Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Lesson in Magic (Lucian's Chapter)

As a result, there was no seafood for dinner.

It seems that it takes about three hours by carriage from the port city to the capital, and since ice-making machines haven't spread yet, it's difficult to transport them to the capital. Even though it should be fine this season, there seems to be a belief that there's no need to eat something risky.

Certainly, but...! Ice-making machines need to spread urgently. However, since commoners can't buy them, it will likely be the Duke's household that purchases and lends them. That would require monitoring to prevent theft, so personnel would be needed for that, and if it's used frequently, someone who can infuse magic into it would also be necessary.

...It sounds quite challenging.

Furthermore, there's the issue of whether it's possible to produce such a large quantity. I don't know how much magic iron or magic stones are available. Will there be enough to distribute among the commoners?

There are numerous problems.

Well, for now, let's go to the port city and enjoy the seafood!

Although there was no seafood, dinner was still delicious. After dinner, due to the fatigue of the journey, I went to rest early.

When I lay down on the bed in my room, I quickly fell asleep.

"Good morning, Leon-sama."

Hmm... Roger is waking me up. But I'm still sleepy.

"Leon-sama, weren't you supposed to teach magic to Lucian-sama today? You should wake up soon, or you won't make it in time."

"Yeah, I'll wake up..."

That's right. Today, I'm supposed to teach magic to Lucian-sama. I can't be late.

Alright! Time to get up. I sat up in bed and stretched.

"Good morning, Roger."

"Good morning. There's a message from Lucian-sama's attendant. Lucian-sama is really looking forward to learning magic from you today. If possible, he'd like you to come earlier than planned, as soon as you're ready."

"Oh, really? Then I guess I should hurry."

"Yes. It seems Lucian-sama has already finished breakfast."

Isn't that a bit too early? Wait, he's waiting for me now!? While I might be willing to wait, it's not good to keep others waiting.

I need to hurry!

"Roger, please prepare breakfast quickly. I'll change my clothes."

"Understood."

And so, I hurriedly prepared myself, faster than I ever had before.

I feel tired already, starting the day like this.

"Leon-sama is here."

Roger knocked on Lucian-sama's room door and said that. It would be better to practice magic outside, but I was called to Lucian-sama's room.

The door opened, and when I entered the room, Lucian-sama, with his golden eyes sparkling, was sitting on the sofa, waiting.

The first impression was of a dignified and composed image, but based on his behavior in the reception room yesterday and now, it seems he has a curious side. Well, he's still only nine years old.

"Good morning, Lucian-sama."

"Good morning, Leon. Please, have a seat."

"Thank you."

"Once tea is prepared, everyone will leave," Lucian-sama said, and the servants quickly prepared tea and left. The guards also withdrew smoothly.

It seems I'm quite trusted. Or rather, the servants of the Duke's household are indeed of high caliber.

"Leon, are you going to teach me magic today?"

"Yes. Lucian-sama, you have a fire attribute, correct? How much magical power do you possess?"

"Leon, we're the same age, so you don't have to be so formal! We're new friends, after all. I'd like us to become closer."

Here we go again... whether it's Martine-sama or Lucian-sama, do they understand that I'm a commoner?

"But I am a commoner..."

"That doesn't matter! While it's true that formal language is necessary in public or when others are around, it's okay when it's just the two of us, right?"

Even if I refuse, it won't change anything...

Well, it's fine when it's just the two of us. The problem is that I might get used to informal speech and let my language slip when others are present. I need to be careful.

"Okay, then let's do that when it's just the two of us."

"Thank you! You can call me Lucian."

"Got it. Nice to meet you, Lucian."

When I said that, Lucian broke into a delighted grin. It's good that he's so happy about it.

"So, will you teach me magic? My magic power is four, but is that okay?"

"Yeah, the amount of magic power doesn't hinder teaching magic. I just wanted to confirm how much magical exhaustion occurs at a certain point."

While I'm supposed to teach magic after graduating from the royal school, exceptions are made for those who know about all attributes.

