Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins

When a presence was felt outside the window in the middle of their private conversation, everyone by the fireplace, including Lena, had to swallow hard.

Eugene is a criminal. Regardless of his usual character or conduct, illegal entry is a clear violation of Federal Law, and furthermore, his place of origin is something that must be concealed at all costs in this land.

Amidst the cold silence, Lena stood up.

She grasped a piece of dry firewood.

It was a self-defense stick in case the presence outside was a thief passing by chance, and to swing it if it was a meticulous eavesdropper.

The firewood would make quite a good blunt weapon.

However, ideals and reality often diverge.

So much for self-defense. After just a few steps, the strength gradually left Lena’s grip.

When she tightly grasped it to avoid dropping it, this time, her arm started to tremble.

As Lena approached the front door stealthily with her arm shaking, just as she reached for the doorknob…

Click―

The door opened by itself.

She was too surprised to move because fear had consumed her entire body.

But when the front door opened, Lena’s fear turned to bewilderment.

It wasn’t a thief or an eavesdropper.

It was a familiar face.

Two of them, in fact.

Lena, with a flustered expression, whispered.

“Sister Louise.”

“Yes. I’m back. Your new sister was waiting in front of the door. You should have opened it, it’s cold outside.”

“New sister? What do you mean… Uh. Wait a minute. Don’t tell me the eavesdropper was…”

Meanwhile, Julia, who was being carried like a fairy tale princess by the tall Louise, also discovered a familiar face.

Relief and fear washed over her simultaneously. 

Lena, what’s that in your hand?

Her pupils constricted. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

While it’s confusing enough with just two conflicting emotions, at least three or four emotions were swirling inside Julia.

Moreover…

Throb―

“Ugh.”

…the pain that had been coming like waves surged.

Pain beyond the threshold spread throughout Julia’s body, and she couldn’t endure it.

By the time Lena’s narrow field of vision caught sight of the swollen and discolored ankle, Julia had already lowered her head.

The sound of quite a few people moving about here and there. Soft voices and the sound of preparations being made.

The noise that could rightly be called a busy atmosphere together lacked the stimulus to wake someone who had fainted.

That was exactly what the people, namely the Oslo family, had hoped for, so Julia remained submerged in darkness and groans.

If there was one miscalculation, it was that the depth of that darkness was shallow.

Julia opened her eyes, feeling the warmth settling on her body.

“Mm…”

“Are you awake?”

At that moment, a warm voice was heard close by.

Not a trace of wariness or hostility could be found in that gentle voice.

Even when Julia, slowly raising her body, squeezed her eyes shut again due to the surging pain, the voice remained just as gentle.

A strict gentleness.

“Stay still. I’m bandaging you.”

“…”

“Resting is helping, so please bear with it a little. Ellie―!”

“Yes! It’s ready!”

A cheerful reply came from far away.

Ellie. Among Eugene’s twin siblings, she’s probably the older one.

The scene of mother and daughter exchanging conversation quickly calmed her startled heart.

As she blinked calmly, her vision returned.

Soon after, Julia could understand that she was comfortably ‘placed’ in a corner of the sofa covered with a blanket and that a kind elderly woman was providing first aid to her foot.

Their eyes met. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Eugene’s mother, Susan. As they were neither strangers nor acquaintances, it was difficult to find an appropriate greeting.

“Nice to meet you.” 

“Hello.”

Both felt awkward.

While Julia was frantically pondering a greeting, Susan spoke first.

“Did you hear?”

Unlike her hand movements tightly binding the bandage, it was a calm question.

“What?” Julia wasn’t tactless enough to ask back like that, so she tightly closed her eyes.

With an anxious heart, she nodded.

“I’m sorry. I’ll forget it right away. I won’t tell anyone.”

“Wait a moment.”

“Nnngh―”

Lightning flashed in her vision.

Susan, finishing the first aid by tightly tying the bandage, wiped the cold sweat from Julia’s cheeks and said:

“No apologies allowed. Don’t jump to conclusions either. We know too little about each other right now. It’s time for a conversation.”

“A conversation?”

“Yes. Ah, Ellie. Bring it quickly.”

Following Susan’s gaze, Julia discovered a blonde girl running over with a tray with a cup on it.

That child is Ellie.

Ellie, who had managed to run over despite looking like she might fall, approached Julia’s side and asked worriedly.

“Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

“Yes. It doesn’t hurt.”

“…It’s all swollen. It looks really painful. Here, take this.”

Julia carefully received the cup Ellie handed her.

Holding the cup was the best Julia could do.

Not having the strength to check the contents, she obediently sipped.

Only after swallowing one mouthful did she realize that what was in the cup was a warm and sweet liquid.

“What’s this?”

