Chapter 3

"Hey, Lloyd, what are you doing?"

As usual, I was enjoying reading when I heard the cheerful voice of a young man.

Turning around, I saw a tall, handsome man with golden hair standing there.

It was my older brother, Albert, who is nine years older than me.

He is the second prince of the Saloom Kingdom and second in line to the throne.

However, he is exceptionally talented in both literature and martial arts, and there are even rumors that he might be the next king.

Seeing that I was reading a magic book, Albert smiled.

"You're reading a magic book, huh? Can I join you?"

"Of course, Albert."

"Thank you. Then I'll join you—"

Albert sat down across from me at the table.

He was holding a book on politics.

He glanced at the pile of magic books on the table and then immersed himself in his own reading.

While my other brothers don't seem to care much about me, Albert always pays attention to me.

He's probably just a good person.

And unlike Silfa, he doesn't tell me what to do all the time, which is nice.

I returned my gaze to the book and continued reading.

***

After some time, I heard a thud as Albert put down his book.

"...Phew, Lloyd, your concentration is amazing. I give up. You really love magic, don't you?"

As Albert stood up and stretched his arms, I heard a series of cracking sounds.

He then cracked his neck.

Seeing this, I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Good work, Albert."

"I think I'll go and do some physical exercise to change my mood. Would you like to join me, Lloyd?"

"The shooting range!?"

"Yeah, you like it, right?"

"Yes!"

I immediately accepted Albert's invitation.

While I don't particularly enjoy physical activities, Albert's invitations are different.

It's not about increasing his favorability or anything like that.

As the heir apparent, Albert has access to various facilities, and the shooting range we're going to is perfect for practicing magic.

"Then let's go."

Following Albert, we headed to the large square at the back of the castle.

After greeting the guards at the entrance, we entered, and a vast lawn spread out before us.

This is the shooting range. In simple terms, it's a place where you can aim and shoot magic balls.

It's also used for large-scale magic experiments, so it's dangerous for a child like me to enter alone.

"Wow! It's so big every time we come here."

The castle's mages were also aiming and firing balls of fire and water.

The sensation of using magic varies from person to person.

For example, even when casting the same 'Fireball,' the smoothness and speed of gathering and releasing magic power from the entire body can differ from person to person.

Just watching them is quite enjoyable.

Seeing my keen interest, Albert smiled.

"Haha, Lloyd, you really love magic, don't you?"

"Yes, I do."

"It's worth bringing you along when you're so happy. Well, shall we give it a try?"

"Yes!"

Albert nodded and ordered the soldiers to set up the targets.

Various targets, numbered from one to nine, were placed about 100 meters away.

Watching others is fun, but of course, doing it myself is the best.

After all, there aren't many opportunities to use magic openly in the castle.

Soon, the targets were set up.

"Then, Lloyd, you can go first."

"Understood."

The target shooting is a simple competition that doesn't need much explanation.

We take turns, each firing ten magic balls, and the one who knocks down the most targets with the highest numbers wins. That's it.

Of course, the targets with higher numbers are smaller and harder to hit.

Facing the targets, I gathered magic power at my fingertips and created a 'Fireball.'

—Of course, it's not just a regular one.

It's a modified magic spell that incorporates rotational motion, which I am currently researching.

By manipulating the spell's formula to give the magic ball a rotational force at its core, it can move in various directions, not just straight.

Of course, it's possible to control the movement and make it move freely, but hitting the target that way isn't as interesting.

Since this is a rare opportunity to experiment, I want to try various things.

"—Go!"

The 'Fireball' I released spun rapidly and aimed for the highest-scoring target, number nine.

Incidentally, I applied a strong horizontal spin, so it should curve slightly to the left.

The 'Fireball' flew as I expected and grazed the edge of the target.

Since it didn't knock it down, it didn't count as a score.

—But that's fine.

I aimed for a point where it would just barely hit but not knock down the target to avoid drawing too much attention.

The spin, angle, and firing speed were all calculated, but in practice, it doesn't always go as planned.

Experimentation is important.

"Too bad, Lloyd. Now it's my turn."

This time, Albert stood in front of the targets.

He concentrated and released a 'Fireball' that was twice the size of mine.

It flew straight and hit the center of the target I had missed.

"Excellent, Albert."

"Thank you. Now it's your turn, Lloyd."

This time, I stood in front of the targets.

I added a spin to the 'Fireball' to make it rise from the bottom.

The 'Fireball' followed the curve I intended and grazed the top of the target.

The next one, and the one after that, the 'Fireball' followed the trajectory I intended and hit the spots I aimed for.

Hmm, adding rotational force to the magic ball to make it change direction isn't bad.

It uses much less magic power compared to controlling it directly and is much faster.

I'd say the experiment was a success.

While I was thinking about this, I heard whispers from a distance.

"Prince Albert is truly remarkable. He hits all the targets perfectly."

"Compared to him, Prince Lloyd is still a child. He keeps aiming for the high-scoring targets and missing. He should aim for the ones that suit him."

These were the words of the mages watching us.

Well, it seems I'm doing a good job of fooling them.

"Tsk, can't you see, you guys?"

Suddenly, Albert called out to the mages.

Uh, did he notice what I was doing...?

My heart raced as I listened intently.

"Even though they only grazed the targets, all of Lloyd's magic balls hit. And they were the smallest, number nine. They also moved slightly towards the targets. He probably has a talent for control-type magic."

"Oh! Is that so!"

"I didn't notice that..."

"Really, you guys are blind. What are you?"

...Phew, it seems he didn't completely figure it out.

By the way, I mastered control-type magic when I was seven.

He must have misunderstood because I often read books on that topic.

"Lloyd has a talent for magic. If he continues to develop his talent from a young age, he could become a great mage or sage in the future. If we become close now, he will surely be a great help when I ascend the throne."

Albert smiled and whispered something.

I couldn't hear it clearly... but, it's fine.

It doesn't concern me, anyway.