Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Hothead Lady's Home Tutor (3)
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Magic... what is it?
Every story defines it differently, but it's safe to say there's hardly a tale where it's not some mystical force wielded to bring change to the world, or the laws governing such acts.
And in the world of Academy Commoner Scholarship Student Obsessed by the Prince, there was every kind of magic imaginable—from spirit arts to incantations.
But in broad strokes, it could be divided into technical magic and spiritual magic.
Technical magic demanded calculations, formulas, precise measurements, and meticulous control.
Spiritual magic involved communing with supernatural beings, befriending them, or begging for their aid.
Now, a question.
Which should we teach our Lady Tiona—technical or spiritual?
Technical magic, obviously.
Why?
"If you want to move objects without touching them, the proper way is to ask the air spirits. Pretend I'm a spirit and give it a try."
"Hey there, spirit! Grant me your power at once! Ow!"
Process of elimination.
"Y-You flicked my forehead?!"
"If I were really an air spirit, you'd have been crushed by the air itself, your body twisted like a corkscrew until you died."
"Eek...!"
Good, at least she's scared now.
You can't fix a fool whose sense of fear is broken, but ignorance can be cured with knowledge.
"Spiritual magic is far too advanced for you, my lady... so let's try technical magic instead."
I pull out the materials I'd prepared in advance.
"What's this?"
"Basic numerology. It's a school of magic that draws out the inherent properties of numbers and combines them to create mysteries."
For example, the number 1 embodies water and flow, while 3 represents fire, sharpness, and triangles.
By adding or subtracting them, merging multiples into one, writing equations, and linking them together, you can produce increasingly complex phenomena.
Its downside is that the abstract nature of numbers makes it hard for the human eye to grasp, but it's perfect for testing how much talent our lady has.
I take out a pen with a mithril nib that resonates best with mana, and special ink mixed with diamond dust.
Both were near-essential tools for numerology.
That's right.
In this world too, the more advanced the craft—or magic—the more crucial the tools.
I have no idea where that saying about craftsmen not blaming their tools came from. True masters obsess over their gear more than anyone.
"Do you know mana breathing?"
"Of course."
"Then we're off to a good start. First, do mana breathing and write out some numbers."
I demonstrate.
I circulate mana through my body and write the numbers 1 through 9 with the mithril pen. Each time, the mana resonates with the numbers, sparking small mysteries.
"Like this. Your turn."
I slide the pen, ink, and textbook her way. Tiona stares blankly at them.
"Wh-Why can Jarvis use not just elemental magic, but numerology too?"
"I picked up a bit here and there while wandering."
And racked up plenty of mentors—and even more grudges—in the process.
"...Jarvis, do you know a lot of things?"
The first time Tiona had ever said my name properly. Should I praise her? Nah, it'd come off like sarcasm if it's over something this small.
"Know a lot...?"
More than average? Definitely.
Partly because I'd read the 'original' story of this world.
I'm not a possessor—I'm a reincarnator.
I was born with my past life's memories intact, nearly dying from helplessness and boredom as an infant.
But thanks to that, I could start desperately hoarding knowledge from an age when normal kids could barely speak.
I knew what was coming.
If things continued unchanged, the world would become a playground for the Outer Gods—a multidimensional hell far worse than any human nightmare.
No rest for the weary.
Even without being a genius, I amassed more knowledge and experience than most prodigies.
When I encountered evil I could handle, I'd deal with it and move on—but I never got arrogant.
I'm just a side character in this world.
The leads are the original protagonist and their party; my role is to help complete that party.
Can't say that to the lady, though.
"I'm a home tutor. If you want to teach others, you have to know your stuff first."
"Don't normal tutors specialize in just one subject?"
"Must be all that syrup on your pancakes—your brain's spinning faster today."
"Hehe! Then from now on, I'll drown plain bread in syrup too!"
Time to ration the syrup starting tomorrow.
"Anyway, give it a try."
Tiona grips the pen.
"Hoo..."
'Oh.'
She really can do mana breathing.
