Have You Regretted It?
1345 Words
Upon learning he had been chosen as an apprentice, Jack carried a perpetual smile during their journey back.
To his companions, this was delightful, as the smile added an extra charm to the young man—perhaps calling it "magic" would be more appropriate.
When Emily looked at him, that “magic” roused a desire to be near him—but she knew that desire wasn’t connected to her feelings for him, rather it was an infatuation with his exterior. She wanted to be close, to reach out and touch him, even if all she got was a strand of his hair or the tip of his finger—
Before she could act, reason snatched her from her reverie; she shook her head to regain composure.
Yet, she had stared at Jack for so long that he'd noticed and returned her gaze, just like during the day in the greenhouse, his eyes full of anticipation.
This time, Emily didn’t let him down. She said something, though not quite what he expected: “Jack, please don’t look at me like that again.”
Jack was puzzled, “Hmm? Like what?”
Emily replied, “Uh, with such intense eyes?”
Jack looked troubled, “But, you’re so remarkable, ever since I couldn’t see you and could only imagine you, I’ve been quietly admiring you.”
Emily was taken aback by Jack’s exaggerated wording, feeling it was close to crossing a line. Yet, she was curious about how he imagined her.
She followed her curiosity and asked, “Jack, what is your imagined version of me like?”
Once, Tom posed this question to Jack, and he could go on endlessly. But with Emily herself asking, he found himself nervous.
He carefully considered his words, wanting to choose those reflecting his admiration most appropriately.
After a long pause, he answered, “In my imagination, you’re like my grandmother.” For him, no woman was more respected than his grandmother.
Emily: “?”
Jack continued, “My grandmother, she was a great woman, just like you.”
Emily: “...Stop, that’s enough. I know how you see me now.”
Indeed, she knew completely. Here she was, having pondered the idea of him being a romantic partner when, in fact, he never saw her as a potential interest... Who would want to date their grandmother?
Even those bizarre stories from Hannah’s household never ventured into such territory!
Emily’s thoughts were in chaos, yet outwardly, she maintained the poise befitting a professor.
She even managed a smile towards Jack, “Thank you for respecting me in that way.” Almost adding “grandson” after.
Jack truly took her words to heart and saw this as having pleased Emily, so he seized the opportunity to ask, “Professor, when can I report to the academy?” He was eager to start working for her that very evening.
Emily had her own considerations, “How about three days from now? Maybe by then, Johnson will come as well.”
The mention of Johnson’s name wiped the grin off Jack’s face, turning his complexion slightly pale.
He looked down, speaking softly, “You’re my mentor, not Mr. Johnson's, right?”
Emily couldn’t fathom his question; she frowned slightly but replied, “Of course.”
Jack noted that Emily hadn’t grasped his intent, so he rephrased, “Aren’t you only supposed to take one apprentice?”
The subtext was clear: Are you regretting it? Do you want Johnson instead of me?
Despite its subtlety, Emily remarkably caught his drift. She wasn’t sure if it was due to her getting accustomed to his manner of speaking or another reason entirely.
Nevertheless, she clarified, “You’ve misunderstood; he isn’t my apprentice. I’m merely arranging for him to have a position at the academy.”
Although explained, Jack’s voice remained tinged with dismay, “I see…”
Emily pressed, “What’s troubling you?”
Jack shook his head, “Nothing. I just envy Mr. Johnson for receiving your extra attention.”
Emily explained, “That’s because I can’t ignore him.”
Jack: “Hmm?”
“An old acquaintance asked me to look out for him.” She added an extra caution, “They asked me to keep it secret, so you absolutely cannot tell Johnson.”
Jack nodded, wearing an expression that promised, “I won’t spill a word.”
Emily trusted him, and even if he did leak it, Johnson wouldn’t believe it.
How could he believe she was acquainted with his parents?
Quiet Town, fifteen years ago, a couple of wizards, ghost flower... These details were sufficient for Emily to recall that afternoon from fifteen years ago precisely.
To be safe, when she held Johnson’s bracelet, she used it as a conduit to read his thoughts, double-checking his honesty.
It seemed unnecessary for him to lie about that matter anyway.
Fifteen years ago, she lived in Quiet Town with Roger, and back then, she aimed to create a flower using the white seeds he gifted her but encountered challenges during the process.
One afternoon, a couple of senior magicians met her and, after hearing her concept, patiently guided her, and that afternoon, she successfully created the ghost flower, gifting the first pot to them in gratitude.
This gratitude carried forward to today. She met their child, although they never requested her to look after him—how could they have foreseen their fate and his future? They didn’t know their son would compete to be her apprentice one day either.
Even if his attempt brimmed with anger and personal vendetta, she forgave him, viewing him as one sees a child.
It was indeed the case; how old had Johnson been, fifteen years ago?
And due to the Time Labyrinth’s effects, she now shared nearly the same physical age with him, fifteen years later.
Considering this, she couldn’t help but reflect that age in a mage’s world truly is just a number.
Afterward, the topic of Johnson wasn’t revisited.
Jack seemed satisfied with the explanations, his smile returning as he accompanied Emily all the way to the academy gates.
Emily acknowledged that escorting a lady home was a gentlemanly act, even if she felt she didn’t need protection, she still thanked her apprentice before parting.
Jack blushed at her thanks, hoping to say more when wild wolf howls pierced through the air, drowning their words.
Emily glanced in the direction of the sound, expression calm, without intent to act.
Jack asked, “Professor, aren’t we going to chase them?”
Emily responded, “We've chased before. They’re too clever; when they sense even slightly more powerful magicians, they immediately retreat.”
As she said this, her mind wandered to the two wolves savagely slain by a mysterious presence.
Yes, they were so clever—why didn’t they flee back then?
Was it because their opponent was too strong, or perhaps they appeared... too harmless?
Emily blinked, and when she returned to her senses, she noticed Jack had circled around to stand in front of her.
She was a bit taken aback, suspecting his intentions. “Are you trying to protect me?”
Jack replied seriously, “Yes.”
Emily felt touched yet amused, seeing the young man’s “reliable” back, causing her suspicions to lessen slightly.
But could they be fully dispelled? Clearly not.
The shattered device, the deaths of magic wolves, and the similarity in his spellcasting traces to a certain covert caster—these were matters needing thorough investigation.
Of course, she had a simple one-time solution for all these concerns—mind-reading magic.
Except, she directed her gaze downward at Jack’s exposed wrists; neither bore a bracelet.
Thus, she had no suitable metallic medium for her spell.
She regretfully abandoned the plan.
“Goodnight, Jack,” she said.
Hearing the farewell, Jack spun around, “Goodnight, Professor!” he exclaimed urgently, afraid his words might not reach her in time.
Though she hadn’t left yet. Smiling slightly, she nodded at him before turning toward the academy gates.
- Writer
