Chapter 7

### Servant Side

After expelling Hiraq, his family, the Matou family, continued to live as follows...

"Ah! Don't serve me such terrible food! Hey, cook! You're fired!"

"Bu, but... Master Jimer! That's so unfair!"

"There's no such thing as unfair! When I say you're fired, you're fired! My word is absolute in this mansion!"

Hiraq's younger brother, Jimer, did as he pleased in the mansion, acting on his every whim.

As a result, the servants suffered the consequences.

If they slightly displeased Jimer, they would be lucky to just have their pay reduced; the worst case was being fired.

Jimer used his position as the next head of the household to indulge in every whim.

Some of the servants, hoping to curb Jimer's behavior, reported his actions to Hiraq's father, Tozers.

However, Tozers seemed to turn a blind eye to Jimer's tyranny.

This only emboldened Jimer further.

The servants found themselves increasingly troubled by Jimer's worsening attitude...

Ah, if only Hiraq had been the head of the household, things would have been so much easier...

Before Hiraq left the mansion, the servants should have banded together to appeal to the head of the household.

Occupation didn't matter; what was important was the proper demeanor and conduct befitting the head of a prestigious family.

Only after all the servants suffered the consequences did they finally lament their own foolishness.

And soon, it would be evident that even Tozers would regret expelling Hiraq...

☆

### Hiraq's Side

After protecting the merchant from the wyvern, we arrived at the town of Woz.

As a fishing port, the sea was visible with just a short walk. The sea breeze was refreshing.

The town was bustling with people.

There were several inns where travelers could stay.

Among them, the merchant offered us a rather high-end hotel for free.

It seems the merchant's brother was the manager of this hotel.

The accommodation, meals, and even the duration of our stay were all free of charge.

It felt like we were receiving too much.

However, it turned out that the merchant's daughter was in a critical condition.

Thanks to the materials I provided, her condition improved dramatically.

I was considered her savior, and this generous treatment was a small token of gratitude.

"Hiraq-sama! I've returned from exchanging the items!"

"Thank you, Muize."

The half-elf girl, Muize, returned to my room in the hotel.

She had changed from her tattered slave clothes into a fancy dress.

This dress was also provided for free by the merchant.

I couldn't thank him enough.

By the way, I had Muize confirm the location of the Adventurer's Guild and sell the drop items I obtained during our journey, such as the Gray Wolf's Liver.

"How is it, Hiraq-sama! This... dress!"

"It suits you."

"Yay! Hiraq-sama complimented me! I'm so happy!"

She was so excited that her chest bounced multiple times.

I thought elves had more modest chests, but perhaps it's different for half-elves.

"By the way, Muize. I have a question for you."

"Is it about someone you like? It's Hiraq-sama! What type do you like? It's Hiraq-sama!"

"Thank you. My question is about magic power."

"Au... Is that so..."

Hmm, why does she look disappointed...

Well, it's not really relevant right now.

"Muize, do you know any way to increase magic power?"

"No, I don't. In fact, centuries ago, elf magic researchers concluded that magic power remains constant throughout one's life."

"Hmm... What is the basis for that conclusion?"

"That... I don't know..."

It seems the basis for the claim that magic power doesn't change is rather weak.

And... I have evidence to refute that theory.

"Muize, look at this."

I showed Muize my status. (After experimenting in the town, I discovered that I could show my status to others at will.)

~~~

Hiraq Matou (15)

HP: 100/100

MP: 100/110

SP: 300

~~~

"Magic power is quantified!?"

Indeed, that was the surprising part.

"It's amazing! You can quantify magic power in your status! That's incredible..."

"Generally, magic power is measured by channeling it into water to estimate the total amount."

"That's right! The Water Divination method, which is the only way to measure magic power as published by the Elf Magic Society... It's incredible that you can see it in numbers... This will change history!"

"Hmm... However, I can't disclose the details of my status. Keep the numbers confidential."

Muize looked dejected. "If you told everyone, it would be a historic discovery, and everyone would respect Hiraq-sama..."

"Muize, what I really want to know is this: the total magic power."

MP: 100/110

"What about it?"

"My total magic power was originally 100."

"!? But... a total of 110... Could it be! It increased!?"

"Yes."

"I can't believe it... Magic power is determined at birth and remains constant throughout life! That's the common knowledge in this world!"

I have read books and have some understanding of the common knowledge in this world.

However, my knowledge is limited to what I've read.

Muize, being a half-elf with a grandmother who was a hero, is much more knowledgeable about magic than I am.

She confirms that, in this world, there was no known method to increase magic power.

"How did you do it...!?"

"I think it's because I used all my magic power. Just like how muscle fibers grow thicker when they are damaged, using magic more frequently increases the total amount."

After hearing my theory...

Muize clapped and shed tears.

"That's amazing, Hiraq-sama! It's a historic discovery!"

"Hmm... Indeed."

"Yes! It's incredible... I'm witnessing a moment that will change the history of magic! Hiraq-sama, you're amazing!"

However, there is one issue with the method of increasing magic power...

"Why do you look so down?"

"Well, to increase magic power, I need to use all my magic power each time and then rest to recover it. It seems quite labor-intensive."

"Even if it's labor-intensive, it's still amazing. The more you use it, the more it increases."

It's not yet confirmed that it will continue to increase...

What about the limit... the limit? Hmm...

I used the "Release" ability to tap into my magic power. Then...

"Choose an option"

"SP 100: Increase total magic power by 10%"

"SP 200: Increase total magic power by 20%"

...

Hmm.

"Muize, there's another way to increase magic power."

"Wha, what is it!?"

I consumed 200 SP.

MP: 100/132

I showed Muize my status and explained.

"It seems that by using the 'Release' ability and consuming SP, I can increase my magic power without using it all up."

Muize sat down with a thud.

"What's wrong?"

"Hiraq-sama... This is beyond amazing! Not only did you come up with the idea that using magic increases it, but you've made two historic discoveries in a row! Are you a god of knowledge!?"

"Hmm... No, I'm not."

However, using SP to increase magic power requires the ability to manipulate status and use the "Release" ability.

In other words, only I can do it.

"Hiraq-sama is indeed special! Wonderful!"

By the way, my SP changed as follows:

300 → 100 → 150

It seems I inadvertently made Muize happy.

While it's good that my SP increased, I'm not sure what made Muize so happy...