Chapter 2 Part 1
A month has passed since the annex of the Caldwen estate was smashed to pieces.
During that time, many things happened.
First, Reid informed his mother and the village chief back home that he could not return for the time being because he was now officially engaged to the eldest daughter of the Caldwen family, Elria.
His mother’s response was, “Oh, I see! It’s a prank, right!? I won’t be fooled, but I’m looking forward to seeing your father’s reaction when he gets back!!” and, “If you are going to stay in the royal capital, can you send me some souvenirs?”.
The engagement was officially approved by the family head, Alicia.
In addition to the first set of conditions, he also received a mix of encouragement and resentment, saying, “Go make a name for yourself so that you can make up for the fact that you destroyed the annex”.
Incidentally, Galleon, who had been blown away in the aftermath of the beating, was found without incident and is now back to work as a mage after being treated with healing magic.
“You have got over the father-in-law wall!!,” he said and laughed loudly, so it is fair to say that he approved of Reid, too.
In the past month, Reid has also made several other preparations ――
“―― Wow, that’s a hell of a crowd.”
He arrived in front of the academy, where the examination was held, and expressed his feelings.
Vegalta Royal Magic Academy.
It is the oldest and most magnificent educational institution specializing in magic on the continent.
There are many other Magic Academies scattered throughout the continent, but Vegalta Royal Magic Academy, which is considered the cradle of magic, is ranked the highest among them.
The most advanced magic technology has been introduced throughout the academy, a library of knowledge in various magic fields has been gathered, and active mages with various achievements are in charge of teaching.
Even just gaining admission to the academy is a splendid career achievement, and anyone who took the entrance examination may be given preferential treatment as someone with an adequate amount of magic power.
There are many people of different ages and appearances at the examination venue. Some were clearly over thirty, while others were children who appeared to be just twelve years old. The older ones were probably those who had studied at other academies before enrolling in the Royal Magic Academy.
There are also those who wear local clothes, some wearing unfamiliar ornaments and others wearing what appears to be foreign folk clothing, indicating that the Royal Magic Academy in Vegalta is a special place in the world of magic supremacy.
“Come to think of it, Elria, you’re currently sixteen years old, right?”
“Yes. I’ll be sixteen this year.”
“Then why didn’t you enroll when you were twelve?”
“Because I was looking for Reid.”
“Well, thank you for your time.”
“And I also had to postpone it because of family matters.”
“…What do you mean by family matters?”
“The princess was scheduled to enter the academy at the same time as me, and if I did enter at the same time, I would have taken first place in everything, so the king personally asked me to postpone my entrance to keep up the appearance of the royal family.”
“To get a personal request from the king, as expected of Elria…”
“Yes. The sweets they gave me as a gift were very delicious.”
Elria nodded her head as she spoke of her carefree thoughts.
Although the Caldwen family’s status is second only to the royal family, they still could not afford to disrespect the monarch’s face, so Alicia must have arranged for the enrolment to be postponed.
But that was not the only reason for postponing it ――
“So, Elria-san.”
“Hm…? What’s the matter?”
“For how long are you going to stick behind me?”
Since arriving at the examination venue, Elria had been sticking behind Reid all the time.
She is carefully tugging at the hem of his clothes.
“Because… I feel like everyone is going to be looking at me…”
After answering, Elria shrinks back to hide.
In the past month, he has learned that Elria’s popularity is quite high.
Not only is she from the Caldwen family that has inherited the name of the Sage, but she is also a child full of talent in magic that is worthy of her name and is even called the reincarnation of the Sage by those around her.
In fact, she is the very person herself, but those involved in magic must be so interested in her that they call her the ‘Sage’.
And her appearance spurs the situation.
She has silver hair that shimmers gently in the sunlight, eyes the color of the deep sea that shine like jewels, and a face so well-featured that men and women of all ages would admire it.
And perhaps because of her slim and elegant body that would be the envy of any woman, her bosom, which, while not bosomy, certainly accentuates her femininity, stands out unintentionally.
When such a girl was walking around, everyone would involuntarily look at her.
However, for the shy Elria, the gazes of others are not something she is comfortable with.
As a result, she has been hiding behind Reid all the time.
“That’s why… I’m going to stick behind Reid like this…”
“It’s so hard to walk.”
“…Would it be easier to walk if it’s a piggyback ride?”
“A piggyback ride would just attract more attention.”
Reid scratches his head and lets out a sigh as Elria clutches his clothes.
“They’re not really looking at you in a weird way, but it’s because you’re cute.”
“…I am cute?”
Then, for the first time, Elria looked up, reacting with a twitch.
“Before, you were an elf, so you probably stood out, but now you’re just a regular human. So that’s what I mean when I say they are looking at you.”
“…Do you think so too, Reid?”
“Ah? This is not about me ――”
“It’s very important, so answer me.”
Elria tightens her grip on Reid’s clothes as she presses her lips together.
Not wanting to have his clothes torn, Reid told her honestly what he thought.
“Well… of course. I’d even want to brag about you to the people around me.”
“……Thank you.”
After smiling, Elria let go of his clothes.
She then walks right next to Reid.
“In that case… I will make you proud.”
She looks up firmly with a smile.
After seeing Elria like that ――
“Then you can let go of my sleeves, too.”
“T-There’s still a lot of people around… so I’m going to use you as a lifeline…”
“Is it really that hard to be out in public?”
She starts walking around looking sharper than before, even though she is still holding on to Reid’s thin sleeve for her dear life.
It does not look good since she is still holding on to the sleeve, but it is not so bad, considering that it is a step forward.
“―― We’ll be conducting the practical examination shortly!! Those with a letter of introduction, please follow the instructions of nearby staff. General applicants, please gather at the place where the flag is raised!!”
A man, who is probably a staff member of the academy, shouts out, and the examinees start walking toward the designated area.
Following the instructions, Reid and Elria called out to a female staff member nearby.
“Excuse me, we were referred to by the Caldwen family…”
“Yes, may I see your letter of introduction?”
The female staff member nodded softly as Reid handed over the two letters of introduction he had received from Alicia.
“Elria Caldwen-sama and Reid Frieden-sama, right? I have verified your letters of introduction and will take you to the designated examination venue now.”
With a friendly smile, the female staff member leads the way.
“I never thought I would be able to guide the Caldwen family. Rumors have been circulating, especially about Elria-sama.”
“Mm… Thank you very much.”
