“So something like that happened.”
Evening had already fallen upon the earth, with dusk settling over the land. Silvia was returning to the mansion in a car with Gilteon.
Her father, who enjoyed driving, held the steering wheel himself, and she gazed out the window from the passenger seat.
“My child, then did you do it on purpose?”
At her father’s question, Silvia quietly nodded.
“Did you hate that child?”
“There was nothing to hate.”
“······Right. He is a child with good talent, but the timing is already too late.”
Gilteon, who had been speaking thus, suddenly recalled an event from long ago.
Ten years ago, on the day of the academy entrance exam. The day when two candidates for Archmage were discovered in the Illeide Territory’s ‘Aptitude Test.’
It was an occasion that any territory resident would celebrate, but the problem was that one of them was Silvia, and the other was Luna.
Luna.
A collateral branch of Illeide, but now a family so estranged by the passage of time that they were strangers to one another.
Furthermore, there was the inevitable problem that occurred when excessive talent existed in more than one person: competition.
“That child has already fallen behind in the race, so you need not concern yourself. Simply ignore her.”
······There existed an ancient tradition in the continent’s magical society.
Regardless of school or element, only three individuals per era could be recognized as ‘Archmages.’
Because that standard was so lofty, two seats had remained empty for nearly thirty years, but one seat was undisputedly reserved for the Chairman, so if Silvia claimed the remaining seat, Luna could not, and vice versa, Silvia would be eliminated.
Of course, on the surface, the conflict between houses had been fierce, and many incidents had occurred, but the decisive reason Gilteon had disparaged Luna’s magical talent was precisely this.
Gilteon spoke in a low voice.
“However, my child. Be wary of Dekyulrein. Dekyulrein is no easy figure. In his youth, he was called a prodigy. He has stagnated now, but he could soar again at any moment. He is merely selling himself short for the sake of some woman, diminishing the magnitude of his own talent.”
“I know. That professor already saw through everything. He has my weakness.”
“······Haha. As expected of my child, born of a tiger.”
Gilteon laughed, but Silvia clutched the hem of her robe upon her knee. She still had her doubts. How in the world had he known?
If possible, she wanted to ask him directly.
Gilteon observed his daughter’s complexion and stopped the car.
“······Eh. We’ve already arrived. I finally escaped my arduous duties to see my daughter home after so long, yet the way is far too short for my liking. My child, how about it. Shall we go into the city with this old father—”
“I’ll go.”
“What?!”
Silvia opened the car door and stepped down. Gilteon, who had been pretending to weep at her coldness, spoke the moment her foot touched the ground.
“My child.”
His mouth smiled, but his eyes were grave with seriousness.
“Behind you stands Illeide.”
Silvia looked at Gilteon.
In her father, who fixed his gaze upon her with golden eyes identical to her own, Silvia saw a mirror image of herself.
“Do not lose confidence over something so trivial. If anyone turns against you, this father will cut down their throat, no matter who they are······.”
“Return to the territory quickly. Mother is waiting.”
“······Keuhehehem. How cold. Very well.”
Gilteon brushed back his hair awkwardly and departed, and Silvia entered the mansion.
“My lady, my lady! Are you well? I heard the rumors!”
The nanny who ran up in haste wore a face full of worry.
“I’m fine. It’s all resolved. I’ll eat dinner a little later.”
“Ah, what a relief. Then I shall send up a meal whenever you wish.”
“Yes.”
Silvia trudged into her room, changed into sleepwear, and lay on the bed.
Thud— her soft blond hair fanned out like a fan over the bedspread.
“······Dekyulrein.”
Disheveled, Silvia murmured softly.
Today, Professor Dekyulrein had truly opened her eyes anew. His magical insight and discernment were far from laughable. And his luck had been poor as well.
Well, if his talent were truly insignificant, he wouldn’t have become a chief professor in the first place.
This was clearly my own oversight.
“Oversight.”
Oversight.
Yes, an oversight······.
Even so.
Today’s events were riddled with questions for Silvia.
Not doubts about others, but doubts about herself.
Silvia had never displayed emotion to anyone. She had never given her heart to anyone, nor received one.
Therefore, even Silvia could not clearly explain today’s situation.
“Why.”
Why did I hate that child?
Ifrin Luna.
And her father.
“Why do I hate them.”
I lack for nothing, have never failed to obtain what I desired, and my talent is considered the finest in Illeide’s five-hundred-year history—a pureblooded noblewoman.
She, the most perfect masterpiece the supreme renowned house of Illeide had ever presented to the world······ As she whispered this question within her heart, it was then.
“Because I must not let my guard down.”
Magic dwelled in her eyes. Her pure golden irises blazed like the sun.
The immortal rank of ‘Eternal,’ said to be attainable only by those who reach the pinnacle of the magical world.
