Rhapsody of the Sunset-Kissed Greenhouse | Chapter 2

[healingbonds]

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Heathcliff listens closely as Arthur expresses his gratitude for his experiences.

Shino: Hey, teach me how. I want to cast a protective spell over Blanchett Castle.

Heathcliff raises his eyes and immediately takes a step forward.

Heathcliff: Um, I’d like you to teach me too.

There’s still a hint of timidity in his voice, but his gaze is determined.

Riquet: You want to protect Blanchett Castle, right? Then shouldn’t we get Oz to cast a protective spell, the same way he did with Granvelle Castle?

Heathcliff shakes his head.

Heathcliff: That might provide the most protective barrier, but a Central wizard getting directly involved with Blanchett will inevitably invite international relations problems.
And... It’s my precious home. So I want to learn the magic that will allow me to protect it with my own hands.

Akira: Heath.....

Arthur: I understand how you feel. Because I too wish to protect the places precious to me.

Cain: You may be from different countries, with different social statuses, but you feel the same.

Arthur: What do you say, Sir Oz? Could you teach Heathcliff and the others protective magic?

Oz: ......If Faust agrees to it.

All the wizards spin around to look at Faust, surrounding him while their eyes sparkle in excitement.

Arthur & Riquet & Cain: ..........

Shino & Heathcliff: ...........

Faust: .......... Well, if it doesn’t interrupt the Central wizards’ lesson plans......

Arthur & Shino & Riquet & Cain: Yay!

Heathcliff: Thank you, Mr. Faust.

Faust, essentially forced to concede, gives an awkward nod between short sighs.

Nero: There was no way he could say no to that.

Akira: Ahaha, yes. I think we all would have nodded.

Cain: All right then, we need to make plans. When should we do this? Tell us when is good for you.

Riquet: You’ll be joining us too, right, Sir Sage? I’m looking forward to it already!

The students are all excited about this hastily planned joint lesson. Shino grins, his face saying, "I have an idea."

Shino: Hey. While we’re at it, why don’t we make our lesson pretty practical too?

Central wizards: ?

Faust & Heathcliff & Nero: Practical...?

✦✧☾✧✦

A few days later, the Eastern and Central wizards visit Blanchett Castle — Heathcliff’s home — to conduct their joint training.
The goal is to learn protective magic, then apply it right away to the castle.

Akira: (Well, this certainly is practical....)

Shino: Quick and efficient, right? Our original goal was to protect Blanchett Castle, after all.

Faust: I mean, it is reasonable, but.....

Nero: You’re always so quick to take action.

Cain: Hey, I think it’s fine. We practice our magic on Granvelle Castle too.

Oz: It is not a bad idea. For it is easier to grasp magical sensibilities when in action.

Riquet: I’m glad Heathcliff’s parents were so willing to let us practice here.

Arthur: Yes. Not only did they grant us permission, but they also prepared these clothes for us.... You have wonderful parents.

Heathcliff: I’m sorry for all the fuss. They were so delighted when I told them about our plans for today.....

"You’re all his fellow Sage’s wizards — thank you for taking care of our son," Heathcliff’s parents said, and warmly welcomed us with open arms.
They even provided us with clothes so that we could feel comfortable and welcome during our stay at the castle.
Heathcliff looked embarrassed, but the gesture warmed our hearts.

Heathcliff: If you’ll allow me, I’d like to take you on a tour through Blanchett Castle before our lesson.
I know you’ve all been here on numerous occasions, but I think it would be better for you to learn the details of the castle in order to cast an effective protective spell.

Cain: Ooh, sounds good. I’m interested in seeing what kind of place you grew up in, Heath.

Shino: Hey, you guys better feel honored. You get a tour of the one and only Blanchett Castle, with the young master himself as your guide.
Take a good look around, and burn it into your memories.

✦✧☾✧✦

We walk around Blanchett Castle, guided by Heathcliff and Shino.
The castle is beautiful, its annexes equally refined. The garden is kept in prim order.... Suddenly, Riquet stops in his tracks.

Riquet: Um, what is that?

He points to a small building in the corner of the courtyard. It’s built of homely bricks, with large, eye-catching windows. How cute and cozy, I think.

Akira: That’s.....

Cain: Isn’t that a storage house?

Heathcliff: Nope. I mean, I guess that’s what we’re using it for now, but.... It was originally an orangery.

Akira: An orangery?

Heathcliff: A greenhouse. I was told we built it to raise plants susceptible to the cold.

Faust: But it’s not in use anymore? It doesn’t look that old.

Heathcliff: When our old master started using it, it basically turned into his own personal storage.....

Nero: Old master? You mean the guy who taught you and Shino magic? His name was Jack, right?

Heathcliff: Yes. He said he wanted a place to put his belongings, and that’s how he got access.
He often told us, "There are dangerous magic tools in there, so don’t let anyone get close to the greenhouse."
That’s why nobody has touched it since; we haven’t even been able to take care of it.

Shino: That used to be young master Heath’s favorite place.
You were pretty upset when our master started hogging it for himself.

Heathcliff: That’s not true.

Heathcliff flashes an awkward smile in response to Shino’s teasing.

Shino: But he’s gone now. We don’t need to avoid it anymore.
Maybe we should take the opportunity to clean it up.

Heathcliff: Ah, wai.....!

Heathcliff stops Shino before he can open the door to the orangery.

Shino: Heath?

Heathcliff: ....We don’t know what kind of suspicious magical tools our master kept in here. Plus, it’ll take time to clean.
We have practice right after this, too. Let’s save it for another day.

Cain: Well, he did warn you to stay away.

Nero: We don’t know what kind of danger might be hiding in there.

Oz: ...........

Oz gazes at the orangery and opens his mouth.

Oz: I sense a presence. But it is not particularly noteworthy or dangerous.

Shino: Really?

Faust: In any case, that’s not what we came here to do. Let’s finish the tour of the castle and get on with our lesson.

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