Chapter 9

Our hometown, the town of Romus.

In fact, this is a border town.

It is the town closest to the Etoah Kingdom in the Ardan territory of the Willmore Kingdom. On the Etoah side, there is a town called Temres, and since this town serves as the border, it is not very noticeable, but it is the farthest town in the kingdom. This time, we are heading to Temres. Although it is a trip abroad, it’s not a grand affair; it’s more like going to a slightly distant neighboring town. The travel time by carriage is five days one way, with a buffer of about seven days.

There are places where we need to camp along the way, which makes it a challenging journey for small children.

The Willmore Kingdom has established Iseria as its state religion, and its relationship with the Etoah Kingdom is good. Romus and Temres both strive to maintain the security of the road, so the journey is considered extremely safe by the continent's standards.

A few years ago, when the Elora Road was closed, the priest stationed in Romus withdrew for safety reasons. There were plans to build a church, but they were put on hold due to this, and the lifting of this hold is the reason for this trip. Cruise is heading to Temres to meet with the priest candidate who will be dispatched to the new church. If the talks go well, the church is expected to begin operations in about two years. It is believed that it is better to start magic training as early as possible, so our group of four children is also traveling to wait for the completion of the church. We will be causing quite a bit of trouble...

The other members are Zeb, our guard, and Elise, who will take care of us. Two of Cruise's subordinates are also coming. The carriage can seat six adults, so all the children except for Louise are crammed in with our family. One person will ride in the driver's seat, and another will follow on horseback. Zeb is leading the way on horseback with Louise to get her used to riding. If she gets tired, she will join us in the carriage.

The journey was peaceful. We only encountered a few travelers and carriages along the way. Once it rained, so I imagine it was quite difficult for those outside. We had prepared for camping, so there were no issues. The children were excited by the novelty of it, and the nights were colder than expected. Sleeping without a roof was an experience... When I woke up, I was hugging Kail and Louise, forming a little ball.

We also encountered a creature called an Eto, which resembles a deer. However, Zeb shot it in the neck with an arrow from a distance, so we didn’t see any battle from the carriage. Eto is not a dangerous creature but is considered a pest that eats crops, so it is usually hunted when found. Zeb efficiently prepared it for dinner, and the remaining meat and fur were stored with our luggage. We children watched the butchering with great interest. While it was indeed a bit gruesome, in this world, one must be able to handle such things to survive. I should note that it tasted quite delicious.

The peaceful journey ended right on schedule after five days, and Temres is now in sight.

Temres is a town surrounded by stone walls. It’s not very large, but it could be called a fortress town. Since it’s a border town, the entry and exit checks are strict. There are a few cargo wagons waiting in front of us, but it doesn’t seem like it will take too long. One of Cruise’s subordinates went ahead to the entrance to announce our arrival. Soon, we were called and allowed to enter without waiting for the wagons in front of us.

First, we headed to the inn. The accommodation was pre-arranged, so we arrived without any trouble. We entrusted the care of the horses and carriage to Cruise’s subordinates and entered the inn early. After a quick wash to remove the travel dirt, we had some free time. It was around midday, and we had already had lunch before entering the country. Cruise went out with his subordinates to inform the other party that we had entered the country without any issues for the upcoming talks. Those left behind were Zeb, Elise, and the children. Kail and Flure decided to rest at the inn, with Elise accompanying them. Zeb took me and the energetic Louise for a walk around the town.

Zeb and his son are both quiet, but for me, who has been with them almost since birth, it’s not suffocating. I focused on observing the new town. If something caught my attention, I would bring it up, and they would respond appropriately.

We came across a street lined with stalls. Louise was captivated by a stall with a sweet smell. When I looked, I saw small, apple-candy-like treats made from a brownish syrup and a fruit I had never seen before. They looked quite beautiful. I thought they would make good souvenirs for the others at the inn, who also like sweets. I told Zeb this, and he went to buy some for us. While waiting, Louise asked me a question with a troubled look.

"What will happen if Aine and the others are recognized for their magical aptitude? Will you leave Romus...?"

In this world, it is common to develop magical talent. If there are economic issues, there are scholarships available. Most of the time, those with talent move to a city with educational facilities for a certain period of specialized training. The age varies, but many start learning before the age of ten. In this world, one is considered an adult at fifteen, so the goal is to complete a certain amount of training by then to broaden future options. After Redda’s incident, we had discussed it several times as a family, but we didn’t make a clear statement until the results of the aptitude test were known. Still, I had already decided in my heart.