Those who ascend to that realm are called Archmages and are engraved upon the history of the continent.
Moreover, from the highest floor of the ‘Floating Island,’ that heaven beyond heaven which even the Emperor could not easily touch, one could look down upon all demonkind (輓魔) more loftily than anyone else.
That was not her father, not her house, but the position she herself desired.
No, a throne already half within her grasp.
Therefore, she would undoubtedly achieve it.
Not as Silvia of Illeide, but purely as the individual ‘Silvia.’
Without fail.
Silvia shot up from the bed and sat in a chair.
Books, books, books. She had to read books. If she wished to avenge today’s humiliation, if she wished to repay it with skill, she had to read more and learn more.
Let her engrave it once more.
Dekyulrein was by no means an easy professor. On the contrary, he was an opponent overflowing with the qualifications to stand as Illeide’s rival.
And Ifrin was······.
Not even worth being a target of wariness. She refused to acknowledge it.
As her father said, that one had already dropped out of the race.
* * *
Since becoming Dekyulrein, I woke every day at dawn. Mornings had always been refreshing, and I had always been fully recovered, but today, I had muscle pain.
It was the result of using magic close to rampaging yesterday.
However, the routine I had established by exploiting Dekyulrein’s personality—his diligence—moved my body naturally.
The moment I rose, I began magic training.
Swish— Swish— Swish—
Every scrap of metal in the room moved according to my will.
A technique markedly improved from even two days prior. Thanks to utilizing 3,375 magic power in an instant last night, and even in actual combat, my proficiency had skyrocketed.
For reference, my trait 「Eye of Flesh」 allowed me to confirm even such abstract proficiencies visually.
The figure was exactly 「85%」.
I planned to inscribe Beginner Telekinesis after reaching 100%.
I wonder how much it would hurt then······.
Swish— Swish— Swish—
I controlled the multitude of metals so they nearly grazed one another without touching, then stopped when roughly half my mana remained.
The next routine was magic acquisition.
Today’s magic was something called 「Basic Firepower Control」. It was not a very important magic, so I had intended to only lightly memorize it······?
“······Wait a moment.”
As I examined the formula for the fire-attribute manipulation spell, 「Basic Firepower Control」, an idea flashed through my mind.
It was an absurd thought, comparable to ‘memorizing telekinesis throughout the entire body.’
“If I don’t necessarily need to acquire 「Firepower Control」 itself, but simply add its core function to 「Telekinesis」······”
If I extracted only the specific ‘stroke (劃)’ of the magic—that central stroke which served as the core of Firepower Control—and transplanted it into 「Telekinesis」?
In other words, magic patchwork, or rather, a magic upgrade.
From the start, Telekinesis and Firepower Control belonged to the same school [Manipulation], and their structures were somewhat similar.
Telekinesis focused on objects, while Firepower Control focused on firepower and flames, nothing more.
Therefore, there were quite a few overlapping lines. Eight of Firepower Control’s twenty-two strokes were similar to Telekinesis.
If that were the case, just as one might patch together an academic paper, or manipulate genes, would it not be possible to cross-edit magic······.
I flipped the switch of 「Comprehension」. Then, after completely memorizing the formula structure of 「Firepower Control」, I closed my eyes.
Thereafter, I laid bare the marrow (骨髓) of 「Firepower Control」 stored within my mental image, and grafted it directly atop the 「Telekinesis」 throughout my body······.
“──!”
An immense pain surged instantly. It was agony that could only be described as enormous. Blood trickled from my mouth.
“······.”
I clutched my heart and knelt on one knee.
Just now, I had certainly felt it.
Had I been an ordinary mage, I would have already died ‘once.’
“I succeeded, but······.”
Fortunately, the magics had definitely combined. I could feel it within my body. Precisely at the magic circle near my shoulder, a formula of 「Firepower Control」 distinct from the original Telekinesis had been added.
“······I’ll need another routine from here on.”
The artificial upgrade of 「Telekinesis」. This was a novel and certain method of strengthening.
However, it was recklessly dangerous, and the strain on the body would likely grow heavier the more I did it, so I would need to train the trait 「Iron Body」.
In short, exercise was necessary.
It was then.
Knock, knock—
—It is Roy. Are you prepared for the social gathering, sir?
The butler spoke with a knock. I checked the clock. Before I knew it, it had become one in the afternoon.
“I shall descend shortly.”
—Yes. I shall wait outside the door.
As I donned my outer garment, I spoke to the butler.
“Roy. Do not schedule any social engagements from now on. Unless they are of grave importance.”
I would have liked to cancel high society affairs as much as possible, but today there was the important engagement known as the ‘Flower of the New Year.’
—I shall take it to heart.
The reason I attended the social gathering today was, of course, partly to confirm the faces of any named characters I might encounter, but more than anything.
