Father, I Won’t Do Anything

The holiday break was nearing its end.

“…”

As Jaina prepared to return to the academy, a somber expression clouded her features.

‘I shouldn’t be thinking like this.’

Though she had essentially run away to enroll at the academy, she had still chosen to attend.

She ought to diligently persist until graduation, yet the prospect of parting with Diamid filled Jaina with a sense of dejection she couldn’t conceal.

“I wonder what the academy dormitories are like these days.”

However, contrary to Jaina’s sentiments, Diamid seemed entirely unfazed upon learning of her impending return.

Piqued, Jaina pursed her lips petulantly.

“Just so-so, I suppose.”

“I attended briefly, and communal living proved quite inconvenient. It would be far preferable if you could study at the Magic Tower.”

Yet Diamid’s subsequent words prevented Jaina from suppressing the upward curl of her lips.

Thankfully, it seemed he shared her desire for continued companionship and face-to-face interaction.

“It’s a father’s role to ensure his daughter can comfortably pursue her academy life.”

Jaina tilted her head quizzically, as she had faced no particular inconveniences thus far.

‘Surely he isn’t plotting something outlandish…?’

Various scenarios flashed through her mind – re-enrolling in the same year, becoming a professor like Izren. Knowing Diamid’s propensity to employ any means necessary to achieve his goals, a hint of trepidation gripped Jaina.

Her plans for a peaceful academic journey until graduation now seemed in jeopardy.

“Ah, no, that is…”

“No need to decline, Jaina. Now that I can properly fulfill a father’s duties, such efforts are trivial.”

As if sensing her apprehensions, Diamid patted her back reassuringly, rendering Jaina speechless.

A few days after returning to the academy, Jaina understood the implications of Diamid’s words.

Fortunately, his actions differed from her concerns, but the sheer scale of his endeavor proved staggering.

“What is this new gate?”

“Rumor has it the Tower Lord installed it. Apparently, he feared the dormitories might inconvenience you, Lady Jaina.”

“Wow, the Tower Lord is truly remarkable. Lady Jaina, did you personally request this from him?”

“Ah, no, that’s…”

Respecting Jaina’s wish to continue her academy studies while indulging his own desire for frequent interaction with his daughter, Diamid had devised a solution – establishing a gate capable of instantaneous travel between the Magic Tower, academy, and the Empire’s furthest reaches.

“Is such a thing even possible? The Tower Lord must be more than human!”

“This will undoubtedly be a historic magical achievement!”

While others marveled at Diamid’s prowess, he remained utterly indifferent, solely anticipating Jaina’s reaction.

“Jaina, you can now commute from the Magic Tower instead of residing at the dormitories.”

“Thank you.”

Seeing Diamid’s satisfied expression, Jaina could only offer a bashful smile in response.

‘She’s still shy, it seems.’

Yet even her demeanor struck Diamid as endearing, blinded by the gratification of providing for his daughter.

Only Elia, who had visited the Magic Tower to approve the gate’s construction, sighed deeply in exasperation.

Though Jaina began commuting from the Magic Tower per Diamid’s wishes, an unforeseen consequence arose – male students began approaching her with romantic intentions.

“Lady Jaina, would you care to join me for tea?”

“Tea? How about a lavish dinner instead, Lady Jaina?”

Many were captivated by Jaina’s easygoing charm and prodigious magical talent, seeking to grow closer. However, this marked the first time she garnered such attention from the opposite sex.

Naturally, most boys harbored pure romantic affections.

Jaina’s peculiar aura proved alluringly unforgettable, prompting frequent recollections.

Yet some approached with ulterior motives, solely coveting her background.

-Imagine becoming the son-in-law of the Tower Lord, who would create a new gate just to avoid separation from his daughter.

-Befriending Lady Jaina could grant access to the Tower Lord’s power!

However, their advances were swiftly rebuffed by two ever-vigilant guardians, closely monitoring Jaina’s every move.

During a swordsmanship class, the instructor Izren addressed them in an icy tone.

“Today’s lesson is a duel. I shall assign your opponents.”

An eerie glint flickered in his usually gemlike eyes.

“Hairan, you’ll face me. Martun, you’ll duel Student Rosian.”

“Huh? Me?”

“But I’m hardly skilled enough…”

Izren wasn’t the only one behaving unusually.

“Well then, I’ll be in your care.”

Rosian’s typically affable countenance had chilled, unusually stern that day.

‘I must have crossed a line somehow.’

The two students belatedly realized their misstep, but it was too late.

Strike after strike rained down – calling it a ‘duel’ would be generous; it was a relentless, one-sided beating. The skill disparity was immense.

Deliberately targeting the most agonizing areas, the students’ screams echoed incessantly, yet Izren and Rosian showed no signs of relenting.

After collapsing to the floor countless times, one student hastily raised both arms in surrender.

“I yield, I yield!”

“…”

“Your Highness Rosian! No, Your Highness! I yield!”

“Huh? What did you just say?”

