Chapter 11
Leticia's room was located at the far left end of the building. Ena walked silently to the front of her room, while Acel was deeply engrossed in reading the fire magic book.
The most basic fire magic, Scorching Flame. From the magic that ignited these flames to spells that create seas of fire or shape them into swords, everything was written in the book. Acel tried using some of the lower-level spells among them.
Fortunately, the spells activated without any particular issues. It moved according to his will, and he was even able to slightly change its shape to create elongated or round forms. Although the amount of magical power consumed was quite large due to adjusting the shape with only magical power manipulation ability without the help of spell formulas, it wasn't a problem as the recovery speed was even faster.
It seems like it would be difficult from mid-level spells onwards.
Various combat magics, including fire magic, consumed as much magical power as their destructive power. Lower-level magic was manageable, but from mid-level onwards, it seemed it would be difficult. To begin with, these not only changed the nature of magical power but also differed in form, characteristics, and effects, so it was hard to even manifest them by simply projecting magical power crudely.
Moreover, from mid-level magic onward, some degree of imagery was usually necessary.
In the end, this meant that the magic he could currently use was limited to the lower levels.
But Acel continued manifesting only lower-level magics without any particular complaints. The rest was a problem that time would solve, anyway. He was certain that after learning from his master and continuing his own research, he would reach that level before long.
"We've arrived," Ena said after they had been walking for a while.
She muttered while knocking on a door with “Leticia Berkias” written in large letters, "Leticia, it's me."
The response was immediate.
"...Ena?"
A clear voice was heard from beyond the door. Then the door swung open.
Leticia's figure was visible through the opened door.
Gray hair reaching down to her waist. Dark circles were visible beneath her round glasses. The white gown she was wearing was clearly of high quality at a glance, and her pale black eyes were filled with intelligence.
Even at a rough glance, she had the appearance of a scholar. Ena waved her hand lightly toward Leticia.
"Hello. We're here for an aptitude test."
"...Your habit of getting straight to the point hasn't changed," Leticia said this with a deep sigh.
Acel and Ena followed her suggestion to come in and entered the room.
Her room looked similar to a laboratory. All sorts of metals and magic conductors were scattered on the desk, and the internal organs and magic organs of unidentifiable magic beasts were packed in boxes. Various reagents were also hung on the wall, as if on display. Acel's mouth fell open at this parade of mysteries.
"Have you been well?"
Leticia left Acel alone as he looked around the room and asked Ena as she sat down. Ena nodded while picking up and eating a cookie placed on the table.
"More or less."
"That's good. I thought you might have burned down a city again because you didn't like something."
"...What do you think I am?"
"It's not wrong, is it?"
Leticia chuckled and stuck her hands in her pockets.
"You know, back then. When you went on a dispatch and tore the sky, burning down an entire city."
"That was because the whole city was contaminated. Only devils and their remnants died, right?"
"I know. But the problem is that the king of that country wanted purification, not the annihilation of the city."
“Such things are bothersome."
"That's so like you."
Leticia turned her head. The sight of Acel poking at a writhing magic beast's heart with his finger was reflected in her eyes.
"Is that him? Your disciple. Bell was going around making a noisy fuss."
"Yes. I came to do an aptitude test."
"The essential course that mages who take on disciples always do. What's the payment? Gold coins? Or a favor?"
"Is ten gold coins enough?"
"That's sufficient."
Ena nodded and took out ten gold coins to hand to Leticia. Leticia checked the number of gold coins received and got up from her seat to bring out a crystal ball of appropriate size.
Blue magical power swirled inside the transparent crystal ball. Leticia suppressed the rampaging magical power and called Acel, who was lingering in front of the cages containing small magic beasts.
"Kid. Come here."
"Ah, yes."
Acel immediately turned around and approached Leticia. Only then could Leticia properly see Acel's face.
"...He might be quite handsome when he grows up."
"Pardon?"
"It's nothing. Let's do the test."
