Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Magic (5)
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The first thing Ellie taught me was how to get used to the way mages handled mana.
The family estate's private training grounds.
Ellie had me sit down and began her explanation calmly.
"To learn magic, the most important thing is to first get a feel for handling mana. Especially considering that you've been a knight up until now, Young Master Kline, it might take you a little time to pick it up."
"Is that why you contacted the family saying you'd be back late?"
"Yes. If I've taken on the request, I have to do it properly. My father would prefer that anyway."
She wasn't stuttering or getting shy for once.
Her expression was remarkably steady and serene.
"First, just stay still. I'll send a bit of mana into your body and move it around, so try to feel the sensation."
"Got it."
I closed my eyes and entrusted my body to Ellie's hands.
Then she poked a finger into the back of my neck.
A foreign substance flowed into my body. But there was no harmful intent.
I could feel it moving along the circuits inside me.
It reached my fingertips, and then formed a single droplet of condensed mana.
"The goal is to go through this process and create a mana droplet yourself. Once you master this, you're ready to walk the path of a mage."
"You're teaching better than I expected. No tongue-twisting either. I'm impressed, Ellie."
"P-Pardon? Ah. N-No, I'm just......"
I'd only meant to compliment her, but her composure crumbled right away.
Ellie flapped her hands frantically.
Her cheeks flushed pink again, just like always.
"......I-I'm just a bit calmer when I'm serious. Y-You don't have to praise me or anything."
"So being serious is the condition. Does that mean you're not serious normally?"
"N-Nooo......"
"I'm kidding."
I chuckled, reminiscing about the past.
One year ago.
When I got injured sparring with the top student, Ellie had checked my wounds more seriously than usual.
Well, back then it gave me a bit of a thrill—something like a fetish, I guess.
At least it seemed Ellie didn't get flustered when she was immersed in something she enjoyed.
I liked that about her.
If she was always timid and cowering, it would just make onlookers feel sorry for her.
"Ughh. Anyway, just focus on creating the mana droplet like that."
"How long does it usually take to pull this off?"
"Um—if you're not exceptionally talented, about a year. If you have talent, around a month. But sensing mana isn't the only key factor. Your in-body mana capacity and recovery rate are important too."
"Hoo."
So that's how it is.
I nodded silently. Ellie didn't know it, but I was more confident than anyone in those two factors she'd just mentioned.
It wouldn't take long at all, especially since I'd shattered the mana crystal orb my father gave me before.
I wasn't worried about the time.
"So I planned to stick around until you make your first mana droplet. As your teacher, I need to at least see you that far."
"Nah, no need. I'll master it within a month."
"Y-Yes? ......Young Master, you don't have to rush like that. It's naturally something that takes time—"
"It's fine."
I shook my head, gently chiding her.
I met her violet eyes, which were looking at me like I was being recklessly bold.
Relax.
Your student definitely has talent.
"I'll give it a shot. Gotta become a disciple you won't be ashamed of."
"......Heh, hehe. R-Really? Well, if that's the case, I guess I have no choice...... Hnng."
Ellie twisted her body at my words.
Was she happy? Embarrassed?
Anyway, time to test if I could live up to my word.
After that, I focused solely on creating the mana droplet by myself.
The sensation of handling mana completely anew.
It should have felt awkward breaking away from the familiar knight's method, but as I'd expected, it wasn't that hard.
"Hm."
The feeling of mana gathering at my fingertips grew more natural.
If a knight infused mana into their body and sword, a mage gathered it outside the body.
Two distinctly different methods.
And mastering both was the path to becoming a magic swordsman.
"Young Master."
As I took a break, Alfred approached.
He glanced around before whispering to me.
"I heard. You're learning magic, Young Master."
"Yes."
"Well...... If the Family Head didn't stop you, I have nothing to say. But are you sure? You're clearly talented enough to excel as a knight. I'm concerned you're wasting effort on something unnecessary."
"It's fine. I'm doing it because I'm confident."
I replied leisurely.
Reactions like this from those around me weren't unfamiliar anymore.
I just let them interpret it however they wanted.
Eventually, they'd realize my way was right.
"Hmmm. Well, if you're confident, Young Master, I'll hold my tongue. You've already proven yourself a full-fledged man."
"I don't get why Father and you keep saying that. I still have a ways to go before adulthood."
"Haha! That's because you're so mature. ......Hm. But precisely because you're mature, I do feel your romantic life is a bit disordered."
"Pardon?"
Romantic life, out of nowhere.
I hadn't even touched any women.
"Erm. As a retainer, it's impertinent of me to say, but...... Lady Elysia Rosnet visited the estate, didn't she?"
"And?"
"Word's spreading among the family knights. That your reputation with women is poor, that you're already planning to take a concubine, that no one knows what you plan to do about the princess...... I wanted to deny it, but I couldn't bring myself to."
"Ah."
I see.
So that's why he came to me directly. To ask what I was thinking.
"I believe you won't become a promiscuous man, Young Master. Still, as an adult, I feel the need to teach you beforehand, just in case. So, Young Master—what's the truth?"
"Hmm."
I pondered briefly how to answer.
My relationship with Ellie.
With a fiancée named Adelheit and all—what was my intent in calling her?
No need to even ask.
"I have a dream, you see."
"A dream?"
"Of living together with several women."
"......"
Alfred's eyes turned icy.
Just as he was about to lecture me as a family elder, I continued.
"For Ariel's sake."
"Pardon?"
"I want Ariel to become a proper woman and live a normal life like everyone else. But what if she can't? I thought about what I could do for her as her brother."
"So your words mean—"
"Yes. If Ariel can't belong anywhere, I'd rather keep her with me. For that, I'd need my wife's permission too, and by then, living with multiple women should be fine—what's the big deal?"
