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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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Atlas seemed unusually cheerful today.
His expression was… different.
I had observed him often enough to notice.
His usual impassive, or slightly sullen, expression had been replaced by a cheerful smile.
He even hummed and whistled occasionally.
It made him seem… almost elfin.
He had mentioned growing 0.1 centimeters taller this morning… he must have been thrilled.
I had been talking to him more often lately.
With Amy and River hospitalized until next week, he was often alone.
Before, I had only spoken to him when he approached me, or when his friends weren’t around.
I didn’t dislike them, but we weren’t close.
Atlas was my friend, they were… friends of a friend.
I felt hesitant to intrude when they were together.
They must be good people, if Atlas chose them as friends.
He seemed… selective.
Even Frigia, who hovered around him constantly, was kept at a distance.
They pretended to be indifferent, but their connection was obvious, to anyone who paid attention.
But I, with my limited experience in social interactions, was too afraid to approach them.
Atlas and I were heading to our next class, Introduction to Combat Magic.
“Atlas, did you finish the Combat Magic report…? Magic is difficult for me… I finished it, but I’m not sure if it’s good…”
“I procrastinated for three days, then chugged some warm milk last night and finished it in an hour.”
Even a member of the Five Pillars was still a student.
We had to maintain good grades, to uphold our family name.
Unlike other families, Russell focused on swordsmanship. I struggled with academic subjects.
“An hour…? That’s amazing.”
This report had been challenging.
Atlas never seemed to struggle with academics, despite his proficiency in swordsmanship.
“I’m not aiming for top marks like you. I just wanted to get it over with. Buckingham is ruthless with his grading.”
“The topic was… analyzing the Battle of Crea Valley… and proposing alternative strategies…”
The Battle of Crea Valley was a historical event, a humiliating defeat for the Empire, often discussed in military academies.
The report focused on the role of the mage units, not infantry or knights.
Suggesting “training a hundred Masters” or “deploying my ancestor, Count Paleon” or “dropping a meteor” or “avoiding the battle altogether” wouldn’t earn me any points.
I had to analyze the mages’ positioning and spell choices.
It was difficult for me, with my limited knowledge of magic.
Atlas always claimed he was just aiming to graduate, not excel.
But his ability to complete assignments quickly, regardless of the topic, was impressive.
No one questioned us walking together.
After the newspaper club incident, rumors of Russell’s protection had spread.
Walking beside him, I could see the top of his head.
That soft, golden sphere… I wanted to… pet it… but I resisted.
He wouldn’t like it.
I remembered this morning…
When he had hugged me, spinning me around… I had hugged him back… briefly.
He had lifted me off the ground, so I had only managed to reach his shoulders… but it had felt… nice.
A fleeting moment of happiness.
Perhaps… he was in a good mood today…?
“Atlas…”
“What?”
“Can I… pet your head…?”
The words slipped out.
He would refuse, of course.
“Sure. But only until we reach the classroom.”
“…Fine…”
He wouldn’t agree.
He was sensitive about his height.
He disliked anything that emphasized the difference between us.
Hugging, petting… those were… warning signs.
He tolerated verbal requests, as jokes, but physical contact… he recoiled.
Did I hear him correctly…?
“Did you just… say yes?”
“I did.”
What had changed…?
He took my hand, placing it on his head.
“Until we reach the classroom.”
“Okay…!”
I gently stroked his hair.
He was small, and his head was proportionally small as well.
His hair was soft, like a puppy’s fur.
I petted him gently.
He usually frowned, even if he didn’t verbalize his displeasure, but now… he seemed relaxed.
I hoped this… cheerful Atlas… would last.
Next time, I’d try hugging him again.
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The world seemed… beautiful.
Perhaps it was the progress I had made.
Things that would normally annoy me… didn’t.
I felt… like I had finally seen the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
Even the most irritating situations… were… amusing.
I couldn’t stop smiling.
It was… contagious.
Success breeds positivity.
Who am I? A man of 149.6 centimeters.
A man who had broken through the 149.5 barrier, a man who was only 0.4 centimeters away from the mythical 150.
The floodgates had opened.
Perhaps the next dose would propel me straight to 180.
For example…
“Atlas… can I pet your head…?”
“Sure.”
A small price to pay.
“We’re hosting a small gathering at Frigia. It would be an honor if you could join us, Atlas.”
“Let me know the details. I’ll consider it.”
“Really?!”
I had avoided social gatherings because of the inevitable whispers about my height.
But if I kept growing… those whispers would cease.
I would have no reason to hide.
“Atlas, I challenge you to a duel…!”
“Bring it on.”
Even Edgar Lemnos’ challenge… I accepted it.
He had seemed eager for a rematch, but perhaps he had reconsidered.
We’d schedule it later.
I had responded positively to every request, every invitation.
Some… I regretted immediately, but… what did it matter?
Who am I?
A man who had conquered 0.1 centimeters!
“You’re the infamous shortstack freshman…! You humiliated our members! I, the captain of the Swordsmanship Club…!”
“I don’t tolerate disrespect.”
-Crack!
I kicked his shin, sending him sprawling.
“Agh! My leg!”
I wasn’t obligated to be polite to rude people.
“Captain! You attacked him mid-sentence! Coward!”
“I’m in a good mood today. Leave now, and I’ll let it slide.”
“Ugh… you’ll regret this…!”
His companions looked ready to attack, but they thought better of it, dragging their injured captain away.
Class was over.
Time to visit Amy and River.
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River stared at the overflowing bedside table, filled with flowers, fruits, and herbs.
“Atlas, the gifts are appreciated, but… isn’t this a bit much…?”
“They’re just weeds from the backyard. Don’t worry about it.”
The flowers were all tea varieties, the herbs chosen for their medicinal properties, specifically for their conditions, and some… for River’s future… enhancements.
This was… a small selection.
The rarer herbs were stored away, the rest brewed into teas.
Perhaps I had gone overboard…?
“Is this… backyard… the Deep Forest?”
“You know it.”
“It’s dangerous… You shouldn’t go there…”
“Are you worried about me?”
“Of course! People die there every year, searching for rare ingredients.”
I had never been… the subject of such concern.
It was… strangely heartwarming.
“You seem unusually cheerful. Are you happy we’re stuck here?”
“Of course not. Speaking of which… you haven’t heard…”
They hadn’t seen me since I left with Professor Praha.
“I… grew taller.”
“Really?”
“Really? How much?”
They were both surprised.
They knew how much it meant to me.
“Prepare to be amazed. A whole 0.1 centimeters.”
“0.1…”
A rather underwhelming reaction.
They didn’t understand.
“It might seem insignificant, but… it’s the first change in a decade…”
“Is that why you left with Professor Praha yesterday?”
“Yes. We’re analyzing the cause. If we can identify it… I might actually reach my full potential…”
“That’s great. I’m happy for you.”
River’s initial reaction had been subdued, but her words… felt genuine.
“0.1 centimeters in a single day… this rapid growth… is terrifying… you might not recognize me next week…”
I chuckled, folding my arms.
They looked at me with a strange mixture of pity and amusement, but I didn’t care.
I was happy.
Professor Praha’s next checkup… and then… the second dose.
It would work this time.
Positivity was key.
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After Atlas left…
“He’s that happy about 0.1 centimeters? He seems genuinely thrilled.”
“It’s the first change in ten years. It’s understandable.”
“He said it was because of a potion Professor Praha gave him… What if it only works once?”
“Don’t say that.”
“Right? It can’t be… can it…?”
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[Your Text Here]
they jinxed the poor guy