“This… This is going too far!”

Carefully shifting a loose wooden board, a quiet yell sounded behind Suie.

‘Now is really not the time!’

Bringing up a finger to her mouth, she glared at her brother. If he didn’t like what they were going to do, he should have left a long time ago. Instead, here he was right behind her. Suie almost clicked her tongue at his behaviour. Deep down she knew her brother was just like her. He too wanted to learn from the witch. Otherwise, why would he be here?

Entering a house so small it could be mistaken for an animal shack, Suie tensed up. She clutched the paper in her hand as she came to terms with what she must do.

Two books.

The list stated two books were needed. A completely blank one and one containing a short story. Unfortunately for them, books were not the easiest thing to come across this far out in the wilderness. Merchants who would sell such wares wouldn’t journey this far. And, even if they did, the average book cost a ridiculous sum. So, as a result, they had to find alternative ways to gain these two items.

Silently moving around the dilapidated, messy shack, Suie couldn’t help but grin seeing their prize. She made way to piles of books seated next to a desk dodging the loose paper and quills scattered across the floor. Cautious not to wake the person slumped over the desk, she gestured her brother towards one pile of books.

For the first time in her life, Suie felt grateful to this failed wizard.

Bending down, she started looking for the items. Out of everything listed on the piece of paper, these were the hardest items to get. The rest were half food items or materials that could be gotten from their restaurant or the stores around without much resistance.

‘Aha!’

Picking up one book, Suie dusted its cover. She knew this book well, very well. It was filled with countless tales of the heroes’ greatest exploits. When she was younger, she used to be obsessed with the book. Repeatedly bothering the failed wizard about it. Yes, it was this very book that was used to teach her the basics of reading and writing.

A light tap startled Suie.

It was brother.

He had found a blank book.

Sending a nod his way, she turned back and followed him out.

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A pair of siblings walked side by side to a stone building.

Both were carrying large brown sacks.

Suie breathed out a sigh of relief.

It was finally over. Getting the things required on the list had gotten increasingly troublesome. Suie found herself doing more and more unsavoury things. Hiking the sack up on her back, Suie adjusted it to sit in a more comfortable position. Considering the potential reward at hand…. if this pays off, then all this effort would be but a small price to pay.

Stealing a quick glance at the witch’s daughter, Suie turned away and frowned.

It was really hard to look at her.

The captivating figure of the witch’s daughter was sitting defenceless on the restaurant steps. Sleeping peacefully away. Inviting all the chance to just steal her aside. In fact, the more Suie thought about it, the more feasible the thought seemed. The small girl didn’t look like she could put up much of a fight. With those tiny hands, it would be very easy to—

Slapping herself, Suie chased away her evil thoughts. What was she thinking?! Now was not the time!

Marching up towards the sleeping girl, she paused right in front of her. Should she wake her up? Given how soundly she slept, it felt almost wrong. Luckily for Suie, though, her question was immediately answered the moment the small girl opened her eyes.

A weak, soft voice called,

“I—I wasn’t sleeping, Master…” (L)

The small girl let out a tiny, tired yawn as she slowly began rubbing at her eyes.

“I really wasn’t….” (L)

Every movement of hers was sluggish and lethargic. A deep reluctance seemed embedded in each and every action she took, as though the mere act of waking was too bothersome. Suie stared at the girl with wide eyes. Her previous demeanour was nowhere to be found!

Gone was the energetic small girl who had so eagerly returned their greeting. In her place, rested something more akin to a lazy dragon after a big meal. The scene was just too unbelievable, too jarring, too—

‘Adorable!’

Suie briefly turned and met the gaze of her brother.

He was lost in a trance.

Would it really be such a bad thing to steal—to adopt this girl? They were perfectly capable of taking care of her!

“SUIE! YOU THIEVING LITTLE BRAT!!”

Suie felt her whole body freeze.

She knew that shout well, too well.

‘No… No way she already woke up!’

Broken out of her stupor, Suie felt a wave of panic crash into her. She had been betting that the failed mage would sleep through the entire visit! And she had been so certain that would be the case, especially since the mage had come drinking last night! If that failed mage made way over here, their entire plan would be exposed. It would ruin everything!

Seeing her brother shrinking at the sound of the voice, Suie swiftly thought of a solution.

“E-Excuse me, Miss Leion… Would you mind accompanying us for a moment?” (S)

The small girl still looked quite out of it. With any luck, they could convince her to follow them and retreat for now so they can come back once the failed mage has cooled down.

“I don’t wanna… tired…” (L)

Sadly, the small girl didn’t seem to want to cooperate.

“We—we are taking you to a nice place to sleep!” (V)

Suie looked at her brother.

“S-since you’re so tired, right?”

He was pleading for help.

“Y-yeah! We are taking you to a super nice place!” (S)

“Is… is it far?” (L)

“No!” (S)

“No, not at all!” (V)

The girl squinted at them with half-asleep eyes before finally stating,

“Okay…” (L)

She got up, eyes still half closed.

“Great! J-Just follow us!” (V)

And so, with the girl still half asleep, the three of them left. Entering the forest behind their parent’s restaurant. So long as they didn’t stray too far in, things should be alright.

They only had to wait for the failed mage to cool down.