Prologue

Prologue

This is bad, this is bad, this is bad. This is a very serious situation.

Now that the Demon King had been successfully defeated and a banquet was being held at the royal palace, I was in a very difficult situation. Why? Because... the research team from the royal capital had brought that wand with them.

I looked around.

Gold and white curtains hang from the high ceiling.

The nobles are drinking together and the soldiers are singing songs of celebration.

I, a wizard and member of the hero's party, was sitting in the corner of the feast, nibbling at the fruit on my plate, but...

At a long, gold-rimmed table set up in the center, like the seat of honor at a wedding, my friends were enjoying the feast in their own way.

The princess said, "Today there's no rules. You have a drink too," as she poured sake into the hero's cup. The swordsman, who had apparently already had his glass poured, silently raised his glass towards them.

The hero looked around in a panic, and sent me a look as if asking for help. "Help me!" I could tell.

The princess was also drawn in, turning her gaze towards me and smiling gently. That gentle smile felt like chains binding me for just that moment.

"Yes, I must pour some for her too. She really helped us out on our journey."

"But she can't drink alcohol. Give her grape juice...huh? What is it?"

The hero's voice broke.

The research team whispered something to the king, and a murmur of some kind spread like a wave.

I could see an invisible crack running through the gorgeous gold and white venue.

Then, the king, who seemed to be looking around for someone, caught my eye and stared at me.

Those eyes were as if they were looking at something "foreign."

Shit.

This is bad, this is bad, this is bad.

...Definitely so bad!!!

Sorry hero, I don't have time for that right now...!

I desperately tried to hide the trembling in my hands. My fingers poked at the fruit with no strength.

So why was that walking-stick-like wand I was using so bad? The answer was simply in a secret I had.

I am a long-lived species. What is a long-lived species? There are very few of them, but as the name suggests, they are a race with extremely long lifespans. They look the same as humans. I myself have already lived for about 5,000 years. By the way, my appearance hasn't changed, and I still have the appearance of a young girl. I can stretch and shrink a little, so even the hero who has been with me since childhood has never suspected anything. The fact that I am a long-lived species is a secret to everyone.

Why do I keep the fact that I'm a long-lived species a secret? In short, it's because I was almost dissected. I once revealed my long-lived species to only my close companions. They were still kind to me, but their family and subordinates... well... they tried to dissect me, and it turned into a messy dispute... I guess that's what they call family discord. I'm sorry. Ever since that happened, I've kept my species a secret.

I met the hero as an ordinary village girl. As I was playing in the river as a little girl, the hero came running up to me. Incidentally, the reason I was in the little girl version was because I felt it would be embarrassing to be in my normal girl version when building a crab farm by the river.

Now, that wand is my partner. It was made for me by a former friend who was a great wizard. He may now be called something scary like "The Left Arm of Calamity," but to me he's just a friendly old man.

The effect of that wand, simply put, is that it "consumes user lifespan to use magic." If it glows yellow, it consumes one month of your lifespan, if it glows blue, it consumes one year of your lifespan, and if it glows red, it consumes five years of user lifespan, but in exchange, you can use incredibly powerful magic. Easy to understand! It's perfect for me. Because, although I have a long lifespan, I have no power and can't use magic.

Of course, I understand the problem with that wand. For example, let's say I used the red glow spell 100 times. That would mean my lifespan would be at least 500 years. So, I calculated it carefully and used it in a way that would keep it to around 80 years... I think...! Right? Please...!

But the king and the research team just stared at me. Their eyes were clearly looking at something abnormal. To be honest, I'm not that smart. I even forgot my own name after secluding myself deep in the mountains for about 50 years. During the battle, I tried my best to count in my head how many times I'd used it, but I found myself using it continuously towards the end, so to be honest, I wasn't too confident.

My heart is pounding. No, it's more than just pounding.

The brain is screaming.

Run away.

...This is bad. They're trying to tell the hero something...! Unable to bear the tension, I ran over to them, snatched the wand, and used teleportation magic to escape. I regret it now. By the way, the light was blue.

Well, to be honest, I had expected this situation when my wand was taken. Some people had figured it out during our journey. So I left a message for my companions this time. I'm good at this. The records should also prove that my calculations were correct. There's no need to worry too much.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

--In the middle of the celebration, she suddenly took off running.

Everyone was raising their glasses, reveling in the victory and peace, but in the middle of it all, the young wizard girl was visibly pale.

The hero noticed and stood up to speak to her in concern.

She ran over to the research team waiting beside the throne—

She stole the wand.

A murmur ran through the hall.

The king, princess, and swordsman all stood there in confusion, unable to understand what had happened.

"Oi, hey...! What's wrong, all of a sudden――!"

As the hero took a step forward, the young wizard turned around, clutching the wand she had stolen tightly in her arms.

