Maybe Magic Is Easier Than I Thought
“Huh?... A cat?... All that flashy spectacle, and it's just a cat with horns? Is this right?... What do I do—did I fail?”
Just as Albert was sinking into despair, Sarah and Isaac studied the cat with narrowed eyes.
“Honey, this is no ordinary cat.”
“I can see that too—something's off about it. It seems to be compressing an enormous amount of mana.”
“What? This cat is really that remarkable?”
“It is. This cat carries tremendous mana within it. Ordinary people wouldn't even be able to sense mana of this caliber—but I'm different. This cat is merely pretending to be an ordinary housecat.”
“Oh... then what happens with the test?”
Sarah turned to Isaac, and Isaac gave a firm nod.
“Congratulations, Al. From now on, you can study magic. Daddy will talk with your mommy and find you a good magic teacher. Just leave it to Daddy~”
“That's right, Al—you passed the test. From here on, study your magic diligently.”
“Thank you, Mommy, Daddy! From now on, I'll become a wonderful mage! And you—let's get along from now on, little cat.”
With that, Albert approached the cat and held out his hand—but the cat bit him.
“Ow!”
“Al, are you all right? Ah... I see. A contract with a demon requires blood, so it must have bitten you on purpose...”
“You—how dare you bite my son? I don't care if it's for a contract, that's downright rude. Shall I kill it right now?”
“Mommy, please don't. I'm fine. I think the cat just likes me and wants to hurry up and make the contract.”
“She's right, dear. This cat will be living with us from now on, so you can't do that. And you—no biting your master from now on, understood?”
“Meow.”
Ugh, that little beast—if it weren't for Al and Isaac, I'd have torn it to shreds. But setting that aside, with mana of this level, it's no ordinary cat... A pure contract doesn't sit right with me either. I'll have to keep an eye on it for a while...
“Oh, that reminds me—Al, what will you name the cat? It's going to be family from now on, so it needs a name. You're its master, so why don't you decide?”
“Hmm... Apis? How about Apis? It just popped into my head! What do you think, kitty? Do you like the name Apis?”
“Meow~”
“Oh my, it seems to like it. Pleasure to meet you, Apis~”
“Now, Al—pour your mana into the cat and call out its name. That's how you grant a cat its name.”
“Then from this moment on, your name is Apis. Nice to meet you, Apis.”
“Meoooooow!”
In that instant, a black light swirled around Apis's body and enveloped it entirely.
It's a pleasure to serve you as well, Master.
Huh? Whose voice is that? Could it be... Apis?
Yes, that's right. Demons who contract with a master can communicate without speaking! Looking forward to working with you, Master.
Mm, likewise, Apis.
When the conversation ended, the black light began to fade, and Apis's body came back into view.
“Huh... huh?! What is that? Why does it have wings on its back? Honey, what on earth is going on?”
“It seems this cat truly was no ordinary cat. I knew something was off, but to think it was a demon...”
A demon has no name of its own. That is why, once a demon is given a name, its existence becomes certain, and it gains far more mana than it possessed before.
“I don't care whether Apis is a monster or a demon. It's my familiar now! I'll say it once more—I am Albert, your master and your friend. Looking forward to working with you, Apis.”
“Meow.”
Mm, likewise, Master.
And so Albert gained a new familiar—and the chance to learn magic as well.
At the heart of Arhen, capital of the Arceus Kingdom, stood the Tower of Mages—better known as the Magic Tower. Its current Tower Master, Arhen Hiridi, was an elf and the direct disciple of the Grand Sage of Magic, one of the Six Heroes.
And that very woman was now racking her brains over a letter she had received.
Haah... to think the Shadow family would make a request like this... That thieving cat of a woman wants a mage to help raise her precious little son? Honestly, the nerve—of all things, the greatest assassin family seeking the greatest mage. But I can't exactly ignore it either. Who should I send?
After turning the matter over for a long while, she thought of her younger brother—a mage ranked among the top five in the current Tower.
Right, there's always him. The easiest to push around, plenty capable, and he's been lazing about lately anyway. Yes, he's perfect.
And so Arhen went to see her younger brother in person.
“Hey, brat! Your big sister is here—come greet me, quick!”
“Ugh, sis, open the door gently! The door's going to break. What is it this time?”
“You know the Shadow family, right? Go there and work as a tutor.”
