Roxy’s Perspective:
Parting.
Parting from my adorable student.
To say I’m not sad would be a lie.
I really did want to stay by his side and watch him grow.
But I’m an outsider to that family.
And…
at just five years old, he has already surpassed me in magical control.
The moment that thought crosses my mind, I feel afraid.
Because I once began to disrespect my own teacher after surpassing her.
“How childish and arrogant…”
But my adorable student doesn’t seem to think that way.
Even having surpassed me in magical attainment, he shows not a trace of arrogance.
Or is it that his arrogance simply never shows?
Either way, it’s better than what I did — boasting to my teacher, storming off, and getting crushed by reality.
After the graduation exam ended, I walked over to Rudy.
“Congratulations.
You’ve graduated, and you’ve become a Water Saint-level Magician.”
“Thank you, Teacher.”
“You’re even more outstanding than I imagined.
You’ve truly achieved mastery over magic — perfectly, precisely, without a single error.”
“It’s all thanks to your teaching, Teacher.”
I gave a bitter smile.
No matter how I praised him, he always gave the credit back to me.
But I know the truth.
Even if I had never been Rudy’s teacher, he would have reached Water Saint-level Magician before the age of ten on his own.
No question.
His talent is so immense it’s almost frightening.
Thinking this, I spoke.
“Rudy, you’re already stronger than me.”
There was a bit of sulking in those words.
But that can’t be helped, right?
Five years old, and he’s already surpassed me.
I’ve lived for nearly 40 years.
A little…
no.
I’m very disheartened.
Still, thinking that the first teacher of someone with this kind of talent was me — that makes me a little happy.
Will he always remember me?
When he grows up and someone asks who his teacher was, will I be the first name he says?
If that really happens, I’d probably laugh in my sleep.
“Teacher, no matter what…”
There it is again.
That same phrase.
I interrupted him, a little impatient, and reached out to poke him on the forehead.
“I know.
‘No matter what, you are my teacher,’ right?”
But Rudy shook his head.
Huh?
Is he about to deny me as his teacher?
Right after surpassing me?
Ah…
I really don’t want to hear my adorable disciple say something like, “You still want to be my teacher?
You’re two hundred years too early!”
If he actually said that, I don’t think I could take it.
I might just die.
Out of sheer fear, I spoke first.
“Is that so…
you’re already stronger than me…
Mm, I suppose that’s right…
always having to call someone weaker than you ‘Teacher’ must be pretty unpleasant…”
I have no idea what expression I was making at that moment, but it definitely wasn’t a good one.
The words I’d imagined never came.
Rudy said gently,
“Teacher, no matter what…
you are my family.
Both my teacher and my family.”
“Eh!?”
“That’s how it is.”
What does that even mean?!
Well…
no matter what, he’s only five years old.
He probably just sees me as a big sister or something.
I’m so petite, and he has no idea how old I actually am.
“Uh…
Mm, fine.
Then I’ll be Rudy’s big sister and teacher.”
“Not big sister.
Family and teacher.”
“Huh?
Which one?
I…
I mean…
uh…”
“I don’t know either.”
My mind went completely blank.
I had no idea what my own disciple was saying.
Does he actually understand what family means?!
No…
he’s always been so mature…
Aaaah!
Whatever.
It doesn’t matter.
“Alright…
anyway, congratulations.
You’ve successfully graduated.”
And so, my first student, Rudeus, graduated.
Extraordinary talent.
Extraordinary ability.
He worked harder than most, thought deeper than most, carried himself more maturely than anyone his age had any right to.
When I take on my next student, I’m afraid the difference is going to feel enormous.
➤ Next: Friends