Chapter 38

"Alright, Shiro, good boy."

"Oof!"

I pet Shiro's head, who had just brought back the ball I threw earlier.

The ability to share images by changing the nature of magic is quite convenient, and with this, I can usually get it to do most actions.

Incidentally, I didn't just throw it normally; I threw it incredibly high.

Using wind magic, I threw it as high as the castle walls.

I made Shiro climb between the walls to fetch it.

That's the kind of movement only a magical beast can do. Good job, Shiro.

However, keeping Shiro moving around while constantly connected with magic is quite a burden, so I solved this by using a magic seal to send magic only when I want to give a command.

For now, I'll just get it used to daily life.

"Hey, Lloyd."

As I was thinking about this, Albert walked over from the other side of the lawn.

Albert, the second prince, is my brother, nine years older than me, and a handsome guy with long blonde hair.

He's quite skilled in magic and often takes me to magic training.

Incidentally, he is rumored to be the most likely candidate for the throne.

...Hmm, who's next to him?

A man with a bandana and black hair stood next to Albert.

He seemed to be quite well-built, though slender, and had a muscular build.

He was probably around Albert's age and was staring at me with sharp eyes.

"Shiro seems to listen to you quite well now."

"Yes, I learned from Sister Aries."

"Aries...? Y-You understood her explanation...?"

"Hehe, it was a bit difficult, but I managed."

Seeing my wry smile, Albert put his hand to his mouth.

"Hmm, so you read the flow of Aries' magic, deduced, and mastered the technique to control a magical beast...? No, no, even Lloyd couldn't do that. It's just that the magical beast has gotten used to Lloyd. Yeah, that's it."

Albert shook his head, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

He looks a bit pale. Is he okay?

"Hey, Albert, what are you mumbling about?"

The man, seemingly losing his patience, called out, and Albert, as if remembering, cleared his throat.

"Sorry. ...Lloyd, let me introduce you. This is Dian. Your brother."

"What!? My brother?"

"Yeah, it's been a while, Lloyd! ...But I've been in the neighboring country of Bartlam since you were little. You probably don't remember. You've grown so much! I just got back!"

Dian de Saloom.

The fourth prince, he visited me with Albert when I was about three years old.

I can see a bit of a resemblance in his face. Like his sharp eyes.

Dian went to study in the neighboring country of Bartlam, known for its excellent blacksmithing skills, when he was about my age.

It was probably for political reasons, as a symbol of friendship.

I remember thinking it was impressive that he went to study for the country despite being a prince.

Why did Albert bring Dian to me?

"Albert, why did you bring me to Lloyd? We could have met anytime."

It seems he was thinking the same thing.

Albert smiled slyly.

"Actually, Dian, this Lloyd is the enchantment mage we were talking about."

"W-What!? No way, Albert! This kid enchanted that magic sword!?"

Dian pointed at the magic sword I enchanted for Albert earlier.

Then he squatted in front of me, put his hand on my chin, and scrutinized me.

"Hmm, I can't believe it, but I don't think Albert would lie... Alright, Lloyd. I'm going to test you. Come here."

Saying that, Dian grabbed me by the side and started running.

"Huh? Huh? Huh—!?"

"Hey, Dian! Wait! Where are you going!?"

"Sorry, Albert, I'm borrowing him for a bit!"

Dian waved at Albert and kept running.

The place he took me to was a round, domed building made of stacked bricks at the corner of the castle.

A chimney protruded from the top, and there was a well nearby.

I remember peeking inside when I was little, and it was just a storage room.

I wonder what he wants here.

"Ah, here we are. It's nostalgic."

Dian opened the door and went inside.

The inside was completely different from the last time I saw it.

In the center of the room was a large furnace, along with an anvil, hammer, pliers, chisel, bellows, various chemicals... a variety of blacksmithing tools.

"This was the workshop I used when I was a kid. I took the tools with me when I went to study abroad, but I had them sent back ahead of time since I'm back. Now I can start the blacksmithing work I learned there."

Dian hummed a tune as he touched the tools.

His face was bright like a child's.

"...Do you like blacksmithing, Dian?"

"Yeah! That's why I learned a lot over there! It's amazing, the techniques for enchantment magic and magic sword making are advanced. I thought I needed to do something about it, so I talked to Albert, and he said he would introduce me to an excellent enchantment mage. I didn't expect it to be Lloyd..."

Heaving a heavy sigh, Dian glared at me.

"Lloyd, I can't just take Albert's word for it. I need to test you to see if you're really an excellent enchantment mage...!"

"...Huh."

"Ugh."

It seems like things are getting complicated.

Shiro, who followed me, looked up at me anxiously.

"Can you identify this liquid?"

Dian pointed to a glowing liquid in a water bottle.

"It's magic marrow fluid. It's a liquid used in enchantment along with the magic formula."

"Hmm... I see, you know the basics... But what about this!"

He rummaged through a wooden box and pulled out reddish-brown soil.

"It's red clay. One of the raw materials used in ironmaking. I heard the neighboring country has good red clay."

"Wh-What! You know about it...!?"

"Yeah, I'm a bit embarrassed to say, but I learned it from books."

To understand enchantment magic, knowledge of blacksmithing is also necessary.

Thanks to that, I've read a fair number of books and gained some knowledge.

Looking into the box, I saw various materials.

"Wow! Iron ore, coal, milky stone, gold, silver, copper, magic stone powder... Amazing! There are so many different materials!"

"...!"

It's like a treasure trove.

With so many materials, I can do all sorts of enchantments and maybe even make a magic sword.

Perhaps Albert introduced Dian to me to fulfill the promise he made back then—to support my enchantment magic.

"Hey, where are the red magic stones and moon silver medicine?"

"What's that?"

"One of the materials used in enchantment..."

Tilting his head in confusion, Dian swallowed hard.

"This kid has an incredible amount of knowledge! I can understand the magic marrow fluid, but he knows a lot about the other materials too! It's not just a little...! He might even have as much knowledge as me...? Ha, Albert is a sly one... Despite his appearance, it seems he might be useful. With this kid, I might be able to complete my dream—my own original magic sword...!"

He started mumbling to himself.

I wonder what's going on.

"Lloyd-kun."

"Huh?"

I repeated the unfamiliar name.

"Yeah, I'm talking to you. Lloyd-kun, you seem to know a bit about enchantment magic. That's good. I'll recognize you. By the way, call me Master!"

"O-Okay..."

Dian pointed to himself with his thumb.

I don't understand, but it seems I've been recognized somehow.