[ Side Quest: Attend the social gathering ‘Flower of the New Year’ ]
◆ Shop Currency +0.5
This was the decisive factor.
Shop Currency.
One needed to gather at least 5 won to access the shop, but I currently had only 2.5, and to purchase what I desired, I needed even more.
I opened the door. The butler stood waiting with his head bowed.
“I am prepared.”
“Yes. And here is the list of blacksmiths you requested last time.”
“Indeed.”
Last week, I had asked the butler to scout for capable blacksmiths.
“ ‘Shining Goldsmither,’ is it······.”
Among the list of approximately forty-five blacksmiths the butler had handed me, one name shone the brightest. I selected the one captured by the 「Plutocrat’s Radar」.
“The name is unusual. Take this blueprint and go to Goldsmither.”
I presented the blueprint to the butler.
This would become my ‘cherished armament (愛備).’
For ordinary mages, cherished armaments were staves or wands, and when a cherished armament developed to the extreme, it was sometimes called a ‘spiritual artifact,’ but my cherished armament would be extremely alien compared to such sticks.
A weapon solely for Telekinesis, so you may look forward to it.
“Yes. Understood.”
The butler folded the blueprint and stored it away carefully without unfolding it or showing curiosity. Truly the posture of a commendable butler.
“Let us go. The carriage is prepared.”
“Yes. You have worked hard.”
“······Yes? Yes. Thank you, sir.”
I exited the mansion with the butler.
“The weather is fine.”
“······Yes? Yes, it is.”
The early spring weather was clear and pleasant. The butler seemed flustered by my every word, but I felt the fresh air as I boarded the car.
“Depart.”
“Yes.”
The car moved smoothly.
As I sat in the back seat with an air of dignity, I suddenly thought of 「Hand of Midas」.
Should I try using it on this car?
With 1,300 mana remaining, I could bestow about 1,000.
Acting on such curiosity, I used the trait,
Vroom─!
The car accelerated sharply. The driver, startled, banged his head against the steering wheel and apologized.
“I apologize! I apologize!”
“It is fine. Drive on.”
“Y-yes. I apologize!”
The driver, who had been berating himself while smacking his own head, soon became proficient, and the back seat actually grew comfortable. The already rare vibrations and noise had all but vanished.
Something like enhanced ride comfort, I suppose.
Not bad.
* * *
We arrived at the destination in no time.
The place was an old castle in “Haylitch,” said to be the most glamorous district in the capital. It seemed an entire castle in the middle of the city had been turned into a social venue for the nobility.
“We have arrived.”
The driver, having gotten out first, opened the door for me. At the same time, the gazes around us converged. It was because this vehicle was an unimaginably luxurious item in this world.
“It is an honor to meet you, Head Professor Deculein.”
Well-trained attendants greeted me first.
Guided by them, I walked down the red carpet. Reporters lined up outside the old castle were setting off a dizzying barrage of flashes.
Without sparing them so much as a glance, I entered the castle.
—The head of the Yukline family, a venerable house of arcane arts. The youngest Head Professor of the Imperial University Magic Tower, Deculein von Grahan Yukline.
As soon as I stepped into the entrance hall, a sudden amplified voice rang out, nearly startling me. It was an introduction announcing my arrival.
“Please enjoy your evening.”
I nodded and entered the hall.
Lights shimmered like stars, and the spacious, splendid interior was filled with people. Looking over their faces, I thought it had been a good idea to come.
There were that many familiar named characters. Yutzlin, Page, Syrio, Raphel, and so on…
“……?”
Yet even amid that dazzling crowd, there was one presence that stood out in particular.
I recognized her at a glance.
Yuli.
It seemed even Yuli, who disliked high society, had no choice but to attend this event. I did not know the reason, but she was the only one there dressed in armor.
“……”
When Yuli’s eyes met mine, she offered no greeting and turned her gaze away. I likewise did not go out of my way to approach her.
—Lord Valenta, you are especially beautiful today~
—Lady Rucha, today, what sort of…
—The results of last year’s adventurer exam were quite interesting.
In this game, the statuses that receive particular treatment include nobles, mages, knights, and adventurers.
For reference, “adventurer” is an extremely specialized and systematic profession; one can only obtain the qualification by passing an exam, and those who adventure without such credentials are called vagrants or wanderers and are punished by law.
—Lord Ganesha! I read of your exploits in the latest Continental Journal.
In any case, among those adventurers was a key named character who could be called an important branching point in the game’s story.
I found “her.”
—As someone whose hobby is sailing, your exploration of the archipelago…
A woman with long red hair tied into twin tails, giving off a somewhat irritable and sharp impression. She herself wore a frown as though high society was nothing but a nuisance, yet many people had already gathered around her.
She was an absurdly overpowered adventurer whose initial combat strength was set at fifth overall—
“Ganesha.”
I, too, tried to muster my courage and approach her.