Rehabilitation Therapist for the Broken Warrior – Chapter 89

“You’re getting the hang of it. What did I say? You just needed to figure out the tricks!”

It was the last day spent in the Elf Village.

After a day of practicing space manipulation, I felt I could almost use any space magic.

As Keineu pointed out, it really seemed like having an aptitude for space magic was the only thing that mattered.

“It’s amazing. It’s like imagination becoming reality… Space magic feels kind of cheating, doesn’t it?”

“Well, you could say that. At least it doesn’t have ridiculous costs like time magic, right?”

Speaking of time magic… I remember there was such a thing.

If a ‘Spacer’ with aptitude for space magic appears once every hundred years, then a time magic aptitude holder, referred to as a ‘Traveller,’ is born once every thousand years.

But that thousand-year claim is just a figurative way of saying it—time magic users can exist in multiple time periods simultaneously, unlike space magic users.

“But what can you do? It’s the same with other types of magic. Some people learn it as if they already knew it from the start, while others struggle their entire lives and still can’t master it. That’s just how the world works, so let’s learn to appreciate the talents we have.”

Those were surprisingly wise words coming from Keineu, given how casually they were thrown around.

After all, Keineu was the one the Elves chose to be their king, and while they claim not to care about who their king is, they wouldn’t just elect anyone.

“Unexpectedly profound.”

“What do you mean?”

“It just feels like quite a cool thing to say.”

“Ha…”

And hearing my impression, Keineu let out a big sigh, shoulders slumping as if he was exasperated.

“I know first impressions matter a lot, but that comment shows zero respect for your teacher. Not even a crumb.”

“A crumb?”

“Oh, right. That’s a phrase humans don’t use. Elves don’t get earwax, you see. Our ears are different from yours.”

“Oh, that’s a fun fact.”

Not sure how helpful it was, but Keineu continued to share interesting tidbits.

“Actually, that was something Hanamana mentioned. I have an aptitude for space magic, but none for any other types of magic. The opposite of Hanamana. It’s pretty unusual for an Elf.”

Guess I have to take back my earlier statement about Keineu being fine without Hanamana around.

Hearing that gratitude for talents came from Hanamana sure put things in perspective.

It is indeed unusual to have no talent in any magic aside from space.

Elves are a race blessed by magic. Usually, they are born with aptitudes for various elemental spells, including nature.

For humans, if they have the aptitude to be a mage, they typically deal with one element. Having two means they’re a genius. Being able to wield all four elements and even combine them, like Nao, makes them the irregular of irregulars.

Hanamana is also an irregular since, aside from space and time, she has aptitudes for nature and all four elements as well as divine and dark magic. It’s what happens when a genius is born among the magic-blessed Elves.

“You said your teacher is Hanamana’s childhood friend.”

“That’s right.”

“So does that mean your feelings for Hanamana now are influenced by the comfort you received as a kid?”

“Comfort? It’s not like I received any comfort from that, nor is that why I like her.”

“Can I ask why? Was there a special reason…?”

“Um…”

Keineu frowned, seemingly bothered by my question.

“To you humans, does Hanamana seem not very attractive? She’s kind of childlike.”

“No, that’s not why I’m asking. Hanamana is pretty and cute. She’s diligent and kind. I don’t think she’s unattractive at all.”

“Hey! You see her that way too?!”

“What do you want me to do about it?!”

He still thinks I have some weird feelings for Hanamana.

I was merely curious about why he liked her, and now it’s turned into this awkward situation.

Just when I was starting to think I shouldn’t talk about Hanamana in front of Keineu, he seemed to come to terms with the fact that he had said something odd, dropping his head and sighing again.

“Ahh… I’ll apologize again. I get what you said about Hanamana, but my feelings for her just can’t be brushed aside.”

“Now I’m even more curious why you like her that much.”

“Really? It’s not that special of a reason. I just never thought deeply about it. I just like her.”

“I see. Well, I suppose that kind of thing happens.”

Is it one of those patterns where a childhood friend suddenly becomes viewed as a woman?

Not all love is something extraordinary, after all.

While discussing Keineu and Hanamana, it was uncertain what might happen next, so I tried to refrain from asking more.

