Chapter 20: Disastrous First Meeting
Dante Renard first met her when he was ten years old, in the early spring. The
girl who sat beside the Prince, rolling a candy in her mouth, freely practicing
magic he had never seen before.
"For the revival of Cardion, Lady Elisha is the one......"
While his father, Resto Renard, muttered in a somewhat bitter voice, Dante’s
gaze was fixed only on the young girl.
So that’s what true genius looks like. She's so cool.
In young Dante Renard's innocent mind, there was no room for jealousy, nor a
sense of loss that the position he never doubted would be his might be slipping
away. He was simply fascinated and thought she was amazing.
She looks even younger than me, but she can do that?
"Father! I, I want to be friends with that girl!"
Unaware of his father's internal turmoil, young Dante Renard shook his father's
hand enthusiastically and spoke with an excited expression. But he couldn't meet
Elisha face-to-face that day. Because Resto Renard took him by the hand and left
the Imperial Palace immediately.
It wasn't until much later that Dante realized why his father had turned on his
heel so quickly. His son was saying "I want to be her friend!" even when the
Renard family's position was being threatened. He must have felt utter
resentment.
But such matters weren't important to Dante Renard at all. For Dante Renard,
wealth was more important than honor, and a comfortable and fun life was more
important than wealth. Therefore, from that day on, Dante Renard had only one
goal. To become friends with the girl named Elisha. And after becoming her
friend...
Time passed, and at the unprecedented age of eleven, Dante Renard officially
became an Imperial Palace mage. Just because another genius appeared didn't mean
the previous one lost their abilities, so it was perhaps a natural result. And
so, the boy who entered the palace with such an exciting dream in his heart, the
girl he actually met was...
* * *
"You want to see Elisha?"
Ten-year-old Eric asked, looking at the brand-new Imperial Palace mage before
him. He had only come to see what the fuss was about, hearing that a new recruit
around his age had arrived, which was a rare occurrence. But why was he suddenly
looking for Elisha?
"Is there a reason you're looking for her?" Eric asked again, as if he couldn't
understand at all. In truth, he really couldn't. What reason could anyone have
to voluntarily seek out that girl with a terrible personality?
"I want to talk with her......" Eleven-year-old Dante answered shyly. Eric was
thrown into even greater confusion. Anyone who spent time with her was subjected
to a barrage of insults, and since those insults weren't even wrong, you
couldn't properly refute them and would only end up hurt. Even his own tutors
avoided deep conversations with Elisha, so why? With that Elisha? A
conversation?
"You are an eccentric." Eric muttered, his voice full of sincerity. Dante, not
understanding the words, blinked his violet eyes in bewilderment.
"You, do you enjoy pain by any chance?"
"No, I hate being in pain."
"Then why?" Eric asked in bewilderment, his face showing complete, genuine
confusion. It was because he felt a pang of pity for the boy in front of him. If
he didn't enjoy suffering, what in the world could be the reason for him seeking
out Elisha? A girl who didn't hesitate to hurl insults even at him, the
Prince...
"I heard Lady Elisha's magical skills are so outstanding that there's no one in
the Empire who can match her, despite her young age. And that’s how it seemed
when I saw her from afar, too......"
"You want to learn magic from her?"
"If I can."
"Your thirst for knowledge is incredible."
To even think of learning magic from Elisha. Eric muttered in a voice full of
pure admiration. At that, Dante scratched his cheek shyly and added.
"They say suffering while young makes old age easy, so I thought it would be
good to learn everything I can while I still have the energy......"
Of course, I don't want to suffer for too long, even when I'm young. Dante
finished with a slight smile. Eric became truly curious about the boy before
him. Until now, he had thought Elisha was the strangest person he had ever met.
But looking at this boy, he wasn't so sure anymore.
Maybe all geniuses are just eccentrics? Well, since he wanted to, he’d let him
meet Elisha, but...
"Be careful."
While they were heading toward the main palace library where Elisha usually
stayed, Eric offered a piece of sincere advice. He was a strange kid, but he
seemed to have a somewhat naive side.
"What should I be careful of?"
Just like now. Eric looked at the boy, who was significantly taller than him,
and let out a small sigh.
"Just, everything."
"......?"
"Especially don't disturb Elisha when she's focused on something."
Even I don't mess with her then. It was a life-saving piece of advice based on
his own experience.
"Alright......" Dante's reaction to Eric's words was lukewarm at best. If
anything, he wore an expression that said he couldn't understand why Eric was
being so intense. The moment Eric saw that look, he carefully folded away the
idea of saving the little lamb.
He'll find out on his own.
