Even Incompetent, Specially Because It's You (4)
The path to the mansion's front courtyard. Roilen's mouth never stopped the entire way down the corridor.
"I'm genuinely astonished. To achieve such tremendous progress in just three years! Even the flying professors at the magic tower couldn't reach this level. Ah, including myself."
"Three years isn't exactly 'just,' is it?"
"When the research progress is this monstrous, 'just' fits perfectly in this case. I'm not making a fuss for no reason. And yet you're so humble despite these accomplishments. Well, well. It seems true that a genius who doesn't receive the world's acclaim doesn't realize they're a genius."
It pricked at my conscience. I wanted to tell him that the elf I'd just spoken with had tweaked my magic circle. But bound by our impossible relationship, I kept my mouth shut. Roilen continued, lost in his grand misconception.
"It's a bit unexpected, though. With the current emperor pushing radical policies day after day, the empire's mages have no choice but to advance in that direction, right?"
He seemed to be waiting for a response, so I nodded.
"His Majesty the Emperor wants to eradicate all the world's injustices."
"Indeed. I looked into some ancient texts on that—they say there was a time when all peoples and all demons trembled under the Esteban Empire. It seems His Majesty was deeply inspired by it."
"Do you know His Majesty?"
I probed lightly, and Roilen smiled with his eyes.
"Not that well. I only saw His Majesty's face a few times as a military advisor long ago. But the impression... well, it felt like he fervently believes that recreating the old glory will straighten out the people's wavering hearts."
"That sounds odd. The empire has no need to follow in the footsteps of the past. It still reigns over the continent as the empire."
"Ah, of course. That was just my personal thought. As someone who loves this country and has sworn loyalty to His Majesty, I'm merely voicing a humble opinion."
I gave him a displeased look, and Roilen shrugged.
"The conversation veered off track. To get to the point: in the current empire's trend of pursuing lethal magic, for Viscount Theorad Deharm to declare he'll research artificial rainfall magic all on his own is truly remarkable."
As Roilen said, in the current empire, declaring research on lethal magic brings more support from the imperial court. Completing such magic yields double the rewards compared to others. In this era, it's taken as a given that pursuing lethal magic builds the achievements needed to advance in the capital.
That didn't mean everyone had to follow the trend.
"It's not that impressive."
I was one of those who couldn't conform to the times. It was a chronic condition. The thought of someone getting hurt by my magic made it impossible to even consider researching lethal spells. So after much deliberation, I settled on artificial rainfall magic. If I was going to do this, I wanted my magic to bring happiness to as many people as possible.
Once I dove in, my skills couldn't keep up, leading to countless frustrations...
"Not impressive?"
Roilen seemed to interpret my words differently, stroking his chin with a serious expression.
"To diagram this magic so perfectly close to completion and call it unimpressive—what level have you reached? I can't even fathom it."
"No, that's not what I meant..."
"Have you ever considered teaching as a professor at the magic tower? Someone of Viscount Theorad's caliber could impart so much knowledge to the students."
Whether from excitement or his nature, he wasn't listening at all. I couldn't help but sigh.
"Thank you, but I'll politely decline. As head of the Deharm family and a sub-viscount serving Count Leoberg, after all."
"I see. I apologize for overstepping."
"No need for apologies."
I gave a wry smile and chatted idly with Roilen until we reached the front courtyard. There, imperial palace mages in robes embroidered with golden thread awaited. Roilen called them over and unfurled the magic paper I'd handed him.
"This is the artificial rainfall magic completed by Viscount Theorad. We've confirmed no errors, so proceed with the on-site manifestation test immediately. Everyone, prepare."
Huh. The imperial mages exchanged surprised glances and murmurs, then nodded and returned to their positions. They drew wands from their robes and chanted spells, etching the circuits, symbols, and patterns of the artificial rainfall magic onto the lawn one by one.
The youngest-looking mage pulled mana stones from his bag and placed them atop the patterns. The odd thing was, he could've used telekinesis magic for ease, but instead he ran across the wide lawn, placing them 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 mana embedded in the magic circle from volatilizing into the air during manifestation..."