Numbers imbued with mana flow from her pen, laced with diamond dust ink.
"One... two... three..."
Impressive again.
Mysteries bloom with every stroke.
She's not as good as me yet, but the fact she can do it at all is encouraging.
As a side note, Tiona had beautiful handwriting. Show it to anyone and say a refined lady wrote it—they'd believe you without question.
"...Eight... nine! Done!"
"Lady, your drool."
I wipe the saliva dribbling from her focused mouth with a handkerchief and praise her honestly.
"Excellent. Better than I expected."
"Ufufu! Naturally!"
She says that, but her flaring nostrils betray how pleased she is.
"Then, shall we try a simple numerology spell? While we're at it, let's look for a formula to eat without fork or knife—and if we can't find one, adapt an existing one."
Numerology's biggest strength? You can copy-paste pre-made formulas. Just like developers on GitHub.
That's what makes technical magic easy.
Understanding the principles takes study, but master the variables, and you get consistent results every time.
Spiritual magic? No such luck.
No guarantee your friend's spirit will befriend you too.
It's like how a handsome celebrity can flash a smile and get girls shyly asking for his number, but if an average guy tries it, they bolt.
You feel that same envy watching spirit influencers who attract them effortlessly. What the—no antlers on me, but you played hard to get when I offered gifts?
"Let's make a simple formula. Three times seven—imbue flame with divinity for twenty-on..."
Hold up.
"Three times seven is?"
"Wh-What's that sudden question?"
"Answer me. Three times seven?"
"...Twenty-one?"
Ah, right.
Our lady still can't do basic arithmetic.
"Ehe, fuck, we're screwed."
"What was that?"
"Old tongue. 'Ehe sibbal jwotne geo'—it means seeking a god in the desert speech."
"You speak desert tongue too?"
"A little."
"Owaaah...!"
In the end, Tiona's fork-and-knife-free pancake project got pushed back a bit.
"Sob sob... just you wait... I'll eat pancakes without fork or knife...!!"
"Having a goal is a good thing."
No, really.
Even a dumb goal gives you momentum.
Like how fan activities accidentally earn certifications that pad your resume later. You learn Japanese from visual novels, camera work from filming your fave's concert.
Speaking of which, it's Saturday.
"Shall we make today's stroll the market?"
"Market...? It's just full of lowly... commoners hawking junk, right?"
I cancel the electric spell I'd been charging.
"You've grown. Never use terms like 'commoner' or 'lowly' in a discriminatory way again."
"...Why not?"
Her face sours.
But asking why is a very positive sign.
Questioning a rule's reason means you're open to following it if it makes sense.
"I could explain from many angles, but inversely—why do you look down on commoners?"
"Because I was born of noble blood!"
She places a hand on her chest with a proper villainess huff.
"It's natural for the valuable to scorn the worthless!"
"Value..."
I give a wry smile.
Still, there's hope.
"Shall we go take a look today? At that 'value' you like so much."
"Didn't you say the market?"
"You might find it there too."
The capital is built in concentric squares centered on the imperial palace.
The outermost wall forms the largest square, inside it a smaller one, then another smaller still—continuing until the tiniest square, the palace itself.
This creates multiple ring-shaped districts.
Each ring is a zone: A closest to the palace, then B, C, and outermost D.
As Tiona and I head to C Zone where the market bustles, her wide-brimmed hat in place, she seems a bit overwhelmed by the crowds filling the streets.
"S-So many people..."
"Come to think of it, what did you do in the capital this past month before I arrived?"
"Stayed home reading romance novels the whole time! It was a very satisfying month!"
"Sigh... my fate."
"That's desert tongue too?"
"No, eastern divination."
"Gasp! Read my fortune next time!"
"Sure. I assisted an astrologer once."
She seems adapted to the crowd now, so time to dive in.
"Hold my hand so we don't get separated."
That's when a sharp yell pierced my ears.
"Hey! You filthy commoner scum!!"
Tiona startles and shouts.
"N-Not me!"