079
I widened my eyes at the unfamiliar term I just heard.
“That kind of victim mentality stems from emotional wounds. It’s the responsibility of adults to help heal those wounds… but Miss Luarel, you must also make an effort.”
“…Ah.”
“And secondly, I’ve heard that it’s still uncertain whether Miss Luarel is truly of Pashayen blood.”
Teacher Tillia gently wiped Luarel’s tears and helped her sit back down.
She was kind, but also firm.
She never stopped speaking gently and rightly, no matter how the other person reacted.
‘So basically, the teacher doesn’t care whether Angela or Luarel cries or not. She’s not the type to go easy just because someone is crying!’
Tillia slowly stepped toward the lectern and continued.
“It would be convenient if there were a magic that could confirm one’s bloodline, but no such thing exists. It will take time to verify whether Miss Luarel’s claim is true or not. Everyone will need some time.”
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ grumbles.]
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ mutters, ‘Typical of someone from a neutral nation.’]
[The Earth Spirit King ‘■’ smiles, pleased by her fairness and rationality.]
In the end, what Teacher Tillia showed was impartiality.
Not taking anyone’s side.
That’s what being neutral truly is.
“Now, shall we begin class? I expect everyone to focus. Emotions are one thing, and class is another.”
She really was different from Teacher Cedric in so many ways.
Still… what was Teacher Cedric doing earlier?
That question was answered after class ended.
“Everyone, attention please. Before class, Teacher Cedric left us a message.”
“Yes?”
“He said he’ll be continuing with a class right after Ancient Language.”
…Wait, seriously?
Teacher Cedric voluntarily teaching?
He usually avoids teaching like the plague.
Even the other students looked confused, letting out annoyed groans.
“Alright, everyone will be moving together with me to the nearby sea. It’s a survival swimming lesson… and once we all have a good swim, I’m sure we’ll feel better, don’t you think?”
As I stood up, I caught a fleeting expression on Luarel’s face.
That expression vanished in a flash…
But it scared me.
Could it be that she really hates swimming?
***
“Pwah!”
A little later—
Holding my breath as I explored under the sea, I came up for air and exhaled.
‘My swimming’s really improved!’
Living as a dolphin and swimming every day must have embedded it into my body.
I used to just sink like a rock the moment I entered the ocean, completely incapable of swimming.
But now, I felt somewhat free.
“Hold my hand tight, okay?”
“Mhm!”
That means—I can now kick around while holding onto Brother Elzen’s hand.
My body actually floats!
Just that alone made me so proud of myself.
“Woohoo! Look at me!”
“Where!”
The boys had tossed off their shirts and were surfing further out, while Angela—who had been acting all prim, refusing to enter the sea without her swimsuit—was now showing off some impressive underwater swimming skills.
“That strawberry-print swimsuit… so cute.”
“Shu, do you want one?”
“Yeah.”
But my donut-patterned swimsuit is cute too!
It’s covered with yummy-looking treats, so I love it!
“But Brother, why isn’t Sister Luarel swimming?”
It was supposed to be a survival swimming class, but of course, Teacher Cedric didn’t actually teach anything.
He just let us loose on the beach and called it ‘self-study time.’
So everyone rushed into the sea like wild foals…
Everyone except Sister Luarel.
She was just standing still—like a starfish drying out in the sun—not moving a single bit since earlier.
Lina had even brought her a swimsuit when she brought mine.
Now Sister Luarel, dressed in a frilly white swimsuit, was crouched in the shade of a parasol, just watching us.
Alongside Teacher Cedric, who had flopped down on a mat claiming he didn’t like to move or get tanned.
“Brother, let’s go check on her.”
“Why? If she wants to swim, she’ll come on her own.”
“Still… I’m the vice class leader.”
It wasn’t like I was trying to act nice.
It’s not like I liked crybaby sister either.
But as the vice class leader, it was my duty to check on anyone left out.
Even in daycare center, when a new kid was alone, I always took their hand and stayed with them.
“Haah… fine, if you insist. Besides, you’ve been playing for a while, Shu. It’s good to take a break in the shade. Got any cramps in your legs?”
“Nope! I’m fine.”
Brother Elzen lifted me up and checked on me.
His delicate face and kind expression were so pretty, I stared at him with my mouth wide open.
His slightly damp, pale pink hair and long lashes held tiny droplets, and the sunlight pouring from the sky made them sparkle like diamonds.
‘How is someone this beautiful my brother?’
He glitters like a flower fairy.
“You’ll get seawater in your mouth like that.”
“Mmm… but Brother, you’re too pretty.”
“Really? That’s nice to hear. But you know, you’re the one who’s even more adorable. Got it?”
I didn’t know that.
But it made me happy to hear it!
So happy I wiggled with joy.
[The Spirit King of Air, Shaparsi, smiles warmly, saying it’s rare to see such a close sibling relationship.]
[The Spirit King of Emotion shows great interest in Elzen Pashayen.]
Shff, shff
I could hear Brother Elzen’s footsteps as he walked on the sand.
But not a single grain of sand stuck to my feet—because after we came out of the sea, Brother Elzen rinsed me off thoroughly and carried me out!
“Here, want to stay here for a bit? Next to Teacher Cedric.”
“Okaaay.”
“Good girl. And Luarel, are you afraid of swimming?”
Brother Elzen’s tone was different when he talked to me versus when he talked to Sister Luarel.
Still kind, but… lacking warmth.
Almost like he was just being polite and nothing more.
[The Spirit King of Earth whispers.]
[It’s because he draws a clear line—he’s respectful, but no further than that.]
Ah-ha!
[The Spirit King of Water comments.]
[You should learn that kind of demeanor from Elzen. It’ll come in handy once you enter high society.]
Yes sir!
“Oh my, our precious youngest miss has returned!”
Teacher Cedric, seeing me, jumped to his feet and began drying my hair with a towel.
I sat quietly and listened to Brother and Sister talk.
“It’s really nothing once you get in. Come on, let’s swim. I’ll hold your hand.”
“I-I… don’t want to. The sea… it’s scary.”
“I don’t get it. Even four-year-old Shupetty can do it?”
Brother Elzen scrunched his nose.
Sister Luarel kept averting her gaze, mumbling.
“Th-that’s because she’s Shupetty. She… she didn’t have anything scary happen in the ocean.”
“Didn’t you say the only thing you remembered at first was your name?”
“….…”
“But now you’re saying the sea scares you? It’s like you’re hiding other memories.”
Sister Luarel lowered her head and buried her face in her knees.
Brother Elzen, resting his arms on the parasol pole, slowly looked her up and down.
“What, going to cry again? You cried so much earlier—you’ll wear yourself out. You should stop.”
“No, I… I…”
Sister Luarel looked like she was about to protest, but her voice trailed off.
Brother Elzen’s gaze turned colder.
Seeing all this happen, I couldn’t just sit and watch—so I raised my hand.
“It’s not scary at all! It’s actually fun! I know ‘cause I was a dolphin before!”
“…….!”
It’s true!
But… why did everyone give me that ‘you’re kidding, right?’ look?
Tilting my head in confusion, I accepted the peach Teacher Cedric handed me with both hands and took a big bite.
The sweet taste filled me up, and suddenly my head felt clear, fresh, and bright!
“Oh!”
Wait a minute—
“Sister, you can breathe underwater, right?”
You’re Pashayen, after all!