“Only if there is something…”

Unexpectedly, Keineu continued speaking.

What could it be?

Why an uninterested elf likes his 200-year-old childhood friend?

“I think it’s because she hasn’t changed.”

“She hasn’t changed?”

“Right. 200 years is not that long for an elf, but for a human, it’s enough time to be reborn two or three times. Generations change multiple times. So many things change, me included. But… Hanamana hasn’t changed. Maybe that’s what makes me feel she’s special.”

“Are you talking about her looks?”

“Haha, that’s part of it.”

Not changing… Perhaps an elf living that long can find charm in such aspects.

Strictly speaking, it felt similar to suddenly seeing her as a woman one day.

“But it’s funny. Right now, I wish more than anyone that Hanamana would change.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Just a moment ago, he said he liked her for not changing, and now he wants her to change?

“I mean her preferences.”

“Oh…”

I see. That’s an immediately understandable answer.

That aspect of her might indeed be something to wish for.

“Right now, I’m seriously conflicted. I don’t even know what my true feelings are. It’s hard to believe, but when Hanamana said she likes that kind of guy, it somehow made sense to me. Someone serious, seeking knowledge, who seems to take good care of himself… fits her well. Unlike me. I don’t take care of her, I just torment her, and I have no interest in whatever pathetic magic. Maybe I ended up liking someone like that because I think I’m no good.”

“No way. Not our sweet Hanamana.”

“I think that way too, but my heart says otherwise. It’s just uncomfortable, you know?”

“……”

While I may not agree with everything, I certainly relate to the sentiment that emotions can be a bit troublesome.

Seeing ruined things can evoke an involuntary excitement in me—thrills and anxieties.

And when I recall what Zion recognized and the situations that arose because of it…

There were more than a few times I wished I didn’t have these feelings at all.

“This feeling is the same. I love Hanamana’s unchanging nature, but right now I hope more than anyone that she changes. My feelings are just weird and contradictory. I can’t figure out what I should do. I’m starting to dislike myself… you think I’m weird, right?”

With a bitter smile, he asked me, clearly prepared for the answer he expected.

But my answer would be different.

I don’t think he’s weird at all.

For good reason…

“Not at all. I felt that way too.”

“Huh?”

“Honestly…”

I liked Zion’s broken form but still hoped for him to recover.

If there’s someone in this world with feelings as weird and contradictory as his, it’s undoubtedly me.

While I didn’t particularly want to comfort Keineu, his story resonated too much with me.

I had to tell him about my story with Zion.

That I had felt the same.

That I had gone through the same pain… no, worse pain.

“Well, it’s clear that being a hero’s lover is no easy feat. You’re quite the crazy one.”

And thus came Keineu’s expected reaction.

Of course, I saw that coming anyway.

“Right? So don’t worry too much. Your teacher will probably still like Hanamana even if she changes later. You know, I think that’s just how people are. You can trust me as a senior who’s been through it.”

“Hah! Senior? So it’s true that not only Hanamana but I’m also your senior?”

“In terms of relationships, that’s correct.”

“Haah…”

Keineu sighed heavily again and laughed incredulously, as if in disbelief, before speaking up again.

“Only twenty years under my belt, and yet I’m somehow a senior. Aw, but no way around it since you’re right. Imagining you liking anyone other than Hanamana is tough. If you’ve ended up liking her, does that mean you don’t care about what she turns into…? Hanamana was right that there’s something to learn from humans after all.”

How this whole conversation seems to circle back to Hanamana is really something.

It’s clear he thinks of nothing but her.

“In the end, I guess I’ll just keep waiting for Hanamana to notice me. Fortunately, elves have plenty of time.”

“Wishing you luck. And thanks for sharing such difficult thoughts.”

“You’ve shared even more difficult thoughts than me. Before we wrap this up, let’s check one last time. You’re supposed to leave here by tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Master.”

And with that, the lesson on space magic came to an end.

These spells could be learned easily if one had talent, but they were extremely useful.

No matter which battlefield I found myself on, I could protect myself.

With this, Zion could traverse the battlefield without leaving my side, and it was a true relief that I had successfully learned space magic in just three days.