“Lifelong Learning”

★ chapter one
★ chapter two
★ episode
★ voice line

chapter one

[Beryl School—Common Study Room]

Oz: Chloe is missing?

Riquet: Yes, I was with him just a minute ago. I don’t know where he could have gone.

I fear he might have run into the spirits roaming this school; he could be in danger were he to be left on his own. Please, Oz, help me look for him.

Oz: …Understood.

Male Student: —Okay, but now I have to know your secrets to make pants and shoes work well together.

Chloe: Oh, bottoms? You could start withー

Oz: What’s going on back there?

Chloe: Ah, Sir Oz…! I happened to…

Female Student: Uh-oh… I don’t like how he’s looking at us, he gives me the jeebies…

Male Student: Maybe we did something we shouldn’t have…? Whatever it is, we’re sooo toast…

Chloe: Huh? Did you say something?

Female Student: …Err, nope! Anyway, that was a fun chat; super instructive!

Male Student: Yeah, thanks for indulging us. Catch you later!

Oz & Chloe: … …

Chloe: Um…

Oz: Riquet was worried about you. He thought you might have had a bad encounter.

Chloe: Gosh, I’m so sorry, I hope he didn’t get too worked up… Although I feel like I should apologise to you too… You went out of your way to look for me.

Oz: Pay it no mind.

Chloe: Still, I’ll make sure to make it up to Riquet as soon as I see him.

Oz: …What about these youths?

Chloe: Oh, the kids just now? They had all sorts of questions about clothing, I couldn’t just turn them down!

They really liked my uniform, and even said they hadn’t seen one this chic before; their compliments were so cute! So I told them I made it myself, you know? But then that opened a whole other can of worms about sewing and fashion…

One thing led to another, I ended up giving them styling and layering advice for everyday wear!

Oz: I see.

Chloe: Speaking of sewing, I’ve heard you also made clothes before?

Oz: …Indeed, but that belongs to the past.

These clothes were mere scraps stitched together, it would hardly qualify as sewing next to your work.

Chloe: I think you’re being too harsh on yourself…! I-I mean, Arthur said he was nicely dressed back then, and he looked very proud of what you made for him when he talked to me about it…

Oz: … …

Then, how do you come up with these clothes?

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chapter two

[Beryl School—Common Study Room]

Chloe: You mean, what’s my process behind my outfits?

Oz: … …

…Forget I asked. I understand that you do not want to talk about it.

Chloe: Oh, no no, I’d be happy to! Your question just took me by surprise. Actually, you’re the last person I’d ever expect to ask for proper sewing advice!

Let me think… Before I get started with any needlework, I take into consideration who will be wearing the outfit. I visualise my ideas, and expand upon them for a first draft.

Oz: Visualisation…

Chloe: Yes! Like, what kind of fabrics would suit their complexion, or what accessories would make their features pop...

You definitely have to take into account their silhouette too! When I’m designing a set, I always aim for visual cohesion. If I want everyone to feel and look their best, I must keep in mind the outfit’s final balance in its overall shape.

Oz: … …

Chloe: The way you cut your fabric is essential in maintaining that balance. It’s probably the step I pay the most attention to. Then…

…O-Oh, gosh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realise I was rambling…

It’s just, you know, I get super excited about sewing and fashion, so I get carried away…

Oz: On the contrary… The breadth of your theoretical and technical knowledge is admirable.

Such mastery only comes through equal hard work. You have no need to guilt yourself for imparting your hard-earned expertise—you should take pride in it.

Chloe: Sir Oz, I…

Thank you, your words mean a lot. …Ehe, that totally took me by surprise, my cheeks might just burn up!

Ah! Next time you feel the itch to stitch, feel free to knock at my door!

Oz: The itch to, what…?

Chloe: To stitch! I want to contribute to your sewing journey, and help you create the perfect outfit for Arthur. So I hope you will remember your in-house seamster!

Oz: …Very well, I will. I'm certain the clothes I once imagined can be made into reality with your help.

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episode story

“Learning from Encounters”

[Wizards’ Manor–Lounge]

Akira: As the assigned mentor for the Central wizards, you’ve had more than enough opportunities to teach others. So, I was wondering…

Do you have subjects you know nothing about that you’d like to dive into? Or maybe some sort of activity you’d like to learn, was there someone to teach you in return?

Oz: Nothing in particular. However…

Akira: Yes?

Oz: However, I’m not estranged to such will. When Arthur was but a child, he begged me to cook for him, but every attempt was worse than the last.

That day, I made the decision to teach myself how to cook.

Akira: That’s inspiring…! That kind of marked the beginning of your long journey of learning with Arthur, in a way!

If I remember right, he told me that you both had to learn on your own how to clean and maintain a house together.

Oz: Arthur likes to take any and all matters into his own hands, both literally and figuratively.

Akira: Both are wonderful approaches to learning, in my opinion!

Have you picked up any other life lessons since living in the Manor?

Oz: … …

Western wizards tend to break into song and dance at the drop of a hat.

I made a rule for myself to take my leave as soon as their ruckus comes to my ears.

Akira: I-I see, that’s valid...

(Ah, the beauty of vicarious learning… There’s all sorts of lessons to take away from different individuals, after all…)

voice line

“Our Central wizards are earnest and resolute in everything they set themselves to undertake. They can go as far as deliberately invading my room, insisting that I train them until I relent. But their persistence holds merit: they have grown stronger and more capable since their first lesson. Yet, their recklessness remains unchanged.”

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