“M-Miss Esmeralda…?”
The one in charge of her class appeared in front of her. Lily did not know what was going on, and panicked.
“Why are you in the classroom!? It’s a break!”
“I could ask you the same thing. Aren’t you with Weiss?”
Only one magic energy entered the school. She knew Weiss was not there, but wanted to check.
It would make sense for him to be able to completely block his magic energy, she thought.
“Yes… Lily came here alone… to show Beary the school…”
“I see. What a nice girl, good grief… But you know you can’t just come in, right?”
“Yes… Sorry.”
Lily was nervous, not knowing how mad she was. Her parents might be mad if they found out. Bad scenarios filled her mind.
“Now now, don’t shrink away like that. I’m not mad or anything.”
“…Really?”
“Of course. Coming to school during a break is like a cute prank.”
Old memories came and went in Esmeralda’s mind. The boy at the center of those rowdy days, and what he might be doing. For some reason, she imagined he was panicking looking for his daughter.
“Since you’re here, let’s have a secret lesson.”
“Secret… lesson?”
“Yes. A special lesson during a break. Don’t tell Weiss, okay?”
Esmeralda put her index finger in front of her lips. Lily’s face sparkled as she nodded multiple times.
“Yes! Let’s do a lesson!”
“There there, it’s nice to be energetic. Look out the window. Can you see a field of flowers?”
Lily stood next to the window, and saw a flower bed behind the school building. A few white flowers bloomed.
“This magic is a spell to say thank you. The wind carries those feelings and delivers them.”
Esmeralda rotated her staff a little, and a faint light appeared at the tip. Wind particles shined, circling and enveloping the white petals.
“Pretty…!”
“Now you try it. Don’t think about it too much, just have that feeling of thank you in your heart.”
“Y-yes…! Thank you, daddy…”
The moment her small voice echoed, the wind in the classroom shook.
Wind flew through the window, and sent a white flower petal to the sky.
“…! It flew!”
Lily’s eyes were wide open.
“Hihihi, well done. You really are Weiss’ daughter…”
She whispered, feeling nostalgic, and a little sad.
(Daddy…? Looks like that kid’s hardships are still continuing.)
“Miss Esmeralda, can we do that magic again?”
“Of course. But let’s leave it here for today. Magic is best in moderation.”
“Yes…”
Lily was reluctant to agree, and Esmeralda gently caressed her hair.
“You should get going. It would be bad if another teacher found you.”
“Yes!”
Lily held Beary and Poyopoyo, and bowed.
“Thank you! I’ll do my best!”
“Okay. Become a proper mage.”
Lily left the classroom, and Esmeralda looked out the window.
(I thought you were as cute as Weiss. Do your best, Sieglinde.)
The petal that Lily sent flying still hung high in the air. That slightly heartwarming wind magic slowly melted into the blue sky.
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