Elria bowed awkwardly. As if like a wary small animal.
And now, the female staff member turns her attention to Reid.
“I’m sorry… but I have not heard of Reid-sama’s family name, but I assume you are related to the Caldwen family?”
“Reid is my fiancé.”
“Oh, I see, your fiancé…”
She spoke back vaguely, and then the staff member turned around vigorously.
“Elria-sama has a fiancé!?”
“Yes. We got engaged a month ago.”
“Then… congratulations, I guess?”
“Mm, thank you.”
Unlike earlier, Elria nodded her head in satisfaction.
“If I may ask, is Reid-sama from a distinguished family…?”
“No, I’m just an extra, so please don’t mind me.”
“T-That’s just not possible! The whole country will be interested in a man who is engaged to Elria-sama, who is said to be the reincarnation of the Sage, you know!?”
“Ahh, that’s how it goes after all…”
Reid waved his hand with a fed-up expression as the female staff member approached him excitedly.
That reaction was expected.
His position as Elria’s fiancé attracts undeniable attention from others.
That is why Reid must show a result that is worthy of it.
In other words, it is not just a matter of passing the examination like usual ―― he has to show overwhelming ability.
“Haa… this is really depressing.”
“Everything will be fine. I believe in Reid.”
“Thank you for your baseless words…”
Reid pats Elria on the head as she holds his hands and encourages him.
And so ―― another scene came into view.
“This will be the examination venue for our distinguished guests.”
It was a temporary lot outside the academy.
Facing away from the academy, some sort of device is set up.
“I hate to say this, but isn’t this a place a little too modest for distinguished guests?”
“I’m sorry to hear that… When it comes to guests who have been introduced to us, distinguished guests usually use magic that is so powerful and dangerous that we have to limit the damage through this method.”
The staff member bows her head apologetically with a wry smile.
Certainly, examinees would have to go all out to measure their abilities, and it is only natural that they have taken such measures to avoid the destruction of the equipment and damage to the academy.
“―― Yeah! Please be careful, a big one is coming!!”
A red-haired girl with a shrill and joyful voice said, far above them.
Right below her ―― is a huge black dragon.
Over the past thousand years, magic has developed in many different forms.
Not only does it create and shoot things like fire and ice out of thin air, as it did a thousand years ago, but their shapes can be changed into any desired form and be used as weapons, strengthening the mage’s own physical abilities and senses, there is also healing magic to enhance natural healing power and revive lost tissues.
And… the girl who rides the dragon is using magic called summoning magic.
Generally, it is a magic that involves enslaving magical beasts, which are usually considered Kaijus that attack humans, and summon them at will to engage in battle as servants. This magic is difficult to handle because it requires not only the caster’s magic power, but also the necessary qualifications recognized by the magical beast being enslaved.
However, the black dragon faithfully follows the girl without showing hostility toward her.
Perhaps noticing Reid’s gaze, the staff member added.
“Ah… She is Rufus Lailas-sama of the Serios Federation.”
“Serios Federation, you say… Are you talking about the country across the straits that lives in harmony with magical beasts?”
“Yes. The country is composed of seven Chief of State specializing in summoning magic, and is a country based on merit and talent, where superiority is determined by the magical beasts that have been enslaved.”
“…But then, why did she end up at the magic academy in Vegalta?”
“Well, even though the disputes with other countries have long since ceased… it is a great honor for a country to produce great mages, and if they can produce results at Vegalta Royal Magic Academy, the cradle of magic, they would have an advantage in cross-national relations.”
“In other words, it’s like a proxy war between countries?”
“That’s right. The king of Vegalta also recommends a magic competition between nations from the aspect of ‘promoting the development of magic’, and has promised to provide many benefits to the country where the top graduate belongs to. That is why influential people from other countries who have made a name for themselves and royalty from other countries who are talented in magic also wish to enroll in our magic academy.”
This is a world where magic reigns supreme.
This is true not only for Vegalta but for other countries as well, not only for the benefits in diplomatic relations that the king of Vegalta has promised but also for the advantage that mages from their own country can have an advantage over other countries by producing results.
“Rufus-sama is also related to one of the seven Chief of State of the Serios Federation and is widely known as the <<Dragon Princess>> because she is able to handle all four dragons that are the symbols of her country, the ‘Guardian Dragons’.”
“Heh… that’s quite amazing.”
Looking at the giant jet-black dragon in the distance, he expressed his thoughts.
At that moment… Elria unexpectedly pulled his sleeve. Moreover, for some reason, she seems to be a little grumpy.
“What’s the matter?”
“…I can use summoning magic, too.”
“Ah… Well, that’s only natural for you.”
“I can use many other kinds of magic, too.”
“Ah… Show me something really spectacular next time.”
“Yes, I’ll show you something truly spectacular.”
Elria’s eyes were unusually motivated. It seems to have ignited her fighting spirit, but she must have remembered something from her old fighting days.
After such an exchange, the staff member from earlier led them to their designated position.
“Now then, please cast your magic toward the device placed over there.”
Pointing to a device visible in the distance, the staff member continued to explain.
“The device has multiple layers of protection and barrier magic attached to it. The result will be decided based on how much of that magic you can destroy within the time limit.”
“Does it matter what method is used to destroy that protection?”
“No, any method is acceptable. Basically, many would just use simple magic, but some people used the method of dismantling the magic itself by reversing it. That being said, the latter is a rare case, because it requires a deep knowledge of magic in general.”
In other words, it’s to, “Hit them with everything you got”.
“I will be the judge. Who would like to go first?”
“Then let’s start with me.”
With that, Elria took a step forward.
Then ―― she picked up the wand that was on her waist.
“―――― Deploy.”
In response to her soft voice, the wand in her hand changed shape. It then became a staff as tall as Elria. The tip began to have rings circling around a deep sea-colored jewel in the center, shining faintly.
It is a magic tool that is made for Elria.
“This time, I want to show Reid something good, so ――”
Lightly handling the huge staff, Elria looked at the device in the distance and then,
“―― I will cast magic that’s a little stronger.”
Such a muffled whisper.
As if to drown out her voice, a huge pillar of flame soared high into the sky.
The red pillar of flame turned the clear sky into a red lotus color as it engulfed the surrounding atmosphere with a thunderous roar similar to that of oxygen burning and exploding.
And now… there was not a shadow or figure left at the center of the explosion.
