Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins

While Eugene and the manager suddenly engaged in a discussion about the dress length, Julia quietly stood observing Eugene.

Carefully.

She realized what the real problem was.

“……”

It’s time for an experiment.

She slightly lowered the hands covering her shoulders. Revealing bare skin.

Then Eugene’s gaze was drawn towards her as if pulled by a magnet.

Ah…

Of course, it was just a quick glance, and that gaze retreated instantly. But that alone was enough to be certain.

He still sees her as someone who needs to be taken care of.

The image of her in a wheelchair, falling over repeatedly by the lakeside.

He’s not so insensitive as to remain completely calm in this situation. It’s just that his concern about her tripping because of the dress is greater.

It’s a welcome thing. 

At the same time, it’s also unsatisfactory.

Julia now resented the kindness she had greatly appreciated until two years ago.

Eugene, who had finished the pointless discussion, spoke up.

“Julia―”

“Manager, could you bring out a men’s tailcoat as well?”

“Huh?”

And so Eugene was treated like a dress-up doll for an hour. The manager also enthusiastically joined in her “revenge.”

In the end, they purchased three outfits.

A suit and a tailcoat for Eugene and an evening dress for herself.

For the dress, it was the bright gold evening dress she had first worn. Even to her own eyes, she looked quite sensual in it…

The target of this feminine wile, however, was scratching his cheek as if perplexed.

Eugene muttered to himself. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

“No matter how I think about it, I don’t think I’ll ever have an occasion to go to a ball.”

“Well, you might someday.”

“…Are you perhaps angry?”

“No?”

“Then why are you like this…”

“No?”

By the time they left the tailor shop, it was already late enough to be called lunchtime, and this was also the part Grace had given advice about with the most sparkling eyes.

Or.

She had spouted such things.

But Julia had an inkling that Grace’s advice would no longer work on this outing.

It turned out to be true.

“Shall we have lunch soon?”

“Sure.”

Now, at the restaurant they entered, Eugene, well, ate well.

As if it was really delicious.

Even when they ate together in the student cafeteria, she noticed that Eugene’s appetite was unexpectedly vigorous.

Sure enough, it was the same this time, too.

It wasn’t that he focused on eating without manners, but seeing him eat so deliciously made it quite awkward for her to start a conversation.

Right. Anyway, a meal is just a meal.

She could try those things while talking at the dessert shop.

With that in mind, they headed to a dessert shop, but this time, she was the problem.

Julia blinked her eyes.

On her plate was a strawberry cream cake, and on Eugene’s plate was an appetizing apple pie.

“That apple pie looks delicious.”

“Want to share?”

“Yes.”

She had deliberately chosen different menus for this purpose.

But when Eugene cut the pie in half and placed it on her plate, Julia inwardly sighed. Grace’s voice echoed in her head.

What could she do?

Her lips wouldn’t part.

It was strange. When they spent time together talking about contracts and such, she had done much more embarrassing things without a second thought.

As she tried to discard pretense and convey her true feelings, her body kept hesitating.

Perhaps the only fortunate thing was that she wasn’t the type to just swallow her frustration.

Julia picked up a piece of her strawberry cake with a fork and brought it to Eugene’s mouth.

His eyes widened.

“What are you doing?”

“Open your mouth. Aaaah―”

When she smiled teasingly like that…

Eugene leaned forward and…

Chomp.

…bit the fork whole.

The cake disappeared.

“It’s delicious.”

“…I’m glad.”

“Try the apple pie, too.”

“Okay.”

While Julia was lost in thought, staring at the clean fork, Eugene suddenly placed his hand on her left cheek.

Her body flinched at the warmth.

“What are you doing?”

“Your lips.”

“My lips?”

“There’s cream on them. Hold still for a moment.”

Then, he took out a handkerchief from his chest pocket and started wiping her mouth. He did so with a gentle and delicate touch.

In contrast to her pounding heart, Julia’s mind was cold.

Isn’t this just how one would treat a little sister…

The late meal came to an end. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

This meant it was time to head to the next destination, but by this point, Julia couldn’t trust Grace’s advice.

Especially since that advice was something like:

Moreover, Grace seemed to have forgotten or not cared about the fact that Julia walked using walk assistance magic, so the route she had planned wasn’t very efficient.

Instead, it efficiently drained Julia’s stamina.

Therefore, Julia and Eugene, following behind her, just walked the streets aimlessly.

No.

In the midst of walking.

Eugene’s steps stopped.

“…Julia.”

“Yes?”

“What’s that?”

Julia looked at what his finger was pointing at and answered.

“Oh, it’s a bicycle. Is this your first time seeing one?”

Bicycles had been widespread for quite some time, but Julia herself had only seen this type of bicycle a few times.

An item made with a frame of light metal, applying chains and rubber tube tires.

Such new-style bicycles had only recently started to be distributed in earnest.