She was a normal girl, smiling with a somewhat troubled expression as usual. However, she also looked a little lonely.

"...I did the calculations, but..."

With that last muttered voice, a blue light enveloped her and she disappeared in a flash.

Nobody could do anything.

She was no longer there.

All that was left were the wandering gazes of the researchers and the traces of blue light from her teleportation.

...

.....

.......

The excitement of the celebration vanished as if it had never happened.

Immediately afterwards, a small meeting room was set up in the royal palace. Behind the heavy doors, the hero, princess, and swordsman were summoned.

The members of the research team directly under king were gathered there.

In the center of the room stood a replica of the wand, cold, black, and somehow sinister, standing silently.

"This is a copy of the wand used by that girl - the Wizard."

One of the researchers quietly spoke.

“The real thing no longer exists, as she took it with her when she teleported. By royal order, we had temporarily collected the equipment in preparation for the ‘Heroes Memorial Exhibition’ after the war. …I think that may have ultimately led to her realizing it.”

The princess frowned at the painful way he spoke. The hero leaned forward and asked, interrupting her.

"...What is that wand? What did it do to her?"

The researcher chose his words carefully, but answered straightforwardly.

"The wand is designed so that in exchange for casting magic, it consumes the user's 'lifespan' as a price."

For a moment, time stopped.

Even though there is no wind in the room, they all can hear the sound of the curtains.

"Lifespan...? That means..."

"It's the time you can live. Unlike magical energy, it can't be stored or regenerated; it's the absolute remaining amount of your life that you have to pay as the price."

"...You're kidding..."

The hero muttered, still in a daze.

The swordsman clenched his fist tightly without saying a word.

The princess took a breath and then asked in a trembling voice.

"...How much did it consume?"

The researcher took out a recording sheet at hand and read it out loud in a monotone voice.

"We have confirmed that the wands will glow when in use. It appears that each color has a different lifespan cost... According to our analysis, yellow is about one month, blue is about one year, and red is about five years."

"...No way..."

The princess's voice rasped in the back of her throat.

"According to records, the Wizard used red nine times, blue 27 times, and yellow countless times during our travels."

"In total... eighty-two years and six months. That much time has been lost in terms of lifespan."

With a thud, the hero collapsed into his chair. His face was blank, as if no emotion had been generated. He put his hand to his forehead.

"Don't mess with me...! Why is it such an important thing..."

"Is it impossible to restore the lifespan that has been lost?"

The princess approached the researcher, almost screaming, but he gently shook his head.

"There is no way to regain lost lifespan..."

"Why...? Why didn't she tell me..."

The princess muttered, biting her lip.

"We were together so many times... that girl was smiling... but I was always felt "healed" by her... I wonder what she was thinking when she was smiling..."

"I... I said to him lightly, 'Don't talk to me again'..."

The swordsman's low voice quietly shook the air. His voice, which was usually calm, was now tinged with great agitation.

"We must have noticed. Her wand would always glow with every spell. The color indicated something... but we didn't pay it any attention."

The hero clenched his fists and bowed his face to the desk.

"She was always smiling. That's why... that's why... we thought everything was fine..."

"'Don't worry about me' .... that's what she always said. I should've known, that girl...."

The princess muttered, tears falling like rain. During their arduous journey to defeat the Demon King, this was the first time her companions had seen the princess cry. The princess looked down, and her smile at that moment was burned into her memory.

One of the research team members gently handed them a small diary covered in cloth with a small floral pattern.

"...This was found in her luggage."

The hero reaches out his hand.

His fingertips were trembling just a little.

Both the princess and the swordsman held their breath and leaned forward quietly.

There were no words on the cover, only a soft texture that suggested it had been opened and closed many times during its long journey.

The hero slowly opened the cover.

On the first page, round, soft letters spell out:

"When I set out on my journey, I decided to keep a record.

As long as I use this wand, I think it's necessary to keep a record of the number of times I use magic and its color.

My useful lifespan is probably about 80 years.

Apparently people live that long.

Therefore, I have set the limit at 80 years."

Although they didn't say anything out loud, the breathing of the three of them visibly stopped.

"80 years..."

The princess muttered, her lips trembling.

"From the beginning..."

The hero turned to the next page with a stunned look on his face.

There, calmly and matter-of-factly, lay the records of magic. Records that the wizard hadn't shown to anyone during her journey.

The princess gently picked it up and turned the pages with trembling fingers.

"That child, she really understood so much..."

On the edge of the page is the date, the color of magic used, and the number of times it was used.

The letters were written carefully and meticulously - lined up quietly, as if they were her life itself.

•

"Travel Record"

Month/Day

Before I set off on my trip, I decided to keep a record.

As long as I use this wand, I think it's necessary to keep a record of the number of times I use magic and its color.

My useful lifespan is probably about 80 years.

Apparently, people live that long, so I'll set my limit at 80 years old.

