The Beetle Prince (3)
"That’s it for today." I tapped the desk lightly and closed my research journal. My gaze drifted to the dark brown failure sitting in the trash bin. Even as I looked at that failure, I didn't feel any particular stress building up. Don't they say that people grow through failure? Besides, I’m the protagonist. By definition, all protagonists are supposed to grow by feeding on failure. Believing that even this failure would contribute to my growth, I didn't feel discouraged by the rotten eggs.
…Honestly, I want to take the easy way out, too. Now that I think about it, it’s unfair. Other protagonists make things with a snap of their fingers. Why do I have to run around myself and roll in the dirt for years just to make one thing? *Waaah.* Baby Julian. Let me take the easy way out.
"…*Ahem.*" The self-pity session is over. Sometimes, when things get tough, you have to talk nonsense to yourself in your head just to keep going. I checked the temperature of the incubator one last time. Then, I threw on my coat and opened the laboratory door.
"Ouch!" As soon as the door opened, a cute scream came from the other side. I knew who it was.
"Eri."
"Hehe…." Behind the door, Eri, who had fallen on her bottom, rubbed her forehead and gave me a sheepish smile.
"Eri. I recall telling you not to come to the lab during this research period."
"Sorry, Teacher. I was just so curious."
"Don't they say curiosity killed the cat?"
"But they also say the curious cat gets adopted first. And didn't I become your assistant thanks to my curiosity?"
"Hmm." She acts like she doesn't have a thought in her head, but sometimes she hits the nail right on the head.
Following Eri's gaze, I saw the small window left slightly ajar. There was a gap the size of a needle hole that I had left open just a crack for ventilation. I locked the gap and said, "Right. So, what did the cat see this time?"
At my question, Eri brushed off her bottom, stood up, and her eyes sparkled. "Oh, that's right! It's the same spell as that dark mage, right? Then does that mean you're a mage comparable to the 2nd Circle?"
She flapped her arms as she spoke. Seeing her passion for magic, a smile naturally spread across my face. Perhaps it’s because I once aspired to be a professor. I can't hide my smile when I see a child burning with academic zeal. Of course, even as I say that, I’m just a child myself.
"It’s not quite to that extent."
"Don't be so humble. I saw it clearly. The incantation, the catalyst, even the mist that appeared. Except for the color, it was the same magic as that dark mage."
"But the difference in the level of mastery is vast."
The most I could create was a curse that could cover a carton of eggs. Even that was at a level where I could only cast it once a day after reciting the incantation to the end and setting up the optimal environment, unlike Belgian. No matter how much of a genius I am, I couldn't replicate the level of a dark mage who had achieved the 2nd Circle. The curse I put on the eggs this time wasn't even that special of a performance. It was just a slight improvement over the trick I showed Eri before—boiling a teapot with a matchstick.
"I've told you several times, you can't call this magic."
"Eh… then what am I?"
"There's no need to be impatient yet, Eri."
They say it takes three years to finish the basics of magic, don't they? You start learning magic at 12, and after three years pass, you become 15 and can become a proper apprentice mage. In medical terms, that means you're at the intern level. You shouldn't use me as a benchmark, since I cut that down to three months thanks to protagonist buffs and genius buffs.
"Still, I want to try using it sometimes…. I've learned exception handling now, too. And there's that saying, right? Practical experience is a hundred times better than studying."
Is she talking about "seeing is believing"?
"I want to train my magic one by one now, too."
"Hmm…." I pondered her words for a moment, then nodded. "Now that I think about it, it's about time for you to do that, too."
"Huh?"
"Yes. It would be good for you to practice using magic in a controlled environment."
I recalled the curriculum I had experienced in a compressed timeframe. After learning exception handling in about four days, I started training to cast magic in a controlled environment with the help of a private tutor. It was a fact known to everyone, regardless of time or place, that practical experience was far more helpful than books. Plus, with a training ground in the mansion, there was no reason for me not to practice practical application.
