As autumn deepened and the scenery from Suwari Hill began to change color, Elliot, who had become able to control his mana output, was stirring up fallen leaves in his garden with the wind. Red and yellow leaves fluttered around Elliot, and the leaves released from the constraints of the wind fluttered down like snow. Soon Elliot had mastered the technique. Having received permission from Clare to practice even on holidays, he hummed as he twirled his fingertips.

A girl stopped to watch him on the other side of the fence. The girl, about the same age as Elliot, watched the falling leaves dance with sparkling eyes. When Elliot's eyes met, the girl's expression returned to normal and she took a step back from the fence she was clinging to. Her golden hair was tied in two ponytails, and her clear blue eyes looked up at Elliot. However, her dirty clothes gave a glimpse of her standard of living.

"Hello," Elliot said, stopping his wind magic and raising his hand to greet the girl.

The girl returned a small bow.

"Do you live around here?"

"Y-yes."

As Elliot stopped his magic, colorful dead leaves fell around him, blown up by the wind. Elliot walked slowly through them as he approached the fence.

To the girl, the sight was truly fantastical.

"I'm Elliot. And you?"

"Whis... Whis Colandri. Did you do that just now?"

"Yeah. It's called magic. I'm still practicing though."

"Amazing, amazing, amazing!!"

"Ahaha... Really?"

Elliot looked embarrassed. "Can I use it too?"

"My teacher says you need talent and practice."

"Teacher? So you can't learn unless you go to school?"

"No. I don't go to school, but I have a personal teacher at home."

"A personal teacher, huh... that's nice."

Whis's expression darkened. Elliot looked at Whis' worn-out jacket.

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"Whis doesn't go to school?"

Whis nodded slightly.

"I can't go to school because my family is poor."

Elliot was in deep thought for a while, learning for the first time that there are families who can't go to school.

"Can you read and write?"

Whis shook his head.

"Hmm..." he thought silently again. Then he raised his index finger and showed a carefree smile. "Then come over to my house sometimes. I think my teacher can teach you how to read and write."

"Is that okay?"

Whis's face, which had been darkening, now showed an expression of confusion and happiness.

"Yeah. I'm going to ask the teacher and your mother now, but I think it'll be okay. Just wait a moment."

With that, Elliot ran off to his house.

As soon as he entered the living room, he asked them.

"Hey, mother, teacher, we have a child who can't go to school. Is it possible for him to study here?"

As he sipped his afternoon tea, Clare and Emily met face-to-face.

Claré swallowed the snack she was chewing.

"I'm okay, but..."

She gave Emily a questioning look.

"As long as you're okay, Clare, that's fine. It's good that you can make more friends and study."

Emily's gentle expression made Elliot's eyes sparkle, and he turned on his heel and ran to the door.

"Okay. I'll tell Whis."

"If this helps him grow into a good child who cares about others, we'll be happy."

Claré nodded. "That's true. It's hard to teach magic if you don't have the talent, but I can study with you, Elliot."

The two were smiling and enjoying their conversation.

Elliot went outside and ran up to Whis with a smile.

"The teacher and mom said it was okay!"

"Really?"

"Today is both my day off and the teacher and I are off, so feel free to come over from tomorrow."

"Thank you! I can't believe I can study."

Whis clasped his hands together in front of his chest as if praying, thanking Elliot, but his face quickly clouded over.

"But... I don't have any pencils or anything."

"Don't worry, I have them at home. And the teacher has a lot of books, so you'll be able to read and write in no time."

"Really? Well, I'll go back and ask grandma. If it's okay, I'll go to Elliot's house starting tomorrow!"

"Yeah, I'll wait."

Elliot couldn't hide his joy at having made a friend other than Garal next door, who he'd been losing touch with recently. Elliot watched over Whis as he waved back and forth.