Chapter 02
“Oh, Miss Rohela, where are you headed today?”
“I’m just out for a bit of grocery shopping.”
“Hoho, I see. Lemons have been wonderfully fresh lately! Here, Teacher—take a few home.”
Mr. Thomas, the fruit seller, handed me a paper bag with five lemons. I waved my hands politely before accepting it as though reluctantly giving in.
“Oh my, thank you. Toby’s gotten so good at math these days! He solves problems his friends can’t even touch.”
At my words, the corners of Mr. Thomas’s mouth lifted skyward. Looking embarrassed, he scratched his head several times.
“That boy is clever, just like his mother was! If only I had the means, I’d send him to the academy…”
“Oh, these days nobles like sponsoring capable children. If I get the chance, I’ll write you a recommendation letter. Don’t worry.”
“Really, Teacher? How can I thank you…! Here, take some more—”
“Hahaha. The lemons are more than enough. You know I live alone, I can’t finish too much. This is already plenty.”
I lifted the bag with a smile. Despite his burly appearance, Mr. Thomas was tearing up.
Moments like this really made me miss my previous life.
This world seemed to be around the early stages of the industrial revolution.
Commerce was growing, and the status of commoners had risen as well—but the class system was still strong, and commoners needed a noble’s recommendation to enter the academy.
‘I’m going to be late.’
I quickened my steps.
Shopping was just an excuse—I needed to meet as many people as possible to replenish my mana.
A magical genius hadn’t joined the learning center yet, and magic stones—the closest thing to an emergency potion—were far too expensive.
So I wandered through alleys here and there, but suddenly the air around me became crystal clear.
‘…What?’
The sky, painted gold by the setting sun. Pink clouds drifting above.
From the bag I held came the faint scent of dried paper and citrus.
Up until now, everything had felt like watching a movie on a screen, but suddenly I felt grounded—like I was actually living in this world.
The sudden shift made me stop without thinking—just as someone grabbed onto my skirt.
“Mom…”
Unlike all the murmurs I’d heard earlier, this voice was sharp and distinct.
I immediately lowered my gaze. A child I had never seen before was clutching me.
He looked around six or seven?
Soft wheat-colored hair. Clear, vivid green eyes.
Those slightly teary eyes met mine.
‘No way…’
The tugging sensation on my clothes, the slight weight leaning against me, the faint powdery scent children always carry.
Back in the academy, I never realized how heavy carrying six or so books was. I’d wobbled and fallen countless times.
Even then, I hadn’t felt pain—my senses weren’t fully formed.
So how could everything feel so vivid now? The child wasn’t even fully pressed against me.
I shivered without meaning to.
And that seemed to frighten the child.
“Mom…!”
Now he clung with both hands instead of one, squeezing tightly, and burst into tears.
The sudden clarity of reality washed over me as sharply as the scenery.
‘Hold on—did he just call me mom?’
Panicked, I looked around. A few people glanced my way as they passed, but no one approached us.
Some familiar faces, even.
I felt the blood drain from my face.
The unmarried teacher actually has a child?
Perfect scandal material to get the learning center shut down in such a conservative society.
“…I… I’m not your—”
I opened my mouth to calm him, but he only clutched harder.
Seeing my skirt being wrinkled beyond salvation, I finally grabbed his little hands to gently pull him off.
But—why were they so cold?
His hands were icy. Even though it was early summer. How long had he been out here?
I observed him more closely.
His clothing seemed of good quality, but grimy—he looked like he’d been abandoned for quite a while.
After hesitating, instead of letting go, I slid my arms under his armpits.
“There, there…”
I quickly lifted him into an embrace. He nestled into my arms without resistance.
Warm!
His cheek was soft like a freshly steamed bun, and his tiny hands were like tender shoots. Despite my worry, my heart melted.
“No more crying. Hush now!”
“’Ush…”
Still pressed against my chest, he rubbed his face into me, making his speech mushy and adorable.
His head rested right over my heart. The warmth, the soft hair tickling my chin, the unmistakable milky scent children have—something I had only known in my previous life.
I barely managed not to laugh from the ticklish feeling.
Now what do I do?
As much as I didn’t want to let go of such a talent, finding his parents came first.
Honestly, if I could keep him, I wouldn’t mind closing the learning center…
No—come on, I still need to make a living.
If I handed him to the guards we might miss each other, so maybe it was better to look around first.
Still holding him tightly, I stood up.
I almost tilted but quickly regained balance.
