I have nothing left to teach my apprentice.

As a master, that should have been a cause for celebration.

Mana capacity. Magic output. Control. Reaction speed.

Even the forbidden magic I taught, she now handles better than I do.

Using what was taught better than the one who taught it.

—For a master, there is no greater success.

That's why I thought I would only feel a little bit lonely.

However...

Even though I have nothing left to teach, Iris still comes to me.

It's not to ask questions about magic.

It's not to consult about research.

She just brings a book and sits across from me.

She peeks at the book I'm reading.

When I make a meal, she naturally comes to sit beside me.

Whenever I'm doing something, I realize she's nearby.

Why does an apprentice who has become too strong still stay the same as the old days only in these ways?

That was the only thing I didn't understand.

And then, one day.

Iris did something rare; she closed her book on her own.

"Master."

That way of calling me hasn't changed at all since the old days.

But lately— Just that one word makes me strangely self-conscious.

"I already know most things about magic, don't I?"

"...I suppose so."

"Even though it's what I learned from you, Master."

Then, Iris smiled slightly.

"So, next, I want to know about something else."

...Something else?

"Master, you've taught me so many things."

Saying that, Iris stands up.

The same eyes as when I was teaching her magic.

The eyes of someone who wants to know what they don't know.

However—

It's different from before.

She's close.

One step.

One more step.

"So..."

There should be no reason to run, yet for some reason, I want to step back.

Then, she placed her hand right next to me.

"This time—"

"I want you to teach me something other than magic."

In that moment.

I finally realized.

This girl isn't looking for "something she wants to be taught."

She wants to keep a reason to be taught by me.

If it's magic, she no longer needs it.

As for strength, she surpassed me long ago.

Even so.

She wants to be my apprentice.

She wants to be by my side.

—Then.

What on earth is this "something other than magic" she wants me to teach her?

Iris looks at me as if urging for an answer.

"Master?"

And then, she smiled just a little.

"...What are you going to teach me♡?"