Chapter 107

“………”

Reflecting on the conversation about the trip that Gazelle and Felix had with me a month ago, I vividly recalled my own shortcomings and fell into a bit of self-loathing. I slumped dejectedly in front of the mirror. Incidentally, it turns out there is indeed a paid leave system. Lucky that the Black Wing Knights are such a white company! Even though it’s a workplace where one occasionally faces life-threatening situations! But let’s put the matter of paid leave aside for now.

“Uh… After that, Gazelle and Felix brought me a magic potion that changes appearance. They said it was a ‘potion to change the color of hair and eyes for ten days,’ so I tried drinking it, but…”

I looked at my reflection in the mirror again. …According to what I heard earlier, the magic potion that Gazelle and Felix brought should change my hair and eyes to a light brown color. But no matter how I look at it, the reflection in the mirror still shows me with black hair and black eyes. Moreover, it’s my younger self. Does this mean I’ve become five or six years younger?

“Why did this happen!? Did I mess up the dosage? Was I supposed to take it with food?”

In a panic, I picked up the empty bottle of the magic potion from the washstand to check it. However, there was nothing written on the glass bottle. In fact, there wasn’t even a label of any kind. Hmm…? I only remember Gazelle and Felix telling me to finish the entire bottle. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to have those adolescent fantasies about having silver hair and heterochromic eyes, thinking it would give me a strong character vibe…

“――Takumi, how is it? Are you okay?”

Startled by the voice, I looked up. Gazelle and Felix were waiting for me in the living room. After taking the magic potion, I went to the utility room next to the bathroom to see the changes in myself. Gazelle’s voice, echoing from the living room, sounded somewhat worried since I was taking longer than expected.

“I’m fine, I’ll be there soon.”

I replied reflexively, not wanting to worry Gazelle. But in reality, the situation was far from okay.

“…But, well, maybe my hair and eyes will change color later… and my body might return to normal…”

I muttered to myself while folding the sleeves of my oversized shirt and the hem of my pants. Right, there might be side effects of the magic potion that I’m not aware of! Maybe it first turns you younger, and then changes the color of your hair and eyes… Like how some allergy medicines make you drowsy as a side effect. It’s not too far-fetched to think that reverting to a younger appearance could be a common side effect.

Anyway, I can’t keep zoning out in front of the mirror forever. The trip starts tomorrow, and there’s so much to prepare for today.

“Alright! Then, let’s go show Gazelle and Felix!”

◆

“……………………”

“……………………”

I returned to the living room, uplifted, only to be greeted by Gazelle and Felix’s speechlessness.

Ah… I guess that’s the expected reaction…

“……….eh? Um, Takumi, is that you…?”

“Wa―wait a minute. What’s going on? What does this mean?”

After a prolonged silence, they hesitantly asked with faces full of confusion and surprise. Both of them scrutinized me from head to toe, standing at the entrance of the living room. I stroked my chin thoughtfully and nodded.

“It seems this form of mine was unexpected for both of you. I thought this was just how magic potions worked.”

“Why are you so calm about this!?”

“Come on, Takumi. Aren’t you shocked or panicking or something?”

Well, I was really shocked at first. When I saw my current form alone earlier, I was quite panicked. But seeing both of them more surprised than I expected somehow made me calmer.

“Of course I’m surprised. At first, I thought it was a side effect of the magic potion… But seeing your reactions, it seems that’s not the case.”

“So why are you so calm about it?”

“Takumi, how can you stay so composed…?”

Both still wearing expressions of bewilderment. Hmmm… If my transformation was unexpected for them, then either I took the potion wrong, or there might be something wrong with the potion itself.

“Did I take the potion incorrectly?”

“No, that’s not it. You just had to drink it… Damn, this is not good. Felix, sorry, but can you contact the lab for me?”

“Yes, I’ll go right away!”

―And so, Gazelle and Felix quickly contacted the source from which they had arranged the magic potion. This potion was obtained through Gazelle and Felix’s connections from the National Magic Potion Research Institute in Ritzheim City. Potions that change one’s appearance are not usually available on the market because of the risk of criminal misuse. Naturally, ordinary people can’t purchase magic potions from the institute. However, this time, due to Gazelle and Felix’s positions as the commander and deputy commander of the Black Wing Knights and their track record, they were able to procure the potion on special terms… but…

“――The wrong potion was delivered!?”

The dignitary from the National Magic Potion Research Institute rushed to our house upon receiving the call. He bowed repeatedly and explained the situation, which was surprisingly straightforward.

