Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Talent Bestowed by the Ancestor (2)
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Canelian chewed her lower lip as a sharp pang twisted in her chest.
'Is he really planning to take Silvret as his concubine? How long has it even been since he proposed to me?'
She didn't like Silvret's outfit either.
An elf who pursued magic, dressed in such a feminine getup.
'A mage should naturally wear a robe at all times, awake or asleep.'
Of course, she conveniently ignored the fact that she herself had swapped her usual armor for a thin blue silk dress.
"Your Highness, if I may be so bold, I too can see the flow of mana as a mage. But I find it hard to understand Your Highness's explanation."
"To my eyes, it's not the flow of mana—it's mana itself that I see."
"Is there a difference between the two?"
"The professor sees something I don't, and I see something she doesn't, so it's only natural we struggle to understand each other."
"Seeing the flow of mana should be the same as seeing mana itself, no?"
"No matter how much you explain the world as you perceive it in your mind, others can't truly grasp it."
"Ah!"
The two traded words back and forth.
It wasn't like a teacher instructing a novice—it felt more like a debate between equal scholars.
Canelian fiddled idly with the hilt of what was supposedly a legendary artifact sword.
'What’s with that atmosphere?'
Silvret's suddenly relaxed smile didn't sit well with her either.
'I was ready to help if the prince tried any tricks, but it looks like I won't need to.'
Canelian stole a glance at the prince's profile.
His wavy golden hair, flawless clear skin, and perfectly sculpted jawline.
The way he earnestly discussed magic with Silvret felt worlds apart from the wastrel she knew.
It was unfamiliar, and she felt strange for even noticing.
"Professor, what’s the name of that weather magic, by the way?"
"It's unfinished, so I haven't named it yet."
"Then we should come up with one now."
Silvret hesitated, lowering her gaze slightly before speaking cautiously.
"It would be an honor if Your Highness named it."
"Me?"
"Yes. Thanks to Your Highness, I've finally broken through the stagnation that's held me back for over 150 years..."
Canelian's grip tightened unconsciously on the sword hilt.
"Duchess, what do you think? How about you name it?"
The prince turned to her abruptly, nearly startling her out of her skin.
She quickly schooled her expression and calmly echoed his words, feigning nonchalance.
"Me?"
"The duchess?"
The two women's eyes met briefly.
The prince chuckled merrily, tapping the table with his fingertips.
"Without the duchess's precise aura control, even if I'd spotted the error in the circuit grammar, we couldn't have activated it."
"...I was just releasing aura as instructed. Any knight could do that."
"No. I guarantee you, in this kingdom, you're the only one who can control aura output with that level of precision."
Canelian felt a smile tugging at her lips and caught herself, inwardly scolding her reaction.
'Why am I smiling? In this situation of all things!'
"I think it would mean a lot for Duchess Canelian to name the spell. What do you say, Professor?"
"I'm all for it. Please, Duchess."
Professor Silvret beamed and bowed her head. Canelian returned the gesture, though it left her feeling oddly uncomfortable.
The mood had softened.
But I didn't let my guard down.
The wastrel image the prince had built over twenty-plus years wouldn't wash away so easily.
Not for Canelian or Raisha, nor for the nobles.
They'd see this as last-minute image management ahead of the succession, not some sudden saintly transformation.
There was just too much baggage from his past antics.
'Naming a newly created spell is a great honor. I hope Canelian appreciates it.'
No, I wasn't expecting gratitude—just a slight dip in her dislike for me.
"Really? Would it be all right if I observed Raisha's lessons too?"
"Of course. If the talent bestowed by Her Highness the Ancestor aids Raisha's magical studies, I'd be the one begging you."
"Having Raisha become an exceptional high mage would benefit our kingdom greatly. Thank you for indulging my difficult request, Professor."
Was it because I'd solved her 150-year-old puzzle?
The elf Object seemed to have fully opened her heart to me.
Goodwill practically dripped from her eyes.
'Unlimited mana herbs for her prized pupil, solving her 150-year homework. If she still hates me after this, I'd question her character.'
Anyway, my unique skill.
I'd thought seeing through items and Objects was impressive enough.
But seeing mana itself?
'I can spot weaknesses in enemy mages' spells by observing mana. Neutralize them with minimal effort.'
Like destroying the weather magic's flaw with fine aura control to trigger it.
Or shattering an enemy's massive attack spell mid-prep.
'And finding hidden mana stone veins would be a breeze.'
I could fix the royal finances I'd wrecked in no time.
'D-rank is already this good. What happens at S-rank?'
Even A- or B-rank would be game-changing.
How do I rank it up next?
'Observing the Object bumped it to Object Observation rank. Observing a massive mana flow made it Mana Observation rank.'
So, observing something equivalent to C-rank should push it to C.
