Near the northern gate of Ronadium, there was a small house with a courtyard not far away; this was where the former Mage Tower Master Tristan lived.
While walking down the main road to tour the city, Yuric found himself at Tristan’s doorstep. He carefully opened the gate and walked through the neglected, messy courtyard to reach the front door. He knocked politely and introduced himself as Mage Yuric from the Mage Tower.
“Senior, I have something urgent to tell you.”
However, there was no response inside. It was clear that someone was there, but they seemed to be deliberately ignoring him.
Yuric stood in front of the entrance for a while before finally turning back. Thus, his first visit ended without meeting the former Mage Tower Master.
Of course, Yuric had no intention of giving up. He considered this part of the treatment process.
“When one falls ill, both body and mind become weak. Healing means nurturing both body and mind.”
Yuric did not want to turn his back on the hero who had dedicated themselves to humanity.
From the day of his first visit, Yuric visited Tristan’s house every day without fail.
On the fifth day, Yuric cleaned the long-neglected courtyard. He mowed the grass, fixed the fallen fence, planted new flowers in the pots, and then placed a chair in the courtyard to sit and draw.
He realized that this door would not open just because someone knocked. It had to be opened by the person inside, like how Master Adriane would do.
“I will share my love again, as I did before.”
It had been months since Yuric had sculpted, but his hands were still adept with the chisel. He placed each completed sculpture in the courtyard to decorate it, hoping it would smell like a place where people lived.
He did not want the great hero, the respected senior, and the kind master to die alone and sadly in such a place.
Even if Tristan refused treatment until the end and accepted death, Yuric wanted to stay by his side.
He wanted to repay him on behalf of humanity.
Your life has been splendid and never in vain.
After nearly twenty years of neglect, the courtyard came back to life in just half a month. Yuric sat on a chair, smiling as he reminisced about the old days.
Sitting in Master Adriane’s garden, drawing and sculpting… those innocent and beautiful childhood days.
“Is Senior doing well?”
Yuric felt he had been too careless towards his masters and wrote a letter to each of them.
Yuric did not think the time spent in the courtyard was wasted. Instead, it was a good opportunity to reflect on the time he had spent in Arphenheim since leaving it. Without looking back, one might repeat the same mistakes.
He often visited the library as well. The musty smell of ancient books filled the air, giving it a distinct charm.
The library, which remained unchanged over a thousand years alongside the Mage Tower, was enormous, occupying two floors. According to the librarians, if all the books, including small and large collections, were counted, there would be easily a million volumes.
Yuric also made sure not to forget to tour the city every three or four days. When he chose an area to explore, he would wander through every alley. Since the area was safe, the chance of encountering trouble was minimal as long as it wasn’t dark.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Today, Yuric visited Tristan’s house as usual and knocked respectfully on the front door.
“Senior, are you there? It’s Mage Yuric.”
But there was no response again. After standing at the entrance for a moment, Yuric headed toward the chair in the courtyard.
Just then, the door creaked open. Yuric widened his eyes in surprise and looked at the gap in the door.
There stood a thin old man with completely disheveled hair and beard. However, his eyes shone brightly.
“Come in.”
Yuric had expected to wait at least three months. Seeing the door open after only a month made him feel a bit sad. This must mean that the elder had been feeling unbearably lonely.
Yuric straightened his posture and cautiously entered the house. While it wasn’t a complete mess, it was still untidy.
“Sit down.”
Tristan seated Yuric at the dining table. The former Mage Tower Master sat opposite him and stared at Yuric for a long time.
“You’re persistent. I thought you’d leave after a few days.”
Yuric smiled calmly.
“I planned to wait until the door opened. No matter how long it took.”
Tristan muttered something but said nothing.
Yuric noticed that Tristan’s mana flow was almost nonexistent. Naturally, he couldn’t cast any spells.
Still, surviving this long without mana, despite having mana blockage disease, meant he hadn’t allowed the illness to worsen by not using mana. Perhaps he saw this as his duty.
