Chapter 19
There is no Noble who cannot use Magic.
I'd heard that such Nobles existed in the past, but now, that's literally a thing of the past. Some ignorant Commoners even believe that those who use Magic *are* Nobles...
It's a correct perception. In fact, it was precisely what nobles of the past aimed for.
It is not to be considered the same species.
Just as horses and cattle have different hooves, making people accept that a fundamental difference exists from birth was the greatest advantage the ruling class could possess.
Magic was proof of purity, and a simple means to explain why some were destined to grasp the heated iron.
Therefore, it follows.
Lisia Rakshania *had* to use Magic.
...I'm sorry.
It's not your fault.
Aletus stroked his crying daughter's head.
The room was filled with broken reagent bottles, all sorts of grimoires, books, and Magic scrolls.
But Elisia couldn't accept any of it.
...despite suffering from a fever.
If only she hadn't suffered from it.
Aletus wore a somber expression, hidden from his daughter.
Then he could have thought of her as a late-blooming flower.
If the situation after her Talent Awakening was like this...
Oh, Father. Am I... not a Mage?
Of course not. You'll become an excellent Mage, just like your mother. So, just wait a little longer.
He couldn't let it show. It was clear what would happen if he exposed his neck so openly.
Aletus hugged his daughter warmly, gritting his teeth.
For the sake of his House, and for his daughter's sake.
He absolutely had to find a way.
But it all failed.
I glanced at Elisia, who was hugging her knees on the bench and muttering gloomily.
Is that so?
Yeah, no matter how I look at it... I guess I'm not a Mage.
"Hmm."
*How absurd.*
I thought as I looked at the sky, where the evening glow was beginning to fade.
Her story wasn't particularly surprising. To be honest, I wasn't even listening very closely. Everyone has some embarrassing family matters, after all.
Even though I was listening with one ear and letting it out the other, I still found out who Elisia's gardener was having an affair with.
It felt like new information was pouring out non-stop for three hours. In short, this girl...
She's an *unbelievable chatterbox*.
I wondered how she'd held it in all this time. It wasn't bad, though, as some of the information I needed to elicit was mixed in.
This should be enough information for now.
At least, it was enough to form a personal assessment.
Her House was quite respectable, powerful, and most importantly, Elisia's being an only child was a huge factor.
Dersia told me to make a name for myself, didn't she?
She didn't specify *how*. This might work.
As I pondered how to begin, Elisia first let out a deep sigh.
So, I don't know what I'm going to do about the upcoming Experiential Learning...
Experiential Learning?
It was a new term to me.
Elisia nodded, her face a picture of misery.
Yeah. I have to demonstrate the Elemental Magic I've learned in front of everyone there. Everyone's already figured it out, but... I think it'll definitely be exposed.
Elisia slumped forward completely.
...that I'm a failure.
Is this the time to comfort her?
I instinctively reached out to pat her head, but flinched, thinking it would be a big problem if I carelessly touched a Noble.
It's okay...
No, everyone's watching.
Since I couldn't actually touch her head, I patted her back instead, offering comfort.
Don't be so hard on yourself, Lady Elisia. You might have a hidden talent, you know?
Actually, she does.
That talent is what prevented her Elemental Magic Manifestation.
Magic scrolls wouldn't have revealed it at all. She probably reacted even less than a normal person when trying to erase Magic.
So... Huins was right.
This girl really was the villain who interfered with the Magic of Mages around her.
Since she has no effect on my Deep Sea, is she only bothering young Beginner Mages?
It's not a very hopeful prospect, but if she grows, it might help my condition.
As I greedily eyed Elisia's lustrous silver hair, which looked like nothing less than a Golden Goblin, she shook her head.
Then I would have known already, and even if I found out later, what good would it do? If I fail the demonstration at this Experiential Learning, I'll be branded with the Mark of an Inferior Student.
That certainly sounds terrible.
Yeah. If I could just get through this Experiential Learning, I might be able to get by, perhaps by feigning illness... but I can't. If I could just use Magic, even half as well as others, or even less, I wouldn't be worrying like this.
It might be possible. Let's try one more time.
...What?
I'm just a janitor, so what would I know, but I imagine you've worked very hard all this time to manifest Magic.
Uh, yeah.
Couldn't all that effort finally burst forth now? Let's try one more time, right here.
What are you talking about?
Elisia asked again, looking bewildered.
Naturally, she would have known it was impossible after thousands, tens of thousands of attempts.
But her reaction was understandable, for me to suddenly tell her to try again.
Rather than persuading her, I found it faster to set the stage. I threw the broom I was holding in front of the bench.
I wish to witness Magic just once. Please, I beg you.
...I told you it wouldn't work.
Elisia grumbled, but seeing my serious expression, she raised her hand.
I'm only doing this because you saved me once. This is embarrassing... *Hmph!*
With a cute grunt of effort, Elisia glared at the broom and diligently attempted to use Magic.
Or rather, that's how it looked. Since nothing happened, how could anyone know?
*Huuuugh...!*
She was indeed concentrating so hard that her face turned red.
Even if she had been helped, it was still a janitor's request, yet she was so earnest it was almost touching.
Of course, I had to help. I stepped back a little and manifested Magic.
...Huh? Oh!
The wind blew.
It wasn't natural. The broom rose unnaturally, swaying as it began to approach her.
Elisia covered her mouth, an expression of disbelief on her face.
I... I manifested Magic...!
The broom gradually came closer, and Elisia, with a moved expression, reached out a trembling hand.
*Thwack!*
I caught it.
Of course, *I* did.
...Huh?
Elisia stared blankly at the broom in my hand, her own hand still suspended in the air, having nowhere to go.
It didn't take long for her gaze to meet my eyes.
A tiny star is swimming in my eyes.