The surrounding area has turned to scorched earth, and the smoldering red flames continue to scorch the ground.
The sight left everyone speechless.
Seeing the overwhelming power, everyone understood the meaning of that word.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”6″ exclusions=”78,79,80,81,82,83,85,86,87,88,89,90,91″ display=”basic_thumbnail” override_thumbnail_settings=”1″ thumbnail_width=”800″ thumbnail_height=”800″ thumbnail_crop=”0″]‘Sage’.
A great being who stands at the pinnacle of mages, she is worthy of being called as such.
However, she turns around with a nonchalant expression on her face.
“How was it, Reid?”
“It was a lot more flashy than before.”
“Because Reid wanted to see it. But I made sure to disable all the protection and barrier magic just before I unleashed, so it wouldn’t lower the power of the magic.”
“That’s amazing. It’s like the strongest set of greed.”
“Yes, I tried a little harder.”
Elria stares at Reid with a slight blush on her cheeks. Perhaps she wants to be praised.
As he patted Elria on the head to reward her for her efforts, the staff member who had been paralyzed with shock after witnessing the scene called out to him.
“H-How can you look so calm after seeing that…?”
“Ahh, well, I’m used to seeing that.”
“That magic is equivalent to the highest level of magic, the tenth tier, you know!? I’ve never seen anyone other than those who are registered as special rank mages using it!!”
said the staff member with a mixture of excitement and awe in her voice.
However, it was something that Reid had seen many times.
In her previous life, Elria used not only the magic from earlier but more powerful and battle-oriented magic with fewer gaps. She used a wide range of magic, not only on Reid personally but also for strategic purposes. Compared to that, it was probably more modest.
“More importantly, what are you going to do with that, Elria?”
“That?”
“That scorched ground over there.”
Reid pointed to the ground that was being scorched by fire.
The pillar of flame created by the magic has vanished, but the fire damage brought about by it is still scorching the ground.
“…It’s beautiful, I guess?”
“I wasn’t asking for opinions…”
“Well, now I’ll use a different kind of magic to put out the fire.”
“The result is going to be a great flood. Oh well, I’ll handle it.”
In the stead of Elria, Reid steps forward.
“Excuse me, what would my evaluation be if I put that out?”
“Eh? Ah, yes, err… since that fire was created by magic, it would require magic of the same tier to offset it, so you would be evaluated to be on par with Elria-sama…”
“Ahh, then that would do it.”
Reid readies his fist as he gazes into a sea of blazing fire.
At that moment ―― the sensation of something gushing out was born inside his body.
The feeling as if one’s own body has switched to something else.
“―――― Ha!!”
The moment Reid swung his fist with a short breath ――
The pressure of his punch instantly erased the red flames that were encroaching on his vision.
With a sound that shook the air and the ground, the red flames were smashed and extinguished by the blow, and the aftermath of the blow cratered the ground.
And so… the red color that was in sight vanished, and a devastated land of mixed black and brown spread out in front of them.
“Phew… it’s been a long time since I’ve blown off Elria’s magic.”
“It was a good punch just like old times.”
“But still, it doesn’t feel right… I used to use weapons and armor.”
“It’s still good enough. Reid is strong, after all.”
As she says this, Elria stretches her body to put her hand on Reid’s head.
It looked very painful, so Reid thought that he would lower his head next time.
As they were having such an exchange ――
“Um… may I have a word with you two?”
The staff member trembled and showed the communication magic tool in her hand.
“The headmaster… wants me to bring in the people who had caused a ruckus here.”
The staff member who told them this was on the verge of tears.
Chapter 1 Part 6
◆
Elria sat on a chair in her room in the main building, waiting for the time to pass. She then turns around when she hears a light knock on the door.
“……Reid, is that you?”
She called out, but the response she got was from someone else.
“It’s me. May I come in to talk to you?”
“……Yes.”
Elria prompted.
Alicia quietly opened the door and entered the room.
“What happened to Reid?”
“Galleon is dealing with him now. And so, I thought I would hear from you again.”
With a smile, Alicia sat down on the sofa in the room.
Mimicking her mother, Elria also sat down on the opposite side, facing this sofa.
“I’m going to ask you again… Are you sure he’s the ‘Reid’ you’re talking about?”
“Yes, I’m sure of it. He is the ‘Reid’ I knew.”
She has never once forgotten about him.
Even after being reincarnated a thousand years later, she still thought of Reid every day.
And ―― at last, she was able to find him.
“I never thought you would actually find him.”
“…Yes, I was a little worried, too.”
There was no basis that Reid was reincarnated as Elria did. It was merely a ‘wish’ of hers. Having been reincarnated in a world a thousand years later and being alone again… she simply wished, ‘I wish he were here’, like a spoiled child.
“But… Reid is really here.”
Elria could not help but smile as she recalled their reunion. The look of surprise on Reid’s face. It was the same as when they had first met. A time when they were neither the ‘Hero’ nor the ‘Sage’.
Seeing Elria’s smile, Alicia also smiled wryly.
“You really like him, don’t you?”
“……Yes.”
In response to Alicia’s words, Elria nodded softly.
“―― I like Reid.”
She speaks her mind with confidence. But later, cast her eyes downward to hide her face, which was getting bright red for having said that.
“Maybe, I like… him… I think?”
“Why are you gradually losing confidence?”
“Because… I never felt that way… before…!”
She taps her cheeks repeatedly as if to cool them.
After all, they had fought each other as enemies in their previous lives.
A strange person who always smiles with confidence and fights dutifully.
It was when she was on the verge of death that she realized that she ‘likes’ him.
Elria had devoted herself to the study and spread of magic. For this reason, she continued to overwork her body… until her consciousness gradually grew dim, and when she came to, she was in a world a thousand years in the future.
At that time, the first thing that came to mind was the figure of the ‘Hero’.
The figure who fought against old age, which is the fate of humans, and yet he wanted to settle the battle with her.
And that was why ―― Elria wished to see him again.
She wanted to see his smile again.
She wanted to have a good time with him again.
And if she could see him again ――
“―― I thought that this time I would be able to say I like him.”
A wish that could not be fulfilled in her previous life due to their positions and race.
Wanting to fulfill her wish, Elria clung to what little hope she had and kept looking for Reid, believing that he had been reincarnated.
Hearing Elria’s answer, Alicia tilted her head dubiously.
“…How can I say this, you two think alike.”
“…Reid and I think alike?”
