Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Long-Awaited Rain
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Whether it was excitement or just his personality,
he seemed to not be listening to a word I said, drawing a sigh from me unbidden.
“Thank you for the kind words, but I must politely decline. I am the head of the Deharm family and also a vice-count serving under His Excellency the Count.”
“I see. I apologize for making such an impertinent proposal.”
“There’s no need to apologize.”
With a wry smile, I chatted idly with Roilen as we arrived at the front garden.
There, imperial palace mages clad in robes embroidered with golden threads stood waiting. Roilen called them over and unfurled the magic scroll I had handed him.
“This is the artificial rainfall magic completed by Viscount Theorad. We’ve confirmed there are no errors, so let’s proceed with an on-site manifestation test immediately. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”
Ha. The imperial mages exchanged glances, murmuring in feigned surprise before nodding and returning to their positions.
The palace mages drew wands from their robes and began chanting spells. Circuits, symbols, and runes for the artificial rainfall magic etched themselves sequentially onto the lawn.
Among them, the youngest-looking mage pulled mana stones from his bag and placed them one by one atop the magic circle’s runes.
The odd thing was, even though telekinesis magic would make it effortless, he was running across the wide lawn, placing the stones by hand.
Puzzled, I glanced at Roilen.
“Why is he doing that?”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“The mana stones.”
“Ah. It’s a stabilization process to prevent the mana infused in the magic circle from volatilizing into the air during manifestation...”
“I know that. I’m asking why that mage is placing them by hand instead of using magic.”
“Ah, right. Well...”
Roilen scratched his cheek awkwardly, smiling sheepishly.
“The kid’s a newbie. They say rookies aren’t allowed to use magic in front of their seniors until they shed the ‘newbie’ label.”
“Absurd.”
“It’s a tradition that needs to go. I’ve suggested it a few times, but no sign of change.”
Tsk tsk. As Roilen clicked his tongue, a distant palace mage raised his hand and waved. It meant preparations were complete—time to start the manifestation.
Roilen nodded, drew his wand from his robe, and stepped forward. Then, as if remembering something, he turned back to me.
“No need for an umbrella? If the magic succeeds, it’ll rain, you know.”
“If it succeeds, would an umbrella be the issue?”
“Fair point.”
Roilen grinned and joined the palace mages. They exchanged words I couldn’t follow before aligning their wands at the center of the magic circle and beginning their incantation.
Woooong—
A brilliant light gathered at the wand tips, and the magic circle’s center flared brightly.
The pure white light shimmering stereoscopically at the center exploded outward along the circuits in an instant. The incantation accelerated, splitting several circuits into dozens that spiderwebbed out.
Seizing the moment, the decorative symbols at the circle’s edge glowed in a rainbow of colors, amplifying the circuits’ power.
Finally, the seventeen runes blazed radiantly, drawing the ambient mana from the sky and condensing it at the center.
The palace mages and Roilen thrust their wands skyward without missing a beat. The final incantation rang out, and in the suddenly hushed world, an explosion erupted.
Kwaaaaaang—!
“Ugh!”
The blast, accompanied by a gale, shot upward in a column.
Black smoke billowed skyward with tremendous force, spreading like ink upon reaching the heavens. In moments, it blanketed the clear sky, turning into storm clouds that dominated the horizon.
And then.
Plip—
A shallow raindrop hit my palm and trickled down.
Success or failure? We—the palace mages who’d finished the manifestation, Roilen, and I—gazed up at the sky with mixed emotions.
As if rewarding our anticipation, thick raindrops began pouring over the estate.
Shwaaaaa—
The range wasn’t limited to the mansion grounds. Rain fell across the entire world visible to the eye.
“Ah.”
My body soaked through with rainwater, yet I felt no discomfort. A world of falling rain—a melancholic scene that struck me like a masterpiece painting.
“Father.”
Everyone had said it was impossible.
Your magic held only foolish ideals.
The concept itself was flawed; it could never be completed.
Stop wasting time and research something else.
The imperial personnel who’d come to “assist” with the research only hurled criticisms at the young me.
My father, seeing me dejected, comforted me with booming laughter.
