072
“What’s that?”
It’s my first time hearing about it!
I don’t really know much about magic, but I’ve definitely never heard of black magic.
“It’s the act of offering things like blood or life to create monstrous beings that should not exist in this world. That’s what’s generally referred to as black magic.”
At that moment, the Spirit Kings all reacted at once, flooding the area with glowing text.
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ expresses strong rejection.]
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ shows intense disgust.]
[The Fortune Spirit King ‘■■■■■■’ shakes their head.]
[The Emotion Spirit King ‘■■■’ insists that such things must be eradicated from the world.]
[The Earth Spirit King ‘■’ is appalled.]
[The Air Spirit King ‘Shaparsi’ clicks his tongue loudly.]
Mmm, I can tell they really hate it.
But I am curious, though.
“What’s a monstrous being?”
“Oh, a typical example would be a chimera. For instance, something that combines a mermaid’s tail, a hippogriff’s wings, a human’s legs, and a snake’s body.”
“Why would anyone do that…?”
It was a genuine question. I blinked in confusion.
It sounds super ugly! What’s the appeal in making something like that?
Seeing my reaction, the teacher burst out laughing.
“Exactly. I don’t understand it either, but black mages create chimeras. Naturally born spirits wouldn’t like black magic that twists nature, of course.”
“Uh-huh, yeah.”
Even the Spirit Kings are freaking out.
Just hearing the word black magic seems to make them shudder.
“Still, I’m amazed. They say Awakened Ones can understand speech and read books from as early as three or four years old, and it turns out to be true.”
“There are no Awakened Ones in Mondal?”
“Only the royal family of Mondal are Awakened Ones. Just the royals.”
How fascinating!
I listened to the teacher’s stories, completely losing track of time.
“Teacher, I really like it when you tell me about the world I don’t know.”
“Do you like hearing about other countries more than reading fairy tales?”
“Yes!”
I want to go to Mondal too. If I did, the people there would probably find me fascinating, wouldn’t they?
Just imagining it made me excited.
“When I get back from my trip, I’ll tell Lina all about it, brag to the Admiral, and tell every little detail to the kitchen staff too!”
That’s what I want to do.
So that means—
‘I want to come back.’
Yeah, that’s why it’s okay to leave.
“The Awakened children usually have the mental capacity of about a nine-year-old by the time they’re only four. I look forward to teaching you more.”
I smiled brightly at the teacher’s praise.
Still slightly excited, I headed back to my room—
When suddenly…
[QUEST FAILED! QUEST FAILED!]
A bright red alert window popped up in front of my eyes.
!QUEST FAILED!
Project: Getting Closer to Dad ver.1
The Spirit King of Fortune assigned this task!
✔ Hold a birthday party for Admiral Diegon Pashayen
!QUEST FAILED!
Project: Getting Closer to Dad ver.2
The Spirit King of Emotion assigned this task!
✔ Choose and deliver a birthday present for Admiral Diegon Pashayen
At the same time, Yupyrhos finally showed up again.
[Dear young contestant! Unfortunately, you have failed two quests. Both deadlines have passed! ଘ(|lI.ࡇ.)]
I had been walking happily, but stopped dead in my tracks.
[Only one quest remains. Fortunately, this one has no time limit! ⁽⁽◝(∗ ❛⃘ ꒫ ❜⃘⃘ ∗)◜⁾⁾]
QUEST!
Project: Getting Closer to Dad ver.3
The Spirit King of Water assigned this task!
✔ Call Admiral Diegon Pashayen “Dad” sincerely
Reward upon success: ★Well Done★ stamp x2
No deadline
[We hope you will succeed in this quest, dear young contestant! If you fail—]
They’re going to tell me the punishment!
W-what should I do?!
I shrank back, scared it might be a terrifying punishment.
And of all times, my older brothers aren’t around!
‘No, it’s okay. I’m brave.’
It’s fine… but still, I’m a little nervous.
I clenched and unclenched my fists over and over.
Just then, I spotted Class Leader Leviwood walking down the hallway.
Without thinking, I dashed straight toward him.
“Class Leader Leviwood!”
“…Shupetty?”
He looked like he had been in a hurry.
There were a bunch of adults behind him too, all holding documents with exhausted faces.
