16 Banquet

[Magic is the strange power every living being has within their soul. Some are born with barely any, while others are born with such an incredible amount, that their bodies constantly radiate it.

The most common use of magic is in magic spells. From a small flame to a blazing inferno, these spells can change a battlefield in mere seconds. Because of this, the demand for magicians seems to never end.

While some argue, that magic was created by the God of Magic Estrus, others say that it's impossible to create magic from nothing and that it has existed even before gods did. ]

"I see I see. If this is true, then I must have magic too, right?"

Henry continued reading the dark tome.

[Humans are born with an individual mana pool that is different to others. Inheriting large mana pools is possible, which is why, having an elf parent is a godsend if the child wishes to become a mage.

However, apart from inheriting large mana pools, a mana pool can be increased by repeatedly draining it.]

"Okay… But how do I do that again? I guess I need to use magic for that, but how in hell can I use a spell in the first place?!"

Henry was losing his temper. He spent hundreds of hours of his 'free time' to learn the language. Apart from it being a pain in the ass, it was quite useful. Until now that is.

He wanted to use magic. He understood its value already. The book didn't have to tell him twice about how awesome it was. If he could learn, even the smallest, shittiest and weakest spell, he'd be happy.

Magic is a unique thing for Henry, his world did not have it; apart from the illusion artists who tricked people into thinking that they could use magic.

Henry continued to read the book. After a couple of hours of the detailed explanations of how incredible magic was and how many types of it were out in the world, he found the answer, though not the one he wanted to see.

[Every living sentient being can use spells of the lesser-tier. There are records of baby infants unconsciously casting spells without even understanding what it was. The starting line of any mage is using these spells repeatedly to break through their mana pool limit, or creating completely new spells from scratch.]

"…great. That's just great."

So using magic is the same as breathing for people of this world, that's just great. Can you imagine learning how to breathe?

Now Henry understood that no one will be able to teach him magic, unless he just starts spewing fire out of his mouth as if it was nothing.

---

Boooooring…. This is the thought Alison currently had. She met the dragon Eiwiwirin and spoke to it. Everything seemed to be going fine at this point, and she was truly happy to be alive…but…

"And then, after he saw my true form, he died from shock. Hahahaha!"

The dragon really liked to talk. How long has it been already? Alison did not know, but she sat on the floor in this old dark dusty room and had to listen to the dragon speak… It's been so long she was starting to starve.

He told many crazy stories that happened thousands of years ago. The stories mostly were about her ancestors doing stupid things, or dying in stupid ways after seeing Eiwiwirin. Though it might've been interesting for a historian, it wasn't for Alison.

"Listen, can't you answer me already…?"

Shit. She spoke out her mind accidentally. Will the dragon kill her right now? She did not want to look at it.

After she spoke, the silence lasted for what seemed like hours. Did she screw up? What if the dragon will refuse to help and instead eat her?

She could not wait any longer. Alison slowly lifted her head, which was previously staring at the dark floor, and looked at the dragon.

BAD IDEA.

The dragon seemed pissed off. He stared at her with its dark red eyes as if analyzing her.

Should I speak? Maybe, maybe I can calm it down, or at least persuade it to not eat me...

"H-Hey, I-"

"Elf, what's up with you?"

"???" Alison did not know what to say. What was the dragon talking about?

"I can see…something within you. A magic connection perhaps…?"

Alison still did not know what the dragon meant. Sure, she could use some magic spells of the low-tier, but she wasn't well versed in that subject… Having a dark elf parent does that to you.

The dragon kept speaking, weirdly enough, its voice did not seem as inhumane anymore.

"I am an owner of a magic eye that can see through all. Be it lies, be it magic…but this I cannot see…"

What did it say before? Magic connection…connection…ah!

"Mm… Mr. Eiwiwirin, the most benevolent dragon of all, I have a certain…slave contract, active at the moment. It might be that?"

The dragon continued to stare at her. Its stare seemed endless, and as she looked back into its eyes, the eyes were no longer dark red, but now they looked like a dark endless abyss.

"Hmpf. We'll see about that. As for the proposal you've made…I'll help you out…"

Alison jumped up onto her feet after she heard those words.

"…for a price."

Alison's shoulders went down. Of course it is. There's always a price to pay. Be it a demon, devil or a dragon.

"W-what is it?"

The dragon closed its eyes, and slowly thought for a moment before answering.

"A wish."

"A wish?"

"Yes, a wish. I want for your country to grant me a single wish."

Suspicious.

"And, what kind of wish would that be?" Alison asked, with a slightly rougher voice, though the dragon did not seem to notice it.

"I'll say when the time comes."

Very suspicious.

But there's nothing she can do. The dragon heard the offer, agreed, and named its price. Having a dragon on their side was the best trump card any country could have.

After speaking some more flattering nonsense, Alison turned back towards the exit. She wanted to quickly get out of this place.

"Elf"

Her back shuddered.

"What's your name again?"

"A-Alison Goldglow"

"Hmpf, I see. You can go now…oh! Don't forget to tell your superiors to let me out of here if they want me to help as best as I can…though I can always blast the mountain to pieces if you're fine with it."

Alison froze up. Can anyone destroy a mountain? How much power would that require?

A dragon-level of power…? His words seemed to be true…

"Y-Yes…" she only answered positively for now.

Is releasing that thing a good decision? If it can break itself out, then releasing it might be better, in order to have a positive relationship at least…

Alison walked slowly for a couple of minutes, and as soon as she could no longer see the giant, she ran with all her strength back. She forgot her lantern, but did not seem to notice, she wanted to be out of here as soon as possible.