—Even if others doubt you, never doubt yourself! I believe in my son! This magic will one day be complete and humble those imperial snobs! So don’t give up—keep at it. With your father by your side.
After all these years, today proved it.
That foolish ideals can sometimes become reality.
‘Father. At last, the dream we shared has come true.’
No more famines from drought.
No more conflicts born of drought.
No more fights over water, no more wars sparked by shortages.
The world would grow a little more beautiful.
This rain would veil the tears flowing from the eyes of the common folk.
“Ahahaha!”
Laughter burst from my lips as my thoughts concluded.
So overjoyed, I cared nothing for decorum.
I simply threw my arms skyward and laughed as if to show the world.
Loud enough for my late father in heaven to hear.
*
“It... actually worked.”
Baynen let out a hollow breath, hand resting on his sword’s pommel. The raindrops pattering on his armor felt strangely alien today.
“Sniff, heuk. The Family Head has finally...”
Beside him, Havrid—who’d finished tidying the reception room—dabbed at his tears with a handkerchief.
“Khung!”
No, now he was wiping snot too.
To Havrid’s right, the elf held an umbrella over Theorad, but something seemed off.
‘...Did she fight with the old man?’
She’d tilted the umbrella rightward, leaving Havrid’s left shoulder drenched. It screamed intent.
Lost in emotion, Havrid hadn’t noticed.
Not inclined to point it out, Baynen ignored her and stared.
“Hey. Heard you behaved today and did good work? What’s up with you?”
Her ears twitched at his casual tone. Without turning, the elf replied.
“Bread gets boring if it’s all you eat. So sometimes...”
A strange smile played on her lips as she gazed at Theorad.
“...you need some fruit too.”
What the hell? He’d complimented her, and she spouted nonsense. Nothing to say to that.
Baynen shrugged and turned to Theorad. Seeing him so joyful brought an involuntary smile to his face.
He hadn’t smiled so innocently since his father passed.
Was completing the magic that joyful?
“The young master looks good.”
Whatever the case, seeing Theorad happy warmed a corner of his heart.
The rain continued for about five more minutes before stopping.
It wasn’t a magical limit. They’d only injected a small amount of mana to test if manifestation was possible.
“Impressive. I didn’t expect success on the first try.”
Roilen shook rainwater from his hair, murmuring in admiration.
I felt the same, so I had nothing to add. How could I have known the elf would repair the magic circle so precisely?
Roilen seemed to interpret my silence as ‘genius arrogance,’ chuckling heartily.
“His Imperial Majesty and Her Highness the Princess will be thrilled, no doubt. I’ll put in a good word, so don’t worry about the compensation.”
“I appreciate it.”
“I’m the grateful one. Honestly, I thought I’d return empty-handed, but who knew we’d succeed with a large-scale magic like this? I’m one lucky bastard.”
Roilen flashed a friendly smile and pocketed his wand.
“My duties as inspector are done, so I should head out. It’d be a nuisance to linger at the estate. Oh! The refreshments were delicious. The chocolate especially—top-notch. Balgium mountain chocolate is rare even in the capital.”
“We keep a stock for esteemed guests. If you’d like, I can have one wrapped for you.”
“Haha, thanks, but no. I don’t want to earn the ire of the Deharm family or Viscount Theorad.”
Roilen lifted the corner of his mouth innocently and extended his hand.
“Then we’ll be off. It was a great honor to meet you.”
I clasped his hand and shook it lightly.
“Likewise, Professor Roilen.”
“Hope we meet again.”
A meaningful remark. With a final bow, Roilen turned and departed.
The palace mages offered their courteous farewells and followed him out of the estate.
In the now-quiet world, I heard faint footsteps approaching from behind. Turning, I saw the elf standing with hands clasped demurely, eyes downcast.
“Master. Um...”
Her face, usually intimidating, looked especially beautiful and endearing today. Grabbing her shoulders, I joyfully intoned.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, my father’s and my rain wish came true. I apologize for slapping your cheek in the study before. And if there’s anything you want, just—”
“Master.”
The elf cut me off, shadow crossing her face. Her red eyes dulled to gray, staring intensely—almost murderously, if exaggerated.
“I don’t understand a word of what Master is saying.”
“Uh, um...”