#20
Aeongi, who normally filled the king-sized bed completely, had transformed into a small kitten size that could fit on Noah’s lap. And Noah was hugging the miniaturized Aeongi with both arms, rubbing his face all over the little head.
Though he should be scolded for rudely leaving the table during dinner to play with Aeongi on the floor, Noah was now embracing the tiny Aeongi, repeatedly expressing his happiness about how small Aeongi had become.
With a beaming smile while holding the miniaturized Aeongi, he twirled around in his spot and rubbed his cheek against Aeongi’s small cheek.
Loren, who had been trying to maintain a stern expression to lecture Noah, found her expression softening and had to postpone Noah’s discipline for a while.
“I suppose he’s small enough to take to the academy now.”
Loren, who had been briefly captivated by Noah, looked at Lucas who had abruptly made his decision. As if the entire discussion was concluded, Lucas was comfortably cutting his meat with a knife and fork.
Still not completely at ease, Loren chose to temporarily acquiesce rather than continue arguing about this topic.
“By the way, can he grow bigger again?”
“Grow bigger?”
Raymond, who had spoken without thinking, inwardly sighed as he saw the being—whether beast or human—return to its original size. It seemed that if he ever met this creature alone, he’d be heading straight into a coffin and underground that very day.
“No! Get smaller! Get smaller! I like small Aeongi.”
When Aeongi grew back to normal size while in his arms, Noah kept asking him to shrink again, but Aeongi didn’t seem interested in becoming small again.
“Raymond, would you like some more meat?”
“Ah… yes…”
Though Raymond wanted to decline, he found himself inadvertently agreeing and slowly picked up his fork and knife as a new plate with thick cuts of meat was placed before him.
Seeing the future Tower Master—whom everyone revered—in the form of a beast, bearing the ridiculous name “Aeongi” and living with a child, left him speechless.
Given how the creature had just grown and shrunk based on his casual words…
Is this really the Imperial Tower Master? Why on earth is he here like this?
He couldn’t ask anyone, and the beast lying down didn’t seem inclined to give any accurate answers.
Perhaps it was possible, considering the Tower Master was known for being eccentric.
As Raymond diligently answered the Duchess’s questions about academy life, the same words repeatedly reached his ears.
“Grow bigger!”
“Get smaller!”
“Aeongi~ Grow big! Shrink small!”
“Remona hyung, Aeongi isn’t changing. Why won’t he listen to me?”
After repeating the same words over and over, Noah finally tugged at Raymond’s collar. Having excused himself to the Duchess, Raymond couldn’t help but smile when he saw Noah’s large eyes filled with tears, looking like he might cry at any moment.
Until now, only magic had sparked his curiosity. Born with the ability to manipulate mana, Raymond had treated mana as both a lover and friend. Being designated as the next Tower Master at such a young age was the result of this lifestyle.
There were times when he found playing with mana so enjoyable that sleep felt like a waste. But seeing Noah burying his face in his thigh and sniffling with teary eyes made him feel strange.
Spending half a day playing with Noah was more enjoyable than being with mana. It was truly delightful to watch Noah’s ever-changing expressions and the sparkle in his eyes when looking at him. The child’s clear laughter, small and soft body, and sweet, gentle scent.
That’s why he was sitting firmly in this uncomfortable situation.
When Lucas explained that one needed to use mana to speak instead of Raymond, Noah began to wail loudly.
Why wasn’t he a magician?
But Aeongi’s size change had nothing to do with mana.
Raymond, who absolutely couldn’t reveal this fact, slipped his hands under Noah’s armpits and lifted the small child onto his lap.
“If you can sense mana, you can become a magician. But even if you can’t sense it, you can still use magic stones, so don’t worry. As soon as I return to the tower, I’ll make something and send it to you. What does our young master like? There are necklaces, bracelets…”
“Wling! Wling. Ring.”
Once the word “ring” came out properly, Noah quickly shook his head, opened his mouth, and pronounced “ring” correctly. It didn’t matter if he already had a ring. Isn’t it right as long as it fits properly on the fourth finger of the left hand?
“I’ll look for a pretty pink magic stone like our young master.”
“Will Remona hyung make it?”
“Yes. I’ll make it for you.”
Ah, this harmless person.
Are you truly… an angel descended from heaven?
Will you make anything I ask for?
We haven’t done anything yet, but starting with a ring is so wonderful.
“Here. Here.”
Noah was growing impatient with Raymond, who smiled so sweetly but took no action after saying he’d make a ring. Don’t you know my finger size? I don’t need any other finger, I specifically want it on the fourth finger of my left hand.
Noah raised his left hand, waving it around to catch Raymond’s attention, then pointed directly at the fourth finger of his left hand with his right hand.
When Raymond’s thumb and index finger touched his finger to measure it, Noah burst into laughter at the ticklish sensation. As the soft, warm fingers gently held his finger, Noah felt a tingling sensation and buried his face in Raymond’s chest.
Oh my, look at this man.
Have you been bulking up? You seem firmer than before.
How did you know I like men with big chests…
Earlier in the day, Noah had been in Raymond’s arms while sledding, but that wasn’t a situation where he could leisurely appreciate it. But now was different. Noah wriggled deeper into Raymond’s embrace.
“I’ll make it to fit perfectly on whichever finger you choose.”
No, not “whichever finger.” It has to fit exactly on the ring finger.
“Grrr.”
Noah, who had been enjoying Raymond’s scent and firm chest muscles, jerked his head up at Aeongi’s rough growl, a sound he’d never heard before. Aeongi, who had been lying down until just now, was suddenly standing up.
“Huh?”
Seeing Aeongi standing as if ready to leave, Noah’s gaze fell to the floor. He noticed that apart from the potato cutlet he had forced Aeongi to eat, Aeongi hadn’t even touched water.
At first, Noah thought Aeongi only had one expression. Having spent considerable time together, he had learned that Aeongi actually had a variety of expressions, but the current one was something Noah had never seen before.
“Eh?”
While everyone’s attention was drawn to Aeongi by the sudden threatening sound, the large Aeongi disappeared in an instant. And in its place was the small Aeongi they had seen earlier.
“Meow.”
If not paying close attention, one might miss the faint sound Aeongi made after being caught by Noah. But Aeongi’s eyes were filled with more satisfaction than ever before. It was the happiness of someone who had found Noah, who he almost lost right before his eyes.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
