Sincerely, a Rainbow of stories for you:

Please Tell Me the Story of the Rainbow: Part 10

(Location: Exhibition at an Old Castle, Central Kingdom, Day Time)

Aslan: No actually… it’s the world she sees.

Akira: ?

Suddenly, I remembered Snow and White’s words.

The world in the picture books actually exists, but it would be impossible for most to witness it.

Akira: …I heard that even powerful wizards are seldom able to witness that mysterious world. Is Luka… really able to do so?

Aslan: Yes, though it’d be hard for us to imagine such a thing… As long as I can remember, that child has had the ability to see such sights.

Although we cannot, she can certainly see the mysterious world that exists there.

The flowing celadon colored clouds and the dark blue lake that sparkles among mysterious swaying grass and fragrant flowers…

Akira: … By any chance are there rainbow colored butterflies and fluffy animals running about?

Aslan: There are. Everything Luka draws is real scenery she’s seen.

Akira: How can you be sure? You aren’t able to see it yourself…

Aslan: Haha, you’re right about that. At first, I’d believed that all wizards were like that. They are said to be mysterious beings who see things humans can’t.

Luka was actually the first Wizard I’d met. She spoke so happily about invisible scenes painted in different colors than the ones I could see.

I was always thrilled to hear her stories and see her pictures.

Aslan’s gentle voice was tinged with sincerity. The way he spoke excitedly reminded me of a boy yearning for the unknown.

Aslan: I wasn’t really surprised when I later discovered it was a rare talent. No… maybe deep down I already knew.

That child is beloved by her mysterious world. The way she depicts it really makes it seem as though it exists alongside her.

Despite the gleam in Aslan’s eyes, there was a slight gloom there as well.

Aslan: However… though she’d been blessed with these abilities since she was born, it seems it was difficult for others to understand her.

Her words were labeled lies and delusions and were shunned. It seems she was treated quite harshly…

I imagined it as I heard his slightly hoarse voice. Certainly, you can't share what your eyes perceive and your skin feels with those around you.

My heart ached as I remembered how she looked down, her heart closed, as if she was afraid of something.

Akira: Um… what about her parents? Luca is still a child. As far as going home…

Aslan: I don’t really know the details, but it doesn’t seem like she has any relatives.

I came across her when I was visiting the eastern country to collect Art. I came across her on the side of the street and took her in.

Back then, it did not seem that she was well.

I think that I made the right choice back then, but in the end, I was the one who was lucky to meet her.

Akira: Eh?

Aslan: I was the one who fell in love with her talent.

I thought his eyes, containing no lies or hesitation, were like warm sunlight.

Aslan: The only things she had with her were a thin stack of paper and a tattered wood pen.

Then suddenly, a breeze blew the bundle over and I was moved by the world I saw.

It really was beautiful… full of mysterious charm I’d never seen before, it made my heart melt.

At first, no matter how much I tried to tell her that, she wouldn’t accept it. It was as though her heart, which had endured solitude with no one believing her for such a long time, refused to believe in anyone else in turn.

Aslan closed his eyes, as if overcome with nostalgia, and took a deep breath.

Aslan: She is a calm and delicate child, just like the world she depicts. I want many people to learn about her and her world.

Akira: Your message will get across; I’m sure of it.

When they see the world depicted in that picture book, they will surely be absorbed and fascinated.

I was, and I’m not the only one: everyone at the manor, from the children to long lived wizards, were impressed by the world Luca drew.

Aslan: Oh… Thank you very much!

I want many people at the exhibition to see her work, and for her to gain her confidence once more.

That’s why…

???: Aaaah!

At that moment, I heard a loud noise and screams that followed it.

Aslan: That was Luca’s voice-!

Muttering that to himself, Aslan took off towards the source of the screams, and I followed.

When we arrived at the picture book exhibition area, I saw Luca’s small back crouched in the center.

Rutile was beside her, holding her shoulder gently, and Heathcliff was there too.

