Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 44
Across the entire continent, there existed only one Magic Tower belonging to the Empire—a sanctuary for all mages.
Magic.
An entirely independent concept from Abilities, magic differed fundamentally from Abilities, where bloodline determined one’s power. Here, the path of learning lay open to anyone.
Of course, each person’s innate mana reserves and intellect imposed clear limitations….
Yet the fact that anyone could attempt it, and that one wasn’t confined to a single ability—
For those who had failed to awaken as Ability Users, it was an irresistibly alluring discipline.
…or so the current Magic Tower Master, Daniel, believed.
A decidedly subjective opinion from one born with magical talent so rare it appeared perhaps once a century.
Beyond the monocle that had become his symbol, his blue eyes gleamed.
Long white hair bound in a single braid completed the image.
Though old enough to have several grown children, his slow aging kept him appearing as a youthful man.
He had remained unmarried throughout his life, claiming he had married magic itself, despite countless women’s advances.
Thus, having no children was inevitable.
The Magic Tower Master stared intently at the silver crown of the boy who had appeared before him days ago.
The boy had penetrated all the Magic Tower’s security enchantments and casually opened his office door.
And what he demanded was….
[Magic Tower Master, you needed a son, didn’t you?]
[W-what did you say?]
[Ah. How about this—you had a hidden son all along? Our hair and eye colors are quite similar, actually.]
[You barge in here and say what exactly? And what do you mean similar?!]
[They’re similar.]
[They’re clearly different! You have silver hair with a blue tint, while I have white hair from aging!]
[…Is aging something to boast about?]
[What did you just say?!]
Sensing the Magic Tower Master’s persistent gaze, the boy tilted his head defiantly and met his eyes.
“If you have something to say, speak it instead of staring.”
“…Where exactly did you come from, you monster? Are you really ten years old?”
Elysion seemed like someone who had traveled backward through time.
Yet time-related Abilities were unprecedented….
And he knew that reversing time through magic was nearly impossible.
The boy with magical talent that astounded even the Magic Tower Master, Elysion, answered his question calmly.
“Where did I come from? A stork must have delivered me, I suppose.”
[Look at how he talks—are you saying the stork is your parents?]
Unable to resist, the Magic Tower Master had verified the boy’s magical talent on the spot and proceeded with admission procedures as if entranced.
He feared someone might snatch away this child with such monstrous talent.
For instance, someone like Duke Papiope, who employed talented individuals regardless of their background….
The boy, well aware that he wouldn’t be abandoned, behaved with brazen confidence.
He made a show of scratching his ear and spoke carelessly as if annoyed.
“Your legal father is the Magic Tower Master now. Think carefully—was there any youthful indiscretion one night?”
“Ah, so you lived a life of celibacy!”
“Not a single person?”
“That’s right!”
“…How pathetic.”
A flicker of pity crossed Elysion’s eyes—genuine compassion, the kind I had never received in all my years as Magic Tower Master.
That gaze of sympathy, which I had never experienced throughout my lifetime, struck my heart like arrows, each one finding its mark.
“…I’m saying this to avoid misunderstanding, but it wasn’t that I was unpopular. I simply had no interest in women because I devoted my entire life to magic.”
“Who said anything different?”
“If I asked right now who wanted to marry me, there would be a line!”
“Well, a wealthy old man certainly has much to leave behind.”
“….”
Why did I feel increasingly pathetic the more I argued?
From the start, this boy before me was no ordinary ten-year-old in his words or thoughts.
That distinctive arrogance and composure—he carried the presence of a youth who had lived at least twice my current age.
What in the world was this boy?
The Magic Tower Master, regarding Elysion with an unreadable gaze, issued a warning as if demanding he reveal any secrets he harbored.
“The adoption paperwork was only submitted; the legal processing hasn’t been completed yet, you brat. I can cancel it whenever I wish.”
“…My biological parents were punished and died long ago, so don’t worry.”
“That’s not what I’m asking. I want to know what purpose brought you to find me!”
“I told you. You seemed like you needed a son, so I came to be adopted.”
“Why would I, who lived alone my entire life, need a son?”
“Then why did you adopt me, Magic Tower Master?”
