Flowery Reincarnation

Merlin strolled through the household's corridor, his face glistening with sweat and a hint of red. He breathed shallowly, exhausted from the seemingly unending training session Paul had given him. His muscles ached in protest, annoyance creeping into his expression.

As an incubus, he had never needed to exert himself much, but this return to physicality was a bitter reminder of his laziness. The necessity of it was undeniable; the human body was too fragile to rely on alone.

"Master Rudeus, may I take a moment of your time?" a voice called out. Merlin instinctively turned at the mention of his human name. The maid spoke with an extreme politeness, but there was something different in her demeanor. Almost imperceptibly, her posture was more relaxed, her shoulders less tense.

This person was undoubtedly not the same.

"I don't mind," Merlin replied casually, offering her a comforting smile. "Is something wrong?"

"That's not it…"

"Hm?"

"If you allow it, I wish to apologize for treating you coldly until now," she confessed, her gaze fixed on the hem of her maid dress.

"What are you saying, Miss Lilia? You were just acting professionally," he tilted his head in confusion. "Did Mother say something?"

"It's not that. Truthfully, I've been observing you for some time, and I've had many unkind thoughts." Lilia's gaze held his, making Merlin acutely aware of the multitude of lies he had kept hidden.

"What?"

She took a deep breath. "Frankly speaking, you've behaved strangely since the moment you were born—"

That far?

Merlin's amethyst eyes widened.

"—and I didn't truly consider you a human for a long while. But now, reflecting on it, I see how ridiculous and selfish that was."

"I s-see," he stuttered, genuinely astounded by her perceptiveness. Perhaps she possessed some form of mystical insight, if not fairy-like, then certainly capable.

"I will do my best to make up for my mistakes. Even if Master Rudeus is something else, I shall fulfill my duties as this household maid," she declared with raw determination. "Whether Master Rudeus is a blessed child or not, I do not care."

"That's… hehehe… hahaha!"

Merlin laughed, a sound of genuine joy, carefree as he once was when witnessing something truly impressive.

He understood that his image was distorted by the maid, but this level of misunderstanding was amusing. The extent of it was unbelievable.

Could it be that the wizard's transcendental charisma was at play? The properties of a soul from another world?

Amused, he tapped the floor with the butt of his staff before realizing his hand was empty.

A thought for another time.

Finally, he stopped, his eyes shining with mirth at her surprised expression. "My bad, it seems I was wrong about you, after all, Miss Lilia."

"Huh?"

He smiled. "I apologize for my behavior. I know some would find me infuriating, and it's certain you would call me out on that. This mischievous side of mine is something I've tried to hide, but it's slippery. I felt a little too carefree around you."

"I-is this Master Rudeus' true personality?" Memories, most likely, of his quirks danced in her mind. Was it really his fault?

"Not exactly," Merlin waved it off. "I wouldn't call it my main trait. I'm still figuring out who I am; is that easy to understand?"

"I'm studying magic so fervently because I want to see you all safe. I do not know what dangers lurk in the shadows."

Merlin leaned in, striving to grasp the essence of his humanity. There were too many parallels between the incubus he was and the human he had become.

What defines humanity beyond love? Are there changes he has yet to uncover?

I don't know. He chanted in his mind repeatedly. No amount of clairvoyance could unveil the unseen. Even with understanding the world's essence at a molecular and phantasmal level, he struggled to empathize with the simplest of things. Was this a curse or a hidden blessing?

"This kind of thinking… Master Rudeus is just a boy, so he shouldn't dwell on it."

"I suppose a little relaxation wouldn't hurt," Merlin agreed. "Please take care of me as well!"

"As you wish!"

With renewed purpose, Lilia walked away, her figure radiating a newfound resolve. Merlin couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at her progress. He too awaited his turn for growth.

Nevertheless, he sensed a significant change on the horizon, one that could be either delightful or dreadful.

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Merlin calmly sipped his honey-accented tea at the end of the dinner table. The sweetness danced on his taste buds, prompting a soft hum of praise. Honey was a marvelous substance, one only a fool would fail to appreciate.