Akira: Rutile, Heathcliff! What happened?

Looking around, I noticed a large picture book had fallen next to Luca.

Something like ivy was growing from the open page and wiggling around.

Aslan: Luca, could it be, again…

Luca: I-it’s different.

She whispered, shaking her head. Her confused expression made her seem very upset.

Heathcliff: Um… she didn’t do anything wrong. We were the ones who surprised her.

Rutile: When I called out to her, she was surprised and dropped the book. Isn’t that right, Luca?

Luca: …

Suddenly, my vision sparkled like an optical illusion. It looked as though rainbow colored scales appeared out of nowhere and danced through the air surrounding Luca.

Luca: … Roxy.

Luca muttered, staring blankly at the empty space.

Akira: (…Roxy?)

Aslan spoke, while gently patting Luca’s back.

Aslan: Luca, I’m not angry, let’s calm down a little.

Everything is okay. Your exhibit will work out just fine. There is no need to feel anxious, because I am here with you.

Your world will make everyone happy, I guarantee it.

Luca looked down without saying a word, her mouth closed tightly.

Aslan gently placed his large palm on Luca’s head and lowered his eyebrows, as if he was scared.

Aslan: I think she’s a little tired, as her new work is nearing completion. It’s her first time having the opportunity to exhibit her works and I think she’s been nervous for a while.

Aslan glanced at the Ivy growing out of the fallen picture book and let out a breath.

Luca’s thin silver hair swayed as she snuggled close to Asan, but neither of them said a thing.

Heathcliff: …We wizards use our hearts to create magic. That’s why, when our hearts are not calm,our magic power is not stable and we cannot control our magic properly.

Luca: Magic with… your heart…?

Heathcliff: Yes, I also sometimes feel uneasy and find it difficult to use magic…

Heathcliff smiled slightly, like a soft breeze, and continued speaking.

There was an irresistible gentleness in his voice.

Akira: … I understand. My heart, too, gets stiff when I am nervous, and then I only become more anxious when I realize I can’t move as I want…

This is true for me, even as a human, so it must be even more difficult for those of you who use magic with your hearts.

Come to think of it, when I first came to this world, and I still couldn’t tell left from right, I was nervous.

What calmed me down was that blonde person.

Heathcliff: It was… me?

Akira: Yes, when I first woke up at the Manor and we made breakfast together. At that time, he gave me sugar and I felt my heart relax.

Heathcliff: Ah… that’s right.

How nostalgic, I’m a little embarrassed, but I’m glad to hear you say that, Master Sage.

Luca: …Sugar?

What fell from Luca’s pale pink sips was anticipation as sweet as powdered sugar.

Still clutching the fabric of Aslan’s suit, her big eyes looked towards me.

Rutile: Luca, put out your palm.

As if invited by Rutile’s soft smile, Luca stretched out a small palm, resembling a maple leaf.

When Rutile’s fingertips lightly grazed Luca’s palm, star shaped sugar appeared.

Luca: …!

Amazing: it appeared from nothing! Is this… magic?

Rutile: Yes. Wizards cannot create something from nothing, but we can create sugar from magic.

Luca, if you eat this, you will feel better and your heart will calm down. You look a little pale right now, but if you eat this I’m sure you’ll feel better.

Luca: This is sugar…

Shino: You’re a Wizard and you didn’t even know that?

I turned, hearing a familiar voice. Without my noticing, Shino was standing next to me.

Arthur, Mithra, and Murr were also there. They all probably came when they heard the commotion.

Luca: …It’s small, like a star. I should eat this?

Rutile: Please, go ahead!

Akira: It’s sweet and very delicious.

Luca: …

Confusion and curiosity swirled in her big eyes that stared down at the sugar.

At that moment, a long arm suddenly stretched out and snatched the sugar from Luca’s palm.

Akira and Rutile and Heathcliff: ?!

Mithra: *crunching noises* *