“It’s the way you talk about the present as if it were the past or the way you look at things in light of the past…”
“I-I guess I’m just not good at talking…”
“I know… Well, if you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine.”
When Alicia stared at her, Elria waved her hand around to deceive her.
She has not told her parents about her own reincarnation.
At one point, she thought about telling her own parents or someone else that she knew.
However… She felt that if they knew about it, it would diminish the connection between Reid and her, so she somehow could not talk about it.
“…That’s because it’s our secret.”
“Alright. Then I won’t ask.”
“…Mm, thank you.”
Seeing Alicia smiling and stroking her head, Elria also naturally smiled back.
“So, you’ve already told him how you feel, haven’t you?”
“……Eh?”
“He told me you two were getting engaged, so you told him that you like him, right?”
“…………”
Thinking back, she did not seem to have told him.
Even during their reunion and when they got here, she did not tell him.
Seeing Elria starting to tremble, Alicia sighed as if she had guessed it.
“Haa… I knew you were shy and clumsy with words, but I can’t believe you couldn’t even tell him that…”
“N-No, it’s not what you think… I thought about it a lot, and the word ‘marriage’ came up first…!!”
She was not lying.
Being reunited with Reid made Elria’s thoughts spin more than at any other time in her life. It was probably the greatest speed of thought in the history of her life. And it was then she thought, “I can solve all of Reid’s current situation by being engaged to him and using the Caldwen’s name and status”.
As a result, her emotions could not keep up with her thoughts, and the process of telling him her feelings blew up.
“Besides… I wanted to see him smile…”
The smile he always showed her in battles.
He did not have that smile on his face when they met again.
A smile that looked somewhat incomplete, akin to resignation.
It was because she had figured that proposing the ‘engagement’ was a way to solve the problem and also used their past ‘promise’ to encourage him to go along with the idea.
That is just how much she wanted him to smile as he did then.
“Oh well… he’s such a good person to say something like that even in this kind of situation…”
“What did Reid say to you?”
When Elria tilted her head and asked, Alicia smiled with a satisfied look on her face.
“I can’t tell you that. Make sure you tell him your feelings and then ask him.”
“Eh…? What?”
Alicia giggles as she looks at the flustered Elria.
“This is getting interesting. I was going to stop the engagement if I got a disappointing result, but now it might be more interesting to approve it and let Galleon train him.”
“…What are Father and Reid doing?”
“Well. I gave him a lot of conditions to approve the engagement. But he told me he couldn’t use magic, so now I’m having Galleon check on his abilities.”
……………
…………………
“Mother.”
“If you’re asking me to cut corners, I won’t listen, okay? With his family background and the inability to use magic, the eyes of people around you will be harsher, so he needs to be somewhat competent even if he can’t use magic ――”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then speak up.”
“Well, to be clear ――”
The moment Elria was about to say something, a thunderous roar rang out from the direction of the annex.
And then, as if delayed, the crushing sound of the building collapsing could be heard.
“Father is in danger.”
“……Huh?”
“I forgot to tell Mother, but Reid is very strong.”
“…Wait, he can’t use magic, right?”
“He certainly can’t, but Reid doesn’t need to use magic in the first place.”
In the magic system created by Elria, Reid cannot use magic with his magic power.
Therefore, it is not wrong to say that Reid cannot use magic.
However, Reid has been fighting with Elria and ending in draws.
A person who simply cannot use magic would not be able to go toe-to-toe with Elria.
As for his strength, Elria can only describe it as ‘strong’.
“―― Reid is simply a ‘strong person’.”
Immediately after she said this, an explosion rang out near the room.
When Elria approached the window, a thick cloud of dust was rising in the air.
“―― Heyyy!! Can anyone hear me!?”
Reid’s voice can be heard through the dust cloud.
“Reid, what’s the matter?”
“Elria, is that you!? Did you see Galleon-san!?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Not this way, huh!? Damn it, even though I was going easy on him!!”
“What did Reid do?”
“Ahh!! I asked Galleon-san if I could destroy the building, and he told me to give it my all so I just punched him!!”
Alicia was dumbfounded, with her mouth open as she heard Reid’s screams.
As he said, Reid must have just punched Galleon.
With just that ―― Reid had survived the battlefield.
No cheap tricks or tactics were involved.
He may be human, but his physical abilities far exceed the norm for humans.
A simple yet ridiculous strength.
With a single swing of his fist, he has the monstrous strength to knock down magic and all beings.
With such absolute ‘strength’, Reid has forced everything to yield.
And that’s why ―― he was called a ‘Hero’ who has no equal.
“So, does Mother recognize Reid’s strength?”
Elria smiled at the dumbfounded Alicia.
The existence of the ‘Hero’ who was once evenly matched with the ‘Sage’.
And that’s why she was able to say it ――
“―― The man that I like is the ‘strongest’.”
Prouder than anyone else.
She smiled brilliantly as if to flaunt the ‘Hero’ that she had fallen in love with.
Chapter 1 Part 5
◇
The servants led them to an annex a short distance away from the mansion. Perhaps it was prepared for guests, but the size and structure of the annex did not pale in comparison to the main building, and it was undoubtedly a guest house to welcome distinguished families and nobles.
After being ushered into the reception room, Alicia had the servants leave.
“Now then… let’s have a talk again, shall we?”
“…Before we do that, I was wondering if Elria and Galleon-san do not need to be present?”
“Those two are not suitable for this kind of situation. My husband is too loud and gets in the way of the proceedings, and my daughter is not very good at talking and explaining things, so I figured it would go more smoothly if we talked ourselves through it.”
Alicia tipped her teacup in a composed manner while giving a harsh assessment of the two.
However, the situation is already difficult. In addition to being the mother of his fiancée, Alicia is the head of a family with a power second only to the royal family. And now he has to say, “Please approve my engagement to your daughter”. It is no longer just awkward.
Perhaps sensing the situation, Alicia changed her attitude and tone.
“There’s no need to be alarmed. I just want to know what’s going on and how things came about, and I’m asking you as an equal.”
Hearing that, Reid appears to be thinking about it. He then gave a deliberate sigh and nodded.
“…I’ll take your word for it, then. I also believe we’re here to talk, and I’m not good at dealing with things like diplomacy.”
“…You say you’re not good at diplomacy, but you seem to have a way with words, though?”
Alicia stares at him with furrowed brows.
