The Villainous Son Loves His Mother - Chapter 88

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I was preparing for today’s lecture in my private instructor’s room at the academy.
Several textbooks on magic theory lay open on the desk, next to a small potted plant.
I paused and gazed out the window.
Hein had seemed preoccupied with something lately. He’d been spending more time cooped up in his room, and I’d occasionally seen him asking Feri to carry things for him.
Come to think of it, Mother’s Day was approaching.
Considering how he’d been strangely asking about my preferences recently, it was obvious what he was planning.

“Which do you like better, a necklace or earrings?”

“What color do you think goes well with green?”

The memory of my son casually asking these questions, trying to sound natural, made me smile.
But I’ll keep quiet for now. He’s putting so much thought into it.
I turned my gaze back to the potted plant on the desk.
A small pot containing seeds that hadn’t even sprouted yet, intended for today’s lecture.
As I looked at it, memories of the past suddenly flooded my mind.
How many years ago was that…?

◇◆

“Mother!”

Little Hein rushed toward me and threw his arms around my waist.
His small arms wrapped tightly around me.

“Oh, what’s wrong, Hein?”

I asked with a smile, stroking his soft hair.
Hein buried his face in my dress and murmured,

“You smell like green, Mother.”

“Oh, really? I was just in the garden. Maybe the scent of the flowers and grass lingered on me.”

As I leaned down to sniff my sleeve, Hein lifted his head and shook it.

“No, that’s the scent of your Magic Power.”

“Magic Power?”

I tilted my head.
I had never imagined that Magic Power could have a scent.

“Yes. My mother’s Magic Power smells like fresh spring greenery.”

Hein said, his eyes fixed on mine.

“Mother is very good at caring for plants, isn’t she?”

Hein asked abruptly.

“Well… I’ve hardly ever let one wither. But I don’t think I’m doing anything special,”

I replied honestly.
When I look at plants, I just seem to instinctively understand what they need and respond accordingly.
Whether they need water, more sunlight, or simply a rest.
I can somehow sense these things.

“Perhaps Mother is unconsciously using Magic,”

Hein’s words made me widen my eyes in surprise.

“But I’ve never heard of such magic before—”

“My mother’s family, the Earl of Eldenbloom, has valued harmony with nature for generations. Furthermore, considering that their ancestor was an Elfen…”

Hein paused, his expression shifting as if recalling something.

“Ah, yes! You should read The Sage’s Journey in the library. It’s a folkloric work by a wandering sage named Johann Grimoire, detailing the magical talents people unconsciously use in their daily lives. It’s quite fascinating, you know.”

◇

After reading the book Hein recommended, I readily accepted that such power resided within me.
This theory of magic, considered unorthodox by the world, might have been dismissed had anyone else suggested it.
But because it came from my beloved son, I was able to believe it.
And as time passed, Hein’s words proved true.
I had indeed been unconsciously using magic to influence plants.
Lost in these memories, I was jolted back to reality by a knock on the door.

“Excuse me, Lady Helga. It’s time for your lecture.”

A staff member from the academy had come to inform me.
I rose, gathered my textbook and potted plant, and headed toward the lecture hall.

・
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・

The lecture hall was already filled with students.
In the center of the front row sat Hein, as always.
Beside him was Lady Esmeralda.
The two had been whispering, but they fell silent and turned forward as soon as I stepped onto the podium.

“Good morning, everyone. Today, I’d like to discuss the system of magic from a slightly different perspective.”

I began speaking as I placed a potted plant on the teacher’s desk.

“Magic can be classified in several ways: those that draw power from legends and anecdotes, those that borrow power by praying to higher beings, those that materialize from the collective consciousness of the masses…”

The students listened intently, their eyes fixed on me.

“And then there’s Bloodline Magic, which can only be wielded by those with specific bloodlines.”

At this, several students leaned forward.
In the Empire, Bloodline Magic is also a symbol of a privileged class.

“While Bloodline Magic is often associated exclusively with the Twelve Ducal Houses, the truth is that other noble families also possess unique magical abilities.”

I continued, scanning the faces of my students.

“However, such magic isn’t typically classified, and most of it fades away naturally. Why do you think that is?”

One student raised their hand.

“Is it because the traditions are lost?”

“That’s part of it, yes. But the main reason lies elsewhere.”

I reached out toward the potted plant.

“It’s because the mages themselves aren’t aware they’re using magic.”

A murmur rippled through the classroom.

“In magic, awareness is paramount. You must understand what you’re doing and what power you’re wielding. Only then does the magic truly become yours.”

I took a deep breath and focused my mind on the potted plant.

“My own family, the Eldenbloom Family, also possessed such power. But I myself was previously unaware of it.”

As I spoke, I gently hovered my hand over the potted plant.
As if speaking to the seed slumbering in the soil, I gently poured my magic power into it.
Awaken.
Spring has arrived.
The sunlight awaits you.
There was no incantation.
I simply willed it with my heart.
Then—

“Ah…!”

One of the students gasped softly.
The soil in the pot stirred slightly, and a tiny green sprout emerged.
The sprout rapidly grew, unfurling leaves and forming a bud.
And as the entire classroom watched, a pure white flower quietly bloomed.

“Amazing…”

“It really bloomed…”

The students’ voices of awe echoed from every corner of the room.
Feeling a surge of pride, I glanced at Hein.
To my surprise, my son was standing with his hands clasped together, as if in prayer.
His earnest expression was so comical that I couldn’t help but smile.

“As you can see, magic doesn’t always require grand incantations or complex rituals. Sometimes, simply connecting with your heart is enough.”

I said as I gently stroked the flower.

“Some of you may possess dormant talents you’re unaware of. If you find things ‘mysteriously working out’ or ‘always yielding the same results’ in your daily life, that might be unconscious magic at play.”

The lecture hall fell silent.
The students were all focused, determined not to miss a single word I said.

“However,”

I continued, slightly shifting my tone.

“Unconscious magic carries risks. Uncontrolled power can sometimes harm the mage themselves or those around them. That’s why awareness is crucial.”

Hein had unconsciously broken out of his prayer posture and was now taking notes with fervent diligence.
That child already fully understands and controls his own power.
I suppressed the urge to gently stroke Hein’s head and watched as the students diligently copied the lecture into their notebooks—all the while secretly anticipating what my beloved son would give me for Mother’s Day, which was fast approaching.