"I won't go in with you." When they finally reached the library, Eric pointed to
the door with a slight tilt of his chin. At this time of day, Elisha was, in all
likelihood, analyzing the magical formulas he had given her. He knew that, and
he had no desire to provoke her and receive a reproachful look. So, he would
wait here quietly, and when the brand-new mage was thoroughly scolded and kicked
out, he’d offer some words of comfort.
Eric watched Dante as he boldly opened the library door and entered. And a short
time later.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Palace is such a scary place for me......"
A fragile person like me can never survive here. Whatever Elisha had said to
him, Dante Renard came rushing out of the library, his face crumpled with tears.
In that moment, Eric had a premonition. He might be able to become friends with
this new mage. Based on a kind of comradeship, as people who had suffered from
Elisha's sharp tongue...
* * *
"I finally remembered."
In the dead of night, with only the echo of an owl's hoot in the air, Dante
Renard spoke suddenly. Elisha casually ignored him. This wasn't the first time
Dante Renard had suddenly started talking to himself.
"I said, I remember now!" But it seemed this wasn't him talking to himself. At
his repeated words, as if urging a response, Elisha narrowed her eyes slightly.
At the same time, Dante flinched instinctively and swallowed hard.
"I’ve discovered why I’m so afraid of you."
"......"
"The memory of our first conversation is etched in my brain as an unforgettable
nightmare."
That's why I was preemptively afraid whenever you sharpened your gaze. Dante
said, his eyes gleaming like a scientist who had made a great discovery. Only
then did Elisha look away from the document she was reading and glance at Dante.
It was a cold look like Eric’s, devoid of any emotion. Dante deliberately met
her eyes and took a slow breath. How many times had he been swayed by those icy
eyes?
"......So what?"
Of course, for Elisha, it was a meaningless look and remark, closer to "Go on,
then."
"Maybe you don't remember what you said to me when we first met, but."
"I remember."
"At that time, you... huh?"
"I remember the day I first met you."
With that, Elisha placed the document in her hand on the table, took a breath,
and began to speak.
"I had already heard that a young mage around my age was coming to the Imperial
Palace. I was even looking forward to it, in my own way."
"Why are you talking about that all of a sudden......"
"But then that very person appears out of nowhere and says, 'My life has become
easier thanks to you, Lady Elisha'."
Who wouldn't be angry at that? She finished, her ruby-like eyes glinting coldly.
For a moment, Dante couldn't find a proper response and just moved his lips.
I said that?
"No, why don't I remember? I only remember you said something harsh to me and I
cried......"
"The part where I said if you were going to stay in the heart of the Imperial
Palace with that kind of attitude, I’d kick you out myself?"
"......"
"Or the part where I said with that mindset, you won't even be able to protect
that one weak Prince and you'll be kicked out of the palace anyway?"
"You really......"
You were a master of delivering harsh truths. There was a reason Eric kept you
by his side, even while grinding his teeth. Dante slowly turned his gaze away
and smiled awkwardly. He had almost been kicked out just a few days ago for
speaking without thinking. To think his past was even worse.
"At that time, I was young and I just......"
"I understand. That must be why you burst into tears right after I kicked you
out."
"How did you know about that?"
"It was hard to focus because of your crying. How could I not know?"
I remember lamenting that Cardion truly has no talented people. Elisha muttered
with a low sigh. Dante was overcome by an urge to bite his own tongue
voluntarily.
"Let today be a lesson, Dante Renard."
Don't stir up uncertain memories recklessly. Especially not in front of Eric or
Elisha.
"Even so, I do feel bad about what happened with you."
At that moment, Elisha picked up the document she had set aside and spoke.
Dante’s eyes widened as he stared at her.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Why on earth?"
'My life has become easier thanks to you.' Even I think that deserved a sharp
response. Dante asked, unable to understand. She replied, her eyes still fixed
on the document.
"I talked to the previous Emperor about you. I told him that one talented young
mage was enough, so he should kick you out."
"I didn't know that."
"Of course you didn't."
Elisha recalled the memory and smiled faintly. Bernard, who had smiled gently as
soon as he heard my words, and bent his knees to meet my gaze. And the gentle,
yet firm, answer that flowed from his lips.
"Dante Renard wasn't chosen simply for his ability. It's the result of his hard
work, born of his desire to be here." No one can take away the reward of one's
effort, Elisha.
"That child is just starting. He will experience many things here, and he will
change as much as he experiences."
"......"
"If, as you say, Dante doesn't really belong here, he will leave on his own."
So, Elisha, won't you step back and watch him?
"You seem to be adjusting well to the Imperial Palace, Renard."
Considering you've lasted this long, even while saying you hate it. Recalling
her conversation with Bernard, Elisha suddenly spoke. Dante truly felt
horrified. Of course, Elisha couldn't care less.
"More importantly, Renard."
Elisha then spoke to Dante, who was still pale.
"Go to the Imperial Palace and bring me the book I’m asking for."
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