---

Kirie, the capital city of the kingdom of Polenimia, radiated a bright light. The sun disappeared behind the horizon hours ago, but the city was as bright as if it was a day. The reason for that were the lanterns of the city, which were in fact magic items. They were enchanted with the effect of [Light]. The spell created a pure white light and was very magic-efficient to use.

Of course, it's not often they're used. In the night barely any people went outside due to the curfew. The law forbid the people to wander around outside at night, but none of the guards would actually do anything if they saw you outside. This weird law was made approximately 500 years ago, when the king which ruled back then was killed. The king's heir authorized this law most likely out of paranoia.

People do listen to laws though, and even if you won't get arrested, no one wants to take that risk. This is why the lights are barely used in the night time.

Today, however, was special. A ball is being held inside the palace today, and the nobility from the whole realm is coming. The streets were thoroughly cleaned and prepared for their visit. Even a red carpet was placed, leading the carriages towards the palace. Having such a long carpet must've cost a small fortune, but then again, the king had more than enough money for such expenses.

---

On this special day Ken stood inside the ball room. He was a guard, and today it seems he'll have to work overtime. He never has night-shifts, but for today all of the guards were ordered to be here. It might be a way to show off power, or it might be paranoia… The king from 500 years ago DID get killed in this very room…

Ken just stood there and watched. That basically was his job. Standing and looking menacing from time to time.

At the moment though, the ball room was filled with servants. Everyone was preparing to welcome their guests.

While most of the maids were from the lesser nobility, a lot of the other servants were simple commoners. Screwing up once might mean the chopping block for them.

This is why Ken was slightly relieved. He was only a guard, he did not have to carry drinks or do anything else. He only had to stand there and 'guard', doing this has a very small chance of pissing some distant noble off.

"They're here!"

A servant announced before disappearing behind a door.

Everyone else prepared themselves. Some checked their clothes whilst others tried making the best smile they could.

After a moment, the big, glorious looking door opened up. With the distant talking reaching Ken's ears, the nobles entered.

He kind of expected something more grandiose, but they simply entered inside. They were already chatting to each other, and barely paid any attention to the commoners inside. It was really funny for Ken.

The nobles were only humans but they already thought better of themselves than simple commoners. Were they some kind of overwhelmingly powerful beings like in the fairy tales, that might be understandable, but they were not. They were simply richer than others.

A lot of them actually looked like they barely had to work at all. The fat versus non-fat ratio sadly went towards the former.

Ken wondered. Do they know that most of the commoners they rule over are all skin and bones? Wouldn't it be funny to see some of them live at least a single day in place of a commoner they rule over?

"Let's not think about that." Ken muttered and shook his head. He then puffed out his chest and did his job - being a statue, not belittling the nobles.

"Think about what?" a curious voice asked Ken from behind him.

A shiver went through his spine as he slowly, while trying not to attract any attention, turned around.

The person who spoke to him was a child. A simple child? A commoner?

Ken had no idea. Servants rarely bring their children along, especially if it's an important day such as today.

He inspected the small child in front of him.

She was, maybe, 14 years old. Six years younger than himself. She wore a simple, but pricey looking dress. She had dark red hair and, for some weird reason, a monocle.

"Hey, where did you get that?"

"Hmm? This?" the kid took the monocle into her hands and showed it off.

"Yes, that. Do you really need to use something like that?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I want to?"

What's wrong with this kid..? The whole time I spoke to her, she looked somewhere distant, not to mention she kept throwing the monocle up and down repeatedly.

"Is that yours?"

She probably stole it.

"No…" She said while lowering her eyes.

I knew it.

"…it's his." The girl continued and pointed behind Ken's back.

Ken slowly turned around and saw a pissed off old man staring towards him.

Should I say something? No. I better keep quiet, I don't want to screw up and end up on a pike.

"Thief!"

"Wha-"

A thief?! Where did that come from?!

Where's the kid…she's gone! And she left the monocle on a small chair nearby me!

"M-Mister, is this monocle yours? A maid found it and brought it to me for safe keeping."

This should work. In the first place, I never even touched it. That's why me looking like a thief is not likely…but you never now with these people... Also I'm part of the royal guard. My boss is the king, just so you know!

The man seemed not as angry as before. He took the monocle and put it on. After a moment of looking at me, he kicked me in the leg with all his strength and walked away.

Should I feel lucky? I bet that old geezer was quite influential and he could've organized a hanging as soon as the morning came… Ahhh, well, whatever. I'm just glad I got out of that without a scratch.

After that, the ball went on smoothly. I did, however, see that girl running around annoying the servants. I could've…I wanted to do something about that…but I didn't. She's probably a kid of a duke, since other nobles didn't say anything to her either.

Ken just stood there while perfecting the stance of a statue, when a sudden noise appeared. It was some kind of instrument; at least it was supposed to be that. Ken looked towards the crowd that gathered around the source of the sound.

He's a guard and not a decoration. He still has to put in minimum effort to look like one.

He slowly walked towards the crowd and acted as if he had it all in order.

He was glad. The weird, ear-bleeding sound came from that very same girl. She played some crazy looking instrument, and it was horrible. He wanted to laugh, but just couldn't.

The nobles around the girl only smiled, Ken did not know why they faked their smiles, but whatever. The fiasco continued for a few other minutes, before an old looking man proudly raised the girl. It was probably her father, and he was very proud of her shit musical talents.

The crowd dissipated and Ken returned to his spot. His work should be done soon, and if someone watched him, they might report that he actually did his job, however reluctantly.

"This is going to be a long night…"

True to his words, the ball was a mess. The kid did not appear again at all, but the fake smiles of nobles, full of selfish intent, almost made him vomit.

Later on, the king appeared with a very grand entrance, just how Ken firstly imagined the nobles would.

With this the most annoying part of his job was over, and he only hoped to get paid extra for this.