It’s Annoying Because My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage

“How does it feel to be childhood friends with Lancer, the archmage?”

 

Someone once asked me this question.

 

I looked at them as if they had just asked me a stupid question.

 

Are you really asking because you don't know?

 

“What do you think?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Think as if you're the one who's been close with Lancer since childhood instead of me, what do you think?”

 

“Well… wouldn't it be really reassuring to have the most powerful archmage in the world as a friend? I think I'll brag to everyone in the kingdom about it.”

 

You think it's like that?

 

I let out a muffled chuckle.

 

Yeah.
People always think like that.

 

But as the archmage’s childhood friend, I can tell you one thing.

 

It's annoying that my childhood friend is an archmage.

 

Seriously. 

 

* * *

 

For example, let's consider what happened today.

 

It's two o'clock in the afternoon.

 

I started walking towards my study to deal with my duties.

 

I was just going up the stairs when someone called my name from behind.

 

“Skyla!”

 

I turned my head and saw him.

 

Golden hair with blue jewel-like eyes that droop gently like a puppy.

 

Lancer Soli, my childhood friend.

 

I frowned inwardly.

 

‘Why is he here?’

 

“Skyla, would you like to have tea with me later?”

 

Landseer, who had come sprinting toward me, asked with a bright smile.

 

And I poured cold water on that smile.

 

“I don't want to.”

 

“…Do you find it unpleasant?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I rejected his offer and began walking forward.

 

Lancer, who paused for a while, ran back to me.

 

“But it's a very delicious tea.
It's jasmine tea, purchased directly from the foreign merchants who came to the Soli Duchy yesterday…….”

 

“I don't like jasmine tea.”

 

I answered when I received official documents to be processed by Austin, the butler who was waiting in front of the study.

 

Austin's heart came to my ears.

 

‘You're a tough one, lady.
Lancer Confucius invited you to pay a visit to the Soli Duchy, even if it's just for a few hours…….’

 

I glared at Austin.

 

He immediately noticed my gaze and raised his head.

 

“What's wrong, my lady?”

 

“I have no intention of going to the Soli Duchy, and I know it.”

 

“Huh, what?”

 

“And go tell the coachman to prepare a carriage.
I'll be going out soon.”

 

“Ah…
Got it.”

 

At that moment, Austin's embarrassed heart was heard again.

 

‘What? Was it too obvious? It's as if the lady had read my mind….’

 

It's not “as if” I read it, I really did read it.

 

I snorted inwardly.

 

It's been almost 20 years since he's been a butler in my family, and he still doesn't know about my ability.

 

'Well, my parents are the only ones who know about it.'

 

Shrugging off the puzzled Austin,  I made my way into the study.

 

“Well, how about hibiscus tea instead of jasmine tea?”

 

Lancer, who was persistently following me, asked again, hopeful.

 

“Not my cup of tea.”

 

Sitting down at my desk, I set one hand on my chin as the other flipped through the papers.

 

Most of the papers were official documents from the Imperial Palace.

 

As I sifted through the piles of paperwork, I heard his voice again.

 

“How about a nice cup of Lady Earl Grey tea?”

 

“No thanks.”

 

“Oh, I see.
I only brought it up because I remember enjoying it before.
Well, then, instead of tea, how about juice…….”

 

“I don't like sweet things.”

 

“How about cucumber juice?”

 

“You drink it.”

 

“Then come and have a drink of water.”

 

Suddenly, he started to cry.
 

 

“I'll go to the north right now and get some natural water.
If that's not enough, I'll go to the neighbouring kingdom and get some water from the miracle spring.
Plus, I'll scoop up ice cubes over the Tais Mountains and drop them into the water.
So please come to the Soli Duchy and spend time with me, will you?”

 

“….”

 

I put down my fountain pen just as I was signing over the paperwork that needed to be approved.

 

As I slowly raised my head, I saw Lancer kneeling beside my desk and sitting quietly.

 

I let out a sigh as thick as smoke without realising it.

 

“Lancer.”

 

“Yes, Skyla!”

 

His eyes began to twinkle when his name was called.

 

When I looked into his eyes, which glowed delicately like jewels of blue sapphire, I felt an uncontrollable pressure.

 

“I have to go somewhere later.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“In two hours, a tea party will be held at Marquess of Garnett, and I was invited there.”

 

“Oh, really? Then I can come with you!”

 

A small smile with a candle-like glow began to creep up Lancer's face.

 

And I blew it out with a bang.

 

“Unfortunately, it's a place where only women can gather.
So you can't.”

 

“Really? Even though I'm your childhood friend…?”

 

“Yeah, you can't.”

