Chapter 1 Tsukumo Kreis
I was easily influenced by people since I was young.
I got into making arcane machinery and magic tools like my grandfather, and I took the Academy of Arcane Arts exam because I was curious about what my brother was talking about. I joined the Royal Army because they said, "You can become an officer right away."
Of course, I had fun, but I want to tell myself back then, who made important choices in life so easily.
Think a little more, or you'll lose your job, your taste, and someone important to you.
* * *
In a shallow sleep, I woke up sweating from the nightmares I've been having for months.
I looked around my small one-room apartment.
"It's okay, it's over now,"
I told myself.
It's a bad habit I have to do every morning now.
Until recently, I was the captain of a magic soldier unit, a small group in the Royal Army's special forces, and I was well-regarded.
I became an officer 5 years after joining, and it might sound strange to say it myself, but I think people expected a lot from me.
But right after a big mission, I suddenly collapsed.
I was diagnosed with overwork and mental issues.
"Rest well,"
My boss and subordinates said to me, and I was practically fired and retired almost 3 months ago.
I thought I would get better if I rested for a while as everyone told me, but I still have nightmares from my active duty days.
I feel bad for my family, who were happy that I became a soldier.
I haven't gone back home or looked for a new job, and I'm slowly living off my savings.
"Ugh..."
Even after washing my face, I still feel a bit off because of my chronic insomnia.
In the mirror, I see a man with dark circles and 3 white eyes.
I fixed my grandfather's jet-black, curly hair, which was even more messed up from sleep, with water, and sighed softly.
I get hungry even if I don't do anything.
I put on some clothes that I could barely be seen in and went out to eat breakfast at the coffee shop on the first floor.
I went down the narrow stairs and went outside.
When I pushed open the wooden door facing the street, a brown-haired woman, Kanae, turned around at the sound of the door chime and smiled.
"Good morning, Tsukumo. You're having breakfast, right?"
"...Good morning. Please."
Lately, talking briefly with her is the only thing that makes me feel better.
Sitting at the counter, I nod, and the morning set ── toast, ham and eggs, coffee ── appears as if it was prepared from the start.
I say thank you in a small voice, not sure if she can hear from behind her ponytail, then butter the lightly colored toast and take a bite.
This café's menu is supposed to be popular── but for me, who lost the ability to taste about a year ago, it's just one of a few easy ways to fill my stomach, I feel kinda guilty.
Thinking maybe if I eat slowly, I'll get some taste, I start eating almost like training.
Suddenly, the doorbell rings.
Ms. Kanae's voice saying "Welcome," and I casually glance over.
"Oh, really, you're here!"
I furrow my brows, bathing in the harsh sunlight that's too much for waking up.
"That face!"
The young man, who points his index finger at me with a grin and is dressed in a trendy hairstyle with waxed blonde hair and many earrings in his ears, oozes casual arrogance from every part of him, laughing "Aha-ha."
"Miss, one coffee, please."
"Ah, yes."
I order with a fresh smile, still surprised, and the man quickly sits next to me, propping his cheek on his hand and giving a nasty grin.
"I wondered how you've been since then, but you're surprisingly persistent, Captain."
"I'm not a captain anymore."
The flashy guy takes the coffee she brings, carefully, and takes a sip.
"Mm, that's delicious! Maybe I'll become a regular too──there's a cute older sister here. I'm Luka. What's your name, miss?"
He immediately starts trying to flirt with Ms. Kanae.
"Mr. Ruka? I──"
"No need to say it. This guy hits on anyone."
Ruka's playful attitude is poison for pure and earnest Ms. Kanae.
I cut off before she can even say her name, ahead of her.
"It's not anyone, just people I think are cute."
"...What the hell are you here for, seriously?"
"Isn't it just that a junior from your old job came to see their senior out of admiration?"
He tilts his head with a silly face and glares at me with that creepy, smug look that he uses to charm older women.
"If you had been such a good boy, I could have been really impressed."
"Hmph! Did you hear that, miss? That's why [Two Star Demon]s are──"
"Demon...?"
"Hurry up and finish drinking, or I'll throw you out."
I glare with a threatening look, saying if Mr. Luka keeps talking about my former job, I'll seriously shut him up.
"No, don't be mad. I brought this for you today."
He finally gets to the main point.
He offers 2 keys with familiar keychains, his hands rough but serious, and I recognize them instantly.
"...Brother?"
Few people can pass the keys, which are supposed to be managed at my family's place, to my former colleague.
"Bingo! I thought you'd know if I showed you. By the way, is it okay if I ask what lock this is for?"
"...It's the keys to Grandfather's general store."
Even if I don't look at them for a while, I can tell right away.
The big one is for the shop, and the small one is for the house.
"Wow! And this, by the way, is the letter I was told to give you along with the keys."
He slides a sealed envelope across the table, neatly written with 'To Tsukumo Kreis.'
On the back, it's signed 'Senri Kreis' by my brother.
"So, I did give it to you. Thanks for the coffee, Miss. Just ask Tsukumo for the bill."
"Hey!"
"You should at least pay me for the delivery, Mr. Tsu-ku-mo."
"...Got it."
"As expected of our captain! See you again."
After he leaves in a flurry, leaving the sound of a cheerful bell, I watch Luka go, totally stunned.
"...See you again?"
The ominous words make me furrow my brows again.
"You've been pretty fond of him, haven't you, Mr. Tsukumo?"
Ms. Kanae, who reads the atmosphere well, doesn't ask anything deep and laughs softly.
"It's just because I'm close in age to everyone, that's all."
While saying that, I unseal the letter with wind magic, and when Ms. Kanae's eyes widen, I remember that normally, people don't use magic for something so simple.
Ms. Kanae looks like she wants to ask something and wiggles impatiently, but I pretend not to notice.
* * *
Luka, the current vice-captain of the 4th squad of the kingdom's special troops, took out his mobile communicator as he exited the café.
"It's me. I safely contacted the captain... Tsukumo Krais. Wow, I thought he would be softer after being away for a while, but nope, he's still sharp──like, I really thought I would die."
Wiping the sweat that instinctively formed from the murder intent aimed at him on his damaged jeans, he let out a dry laugh, "Ahaha."
"I'm fine. The [Two Star Demon] is still alive and kicking!"
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