“I clearly told you I wouldn’t accept treatment.”
“Yes, I understand. I respect your decision, Elder.”
Yuric accepted Tristan’s decision. If Tristan didn’t want treatment, he would honor his wishes.
“Can I visit often? I’d like to talk about various things with you, Elder.”
“Bothersome. Don’t come.”
“Then I’ll wait in the courtyard.”
“This stubborn fellow!… Alright, do as you please.”
Although Tristan didn’t always open the door, he did so every three to five days, allowing Yuric to enter.
After several visits, Yuric thought it was appropriate to ask if he could help clean up. The elder responded tersely, “Do as you wish,” indicating he didn’t care what Yuric did.
With permission granted, Yuric began cleaning and tidying up Tristan’s house. He didn’t try to finish everything in one day, starting with the rooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and storage, gradually making progress without burdening the elder.
In no time, Tristan’s house became cozy and clean, much like a regular home. Yuric hung his drawings in frames on the walls and placed his sculptures on the table. Though the elder grumbled that these weren’t necessary, he didn’t throw them away.
“Have you eaten? If not, eat and go.”
“Yes, thank you, Elder.”
The meal consisted only of old bread, hardened meat, and dried fruit slices, but Yuric enjoyed it nonetheless.
“When did you start learning magic?”
“At nine years old. It’s been about ten years now.”
“Clearly, you have talent. Inborn talent. I heard you developed the cure for mana blockage disease.”
“Luck played a part.”
But Tristan didn’t dismiss it as mere luck. This was something that couldn’t be achieved by luck alone.
Yuric asked if Tristan would like to see the circuit diagram. Intrigued, Tristan agreed. Yuric pulled out the paper with the circuit diagram from his bag and handed it to Tristan. As Tristan examined it thoroughly, his eyes sparkled with life.
“…Did you create this?”
“Yes.”
Tristan nodded. Even without checking every detail, it was evident that the circuit design was extraordinary.
A genius in circuits. There were no other words to describe Yuric.
The door, which used to open every few days, soon opened every other day, and after two months, it opened daily.
Yuric even cut and trimmed Tristan’s disheveled hair and beard. Now, Tristan no longer looked as ragged as before.
“Elder, how have you been?”
Yuric greeted kindly and warmly, then went straight to the kitchen to make Adriane-style herbal bread. The aroma of herbs filled the house.
On the table were freshly baked herbal bread, succulent meat, fresh fruits, and well-seasoned cheese.
Tristan stared at the food for a long time before looking at Yuric.
“Why are you treating me so well?”
When Yuric looked at him, Tristan continued.
“You won’t get anything from helping me. I have nothing to give. I’m just a useless old man now.”
Hearing this, a gentle smile formed on Yuric’s lips.
“Elder, you didn’t expect anything in return when you dedicated yourself to humanity. You believed it was the right thing to do, as I understand.”
“…”
Tristan slightly parted his lips and looked at Yuric with wide eyes.
“I feel the same way. I don’t expect anything in return. I believe it’s the right thing to do.”
Brother Luke didn’t share love to get something from the children. Yet, the children repaid him with love.
Tristan, who had traversed a difficult era with heroes, surely didn’t sacrifice his life in hopes of receiving something.
If no one stayed by his side and humanity didn’t show its love… why should humanity exist?
Yuric did not forget the heroes’ intentions.
He never forgot the hidden meaning behind their desire for humanity to remember their love.
“Elder, it’s okay. I will stay by your side. I may not know how much help I can be, but I will do my best.”
Tristan said nothing and lowered his gaze. After a while, he slowly reached for a piece of herbal bread, tore off a small piece, and chewed it.
“It’s delicious. You made it very well.”
Tears welled up in Tristan’s eyes. His wrinkled face glistened.
“I’m sorry. Can you go now?”
“Yes, Elder. Please don’t skip meals.”
Yuric bowed politely and left the house, sitting on the chair in the courtyard.
It was a warm, sunny day.