 

If someone were to hear this, they would think that childhood friend is a title.
I snorted lightly.

 

“Now that you know, you can go back to your place.
Can't you see that I'm trying to work?”

 

I tried to scare Lancer away, but he just couldn't see I'm working at all.

 

“Then I'll be a woman!”

 

“Eh?”

 

“Look carefully!”

 

Lancer, who got up from his seat, swung his body.

 

The wave of mana that occurred in an instant wrapped around his body.

 

And before I knew it, a girl with an innocent impression appeared in front of me.

 

“What do you think? I'm perfect, right?”

 

Lancer, who turned into a woman, smiled while touching my cheek.
It was like shouting  'Hurry up and compliment me!'

 

“….”

 

I was at a loss for words.

 

'Did he turn into a woman just to go to a tea party that only women can enter…'

 

My mind was a mess.

 

Lancer, you're the one who forcibly poured oil on the candle I blew with my mouth, igniting a flame of hope.

 

“……Aside from being turned into a woman, how are you going to get into the Marquess of Garnett? Only those with an invitation from the marquis are allowed to attend the tea party.”

 

I waved the invitation at Lancer.
'You don't have one of these, do you?' I thought.

 

But it was a very big mistake.

 

“I can make it right now.”

 

“…what?”

 

Instead of answering my question, Lancer smiled brightly and flicked his fingers lightly.

 

Then a letter fell on his other hand.

 

“It looks like this, right?”

 

Lancer gave me a glimpse of the letter with a bright smile.

 

The letter that showed the writing of Marchioness Garnett was an invitation to the tea party I received.

 

“Lancer, you…!”

 

Panicked, I turned to my hand in a hurry.

 

But contrary to my expectations, the invitation was still in my hands.

 

“What? Why are there two invitations?”

 

“I made it.”

 

“What?”

 

“I made a new one after seeing the invitation you were holding, Skyla.”

 

Lancer, who still did not lose his bright smile, said proudly.

 

“I read the contents of the invitation with a throw-in and speed-reading magic, then I brought the paper into my room using summoning magic, and then wrote the contents of the invitation on the paper with transcription magic.
then finally…”

 

“Enough.”

 

I interrupted Lancer's rambling.

 

I didn't need to listen anymore to know.

 

Lancer forged the invitation in the blink of an eye, using a series of high-level spells that even a master wizard would have a hard time with.

 

I didn't think he'd waste his talent like this.

 

This is the guy who could make a wooden table out of toothpicks.
I didn't expect him to be this persistent…

 

I suppressed the blood pressure that was threatening to rise vertically at any moment and opened my mouth again.

 

“Listen, Lancer.
This tea party is not one where you can do what you want just because you have an invitation.”

 

“Why? Are you hiding in the closet?”

 

“That's a cute idea, but it's not in a closet, and only four people are coming, including me.”

 

“Then there can be five people, including me.
Five people means no refreshments will be left behind.”

 

“You don't have to be so kind.”

 

I frowned a little unknowingly.

 

“Think about it, Lancer.
It's a tea party with only four people.
How suspicious would it be if a random woman suddenly came to visit there?”

 

“Aha, that's right.”

 

Lancer, who finally understood my logic, nodded.

 

“Then I'll just need to make sure I don't be suspicious.”

 

“What?”

 

It happened in a flash.
The Lancer standing before me vanished like a speck of dust.

 

The forged invitation to the tea party fell to the place where he stood.

 

Oi, where'd he go?

 

I jumped out of my seat in panic.

 

Just when I was about to worry about the suddenly missing Lancer.

 

“I'm back!”

 

he reappeared.

 

“Argh!”

 

“Oh, be careful.”

 

I was so surprised that I nearly fell backward, but fortunately, Lancer held me up with his magic.

 

I fell into his arms and quickly pulled myself together.

 

“Where have you been?!”

 

“I persuaded her.”

 

“What?”

 

“I persuaded everyone attending the tea party to think that it was originally a five-person tea party using a brainwashing spell.
“

 

a big smile crossed Lancer's face while saying that.

 

And I was on the verge of going crazy.

 

“You've already used a brainwashing spell, you're not convincing me! Go back and undo the spell!”

 

Lancer Soli, third son of the Duke of Soli.

 

A man of outrageous abilities, he's able to change his appearance freely at will, wields advanced magic, including clairvoyance, as easily as breathing, and brainwash three innocent people in an instant.

 

That’s right.

 

My childhood friend, Lancer, is a once-in-a-thousand-years archmage. 

 

And every day feels like it was a thousand years because of him.

 

So, how does it feel to have an archmage as my childhood friend?

 

I don't know what else to say besides that it's annoying.