He clung to me but didn’t lift his head. My hair draped over his like a curtain.
Same shade—just darker.
This really made me look like his mother.
I gently patted his back, waiting for his sniffles to calm.
“What are you doing here alone?”
“…”
“Do you remember who you came with?”
“…”
No reply. But his little body shook now and then—he was still crying.
“I need to finish shopping now. Want to come with me?”
He gave a small nod.
Maybe he’d simply lost his parents in the busy marketplace. Someone must recognize him.
His real mother might already be searching.
…and then I’d convince her to let him attend our learning center for free.
Or—hire me as a live-in tutor.
I softened my voice.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“…Lewin.”
“No last name?”
I checked the fabric of his clothes. Something a lower noble’s child might wear.
But he tilted his head.
“Last name?”
“It’s what goes after the first name. Like Arendt or Enriques.”
“Lewin is Lewin.”
“I see, okay.”
I exhaled in relief. I’d asked just in case his surname matched an important character. No surname—so he must be a commoner child.
Parents wanting the best for their child makes sense.
Well, I can ask around.
When we reached the marketplace, Lewin stopped crying.
He lifted his head and looked around with sparkling eyes.
“Wow…”
His eyes shone as he looked at the little pastel-painted shops and neatly arranged stalls.
I’d thought it looked like a fairy tale village too, when I first saw it.
Holding him, I headed to the vegetable stall.
“Oh my, look who it is! Teacher! What brings you here?”
Sarah, the stall owner, brightened instantly. I smiled back.
“Hello! May I get fresh carrots, potatoes, and onions? One of each?”
I adjusted my hold on Lewin. He flinched slightly.
Sarah’s gaze naturally shifted to him.
“And who is this? Don’t tell me he’s yours?”
“Mhm!”
I had planned to gracefully deny it, but the child beat me to it.
His bold declaration made Sarah’s eyes widen.
“So I was right—he really is your child?”
My mind spun. Hugging him tightly so he couldn’t hear, I whispered urgently:
“No, no! I’ve never seen him before. I think he’s lost. Have you seen him around?”
Sarah looked closely at him.
“Never. But he does look very much like you. Not even a distant relative?”
“No! And if you don’t know him, then no one here will…”
I sighed.
If Sarah—the resident gossip hub—didn’t know him, he wasn’t from around here.
Lewin stared at her, then turned back to me with a bright smile.
“Mom!”
I squeezed my eyes shut. Sarah asked, voice low and teasing:
“Are you sure he’s not your secret child?”
“No! Absolutely not! I—I should go now!”
I hurriedly took the bag and practically fled. My footsteps quickened.
“At this rate the learning center’s doomed…”
I ducked into a quiet alley.
Then studied the child again.
His eyes were still teary, rims red.
What should I do?
It would be nearly impossible to find another child with such high mana in my lifetime.
Handing him to the guards didn’t seem right. Better for me to locate the parents myself and build rapport.
And the learning center was closed for a week starting today.
Then, a thought hit me.
Maybe this was one of those stories like: “I thought I reincarnated as a side character in a grimdark novel, but actually it turned into a wholesome child-raising tale.”
I studied him again.
His slightly ashy wheat hair didn’t match any character I knew…
But it was a grimdark story, so I should be cautious.
The male lead had golden hair and green eyes. Could he be a relative? I worried for a moment.
My “baby messenger” wish was just that—a wish.
And his enormous mana reserves… concerning.
Best-case scenario: he’s the child of some wealthy merchant investigating the marketplace…
Just then, his soft hair slid between my fingers.
The touch tickled even my heart.
“…If he doesn’t know any major characters’ names, maybe he isn’t from the original story?”
“Mhm?”
Oops. Did I say that out loud? I quickly tousled his hair and said:
“Shall we go to my house first?”
“Okay!”
I felt like a kidnapper, but I had no choice.
Until things stabilized, it was safest for me—someone who also managed a learning center—to protect him.
First, check the place where he had been. If no family turned up, I’d register him with the guard.
Then I’d tell them I was caring for him and show them how well-fed he was—that should earn some trust.
I smiled at him. His green eyes met mine directly.
Clear, moist eyes.
“I’ll make stew, and read you a storybook. Sounds fun, right?”
“Mhm!”
He beamed.
His eyes were still red from crying, and seeing him smile like that made my chest ache.
Unable to stop myself, I hugged him again. He rubbed his face against me.
Like a baby bird burrowing into its mother.