"While doing that, you'll be able to find out which magic you have an aptitude for."
"Really? Then are you going to teach me now, Teacher?"
"No. I can't help you with practical training."
Theory is one thing, but practical application is outside the scope of what I can do. To create an environment for practical training, one must first have the ability to sense that environment. Naturally, I, who gave up on being a mage because I lacked that ability, couldn't possibly create such an environment.
"Then what was that you did inside there by yourself? Can't I do it in there too?"
"That place is for my exclusive use, so it would be difficult."
My laboratory is filled with all sorts of magical tools. Humidity, temperature, and even symbolism. It was my own workshop, built by slathering it with capital. Naturally, that space wasn't appropriate for Eri to learn magic.
"Then what about Teacher Schmidt?"
"He's already overwhelmed just teaching Freya."
"Then do I have to wait until Freya's class is over?"
"Well…."
However, it was a waste to let Eri's talent rot. I was rubbing my chin in thought when a person suddenly crossed my mind. A mage who could control the surrounding environment with the help of magical tools. "Ah. Now that I think about it, there is a suitable teacher."
"There is someone. It would be appropriate to learn from that person."
"Who?"
"You'll find out tomorrow."
Leaving Eri, who was tilting her head, behind, I pondered the gift I should prepare before meeting that person.
***
Strike while the iron is hot. Since the next day was the weekend, I decided to meet that person right away. I couldn't go find them myself, so I called them to our mansion through the head butler.
*Knock, knock, knock.* The door to the annex reception room rang three times.
"Come in."
As soon as the head butler's permission was given, the door opened slowly. The first thing to enter through the door gap was the smell of pine resin and oil. It was a scent that could be called the unique body odor of mages who primarily deal with fire. As the door opened, a man revealed himself. Manager Shen. It had been a long time since I had seen him without a gas mask.
"Greetings, Director."
The scarred man bowed his head as he crossed the threshold. He finished his greeting quickly, and his gaze scanned the reception room. First, it turned to Eri, who was sitting next to me, swinging her legs. After showing signs of thought at the appearance of someone he hadn't seen before, he soon met the head butler's eyes. As soon as he met the head butler's eyes, he lowered his gaze, and finally, he met my eyes.
*Click.* His body seemed to stiffen minutely. He looked strangely uncomfortable with me. *Are you still holding onto that?*
I didn't show it and gestured to the sofa opposite me. Manager Shen sat down cautiously. Although "perched" would be a more appropriate expression than "sat." The head butler placed black tea in front of Manager Shen. Only then did Eri, who was next to me, whisper to me.
"Teacher. Is that person going to help with my training?"
"It hasn't been decided like that yet."
"Why?"
"The other party has to accept the request."
A voice too loud to be a whisper passed between the two of us. I could see Manager Shen was also listening in. Especially when I brought up the word "request," his shoulders flinched once. I moistened my lips with the black tea and immediately brought up the main point.
"Manager Shen."
"Yes, please speak, Director."
His answer popped out immediately. It was an attitude that showed he was ready to receive orders at any time.
"I would like to make one request."
"…."
"This is a child with the talent of a mage that our family is raising. I would like you to teach this child."
Manager Shen's eyes widened. "Y-you mean me?"
It was no wonder he was surprised. A child with the talent of a mage being raised directly by a noble family. A child who might create a new noble family in the future. Becoming the teacher of such a child was by no means a light matter.
"Why me, of all people…."
"I couldn't think of a more suitable candidate than you in my surroundings. Besides, didn't you say you were from the Magic Tower?"
"That is a story from a long time ago."
"But I think you are the most suitable candidate."
Manager Shen bowed his head. Silence flowed for a while. Eventually, he opened his mouth.
"I am not qualified."
It was an expected answer. It had been two years since I started working with Manager Shen. I knew at least the fact that this person was strangely uncomfortable with me. I had also vaguely guessed the reason.
"I am someone who once betrayed the Young Master. I don't think someone like me can take charge of someone precious to the Young Master."
