Breakfast ended quietly.
The final clink of plates echoed softly through the small house as Rika finished washing the dishes. The warm scent of toasted bread and herbs still lingered in the air, drifting lazily through the living room. Sunlight poured through the windows, painting long golden lines across the wooden floor.
Renji dropped onto the sofa like a defeated soldier.
His shoulders sagged.
His head tilted back.
Every bit of energy seemed drained from his body.
"Mizuki…" he groaned, rubbing his face with both hands. His voice sounded tired, almost desperate. "I'm tired of this."
She sat across from him calmly, her posture straight, her expression as composed as always.
Renji peeked at her through his fingers.
"Give me a book about basic magic."
Mizuki blinked once.
Her voice remained calm.
"We don't have the money to buy one."
Renji's shoulders dropped further.
"And we cannot borrow one from a library," she added.
Silence followed.
Heavy silence.
Renji slowly slid deeper into the sofa.
"…My life is over."
From the kitchen, Rika suddenly spoke.
"Hey."
Renji looked up.
She turned toward him, wiping her hands with a cloth.
"I might have something that could help you."
Renji froze.
His dull eyes suddenly lit up.
He shot upright so quickly the sofa creaked.
"You do?!"
Rika smiled slightly at his sudden enthusiasm.
"I think I have some old magic books."
Renji leaned forward.
"Yes! Yes! Show me those books!"
His voice echoed through the room.
Rika tapped her cheek thoughtfully.
"Hm… the problem is…"
Renji's excitement trembled slightly.
"…problem?"
"I haven't touched them in years," she said. "They're probably buried somewhere in storage."
Renji waited anxiously.
"And…" she continued awkwardly, "I'm already late for work."
The hope drained from Renji's face instantly.
"Oh."
His shoulders slumped again.
"I'll look for them after my shift," Rika said kindly.
Renji opened his mouth to complain.
But Mizuki spoke first.
"It's alright."
Her voice was gentle but firm.
"Your duty is more important."
Rika glanced at her.
Mizuki continued calmly,
"I will teach him basic mana-control techniques for now."
Rika nodded.
"That sounds reasonable."
She grabbed her bag and walked toward the door.
"Try not to destroy my house while I'm gone."
Renji raised a hand lazily.
"No promises."
Rika laughed softly.
Then the door closed behind her.
The house became quiet again.
Renji slowly turned toward Mizuki.
His expression shifted from exhaustion to curiosity.
"Wait."
She looked at him.
"Yes?"
"Why did you sign me up as an adventurer?"
Mizuki tilted her head slightly.
Renji continued,
"I mean… if I go to the academy, how am I supposed to complete quests?"
He frowned.
"Isn't that impossible?"
"You will have time for both."
Renji blinked.
"…What?"
Mizuki folded her arms.
"If you are admitted," she explained, "you will enter the first grade of the middle division."
Renji listened carefully.
"Your classes will start at ten in the morning."
She raised one finger.
"And end at three in the afternoon."
Renji stared blankly.
"Oh…"
He rubbed the back of his head.
"Right."
"I almost forgot something."
Mizuki raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Renji sighed.
"I'm in a completely different world."
Mizuki stared at him silently.
"…You are realizing that now?"
"Hey, give me a break."
He stood up.
"Alright then."
Mizuki rose from her chair.
"Enough talking."
Her voice became slightly more serious.
"Let's begin your basic training."
Renji's eyes sparkled immediately.
The exhaustion disappeared like magic.
"Training?!"
He jumped up.
"Let's go!"
He rushed toward the door.
"I've been waiting for this!"
Mizuki watched him with a faint smile.
Inside her mind she thought quietly,
He's too excited.
Just like someone starting a new video game.