In his other hand, he held a worn book about Magic Circles, discovered by Lilia while she was cleaning the upper levels of the household.

The book intrigued him, containing more than just the basics; it focused on intricate drawings of proper Magic Circles. While they shared similarities with the thaumaturgical systems he was familiar with, some elements felt alien, likely the product of a different creator's perspective.

Yet, Merlin mused, if something worked effectively, there was no need to search for alternatives. The Magic Circles he examined bore striking resemblances to those found on Gaia. The formulae were nearly identical, and the mana embedded into a magic circle by a caster flowed in much the same way. This resemblance suggested a shared foundation in magical theory, despite the cultural variances.

These circles were inscribed with a special mana-sensitive ink that significantly aided in their management, making it easier to alter their purpose. Merlin found this concept intriguing, certain he could devise something superior. There were proven methods to create magic circles that had triumphed throughout history.

He felt a spark of excitement at the prospect of applying his knowledge in this new world. The one who let magic establish itself in this world was surely a genius like himself!

Normally, he would have read through the book with ease, but his so-called photographic memory felt diminished.

"Still, I didn't expect to find this here! I thought I lost it ages ago!" Zenith exclaimed, surprised to see the old tome. "I opened it once and forgot about it after that!" she replied sheepishly to Lilia's questioning look, who smiled in amusement.

It was a delightful change to see Lilia smile, a rare occurrence that everyone in the family cherished. Her usually stoic demeanor softened, and he felt a peck of warmth in his chest at the sight of her genuine happiness.

A grand change from the usual stoic look she wore constantly. There is no longer this fearsome and icy look sent this way. With sound and healthy steps, Lilia appeared genuinely happy at this moment, and Merlin respected that.

The Greyrat family felt more vibrant than ever.

"Have you not read this before?" Lilia inquired. "I assumed you wished to study magic, so it seems unusual for me to find it in this state."

Coincidentally, Lilia had discovered the book buried in dust in the attic and given it to Zenith, who passed it to her studious son.

Zenith made a sound akin to a whine at the mention of her past intentions. "Learning other forms of magic beyond healing was on my mind, but I excelled at Healing Magic, so it faded from my memory…"

"Mother, don't be so hard on yourself. Thanks to you, I'm already advanced in healing magic!" Merlin said, raising his hand to reveal a soft pink glow surrounding it. "See? It helped Lilia, and she's far happier than ever! Without you, this wouldn't have been possible."

Indeed, without Zenith, Merlin wouldn't be who he is today. He wondered, had he been reincarnated under worse circumstances, would he be the same?

"Ah, that's right!" Zenith beamed, her smile shining enough to rival the Galatine Sword, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "It's a miracle that Rudy cured Lilia's leg. You're truly my little flower."

Merlin averted his gaze, feeling the heat rise in his own cheeks.

"It's not a miracle; it's magic," he mumbled, closing the book, prompting a giggle from Zenith. To her, magic was a divine gift, a natural force, especially considering her son had healed an injury even royal mages couldn't heal. How could she view it as anything other than miraculous?

"I didn't notice her injury at first! By the way, I wonder, how did Lilia end up with such a nasty wound?"

Lilia sighed at the innocent question. While harmless curiosity didn't bother her, she felt compelled to clarify. "While it isn't a closely guarded secret, I'd prefer if you didn't share it with anyone else. Lady Zenith has already heard part of it, so it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. It's important for you to know my full capabilities."

"That's serious," Merlin remarked, narrowing his eyes. Experience taught him it was wise to adopt a serious demeanor in heavy discussions unless he wanted to be labeled a careless wizard.

He would like to avoid being labeled a demon again.

Lilia then recounted the whole story, ensuring no crucial detail was omitted, though she left out some elements she deemed unnecessary. As she spoke, Zenith's hand flew to her cheek, her eyes glistening with tears.

"I had no idea it was that bad! Lilia!"

"My Lady, I assure you this is all in the past. Escaping those circumstances brought me here," Lilia bowed, feeling uneasy at Zenith's emotional reaction. "Please, don't waste your tears."

Without hesitation, Zenith practically leaped into a hug. "Don't say such things!"

"But—"

"No buts!"