“What?! You barge in out of nowhere and—what? And besides, the Shadow family is an assassin family! Absolutely not. No way. How is a delicate gentleman like me supposed to go to a place like that? It's impossible, absolutely impossible. Can't you send someone else? Please, sis, pleeease, send someone else~”
“Ugh... acting cute in front of me, of all people? Do you have any idea how many laboratories you blew up when your ex dumped you and you went into your little depression? Even years of earning wouldn't be enough to cover the damages, you know that? Come with me while I'm asking nicely.”
“Haah, damn it... I really don't want to go... ugh, so annoying. Fine, fine, I'll go. So when do I leave?”
“Oh, now you're talking. The sooner the better—leave tomorrow if you can. Yurihen Hiridi, this is an order from the Tower Master.”
And so the moment Albert's tutor was decided.
Meanwhile, in the Secret Forest of Arcana, Yuna was deep in her magic lessons.
“That's right, Yuna! When your mana harmonizes with your surroundings, you can unleash your true power. Your talent is affinity with the world around you! You can use and control everything nearby—the environment, nature, all of it! That's why you can get along so well with spirits and fairies too.”
“Mm?... It's hard. It just feels like borrowing strength from my friends!
Friends, lend me your power!”
In that instant, an enormous surge of mana swirled around Yuna, whipping up a mana storm.
“That's it, Yuna! Don't fight the mana—guide it! Yes, exactly like that! Now, in that state, picture an image in your mind. What do you want most right now, Yuna?”
“What I want most? That's easy—meat! I want to eat meat!”
“Meat? What on earth...?”
In that instant, the mana storm vanished—and in its place appeared an enormous slab of meat.
“Wow, it's meat! And it's huge! I'll have to share it with the villagers later. Friends, could you cook this for me?”
“Of course. Nothing's difficult when it's for you, Yuna.”
Is that so?... Just a slab of meat... Yuna is still so young, isn't she? A mana storm of that magnitude, and all she makes is meat... How innocent. But that is precisely what frightens me... I truly worry what colors this innocent child will be dyed with someday...
“Kuras, what are you doing over there? Aren't you going to eat? This is really delicious—come try some, Kuras. I set aside a portion just for you. Hehe, eat up~”
“Thank you so much, Yuna. I'll enjoy every bite.”
I will protect this innocent, kind child, no matter what. Yuna—I swear I'll make you happy!
And so Kuras was utterly smitten with Yuna.
At that moment, in the Sekri household, the head of the family and her eldest daughter were speaking alone.
“Mother, your daughter has arrived. May I come in?”
“Iris? Yes, come in.”
“Mother, might I ask why you summoned me this time?”
“Of course. Iris, you turn five this year, don't you? Even as descendants of the Hero of the Sword, we cannot neglect magic. So I will give you the choice of selecting your own magic teacher. Pick whoever pleases you from among these.”
With that, she showed a photograph of five men and women.
There's always a reason when Mother asks me to choose. She's testing my judgment, isn't she? I've seen this one before—she must be the Tower Master. I should choose this woman.
“Mother, I would like to learn from this person.”
“Ho... and your reason?”
“She carries a dignity and grace that is strikingly different from the others in the photograph. That is why I chose her.”
“You have a good eye. Unfortunately, however, this one is the Tower Master—far too great a person to serve as your tutor. Then how about this one? A former commander of the royal magic corps, now retired. She's getting on in years, but her skill is widely known to be excellent.”
Well, I didn't expect much anyway. The magic I can use in my current state is limited, so it hardly matters who teaches me.
“Yes, Mother. Then I'll take this one. When can I begin my lessons?”
“Good—eagerness is admirable. But I'll need to contact her as well, so it will likely be about two weeks from now. Until then, devote yourself to the sword.”
“Yes, Mother. Oh, that reminds me—I haven't seen Father lately... Is he well? Might I see him?”
In that instant, an overwhelming wave of mana and killing intent bore down on Iris.
“Why would you want to know? You needn't concern yourself. I manage your father quite well, so keep your mind off it and practice your sword instead. That's all—go, Iris.”
“Yes, Mother. Then I shall take my leave.”
What a truly insane family—to be jealous even of one's own daughter. Helena, you did a fine job letting me be born into this house... But the wealth and power are real. Perhaps, in a way, I should even be grateful to you, Helena.
Around that time, a man arrived at the Shadow household.
“Hello, I am Yurihen Hiridi, come to serve as tutor to your son. I look forward to working with you all.”
Thus began the first meeting of Yurihen and Albert.