"Young Master."
At that moment, the head butler, who had been listening to the conversation quietly, also chimed in. "I agree as well. Someone who has betrayed goodwill once is fully capable of doing so again."
"…."
"I am worried as a butler. If it happens again this time, I worry about how much the Young Master will be hurt…."
"Butler."
I cut off the head butler's words. And I thought for a moment. Actually, it wasn't that I didn't understand the head butler's worry. They say you shouldn't take in black-haired beasts, after all. But.
"I don't think it's right not to give someone a chance just because they failed once."
No matter how much I thought about it, that was the logic of ordinary people. By definition, a protagonist must have a large vessel. Unless they were stabbing me in the back, I could generously forgive a few silver coins.
"But Young Master. This old man will speak out of turn. Once you turn your back after having once forsaken goodwill, you are bound to repeat the same behavior. You should reconsider…."
"Then, Butler, should I not have forgiven my mother?"
The head butler's mouth shut. He must remember, too. Before I was accepted as the eldest son of this family. How Mother Linier was tormenting me. But I accepted my mother. Simply because I'm the protagonist? That's part of it, but it's because her sincerity in wanting to apologize to me was conveyed. So I trusted my mother, and that choice was right. She truly loved me, and as a result, I was able to secure a foothold in this precarious world.
"Manager Shen must have had circumstances where he had no choice back then, too. He must have been betrayed by nobles more than once or twice."
I looked at Manager Shen. His shoulders were trembling.
"But I have never disappointed the Young Master…."
"Mistakes are originally opportunities for growth. I don't think mistakes are the basis for determining a person's value."
If you live life, you can fail and make mistakes. Even just looking at myself, I was broken here and there during my residency. Sometimes I’d panic and do something incompetent. Then, after I grew up, I watched my juniors do the same. But, in the end, mistakes didn't determine a person's value. Rather, the people who disappointed me the most often showed remarkable growth later on. Perhaps because of that experience, I didn't feel the need to be disappointed in my own or others' mistakes.
"Manager Shen. So, don't whip yourself over things like that anymore."
And I turned my head toward the head butler. "Butler, you too. I wasn't hurt, so there's no need for you to get angry on my behalf."
"I apologize, Young Master. I must have become senile. I was presumptuously guessing the Young Master's heart."
"…That's not it. Thank you for worrying about me that much."
The head butler seemed to think I had been hurt all this time. Well, that wasn't a completely wrong guess. To be honest, I had been a little sulky, too. Maybe that's why I arranged a place for forgiveness only now, even though two years had passed. Still, well. Thinking about the dedication Manager Shen has shown for two years, isn't it okay to forgive him now? Just like I forgave my mother.
"Let's stop talking about the past. I'll ask again, Manager Shen. Will you take charge of Eri?"
I clapped my hands to change the atmosphere. Manager Shen, who had been staring at me, lost in thought, soon nodded his head.
"I understand, Young Master. I will definitely live up to your expectations."
Manager Shen stood up from his seat and bowed his waist. Eri, who was watching that, raised her hand high.
"Then when do I start learning?"
"…."
Rather than not being able to read the room, it was closer to an effort to change the atmosphere in her own way. Knowing that fact, Manager Shen wiped his eyes with his sleeve and let out a dry laugh.
"It's possible starting tomorrow at the earliest."
"Really?!" Eri clenched both her fists.
"Finally, I can use magic too! But what kind of magic does the uncle use?"
"I use flame."
"Oh, flame."
Seeing her so excited, I wondered if I should have found her a teacher sooner. I habitually put my hand in my coat pocket while gently stroking Eri's hair.
‘Huh?’
The familiar texture that should have touched my fingertips wasn't there. I furrowed my brow slightly and rummaged through my pocket. It was empty.
I was able to realize what the missing item was immediately. Old Mage Fitch's grimoire.
