Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Magic
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I've turned fourteen.
It's already been eight years since I met Ariel and awakened to my past life.
I feel like I've grown a lot during that time.
My appearance and build are starting to look properly manly, and my voice is going through puberty.
My swordsmanship goes without saying. With my innate talent plus relentless effort, my skills keep improving.
That said, lately I've been feeling like I've hit a bit of a limit with the sword techniques I've learned so far.
Anyway, I'm growing up nice and steady, shooting up like a weed.
Compared to the original Kline Leonhart from the story, the difference is ridiculous.
Is this the potential of the runner-up who never felt inferior to the top dog?
For reference, when I returned home after the Bloodied incident, Father wasn't particularly surprised.
He's always been someone with minimal emotional fluctuations, so maybe that's why.
Even when I entered the family head's chamber and reported everything, he just listened quietly without much change in expression.
He picked up on the matters I'd agreed with the Emperor not to disclose to others, but he didn't say anything about it.
He just let out a short "Hm."
"Good. I was worried when I heard your life was in peril, but if there's no issue, I have nothing to say."
With that, he simply summarized the results of the Cluster of Stars in a few words.
I was a little taken aback.
I'd expected him to make a fuss since I was his son, or at least scold me for not sharing family secrets.
When I voiced that doubt, Father's response was straightforward.
"I trust you."
He said Kline Leonhart was already pulling his weight as a full-fledged member of the family, even if he wasn't yet of age.
In the face of that gaze filled with trust, I could only nod vigorously in agreement.
How did Father come to trust me so much already?
The reason has to be Ariel, nothing else.
From his perspective as a father, seeing his helpless young daughter cared for so well by her big brother must have solidified it.
Well, it's a good thing. Hm.
As for that little sister in question, these days...
"Brother. You met another girl again."
She trailed after me, glaring daggers with those piercing eyes.
A peaceful daily life after turning fourteen.
Days of sword training while pondering new breakthroughs, and planning countermeasures against the Crimson Blood Cult.
Within that routine, Ariel started showing a different side from before.
She still spaced out staring at the sky or avoided mingling with others.
She still only listened to me and followed me around, but there was a subtle, clear change.
A bit more aggressive, or snippy, you could say.
"The maids must have nothing better to do. They approach you every chance they get."
"Ariel. They're just coming to me for work. No ulterior motives."
"Liar. I can tell from their eyes. They like you romantically."
Ariel gripped my hand tightly by my side, her eyes hard to read.
Her pale, cloudy pupils scanned the surroundings restlessly.
She'd been like this ever since I got engaged to Adelheit.
Wary of every woman in the mansion who talked to me.
The reasons could be many.
Her dependence on me, her familial love for me, or—even if uncomfortable—her possessiveness over me.
Or, as much as I hate to admit it, she might even like me romantically.
In any case, post-engagement, Ariel seemed to equate "woman approaching brother" with "woman trying to steal brother."
"I remember that maid's name. Adding her to the list."
"What's this list you're putting names on? You're scaring me, sis."
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it, Brother."
Hard not to worry when you say it like that, you rascal.
Ariel stared blankly into space.
A list was probably unfurling in her mind with a rustle.
What kind of list could it be?
A roster of women approaching me?
And what would she do with it?
Something ominous made me stop thinking about it.
"There are too many female maids in this mansion. I really should just fire them all."
Every time she said stuff like that, I got a little—just a smidge—worried.
"Cut them" probably meant forced retirement from the ducal household, right?
Surely not literally chopping off heads.
Right?
So lately, I've been paying more attention to Ariel.
She's always had strong possessive and dependent tendencies as a sister.
Now she's hissing at any woman who gets close like a riled-up cat, so as her brother, I have to take responsibility.
For example, playing the ocarina to calm her aggression.
Today, too, I entered Ariel's room and played her a tune.
Lately, even when she's growling, she quiets down when I play the ocarina.
Right now, sitting on the bed, looking up at me with sparkling eyes—so cute.
Is it brotherly bias? Rose-tinted glasses?
