Chapter 6: The Place Where the Moon and Farewell Meet (Part One)

Even so—

“Hiss—” As his mother’s careful healing gradually took effect, the pain that had been numbed in Ed’s hands stubbornly revived, the agony in his ten fingers causing them to twitch slightly. Priscilla, ever attentive to Ed, furrowed her brows in concern and instinctively increased the flow of her magic. The brilliant and rich violet aura even briefly outshone the pale golden morning light filling the room.

“Alright, that should be enough. There’s nothing much to worry about now.” For Priscilla, a grand mage of the super S-class, handling such minor injuries was nothing more than a matter of minutes. Still, she preferred to add extra precautions, ensuring absolutely nothing could go wrong.

“You’ll need to bear it just a little longer, sweetie. I have to go downstairs to fetch some bee jelly from the fridge. Stay right here—don’t try to move your fingers yet—I’ll be back soon.” With a loving ruffle of Ed’s hair, his mother turned and went downstairs, leaving him standing forlornly in place.

Ed realized, once again, how naïve and powerless he truly was. The concealment he thought foolproof was not as effective as he imagined. His supposedly flawless manipulation of magic had ultimately failed. Despite his best efforts, mistakes had not been avoided.

He had barely accomplished something insignificant, yet he couldn’t help but feel smug and proud—thinking about it made him feel ridiculous… terribly inadequate…

Just as Ed was berating himself inwardly, a gentle warmth scented with a trace of fragrance enveloped his body, unhurried and soft. The little one, rarely confused, turned his head in bewilderment—only to meet a pair of noble, beautiful violet eyes, as understanding as purple roses—it was his mother, embracing him from behind.

“Don’t lose heart, Ed. You’re precocious, but you’re only three years old. For someone so young to have achieved so much is remarkable. When I was your age, I wasn’t nearly as strong as you.” Priscilla affectionately pinched Ed’s plump, tender cheeks. “Alright, turn around and stretch out your hands. Mommy still needs to do the final wound care.”

“Thank you, Mom. I’ve already made up my mind—I won’t act recklessly like this again.” Ed smiled back at his mother, his voice soft and childlike.

“Good boy~ That’s Mommy’s good child~” Ed’s warm, bashful smile melted Priscilla’s heart, leaving her utterly defenseless.

Priscilla lifted a delicate porcelain plate beside her—on it, a blend of bee jelly and a touch of ice chips. In her right hand, she held a stick-shaped cloth rolled from a soft wet wipe. She dipped it carefully into the plate and then gently applied the cool mixture to Ed’s hands—palms, backs, fingertips, and between the fingers—each part tenderly cared for by his mother’s attentive hands.

“Just the right amount. How does it feel now? If it hurts too much, you can always jump into Mommy’s arms and cry~”

“No way! Crying in Mommy’s arms… Ugh—it’s so embarrassing just thinking about it…”

“Oh? My little Ed is surprisingly stubborn, especially since earlier you looked just like a poor kitten begging for comfort~” His “mischievous” mother continued teasing, poking at his sensitive nerves.

“That’s not true—” The little one, embarrassed and annoyed, resembled a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “Mom, you’re so mean, always picking on me—besides, stop calling me ‘Little Ed’! I’m not a girl!”

“My, my—such potential, too~” His mother placed one hand on her forehead, the other over her heart, feigning heartbreak and reluctance to look.

“Mom! Mom!” Ed half-pleaded, half-pouted.

“Oh, right!” Priscilla suddenly clenched her fist and tapped her palm. “Ed, you haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? I made your favorite ham sandwich and a big cup of fragrant, steaming oat milk~ And there are more surprises after your meal~”

“Hmmph! Y-you’re not going to distract me with food—milk and sandwiches, I don’t—”

“Grrr~”

“Aah~” The little one tried to keep up the act, maintaining his “dignity” and image, but he hadn’t expected his rumbling stomach to betray him, surrendering before he could.

The dining hall on the first floor, though spacious, was anything but cold. The “Dawnlight” sprites warmed every breeze that flowed through. The bright, flowing space was stirred by the laughter and joy of mother and child, sending ripples of beauty through the air.

Priscilla, smiling, propped her cheek in one hand as she fed Ed, whose hands were still inconvenient. The little one was clearly ravenous. Even aside from skipping breakfast, the strain and exhaustion from awakening his powers would drain anyone, and Ed was no exception—his stomach had been thoroughly emptied.

“Come now, open wide, ah—”

“Mm…” Ed hesitated at first, but after glancing at his hands, wrapped by his mother to look like the paws of a young bear, he had no choice but to close his eyes and open his mouth, “Ah—”

“Mmm—mm~!” As soon as he tasted the food, Ed’s eyes widened in amazement—the exquisite flavor, the joy and warmth of a long-awaited meal, filled him with such satisfaction and happiness—

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“I’m moved~!” Ed nodded eagerly, as excited as a chick pecking grain. “Mommy’s the best~(≧▽≦)/~ Ah—”

After that, there was no need for his mother to coax him. Ed, having tasted the delight, eagerly opened his mouth, waiting for the next bite.

His mother burst out laughing, unable to resist the adorably earnest little one, and surrendered to the moment, savoring this “feeding play” that would become a cherished memory for years to come.