Reid is like an old man in spirit. Although he is not bad at these conversational diplomacies and dealings, in fact, he has a keen intuition to sniff them out.
“The reason we decided to get engaged was so that I could take advantage of the name and status of the Caldwen name.”
“…That was Elria’s idea, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. You may ask Elria herself to confirm it.”
“I don’t need confirmation. Because you are ‘Reid’.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
Alicia quietly lowered her eyes in response to Reid’s question.
“When she was a little girl, she said to me out of the blue, ‘I want to find someone called Reid Frieden’.”
“…She has been looking for me for that long?”
“Yes. But when I asked her why, she just shook her head and wouldn’t answer, and she just said, ‘I’m sure he is here,’ so I just assumed it was a childlike delusion and didn’t take it seriously.”
She probably did not think that ‘Reid’ would really appear.
“To put it bluntly… that child was strange since birth. She was different from all the other children, not only in her talents, which surpassed all mages, but also as a person. She never cried, even when she was a baby, and she even gave me… her mother, a scared look.”
That was what Reid had been told by his mother, too. However, Elria was probably even worse than that.
Because of her previous life, she is not used to interacting with people, and now she wakes up in a world that is a thousand years in the future without knowing anyone.
Elria, who had always been shy, would have avoided her mother because of the memories of her previous life, even though she understood that they were her immediate family.
And so, she must have spent her life desperately in an unfamiliar environment. Even under such circumstances, Elria tried to find Reid, without knowing if he was really there. There is no basis for it. And yet ―― she did not give up and kept looking for Reid.
“……Is that so.”
Alicia’s expression softened slightly as Reid quietly returned the words upon hearing this fact.
“I’m telling you this first, if you’re that ‘Reid’, then I’m willing to approve the engagement.”
“…You’re willing to leave your house in the hands of a man of unknown origin based on the words of Elria alone?”
“Yes. That’s the path she chose.”
With a smile on her face, Alicia continues,
“No matter how strange that child was… she is still my daughter. As a parent, it’s only natural to want her to seek her own happiness rather than make her unhappy by forcing her into an unwanted marriage in order to keep the family name alive, don’t you think?”
Alicia spoke not as the head of the family but as a mother. She must have gone through unspeakable hardships to reach this decision.
A strange child who is born a genius but looks at her mother with frightened eyes. Alicia’s feelings as the mother of such a child must have been immeasurable. And being the head of a family with a status second only to the royal family, she must have faced intense scrutiny from both outside and within the family.
Even so, she decided to prioritize Elria’s happiness as her own daughter.
“So, what about you?”
Alicia looked straight at Reid as if testing him.
To belong to the Caldwen family means to live with Elria. That means they will be together until one of them dies.
However… that future is not absolutely necessary.
If Reid only considered the battle with Elria, then there was never a need to become a mage. They could just fight without regard for their surroundings to fulfill the promise they once made.
As for the matter of finding out about their reincarnation, time and means will be limited, but by no means impossible.
It is certainly convenient for them, but it is not absolutely necessary.
And yet ――
“―― She was my only equal.”
Smiling naturally, he recalls the exchanges they had on the battlefield.
Upon hearing that Reid was on the battlefield, Elria would fly in or create new things to fight him, and when those failed, she would come up with new techniques and strategies again.
No sane person would have any affection for someone who is trying to kill each other. But neither Reid nor Elria was sane.
“We’ve been apart for a long time now. But just like Elria, who kept looking for me, I’ve also never forgotten about her.”
In the eighteen years since his reincarnation, he had never once forgotten Elria.
Even though he was living a different and more peaceful life than before in a world where magic had developed, he still thought of Elria’s image occasionally.
He wondered what she would think of this world, what she would say when she saw today’s magic, and whether she would live as peacefully as Reid if she were alive in this world.
If Elria lived in this world the same way ――
“―― I want to be with Elria.”
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”6″ exclusions=”78,79,80,81,82,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91″ display=”basic_thumbnail” override_thumbnail_settings=”1″ thumbnail_width=”800″ thumbnail_height=”800″ thumbnail_crop=”0″]Smiling softly, Reid replied.
Hearing those words, Alicia nodded in satisfaction.
“…I see. I’d give you a passing mark for the proposal.”
“That’s really strict.”
“Anyone can say the words, but it’s the actions and the results that count.”
After such harsh words, Alicia raises her fingers.
“There are three conditions for me to approve your engagement. For the first condition, I will leave you in charge of all matters concerning Elria.”
“Well, I think that’s a little too much.”
“That’s just how many problems she has… She will eventually inherit the name of Caldwen, but she’s a shy child who is not good at talking, nor is she good with her manners and other problems…”
Previously, Elria was allowed to behave freely because she was a ‘Sage’.
However, now that she is born into a distinguished family with status and history, she will be expected to behave accordingly in society.
“At least, with you by her side, she will be able to learn something from you.”
“I’m not sure about that either.”
“Compared to Elria, you are doing fine.”
“Please don’t have that much faith in your daughter.”
“Well… you certainly looked old-fashioned, outdated even, but I don’t think it matters because you seem to make a good impression on people who take pride in being part of a distinguished family.”
“A person from a distinguished family shouldn’t say that…”
“It’s fine. We value our duty and pride as the one who inherits the name of the Sage, while other families just talk endlessly about their long and futile history.”
Alicia sighs, exasperated, as she rests her elbows on the table.
The first impression Reid had of her was that she’s a strict person, but it seems that her true nature is to be straightforward.
“The second condition is to attend the magic academy and become a qualified mage.”
“That’s our goal, so you don’t have to worry about it.”
“It’s not that simple, you know? The magic academy in the royal capital gathers outstanding mages from all over the continent who have been recognized for their talents. That’s why talent alone gets you nowhere, and those who can graduate quickly are the true geniuses.”
After changing her expression, Alicia raises her third finger.
“Third, you must prove yourself while you are in the academy. There are many people who want to be associated with a Caldwen, and there will certainly be people who will criticize you because of your family background. Show them your abilities and results to silence them.”
“…How exactly?”
“Why don’t you just do this?”
Alicia rolled up her arm and clenched her fists. What a heroic statement.
“It is not only your knowledge of magic that would be tested at the academy, but also the techniques of magic combat against other people, and the ability to think and move according to the situation. She’s usually like that, but even those of us who have dealt with Elria in mock battles have had a hard time with her.”