No clue what that is yet.
The rain tapered off, then finally stopped.
"Finally letting up."
"The magic circle must have run out of power. It lasted shorter than my calculations."
"Probably because we forced it with aura."
"Yes, that's what I think."
Magic circle spells draw on ambient mana to sustain themselves.
They take time to prep and are easy to disrupt forcibly.
Not great for close combat.
I glanced at Canelian's face, then—
'Ah!'
Something I'd forgotten hit me.
A chill ran down my spine.
"Come to think of it, Duchess, you mentioned your advancement had stalled?"
"You're finally asking."
Canelian smiled brightly.
Still toying with the legendary(A)-rank item, Blazing Knight's Sword.
"I got here before the professor, you know."
"... ."
I'd gotten too excited solving the 150-year puzzle.
"So, my turn now?"
"Try coating the sword in aura once."
I asked cautiously, feeling her sharp gaze.
Canelian stood without another word.
Gripping the sword in her blue silk dress, she elegantly thrust into the air.
'Discernment Eye activate.'
A mass of red mana filling her body churned like an explosion.
The sword blazed with dazzling light.
Silvret cried out in shock.
"Aura Blade! My goodness, is the duchess a Swordmaster? At such a young age?"
Canelian glanced at the Object and smiled faintly.
A meaningful smile.
"Did you know, Your Highness?"
"I knew."
"Ah... So that's why you said no one in the kingdom surpasses me in fine aura control."
I'd just told her to coat it in aura, but she unleashed a full Aura Blade.
Was she done hiding her Swordmaster realm?
'Lucky for me.'
Canelian had concealed her Swordmaster status so she could assassinate me tracelessly if needed.
Now, any flawless attempt would point straight to her.
'Destroying that weather magic flaw must've been the tipping point.'
"What do you think of my Aura Blade, Your Highness? Is it perfect?"
"First time seeing one, so I can't say if it's perfect, but it doesn't look lacking."
"What about you, Professor?"
"I'm no expert on aura, but even to my eyes, it looks powerful and flawless."
"Duchess, mind swinging the sword slowly? Be careful not to wreck the bedroom."
Canelian smirked and performed a languid sword dance.
The red mana, condensed into aura form, burned steadily along the blade like flame.
'Discernment Eye deactivate.'
A white lightsaber danced through the air.
'Discernment Eye activate.'
Red mana held stable cohesion within the aura.
I toggled the skill on and off, observing calmly.
No 【Error】 markers appeared.
"From what I see, there's no issue with how you're handling the Aura Blade. What's the problem?"
"Let me show you something else."
Canelian extinguished the Aura Blade.
She picked up a fountain pen.
"Here, ordinary aura."
"...I see it."
Aura rippled over the pen, then faded.
"Now, Aura Blade."
Dazzling white light engulfed the pen completely.
Crackle!
The Aura Blade shattered instantly.
Dispersing without a trace.
Canelian sighed.
"This is the problem, Your Highness."
"...I don't get it. Isn't it obvious a fountain pen can't withstand an Aura Blade?"
"It's because this isn't a true Aura Blade."
"What?"
What nonsense is this?
"It broke instantly because it's just a plain fountain pen."
Masterwork blades can hold for hours. They wear out eventually, though."
"Isn't that normal?"
"It's not!"
Canelian shook her head vigorously in denial.
"Long ago, Baron Caron, a Swordmaster from the Empire, visited the duchy. He showed me a true Aura Blade."
Something's off.
True or fake Aura Blade? Aura's next stage after Swordmaster is just Aura Blade.
"What did Baron Caron say?"
"Not all Swordmasters are equal. Those who can't form a true Aura Blade are only half complete."
Silvret stayed quiet—outside her expertise.
This was maddening.
Weaker Swordmasters exist, sure, but half a Swordmaster?
"A true Aura Blade can manifest even on a wooden sword and doesn't damage the weapon at all."
"Did he prove it?"
"Yes. He used the wooden practice sword he carried."
Normally, it'd shatter before a breath, but his held...
"That wooden sword was probably a legendary-grade artifact or higher."
"...Pardon?"
"All weapons take damage from Aura Blades."
Legendary-grade and above are immune.
That's why Swordmasters need legendary weapons.
Canelian's face shifted from bafflement to horror.
"Is... is that true? Then why would Baron Caron lie..."
"Who knows? Maybe he saw your talent and dangled bait so you'd seek him out later as a fellow Swordmaster."
"... ."
Her betrayed expression was priceless.
I drove the nail home.
"There's no true or false Aura Blade. Duration or size might vary by Swordmaster proficiency, but that's it."
"...So I've been fooled all this time?"
"Swordmaster details are advanced secrets. Normal not to know—everyone hoards that info."
Damn Empire jerks.
Scamming my companion NPC since she was young.