"Well."
Alfred nodded quietly.
After mulling over my words, he pointed out one flaw.
"I understand, Young Master. Your intent and purpose are hardly shameful. But one concern comes to mind."
"What?"
"Princess Adelheit. You're engaged to a princess, after all. If you live with other women, wouldn't that cause issues?"
"Ah."
True enough.
'Hm.'
I pondered quietly for a moment, then shook my head.
It wasn't something I'd solve by worrying now.
If it got tough, I could always bow my head and beg forgiveness later.
Forgiveness is easier than permission, after all.
"Anyway, I'll handle that. Don't worry about it, Alfred."
"Understood. I'll talk to the knights as well."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Alfred left again.
"Hmmm."
I sat still, gazing at the sky.
Alfred had hit on a real blind spot.
Harem. Harem, huh.
Forgiveness might be easier than permission, but wasn't there a way to avoid the problem altogether?
"Whatever. I'll think about it later."
For now, focus on making the mana droplet.
And about half a month later.
"There. All done."
I called Ellie over to show her the results of my training.
Pop—
The mana droplet at my fingertip burst with a pop.
This wasn't some fluke after struggling.
I'd created it so naturally it was astonishing, and showed it to her.
"......Wha. Wh-what, wh-wha?"
Ellie had started with skeptical, distrustful eyes.
But after seeing me form the droplet and pop it right in front of her, her eyes were spinning.
"Wh. Uh. Th-this is weird......? Why, why so fast......? This can't be......?"
"What's wrong? Maybe I have talent."
"It took me a month and a half...... And I was called a genius for that, but half a month......"
"Hey. Ellie?"
Hello?
I waved my hand in front of her face.
Ignoring me, she sank into her own world.
"......Gah."
Then she suddenly collapsed limply backward and fainted.
I caught her back with both hands, at least.
"What's with her?"
Was this really that shocking?
I tilted my head, puzzled, as I carried her in my arms.
It was much later that I realized my feats seemed insane to others.
Imperial Palace.
Among them, the Lotus Pavilion where the Third Imperial Princess resided had swiftly regained its original form after the Bloodied incident.
A palace restored by gathering all the empire's skilled artisans.
Inside, Adelheit was processing her work with utter boredom.
"Your Highness. Next document."
"......"
She shot a sullen glare at her maid, Sara.
But Sara just sternly pushed the papers forward.
'Haa.'
It was unbearably dull.
After Kline saved her life in the battle with the Bloodied.
Her mood had soared to the heavens with their engagement, only to plummet straight down when he left.
Now she was back to her boring routine.
The dignity a princess must maintain, the knowledge a princess must learn, the duties a princess must perform.
—Your Highness! I know it was shocking, but you need to return to normal life now. Here.
—......
—Even if you look at me like that, no! You have a backlog of work.
For the first time, Adelheit gave a different response to Sara bringing them as usual.
—Fine. I'll do it.
—You have to anyway...... Y-Yes?
—My duty.
And so Adelheit silently processed the documents Sara brought.
It still wasn't fun. No excitement.
A pile of annoying papers she didn't want to see.
But now, she didn't refuse them.
'That's how he would have done it.'
She didn't enjoy the necessary tasks.
But if she had no choice, she accepted them.
That was the attitude to life Kline Leonhart had shown her.
And Adelheit had been saved by him—body and soul.
"......"
Thinking of Kline made her heart race involuntarily.
Her cheeks flushed, and her body twisted without her realizing.
Engagement.
When her father first suggested it, she'd been a bit flustered.
But the joy of promising marriage to Kline outweighed that.
However, that happiness didn't last.
Kline had returned to the ducal territory right after the engagement ceremony.
She couldn't bring herself to stop him because he wasn't some live-in son-in-law.
Kline had his own life. And Adelheit had no right to block it.
No, she didn't even want to.
She dreamed of being a wise and virtuous wife. She'd support her husband's path.
Still...... she felt a bit miffed.
'Why no contact?'
Even if her father had said not to get too close.
Even if he'd told her to be cautious before other nobles complained.
Even so, not a single message? That was too much.
"......Tch."
A petulant sound slipped out unwittingly.
Sara, noticing her hand pause over the documents, spoke up.
"Ah. Your Highness. Are you perhaps thinking about Sir Kline?"
"......Huh? Ah. Is it that obvious?"
"Of course. You turn into a girl that age whenever you think of Young Master Kline."
"Hmph."
Embarrassing—what kind of talk was that.
She fanned herself briefly to cool her cheeks.
Sara watched her fondly, then spoke as if remembering something.
"Ah. Speaking of that Young Master Kline, I heard he recently invited a certain lady to the estate."
"......Pardon?"
Shyly, but pleased.
Adelheit's face, which she'd been cooling with her fan, rapidly cooled further.
A chilling gaze.
Sara immediately shrank back.
"My goodness. What exactly happened? He met another woman? At his own estate, no less?"
"N-No, Your Highness. From what I heard, it wasn't with any lewd intent. So no need to worry too much......"
"Haaa. You expect me to believe that right now?"
Adelheit's eyes narrowed.
She gripped her pen as if to snap it.
"......Annoying."
Why was he meeting other women while ignoring his fiancée?
This was cheating.
Her frustration was aimed at Kline.
"......"
But just picturing his face softened her expression, redirecting it elsewhere.
"What's that woman's name?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Her name."
"Uh...... Probably from the Rosnet Viscount family. Elysia, I think."
"Hmph."
She knew the name.
An ordinary lady she'd paid no mind to.
And that woman had caught Kline's interest?
"Just you wait. Seriously."
Adelheit pouted and returned to her documents.
Thinking she'd give Kline—or Elysia—a piece of her mind if they ever met.