Also, why does the hero continue to treat me like a child no matter how much time passes? Maybe it's because I'm weak, so he wants to protect me. Like an older brother protecting his younger sister.

Well, actually, I'm a little older than him (!!), so I just speak in a childish way so as not to ruin his image, but...to be honest, it's embarrassing.

•

△ month ○ day

First battle. 1 yellow. 1 month worth.

I laughed when the hero jumped up and down saying "Awesome!"

It's like... I can't really explain it, but I felt like I was helpful.

This page is fine.

•

△ month △ day

The hero dropped his breakfast bread and screamed, "Whoa! Butter's down!"

For some reason, I found myself laughing too... and rewinding time with yellow glow.

I felt it was a waste to spend a month on just bread, but he seemed happy so it was fine.

The cost performance of a smile is good.

•

△ month ◎ day

At the hot spring inn. At night, the princess said the water was lukewarm, so I secretly used magic to warm it up. Yellow 1 time.

The princess said, "The bath was nice." She didn't say anything else, but maybe she didn't notice. That's probably for the best.

•

△ Month ◇ Day

The swordsman muttered "I wish I could have seen the stars" at night, so I used a spell to disperse the clouds. Yellow 1 time.

He didn't say anything, but just looked up at the sky for a while.

I kind of like that kind of thing.

•

△ Month ◆ Day

The princess almost fell. She twisted her ankle, so I immediately used healing magic. 1 yellow.

The princess simply said, "That was quick." I took it as a compliment.

•

◇Month◇Day

During battle, a wide-area barrier is cast on all allies. Blue once.

Added recovery magic. Yellow twice.

A soldier returning from the front line bowed deeply.

I think I was able to provide efficient support. There is still room for improvement.

•

☆ Month ◇ Day

The battle to defend the royal castle. It was a fairly large battle. A lot of monsters came.

I was a little sleepy because I had been fighting all night.

Four reds, five blues, and many yellows. A total of about 30 years worth.

After the battle, I was told, "If it weren't for that girl, the royal capital would have been finished." I felt a little embarrassed.

•

•

•

•

◆Month♢Day

The battle against the Demon King. The final battle. I gave it my all.

But I'm really glad we were able to win.

After the war, the total number of lifespans consumed was recalculated.

It was roughly 80 and a half years. It probably summed up around 80 years! Yay!

I'm glad I was able to help everyone. It was so, so much fun.

•

On the edge of the page was a small note that read, "Let's not let anyone find out!", and at the end of it was a round, embarrassed-looking emoticon.

"...I guess she was trying not to be noticed.."

The hero's voice rasped in the back of his throat.

"She's always been so kind..."

The princess was holding her hands over her eyes again.

"..."

The swordsman remained silent and bit his lip.

"So that no one would notice. So that no one would know anything. I just wanted to help everyone.

I just want to laugh with everyone."

For that reason alone, she offered up her lifespan, her very existence.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

The hero's murmur echoed particularly quietly.

No one looked up.

All that remained there was the words in the diary and the smile of the wizard from that day.

And then, without anyone raising a voice...

Quietly, gently, the diary page was closed.

A small diary on the desk.

It was the last gift that was never given to anyone.

The hero, stunned, recalls the beginning of his journey. The day he and that girl left their hometown. At the time, he never imagined that such an end would await them.

When she disappeared, no one got to hear the reason why she was smiling.

--There was no answer. Only silence reigned.

...And so, this little journey ended without anyone knowing.

Those footprints, which should have been forgotten, suddenly begin to be told in someone's imagination one day.

Yes, somewhere in another world - like tracing the depths of someone's memory, or the continuation of a dream. Their journey is told just once more.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

--Scheduled to air in spring 202X, this gentle and slightly mysterious fantasy adventure!

It was announced today that a new original TV anime, "The Runaway Wizard," will be produced. The director will be Shinichi Kano, known for "Sleeping Beauty in July," and the animation will be produced by Studio Rocca. The series is scheduled to air in the spring of 202X.

This heartwarming fantasy follows a short journey around the world. The protagonist is a slightly airheaded and energetic young wizard. Together with her traveling companions, she helps people, makes flowers bloom, and creates small miracles wherever she goes as the hero faces off against the Demon King.

The teaser visual shows a girl smiling while looking up at the sky in a flower field, and the impression is of a "worldview that seems to be enveloped in kindness." The ephemeral light and pale colors speak to the quiet charm of the work.

"A story like someone's dream, somewhere in the world" -- quoted from the official website

Details about the cast and story will have to wait for further announcements, but attention is already being drawn to the style of the work, which seems to float somewhere between slice-of-life and fantasy.

The teaser also shows the wizard girl's wand and the silhouettes of her companions traveling with her, and many are saying that it looks like it will be a gentle and lively story.

What will she see at the end of this journey filled with kindness? Look forward to watching it.