[Sinseki Era — Year -21]
[Central Lands · Duke Region]
The next morning—
Gut awoke early as usual. Even though they'd stayed at the tavern quite late the night before, he wasn't in the habit of sleeping in, and his internal clock woke him at the usual time.
Glancing at Mut, who was still snoring away in the next bed, Gut couldn't help but shake his head.
Last night was their final evening together before parting ways, and this guy had insisted on drinking until he dropped—dragging both Himmel and Gut into it, declaring they had to drink to their hearts' content.
In the end, Mut was the first to pass out.
He had to be carried back to the inn by Gut and Himmel, one on each side. Judging by his enthusiastic snores, he wouldn't be waking anytime soon.
Leaving him be, Gut got dressed, washed up briefly, and greeted Himmel, who was already seated at the inn's table, absently twirling a Blue Moon Herb between his fingers.
It was probably due to age—Himmel, the Hero, had never needed much sleep.
Gut always woke early, yet almost without fail, Himmel would already be up and doing something when he rose.
"Morning, Gut."
The older man responded with a weary smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"You look rough, old man. Something bothering you?"
Pulling out a chair, Gut sat next to Himmel with curiosity as he opened up his magic book.
"Yeah, just one thing, actually."
Himmel glanced at the still-sleeping Mut, then explained:
"That boy asked me to write a letter to his parents, hoping I'd say a few kind things—so his father won't punish him too harshly when he gets home."
"The problem is, I don't quite know what to say."
Gut scratched his chin. Thinking back on Mut's "accomplishments" along the way, he instantly understood the dilemma.
How exactly do you describe his performance?
Should you mention his panic when facing a Phantom Wraith in the Äußerst Forest?
Or how, after being safely escorted to Appetit Town, he didn't head home and instead recklessly crossed the Schwer Mountains alone?
Maybe even highlight his "extraordinary talent" for finding poisonous plants while foraging in the Voll Basin?
Whatever way you put it, this letter wouldn't be easy.
It had to fulfill Mut's request—to paint him in a slightly better light and reduce his father's wrath—but without exaggerating. Given the trust people place in a Hero, inflating Mut's ability might cause his parents to wrongly believe their son was more capable than he is. That would be irresponsible.
But this wasn't an issue for Gut.
After all, back in school, he'd seen plenty of homeroom teachers struggle to write year-end evaluations for underperforming students. This situation? Practically the same thing.
He just needed to tweak the style a bit—replace "homeroom teacher" with "Hero," and turn a class report into an adventuring progress summary.
This was right up Gut's alley.
Taking the pen and paper from Himmel, Gut quickly penned a page of flowery prose. Phrases like "no flower blooms overnight," "though impulsive, he shows XXXX," "though lacking in performance, his heart is kind," and other comments struck a balance between honesty and encouragement. He mentioned some small merits to cushion the critique.
The result fulfilled Mut's hopes while still responsibly informing the Orden Family's head about their son's actual state.
A perfect solution.
"You really saved me, Gut."
The Hero said with gratitude, copying the draft neatly and quickly writing to the end.
He sealed it with a respectful "Yours truly, Himmel"—finally wrapping up the difficult favor he'd promised the younger boy.
Folding the letter carefully and sealing it with wax from a candle, Himmel placed it in an envelope.
Feeling content, he picked up the Blue Moon Herb he'd been holding and inhaled its faint scent. A nostalgic smile crossed his face.
"Who would've thought I'd find a flower from my homeland here… this scent, it brings it all back."
"Thanks again, Gut."
"No problem. I just bought it on a whim," Gut replied while flipping through his magic tome.
He'd gotten that Blue Moon Herb—along with the other flowers—at a little girl's roadside stall last night.
When he walked into the tavern carrying an armful of flowers, the place had gone quiet.
Most assumed he was about to confess to someone. Even Himmel had misread the situation, his jaw dropped and eyes filled with both envy and admiration.
Of course, reality wasn't nearly so dramatic.
After sitting down, Gut placed the bouquets on the table and explained everything.
He then offered the flowers to the patrons in the tavern, saying they could each pick one to take home.
After all, flowers wither quickly. Better to share them than watch them rot alone.
Himmel had chosen the Blue Moon Herb, a bloom from his distant hometown.
Sky blue petals, soft aroma—not strong, but enough to stir gentle memories.
Like a past you can never return to—bittersweet, but warm.
...
Clack—
Looking out the window, Gut noticed the morning was already in full swing. He closed his book.
Thanks to no longer being stingy with enhanced Memory Bread, his studies on Spell Reversal Magic were progressing at an astonishing pace.
What used to take him over half a month, he could now do in a couple days—and the quality of learning had improved as well.
At this rate, he might fully master the theory before the Magic Qualification Exam ended.
Still, no matter how well studies went, balance was important.
Especially after consuming Memory Bread, which essentially forced knowledge into his brain—it took a toll, even if it was gentle.
So Gut stood, deciding to go visit Serie's room and unwind a little.
Maybe… wake up the lazy "magic hag," and give her one of the flowers he'd set aside especially for her.
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Powerstones?
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