“Sister Lena made it. It’s warm milk mixed with honey.”

“…It’s warm.” [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Ellie answered with a bright smile.

The warmed honey milk went down her throat and warmed her insides.

As she felt like flesh was growing over the marks left by the autumn night wind, she was exhaling a hot breath.

“Phew. Had a hard time finding it. You shouldn’t go around abandoning expensive canes.”

Louise, who had picked up the cane from outside, plopped down next to Julia.

Regardless of Julia’s bewilderment at the gap between the promising professor and her casual mention of being her sister-in-law, Louise stole a sip of the honey milk and looked towards Susan.

“Susan. I came because I wanted to hear the story too, but…”

“I know. But it’s too late now, so let’s talk again tomorrow. You must be tired too, Louise, and this child is injured.”

“Hmm. Let’s do that.”

“Do you have any spare clothes?”

“No. Should I ask Lena? I wonder if it’s okay to put such plain pajamas on the young lady.”

“Please do.”

Unable to follow the smoothly progressing conversation, Julia blinked and looked back and forth between the two.

By the time she finally gathered the courage to interject into the conversation between Eugene’s mother and her self-proclaimed future sister-in-law, it had already been decided that Julia would stay overnight.

Susan said:

“Is it okay if I call you Julia? Julia, I’m sorry but we only have one empty room, so can you bear with it being a bit cramped?”

Faced with such kindness, she couldn’t bring herself to say that she had snuck out of the mansion secretly.

Julia hesitantly nodded.

“It’s Eugene’s room. It might be cold, so I’ll change the blankets right away. Please wait a moment.”

“…W-wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

“Is Eugene, not here?”

Julia’s lips moved with a strong premonition that she wouldn’t be able to sleep no matter how warm the blanket was if this curiosity wasn’t resolved.

And.

Susan’s eyes showed affirmation.

“…”

Like a flower withering without a bee pollinating it, Julia slowly lowered her head.

He’s not in the lab, nor is he at home. Then… [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Knock, knock, knock―

The thought couldn’t continue any further.

Because the second unexpected guest knocking on the door was a face Julia knew.

Julia, supported by Louise, stood in front of the entrance and opened her mouth slightly in surprise.

“Phew… Miss, so you were here.”

“Head maid.”

“I was worried.”

It must be the aftermath of secretly leaving the mansion.

The head maid, looking quite tired as if the mansion had been turned upside down, gently embraced Julia.

Soon after, the head maid’s expression twitched as she confirmed Julia’s strangely haggard appearance, awkward posture, severely swollen ankle, and its treatment state.

Julia also lightly hugged the head maid and said:

“I’m fine.”

“…There’s much to reprimand, but I’ll resolve the urgent matter first.”

“Urgent matter?”

The head maid took something out of her bosom and handed it over.

A thin piece of paper, about the size of a palm.

Julia knew what it was.

“It’s a letter from Mr. Eugene Oslo.”

“It’s fortunate that the head maid allowed it. Julia. Is the blanket alright as it is?”

“Yes.”

“If there’s anything uncomfortable, feel free to call anytime. Sleep well.”

“…Good night.”

How long has it been since she said goodnight to someone other than the head maid?

As such a trivial thought arose, Susan closed the door.

Thud.

Her vision went dark.

Julia let out a shallow groan and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

Lying in Eugene’s room, on Eugene’s bed, covered with Eugene’s blanket…

If it were her usual self, she might have felt a not-so-wholesome feeling along with the comfort of being embraced, but Julia just felt her eyes burning.

His scent is all around, but he himself is not here.

“Eugene doesn’t seem to feel the cold.”

She regretted declaring not to change the blanket so boldly less than five minutes ago, as the room without warmth was dark and cold.

Without warmth, it seemed light would at least provide some comfort.

With that judgment, Julia moved her lips.

“[Ray].”

As the brooch, transferred to Lena’s pajamas, flickered, blue light leaked from her fingertips.

Soon after, Julia, who had not only covered herself with the blanket but completely entered it, took out the letter from her bosom.

[ FROM : Eugene Oslo ]

[ TO : Julia Müller ]

It was the letter.

The handwriting on the envelope of the letter, sealed with a simple wax seal, was undoubtedly Eugene’s. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

The Oslo family members, including Susan and Lena, had recommended checking it tomorrow. However.

“Please reassure me just this once, you tactless Eugene.”

Julia couldn’t wait any longer.

Under the blanket, in the blue light, she reached out and opened the letter.

The seal crumbled with a crunch. Irreversibly.

And she took out the letter inside.

“…”

Julia glanced at the letter with eyes that were both loving and sad, cherishing yet resentful.

Because she couldn’t guess at all what would be written.

Or, because she was afraid to know what he had written.