Leticia stepped aside slightly and brought the crystal ball in front of Acel. Acel sensed the calmly settled magical power inside the crystal ball and chewed his lips.
I think I could wake it up.
He could make the magical power inside the crystal ball rampage just by simply interfering with it. But he felt like he shouldn't do that, so he remained quiet.
"We'll start the aptitude test now. What you need to do is simple. Place your hand on the crystal ball, and slightly insert your magical power into it. The magical power in the crystal ball and your magical power will connect on their own. Then you just need to tell me the scene that appears in your mind. Easy, right?"
Acel nodded. He looked at Ena once, and after confirming that she was smiling, he turned his gaze back to Leticia.
"Should I do it right away?"
"Do as you wish."
"Then I'll do it now."
There was no reason to hesitate. Acel immediately placed his palm on the crystal ball, then slowly drew up his magical power.
He separated a part of the instantly activated magical power. He inserted it into the crystal ball. Simultaneously, with the sound of a droplet falling echoing in his mind, the magical power in the crystal ball roughly enveloped Acel's magical power.
The swirling magical power gradually rose and reached where Acel placed his palm. At that moment, Acel realized that the crystal ball's magical power was trying to interfere with his magical power system. He could block it if he wanted to, but Acel willingly accepted that pure magical power.
A sensation both hot and cool traveled from his palm to his brain.
"Close your eyes."
Leticia's command. He accepted it without resistance.
His vision went dark.
"Tell me what you see first in the darkness, and what you hear first."
Understood. Acel remained silent and concentrated on trying to feel something.
In that state, before even a second had passed, he saw something flashing in the darkness. It was a dark blue flash. As soon as he recognized it, the flash became a huge thunderbolt that tore through the darkness. A belated thunderclap shook his consciousness.
"Lightning struck."
"Already? That's faster than I expected. Does he have good compatibility with lightning magic? As expected of Ena's disciple—"
"Sparks are spreading everywhere."
"...Dual attribute? It's been a while since I've seen-"
"Water is pouring over the fire. Um... the water immediately froze and turned the sky and ground all into ice."
"?"
Leticia's face twisted strangely with each of Acel's words.
"...Kid, what are you saying-"
"Wind is blowing strongly and all the ice has disappeared. Flowers bloomed amidst the wind and a flower field was created. Something that looks like spirits are frolicking on it, and when corpses rose, they all ran away."
"..."
"Oh? Something is repeatedly decomposing and assembling on its own. Bombs are exploding and black waves and shadows are approaching from far away. An earthquake is occurring, and trees are uprooting themselves and flying around."
"Stop, stop!"
"Huh? Strange things keep appearing, though? Should I stop?"
"Yes... I understand now, so stop."
"Okay..."
Acel chewed his lips in disappointment as he opened his eyes and removed his hand from the crystal ball. When he turned his head, he saw Leticia sitting in a chair, pressing her brow hard. She looked visibly tired. Acel wondered if he had done something wrong, and rolled his eyes, watching her expression.
"Acel."
At that moment, Ena called his name. Acel turned his head in surprise.
"Y-yes?"
"I'm very proud of you."
"...Thank you?"
"Yes, yes. I'm grateful too."
Ena hugged Acel tightly, smiling happily. Not knowing what was going on, Acel tilted his head and surrendered himself to Ena's embrace.
Her embrace was quite warm compared to her small body.
***
When they finished the test, it was just barely lunchtime. Acel and Ena immediately went to the dining hall and finished their meal. As Ena had promised, the steak at the restaurant was extremely delicious. Much better than the food Haley had made. It was natural, of course, as it was food made by a professionally trained chef.
After the meal, they briefly toured the streets before returning to the mansion. As soon as Ena passed through the main gate, lightning struck the lightning rod on the mansion's roof as if welcoming its owner. Acel's face hardened as he looked at that lightning strike.
I've confirmed that I have an aptitude for lightning magic.
That meant that someday he, too, would be able to use such magic.
It won't be far off.
