The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 5

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 5

Chapter Title: The Youngest Hides Too Much

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***

I freaked out.

Big time.

'No way can I do a mana measurement!'

It was because Yuris, the teacher who had suddenly shown up after dinner, announced that all the new kids had to undergo mana testing.

'I can't let them find out I'm a mage here.'

I made up an excuse about a stomachache and locked myself in the bathroom.

Then, sitting on the toilet lid, I recalled what Yuris had muttered to herself.

"They're looking for a female mage... Do they really have to go this far just because she crossed the border?"

Fortunately, it seemed like no detailed description had been passed along. Plus, I was in the position of being mistaken for a boy through no fault of my own.

'Thanks a lot, Leviathan, for abandoning me.'

Tsk. I hated to admit it, but thanks to that heartless uncle, I had plenty of excuses to fall back on.

'More importantly, has the kingdom already found out I'm alive?'

I'd figured it would come out eventually, but I hadn't expected it this soon.

'No... If the pursuit isn't full-scale yet, they probably don't have confirmation.'

The "mana test" Yuris mentioned was probably using a mana detection magic tool.

'If they really meant to catch me, they'd have sent a tracking mage, not just some basic magic tool.'

In other words, it was highly likely just a probing attempt.

With no certainty on whether I was alive, my location, or anything else, they'd cast out the net first.

Which meant if I could just get through this crisis, I'd be safe for a while.

"Time to run."

My conclusion was clear-cut. Without hesitation, I left the bathroom and headed to the back yard. And then...

"Huh?"

I spotted some thief-like guy leaping out through a large window.

"What the—Uncle?"

"Out of the way!"

Thwack! His merciless shove sent me tumbling. But I popped right back up like a roly-poly toy.

The thief had a heavy pouch bulging in his pocket.

"A real thief, huh?"

It looked exactly like the donation money...

No matter how tough life got, this was too much.

"Stealing from the orphanage kids? That's low, even for you."

Indeed, the easy targets were always the weak ones.

I glanced around casually.

What to do...

"Hmm."

Maybe tweak the plan a bit.

'If all eyes are on the thief, it'll be easier for me to slip away.'

I recalled the side path I'd scoped out earlier.

Yeah. Let's go find Uncle.

If I cling to his pant leg, he wouldn't just kick me to the curb, right?

"Alright."

I placed my palm on the ground and channeled a tiny bit of mana.

The earth rippled.

"Gah!"

The staggering thief tripped spectacularly over a suddenly protruding rock.

Clink-clink-clatter—gold coins spilled from the pouch like a waterfall, as expected.

And crash-bang! Nearby stacked crates toppled onto him for good measure.

"What? What's that noise?"

"Thief! It's a thief!"

I shouted at the top of my lungs and bolted.

"A thief? Knights!"

"Call the public security knights!"

The orphanage erupted in chaos behind me. I pushed through the bushes and wriggled through the dog hole I'd spotted earlier.

Outside, a drizzly rain had started.

Fearing I might get caught, I hurried my steps as fast as I could.

Was Leviathan Uncle at the Imperial Palace? Or with the knight order?

"Huff... huff."

I didn't get far before stopping in a dark alley. I was out of breath.

'Mana-scarce hellhole of a country... This is brutal.'

Honestly, it was disconcerting.

I'd only used a minuscule amount of mana, barely an ant's tear...

'This really is the worst terrain for a mage.'

Not only did my power drop to less than half, but there was no ambient mana in the air to draw on.

Or maybe it was because I'd used too much strength heading to meet Leviathan Uncle?

"Ugh..."

My head spun, and my energy plummeted.

Rumble-crack!

A cold downpour hit, making my eyes sting.

'Knight order first...'

Clinging to the wall, I forced my legs to move.

But what if he rejected me again?

"..."

Dark clouds seemed to follow me everywhere.

"Ow."

I shook my head sharply. A weak body led to a weak mind!

"To the knight order!"

I clenched my fist with determination.

Concentrating, I sorted out the messed-up mana pathways in my body.

