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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: The Best Gift
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Ravire.
They say she's my second older sister.
Right now, she's pointing right at me.
"I'm disappointed."
As expected of a child, she's brutally honest with her feelings.
And yet, watching her stomp her feet while sneaking peeks at my face, I think I know what she wants.
"...Hmm."
Did she get permission from Mother?
Who knows. If I'm scolded later, I'll just say I was sitting quietly.
With that in mind, I nod.
"Okay, Ravire sis."
"...!"
The moment "sis" leaves my mouth, Ravire sis starts trembling, her little fists clenched tight.
"Yeah! I'm Ravire sis!"
Kids her age really do get thrilled over the tiniest things.
Thinking that, I open my mouth.
"So, what should we play?"
I realized something while playing with Lily sis: she's ridiculously mature for her age.
Last time I suggested playing, I figured we'd do house or something, so I had the maid prepare a set.
But from the magic demo practice, things felt off.
In the end, the only one who used that house play set was Mother.
I'll set aside how bewildered I was watching her flop down, claiming a kiss from her son would cure her cold.
"Okay. Then I'll grab the house play set—"
"Magic study!"
What?
I stare blankly at Ravire sis, who shouts in a bold voice, fists still clenched.
"Let's study magic!"
"Uh, magic?"
"Yeah!"
I slowly check above her head.
Unlike Lily sis, there's no aura at all.
In simple terms, she's got low talent.
Much lower than me or Lily sis.
"They say Lily's a magic genius, so I'm gonna be one too!"
Ravire sis declares with spirit.
"...Yeah..."
I couldn't muster the courage to argue.
Who knows.
Maybe I'm no good at reading people.
*
The principles of magic are surprisingly simple.
Close your eyes, focus, draw power from your lower abdomen, and poof—it turns into an element.
—Fwoosh!
A flame far bigger than my first ones erupts from my hand.
Even I'm impressed; my skills are improving by leaps and bounds.
Mother strokes my head like crazy every time I pull off a flame like this.
Thanks to that, I've got a new goal.
Besides living easy, I mean.
"...Hoo."
Let's become a magic master.
If I do, it'll open up more paths in life.
More ways to survive can't hurt.
Influence, money, power.
With that in mind, I focus again.
Of course, I'm still miles behind Lily sis.
Anyway.
"Eek..."
Grunting from the side.
"Eeeeek!"
"..."
I glance over, and there's Ravire sis—face beet red, eyes squeezed shut, concentrating hard.
She's trying magic too.
The difference...
"Eeeeeek!!!"
Nothing happens.
I offered to help at first, but she shot me a death glare and huffed no, all prideful, so I backed off.
"...Eeeeng..."
When her grunts start morphing into whimpers, I speak up carefully.
"Can I take a look, sis?"
"..."
Finally, she sniffles and nods.
Yeah. Now she looks like a kid.
Playing with Lily sis must've thrown off my kid benchmark for a sec.
Thinking that, I place a hand on her side and channel mana.
Thanks to those "play" sessions with Lily sis—really attribute magic tutoring—I picked this up.
But even as I pour in mana...
"Eeeeek...!!"
Still nothing.
After dumping about half my mana, conclusion:
She can't.
"...Sigh..."
Her sniffles fill the quiet room.
The maid's sharp—stepped out and waiting beyond the door.
So, cheering her up's on me.
I glance at Ravire sis.
Eyes brimming, lower lip bitten hard, desperately holding back tears.
For a split second, I freeze, unsure.
What to do?
Brainstorm fast.
I've had rough patches too.
What did I crave then?
Nothing fancy.
"...Huh?"
I just hug her tight.
"It's okay."
No fancy words, just pat her back.
That's what always helped me.
A hug and pat when someone's down might do the trick.
And,
"Hiiiing..."
It works—Ravire sis just whines and nuzzles my face.
After a long cry, puffy red eyes and nose, she looks up.
"...Thanks."
"No big deal."
A kid who thanks sincerely? Top marks already.
Awkward silence lingers.
"Wanna play?"
"...Yeah."
Ravire sis nods, and I call the maid outside.
"Prepare it."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Have her fetch the play set quick.
The one only used with Mother.
'Oh, Theo. Wanna play house with Mommy?'
'Uh, yes. Sure.'
Don't think about it.
I watch the maid set up the house play kit.
Her confident prep is insanely detailed.
More than detailed, even.
Teacups, bowls—all kid-sized. Dolls masterfully crafted.
Just gotta watch one thing.
"Ravire sis, don't drop that."
"Okay!"
Ravire sis, re-energized, fiddles with a teacup.
No plastic in this world, huh.
All glass.
One shatter and it's chaos.
I glance out the window.
Wind's picking up fierce.
Thinking that, we dive into house play.
Thankfully, Ravire sis immerses fast.
"Here, milady. Your cup."
"Hmm. Before the tea cools, I'll fetch the enemy's head. My lord."
She shows a pretty feral side, though.
How long we play?
"...Theo's fun. Different."
Suddenly, Ravire sis fiddling with a tiny glass cup speaks up.
