Chapter 65

The venue was even more splendid than yesterday, and many nobles were already present.

The serving maids poured drinks for the nobles with graceful movements, one after another, and then moved on to the next person.

Their actions were swift and not at all clumsy, and they bowed politely before slowly retreating.

The luxurious dishes were continuously served, wafting fragrant aromas that tickled the noses of the guests.

These dishes embellished the conversations of the nobles, who enjoyed the wine and food, and laughter and cheers could be heard from all corners.

I, too, wanted to enjoy the food and drinks.

"Excuse me, I would like some fruit wine."

"Yes, fruit water, right."

The maid smiled and handed me the fruit water from the tray.

It was like this.

Upon closer inspection, it was the same maid from yesterday.

I thought about asking someone else next, but she said, "It won't work with anyone else."

To think they had it all covered—truly, the maids of a duke's household are impressive.

With no choice, I took the fruit water and positioned myself at the edge of the venue.

Father Nord and Mother Elna had gone to talk with some friendly nobles.

As for me, I had only exchanged a few greetings and quickly retreated.

After all, there was nothing I could do in a conversation among adults.

Incidentally, it seemed Eric had the same idea, as he came over with quick steps.

"Did you bring mayonnaise today?"

That was the first thing he said.

"Sure, sure, I brought it."

To avoid being stripped of my jacket like yesterday, I handed over the small bottle without hesitation.

Eric snatched it from my hand and started dipping the vegetable sticks on the table and eating them.

"Indeed, with this, even I can eat them."

I wanted to eat too.

I grabbed a purple vegetable stick from the many that were skewered in the dish.

It seemed as hard as a carrot, but what would it taste like?

I tried it first.

In my mouth, the moisture burst... it tasted like cucumber.

I thought it would have a more amazing taste because it was purple.

Recalling, even purple cabbage didn't taste much different, just had a different nutritional value.

Well, if it tastes like cucumber, it should go well with mayonnaise.

Thinking so, I tried to dip it in the mayonnaise from the small bottle I had given Eric.

But Eric quickly moved the bottle away.

"What's the matter? Just a little bit is fine, isn't it?"

"No. This is what I received. You must have your own, right? Or are you planning to do another indirect kiss?"

"Don't make me sound like a pervert who goes around aiming for indirect kisses with anyone!"

"That's right. You only aim for that young lady from the Misfeed family, don't you?"

"That's not true! What are you saying! I won't give you mayonnaise anymore!"

"... What are you two doing?"

In the end, we almost got into another scuffle, but we were saved from being stripped by a voice of exasperation.

Hey, you people in the corner, don't sigh in disappointment like that.

Moreover, there are quite a few of you. The number of such people in Coirat Village is also unusually high, but I wonder if the capital is okay.

Turning to the source of the voice, there were Rara and Shulka.

Rara's dress today was a bright pink, with fewer frills than yesterday, making it easier to move.

Shulka wore a blue dress with a blue rose hair accessory, giving her a very calm and composed look.

The blue suited her long, platinum-like hair.

"Al, what are you eating?"

"Hmm? Vegetables? The sauce Eric is using goes well with mayonnaise."

Rara, upon seeing my vegetable stick and mayonnaise, exclaimed in surprise and then shouted loudly at Eric.

"Ah, vegetable-hating Eric is eating vegetables!"

So, Rara also knew that Eric disliked vegetables.

"You don't like vegetables?"

"Shut up. With this, it's no problem!"

Feeling mocked by Shulka, Eric blushed and clutched the small bottle.

"I'll eat it with mayonnaise too!"

"No! You shouldn't do that with anyone but someone important, as I told you yesterday!"

It seemed the atmosphere wouldn't turn hostile, which was good, but it looked like it would be a tough night.

× × ×

"Hey, hey, is it true that Al can use magic?"

Rara, who was next to me, tugged at my sleeve and asked.

"Yes, but who told you that?"

The only time I used magic in front of Rara was when I used a magic trick to produce cookies.

"I heard from Eric that Al can use magic."

"Ah, I see."

Indeed, yesterday I used the light magic to blind Eric to stop him.

"Isn't Rara's family known for having many famous magicians?"

The author of the magic books I used to use was Julius Misfeed.

So, Rara must be a descendant of that family.

"Yep! That's right! Dad, Mom, and my sister can all use amazing magic!"

"Wow, everyone can use amazing magic."

As expected of a famous magic noble family. It seems everyone in the family is a powerful magician.

"Then, will Rara become a great magician in the future?"

"Yep, I want to be a cool magician like my sister! But, I can't use it well yet..."

Rara's eyes sparkled as she said this, then she looked dejected.

Her expressions are as rich as ever.

Indeed, magic requires a lot of concentration and is quite difficult.

It's important to control the necessary amount of magic power at the necessary moment.

I also struggled a lot with magic power control.

When I was a baby, I practiced with light until I was three. It was tough. At first, controlling magic power was very slow and frustrating. I think the only way to get better is through practice. Practice, practice.

Back then, that was pretty much the only thing I could do, so I was able to focus on it. Thinking about it now, I'm grateful to the god who taught me the practice method.

Thanks to that, I can even use the transfer magic.

Maybe I should recommend this to Rara.

"... Hey, do you know a good method? Can you use light magic?"

"Light magic? I can use it."

× × ×

"Exactly. The key is to use it in daily life. For example, using wind magic to refresh the air in your room!"

"Use magic for such things?"

"Also, there's a way to use magic to fend off your sister."

"Teach me!"

"Fine. But you can't say I taught you, okay?"

"Okay! I won't say."

As we were having a fun conversation, Shulka came over.

She seemed very worried about me and Rara being together. She had been glancing over here while talking to her friends.

"What are you talking about?"

I answered calmly under her suspicious gaze.

Shulka peered into my eyes and then said, "Hmm?"

"Hey, hey, Al! Can you show me now?"

Rara whispered in my ear.

"No. Using it now won't have much effect."

"Okay..."

"... What are you talking about?"

Huh? It seems she's sulking because she was left out.

"Even I, who am so mild-mannered, want to punch you for that face."

What's mild-mannered about someone who would attack with a knife? If I said that, she might say she'd gouge out my eyes with a spoon, so I kept quiet.

"By the way, why can Shulka attend the magic academy? I thought the admission age was twelve?"

Yeah, this way we can talk about magic and avoid the previous topic.

When I asked, Shulka fiddled with her bangs and answered indifferently.

"... I skipped grades. If you have enough skill and talent, age doesn't matter. My father is the principal."

"I see."

"What? Are you planning to attend the magic academy?"

"No, I have no intention of doing that."

Attending school in another world is like a punishment game.

"... I see."

Please forgive me for the 12 PM posting.