Almark – Northern Sword, Southern Wand

After greeting Illmis and Radmar, who were still discussing something with a difficult face, Almark took the buyer out.

"Oh, it's cold."

The buyer trembles.

"I hate winter. Because fewer herbs can be harvested."

"You still have herbs to pick."

Well, a little bit.

The buyer nods.

The breath turns white. It was very cold tonight.

"Besides, it's not medicinal herbs, but in the winter, we dig up tree roots."

The buyer walks down the road to the dorm and says.

"There's a good spell of magic in store for spring sprouts beyond winter."

I see.

Almark nodded.

"Root."

Even in the North, there must have been plenty of trees with good magic in their roots.

Until now, I have passed them by because I have no knowledge.

However, after learning here, the eyes of looking at the trees and grass in the forest must have changed.

"It's Norish's turn tomorrow."

The buyer said.

"Because you swallow fast. I was worried about what I could teach you."

"Norish is a master of wind magic."

Almark answers.

"Just tell me that. There's nothing to worry about."

"Teaching people is a little different again."

That's what buyers say and show their books.

"Well, I just said what I liked."

"That's fine."

Almark nodded.

"Thank you so much. Even though we're all busy, you don't have to spend so much time for me."

"In order to teach, I want to teach you something proper."

The buyer laughed.

"Guys, I want to tell you that I taught you this."

The next day, it began to rain at dawn.

After studying late last night, Almark was finally lurking in his bed and listening to the rain outside the window.

Yeah, it's gonna rain in the middle of the winter here.

Think about such things vaguely.

The south is so warm in winter.

Knowing our lives here shows how harsh it is to live in the North.

It's not just the cold in winter. War continues. Human malice. Monster.

In the North, people's lives easily disappear.

But Almark had a hunch.

I won't stay south. [M]

Someday, I'll be back north.

Winter. Frozen morning with snow.

In that world, it feels as if all the noise has been sucked into the snow and gone.

Almark noticed that the door was easily knocked.

It's still dark outside. Even on sunny days, the winter sun rises much later, let alone today.

It's not a very good time for someone to visit.

Almark stepped out of bed and gently opened the door.

"I'm sorry, I wish I was awake."

It was Morgan who said that and showed his face.

"Morgan, what's wrong? You look like that at a time like this."

Almark keeps an eye out.

Morgan wore a raincoat and stood there looking like he was going out.

Are you going somewhere?

"Yeah, I thought you were tired from studying exams."

Morgan whispers.

"Why don't we go fishing now?

Fishing?

Almark rounded his eyes.

"Morgan. Are you all right? Hold on."

That's how I grab Morgan's shoulder.

"Are you asleep? It's not a holiday."

"I know."

Morgan nods seriously.

"When it rains in the morning this time of winter, we can catch good fish. I thought I'd go right before breakfast."

"Seriously?"

Almark looked out the door and down the hallway.

There were two fishing rods lined up on the hallway wall.

Almark smiles bitterly.

Fishing. Since summer vacation. "

During the summer holidays, Morgan and I used to hang fishing lines in the woods.

"All right, let's go. It might make me feel better than resting."

While walking side-by-side into the woods, the winter rains wet the coats of the two.

"Morgan, isn't it cold?"

"It's cold."

Morgan nods.

"It's better to have fun with fish now."

"I see, it looks like you."

They walked past the side of the school building early enough for a stream in the woods.

Almark's wildfire illuminates their feet in the rain without sagging.

You've done well with Oni-Fire.

Morgan smiled.

"If the image doesn't solidify, it's raining and wind. I've failed so many times."

"My teacher taught me not to get too trapped in the image of a flame."

Almark answers.

"It looks like a flame, but it's light."

"Yeah."

Morgan nodded.

"Light doesn't disappear in the wind or rain."

Eventually, when he reached the usual stream, Almark looked out for him.

"This is..."

You can see many shadows of fish in the river, which made a lot of ripples from the rain.

I could not catch fish all the time in summer, and I spent a lot of time meditating and thinking.

But it looks different today.

"Morgen"

Almark looks back at Morgan.

"It's full of fish."

"Yes, it is."

Morgan nods.

"On winter rainy mornings, fish gather from somewhere."

"How do you know that?"

"Senior student taught me."

Morgan answers.

Sneaking around.

I don't think they were involved with Nelson on the night of the sorcery festival.

"About Jebbies? No, no."

Morgan shook his head.

"They're not so kind, and I don't know anything about this. He told me about the bear."

"Bear."

Almark raised his eyebrows.

"I heard that name somewhere."

"You've never met him."

Morgan smiles.

"Bear is one of the class members of the first grade. My body is big and powerful, and I can't help but be gentle."

It's like a bear in a fairy tale.

"Yes, that's why they call it a bear."

That's what Morgan laughs at.

What's your real name?

"My real name is. Um"

Morgan wandered into space for a while, but shook his head like he gave up.

"I forgot."

I see.

Almark smiled bitterly.

"Well, no. Let's get started. You'll be home by breakfast, won't you?

That's right.

They prepare to fish quickly.

With a net of fish, they were back on their way to the dorm.

Give the fish to Gwen, the dorm chef, and he'll cook it for dinner.

"Eight in all, so in half it'll be just for the whole class."

Morgan says happily.

I see. I see.

Almark nodded.

"That's why you stuck to the other one at the end."

Well... I'm glad I caught it. "

Morgan laughs.

"Thanks for hanging out with me."

"No, it's me."

Almark says.

In fact, while I was fishing for fish, I was able to concentrate and lose consciousness.

"I'm feeling better now. Thank you."

"Really?

Morgan laughs happily.

"Fish are delicious at this time of year. Then it would have been good for both of us."