CH 17

The flow of magic is a troublesome thing to grasp, and you couldn’t get a sense for it without support.

However, magic tools are expensive, so only aristocrats or rich people have them.

For those who don’t have money, this “knowing the feeling of using magical power” is the first and greatest barrier.

When I briefly explain all this, Reno finally picks up the magic tool and asks a question.

“Lain nii-chan! How do you put magical power in this?”

It seems that she’s more interested in learning how to use magic, than in its knowledge.

I can’t blame her though.

“First hold the magic tool firmly in your hand, and try to direct the magical power inside you into it. Since this is purely instinctual, I can’t explain it too well.”

“Mu, so that’s how it is.”

“But even though it’s a little, that magic tool has the ability to suck magic power, so it should be easier to practice with than other magic tools.”

“I see…”

Reno begins looking at the magic tool seriously.

“Um-, when I moved this magic tool, some characters came out. What does this mean?”

This time Milia asks a question.

She didn’t need to use the magic tool because she was capable of using simple magic, but she must have been curious about it and touched it.

――――――――――

Fire: 0

Wind: 0

Water: 0

Earth: 0

These characters were displayed on the magic tool.

“This is the amount of magical power for each attribute possessed by the caster. It’s not a well-known fact these days, but the magical power within you has attributes as well. If you use only magic from that attribute, then it’s magical power will keep on increasing.”

“Eh? Does that mean we can’t use spells from attributes we don’t have?”

“No, that’s not the case. If you get used to it, you’ll be able to turn your body’s magic into different magical powers. Though everyone seems to do it unconsciously.”

For most people, if nothing is done, the magical power in their body turns into void attribute, and what they’re naturally proficient in.

For Milia, that attribute turned out to be Light.

“I see, so that’s how it is! Watch me, I’ll bring it out as well!!”

Reno started getting excited when she saw Milia’s activated magic tool.

In the end, however, the three of them weren’t able to use the magic tool that day.

Well, they won’t have much to do soon when it’s winter, so I’ll let them go at it steadily.

***

“Then, I’ll leave that magic tool with you, so practice it even when you’re free.”

“What do you mean, is Lain going somewhere?”

When I try to leave the house, Aria stops me.

“Ah. I won’t go that far. I’ll make the village defend-able soon enough. I’ll even build a house between the village and the Demon Forest.”

In the Holy Kingdom, anti-demon aristocrats were not allowed to live inside villages.

Most likely, they didn’t want something they couldn’t defeat even when bundled together, living inside the village with them.

When I used to enter the town, I was checked more thoroughly than others, and I was petitioned to build my house in a place where it couldn’t be seen from the town.

When I said that with a straight face, Aria exhales as if giving up.

“Listen you, I’ll never say I don’t want a fellow villager living inside the village.”

“No, but…”

As I was talking to Aria, my clothes get pulled at.

When I turn to see who it was, I find Sui looking straight up at me.

“I don’t, think Lain, is scary. Because I, don’t think, Lain would, do bad things.”

“That’s right, Lain nii-chan! Let’s live together!!”

“Uwaa!”

This time, Reno starts clinging to my leg.

In this situation, I couldn’t even move.

When I look towards Kili and Milia for help, they simply looked at me with smiles on their faces, as if they found this interesting, and didn’t seem willing to help me.

When I realized that I had no allies, I decided to give up.

“Haa-. Well then, please allow me to live here.”

“Alright–!!”

“Men’s room is, over here.”

I was guided to every corner of the house, while being dragged by these two.

They even tried to give me a tour of the women’s room, but Aria and Kili blocked that.

It’s not like I thought it was a shame, or anything.

***

“I did it.”

“Oh, you’re really doing it.”

The next day, Sui was the first to be able to activate the magic tool.

――――――――――

Fire: 0

Wind: 0

Water: 1

Earth: 0

Light: 0

Dark: 0

Null: 1

――――――――――

It seems that Sui is proficient with water attribute.

“Sui, do you understand the feeling of using magical power?”

“…Some, what?”

She says that while tilting her neck.

“Then, let’s try and use magic for the time being. We’ll start with the simplest water attribute magic, [Water Generation].”

With that said, when I put a cup on the table, Aria stood up, making a rattling noise.

“Wait a minute. Shouldn’t you start with the easiest [Body Strengthening] magic?”

{TL: Long story short, no.}

“Eh? [Body Strengthening] is a difficult magic though? Since the amount of magical power consumed will inevitably increase, it can’t be used unless there’s more than 1 point in void attribute. As you get used to it, conversion of magic into different attributes will become easier, but conversion of existent attributes into a non-existing one will be many times more difficult. The conversion rate is also very poor. The fact that there are many people who can’t do it, is what makes this magic unsuitable for a beginner.”

“…No way.”

Aria looks down as if in despair.

I continue my story without paying mind to her.

“Well, it may be fine to use [Body Strengthening] to test someone when a magic tool like this isn’t available, and because void attribute exists in almost everyone. However, if you even make those who don’t possess void attribute use [Body Strengthening], then that’s your failure as a teacher.”

“…!”

“Eh? Aria!”

The door gets opened with a bang, and Aria leaves the house.

As I try to chase her, someone places their hand on my shoulder.

“I’ll do something about her. You continue teaching Sui and Reno magic.”

“… Alright.”

Kili had a serious look on her face, so I decided to leave Aria to her and continued my lecture on magic.

(I see, I really don’t know anything about any of them)

I kept staring at the door from which Aria left, for a while after that.