Chapter 04

Beloved Child of the Spirits Arc

. The Circumstances of Taking Him In

The next day, I received an apology from my sister-in-law along with words of gratitude for dispelling the spirit’s power.

“I deeply regret speaking as if I were relying on the Divine Beast’s power. I am prepared to accept any punishment.”
“Then just smile. The children are picking up on the tense air in the mansion and becoming wary. No matter how hard it is, keep smiling.”
“Yes. I will. Thank you very much.”

I ended up making my sister-in-law cry. I didn’t know what to do, so I just paced about restlessly.
I wanted to snuggle up to her, but I was afraid my claws might snag on her dress. Noticing this, Wio picked me up and carried me closer to her. When I gave her hand a gentle lick, she petted me with a tearful smile.

I know I’m soft, but the love a parent feels for their child is so warm. How could I punish someone for that?

Once she had calmed down, my brother explained to me the circumstances under which they had taken in the Fire Child.

The Fire Child had been born in a small village in this country. Though people found him eerie, they still cared for him. But one day, during a tantrum, he accidentally set things in the room on fire. That was when his parents finally gave up on raising him.
He was abandoned at a church in a nearby town. From there, the story reached our father and brother, who decided to take him in.

Because of his fire attribute, other nobles showed curiosity, but none actually stepped forward to adopt him. Even the duke’s household, where the corps commander came from, chose to simply observe.

They visited the home where he was born, declared their intention to adopt him, collected his belongings, and even paid money. It was all to establish a contract ensuring his birth parents would never interfere again. You see, when a child with strong magical power is born to commoners, it isn’t unusual for nobles to adopt them. But once such a child grows into a successful knight or magician, there’s a certain number of parents who come demanding aid. So nobles make contracts at the time of adoption to prevent that.

To become a noble, one needs the king’s permission. So papers were submitted to the king for approval of the adoption. After that, he received baptism at the church. Only then did he truly become a child of this household.

The formal presentation of children happens when they turn seven, so it hasn’t been held yet. This year, it’s my sister’s turn for her debut. That must be why my sister-in-law was so desperate to heal her burns.

The reason for her burns was a stuffed toy my sister had. The Fire Child wanted it, but since it was her most cherished one, she refused. That’s when the stuffed toy caught fire. And when it brushed against her shoulder and neck, it burned her.

“It was the fire spirit who set it ablaze. They’re troublesome, always spoiling for a fight. They even tried to pick one with Wio.”
“With Wiolas?”
“Yeah. The Fire Child said he wanted me. I guess the fire spirits thought they could just snatch me away from Wio. I gave them a little scare.”

What rash and troublesome beings. They should have known the difference in strength, so what were they even thinking?

“So the toy catching fire—was that really because Ryuka wished for it?”
“No. The fire spirits probably thought, ‘If he wants it and she won’t give it, then let’s burn it.’ Same with me. The Fire Child just wanted a dog, but the fire spirits thought it would be amusing to steal me from Wio.”

Yes, that’s the real problem—spirits acting on their own, even when the child never wished for it.

Spirits can cause mischief even on their own, but their power is limited, so the damage is usually minor. However, in cases like this, the Fire Child unconsciously scatters his magic power. The gathered spirits then use it to cause events at will, which leads to serious consequences.

As he grows, he’ll learn to control his magic, and this will stop. But until he does, the same kind of incidents will keep happening. Maybe it’s best if I stay in this house until then.

After talking it over with Wio, I decided to remain at the mansion until things settled down.

Aside from playing with the Fire Child or visiting my sister when she was bedridden, I spent my time lazing about in the garden or indoors. With the fire spirits being so untrustworthy, I couldn’t leave the mansion.

Perhaps because we wrestled around on the first day, the Fire Child came to accept me as a playmate. With me there, he even gave permission for his younger brother to join in. The three of us now spend our days tumbling around together.

Wio sometimes answers summons from the knight order and spars with them, but he isn’t taking adventurer requests right now.

My sister’s burns have healed quite a bit, but moving still causes her pain, and there’s the risk of infection from the wounds. So she must remain resting in the mansion. I visit her to help ease her boredom, but since Wio doesn’t talk much, it’s usually me she pets while resting.

One day, when only Wio, myself, and the maid tending her were present, my sister steeled herself and asked Wio a question.

“Uncle, can’t you do something about Ryuka?”
“What do you mean by ‘something’?”
“Ryuka is with you, right? Because I got hurt, he might be sent away. But it isn’t his fault. Uncle, can’t you do something about Ryuka’s magic?”
“Ryuka won’t be sent anywhere. His magic is something only he can learn to manage, but I’ll help him.”
“Really, he won’t be sent away?”
“No. Your father would never do such a thing.”

The children of this household are truly kind.

That kindness must have been inherited from their father and brother. Wio, too, must have had his heart protected by such kindness.

I can only pray that the Fire Child finds his place in this home as well.