Arrival At My Manor

After dinner, I stood at the entrance of the manor with Aurora-chan, Yuti-san, and Grace-san.

I felt a little reluctant to leave, but it was already time to go home.

I took the device out of my pocket and gripped it a little more tightly.

Power surged up from deep within my body.

“…Seeing you use something that had never worked before is rather moving.”

“Natasha-san said the same thing.”

“When we made it, it turned out quite well, so I had high hopes for it. I was disappointed when we ultimately couldn’t use it, but I’m glad that at least you can, Nova-san.”

“Oh, Yuti-san, you were involved in making it too?”

“Yes. Or rather, Natasha-san and I are actually quite close. I usually handle the theoretical side, while she handles the actual construction and assembly.”

So Yuti-san had not only been handling work related to House Ark Gate, but had even been developing incredible devices like this together with Natasha-san.

The more I heard about her, the more I realized just how remarkable Yuti-san really was.

Of course, I already knew Shia was amazing, Aurora-chan was undoubtedly extremely talented, and Yuti-san was involved in all sorts of things.

Could they possibly be the most incredible sisters in the world? No, they probably were.

“So, as I was about to say earlier, you may simply call her Nata-san. Aura calls her that as well.”

Apparently, she had noticed that I called her Nata-san.

I decided to take her up on that and call her Nata-san from now on.

I would probably have more opportunities to talk with Yuti-san about matters involving Nata-san anyway.

“All right, Nova-oniisama, I’m going to take some mana.”

Saying that, Aurora-chan touched my left hand and drew mana from me.

The mana I had received from Shia flowed into Aurora-chan, and once she prepared herself, the Gate spell unfolded just as easily as it had when we arrived.

Grace-san, who had heard about it during dinner, widened her eyes in surprise when she actually saw the Gate spell activate.

“…To think the Gate spell, which I believed only the family head could use, could be activated so easily.”

“We’re using Shia’s mana, so in a way, it’s still Shia who’s using it.”

“No, even so, being able to use it while the family head herself is absent is extraordinary.”

Perhaps because she was House Ark Gate’s magic instructor, there were aspects of it that particularly interested her, and Grace-san examined the Gate spell from several different angles.

“All right, Nova-oniisama, shall we go?”

“Yeah. Yuti-san, thank you for everything. I had a great time. I’ll come visit again.”

“Yes. You are welcome anytime.”

Seeing Yuti-san raise the corners of her lips ever so slightly and give an elegant bow reminded me once again that she truly was the daughter of a great noble house.

I bowed my head in gratitude as well, and after a moment, my left hand was gently tugged.

I entered the Gate together with Aurora-chan. Waving to Yuti-san and Grace-san, I stepped into the golden light.

The moment I stepped through, I found myself in front of my manor.

I had been indoors only moments earlier, but now that I was outside, the air felt slightly chilly against my skin.

Saria was warmer than Norzampshon, but naturally, there was no question that the House Ark Gate manor, warmed by Shia’s magic, had been even warmer.

“All right, then I’ll send you some mana again so you can—”

“Welcome home.”

Just as I was about to recharge the little girl who had brought me here with mana so she could return home, a voice came from behind me.

When I turned around, I saw Shia standing beyond the fading Gate.

She smiled gently at me and approached.

Then she lowered herself to Aurora-chan’s eye level and took her hand.

“Aura, good work. I made you use magic several times in my place today. I’ll take you home.”

“Yes, Onee-sama.”

“Shia, you were already back?”

When I said that, she straightened her posture.

“Yes. I had quite a lot to take care of, so it took some time, but I returned a little while ago. I couldn’t have dinner with you, but I’m glad House Ark Gate was able to properly entertain you.”

She had probably exchanged letters with various people, because Shia seemed to know everything I had been doing up until now.

“I’ll be back in a moment.”

With practiced ease, she opened a Gate.

Unlike the one from earlier, this Gate was composed entirely of golden light.

Seeing it, Aurora-chan let out a sigh.

“I can use Gate magic now by borrowing Nova-oniisama’s and Onee-sama’s power, but seeing Onee-sama do it still makes me lose confidence.”

“Really? I think both of yours are amazing…”

I knew almost nothing about magic, so I couldn’t really tell what the difference was.

The Gate we had just passed through had looked perfect to me.

“It’s the little details. Well, if I start worrying about them, I can find as many flaws as I want…”

“Aura, you are still young. I’m sure you’ll be able to do it as you grow.”

“That might be true when it comes to precision, but the difference in our total mana is just overwhelming…”

“Well, that part is something you’re born with.”

“Mmm… That’s frustrating.”

It was almost time to part ways with Aurora-chan, who was wearing a troubled expression.

She turned only her head toward me and waved with a smile, so I waved back.

“All right, Nova-oniisama, I’m going home too.”

“Yeah. I had fun. Thanks.”

The two of them stepped into the golden Gate and disappeared.

After I waited for a short while, Shia alone returned through the still-open Gate.

“Welcome back, Shia.”

When I called out to her, she gave me a radiant smile, like a flower blooming.

“Hehe… Yes, I’m home, Nova-san.”

Welcome home and I’m home.

After exchanging those ordinary greetings with smiles on our faces, we held hands and went back inside the manor.