“….”
Elysion shrugged lightly, as if to say: there you have it.
“I know it’s hard to believe, but I really did come to become your son. I’m still at an age where I need a guardian, and you seemed like someone who would want me.”
“….”
“Before coming here, I was only at the Papiope Talent Cultivation Institute, so there should be records on file. If you’re concerned, you’re welcome to investigate.”
“Then what were you doing before you entered the Talent Cultivation Institute?”
At the Magic Tower Master’s question, which stirred unpleasant memories, Elysion raised one eyebrow.
He hesitated before answering, then replied honestly and as concisely as possible, without a trace of falsehood.
“I survived.”
“Tch! Tell your father what happened! How can you call yourself my son after that?”
“Old Gentleman, I apologize.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, he drew the line, and the Magic Tower Master struck his own forehead with a sharp tap.
“Bah! Fine, fine!”
The Magic Tower Master ultimately gave up trying to uncover Elysion’s true intentions.
“Whether you fell from heaven or rose from the earth, you’re my son now. Just try betraying me or running away, and I’ll chase you to the ends of hell.”
He turned his head sharply, as if daring me to object.
Elysion opened his mouth, indifferent to whether the Magic Tower Master was looking at him or not.
“More importantly, Magic Tower Master.”
“….”
“Father.”
“…Did you call for me?”
The Magic Tower Master couldn’t contain his joy, his lips twitching upward as he regarded Elysion with barely concealed delight.
Perhaps it was because the Magic Tower Master’s personality remained unchanged, whether before or after the regression.
A faint smile played at the corners of Elysion’s mouth as well.
But the warmth between them didn’t last long—not with the bombshell statement Elysion was about to drop.
“There’s a project the Magic Tower is currently undertaking—the ‘Agricultural Revolution’ initiative that synthesizes atmospheric nitrogen into fertilizer. Would it be possible for me to participate as well?”
I believe I could significantly reduce the research timeline.

✦ ✦ ✦
After spending several days adjusting to life at the Duke’s Residence, the weekend when Aiden was scheduled to visit finally arrived.
Since I had already arranged things with him beforehand, he sent his acceptance the moment the Duchess extended the invitation.
“Lena, make me look beautiful today!”
She laughed softly and carefully brushed my hair.
“Are you that pleased, Miss?”
“Yes. I’m introducing him to the Duchess today, after all.”
“This gentleman must have treated you very kindly, Miss.”
Old Gentleman and Miss—the rhyme was killing me.
I answered her question while entertaining this silly thought.
“He’s been kind, yes, but more than that, he was the first to extend his hand to someone like me who had been abandoned. I’m truly grateful to him.”
“Miss….”
“Don’t make that face. I wasn’t saying it to be pitied.”
And I meant it.
I was amused enough by the Old Gentleman and Miss rhyme to answer without self-pity.
Yet deeper sorrow bloomed across Lena’s face.
“When Lucian hit your hand so hard it bruised last time, you didn’t even show a hint of pain.”
“Well, that was….”
It would be embarrassing to cry over being hit by a child at my age.
I could only open and close my lips without speaking the truth.
“People praise you for being mature beyond your years, but I think it would be fine if you were a bit more childlike.”
“…You’re saying the same thing as him, Lena.”
“There’s a difference between a child who matures early by nature and a child who had no choice but to mature early.”
Lena seemed to believe I fell into the latter category.
…I appreciate the concern, but how do I explain this?
“I have foresight, don’t I? Even if I’ve lived more lives than my peers by seeing the future?”
“Living a little longer doesn’t mean one truly matures.”
“…I’ll concede that point.”
“In any case, Miss, you need to be more honest. When you’re sad, say you’re sad. When you’re hurting, say you’re hurting. Please tell me these things clearly.”
“Anyway, Miss, you need to be a bit more honest. When you’re sad, please tell me you’re sad, and when you’re hurting, please tell me you’re hurting.”
“Understood. I’ll do my best. Thank you for worrying about me.”
Why were all the people of Papiope so affectionate? It seemed I had already grown quite attached to them.
…This is troublesome. Now there are so many people I need to protect.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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