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As dinner time approached, more and more people gathered at our house.

Next, Pia came over. As soon as she greeted me, she dashed towards the kids, grinning widely and peering at them.

Since Se-yeon was born half a year earlier than A-yeon, she was larger in size. However, Se-yeon had only been in this world for a mere eight months.

Of course, there is a significant difference between a one-month-old and a seven-month-old. A-yeon couldn’t crawl properly yet, but Se-yeon preferred to sit up while awake. In fact, it was becoming a bit of a challenge to hold Se-yeon in one arm. The weight wasn’t too much of an issue, but she was growing larger.

“When Se-yeon was born, she was truly tiny.”

“Still small now.”

In truth, the time when she seemed fragile to the point of breaking with just a touch was behind us. Though she was still a little one, she hadn’t taken her first steps yet… but I felt confident that we could drop the term ‘newborn’ for her.

As Se-yeon, who had been sleeping, made eye contact with Pia, she reached her tiny hands forward. When Pia touched her finger to Se-yeon’s little hand, she grasped it tightly. Seeing Se-yeon’s reaction made Pia’s expression brighten even more.

“One day, this child will grow up, and we’ll be able to teach her something, right?”

“Of course.”

In response to Pia’s words, Dana cleared her throat and chimed in.

“From the moment they were born, they received my magical power. I’ll make sure they become the greatest mages.”

It seemed that both Se-yeon and A-yeon would come to travel between Irrelaysia and our world as they grew up.

To be honest, I intended to do the same. I couldn’t keep that world a secret from the kids forever.

I tried to picture what it would be like to see Se-yeon and A-yeon growing up, but imagining it wasn’t easy yet. My own childhood was spent in a small basement house in that neighborhood. It wasn’t just because we lived in an apartment that made such thoughts difficult; it was hard to imagine how children who knew about magic from birth would grow up.

Perhaps until they reach a certain age, the secrets of Irrelaysia will remain hidden from them. When the kids are old enough to keep secrets… maybe one day, just like in a story I read in my childhood, I’d show them Irrelaysia and say, “You were born with the power of magic.”

“Before that, I think it would be better to help them stop being afraid of everything first.”

“… Ah, it’s just that they’re still too small, right? Once they can handle being touched without getting hurt, then I’ll definitely talk to them, tell them various things, and teach them.”

“Looks like it’ll take a few years.”

I shot a glare at Arna at her joke.

“What’s wrong with hoping the kids don’t get hurt?”

“But still, you tend to worry too much.”

Pia showed Dana her finger. Se-yeon was still holding onto Pia’s finger tightly.

“Look, I’m this strong!”

“… Is that strong? You still can’t even hold a book properly.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

In response to Dana’s words, Pia smacked her forehead with her other hand, then took Dana’s hand.

“Ugh, wh-what are you doing…?”

It was a little amusing that Dana, startled, couldn’t even shout properly because she was worried about scaring the kids.

As Pia dragged Dana’s hand toward Se-yeon, who had extended her other hand, Se-yeon gripped Dana’s finger.

It definitely wasn’t a strong grip. Of course, it might feel strong to Se-yeon, but it wouldn’t be hard enough for an adult to shake off.

“Ah, ah…”

Dana let out a sound, then said, “I can’t… move.”

That made us all laugh.

“No, no! I’m not joking! If I move like this, Se-yeon could get hurt!”

“Then I guess we should just stay like this for a bit.”

Pia said with a nonchalant expression.

“We just have to wait until Se-yeon lets go.”

“Seriously!”

Dana whimpered, clearly feeling flustered. Anyone who saw this would think Se-yeon had broken Dana’s finger.

*

“Don’t worry. These two will become great knights.”

“I feel like I just heard something like that a moment ago.”

I smiled and replied as I watched Kalia puff out her chest and say that.

It seemed like everyone had high hopes for Se-yeon and A-yeon. But it wasn’t that the two had exhibited any exceptional talents. Sure, if they started talking at birth or walked right out of the womb… well, that would be on the level of a superhuman rather than true talent.

So, to be honest, it was too early to say that they were displaying any talent.

More than that, they were just close to us, and that’s why people said such things. If they were their own kids, they would be making similar claims too.

“I heard Dana plans to raise her to be a great mage.”

“Hmm.”

Kalia fell into thought for a moment, then replied.

“If these kids inherit your physical abilities, I’d think they’d be more suited to becoming knights.”

“What do you mean by that?”

A voice from the kitchen chimed in.

“They have to live in this world too. Magic is much more useful than swordsmanship, right?”

“There are plenty of jobs in this world that require physical strength. They could become athletes too. Wouldn’t it be better to train their physical abilities then? Besides, magic isn’t something you can use anytime.”

Both of their arguments weren’t necessarily wrong.

It wouldn’t hurt to learn magic, which can accomplish extraordinary feats without special tools, but that doesn’t mean you can use it freely in this world. Besides the issues of being caught by others, the magical energy in this world was relatively low.

When my friends first crossed here, they had to use the power of many people gathered together for miracles, and when Dana created a portal for the first time, it took a long time to make a small hole before she could use the mana stones to create a larger portal.

In emergencies, there might be times when it would be used, but other than that, it could almost be seen as a sealed power.

Of course, the kids would likely find it fascinating and want to learn about it.

I felt the same way when I first encountered it.

Considering my magical talents, wishing that the kids would reach a level of great mages like Dana would be an overestimation.

On the other hand, training physically with Kalia wouldn’t be a bad idea…

“These kids have inherited more of a soul than physicality.”

That’s right. Unlike typical children, they were born affected more by the spiritual aspect than the genetic aspect. They might grow up resembling me and my wife quite a bit. So, it was nearly impossible to assess their talents at this very moment.

“If they have inherited your soul, they will certainly become wonderful kids.”

Arna said while quietly observing the child sitting under the couch.

“Because they have the soul of a hero who saved the world.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

Hearing Kalia agree made my cheeks redden just a little.

It had been quite some time since I returned here, yet we still occasionally discussed those days. Although we hadn’t completely escaped the nightmares of that time, things had significantly improved.

In fact, most of our memories from that time were still fresh.

So, my friends still tended to overestimate me.

“Well, as you said, it’s a long way off. It makes no sense to think about such things for kids who haven’t even grown yet. But…”

Kalia said while looking at A-yeon, who was nestled in my arms.

“That’s why children are so lovable. We’ll get to see them grow up over time.”

“Exactly.”

I nodded in agreement with Kalia’s sentiments.

A brief silence filled the living room. It wasn’t heavily loaded. Just a pause amidst the conversation between friends.

And right at that moment, the sound of the door lock beeping echoed through the house.

Beep beep, click.

The sound of the door opening came, along with the footsteps of two people entering.

“Se-yeon, A-yeon, Auntie is here!”

The one who shouted as she came in was Young Miss Ga-young, still looking quite youthful.

She had a cake in her hands.

“Auntie brought you a cake she made herself!”

Of course, A-yeon and Se-yeon still couldn’t eat cake. In fact, even their first birthday wasn’t here yet, so the cake was more for us to enjoy than for them.

Young Miss Ga-young was also diligently learning the ropes of her work. I couldn’t predict what she would do in the future, but at least she was genuinely trying to help out at the bakery.

“Where’s Mom?”

My wife spoke as she entered the house.

“Not yet. She’ll be here soon.”

“I see.”

After the two arrived, the living room began to buzz with chatter once again.