As an emotional and caring person, Zenith couldn't let this explanation serve as a conclusion.

Merlin, however...

He hadn't expected to hear such a sorrowful narrative from the maid at the dinner table. Just days ago, she had been stoic. Now this? It made his tea taste bitter. Frowning, he pondered this new phenomenon that tightened his chest. Was he genuinely empathizing with her story, or was he merely responding to the weight of the atmosphere?

Merlin stirred his cup, contemplating the heaviness that lingered.

Overall, this was just a common tale from his time as a court magus. Heartbreaking, yes, but ultimately, just a puzzle he could observe from a distance.

For all intents and purposes, it should be.

Yet, why did it feel so different now?

Merlin felt a strange sense of connection, though he knew that wasn't true. Days ago, he had healed Lilia on a whim, an instinctive act of kindness. Why had he revealed his progress in healing magic through such an action?

Because Mother would cry.

Would he feel sorrow if Lilia were to die?

Yes, he would.

Who was Lilia to him, exactly?

Family. Home. Precious.

The answer surged from the depths of his heart, igniting a wave of conclusion within him. Memories and the significance of this journey washed over him. He would stand by their side.

He stared blankly.

Protect. Watch over. Guard.

"Master Rudeus?" "Eh, Rudy?"

Merlin's mind stuttered to a halt, lost until Zenith's concerned voice broke through.

For a minute, he stared unblinking at the surface of the tea, oblivious to the two women watching him with worry.

He understood now what had unraveled.

Merlin cared.

"I don't regret helping Lilia at all. I may not fully comprehend it, but when she was in danger, the first thing I wanted was to find her."

There was nothing wrong with helping others, yet he needed to hold his tongue before someone called him out on his mischief.

This wizard, known for his foresight, had often done the opposite. After all, Merlin had let the wars among the Saxons transpire, along with their resulting cruelty, merely observing while adding to the grand tapestry of his plans.

"You look down now, Rudy."

"That's not true," he replied, though the words felt muffled in his ears. "I'm simply sad because the book is ending. If it's gone, there's no way to read it."

What he said was not entirely untrue. Merlin cleared any signs of distress, redirecting the conversation.

"Oh," Zenith said, realization dawning upon her, before her expression turned troubled. "I wish I could teach Rudy more…"

She longed to contribute further to her son's education but felt it was beyond her abilities. This realization pained her, clenching her heart.

"Are you not proficient enough?" Lilia raised an eyebrow. Zenith had been a high-ranking adventurer, making it easy to assume she held more knowledge.

"I'm good enough at other spells, but don't mistake it. I'm as much a novice as Rudy! If I were truly skilled, wouldn't I teach him more than some dusty old tome? I'm just an accomplished Healing Mage; that's special to me."

The other spells? Zenith was merely intermediate at best.

"That is unfortunate; however, nothing is guaranteed," Lilia mused. It was clear why the Greyrats sought a tutor for Rudeus. Their magical knowledge wasn't close to expertise, leaving them unable to teach him what he truly needed.

Speaking of which, "The tutor should have arrived by now, shouldn't he?"

Zenith huffed, crossing her arms. "He was to arrive today, but we received a magic letter saying he got caught up in something. It seems the monsters have been suddenly ranking up, making him uneasy."

Her demeanor shifted as she clasped her hands happily, a smile replacing her concern. "Now that that's over, how did your little Vatirus-sightseeing go?" She stepped closer to Merlin, affectionately ruffling his hair.

"As well as your mood today, Mother," Merlin replied sweetly.

"Oh~! Rudy!" Zenith chirped gleefully.

"Hahaha!"

These two…

"Speaking of which, My Lady, Master Rudeus has made a friend," Lilia declared, her tone interrupting them, though Merlin would call it a varied blessing considering how their friendship had formed.

"Ooooh!?" Zenith squealed much too loudly, clasping her hands with excitement. "Reeeally?" She turned to Merlin, eager for every detail.

TELL ME EVERYTHING!

Why!? Merlin cried internally, the maid not hearing his sobs,Why was I thrown under the carriage!?

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"Rudy, you're joining me today! We're going to meet Mister Eto."

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