

“Oh, you came?”

She looked at me, nodded, and greeted me with a slight tilt of her head. I took a seat next to her.

“Yeah, I’m here.”

As soon as I sat down, without even a moment to catch my breath, Ariel reached out her hand to me.

“Give me a present.”

As expected, there was no ring in sight. I grimaced at her and said,

“Is that the first thing you say when you see me? At least put on the ring.”

“Why? It’s supposed to show how much your magic has improved. Come on, show me. And I don’t want to wear the ring because it’s annoying.”

I sighed deeply and glanced at the attendant who had followed me, giving him a signal.

He then took out a box and handed it to me, and I, in turn, gave the box to Ariel.

“There. Take a look by yourself later.”

Ariel gave me a strange smile and whispered in my ear.

“Don’t you hate it? I’m going to see it right now.”

“No… Well… Fine. Do as you please.”

“Look. People are eagerly anticipating what kind of gift you’ll be giving. You should meet those expectations, right?”

Ariel said so, opening the box.

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Inside, there was a necklace made of crystals the color of her eyes.

“What’s this? It’s beautiful, but you said it would show magic when I look at it.”

I clenched my fist and spoke.

“There’s magic inside. If you infuse mana here…”

Suddenly, the necklace glowed, and a faint blue barrier formed around her.

“It’s a portable ward artifact. Well, it’s not on a grand scale, considering my abilities, and the enchantment embedded inside isn’t top-notch. But, well, since I made it, I hope it serves its purpose of always keeping you safe, even if it’s not as potent as the materials I used or the help I received multiple times.”

Ariel looked at the necklace with a vacant gaze, then turned to me and said.

“You made this yourself?”

“Yeah. Well… with magic stones and various other things to put in, and considering my mediocre skills compared to the ingredients, I received help several times, but I made it. Diligently.”

Ariel, with a blank expression, oscillated her gaze between me and the necklace for a while, then pondered something and turned her head.

“Wait a moment. I forgot something for a moment.”

“What is it?”

Without answering my question, she headed somewhere.

And when she came back, a small ring was on her finger.

I smiled at her. Ariel blushed at my expression, turned her head abruptly, and said.

“…I’m giving it to you because you asked so earnestly. There won’t be a next time.”

…

“Young master, your recent progress in magic is excellent.”

That day, during another magic lesson, the tutor who was teaching me magic said so.

I looked at him and asked.

“Really?”

The tutor nodded and looked at me.

“The ability to manipulate magic and the purity of the manipulated magic have both increased. The rate of growth is the fastest I’ve ever seen. At this pace, it won’t be long before you can use all basic spells. Roughly… assuming you maintain this momentum, it should take about three months.”

I could only be astonished at hearing those words.

Being able to use all basic spells meant being among the top students in the first year at the academy.

It meant that I had surpassed at least a year’s worth of progress.

“Well then, you’ll need a good wand. Being able to use all basic spells means becoming a respectable wizard.”

Feeling the flow of magic in my body, I joyfully traced it, my heart swelling.

The homeroom teacher who was observing me with satisfaction asked,

“However, what I’m curious about is the cause of this rapid growth.”

I looked at him. In response, he sighed and said while waving his hand,

“No, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just as it is. Master, you may not know, but handling innate abilities like magic is closely related to the human mental state. And in such situations…”

“Is there no other reason for sudden growth than a valid one?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Hearing that, I furrowed my brow, trying to recall if there was anything.

No matter how much I thought, there didn’t seem to be any noticeable change. The teacher asked me,

“Think about it. Has there ever been a time when you used magic, had a pleasant experience, or developed a desire to be good at magic? The origin of this growth is likely tied to that.”

“I don’t think there’s…”

Just as I was about to say that, I stopped.

At that moment, the expression on Ariel’s face when she accepted the necklace flashed in my mind.

Looking at me in that state, he said with a faint smile,

“Is there?”

I remained silent.