Her expression changed in various ways at this undeniable proof of a Mage.
You...!
A triumphant expression, as if saying, *'I was right after all!'*
But...
A questioning expression, *'How could a Janitor...?'*
No!
An angry expression, *'Were you toying with me?'*
I couldn't help but be impressed. She expressed her emotions so clearly within three seconds. Shouldn't she be an actress or something?
Since the last emotion was the strongest, I bowed my head and apologized.
I apologize. I've been rude.
I had originally intended to just say, “Actually, I did it,” and leave it at that, but her reaction was too amusing, so I crossed the line.
Fortunately, Elisia seemed unwilling to admit she was angry, so she just crossed her arms and glared at me.
Th-that's fine. But what? Were you a noble?
I wish I were. Then I wouldn't have to eavesdrop on classes.
Was the reason you were always around here to eavesdrop on classes?
Yes. I do this in other Children's Classes too, not just here.
Now that I'd revealed I was a Mage, there was nothing left to hide.
Elisia tilted her head and asked again.
Why are you doing this? Do you want to learn Magic?
Yes. I truly, genuinely want to learn.
*Because it's my last struggle.*
Seeing me, Elisia nodded slightly, as if understanding.
I think I understand what you mean. I feel the same way... No, but then you're a Mage even though you're a Commoner. *Sigh*, what am I, then...?
Are you not perhaps angry about the fact that I am a Mage?
I'm annoyed. A Commoner is a Mage, but I'm not.
So, you're not angry enough to want to kill me, or anything?
Elisia looked at me as if she genuinely didn't understand.
Uh... why would I kill you for that reason...?
I was relieved by her look, as if she were seeing a psychopath. It seemed I wouldn't be rejected for that reason. On second thought, it wasn't really a cause for relief. I cleared my throat and continued.
Lady Elisia, I apologize for bringing this up at our second meeting, but would you be willing to make a deal with me?
What kind of deal?
I will use Magic for you in Experiential Learning.
This time, I used Current to lift the broom dozens of meters into the air, then slammed it down and moved it freely.
Elisia looked at me with a stunned expression at the rather elaborate high-speed maneuver.
W-without an Incantation... you're a genius?
No. But I let her think that.
This is because it's to my advantage.
And I will definitely make it so you can use Magic.
...Hmph.
Though I had spoken seriously, Elisia snorted.
Do you know how many Mages have come to 'cure' me? They all failed and left.
The problem is that they tried to 'cure' you.
*What cure is needed for something that isn't an illness?*
Also, the problem is that it's too high-level.
If it weren't for a pathetic Beginner Mage like me, they wouldn't have struggled with that Magic-interfering Magic.
Of course, you don't have to believe me now. But shouldn't you at least get through the Experiential Learning?
But the Teachers will know...
Pressure them with the power of your House. What will they do? Announce that there's an Inferior Student in the class and make an implacable enemy? Or just keep quiet?
...
Elisia's expression became thoughtful.
From what she'd said so far, she really wanted to get through Experiential Learning.
Then...
It was the first time I had revealed myself as a Mage to a Noble.
Even I, despite myself, felt my heart pound as I waited for her answer. She asked in a tone mixed with anxiety similar to mine, and a hint of expectation.
W-what do you want from me?
It's nothing much. Just introduce me once.
?
I smiled warmly and said,
Could I meet your father?
Hey, what do you think this world is like?
It was a Torture Chamber.
Rotten water dripped from the ceiling, and the walls were covered in claw marks and dried, brownish bloodstains.
In the stench that made one gag just by smelling it, a man holding a saw blade still dripping fresh blood asked in a friendly tone.
Hm? Answer me.
...Why, why are you doing this...?
The Prisoner tied to the chair, whose appearance was barely human, begged for final mercy.
Just... kill me...
No, what are you saying? You shouldn't give up your life so easily. Just answer my question, and I'll let you live.
The Prisoner reacted, twitching, at the cheerful tone, utterly out of place for the location.
I, I...
I said, 'What do you think this world is like?' Huh?
That... what kind of...
*Ugh, how frustrating!*
The man threw down the saw in annoyance.
*-Clang!* At the unpleasant metallic sound, the man tied to the chair groaned and flinched.
Ugh, ugh...
The man grumbled, picked up the saw again, and then grabbed a bucket filled with rotten water.
Snap out of it. This won't end until you speak properly.
Splash! Water was sprayed, and the Prisoner, whose vision had returned from a reddish blur, could see the man's face once more.
Red hair that looked as if it had never been washed in his life, cold, emotionless eyes, and skin mottled with burn scars.
At an appearance that was more monstrous than human, the Prisoner gave up all hope and bowed his head deeply.
Ah, ahh...
Damn it, seriously. This one's broken too.
The man scratched his head, sighed, and then swung the saw to the side.
*Thud.* And with that, the head, which had once belonged to the Prisoner, fell off with surprising ease.
The man, still sighing, casually pushed over the chair with the corpse tied to it. It wasn't a meaningful action; he just knew from experience that it would be easier to drain the blood this way later.
What the hell is 'falling' anyway? It's damn hard.
He was in the middle of carrying out orders from his new Master..., but it wasn't that easy.
Perhaps I should follow the guidelines, even if it's a bit risky.
The man casually left the room and picked up a paper from a nearby table.
[...Therefore, the younger the subject, the better.]
He ignored the troublesome preceding content. He couldn't understand it anyway.
It seems old Mages won't do.
Well, all the preparations are done...
He was planning to leave once this job was over anyway.
So—it wouldn't matter much, no matter how angry the Nobles got.
The man hummed a tune and left the room to prepare for his work.
Not many were needed. Just two or three 'fallen' ones would suffice.
Jeogyeon didn't ask for more than that.