Rosian feigned deafness, tilting his head in mock bewilderment before raising his practice sword once more with a smile.

Puhbbuhk!

His strikes resembled bludgeoning more than swordplay, yet the observing students dared not intervene.

Rosian’s menacing expression silently warned against interference.

Of course, Rosian wasn’t alone. The keen-eared Izren proved equally uncompromising.

“Professor! Have mercy!”

“I admire your willingness to continue the duel.”

After numerous such incidents, the male students eventually discerned the ‘rule’ of these ‘duels’ – only those who approached Jaina faced such merciless treatment.

“Are you dense? His Highness Rosian was Lady Jaina’s debutante partner, after all.”

“And didn’t Professor Izren complete his squire training at the Magic Tower?”

As the number of suitors dwindled, Rosian and Izren exchanged satisfied smirks.

“Professing love for Miss Jaina is one thing, but to approach her solely for her status is unforgivable.”

“Such worthless scum need not even enter Miss Jaina’s presence.”

The two, usually at odds, cooperated seamlessly on this matter.

Meanwhile, oblivious to the machinations unfolding behind the scenes, Jaina enjoyed a peaceful academy life.

Ever since the gate’s installation, she would visit Diamid’s study immediately after classes.

“Father, do you have a moment?”

As Jaina knocked on the study door, tea set in hand, Diamid’s voice beckoned her inside.

Upon entering, she found Mikael and Hilvenzia also present, working alongside Diamid. Spotting Jaina, Mikael cheerfully remarked:

“If you’d like, I could join you for tea.”

While Jaina cherished her time with Mikael, she currently desired a private moment with Diamid.

Sensing her hesitation, the perceptive Hilvenzia deftly intervened.

“Now that you mention it, Mikael, didn’t you have research to complete by tomorrow?”

“Psh, I could finish that overnight.”

Ever since Jaina’s academy enrollment had constrained his availability, Mikael had grown increasingly clingy.

Grasping Mikael’s sleeve, Jaina shook her head emphatically.

“I don’t want Brother Mikael neglecting his health for research.”

“Eeh? But…”

“You can have tea with me tomorrow, alright?”

“Hmm, hmph. If you insist…”

Scratching his head, Mikael eventually acquiesced, seemingly pleased by Jaina’s concern for his well-being despite his nonchalant demeanor.

“Tomorrow, then. Don’t forget.”

After Mikael’s departure, Hilvenzia winked at Jaina, who attempted to reciprocate but ended up blinking with both eyes simultaneously.

Realizing her peculiar expression, Jaina hung her head in embarrassment.

‘How adorable. Jaina can’t wink.’

With a faint smile, Hilvenzia exited the study.

Now alone with Diamid, engrossed in his work, Jaina approached quietly with the tea set and remarked:

“You seem to be retiring quite late these days.”

She surveyed the documents strewn across the study.

The gate, a temporary measure, remained incomplete. Properly establishing it would require considerable effort.

‘And that’s not all.’

Due to the dragons’ actions, many regions still suffered from drought. As a sky-attribute magician, Diamid received dozens of requests daily, in addition to his Magic Tower duties.

Jaina wished to encourage him to rest, if only briefly.

‘A warm cup of tea would provide some respite. And…’

She longed to spend time with her father.

Diamid had only recently recovered when the holiday ended, forcing Jaina’s prompt return to the academy.

Fortunately, the gate allowed her to commute, but their shared time amounted to mere hours each day.

This was Jaina’s motivation for preparing the tea set – to serve her weary father and enjoy a tranquil moment together.

“Oh!”

However, perhaps due to excessive tension, Jaina momentarily lost her balance while carefully maneuvering to avoid disturbing Diamid. Though she quickly steadied herself, the tea set and its contents had already slipped from her grasp.

As the priceless set shattered and the scalding water sprayed towards Jaina…

The hot liquid coalesced midair, frozen in suspension.

“…?”

“Are you alright?”

Jaina’s eyes widened in awe.

“Father, you can do this as well?”

Flustered by her amazement, Diamid cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Hmph, it’s nothing to be so astonished by.”

The scattered water reconstituted, flowing back into the teapot. Jaina marveled once more.

“Thanks to you, I avoided injury. Thank you.”

“Did you think I would allow you to be harmed before my very eyes?”

Diamid’s expression turned solemn as he replied.

“I vowed to Bezrice… never again would you come to harm.”

Jaina smiled wistfully at his words.

Until recently, she had felt adrift, with nowhere to anchor herself. But now, she had someone to trust and depend upon.

Perhaps her previous aimlessness stemmed from her longing for him to reach out to her first.

“You can’t begin to imagine how grateful I am to you, Father.”

“Yet I’ve done nothing but wrong you.”

As Diamid fidgeted uncomfortably, Jaina found herself equally flustered.

“I, too, have wronged the Tower Lord…”

In her haste to comfort him, she had inadvertently reverted to addressing him by his former title.

“…”

“…”

A brief silence descended upon the study.