“Could you stay with me for just a minute?”
Class Leader Leviwood’s gaze dropped to my hand, which was clutching at the hem of his pants.
“Hmm… Want to tell me what’s going on?”
“No reason. Just… happy to see you.”
It’s fine now.
Okay, Yupyrhos—tell me the punishment!
[Badum! Badum! Badum! The penalty is—!]
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly.
Class Leader Leviwood glanced down at me in confusion, then gave instructions to the adults behind him.
“Go ahead without me. The youngest in the house looks uneasy.”
“Yes, then we’ll see you shortly.”
But that’s not true! I’m not uneasy!
‘Just a little.’
Okay, maybe I was a tiny bit nervous.
[Project: Getting Closer to Dad ver.1 – Penalty]
“…….”
[Dolphin Transformation (3 days)]
“Whaaaat?!”
I screamed without thinking—even with Class Leader Leviwood standing right next to me.
I was just so shocked, I couldn’t help it!
But my biggest worry was—
“Do dolphins get snacks…?”
“Normally no, unless it’s sardines or something. But why that all of a sudden?”
“Noooo!”
This can’t be!!
But Yupyrhos mercilessly announced the next penalty.
[Project: Getting Closer to Dad ver.2 – Penalty]
If I’m a dolphin for three whole days, I won’t be able to participate in the Kids’ Detective Squad!
‘What about my Ancient Language classes?’
Dolphins don’t have hands. How am I supposed to write the alphabet?
Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at the glowing red letters.
[You will have to grant a favor for someone you dislike. (3 days)]
Whaaat?!
This time, I was so stunned I couldn’t even scream.
No way! Absolutely not!
“Are you okay, Shupetty? You don’t look well.”
“Huuhhh…”
“Let me see… No fever. But wait, what’s this on your neck?”
Class Leader Leviwood, who had placed a hand on my forehead to check, suddenly looked very serious.
At the same time, I began panting. It felt like something was growing on the back of my neck… and my fingers started to itch—
[Note: Penalties are applied separately. After the dolphin transformation ends, the next penalty will be applied. Dear child participant, please be aware of this.]
“Shupetty? Shupetty!”
Ugh… I can’t even speak anymore.
I felt my mouth starting to elongate.
My white skin turned silver, and my back itched terribly before something suddenly popped out.
Moments later…
I had become a dolphin, letting out a pitiful cry.
“Piiiiiiii—!”
***
In the Room of Daffodils.
A portrait of Aurora—her face no longer visible—and a family photo hung on the wall.
This place always smelled faintly of flowers.
Diegon was sitting alone, lost in thought.
He often found himself slipping into contemplation.
Some days, once the thoughts started, it was hard to stop them.
On days like that, Aurora would sneak up on him and cover his eyes, laughing as she played her little game.
‘Guess who?’
‘Hmm… I have no idea.’
‘Hint! Pink hair.’
‘The cutest person in the world? Or maybe the brightest star. Or perhaps…’
‘Perhaps?’
‘…my future.’
My gem.
My love.
My future. My everything.
My one and only partner.
When he said that and turned around to embrace her, Aurora would always laugh with joy.
And in that moment, all of Diegon’s wandering thoughts would vanish, and he could focus on the present.
‘Still, thanks to the youngest, I was able to take this frame out and hang it back up.’
The family portrait that had been hidden deep in the inner room, covered by cloth, because seeing it—especially without Aurora’s face—was too painful to bear…
He had finally hung it back in place.
While he was at it, he also brought out the treasured portrait of Aurora.
It made it feel like she was still there, like she hadn’t left… and it ached in his chest.
But this time, he did not let the sorrow defeat him.
He had a child to protect now.
‘Phew, guess I should be going.’
He had stared at the picture for over an hour, hoping to see her face somehow—but, of course, there was no such miracle.
Sweeping a hand through his hair, Diegon put his jacket back on and opened the door.
“Your Excellency! Your Excellencyyyy!!”
It happened in that moment.
He locked eyes with Carmen, who came sprinting toward him, pale and frantic.
“Your Excellency! The young miss—The youngest miss—!”
“Did something happen to Shupetty?”
“Sh-She turned into a dolphiiiin!!”