To me, she's the cutest sister in the world, but I don't get why she glares at everyone else.
I finish the performance and set down the ocarina.
Clap clap clap—
Ariel immediately applauded in response.
"Amazing as always. Brother's playing is the best."
"You say it with such relish. My cute little sister."
"You have to play by my side forever, okay? No funny business even if we go to the capital."
"Sure sure."
Did the Cluster of Stars trip upset her that much?
No, more precisely, nearly dying there and getting engaged.
I'd love to stay with Ariel forever if I could. But that means no marriage.
Hmm.
Hmmm.
...Maybe just live with a bunch of women?
A sudden brilliant idea—surprisingly viable.
If I build a harem, maybe the wives could live with Ariel too?
No. Wait. On second thought, Ariel wouldn't tolerate that.
Other women freeloading with her? They'd be too scared to live long.
"Brother. Let's sleep together again tonight, okay?"
"You're almost ten soon. Isn't it time we stopped sleeping together, sis?"
"Why? It's just you and me."
"Oh ho. Fine, then we'll sleep together until you say no. No regrets."
"Yeah. Together until the grave."
"..."
No joke lands on her. It's frustrating.
Another change since turning fourteen: my sword training.
The perk I gained from the Bloodied fight. 'Magic Imbuement.'
This is what I meant when I said I'd pioneered a new realm in swordsmanship.
In short, I can become a magic swordsman.
Back then, Adelheit cast the spell, but I can't rely on that every time.
So awakening to magic myself is the faster path.
That would set my life as a swordsman completely apart from others.
'A knight wielding magic—unthinkable.'
Knights and mages are different. The way they use mana is polar opposites.
No knight can advise me on magic imbuement.
As I grow as a magic swordsman, I'll drift further from the techniques normal swordsmen use.
A shame that hard-learned arts like Fierce Tiger Strike Sword or Azure Dragon Soaring Sword might lose meaning.
But magic imbuement will forge far superior swordsmanship.
"The question is, who do I learn magic from?"
I stand still in the training grounds, pondering.
How hard is it to find a mage willing to teach a swordsman?
No one shares disciples with rivals, let alone teaches a sword-slinger.
Hmm. Check my recent mage connections?
That leaves just Adelheit and Ellie.
Between them, Adelheit edges out.
Ellie's a healing specialist. Plus, Adelheit already cast magic for me once, so we'd communicate well.
The problem... Meeting Adelheit again might really tick off our little sister.
"?"
Ariel sits on the veranda in the distance, watching me.
Our eyes meet, and she tilts her head slightly.
'Sigh.'
Our Ariel is so cute and lovable, but her possessiveness is a tad excessive.
I'd love to learn from Adelheit, but it'll be tough.
Then—Ellie it is.
Might even be better.
As Third Imperial Princess, I can't summon Adelheit; I'd have to go to the capital, and Ariel would sulk again.
Ellie fits perfectly—I can call her to the mansion.
Ariel hasn't met her yet, so maybe she'll let it slide?
"Alright. Ellie it is."
I nod firmly.
Should contact the Rosnet family right away and ask if they can send Ellie here.
As a ducal request, the baronet Rosnets won't refuse.
Ellie's the type weak to favors, so she'll accept.
Feels a bit like using her, so I'll treat her well when she comes.
As I head back to the mansion, Ariel hops up from her seat.
She toddles over and asks,
"Brother."
"Yeah?"
"Who's Ellie?"
"..."
Uh oh.
Did you hear that tiny mutter, Ariel?
"Just someone I know. Thinking of inviting her to the mansion."
"I see. Another girl, huh."
"Wait, why assume girl? Could be a guy."
"Just a hunch."
"That from your otherworldly senses too?"
"No. Just my gut."
"You've grown up, sis. Turning into a real lady already."
"And Brother's off playing with other girls while having a sister like me."
"Don't pout so much. Ellie and I are nothing like that."
"Yeah. I trust you. So I'll add her to the list. Just in case."
"..."
...That list isn't a hit list, is it?
I hesitated to ask outright.