Acel reassured himself of this again as he followed Ena into the mansion.
"Acel! You're back!"
As they entered the hall, Evelyn, dressed in a neat maid uniform, welcomed them. It was a cute outfit with lots of frills. Evelyn seemed to like the clothes she was wearing, as she grabbed the hem of her skirt and spun around once.
"How is it, how is it? Cute, right? Does it suit me?"
"It suits you well. Is learning the mansion work manageable?"
"No problem! It's much easier than handling animal or magic beast innards!" Evelyn exclaimed, giving a thumbs up.
Acel smiled slightly and told her that was good. Evelyn nodded vigorously, then greeted Ena standing next to Acel.
"Ah, welcome back, Lady Ena."
"Yes. Are you receiving good training?"
"Yes! Lady Haley teaches me well. Thanks to her, I haven't had any difficult tasks yet!"
"I see. I'll give you this month's salary tomorrow."
"Salary?"
Evelyn's eyes lit up.
She waved both hands and exclaimed with an expression full of shock, "I don't need money! It's enough that you're letting me live here!"
"I'll give it to you, anyway. It's no use even if you say you don't want it."
"Lady Ena...!"
"Live doing what you want with it. I won't interfere as long as you don't go down a strange path."
"...Can I call you mom?"
[Go away]
Ena gestured towards Evelyn. Evelyn disappeared beyond the stairs, following that gesture. Acel chuckled at the sight of her flying away with a scream mixed with laughter. Although it had only been a day since they came to the mansion, it seemed she had adapted to some extent while staying with Haley.
It was a good thing. Acel turned to Ena, holding the fire magic book he had brought from the Witch Association's library.
"Master, what should I do now?"
"For now, rest. We'll start full-fledged magic education from tomorrow. Ah, before that."
Ena smiled slightly and snapped her fingers. Then lightning flashed above her palm, and a blue book appeared. Ena handed that book to Acel. Acel's eyes widened as he confirmed the title of the book he received.
<You Can't Do It. Introduction to Lightning Magic>
"As the title says, it's an introduction to lightning magic. It's fine to read it, but don't use the magic. Lightning magic is focused on destructive power even among unique magics, so if you use it wrong, your body will split apart in the shape of your nervous system."
A chilling statement. Acel nodded with a bitter smile.
"I understand. I'll do as you say."
"Good. And from tomorrow, I'm planning to teach you the meanings of the characters used in spell formulas, so if you want to preview, feel free to take books from the library and read them. You can enter and exit as you please."
"Yes, thank you."
"Mm. Now go rest."
Ena stroked Acel's head once, then went up to her room. Acel also returned to his room and stretched out.
Entering the room, he felt a satisfying comfort. Although it hadn't even been a day since he came to this mansion, it seemed he was already thinking of this place as home.
Not a bad feeling.
Acel drank the water from the water bottle that seemed to have been brought by Haley, then sat at the desk and laid out the books he had brought.
There were two books in total. The fire magic book he had brought from the Witch Association and the lightning magic book Ena had given him. Acel thought for a moment, then slowly immersed himself in the fire magic book he had been reading first.
He understood the characteristics of fire magic and the features that changed when it was revised into unique magic.
He practiced the sensation by using the basic magic Scorching Flame several times. He went through the process of getting used to magic by repeatedly using other magics classified as lower-level magic.
When his magical power was almost depleted, Acel yawned and closed the book.
How many hours have passed?
When he checked the clock while pressing his throbbing brow, the hour hand had long since entered the early morning hours. It was the price of concentrating on the book without realizing how time was passing.
Fatigue weighed down his body.
Acel got up from his seat, stretched his body, and took out his membership certificate from his chest to place it on the desk. Seeing that ashen rectangle gave him a sense that he had officially entered the world of magic. He smiled faintly as he tidied up the desk and lay down on the bed.
The night sky visible just before closing the curtains was full of stars. Acel appreciated those star clusters for a moment before closing the curtains and lying down on the bed.
And so, a day passed.