“Yeah… I guess people are not always what they seem…”
Reid averted his eyes and returned the appropriate words.
After all, Elria has fought for more than fifty years in her previous life.
She was skilled not only in close-quarters combat but also in strategies using magic, and even Reid had memories of considerable hardship due to that. For Elria, a mock battle would be nothing more than a game.
“Well, I’m sure it will be fine.”
“I have high hopes, too. After all, that child even approves of you.”
“Please leave that to me. I know a thing or two about magic combat.”
“That is very promising. So, what kind of magic do you use?”
“Well, I don’t use magic.”
As soon as Reid answered, Alicia’s expression froze.
“…Can you say that again?”
“I’m sorry, I should correct myself. I can’t use magic.”
“I didn’t ask you to correct it.”
Alicia’s expression instantly turned grim.
And then ―― she sighed before turning to face the door.
“Galleon, come here for a minute.”
“OOOHHHHHHHHHHH!! You called me, Alicia?”
“Be quiet. You are being noisy.”
Alicia snapped, and Galleon came into the room with his huge body hunched over.
“Galleon, let’s see how good he is.”
“…I’m not a mage, so I shouldn’t be allowed to fight, right?”
“This annex is not only for guests but also a state-licensed magic training facility. In the facility, magic combat is permitted even for those who are not qualified mages, in exchange for a limit on the magic power output. We usually have mock battles with Elria here, too.”
In other words, it seems that they led Reid to the annex with the intention of seeing how good he was from the start.
Alicia then got up from her seat and turned on her heel.
“I’m going to go talk to Elria. Let him go if you think he is worthy enough to be admitted to the magic academy.”
“Yes!! Now, Reid-kun, let’s enjoy ourselves in the mock battle!!”
Galleon started to warm up his huge body. The sound of creaking and cracking could be heard.
“In general, mages fight at medium to long-range using magic, but in the case of close-quarters combat, using body strengthening magic and magic equipment are the bread and butter for mages!!”
The gauntlets on Galleon’s hands are ‘Magic Equipment’. They are optimized for mages to use magic.
“I will lend you my own magic equipment! Do you have any magic equipment that you would like to use!?”
“Thanks for the offer, but it’s okay because it’ll break when I use it.”
“Is that so!! Then you will just fight without one!!”
“I wish you would have said something like, ‘Let’s stop for safety reasons’.”
As he answers, Reid lightly moves his arms and legs to check his physical condition.
It has been eighteen years since he has fought in a battle.
However, he had trained so that his body still remembers the movement.
“By the way, what are the conditions for winning?”
“Hmm! Then, if you can avoid all my attacks for one hour from now, you will win!! No matter how prepared you are, it will be difficult for you to land a blow on me!!”
With a confident look, Galleon grabbed his fists, signaling his eagerness to start the fight.
Galleon is also a son-in-law of the Caldwen family. Then there is no doubt that he is a very competent mage.
In other words ―― he is a perfect measure of modern mages’ ability.
“Then, after avoiding all attacks, I will make a blow, okay?”
“Oh!? If you can do that, I’ll give you the right to call me Daddy!!”
“Please let me just call you father-in-law.”
After answering, Reid looked at Galleon.
“Oh, and I would like to confirm one more thing ――”
Reid tells Galleon with a grin.
“―― Please don’t complain if I happen to destroy the whole building.”
It was the very same grin he used to have when he was called ―― the ‘Hero’, in the past.
Chapter 1 Part 4
◇
In the past, the country known as Vegalta was just one of the smaller countries on the continent.
Although they possessed a unique technology called sorcery, it was considered difficult for any combat application because it required tools and advanced preparation.
However, things changed drastically with the emergence of the ‘Sage’.
The ‘Magic Circuit’, which replaces all the tools and chanting required for the activation of magic, not only made it possible to cope with the rapidly changing war situation but also eliminated the gaps caused by chanting and advance preparation, thereby overcoming the challenges in close-quarters combat simultaneously.
Thus, Vegalta acquired the power to challenge the great Altein and won the long war that lasted more than a hundred years with ‘Magic’ that was created by the great ‘Sage’.
After that, Vegalta increased its national power by raising its standard of living to a level incomparable to other countries through magic technology, specializing in magic combat by making it mandatory for the soldiers to acquire magic skills, and ruled the entire continent with its overwhelming power.
And that is how ―― the ‘Vegalta Magic Kingdom’, came to be.
Honestly, it was a surprise to Reid, who knew Vegalta when it was just a small country.
“Haa… Things have really changed a lot.”
From the window of the magic vehicle, Reid looks out at the scenery of the royal capital.
At any rate, the royal capital of Vegalta is more developed than the great Altein, and magic technology can be seen everywhere.
Looking around, one can see glimpses of the magic technology being used. There are magic lamps that utilize underground magic veins, the water purification system that is activated by the magic generated by water currents, and the hardening magic that is applied to the well-maintained paths to prevent them from breaking down.
“When I was here before, it wasn’t that different from Altein.”
“…Reid, you have been to Vegalta before?”
Hearing those words, Elria tilts her head slightly.
Since Reid came to the royal capital of Vegalta after hearing the news of the Sage’s death, it was only natural that Elria did not know about it.
“Well, it was a long time ago. More importantly, are my stories being passed on to future generations?”
Hearing this, Elria casts her eyes downward.
“…It’s been a thousand years. So, many things have been adapted and passed down.”
“Oh? What do they have, for example?”
“I-I can’t tell you that…”
Elria shook her head vigorously.
From the looks of it, the stories about Reid that were passed down are not good. But that is not surprising. After all, from Vegalta’s point of view, Reid was seen as an enemy.
Just as the great Altein disappeared from history. History is written by the victors, so it is not possible to complain about how viciously the enemy was written.
“I can’t tell you, but I’m sure it’s not as bad as what they said…”
Noticing Reid’s expression, Elria followed up by waving her hands. On the contrary, Reid began to wonder how it was passed down.
Just as he was thinking about it, a light knock sounded from the partitioned driver’s seat.
“Nn… We have arrived at my house.”
“My stomach started hurting just hearing that.”
After all, Reid is about to greet his fiancée’s parents.
He had deceived his mother and the village chief by saying, “I have some affairs to do in the royal capital, so I’ll be going there,” but as Elria’s fiancé, and is also allowed to take advantage of her family’s position as a Caldwen, Reid must explain the situation to her parents.
