The streets of Friedenswald

Moving through the cobbled pathway leading to the streets of the capital, after two months and a half of traveling laterーfrom the Imperial Vascht till here, we have officially…

“ーARRIVED!!! Woahh!!!! We’re actually high above the clouds!! And it’s amazing that people are living here…?” Marieka couldn’t stop gnawing over the sight.

In front of us was a large city enveloped in lights, tall buildings with beautiful architecture, skillful craftsmanshipーand like how I remembered the last time I came here, the buildings around us were filled with bakeries. It was truly a haven for those that yearn to have their teeth ache.

Beyond the walls, the capital was surrounded by taller mountains despite the capital already being above the mountain point from the ground. And similar to the last village, it wasn’t freezing cold rather just the right temperature.

Annaliese and Marieka couldn’t stop their urge to run around like children once more, even though they’re both older than I am.

“Varieka… Is it okay if…” Marieka pleaded, trying to use her puppy eyes as a way to guilt trip me.

I exhaled and allowed them to do whatever they pleased. “It’s okay, you two can wander off… Just be sure to meet up somewhere.”

They both nodded and separated from us, blending in with the crowds as they went. I turned to Astrid and offered her my word from before. “As promised, I’ll be buying you the cake that I’ve spoken about… The restaurant is around this area. Or would you like to wander around the place more…?”

Astrid shrugged. “I don’t mind at all! Maybe we can talk while walking? I suppose that’s how we can enjoy ourselves here.”

“Then, would you like to visit a shop around here? I need to buy a new coat and scarf. I’m sure you’d like one too?”
She nodded, her tail swaying mindlessly as she tried containing her excitement. "I am needing new clothes… Since I can’t always be wearing my council knight outfit all the time.”

“Great! Let’s get going.”

Turning around, I held out my hand as a droplet of snowflake landed on my palmーmy mana glowing as I manually suppressed it to nothing. It’s harder to hide within Friedenswald’s barrier, than on the Imperial Vascht…

⇔ ⇔ ⇔ ⇔

“What do you think of this one? Mistress Varieka.” Astrid held out a white winter coat with a four buttons and a nice embroidery embedded.

I leaned closer to check out the fabric. “Hmm… That’s not a bad coat…Then, I’ll pick this one.” Gently taking it from her hands.

She smiled, ears moving, proud of picking a good design for me. “Hooray!!! Mistress Eilise is gonna wear it!!”

Afterwards she decided to check around for more clothing. Pulling my hoodーwalking through the shop and just looking around before there, In front of me, I saw a purple scarf that I wanted, and behind that a display stand, holstering ornaments.

I stood still to stare at the ornamentsーrunning through my mind and got curious, then I had this idea.

Would anyone suspect me if my hairstyle was different…?

Taking my time to choose, I decided. “I guess I’ll buy an ornament for Marieka and Annaliese, maybe one for Astrid too.”

I took the purple scarf and four ornaments from the display stands, heading to the receptionist table and paying for the items before holstering them in my pocket. Then stepped out of the shop and waited for Astrid.

“What a kind worker…” I muttered to myself as I stared from the outside.

Standing on the streets, as minutes went by, I waited until Astrid eventually left the shop. “Sorry Mistress Varieka, I had a hard time choosing coats for me.”

Hugging a navy blue cloth coat, she sped up her steps to me. I tilted my head and asked. “Do you plan to carry this? Have you learned to use Pocket Magic?”

“O… Oh! Well uhm, I have… But I don’t use it frequently, the only time I ever use it is in case my sword breaks, because I only bring spare ones. It just takes so much of your mana, that doesn’t help at all when you're fighting.”

“Huh…? I guess you only know how to efficiently embed mana to your sword… It takes some time to reduce mana usage for pocket magic. Regardless, if you want me to carry that, I don't mind putting it in my pocket.”

Astrid shook her head, insisting she’d carry it instead. “No! It’s fine Mistress Varieka! I’m not gonna like, use my mana to fight or anything. So I’m fine with that…”

She tossed the coat in the air and it disappeared, exhaling as she felt the drawback. “I’m really amazed with how Marieka is capable of doing this efficiently…”

“To be fair, before you came along, she struggled too. I happened to teach her how to properly reduce its mana consumption.”

Her tail wagged. “Really! Can you please teach me too… If that’s fine by you of course…”

“Sure thing. I’ll demonstrate to you before you depart from Vanhaert.” I nodded.

Though I still don’t understand why pocket magic is draining for her while what she’s doing consumes more mana…

Exhaling, I thought to myself in disbelief. It’s a good way to hide her beastfolk heritage from other people aside from us. That is, Illusive Illusion magic…

Clearing my throat, I looked towards the crowds before walking along the streets, heading through downtown as snow fellーThe night sky visible like someone had burst through a hole in the heavens. Strolling in Friedenswald felt like we were closer to the stars than on the ground.

Then in the midst of everything, throughout this whole journey. I’ve been reminded that there was still something I just couldn’t let go. I’ve been trying so hard for all these years and yet I…

No matter how much I try to fight it, It’s really impossible isn’t it…? I exhaled, chuckling, squinting my eyes before I shook my head.

Looking around the stalls, I saw one that happened to sell books and grimoires… And without hesitation, I ran towards it and stopped shortーLeaning down to check the stuff from the displays as Astrid went beside me.

No less, it was all books that were neither useful nor conventional.

Astrid noticed the look on my face and asked. “You are interested in these types of books? Mistress Varieka?”

“Mhm, that’s right. You probably don’t know that I sometimes collect useless books… Guess this is your first time.”

She tilted her head, curious as to why. “Is there a reason for this…? Or it could just be your hobby.”

I straightened my posture, narrowing my eyes. “Well… As a child, I didn’t really take interest in magic partly due to being a noble. I was trained to be an aristocratーAnd they expected highly of me because I was supposed to be the heir… Hence why they would never accept any mistakes, so the pressure was shouldered on me.” Pausing before I clenched my teeth. “And I grew up on that…”

I continued. “And then one day, little me got curious and wandered off to the library, randomly taking a book from the shelves that contained… A useless spell!”

“....Eh, huh?! W… what was the spell, Mistress Varieka?”

“ーJust a book that makes you read faster…” I softly chuckled. “But that was when I realized I was able to perceive magic! Which carved the path to where I am now… Marieka doesn’t understand but, If it weren’t for me opening that useless book. You wouldn’t be seeing me here today… I probably could’ve been an aristocratic woman.”

Astrid was taken back, nodding. “Wow… I didn’t know how much it actually means to you, Mistress Varieka…”

“Yeah~~,” I ran my fingers through a grimoire from the display stand. “These are a reminder to me of my love of magic… It’s to represent why we live. Which is to enjoy our lives before we eventually weep…”

Astrid approached the display stand to check the booksーeventually taking one and then called the worker.

“Excuse me!!! Could I buy this one!” She raised her voice.

The worker replied back, gently assuring her. “Yes! Please wait a moment!”

I turned to Astrid, my face filled with confusion.

“You’re planning to buy one…? Why? You’re a frontliner right? Not a mage…?” Tilting my head.

She smiled in response. “Well, you’ve inspired me, Mistress Varieka… So I plan to buy one too.” Following it up with a smirk.

“Brother… Goodness, you… it can’t be helped…” I shrugged, exhaling in defeat. “