"In that case, it's good. Since it's fire magic, should we go outside? There's a magic practice field."

"Then let's go there."

That's how Lucian and I made our way to the outdoor magic practice field. It was located behind the mansion, an open area with rocks and targets.

Lucian's attendants and guards, along with Roger, were a little distance away. The conversation was at a distance where they couldn't hear.

"Lucian, when you use magic, you imagine something, right? What kind of image?"

"Well, I'm imagining fire."

"So, you're imagining a burning fire and using fire magic, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then I want you to add the image I'm about to teach you to that existing image."

So, I proceeded to explain once again about air and oxygen. Lucian seemed to have a liking for swordsmanship, so I was curious about his intellectual capacity, but he grasped the concept quite quickly.

He was flexible in his thinking and had a good memory. With his strong sword skills and intelligence, he'd likely be quite popular if he attended the royal school.

"Leon, I think I understand vaguely. Can I try it?"

"Sure, use that image from earlier to cast magic and try hitting that rock with a Fireball."

"Got it. 'Fireball.'"

Wow! That's quite a speed. Lucian might be skilled in magic as well.

"How was it? You were able to use it with less magic power than usual, right?"

"Leon! This is amazing! I used less than half of my usual magic power."

"Well, that's good then."

For now, I'm relieved it worked out. I relaxed a bit, letting go of some tension.

"Then, make sure not to forget that image. If you can instantly imagine it, you'll be able to use it in a pinch."

"Got it! Thanks, Leon."

"It's fine. We're friends, after all."

When I said that, Lucian's face lit up with happiness. It's true, as a lord's child, he probably couldn't make friends in his territory.

"Yeah!"

"Alright then. Shall we wrap it up and head back?"

"Hmm, before that, could you show me your magic, Leon?"

"Magic? I showed you yesterday..."

"Yesterday wasn't an offensive spell, right? Can you show me an attack spell?"

"Well, I guess... Fireball, maybe?"

"Hmm, but Leon, you can use magic of all attributes, right? Can't you combine them to create new spells?"

Hmm... I can do that, but the power might be too overwhelming. Would they get scared if I showed that?

"Well... I can't do that."

I denied it, but my gaze must have shifted slightly, giving away that I was lying. Lucian gave me a sharp look.

"Leon, lying is not good."

"Um... but the power would be too high."

"Well, then just control the power."

Well, that does make sense. Only Roger and Lucian's attendants and guards are watching, so it shouldn't be a problem to show all attributes.

Since the attendants and guards of the other families already know about the full range of attributes from the beginning, it seems they've been informed by the duke's family's servants.

"Alright, I'll show you the spell 'Fire Bullet.' It's a spell where I enchant a tip made of earth magic with fire magic."

"What's that? Sounds really cool!"

"I think so too."

I felt a bit pleased with the praise. Until now, I'd been practicing in the forest. Plus, I've been focused on healing magic lately and haven't used this much. It's been a while.

So, how much magic power should I use to make it a smaller impact? I'll use about the same amount of magic power as before. That time, it only embedded itself in the rock.

I said "Fire Bullet" aloud and cast the spell. It just sounds cooler that way.

"Fire Bullet."

Wow! It has quite a speed. The Fire Bullet I unleashed flew at a considerable speed toward the rock and shattered it.

Uh-oh! I realized instantly, so I channeled magic power ahead of us and created a sturdy wall.

Boom...

There was a tremendous noise, followed by silence.

Oh no... why did it become so powerful? I put in about the same amount of magic power as before. Could it be that I've accumulated too much magic power, making delicate control difficult?

Indeed, healing magic uses quite a bit of magic power, so delicate control isn't necessary.

Oops, I did it now.

Looking around, the ground sank due to the wall I created, and small fragments of rock were scattered. In the distance, the servants looked bewildered.

Next to me, Lucian had his mouth hanging open in surprise.

How can I salvage this situation?

Someone, help!