"If he chases me off again, I'll curse him."

A vengeful mage was scarier than any black magic beast.

And as I emerged from the dark alley...

"Uncle?"

There was Uncle! No way!

"You...!"

His pale face widened in shock at the sight of me.

How did he turn into such a ghost in just a day?

Curious, I took a step closer.

"What are you doing h— Whoa!"

In an instant, I was swept into massive arms. Warmth enveloped me.

Huh? I was the one planning to cling to him...

Stunned by the suddenness, I just blinked.

Steam-like vapor rose from his solid frame. His breathing was ragged. Thump-thump-thump—his heart pounded wildly.

'He wasn't waiting for me, was he?'

No way.

"Rubian."

I froze. Hearing my name from his lips—unspoken until now—felt strange.

"Ruby."

As if bothered by my chilled body temperature, he rubbed my back.

His rough touch was so gentle.

Forgetting my resolve to cling, I relaxed in his arms. My body, held together by sheer will, crumbled in seconds.

"...Yeah."

My jewel. My treasure.

A voice overlapping like an illusion.

"...Wait. What's wrong with you?"

As my vision faded into the distance, I suddenly realized.

"Ruby, Ruby? Snap out of it!"

The only thing I couldn't hide from Uncle...

was this name.

And then, blackout.

I opened my eyes to a blurry, unfamiliar ceiling.

Ah, where was this?

'Fancy barracks...'

Then it hit me.

"Uncle!"

My eyes rolled back, and I melted into goo again. More importantly!

"Clothes, my clothes!"

Regardless of my gender, I couldn't let anyone see my bare body.

'I've got the mage mark!'

It was stamped on the lower right side of my waist. A mark signifying loyalty to the Magic King of Arcadia.

'If that's exposed, it's all over!'

I hurriedly looked down. My body was wrapped tightly in a large, fluffy towel.

Did he see? The mark? That I'm a girl?

"You need to change clothes, kid."

At that moment, a gruff voice came from somewhere.

It was Leviathan Uncle.

I swallowed hard.

Feeling my cocooned body closely... it still felt grimy!

Good. It hadn't been long since I passed out.

"You were shaking so much I wrapped you up... Tsk, why doesn't the knight order have a single child-sized outfit?"

Wouldn't it be weirder if they did?

"This won't do. Wash up with warm water and wrap the towel again."

"I-I can do it myself."

I quickly grabbed a dry towel. A small tub steaming with hot water sat nearby.

"What can you do?"

Uncle, who had been rolling up his sleeves, froze. His voice softened.

"Come here. You're gonna get yourself in real trouble."

I, lying on the large sofa, shrank back.

"I know you're mad. But please, not now."

Mad? Why me?

Come to think of it, Uncle didn't look great either. Still soaked like a drowned rat.

"Rubian."

"I've got... big scars on my body..."

I mumbled evasively. My throat ached with every word.

"I hate people touching me..."

I squeezed my eyes shut. If he came closer, I'd have no choice but to use mana.

Memory magic? Illusion magic? But... I didn't want to cast that on Uncle.

Uncle, staring down at me, roughly ruffled my hair.

"You're driving me crazy."

"..."

"...Can you manage alone?"

I answered promptly.

"I've always done it alone! I'm fine!"

For a split second, an unreadable emotion flickered in his purple eyes, but I had no time to dwell.

"Fine. I'll turn around."

I changed clothes in a hurry. My hands shook, but whatever.

Finish quick and rest. Uncle was starting to look like three of him...

"All done!"

Changing into fresh clothes lifted my spirits.

"Such a temperamental kid."

My body floated up. Mindful of his wet clothes, he carefully scooped me up and laid me on the bed.

It was soft and cozy. Sleep came rushing in as promised.

Rubbing my drowsy eyes, I gazed at Uncle. Then, the memory of him urgently pulling me close in the rain flashed back.

"But why were you in front of that alley?"

My head throbbed, but I had to ask now.

"Were you looking for me?"