Chapter 37

――――The term "medium of magic" exists.

The total amount of magic changes very little throughout a person's life, growing only slightly. That's why those who can use magic, like Sai with his longsword and Matthew with his gloves, seek something deeply connected to themselves and use it as a medium to efficiently circulate their magic.

The explanation is simple, but not many people can find something that binds them. At least, in the game, he did not use a medium. Or rather, he did not acknowledge it.

Fer was a boy with nimble fingers. Perhaps the developers had in mind a boy skilled in handicrafts, given the etymology of "Fer," but that didn't matter. In the game, he occasionally muttered lines that hinted at this, but they never became part of any official event. So now, as a player, but more importantly as Laby, his sister, she knew this.

Fer loved handiwork from a young age. The boy with fluffy hair, who would cling to Laby's side with sparkling eyes, was very cute. But one day, he found out. In this country, at least as a noble, "handiwork is not something a man should do." So he was ashamed of it and would secretly do knitting and embroidery in the middle of the night in an empty room.

He might have stolen needles from Laby's sewing box and kept them, using them to work with the little fabric he had, moving the needle secretly. Because Fer had a hard time even getting handicraft tools. No matter what he thought of Laby, he must have cherished that needle.

Over time, it became familiar in his hands and became his medium. But Fer himself did not acknowledge it. In the main game, the reason he did not use a medium was this. It wasn't that he couldn't, but that he didn't. As a boy and the eldest son of the Heathfen family, he couldn't bear to admit that he was good at embroidery, something considered feminine, and that his closest connection was just a sewing needle. No matter who acknowledged it, he never let it show as a source of shame.

Fer was too perceptive. From a young age, he read the expectations of those around him and bound himself with a sense of responsibility.

The moment Laby saw the silver needle Fer dropped, she immediately knew. Her knowledge of the game and her observations as his sister combined, leading her to a fact that she couldn't have known from just one memory.

She wanted Fer to win. She jumped from the stands and, drawing too much attention, stuck to the wall. The occasional piercing gaze from the crowd was painful, and she wanted to run away, but she couldn't take her eyes off Fer. As soon as the match started, the audience became engrossed, and Laby was forgotten. Yet, her heart ached, and she was tense. In this crowd, they were now stepping firmly on their own feet and fighting.

Sai's swordplay was magnificent. Like a textbook, he methodically sealed off Fer's movements. With Fer unable to use magic properly, his chances of winning were one in ten thousand. Gradually, Fer's movements slowed, and it became difficult to parry Sai's sword. Even with the blades dulled for the mock battle, being hit would still hurt and cause injuries.

She clenched her hands. Her throat was dry, and her breath was hot. Sweat dripped down. The scorching sunlight made her body ache. She couldn't bear to watch. She hated feeling helpless. So, what she could do was...

"Fer!!!"

Shouting loudly, like a fool.

"You can't lose!!!"

In the cheers of the packed arena, the voice of a small rabbit would never be heard. Yet, the boy, indeed, looked at Laby. With a face that hadn't changed since childhood, no, still too young at 13, he looked at her. Then, he threw his sword. Not at Sai, but in a different direction, discarding the obstructive sword.

Only a few people immediately understood what he was trying to do. He gripped a thin needle hidden in his hand and whispered a spell at his lips. He thanked the trees. Those of royal blood often possess water magic, but Fer was different. He controlled plants, making small seeds sprout from anywhere and change shape according to his will. Or so it should have been.

On this day, when his magic was weak, Fer could do nothing but rely on his sword skills. His innate large amount of magic was hidden, and the power he could use was minimal. So, he infused that thin magic into a long, long thread. Thinner than a branch, compressed, strong, and resilient. When Fer moved the silver needle, a pale green light overflowed, entangling Sai's sword at an astonishing speed.

With his still-childish, thin arms, Fer took Sai's sword and thrust it just before his chest. Sai exhaled lightly and raised his hands, signaling surrender. The arena fell silent, but soon, thunderous cheers echoed. Fer panted and dropped the stolen sword on the stone pavement.

It was the moment his young talent blossomed. In the continuous applause, he wiped the sweat from his face and looked around. Their eyes met. But he immediately turned away and faced Laby. Confirming his figure, Laby also fled. She couldn't stay there forever. She blended into the crowd of students and followed the boy's performance.

Fer continued his winning streak and finally defeated even Bard, winning the championship. He had twisted the "setting" of the "game."

This was indeed one of Laby's hopes. Overjoyed, her feet moved on their own. Fer had proven that there was no predetermined story.

Nella was in the arena. There should have been an event with Bard, who was supposed to be the champion, but in this case, it might be Fer. Either way, she didn't want to face them, so Laby had to run away. She quickly left the arena and headed for the carriage. Just then, Sai was standing against the wall, looking dazed.

"...Lady Laby?"

Seeing his surprise, it was just a coincidence. "Lord Sai, good day." She couldn't just ignore him, so she hurriedly bowed. When she raised her head, she noticed his slightly dejected expression, which was hard to read. She tilted her head, wondering why, and approached the boy, who had become so close. His large body seemed small at this moment, and he lacked his usual vigor.

"...Lord Sai...?"

"A, no, just spacing out. I apologize."

It was unusual for Sai. She became a bit worried. He had never shown a tired face to Laby, even if he was pushing himself. So, Laby stopped and looked up at Sai. He smiled slightly and then remembered something.

"I'm sorry for being late, congratulations on your brother's victory."

"Ah, yes."

"You seemed to be cheering him on enthusiastically."

"Ah, ah, no, no..."

Blushing and flustered, she touched her cheek and shook her head. At that moment, Laby was startled.

"You can't lose!!!"

At that time, the opponent was Sai. In that lively atmosphere, Sai shouldn't have heard it, but considering his lines, he must have heard it clearly. This line, for Laby personally, meant she didn't want Fer to lose, but from Sai's perspective, it meant "knock him down."

In other words, Laby had run from the stands, desperately wanting Fer to knock down Sai. It wouldn't be strange to think that.

What was their relationship now?

"No, no, no, no, no!!!"

Sweat trickled down her back. She was drenched in sweat.

Honestly, she was on the verge of tears.