"I know that. I meant why that mage is placing them by hand."
"Ah, right. Well..."
Roilen scratched his cheek awkwardly, smiling sheepishly.
"He's a newbie. They say rookies aren't allowed to use magic casually in front of seniors until they've shed the 'newbie' label."
"That's absurd."
"An outdated custom that should be gone. I've suggested removing it a few times, but no sign of change."
Tsk tsk. As Roilen clicked his tongue, a distant imperial mage raised a hand and waved. Preparation complete—time to start manifestation.
Roilen nodded, drew his wand, 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."
"If it succeeds, an umbrella won't be the issue."
"True enough."
Roilen grinned and joined the imperial mages. They exchanged words I couldn't follow, aligned their wands at the circle's center, and began chanting.
Woooong— Bright light gathered at the wand tips, and the magic circle's center glowed brilliantly. The shimmering white light at the core surged like an explosion along the circuits. The chant accelerated, circuits splitting from several to dozens like a spiderweb. The decorative symbols at the edges flared in multicolored lights, amplifying the power. Finally, the seventeen patterns blazed, condensing the ambient mana toward the center.
The imperial mages and Roilen thrust their wands skyward at that precise moment. The final chant rang out, and in the hushed world, an explosion erupted.
Kwaaaaaang—!
"Ugh!"
A wind-accompanied blast shot upward like a dragon's breath. Black smoke billowed fiercely, spreading like ink across the sky. In an instant, it blanketed the clear blue, turning into thunderclouds that dominated the horizon.
And then.
Plip— A shallow droplet hit my palm and trickled down.
Success or failure? We—the imperial mages, Roilen, and I—gazed up with mixed emotions.
Then, as if rewarding our hopes, thick raindrops began pouring over the estate.
Shooooaaa— Not limited to the mansion grounds. Rain fell across the entire world visible to my eyes.
"Ah."
My body soaked through, but it felt anything but unpleasant. A world of rain. To me, the melancholic scene unfolded like a masterpiece painting.
"Father."
Everyone had called it impossible. My magic held only foolish ideals. Wrong from the premise, impossible to complete. Stop wasting time and research something else.
The imperial envoys who came to "help" only hurled criticisms at young me. Crestfallen, my father comforted me with booming laughter.
—Even if others doubt you, don't doubt yourself! I believe in my son! This magic will one day be complete and flatten those imperial noses! So don't give up—keep researching. Together.
After so long, today proved it. Foolish ideals can sometimes become reality.
Father. At last, the dream we shared has come true.
Drought-induced famines would vanish. Drought-sparked quarrels. Fights over water. Wars from shortages. The world would grow more beautiful.
This rain would veil the tears in the eyes of the common folk.
"Ahahaha!"
Laughter burst from me as my thoughts ended. Too joyful to mind decorum, I threw my arms up and laughed as if to show the world. Loud enough for my late father in heaven to hear.
*
"It... actually works."
Baynen exhaled blankly, hand on his sword's pommel. The raindrops drumming his armor felt strangely alien today.
"Sniff, hic. The family head has finally..."
Beside him, Habid—who'd finished tidying the reception room—dabbed tears with a handkerchief.
"Kuhng!" No, now he was wiping snot too.
To Habid's right, the elf held an umbrella over Theorad, but something was off.
...Did she fight with the old man?
She'd tilted the umbrella rightward, soaking Habid's left shoulder. Clearly intentional. But Habid, lost in emotion, didn't notice.
No urge to point it out, so Baynen ignored her.
"Hey. They say you behaved today and did good work? What's up with you?"
Her ears twitched at his blunt tone. Without turning, the elf replied.
"Bread gets boring if that's all you eat. So sometimes..."
A strange smile played on her lips as she gazed at Theorad.
"...you gotta have some fruit."
What the hell? Praising her, and she spouts nonsense. Nothing to say to that. Baynen shrugged and looked back at Theorad. Seeing him so purely happy brought an involuntary smile. He hadn't laughed that innocently since his father passed.
Was completing the magic that joyful?
"Looks good on you, young master."
Whatever it was, seeing Theorad happy warmed Baynen's heart.