Prologue

Oh no, oh no, oh no.

This is an extremely bad situation.

Now that the Demon King had been safely defeated and a banquet was underway in the royal palace, I was in a terrible pinch. Why? Because... the royal capital's research team had brought that staff here.

I looked around.

Gold and white banners hung from the high ceiling.

Nobles were clinking their cups, and soldiers were filling the air with songs of blessing.

As a member of the hero's party and a magician, I was in the corner of the banquet, poking at the fruit piled on a plate, but...

At the long, gold-rimmed table set up in the center, looking just like a seat of honor at a wedding, my companions were enjoying the banquet in their own ways.

The princess was pouring alcohol into the hero's cup, saying, "Tonight, protocol is suspended. You should drink too," and the swordsman, who seemed to have already been served, silently raised his cup toward me.

The hero looked around in a panic, sending me a look pleading for help. I could clearly hear him saying, "Save me!"

Following his gaze, the princess looked over at me and smiled gently. For just a moment, that soft smile felt like chains binding me down.

"That's right, we should pour some for her too. She really helped us out on our journey."

"But she can't handle alcohol. Make it grape juice instead... Hm? What is it?"

The hero's voice trailed off.

The research team whispered something to the king, and a murmuring commotion began to spread like a wave.

I could feel an invisible fissure tearing through the gorgeous gold-and-white venue.

Then, the king, who had been scanning the room as if looking for someone, locked his eyes onto me and stared intently.

Those eyes looked at me as if I were some kind of "foreign object."

This is bad.

Bad, bad, bad.

...Seriously bad!

Sorry, Hero, but I can't worry about that right now...!

I desperately fought to hide my trembling hands. There was no strength left in the fingertips poking at the fruit.

Now, why was that staff I used along the way such a problem? It all came down to a secret I was keeping.

I am a member of a long-lived race. What is a long-lived race? Though extremely few in numbers, as the name implies, it's a race with a very long lifespan. Our appearance is identical to humans. Truth be told, I've already lived for about 5,000 years. Incidentally, my appearance hasn't changed, and I remain in the form of a young girl. I can stretch or shrink myself a little bit, so even the hero, who has been with me since childhood, has never suspected anything. The fact that I belong to a long-lived race was a secret from everyone.

Why do I keep it a secret? In short, because I almost got dissected. Once upon a time, I confided that I was of a long-lived race only to some close companions I was with. Back then, my friends remained just as kind, but their families and subordinates... well... tried to dissect me, turning it into a messy, chaotic dispute...

That must have been what they call "domestic discord." I'm sorry about that. Ever since then, I've kept my race a secret.

I met the hero as an ordinary village girl. When I was playing by the river in my toddler form, a young hero came running over. By the way, the reason I had taken on the toddler form was out of maidenly shyness, thinking, "Building a crab farm in the river would be too embarrassing in my usual girl form."

Now, that staff was my partner. It was made by a former companion who was a great magician. Nowadays, it seems to be called by an ominous name like "The Left Arm of Calamity," but to me, he was just a good-natured uncle.

To put it simply, the effect of that staff was to "use magic by consuming one's lifespan." Instead of burning a month of lifespan for a yellow glow, half a year for a blue glow, or ten years for a red glow, you could cast incomparably powerful magic. How straightforward! It was practically made for me. After all, I only had a long lifespan—I had no innate power and couldn't use magic myself.

Of course, I knew the problem with that staff, too. For example, suppose I used magic that made it glow red 50 times. That would mean burning at least 500 years of my lifespan. That's why I carefully calculated things and used it so that it would stay around 80 years... or so I thought...! Right? Please...!?

However, the king and the research team were staring straight at me. Those were clearly the eyes looking at something abnormal. Honestly, I'm not that smart. When I shut myself away deep in the mountains for about 50 years, I even forgot my own name. During battles, I tried my best to count how many times I used it in my head, but toward the end, I was using it back-to-back, so honestly, I'm not confident.

My heart was pounding like crazy. No, pounding was an understatement.

My brain was screaming.

To run away.

...This is bad. They're about to tell the hero something...!

Unable to endure the tension, I rushed over to them, snatched the staff, and escaped using teleportation magic. I am reflecting on this now. Incidentally, the glow was blue.

Well, honestly, I had anticipated this situation the moment the staff was taken. Some people had seen right through me during the journey, too. That's why I left a message for my companions. That's me for you! The records should prove that my calculations were correct. There's no need for them to worry.

In the midst of the celebration, she suddenly started running.

At the very center of the crowd, where everyone held up their cups, intoxicated by victory and peace, the young female magician alone was visibly pale.

The moment the hero noticed and stood up to call out to her with concern...

She dashed over to the research team stationed beside the throne—

And snatched the staff.

A stir rippled through the banquet hall.

The king, the princess, and the swordsman stood frozen in confusion, unable to understand what had just happened.

"H-Hey...! What's wrong, all of a sudden--!"