It wasn’t unreasonable for Eugene, who had only been in Frauzen for about three years, not to know about them.

Although it might not be her place to say, having lived in a wheelchair for nearly 20 years.

“Oh my, welcome!”

The bicycle shop owner was an excellent merchant who didn’t let go of customers showing interest in his goods and immediately began his sales pitch.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to buy. We also offer rentals.”

Eugene seemed to have fallen for the owner’s eloquent speech.

Eugene smiled slightly and asked.

“Julia, how about trying it once?”

“The bicycle?”

“I think you could ride it right away if you modify your [Walk Assistance] magic a little. What do you think, since we’re here?”

“Hmm.”

In fact, Julia wasn’t very interested in bicycles. She had ridden wheeled vehicles to the point of boredom.

However.

“…Okay. Sounds good.”

She nodded.

She nodded because Eugene’s expression was the brightest it had been during the time they spent together today.

She wanted to see more of that smile.

Following the store staff’s guidance, they each pulled their bicycles towards the outskirts of the street.

The location of the shop was so perfect that even after walking a short distance, the scenery of Frauzen’s suburbs appeared. There were no people, and there was a well-paved road stretched far into the distance.

“Now. Let’s get on the saddle.”

Soon after, the staff taught them how to ride a bicycle.

Eugene has good athletic sense. As expected, he mastered the technique perfectly in less than ten minutes.

Seeing this, the staff tactfully withdrew, so Julia suddenly found herself receiving instruction while very close to Eugene.

Their breaths intermingled, and Eugene’s hand was placed on top of hers, which was tightly gripping the handlebar.

It was a situation she had longed for, but…

“How does it feel?”

“It’s a bit difficult…!”

Unfortunately, Julia’s athletic ability was at a dismal level.

She was so focused on steering with her trembling arms that she had no time to pay attention to the sensation of his hand on hers. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Did she make a mistake saying she’d ride a bicycle?

At this rate, Eugene’s smile and everything else would all be in vain.

That thought changed a moment later.

“I think you might be falling because the speed is too slow. Try pedaling more boldly once. I’ll assist with magic.”

“A-are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Since he said so, she put strength into her eyes and stepped hard on the pedal in a do-or-die manner.

And.

“…Huh?”

“It worked.”

She moved forward smoothly at a speed she had never experienced in her life.

When she was about to fall to the left or right, something soft seemed to support Julia.

It was Eugene’s Type I magic.

The long skirt didn’t hinder bicycle riding as much as expected, and it felt good to accelerate, cutting through the wind with each pedal.

In a word.

It was fun.

She turned her head and shouted.

“Eugene!”

“You’re going! I’ll follow you!”

Right after, Eugene also got on his bicycle and pedaled hard. His speed was fast enough to catch up with Julia in no time.

But, he slowed down again.

The two rode side by side.

Julia opened her eyes wide.

“Wow…”

The whole sky was being dyed in sunset colors. Sunset.

The early summer weather turned into the wind, brushing both cheeks, and the lush greenery spread all around blended to create an incomparably warm scenery.

Suddenly, she looked down.

Around her busy up-and-down legs, two wheels were visible.

Wheels placed vertically.

It wasn’t a wheelchair. She was riding a bicycle, moving forward with her own strength.

Her unique magic [Walk Assistance], which had recently even succeeded in light jogging, was effortlessly pedaling the bicycle.

Filled with a strange elation, Julia looked at her benefactor.

Their gazes met.

Eugene had been occasionally looking this way while moving forward with a gentle smile as if enjoying himself. Why?

He must be worried.

He mouths a question. 

‘How is it?’

Julia responded aloud.

“It’s exciting.”

Only then did Eugene’s expression relax. His reciprocating smile was joyful, but it didn’t put her mind at ease.

Why do you look at me with such worry?

Thanks to you, I can move forward like this.

I, who could only move forward when you pushed my wheelchair, am now pedaling directly.

It’s thanks to you.

So, please don’t look at me with those eyes anymore…

No matter how much she repeated it to herself, nothing changed. Of course. She hadn’t expressed it, nor had she spoken it out loud.

Rather, Eugene’s magic enveloped Julia even more warmly.

A pitiful smile escaped her. This is too overprotective.

Along with affection, mischief welled up.

Shock therapy was needed.

Julia smiled brightly.

“Eugene!”

“What… Wh-whoa!”

She released her grip on the handlebars. Naturally raising both arms, she spread them to the sides.

There was no worry about falling.

Bicycles have a nature of self-correcting their direction, and moreover, that overprotective gray-haired man was supporting her entire body.

She was supported to the extent that it was safe, even with both hands off.

“Hey! Julia, that’s dangerous!”

“Ahahaha―!”

Eugene looked at her urgently.

As she grabbed the handlebars again as he wished, Julia imagined how she must look to him.