After wasting time unable to even unfold the letter, Julia finally used a method that has been used as a surefire remedy for fear since ancient times.

Bravado.

“Just try starting with something like ‘There’s no need to wait.’ I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth and slap your cheek…”

Rustle.

Julia, suppressing her heart that felt like it would burst with this bundle of bravado, carefully unfolded the letter.

Whatever the content might be, it was certain that the letter paper wouldn’t be intact soon after. It would either be torn to shreds or thoroughly soaked with tears.

And.

[ By the time this letter reaches you, I will be near the border between Frauzen and Oslovya. Yes, I have left Frauzen, and I plan not to return for a while. ]

After reading that opening, she thought perhaps the letter paper might remain intact after all.

Julia began to read the lines with a blank expression.

[ I’m sorry. ]

Formal speech.

Eugene usually spoke casually, but sometimes, when he had something to explain to her, he would use formal speech like this.

This time was no exception.

[ I am an Imperial who arrived in the land of the Federation in late summer five years ago. I’m sorry for hiding it all this time. And I feel unbearable pain that its aftermath has finally reached you. ]

[ The current situation that led me to leave Frauzen is also due to my origins. ]

[ I can’t tell you much about the detailed circumstances as they are equivalent to military secrets. The only thing I can affirm is that I will return in five years. Because it’s important, I’ll say it once more. I will return. Because. ]

Eugene was calmly explaining about himself and the reasons for his departure through the letter.

And.

[ Because I love you. ]

About love.

Her amber eyes widened greatly. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

[ My love for you might not have been conveyed well enough. In my opinion, it might be appropriate to triple your expectations. My love for you is too deep to leave behind like belongings dropped on the street. I want to return quickly, but it seems it will take time to do so. It will be in five years. I’m sorry. I know it’s not a short time. ]

“…”

[ I have something to give you. It’s the kind of thing I need to hand over in person. ]

[ As the greatest fool in history and more arrogant than any dictator, I ask, will you please wait for me? ]

[ Eugene Oslo ]

The letter ended.

She slowly rolled her tongue.

“Imperial origin.”

She went back to the early and middle parts of the letter and carefully read Eugene’s confession about his place of origin again.

It was written in a style that explained with certainty of the reader’s ignorance.

She smiled bitterly.

“…Did you really think I didn’t know?”

The opposite of ignorance is not certainty but knowledge; certainty and knowledge are clearly different.

Sometimes, doubt also belongs to the latter category.

And Julia had harbored considerable doubt all this time.

Evidence came to mind even with a moment’s recollection. For instance, during the spontaneous trip to the World Expo:

<…Lena and I split the cost, so it’s fine. I sometimes think, Eugene is surprisingly stingy.>

Also, during the outing not long after receiving his confession.

It wasn’t just those.

Things that only someone who had lived closely together could know, like his indiscriminate eating habits and rough clothing, had contributed to her doubts.

She had been harboring a small plan to casually deduce this fact during teatime after many years had passed, making Eugene choke.

This calm letter thwarted that plan.

It’s a letter so calm that anyone who sees it can guess that the writer’s major is at least not literature.

If he had been more skilled, the letter would have contained various techniques.

Perhaps he might have deliberately acted villainous, taking on infamy in a way that would add the sorrow of parting to the list of all-time tragedies.

But Eugene didn’t do that. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

He wrote his true feelings as they were, and because Julia learned Eugene’s true feelings, she became quite sad.

That was all.

The world gained one more sad couple.

After putting the letter back into the envelope and turning off the light spell, Julia lay straight under the blanket and looked at the ceiling of the storage room.

She stayed awake in a daze, then suddenly parted her lips.

“Five years.”

Making me wait again.

“Five years, huh.”

You’re terrible, Eugene.

Julia closed her eyes and imagined herself at 28 in the darkness.

Will I become a bit more mature?

Perhaps I might become a more sensual woman than now, or I might welcome him after making the business a great success with Lena.

It’s not something to view entirely pessimistically.

It shouldn’t be.

“…I wished you had told me directly.”

She missed him.

At the same time, Julia didn’t have the patience left to sit quietly and wait for him. Because she had already used it all up last year.

Quietly, she made a decision.

#October 6th. Slightly cloudy.

It must be a principle of life that family members get nervous when a guest visits the house.

Especially if it’s their friend and their brother’s lover.

“I wonder if she’s sleeping well…”

For that reason, Lena, who had woken up early as usual, tiptoed downstairs.

As Lena opened the door and peeked through the gap…

Her eyes met with Julia’s, who was leaning against the wall lost in thought.

“Eep―”

She almost let out a scream.

Unaware of the pain of swallowing a scream, Julia tilted her head and smiled brightly.

“Good morning, Lena.”