3. First Encounter
The older brother always pretended to be asleep, then pulled out a thick book from under the bed to read.
"... Do you want to be a wizard too? I roughly know what kind of book it is."
While the brother was away, I had been diligently reading that book too. Since the brother was overprotective and never let me leave the house... there was nothing else to do but read.
... And this was something that would always be a secret from the brother...
I seemed to be able to use magic. By reading the content and imitating it, I could make a small flame from my hands, albeit clumsily.
Of course - I had no intention of telling anyone.
If the fact that a commoner uses magic is discovered, the only end is being labeled a "witch" and executed.
... On that day as well, while diligently reading [Basics of Mana], I found an odd passage in a corner of the book.
It was written in languages I had never seen before, and the pages and paper color were different from the rest.
It was as if someone had inserted it later. I didn't know why, but the expressions seemed strangely familiar, so I clumsily read them.
"■■■○◆…"
... What language is this?
After reading for a while, suddenly a whooshing sound came from somewhere.
What? Looking around, in a corner of the house,
From the place where the fruits the brother had brought yesterday were stacked, a brilliant light was emanating.
I approached there mesmerized and saw a single orange pouring out pure white light.
It was clearly shriveled yesterday, but now it felt sacred, as if it had received the Pope's consecration.
"...Wow."
As soon as I touched it, the orange disappeared and seeped into my body.
What... what situation is this? I stood there blankly, then remembered the [Basics of Mana] I had seen earlier.
Yeah, the page with that 'strange passage'. Maybe something is written there.
I rushed back to the desk, and the page I had seen earlier had mysteriously disappeared -
In its place, there were just a few ordinary magic formulas and circles drawn.
"...What was that, really..."
Did I eat something hot? Well, our house is sweltering in summer and freezing in winter. I must have hallucinated.
It happens sometimes. When that happens, my trick to endure the heat is to wash my face.
Not cold water in summer, but lukewarm water that's not too bad, but there's nothing better than washing your face to clear my mind.
"...! Who... who are you...?"
The moment I looked at the washbasin to wash my face, what reflected in the water wasn't my face, but -
A woman who looked exactly like me, or rather, identical. Her eyes shone with golden light, and even a glance showed she was wearing luxurious clothes.
The woman's appearance vanished the moment I blinked,
And in the washbasin, only my ordinary face was reflected again.
"...Ha... I must be going crazy. Me..."
From that night on, I started having nightmares every time I fell asleep, obsessively.
As if someone was tormenting me. Still, since the brother was there when I had nightmares, it was fortunate.
...Still, other nightmares were fine, but the one where the brother dies didn't get any better.
Every time I woke from the nightmare, I wondered if the brother wasn't here - if he had really died.
---
In a deep cave in the forest, with a bonfire lit, Ena continued her story for a long time.
When the wind blew and the bonfire was about to go out, Ena lightly waved her hand to revive the dying embers of the firewood.
"... So, when did you start being able to use magic?"
"Well... really, one day suddenly? Just by reading the book, it happened. Magic."
I don't know well, but according to stories heard in the slums...
People are born with 'mana sensitivity', so people with low mana sensitivity can't use magic properly no matter what, but-
If sensitivity is high, even with only theoretical knowledge, they can use magic without practical experience.
... My little brother seems to fit the latter.
"...Sorry."
"What? Why are you apologizing all of a sudden? It's not the brother's fault."
I felt sorry.
Of all things... to have a talented younger sister born in such an environment.
If only she had been born into a noble family... she could have lived much happier than now...
"...I'm glad you're my brother's sister. Even if reborn, it would be the same. That's it."
"So, don't think weird things... ugh. Always thinking gloomy thoughts."
"...Thank you."
After staring at the bonfire for a long time in silence, Ena broke the silence first.
"...I wasn't supposed to be able to use power like this from the beginning. At best, I could only make a small flame...
Since touching that "orange", I feel like I can handle a much... hard to explain but very great power...?"