"Huh?"
"Theo's... different from Lily."
"...Uh..."
"Lily always looks at me weird. Ignores me too."
"Weird how?"
"Yeah. Like... this."
Ravire sis blanks her expression.
Stoic face?
From Lily sis?
Can't picture it.
She just smiles at me always.
I look at Ravire sis; she shuts her eyes.
"So, I wanted to beat Lily at magic."
"To chat together?"
"For revenge."
She grips the cup till her knuckles whiten.
"..."
Doesn't sound like sisters at all.
Thinking that, I speak.
"But they're sisters, so get along—"
—Whoosh!
Wind gusts.
"...Call it here?"
Feels like time to wrap.
Ravire sis nods; I stand to tidy.
Maids handle this usually, but salaryman habits die hard.
Plus, I sent the maid out.
Smart move, ultimately.
If she'd heard Ravire sis dissing Lily sis, rumors galore.
Thinking that, we hustle to clean before maid returns.
Still weird how everything looms so huge.
"...Whoa."
Wobble, step on a floor cloth, body slides right out.
Vision spins upside down.
Glass cups airborne; I'm toppling back.
Flail to catch balance—nada.
Crap. Kid body's got a proportionally heavier head than adult.
Bite down, brace for slam.
"...Huh?"
No impact.
Actually, didn't fall.
Mother come in meantime?
Twist head.
"Phew..."
Lock eyes with Ravire sis propping me in some insane pose.
One hand on me, other snags a cup.
Foot even up, catching falling cup on her instep—like a circus act.
How?!
"Hold on..."
She smoothly sets cups down, eyes me.
"Safe."
Gently lays me flat.
"Be careful, Theo! Hurt yourself and it's big trouble!"
"...No, uh..."
"Theo?"
She tilts head.
"That just now—how'd you do it?"
"Huh, what?"
"That... body twist thing."
"Oh? Just did it, worked."
She flexes limberly, gazes at me.
Like I'm making a fuss over nothing.
"..."
Wait...
"Sis, you ever try sword stuff?"
"Nope."
I shut eyes.
God's fair—I see why no magic gift.
"Wanna visit Mother real quick?"
"Mother?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm..."
Ravire sis furrows brow, chin in hand, then grins.
"Yeah! Mother loves Theo tons!"
"Not you?"
"She does! But you're the baby!"
Dunno.
Thinking that, off to Mother.
"..."
Mother, who's heard us out, smiles softly.
"That's your take, Theo?"
"Ah, yes... Mother."
I nod.
Mother gazes at me.
"...Theo, you're so... clever."
"Huh?"
"And Ravire's so brave. Such a good sis, protecting her brother like that."
Suddenly, Mother rises and crushes us in a hug.
Air gone.
But that warmth... hard to squirm.
Soaking in the embrace, Mother straightens.
"Come to think, Theo turns five soon?"
"Yes, Mother."
"..."
She watches me, smiles tender.
"I see. Good work today. Mother'll tuck you in."
"Thank... you, Mother."
Stroll hall with Mother.
Ravire sis headed back first.
"Oh yes, Theo."
"Yes, Mother."
Mother cradles me, beaming.
"Birthday coming... want a special gift?"
"..."
Coming?
By my count, eleven months off.
"...Haven't thought yet. But..."
"But?"
"...More magic progress'd be nice."
Magic's fun.
Toys? Nah, won't play.
"...Magic it is."
Mother smiles soft.
"Understood."
"...Thanks."
Pro tutor maybe.
"Sleep well, Theo."
Here already—my room.
Mother beds me, leans for cheek.
Soft press, then pulls away.
Smiling, shuts door.
I exhale relief.
Least found Ravire sis's hidden talent.
*
Once Theodor's asleep, the Empress strides off.
Milla Castina.
Living legend.
Empire's guardian deity, hailed hero.
Woman who terrifies all with her fiery temper.
"Gather everyone."
At her word, folk assemble.
Not her usual ministers—maids in uniforms, cooks in aprons.
Just one: the Prime Minister, poor soul cluelessly dragged here midnight.
Status irrelevant, they swap anxious looks.
What now?
Ghoulish rumors swirl in heads.
"...Few months off: our Theodor's fifth birthday."
Milla speaks even.
Her eyes scan the room.
"As you know, royals throw grand feasts at five."
Empire custom.
Hit five, banquet time—debut at society balls next.
Infant debutante ball, basically.
"Opening my private vault."
Milla declares calm.
State funds for son's bash? Won't cut her vision.
Private stash it is.
Treasures from dragons she felled—plenty. Pull a few.
"Budget: unlimited."
She tosses the key to Prime Minister.
One only she and blood kin open: her vault.
"Stage the continent's grandest gala."
"E-Empress."
"Fetch the Diamond Orb too."
Milla shuts eyes.
Son craves magic.
Mother's duty: hand over top relic.
How he'll beam.
Smile and smooch? Bliss.
Her lips quirk up.
Less regal grin, more doting parent doofus.
"Magic talent too..."
Artifact any mage'd salivate for. That's her plan.