(Miss Erica's POV)
A fresh morning awakened me.
Birds chirped cheerfully outside my window, their songs weaving together like a gentle melody. Flowers along the riverbank bloomed in soft colors, and sunlight streamed in, warm and golden.
What a wonderful day to be alive.
As I slowly sat up, my eyes were naturally drawn to the river outside. The water sparkled as it flowed endlessly, reflecting the sky like a living mirror. That calm and peaceful sight always made my heart feel lighter, as if reminding me that everything, no matter how difficult, would continue to move forward.
I stretched my arms above my head and let out a small yawn.
"Another good day," I murmured to myself.
I got up and prepared for my bath.
Most people in this town don't bathe every day; water is a luxury, after all, but my situation is a little different. The inn I stay at is near the river, so fetching water is easy for me. I'm grateful for that small comfort.
The cold water sent a slight shiver through me as I poured it over myself, but it also washed away the lingering sleep and worries from my mind. By the time I finished, I felt refreshed, awake, and ready for the day.
After drying myself, I moved to the small kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Normally, I eat simple meals, bread and fish but today was different. I cracked open the eggs I bought from the market yesterday and cooked them carefully, humming softly as the aroma filled the room.
Today's meal felt special.
After all, I had just received my monthly salary.
As I ate, I smiled to myself.
I am a teacher at the only preschool in this town.
Compared to many other jobs, my salary is decent, and the townspeople treat me with respect. Because of that and perhaps because I genuinely enjoy my work, most children adore me. They often cling to my sleeves, asking me to play with them even after class.
I suppose that's partly because I love children.
I grew up in an orphanage.
I had many siblings there, or at least, that's how I see them. The children in the orphanage weren't bound to me by blood, but we shared something deeper. We shared loneliness, warmth, and hope. To this day, they still call me big sister, and I treasure that more than anything.
Once breakfast was finished, I tidied up and began preparing for work.
I've been a teacher for three years now.
My days are simple and repetitive but never dull.
I teach the children how to read and write, how to count, add, and subtract. I also teach them basic knowledge about the kingdom, simple things they'll need to know as they grow.
After school, I usually visit the church where the orphanage is located.
Children are allowed to leave the orphanage only when they are adopted or when they reach an age where they can stand on their own.
I was fortunate.
When I turned fifteen, the lord of this town took me in. He taught me how to read and write properly and later introduced me to the Teachers' Guild.
The Teachers' Guild is where educators across the continent gather to earn licenses, to be evaluated, and to be ranked based on knowledge and skill.
From there, everything flowed smoothly.
Until one odd event changed my routine.
One day, the lord himself came to me with a request.
He asked if I could accept a new student.
Naturally, I agreed immediately, even without compensation.
But he insisted that the student be treated like everyone else.
When I finally met him, I was surprised.
He was slightly taller than me and older.
Short, spiky black hair. Calm brown eyes. A face that could be called handsome, though not in an overly striking way.
At first glance, one might think he was the son of a wealthy merchant.
His build was lightly muscular, not the kind you'd see on laborers or adventurers, but not fragile either. He didn't carry the air of nobility, yet his clothes were unusually simple and strangely appealing.
He stood out.
The lord explained that he couldn't speak our native language and wanted me to teach him the basics.
Honestly, I didn't believe him at first.
But once the lessons began, it became obvious.
He truly didn't know the language.
He couldn't speak it.
He couldn't read it.
He couldn't write it.
Yet he listened carefully.
He learned quickly.
He never missed a class. He followed instructions diligently, like a proper student.
Still, I often felt awkward.
"How am I supposed to teach someone older than me…?" I wondered more than once.
So I watched him closely.
And every day, he exceeded my expectations.
One day, I noticed he had rented a basic magic book.
Does he want to become a magician? I wondered.
Then I started seeing him early in the mornings running through the streets, training magic before class. He was always quiet, focused, and serious.
Diligent.
And surprisingly brilliant.
He grasped mathematics far faster than expected, using methods simpler than what's commonly taught. I was sure he knew more than he showed, but he deliberately held back, as if trying not to stand out.
He was always alone.
He never interacted much with others.
Before I realized it, nearly a month had passed since he enrolled.
By now, he had learned everything I needed to teach him, but for some reason, he insisted on staying until the end.
These days felt peaceful.
…Now that I think about it, I haven't seen Sebastian lately.
Sebastian is the son of a merchant, a famous mage in this town.
He often pestered me, openly expressing his desire to marry me.
I refused him every time.
Not because I disliked him, but because of the gap between us.
I'm just an orphan who lives a simple life.
He is destined for something far greater.
I would only hold him back.
So I continued to refuse him, hoping that one day he would give up.
"…I think that would be best for both of us," I whispered, gazing up at the clear blue sky.
After school, I decided to visit the orphanage.
As I walked through the streets, townspeople greeted me warmly.
"Good afternoon, Miss Erica!"
"Take care on your way!"
I returned their greetings with a smile.
I love this town. This is where I grew up. I know almost everyone here.
When the church came into view, I slowed my steps.
"I should pray first."
There's only one church in this town, the Church of Goddess Aqua.
She is the goddess who governs and purifies water.
Because of her blessing, the river here is abundant with fish, nourishing the town.
I opened the wooden doors.
The familiar sight greeted me.
An old, simple chapel.
Wooden benches worn smooth with time.
And at the altar, a statue of Goddess Aqua, serene and gentle.
This place never grows old to me.
I knelt and prayed quietly.
Afterward, I placed a bronze coin into the donation box.
"Now… It's time to see my brothers and sisters."
I bought fruits from nearby stalls as gifts.
As I approached the orphanage, I heard laughter and children cheering joyfully.
Then…
A familiar voice.
"I'm glad you liked them. Please, have some more."
…That voice.
It didn't belong here.
My heart skipped.
I hurried toward the orphanage.
And there they were.
The children.
Father and the sisters.
Plates were filled with food far more than enough.
And sitting among them, smiling awkwardly yet warmly
Sebastian.