How to Turn a Genius into a Dunce. (2)
How to Turn a Genius into a Dunce. (2)
They say talent is something you can't hide even if you want to.
Is it even wrong to try and hide what cannot be hidden?
Alicia froze as if she had turned to stone after hearing the Blue Tower Master's answer.
Even though they weren't blood-related, he was her son.
Even though she adopted him before he was even an adult, she loved him.
It is certainly a good thing for a son to reveal his talent, make a name for himself in the world, and be revered.
Perhaps he could even carve his golden name into the long history of the Empire, just like them...
Perhaps, he could live his whole life surrounded by someone's goodwill.
However, it's a little different if that involves killing, slashing, exploding, and piercing someone.
Taking a life gnaws at the mind.
Monsters have intelligence.
Demonkind was the same.
They writhe when they die, and try to put their blood back in when they bleed.
They cry, scream, sob, and then repeatedly attack again because they don't want to die.
The moment I realize that what I'm killing is a sentient being, nausea rises, and disgust and self-loathing seep through my entire body.
Laika wasn't originally this cheerful.
Aria didn't originally hate God.
Alicia wasn't originally a girl suited for annoyance or coldness.
The battlefield changed them.
Into an elf who forces a smile to hide her fear.
Into a saintess who believes God curses her rather than loves her.
Into a mage who pursued strength because she wanted to quit as soon as possible.
"...How much does it hurt?"
Alicia asked calmly in front of the Pope, the Blue Tower Master, and the High Elf Chief.
Laika and Aria shouted urgently, as if rebelling against the words that Kael would be hurt.
"Alicia!"
"You're going to hurt Kael, you crazy bitch!?"
The Blue Tower Master, the Pope, and the High Elf Chief were no different.
The Blue Tower Master shouted.
"Alicia, have you truly lost your mind? I told you it was Forbidden Magic! That Forbidden Magic is something we only used when torturing Demonkind!"
There is a reason why Forbidden Magic is classified as Forbidden Magic.
It's because it doesn't handle mana normally and applies twisted and bizarre methods.
The degree of damage varies from person to person, but the important thing is that it is incredibly painful.
'I know Kael won't be able to handle it.'
Even so, Alicia did not back down from her opinion.
"We can lower the power, and I can share the pain."
"That's not the point. Is it even reasonable to suddenly come here and talk about Forbidden Magic?"
No matter how much of a hero one is, talk about Forbidden Magic cannot be easily dismissed.
"...Archmage-nim, I think it would be best to calm down for a moment and discuss other matters first."
"...Something must have surely happened. If there is anything we elves can help with, we will, so let's talk first."
The Pope and the High Elf Chief spoke briefly in polite voices.
Curiosity about Kael was a reason, but that wasn't the only reason.
"...Isn't that Alicia-nim?"
"...Aria-nim and Laika-nim are there too?"
"Looks like they're fighting."
"F-Forbidden Magic? They say monsters have been running rampant lately, is the s-situation a bit serious?"
The inn in the Mayhead territory also doubles as a tavern.
Because of this, the gazes of the people around them were gathering, and this was not a conversation that was good for others to hear.
"...Let's move to a different place first."
It was a suggestion to move.
"Innkeeper, do you have an annex or an empty room?"
The Blue Tower Master took a pouch of gold coins from his bosom and handed three gold coins to the innkeeper.
For commoners, the standard currency was copper coins, the wealthy used silver coins, and gold coins were something only nobles handled.
Even if they hear stories about people like the 'Master of the Magic Tower' or the 'Pope', most people don't know what they look like.
At the very least, one could tell that those talking to the heroes who rule the territory were not ordinary people.
Besides, they were handling gold coins?
The owner of the Mayhead inn accepted the gold coins and guided them to a special room.
Furthermore, fearing he might offend these noble guests, he cleared out an entire floor.
"I-If there is anything you need, please call me."
One couldn't tell why he was so afraid.
One thing that could be noticed was that they had neglected the management of the territory because they were too absorbed in raising their son.
Because it was proof that something to be afraid of had clearly happened a few times.
"...Wow, you really managed this place well."
The Blue Tower Master said sarcastically to Alicia, and the innkeeper, mistaking it for being directed at him, trembled in surprise.
"I-If there is anything you need, please call me."
Creeeak-, thud-.
The door to the special room closed, and the Pope and the High Elf Chief sat down first.
The Blue Tower Master stood by the window, and Aria and Laika sat opposite the two with unpleasant expressions.
The unpleasantness was, of course, not directed at the Pope and the High Elf Chief.
They would have to hear the story to know, but for now, it was unpleasantness towards Alicia.
"...So, I would like to start by discussing the reason for your visit."
The Pope spoke politely again.
Then, perhaps remembering that they didn't know each other's names.
"...Pope, I am Gusto."
"...High Elf, Marika."
"There's no need to know my name. Everyone calls me the Blue Tower Master."
He reached out his hand and greeted them.
"...Laika."
"...Please call me Aria."
"...Alicia."
Tick-, tock-.
While the clock's second hand moved, Gusto, Marika, and the Blue Tower Master waited without saying a word.
Since they had already stated the purpose of their visit before, it was now the moment for the visitors to speak.
However, no one brought up the topic.
Eventually, the Blue Tower Master parted his lips.
"...Didn't you want to quit being a hero so badly?"
They were already on edge because of the talk about 'Forbidden Magic'.
He was a teacher who wanted power, coveted Alicia's talent, and was now weaker than his disciple.
But at least his opinion on Forbidden Magic was consistent.
It must not be done.
"Don't be sarcastic, Master."
"Ha, so you finally call me Master."
"Archmage-nim, it would be best to calm down for a moment."