“Haa… I never did an engagement speech in my previous life…”
“…Really?”
“I had turned down all marriage talks because I spent most of my life on the battlefield. That’s why I wasn’t going to start a family because I could die at any time…”
“Mm… Is that so?”
In contrast to Reid, whose shoulders dropped, Elria’s expression brightened a bit.
Moreover, for some reason, she held both hands lightly in a guts pose, and a tiny half-smile, too.
As Reid was blankly staring at her ――
“―――― ELRIAAAAAAAAA!!”
Suddenly, a loud voice echoed all around them.
A large man approached them from the mansion in a panicked frenzy. He looks to be in his mid-thirties, but the wrinkles indicate that he is probably older than he looks.
Seeing him, Elria steps down from the cabin of the magic vehicle.
“I’m home, Father.”
“I heard you went on another excursion alone!!”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Good for you for being so honest!!”
“I made sure to leave a note this time and told people at the mansion.”
“Wonderful!! You’ve taken care of it so that we won’t have to worry!!”
“I think Father worries too much.”
“That can’t be helped! It is natural for a father to worry about his lovely daughter!! That’s why I always only think of Elria!”
Elria’s father was smiling broadly as they exchanged such conversation.
Reid had heard that the family was second only to the royal family, so he had imagined a sterner father figure, but Elria’s father seemed more like a pleasant and broad-minded person.
However, by the looks of things, it seems likely that they will at least listen to what Reid has to say, and more than anything, if it is a request from their daughter, Elria.
Just as he was being optimistic about that ――
“Also, I brought my fiancé.”
“Okay!! Rejected!!”
She was cut off immediately by a pleasant smile and vigor.
“I declare once again that I have no intention of letting Elria take a husband while I, Galleon Caldwen, am still breathing!!”
“But I’ve already brought him here.”
“What!? You have already brought him here!?”
“Yes, his name is Reid, and he is currently in the magic vehicle.”
As she says this, Elria points to Reid.
Since he could not just stay in the magic vehicle, Reid got out of the magic vehicle with resolution… Seeing that, Elria’s father, Galleon, smiled with a grin.
“So, you are Reid-kun!!”
“Y-Yes… That’s right…”
“I see!! Go home!!”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”
“Is that so! Then come on into the mansion!!”
“Thank you for being understanding.”
“Personally, I would never give my daughter to a man of unknown origin! But since I am not the head of the house, I cannot make decisions for the house of Caldwen!!”
“…You are not the head of the family?”
“Yes. The head of the house of Caldwen has been a woman for generations.”
Perhaps sensing my bewilderment, Elria added.
Come to think of it, it was well known that the ‘Sage’ was a woman, so it would be natural for a woman to serve as the head of the family if they were to carry on the name.
In other words ――
“―― What’s all the fuss about?”
With a dignified voice, a woman walks slowly toward them.
She has the same silver hair as Elria.
However, her sharp eyes and stern demeanor are unlike Elria’s.
“Galleon, explain the details to me.”
“I heard that Elria has brought her fiancé!!”
“Is that so? Then, please stay back because you are being too noisy.”
After giving a cold response to her husband, she turns her attention towards Reid.
“I am Alicia Caldwen, head of the Caldwen family.”
“…I am sorry for the late introduction. My name is Reid Frieden.”
Alicia’s attitude did not change as Reid kneeled and bowed his head reverently.
She continues to look at Reid coldly as if she is assessing him.
“…I have never heard of your family name.”
“I come from a mountain village in the Arlieth region, and I am from a commoner family that has never received a title before. So, it is only natural that the head of the Caldwen family has not heard of it.”
“…For a commoner from the countryside, you seem to carry yourself well.”
“As a person who came to greet you, I have tried to exercise the minimum level of civility.”
At the very least, he bowed his head while trying not to be rude.
Then, as he waited for her next words, Alicia sighed quietly.
“…Elria.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“He’s so much more level-headed than you, isn’t he?”
“Yes, isn’t he amazing?”
“Elria, I’ve made a sarcastic remark about you. I’m truly concerned about my daughter’s future.”
“I see.”
At the sight of Elria clapping her hands, Alicia heaved another sigh.
“So… you chose this young man as your fiancé?”
“Yes, because I finally found him.”
“……Is that so.”
After such a short reply, Alicia extended her hand to Reid, who lowered his head.
“Please look up, and be at ease.”
“Oh… that would be great. Because I’m not used to it anyway.”
“I can see that in your mannerisms. But at least I could tell that you were trying to be respectful of my position through your words and actions. That’s the importance of etiquette.”
Alicia nodded softly after telling him so.
“It would be a disgrace to our family name if we turned away someone who has paid respect to Caldwen. First, let us welcome you as our guest.”
Without losing her stern demeanor, Alicia turns on her heel and heads for the mansion.
In other words, she seems to have at least recognized Reid as a ‘guest’.
That means they will at least listen to what Reid has to say ――
“……Hey, Elria.”
“What’s the matter, Reid?”
“Am I going to tell someone like that, ‘I’m getting engaged to your daughter to take advantage of her family status’?”
“It depends on how you say it.”
“Do I have to do that…?”
“Good luck, Reid.”
“You, too…”
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
Elria clenches her fists to show her enthusiasm.
Reid is sure that that enthusiasm of hers will probably never bear fruit.
With that in mind, he began walking towards the large mansion.
Chapter 8 Part 2
～～～～～～～～～～～～
Am I dreaming with my eyes wide open?
From then on, the examination went on like a child’s playground.
“Fireball!”
“Wind Edge!”
“Ice Needle!”
The examinees who had gathered here were each forming their own magic using the magic tool that matched the color of their eyes.
No. I do not feel comfortable calling this, magic.
I never thought that there would be people who cannot handle magic properly even if they use magic tools as a support item.
In hindsight, even Bass, the rich kid of nobility (older brother), might have been an excellent magician in this world.
“Err. Then, last but not least, examinee number 27, Abel-kun. Would you like to take the examination?”
asked the examiner in an oddly gentle voice.
Good grief.
Perhaps this examiner, like all the examinees here, has the prejudice that amber-eyed magicians are not capable of using magic.
It is hard to imagine what the future holds when such educators are responsible for the training of future magicians.
“I will take the examination.”
I replied and moved to the place the examiner had indicated.
“Then please begin.”
The examiner signaled the start of my examination.
