SPELLCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Magic Scholar

'I even saved her life, so she's bound to have a deep connection with me...'

However, that was simply based on my logical deductions.

Emotionally speaking, it was a different ball game entirely.

There was no way Aurora would let me get close to her daughter, considering what I did to Emilia in the past.

I couldn't even attempt something like that in good conscience.

'I don't want to hurt those I care about anymore...'

Maybe I had a thing for Elves, but there was a limit to my foolishness.

Since I couldn't guarantee any progress in a relationship, it was better to steer away from complicated romantic affairs.

"I see. Well, then... I guess I'll see you tomorrow. When you're leaving." She smiled.

It was somewhat distant, but I was in no position to point that out.

"Alright. Thank you." Upon saying that, I took my leave, refusing to turn back another time.

'Bye... Freya...'

******************

"He's gone already, Lemi. You can come out now." Freya sighed.

Slowly, a Half-Elf popped out of the bushes, scattering leaves all around as she emerged.

Some of the green, pink, and yellow flora remained on her hair and she had to shake it vehemently to get rid of them all.

"Well, I guess our bet is null. None of us could get him in the end." Lemi murmured, drawing close to her cousin.

Both girls seemed to be doing well for a moment, even smiling at each other with passionate expressions.

However, a second later, their expressions told something else.

"FREYAAAAAAA!!!"

"LEMIIIIII!!!"

Both girls jumped at each other in a tight embrace as they cried.

It was the first time they had been rejected. Considering their looks and status, no male Elf would dare reject their feelings.

Perhaps it was worse for Lemi, because this would be the first time she felt so invested in a man. Just when she thought of giving love a try, her heart was shattered into a million pieces.

"And I'll be having training with him for a while. How am I supposed to look at him?!" Lemi wept, rolling on the floor at this point.

"You think it's easy for me too? Mom is going to letting me handle a lot of delegate functions, which means I'll be seeing him often too. Ah, this sucks!!!"

The girls cried, even more, letting their pent-up frustration out.

It was a truly sad moment for the two lovely girls... and one could only hope that they found a genuine lover in the future.

At the very least, someone who wasn't scum... like Jared Leonard.

*****************

'I sensed Lemi hiding in the bushes back then. Was she listening to our conversation?'

The thought of the Half-Elf actually having feelings for me crossed my mind, but I instantly blew it away.

'NO WAY! DON'T THINK ABOUT IT!'

Lemi's face was exactly the same as my late wife, Emilia's.

Anytime I looked at her, I was reminded of the woman I loved. It felt as though Emilia was watching me.

'How can I think of something like that?!'

It was not only cringe, it was dangerous for me.

Merely having a thought of the both of us together... made me run mad internally.

'Another girl... my daughter, with my wife's face...' I shuddered.

I just couldn't imagine something like that.

NO WAY!

While there were lingering regrets concerning how I handled the situation with Freya, I could do nothing but move forward.

After all, the deed was done already.

'All that's left is Maria... and Ana.'

These two were the most difficult, but if I was to pick, I'd go for telling Maria first.

Maybe it was because she was close by, and it was best if I settled things before we got to the Eastern Empire.

'To be honest, I wish I could just send a rejection letter...' But that would be very rude of me.

Besides, unlike Freya who was very upfront about it, Maria never said anything about having feelings for me.

It was the same for Ana too.

'That means I'll have to reject them in a roundabout way... maybe tell the girls about my intended celibacy.'

With that in mind, I searched for Maria.

'Since I'm on a roll, I shouldn't waste this momentum!'

****************

'How did it come to this?!'

I was currently in Maria's room. Yes, the room of the girl I was about to reject.

This was even a worse location, compared to the garden.

"You can sit there." She pointed to her bed, and I did so obediently.

'I'll be hurting her feelings. The least I could do is this...'

With that, I waited on her bed as she sat beside me.

It became a comfortable atmosphere once I adjusted to it, and the bed was quite nice too. The only problem was the watchful gaze of Maria on me.

It felt like she was staring widely at me, but I couldn't turn my head to meet her gaze.

Was it guilt, or...?

'Why is my heart beating so fast? This Maria...' I sighed internally, composing my thoughts as I slightly looked at her.

"So, what's the matter?" Her calm voice cascaded on me, causing steam to rise from my heated face.

'Stay calm, Jared! Look, the girl is calm!'

Maria was always calm. Her expression remained cool and collected at every moment.

Perhaps that was why I thought it would be easier to talk to her.

But, having those cool eyes look at me so causally when we were on her bed... it just gave me an unsettling feeling.

"I... have something to tell you." Having taken the first step, I decided to proceed without holding back.

'I've hurt enough women. I can't let my weakness get the better of me!' As that resolve coursed through me, my lips parted and words surged forth.

"T-the thing, is, Maria... I—"

"Hold on. I have something to say too... can I go first?"

As her words tickled my ears, I looked at her with surprise.

'Eh?'