As the hero took a step forward, the young magician turned back. In her arms, she held the snatched staff tightly.

Her expression, usually that of an ordinary girl, wore its usual slightly troubled smile. Yet, it was just a tiny bit lonely—

"...I calculated it, though..."

With that whispered voice as her final words, a blue light enveloped her, and she vanished in a flash.

No one could do anything.

Her figure was no longer there.

All that remained were the researchers shifting their eyes around nervously and the lingering trace of blue light from her teleportation—.

The heat of the banquet vanished as if it had never been.

In a small conference room set up shortly after, behind heavy doors, the hero, princess, and swordsman were summoned.

The members of the king's direct research team were also gathered.

In the center of the room sat a replicated copy of the staff. Cold, black, and harboring a somewhat ominous air, it stood in silence.

"This is a copy of the staff used by that girl—the magician."

One of the researchers spoke quietly.

"The original no longer exists, as she took it with her when she teleported. By royal decree, we were temporarily collecting equipment for a post-war commemorative exhibition for the heroes... In hindsight, that may have been what tipped her off."

At the strained explanation, the princess frowned. Cutting her off, the hero leaned forward and demanded:

"...What is this staff? What did you do to her?"

Choosing his words carefully, the researcher answered directly.

"This staff is structured to consume the user's 'lifespan' as payment in exchange for casting magic."

For a fraction of a second, time stopped.

Even though there was no wind, the rustle of the curtains grated on the ears.

"Lifespan...? That means..."

"It is the time one has left to live itself. It cannot be stored like magic power, nor can it be regenerated. You are paying with the absolute remaining amount of your life."

"...You've got to be kidding..."

The hero muttered in a daze.

The swordsman silently clenched his fists tightly.

After a single breath, the princess asked in a trembling voice:

"...How much of it did she consume?"

The researcher pulled out the record sheet in his hand and read it out in a flat tone.

"We confirmed a phenomenon where the staff glows when used. The consumed lifespan varies by color... According to our analysis, yellow is about one month, blue is about half a year, and red is about ten years."

"...No way..."

The princess's voice grew hoarse deep in her throat.

"According to estimated records, during the journey, the magician used red 6 times, blue 30 times, and yellow countless times."

"Total... eighty-two years and six months. That much time had been lost as lifespan."

With a heavy thud, the hero collapsed into his chair. His face was a blank canvas where his emotions couldn't keep up. He rested his hand against his forehead.

"Are you kidding me...?! Why such an important thing...!"

"Can't her lifespan be restored?!"

The princess pressed the researcher with a cry, but he gently shook his head.

"There is no way to bring back lost lifespan..."

"Why...? Why didn't she tell us..."

The princess murmured, biting her lip.

"We were together over and over... and she was smiling... And I even said things like 'How healing.' ...With what feelings was she smiling all that time..."

"I... I used to say to her so casually... 'Count on you again next time...'"

The swordsman's low voice quietly shook the room. That voice, which should have been calm as always, oozed deep agitation.

"We must have noticed. Every time she used magic, the staff glowed. Those colors indicated something... but we didn't care."

The hero buried his face in the desk, his fists still clenched.

"She was always smiling. That's why... that's why we assumed... she was fine..."

"She always used to say... 'Don't worry about me...' She knew, didn't she?"

The princess murmured, letting tears fall like rain. Throughout the harsh journey to defeat the Demon King, this was the first time her companions had ever seen the princess cry. She lowered her head, remembering that girl's smile as if it were burned into her eyes.

One of the researchers gently held out something—a small, cloth-covered diary with a floral pattern.

"We found this among her belongings."

The hero reached out.

His fingertips were trembling ever so slightly.

The princess and the swordsman, too.

Held their breath and quietly leaned forward.

There were no letters on the cover. There was only a soft texture that suggested it had been opened and closed countless times during their long journey.

The hero slowly opened the cover.

On the first page, rounded, soft handwriting was penned:

As I set out on this journey, I've decided to keep a record.

I think it's necessary to record how many times I use magic and the colors, seeing as I use this staff.

How much of my lifespan can I use? Probably around 80 years?

Humans seem to live about that long.

Therefore, I'll set my limit at 80 years.

Without voicing it aloud, the breathing of the three of them visibly stopped.

"Eighty years..."

The princess muttered, her lips trembling.

"From the very beginning..."

The hero turned the page with a stunned expression.

There, methodically and steadily, were records of magic. Records that the female magician had never shown to anyone during the journey.

The princess gently picked it up and touched the page with trembling fingertips.

"She... she understood all of this, so clearly..."

At the edge of the pages were dates, the color of the magic used, and the number of uses.

The carefully and meticulously written letters—quietly lined up like her very life itself.

Journey Log

Month X, Day X

As I set out on this journey, I've decided to keep a record. I think it's necessary to record how many times I use magic and the colors, seeing as I use this staff.

How much of my lifespan can I use? Probably around 80 years? Humans seem to live about that long. Therefore, I'll set my limit at 80 years.