“I’m terribly sorry! A staff error caused this inconvenience, and I don’t know how to apologize enough!”

Apparently, the institute was concocting two types of magic potions at the time. The “potion to change hair and eye color” that Gazelle and Felix had ordered, and another “temporary youth-restoring potion” someone else had requested. However, it seems the destinations for these potions got mixed up somehow. The other party also took their potion immediately upon receiving it, and around the same time, they contacted the institute with their inquiry.

“Sigh… Well, no need for such grand apologies. All we need is the correct potion and a way to restore Takumi’s appearance. There’s a reversal potion, right?”

Gazelle sighed deeply and shrugged his shoulders. However, the institute’s dignitary suddenly fell silent.

“What’s going on? Why are you not saying anything?”

“Well, that’s because…”

The dignitary from the institute continued to explain haltingly, wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

“The new magic potion, as well as its reversal potion, require very rare ingredients… It would take more than a day or two to concoct them…”

“Wait, don’t tell me…”

“I’m terribly sorry! Before coming here, I had already delivered the correct potion and the ‘reversal potion’ to the other customer… That was our last reversal potion! And it would take at least ten days to prepare a new ‘hair and eye color change potion’… I am so sorry!”

The dignitary of the institute collapsed to the floor in apology. Gazelle seemed stunned for a moment, but then looked at him with an unexpectedly cold gaze.

“So, what are you saying? We can’t get the potion we ordered, and we can’t reverse Takumi’s transformation either. We just have to wait for the effects of the magic potion to wear off naturally… Is that it?”

“That’s… exactly right, I am truly sorry…”

The dignitary shrunk and trembled on the floor. I felt unbearable and quickly turned to Gazelle, but he didn’t seem to notice. Therefore, I looked up at Felix, standing beside me, seeking help. However, Felix was looking down at the dignitary with an even colder gaze than Gazelle.

“I’m appalled. I’ve heard the saying that even the best medicine becomes poison in the hands of a fool, and this seems to be a prime example.”

“I am so sorry…”

The dignitary was reduced to repeating apologies! After a moment of hesitation, I spoke up, trying to calm Gazelle and Felix’s anger.

“Gazelle, Felix, please don’t be so angry. I don’t mind, as long as they make efforts to prevent this from happening again.”

“Takumi… But you were looking forward to the trip so much.”

Huh? Of course, I’m really excited about the trip starting tomorrow. Aren’t you, Gazel? Yet, why does Gazelle sound as if the trip is now canceled?

“Of course, I’m looking forward to it. Well, this situation adds a rather irregular element… but maybe this form will attract less attention than when I’m an adult.”

“You’re planning to go in that form?”

“That’s right. It will take ten days to prepare the correct potion, right? We’ve arranged for all three of us to have time off. It would be a waste to cancel it over something like this.”

“But, ‘something like this’… This is a pretty incredible situation, you know.”

Well, I was indeed shocked when I first turned into this form… But I don’t want to cancel our long-awaited trip because of it. Plus, if the adult me was to romp around the travel destination shouting “Yay! Yay!” I’d stand out in a bad way, but this form might not attract as much attention. That means I can enjoy myself without any reservations.

“Anyway, I was thinking we couldn’t always rely on Gazelle and Felix to arrange magic potions for every trip. So, let’s take this as a good experience and a test for the next time.”

“Sigh. If Takumi is insisting that much, then fine.”

Gazelle gave a wry smile. It seems he’s decided to end his scolding of the dignitary. Then, I looked up at Felix. He too, upon meeting my gaze, smiled and said, “If Takumi says so, then we have no choice.” I thought Felix had calmed down, but then he immediately turned a cold gaze back to the dignitary.

“However―this time it was a personal matter, so it’s fine. But if this had been related to a mission of the Black-winged Knights, it would have been a serious issue. Please, make sure such mistakes don’t happen again in the future. Don’t take Takumi’s kindness for granted.”

“Ah… Thank you! Thank you so much, Takumi-sama! Of course, we will ensure that such a thing never happens again!”

The dignitary, relieved, raised his face with tears streaming down, bowing repeatedly to Gazelle, Felix, and me. He looked as if he had just had his plea for mercy granted. Well, maybe that’s close to how he felt. Gazelle and Felix were pretty intimidating earlier…

Well, whatever it is, I’m glad our long-awaited trip isn’t canceled. Now, I just need to pack my travel bag… Oh!?

I just realized… now that I’ve shrunk in size, I don’t have a single piece of clothing that fits!

This is not the time to stand around! I need to go shopping now!?