The old notebook that contained thousands of research records on the combination of holy water and magic. ‘Ah. Was today the day the rental period ended?’ Since the transcription was already finished, I didn't feel like it was a waste. I shrugged my shoulders and turned my gaze back to the conversation between Eri and Manager Shen.
"Then what time should I come tomorrow?"
"I will come find you. Please be at the clinic at 8 AM. I will teach you there."
"Huh? You said it was practical training."
"Shouldn't we study safety before practical training?"
"Eh…."
At the word "study," Eri's expression soured.
***
At the same time. The center of Sanctum Hill. Somewhere in the Imperial Palace, an old man with white hair was sitting in front of a fireplace, nodding off.
"…Hmm?"
The old mage opened his eyes slowly.
A tattered leather notebook that hadn't been there until a moment ago dropped onto his lap. It was the very grimoire that had vanished from Julian's pocket as if by magic.
"Haha. It has returned."
The old mage smiled. In truth, that grimoire was not a copy. From the beginning, duplicating a grimoire without an incantation was a magically inefficient act. I was already short on every drop of mana I needed for my research. It was too stupid to duplicate a notebook on the spot just because I wanted to look cool in front of a junior. So the old mage had added a slight lie.
"Now I can do research again."
He picked up the notebook and stood up. That notebook was the original research note he possessed. It just happened to have been imbued from the beginning with a bit of preservation magic and a function that returned it to its owner's possession after time had passed. He picked up the returned research note and approached the desk. Under the mana lamp, he opened the notebook.
"Let's see, what kind of research did our junior do?"
And the magic imbued in the notebook wasn't limited to those two things. As he flipped through the notebook, Julian's research up to that point was written in dense handwriting.
"Good work, Fitch."
The old mage placed three small sugar cubes on the notebook. *Crunch.* As he blinked, the three sugar cubes had vanished in an instant. The mage flipped through the notebook and examined the contents recorded in the notebook over the past week.
"Huh… using eggs. That's a unique idea. How are you going to use that curse?"
The experiments of Julian that the old mage looked into were a series of surprises. It wasn't that there was any special technique. Rather, in terms of magical skill, it was at a level lower than an apprentice. But seeing him repeat meaningless experiments on eggs was enough to make one curious about the idea.
"What are you doing this for, junior?"
In his view, Julian's experiments weren't some stupid games of re-proving already discovered laws. It was an experiment that started from some fresh idea that only geniuses know, which is difficult to explain to ordinary people. Before he knew it, the notebook was heading toward the last page. There, a scene that the old mage didn't particularly want was recorded.
"Haha, I told him to record it whenever he felt mana. I guess since it's a low-level spirit, it didn't grasp the context and recorded even this."
It was content about Julian's daily conversations, not Julian's experiments. It wasn't content the old mage wanted. From the beginning, lending the notebook was just to peek at the idea, even if I felt sorry for the junior. It wasn't to do the tactless thing of peeking into his private life. So, just as he was about to erase those conversations.
One sentence caught the old mage's eye. Reading that sentence, a strange light shone in the eyes of the mage, who had been full of sleepiness. The mage stroked his chin in silence for a while.
"Affirming mistakes and failures, and learning through them…."
In the world of mages, failure meant death or the miserable downfall of research to which one had devoted one's life. A world where there are countless people who become cripples by causing mana backflow from a single failure. On top of that, having lived as elites, they feared failure terribly. Therefore, mages feared failure extremely, tried to control it, and sometimes tried to trample on others' failures and rise up. The old mage knew that fact better than anyone.
‘That’s why I deliberately showed him the failed notebook.’
But a mere twelve-year-old noble child was calmly preaching that failure was the basis for valuable growth. While keeping his own research records of thousands of failures by his side.
‘Huh….’
This wasn't an attitude you could have just because you were taught. In the first place, it didn't seem like a young child had learned such an attitude from anyone. Perhaps that's why. At least in the old mage's view, that attitude was an innate talent.
‘It’s been a long time since it seemed worth leaving the Imperial Palace for a while.’
A deep arc was slowly drawn on his wrinkled lips.