Also, why does the hero keep treating me like a child no matter how much time passes...? Is it because I'm weak, so he feels like he needs to protect me or something? You know, like an older brother protecting his little sister.

Well, truthfully, I'm just a tiny bit (!) older than him, so I talk like a kid so as not to shatter his image of me... but honestly, it's embarrassing.

Month Y, Day X

First battle. Yellow 1 time. One month's worth.

The hero jumped up and down shouting, "Aweeeeesome!" and I laughed.

I don't know how to put it... but I felt like I was able to be of help.

At this pace, I'll be fine.

Month Y, Day Y

The hero dropped his breakfast bread and screamed, "Whoa! The buttered side is down!"

For some reason, I started laughing too... and reflexively rewound time with yellow.

Even though it felt like a waste to use a month's worth of life just for bread, it was fine since he looked satisfied.

Smiles have great cost-performance.

Month Y, Day Z

Hot spring inn. At night, the princess complained that the water was lukewarm, so I secretly warmed it with magic. Yellow 1 time.

The princess said, "It was a good bath." She didn't say anything else, but she probably didn't notice. That's probably for the best.

Month Y, Day W

The swordsman murmured at night, "I wanted to see the stars," so I used magic to scatter the clouds. Yellow 1 time.

He didn't say anything, but he looked up at the sky for a while.

I kind of like things like that.

Month Y, Day V

The princess almost fell. She twisted her ankle, so I immediately used healing magic. Yellow 1 time.

The princess only said, "...That's fast." I'll take it as a compliment.

Month Z, Day Z

During battle, wide-area barrier for all allies. Blue 1 time.

Added healing magic. Yellow 2 times.

A soldier returning from the front lines bowed deeply.

I think I managed efficient support. Still have room to spare.

Month Star, Day W

Royal capital defense battle. A fairly large battle. Lots of monsters came.

I was a little sleepy because we fought all night.

Red 2 times, blue 18 times, yellow numerous times. Totaling about 35 years' worth.

After the battle, someone said, "If it weren't for her, the royal capital would have been finished." I felt a bit bashful.

・

・

・

Month Diamond, Day Spade

Demon King battle. The final showdown. I gave it my all.

But, I'm really glad we won safely.

Recalculated the total consumed lifespan after the battle.

Roughly 80 years and half a month. It should have fit within about 80 years! Yay~!

I'm so glad I was able to help everyone. It was so, so much fun.

At the edge of the page, a small note was drawn: "Let's make sure they don't find out!" At the very end of it, a round, shy-loading emoticon was gently attached.

"...She made sure we wouldn't notice..."

The hero's voice rasped from deep in his throat.

"All this time... even though she was so kind..."

The princess pressed her eyes again.

"..."

The swordsman stayed silent, biting his lip.

So that no one would notice. So that nothing would be known. She just wanted to help everyone.

She just wanted to keep smiling.

For that reason alone, she had offered up her own lifespan, her own life.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

The hero's murmur echoed exceptionally faintly.

No one raised their head.

Only the letters of the diary, only the smile of the magician from that day, remained there.

And without anyone raising their voice—

Quietly and gently, the pages of the diary were closed.

The small diary left on the desk.

It was the final gift that was never handed to anyone.

Dazed, the hero remembered the very beginning of their journey. That day the two of them left their birthplace village. Back then, he never would have imagined such an ending awaited them—.

No one ever got to hear the reason why she smiled when she disappeared, right up to the end.

—No answer remained. Only silence ruled the place.

...Thus, there was a small journey that ended without anyone knowing.

Yet those footprints, which should have been forgotten, one day suddenly began to be told within someone's imagination.

Yes, somewhere in a different world—tracing the depths of someone's memory, or the continuation of a dream. Their journey was told just once more.

—Scheduled to broadcast from Spring 202X, a tender and slightly wondrous adventure fantasy!

The production of the new original TV anime "The Runaway Magician" was announced today. Shinichi Kano, director of "The Sleeping Princess of July," will direct, with Studio Rucca handling the animation production. The broadcast is scheduled for Spring 202X.

This work is a heartwarming fantasy depicting a small journey traveling around the world. The protagonist is a slightly airheaded and energetic young girl magician. Alongside her traveling companions, wherever the hero confronting the Demon King goes, she helps people, makes flowers bloom, and causes small miracles.

In the released teaser visual, the girl is depicted smiling while looking up at the sky amidst a field of flowers, leaving an impression of "a world view wrapped in gentleness." The fleeting light and pale colors speak to the quiet charm of the work.

"A story like someone's 'dream' somewhere in the world" — Quoted from the official website

Details on the cast and story will await future updates, but attention is already gathering around its style, which floats between everyday life and fantasy.

In addition, the teaser depicts the staff held by the magician girl and the silhouettes of her traveling companions, and there are many voices saying, "It looks like it's going to be a tender and lively story."

At the end of a journey filled with gentleness, what will she see—we look forward to watching over it with high expectations.

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