Alicia let out a short breath and scratched her hair nervously.
Only then did she go around the table, pull out a chair somewhat roughly, and sit down.
Soon, her anger subsided, and thoughts of Kael filled its place.
"...You all know about the Prophecy, right? I think 'Kael' is the Child of Prophecy."
"...Is that true?"
As the Pope replied while listening attentively, the Blue Tower Master sneered again.
"I already told you, Your Holiness the Pope. He engraved three Circles at once. I said his talent would be superior to Alicia's."
"...Blue Tower Master-nim, you are too on edge. Even us gentle elves get angry when someone interrupts us."
As the Elf Queen, Marika, briefly pointed out the Blue Tower Master's behavior, the Blue Tower Master turned his head back to the window.
As the Pope smiled lightly, as if asking her to continue, Alicia parted her lips again.
"...The three of us will return to the Empire soon. To the Magic Tower, to the Church, to the side of the World Tree. We promise to exterminate monsters and strive for purification. However, there is a price."
"...Are you saying you want us to give you Forbidden Magic?"
It was the moment Alicia was about to nod and answer.
Laika and Aria, who had been sitting with frowns as if displeased, cut in instead.
"Please hide the stories about Kael's talent, Your Holiness the Pope."
"Sister, please hide the stories about Kael somehow."
Naturally, Alicia glared at the two.
Because she couldn't understand.
Kael had to leave everything, including magic, and live a safer and more comfortable life.
You guys also admitted that you didn't want him to live like us!
"What is this all of a sudden...."
The moment Alicia was about to say something more to the two.
Bang-!
Laika stood up as if she couldn't take it anymore.
"What are you doing? Like you said, you hurt Kael. But now, you're telling us to use Forbidden Magic on him?"
"...Kael is only nine years old now, Alicia."
"What are you going to do if Kael really grows up according to the prophecy like this!"
"That hasn't happened yet!"
"I can do things that hurt him, but Forbidden Magic is different. It's something that could really hurt Kael badly...!"
Rough voices echoed in the special room.
Gusto and Marika kept silent while watching the three people discussing their son.
"What the fuck is the prophecy, anyway! Just because we did, it doesn't mean Kael will too!"
Even though they had already hurt Kael out of fear of the prophecy.
In front of Forbidden Magic, which might really hurt him badly, they even forget their own actions.
"If we kill all the monsters and clear out all the Demonkind, then the thing that happens to Kael won't happen. The thing where we belittle Kael and Forbidden Magic are completely different things, Alicia...!"
"We're running around exterminating monsters and purifying, do you think Kael will just stay still? He'll definitely try to help. He'll try to stay by our side no matter what, and he'll end up on the battlefield no matter what. We've already talked about this!"
Eventually, the silent Pope parted his lips.
"...I understand the maternal love of mothers, but I don't think this is the issue to be arguing about right now."
Marika, who had been watching Laika, who had become serious about the matter of her adopted son, also chimed in.
"...If he is a boy who engraved three Circles at once, he might really grow up according to the prophecy. However, isn't it too dangerous to be captivated by the prophecy and plunge the child named Kael into Forbidden Magic?"
"It's not even ordinary Forbidden Magic. It's a disgusting Forbidden Magic that twists a living person's mana circuits to slow down growth until it naturally recovers. If he was born with talent, you should just raise him, why go such a roundabout way."
Then what do you want me to do?
Alicia's sorrow welled up to her throat.
She had already tried talking to Kael, insulted him, and criticized him.
Watching a son who is sure to surpass her, she feels fear rather than joy....
You're telling me to just stand by when I can clearly see a future where he gets ruined on the battlefield, just like we did?
"Then, what should I do?"
Alicia glared at Gusto, Marika, and the Blue Tower Master in turn.
"You all relied on us when we were barely ten years old. You said we were the hope, and you pushed us onto the battlefield. No matter how outstanding we are, there are only three of us. When Kael's talent blossoms, you'll try to put Kael in the empty spot!"
"...Have you asked for the opinion of the boy named Kael?"
"I did. I even asked. I asked if he wouldn't learn something else. But, he wants to keep learning, even if it's because of us. Kael saw the 'letters' you sent, so he wants to be of help to us!"
Gusto stood up from his seat and spoke again.
"It was a question of whether you have ever asked about 'Kael's' opinion with sincerity, not about the mothers' wishes or anxieties."
Not a question asked like grasping at straws amidst coercion or criticism.
A question asked with sincerity, saying that you want Kael to live safely.
"..."
Aria, Alicia, and Laika all shut their mouths.
They had asked if he wouldn't do something else, but they had never talked with 'sincerity'.
Because they were afraid and worried, they had always just insulted and criticized him, and then asked if he had any intention of trying something else.
"...The Church also had great regrets regarding the Saintess. Even though there is a prophecy, we have no intention of shifting the responsibility onto a child who is not even ten years old yet. Therefore, as the heroes requested, we will keep Kael's talent strictly confidential."
The Pope smiled while looking at the mothers.
It was a smile similar to the one the Saintess once showed her son.
"...I will not deny the fact that fanatics or nobles, whom even we cannot handle, will try to drive Kael to the battlefield, mentioning the Child of Prophecy and whatnot. Therefore, if all three of you wish to cast Forbidden Magic, I will help as much as possible with the Forbidden Magic measures so that Kael does not grow up according to the prophecy."
Although he was in a difficult position to give advice as someone who came to ask for help.
The Pope still looked at the three mothers with the same smile.
They were all women of an age where love for the opposite sex, rather than maternal love, suited them.
"Nevertheless, please know that the most important thing is Kael's sincerity."
He was just giving advice to think of Kael first so that they wouldn't regret it.