"However, suddenly those humans came attacking - taking us away and saying they would kill the brother, so suddenly I felt like I wasn't me anymore-
Like I had become someone else. It's hard to express in words... anyway, that's the feeling."
While kicking nearby stones in front of me, Ena continued speaking.
"Anyway, we ran away well. Don't worry about us, brother. After all, those Chatrin or whoever...
Even if they weren't such unlucky nobles, we wouldn't have been able to live there our whole lives."
"...Tired? I'll take care of the rest, brother, you sleep first."
"...No. You sleep first."
"You say I should sleep first? Again with that useless stubbornness."
"Listen to the brother, the kid who sleeps diligently every night is trying to show off here..."
"...I'm not showing off."
After a while of bickering, the night deepened.
...Still, I'm glad you're safe next to me. Ena.
---
It's already the 3rd day since we spent time in the forest.
Both me and Ena - we've gotten somewhat used to this life.
Actually, whether it's the shabby old house or now, the heat during the day and cold at night is the same-
And there's no food either.
It's a bit bitter, but on the other hand, it's fortunate that we've already adapted to this life.
Today's catch in the forest was three rabbits and some fruits. The harvest was quite good.
...I should have gone into the forest earlier instead of scavenging food waste.
It seems I've only fed Ena bad things so far, so my conscience is heavy.
And, it's fortunate that Ena looks cheerful too. I was worried if my gloom would infect her...
Ena glanced back and started clicking her tongue again.
"Looking at that gloomy expression again... ugh, what will I do if there's no me. Brother? So, be a bit nicer to me..."
Before the words ended - from far away, the sound of horse hooves came.
It always brings misfortune when horse hooves sound. I exchanged quick glances with Ena,
And hid my body in the nearby cranberry bush.
Peeking through the bush, a quite luxurious-looking carriage passed by.
After hiding until the carriage fully passed, when the carriage disappeared from sight.
Rustle, rustle.
Not one or two. About a dozen or so people were moving - the sound came from the direction the carriage went.
And soon, a faint scream came.
"These bandits! Do you know who this person is...!"
"Go... go away!"
It seems the carriage had a young lady of a noble house inside.
The servant next to her desperately tried to protect the young lady, but she lightly fell from a club swung by someone.
"Ugh... ugh... Ah, young... lady... do... die..."
"Why do you keep trying to run away, huh? If someone hears, they'll think we're bad people. Hey, don't you think so?"
The sound of "Yes!" came in unison.
It seems these are the dirty humans who suddenly raid carriages to extort money...
"What? You look pretty decent. Look at this."
"If you do well, I might even take you as my concubine. How about it? Little young lady."
"... I don't want to die. Rather than mixing my body with humans like you, I would rather... bite my tongue and die."
Wow, it seems she's not a typical sharp-tongued young lady. Not only saying she doesn't want to in this situation, but she even spat on the opponent's face.
After watching the situation for a while, I fell into a complicated dilemma.
It's uncomfortable not to save that woman...
If I intervene, since my little sister Ena is there, she'll have to face magic, but then the fact that "a commoner who can use magic" will spread much more.
The last time the silver knight came, it was unavoidable... but increasing witnesses isn't good.
Ena also seemed to think the same,
After deeply thinking, she spoke first.
"...What should we do. Brother?"
"I... as long as you're safe, it's fine."
Ena looked at my face quietly with a subtle expression, then smiled faintly and answered.
"...If it doesn't work, brother will take responsibility. Got it? Later, maybe use some handsome guy..."
...Why is there a handsome guy talk here?
Without time to think, suddenly Ena grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the bush.
Then, towards the bandits far away -
"Hey! You trash! What are you doing leaving a poor woman alone!"
...Suddenly declared a declaration of war.
As soon as I heard that, the bandit leader's face flushed red-
He threw the woman he was holding and started running towards us.
"...You damn bastard who can't even be killed! Yelling without fear? Yeah, you want to die quickly... no reason to stop you. Gather here! Grab that bastard and sell her in the slave market, cut her flesh and feed it to the pigs. Understand?!"
"...Go ahead and try. You trash."