“When the new year arrives, Abel, you have to give me a new year’s gift.”

“Um...Abel? Are you listening?”

“No, I didn’t hear anything.”

“You ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) did hear me! Why are you ignoring me?”

“Somehow... it felt like you were going to say something disadvantageous to me, so I decided to ignore it...”

Abel is a former A-rank swordsman.

His intuition has saved his life countless times.

And his intuition told him this time. Not to react.

Indeed, the water-attribute magician in front of him was frowning.

Not reacting was the right choice, it seemed...

But this magician was persistent.

His name was Ryo.

“It’s a new year’s gift!”

“New Year’s Gift? Sounding ball*?” (*TLN: A pun, playing on the same pronunciation)

“No need for jokes, Abel. Joking is my role, and your role is to be the straight man.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

Ryo often used words Abel couldn’t comprehend.

By now, Abel was used to it.

Ryo was just like that.

“A new year’s gift is when a bigshot gives you lots of money. That’s what it is.”

“The King gives money to the premier duke?”

“U-um, don’t worry about ranks. The King is a bigshot, so he should give out new year’s gift.”

“Ryo, you’re already an adult, right?”

“Eh? Yes, I am. So what...?”

Ryo’s response was not smooth.

“A new year’s gift is something adults give to children, right?”

“How do you know that...”

Ryo blurted out, panicking at Abel’s calm observation.

“I’ve heard that there was such a custom during King Richard’s time.”

“Damn... King Richard... he should’ve left it more ambiguous!”

For some reason, King Richard was being blamed.

Of course, it wasn’t his fault.

“Besides, Ryo, you’re quite wealthy. You don’t need a new year’s gift, do you?”

“That’s not the point. It’s not about the amount... although a large amount would be wonderful...”

Ryo was trying to find another way to phrase it.

Abel sighed softly.

“There’s no need for me to give you money, is there?”

“No, that’s not true. This is... a custom, yes, a custom.”

“A custom?”

“Yeah. A new year’s gift is like the New Year’s rice cake money or summer ice money. Everyone gets it. Do you know about the New Year’s rice cake money or summer ice money? Bigshots have always given it out. People involved in politics all receive it.”

“...Sounds suspicious.”

“Ugh... Abel is sharp today.”

The attempt to introduce factional politics and money politics failed.

“Fine, forget the rice cake money and ice money, at least give me the new year’s gift...”

“I’ll think about it.”

Seeing Ryo’s sad face, Abel shook his head slightly and said that.

(Ah, this is a dream.... I remember giving Ryo a new year’s gift after the new year started. Though it wasn’t much. And despite being wealthy, he was so happy...)

...

......

.........

Abel woke up.

He was on a sandy beach.

In front of him was the sea.

Beside him was the usual water-attribute magician, lying on the ground.

He was lying there, but... with a very happy expression. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Mumbling in his sleep.

“Hey, Ryo, wake up.”

“...No, no more. I can’t eat any more cake. I’m full... mumble mumble.”

“You probably won’t find no cakes here, buddy.”