The wind is quite strong. Despite the effort put into styling it, her hair has long since been disheveled by the wind, likely revealing her snow-white forehead.

Even so.

He’s looking at her now.

Julia shouted.

“Look at me!”

Because she said so, Eugene looked.

The sun is setting. This means the sky and the whole world are being dyed in vermilion.

In the midst of it was Julia Müller.

Her dark brown hair gently fluttered in the wind, with her bangs completely pushed back, revealing her forehead. Even her hair, which had been elegantly braided until the morning, was now all loose, tickling her delicate shoulders.

She smiles.

Her crimson lips form a smile, and in tune with that, her amber eyes also curve gently. All of it was the color of the sunset. As if she might melt into the sunset if he looked away for a moment, Eugene slightly widened his eyes.

I see.

The sight of Julia smiling brightly.

The things contained within it.

“Ah.”

He tried to react somehow, but his body wouldn’t listen.

He could only open his mouth, taking in the canvas unfolding before his eyes.

At the same time.

Blink, blink, flick―

“Oh, wait.”

“Eh?”

The blue brooch on her chest flickered and then went out completely.

Her slender legs lost strength. This meant the bicycle’s propulsion had stopped.

Julia’s body, along with the bicycle, tilted.

Towards him.

Boom.

When you fall while riding a metal bicycle, it usually doesn’t end with just getting hurt.

So the moment Julia started to tilt, Eugene reflexively recited the activation phrase. [Levitation].

Perhaps because the grace period was too short, the fortunate event of floating up into the sky didn’t occur.

Fortunately, there was enough time to catch Julia suspended in midair.

He caught her and fell.

“Ugh―”

They rolled on the dirt ground.

Somehow, he ended up tightly hugging Julia’s upper body while tumbling on the ground.

A considerable impact was transmitted to his lower back.

Not only that, his whole body must be dirty with soil and dust. It was somewhat comforting that the clothes he was wearing were old ones.

When the rotation that seemed like it would go on forever ended and the sunset sky came into view…

The small lifeform in his arms shouted.

“Ugh, Eugene.”

“…!”

He must have put too much strength into his arms. Julia was groaning with her eyes closed.

At that one word, I felt as if I had committed an unforgivable sin and reflexively released my arms.

The sensation, the scent, and the voice.

My heart was beating fast. I was grateful that I could attribute the reason to falling off the bicycle.

I hurriedly stood up and pretended to be nonchalant.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. But Eugene, you…”

“I’m fine, too.”

Although my whole body ached, I pretended to be calm while dusting off the dirt on my body. With my heart pounding like this, I could do anything to avoid making eye contact with Julia.

However, despite my efforts, I ultimately had to look at her.

“Um, Eugene?”

“What?”

A sheepish laughing tone.

Unable to resist that, I turned my head to look, and there was Julia, still crouched on the dirt ground.

“The brooch is out of magic…”

The small commotion of a man and woman falling off their bicycles at the same time was concluded as befitting a small commotion.

“Hahaha, this kind of thing happens quite often!”

When we went to the bicycle shop for help, the manager laughed heartily like that and followed me, bringing along one of his employees.

We hurriedly returned to where the commotion had occurred.

“Leave the bicycles to us.”

“Ah, thank you.”

We did as he said.

I turned my head to look at Julia sitting demurely.

Julia was waving her hand playfully while smiling mischievously.

“You came back quickly this time? I’m glad.”

“Don’t tease me too much.”

After making an excuse, I turned around and crouched down.

“Can you get on my back?”

“…Yes.”

Only after I piggybacked Julia were we able to depart.

Usually, when playing with the twins, I often carried those little ones on my back. So, for me, piggybacking was just a simple action, but…

Not this time.

Hooking her thighs over my arms, her hands meeting near my chest. This brings our faces within half a span of each other.

Each of those sensations was unfamiliar.

Meanwhile, Julia on my back wouldn’t stay still.

“Wow, it feels like you’re at least eight feet tall. It’s so high.”

Every time Julia fidgeted and spoke, my body stiffened.

I had to pretend to be distracted to avoid letting her know that. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Coincidentally, there was a topic I wanted to ask about today.

“Julia. I’m curious about something.”

“What is it?” 

“How long do you plan to keep playing the role of my sponsor? It’s a bit awkward to say this as the recipient, but the total amount has already exceeded 10,000 pounds.”

“Oh. Is it burdensome for you?”

“Yes.”

Then, a soft laugh brushed my ear.

“Things are going according to plan.”

“…?”

“That’s a deposit, so keep it safe. I’ll get it back through legal procedures someday.”

“What do you mean?”

Julia answered as if it was nothing.

“Marriage.”

“What?”

I finally couldn’t hide my agitation and stopped walking.

Then Julia, smiling more joyfully than I had seen all day, vigorously patted my shoulder.

“Hahaha, just kidding, just kidding…”