Now then, how should I go about this? Simply constructing magic according to the given syntax is too dull. I might just make some fine arrangements and show my ability in a casual way.
“Hey. Look at that amber-eyed commoner.”
“Hahaha. I can’t believe it took him this long to form a fireball. As expected of the inferior eyes.”
As I was concentrating on the magic, I did not pay any mind to the onlookers.
I quickly modified the magic syntax and adjusted the entire thing so there would be no flaws.
<<Bullet Velocity Level ―― Fastest>>
<<Power Level ―― Boost (Large)>>
<<Additional Formula ―― Scatter Shots>>
Oh, yes. I forgot one last important thing.
<<Limiter Release>>
That should do it.
All that remains now is to focus on the target and activate the magic.
It is ordinary magic that is not even worth a mention, but considering the abilities of the magicians gathered here, this is for the best.
“Fireball ―― Spread Rain!”
The next moment, the air trembles.
What I formed was a fireball about one meter in diameter.
However, it would be boring to activate the same magic, so I modified the magic syntax for this magic so that it would split up mid-air.
*Hoowl*
*BOOOOMMM*
The Fireball that flew toward the air split up and rained down toward the target like rain.
Oh? Looking closely, the target, which was said to be unbreakable, is broken. Perhaps they had used dark matter made of inferior material for the examination. Otherwise, there is no way dark matter could dissolve with this level of magic.
“T-T-T-This…”
Hm? What is wrong with him? For some unknown reason, the examiner next to me was sitting on his butt, with his mouth repeatedly opening and closing like a washed-up fish gasping for air.
“W-What… just happened…”
“I-I can’t believe it… It’s a scorched field all around…”
The other examinees were all looking in my direction and muttered something.
Could it be that the magic I cast earlier was so rare?
No, that cannot be it.
The ‘Scatter Shots’ are the absolute basics of applied magic.
Even though the level of magicians has declined, there should still be many people who can use this level of magic.
“W-Why can an inferior eye use this kind of magic?”
One of the examinees cried out while collapsing to the ground.
I see. That made sense.
Perhaps the people around me overreact because an amber-eyed magician could form magic normally.
I am glad that I have corrected the wrong perception of an amber-eyed magician.
～～～～～～～～～～～～
The Arthurian Magic Academy was built by renovating the Royal Library, which had deteriorated and was no longer in use.
Careful observation of the walls, which are made of rock colored like the scales of a white dragon, reveals that they are three libraries that have been constructed, fused together to be one large structure.
Inside the building, dark matter was used in abundance and the structure was so robust that it would not break even if magic were to break out.
(…The Arthurian Magic Academy is a truly outstanding school. The level of the facilities is exceptionally high. It is no wonder that it is said to be the best in the country.)
This is Hall B, which is in the opposite direction from where Abel and the others are taking their practical examination.
In Hall B, there is a girl who looks bored and lets out a sigh while her scarlet hair flutters in the air.
Her name is Eliza.
With her outstanding ability and good looks, Eliza had already become the center of attention among the other examinees taking the examination.
“It’s her, isn’t it? The one who protected the commoner.”
“She’s unpleasant. I mean, she’s supposed to be a noble, right?”
“I’ve never seen that family crest before. Must be from the countryside, anyway.”
What Eliza had been hearing is a torrent of unjustified slander from the other examinees.
(That said, the quality of the examinees is not the best in the country.)
There was no need to deal with people whose only skill is talking behind someone’s back.
According to Eliza’s estimation, there are probably less than half who can pass at this Hall B.
There was no need for her to be concerned about their jeering as they might not even cross paths after this.
“Next up. Examinee number 86, please come forward.”
“Yes.”
When her number was called, Eliza stood up straight.
“Please state your name.”
The content of the practical examination is the same in both Hall A and Hall B. The only difference was that here the examiners were looking at the examinees in the order of their number.
“Examinee number 86, Eliza. I’m ready.”
The hall was abuzz.
Madder red hair, pure white skin. Her elegant appearance is further complemented by her burning eyes like a freshly polished ruby.
Above all else, that beautiful bow.
She mistakenly thought she was being ridiculed, but she was not.
Her well-groomed appearance and demeanor captivated everyone as if she were a regal noble. And the examiner was no exception.
Even the girls were the same as they held their breaths when admiring her beauty.
“…May I begin?”
“Y-Yeah. Please, go ahead, Eliza-san.”
After getting the examiner’s permission, Eliza readied her magic tool.
The magic tool was the same red color as her eyes.
“Flame Edge!”
At that moment, the air trembled.
The magic syntax that had been constructed in advance was quickly altered to do more damage to the target.
*Clash!*
The Flame Edge unleashed by Eliza pierced the target.
“I-I can’t believe it…! The dark matter has been damaged!?”
The examiner, who witnessed Eliza’s magic, shouted in astonishment.
The examinees also sensed the difference in their abilities at a glance and seemed to shrink completely.
(…Ahh, it’s so boring. Only low-level people can be surprised by this level of magic.)
Eliza let out a sigh, but then she noticed a sense of discomfort.
At the back of the hall, more than twenty meters away from Eliza, a teacher came running with a strange expression.
<<Body Strengthening Magic, Hearing Enhancement>>
Eliza wondered what was going on and decided to stand there and listen.
“Fedia-sensei! There’s an emergency! Something huge has happened! Please come quickly!”
The white-robed examiner summoned by the young teacher was a magician who oversaw this examination.
(Heehh. That pompous-looking examiner is called Fedia. That said, what do they mean by an emergency?)
When Fedia instructed her to speak clearly, precisely, and concisely, the young teacher just smiled bitterly as if she was having trouble saying it.
“The dark matter target was smashed to pieces by an amber-eyed examinee…”
“WHA――――!?”
Eliza could not believe her ears.
But as she heard more details, she also doubted herself and her common sense.
Apparently, the boy had not only smashed the target to pieces but had also turned the surrounding grassy field into a burnt wasteland.
“What is the name of that examinee? Which noble family is he from?”
“It… It seems that he is not a noble… but he is from the Langobalt’s territory. His name is…”
Hearing the name of the boy in question, Eliza’s heart swelled with anticipation and excitement.
Abel.
The teacher answered in a small voice.
How could that be?
How could a boy with the <<Inferior Eyes>>, which has zero aptitudes in all attributes, be able to form magic that surprised everyone around him?
From then on, Eliza began to develop a strong sense of rivalry with the boy called Abel.