"We will leave Romus. We will study at the magic academy in this country or the capital. I think it will take at least five years."

Five years is the typical duration if one passes all the reviews within the standard period. It can take longer in many cases. While magical talent is a status symbol, a degree from a magic academy is absolute. It will almost certainly lead to a better job. I like Romus and plan to return eventually, but I believe it will be helpful if I do something there.

"!..."

She probably had a hunch, but confirming it made Louise’s expression twist. Honestly, I want to invite her to come with us. I think she feels the same way. However, I am just a child, and so is Louise. We are not even allowed to take responsibility for ourselves. The desire to grow up quickly is a wish only children have, and I am no exception.

"We haven’t even taken the test yet... Even if we have the aptitude, I don’t think we will leave Romus immediately. So, during that time, I will try to find a way to earn money. If we have money, we might be able to return to Romus during breaks."

I was confident about my magical aptitude. However, I am fine even if I don’t have it. Not having aptitude doesn’t mean I can’t use the techniques I already know.

Zeb returned with the sweets. He seemed to notice that something had happened by looking at us, but he didn’t scold us and just led us back to the inn. It was the first time I saw Louise looking downcast in front of sweets.

The souvenirs were well-received by the others at the inn. Soon, Cruise and the others returned and discussed the future plans. They had successfully contacted the other party and were scheduled to meet at the cathedral the next day. The magical aptitude testing device is also in the same facility, so we would be tested during that time.

By dinner, Louise seemed to be back to her usual self on the surface. However, Kail noticed her discomfort and asked me what was wrong. I told him about what happened during the day, and we both felt down.

The next day, we all headed to the cathedral after a quick breakfast. The cathedral is in the center of the town and is easy to find from any direction. As we approached, we saw a large, impressive stone building, larger than any in Romus. We parted ways with Cruise and his subordinates at the entrance. The magical aptitude testing device is in the center of the cathedral, and we were led there by an elderly man in formal attire. He stopped us in front of a particularly ornate door and gave us instructions.

"Only those who will receive the consecration can proceed from here. Please wait here."

He pointed to a sturdy bench. The children nodded and entered the room. The elderly man followed and closed the door. Inside, there was a round crystal orb fixed on a thin pillar. Touching the crystal and making it glow indicates aptitude. A small step was prepared in front of the pillar so that we could reach the crystal.

"First, please."

I was treated like an adult and stepped onto the platform as instructed. I assumed the device was anchored to the ground. If I can interfere with the earth’s magic, it will glow. I touched the crystal, and the Od flowed out of my hand more easily than anything I had ever touched before. As expected, the Od extended to the ground with almost no resistance, gathering magic and making the crystal glow brightly. The result was as expected.

"Congratulations. The blessing of the goddess has been recognized. Next, please."

The elderly man’s expression softened, and he blessed me. Kail stepped onto the platform next. The crystal glowed similarly. The movement of his Mana seemed a bit restless, but it settled when he let go.

"Congratulations. The blessing of the goddess has been recognized. Next, please."

Flure touched the crystal with a tense expression. Seeing the crystal glow, she clenched her fists at her chest. I was relieved, as I had expected.

"!... Congratulations. The blessing of the goddess has been recognized. Last, please."

He looked a bit surprised but encouraged the last remaining Louise to touch the crystal. She climbed the platform with a resigned and slightly anxious look and touched the crystal—

—it glowed just like when we touched it.

When I first touched it, I had a hunch. The Od flowed so easily. Louise can’t sense the earth’s pulse on her own, but she can perfectly circulate the Od. If all she needs to do is flow the Od, she can do it too...

Louise stared at the light with wide eyes for a moment.

"You can let go now. Congratulations. The blessing of the goddess has been recognized. Not everyone who has magic power receives the blessing. It seems you all have strong divine protection. You must have lived your days without neglecting your prayers."

Whether she heard the elderly man or not, Louise nodded, stepped down from the platform, and returned to us. She took my hand and pulled me closer, unclenching her fists.

"Congratulations! We need to discuss Louise’s future with the parents."

As I said this, she quietly started crying. I feel like I always make Louise cry, but I don’t think it’s my fault this time.

After Louise calmed down, we received a lecture on the qualities of a mage and what comes next. It’s not uncommon for people to be overwhelmed by the results here. The elderly man waited patiently without showing any discomfort. He explained that this power is meant to help the world, that using it for evil can result in divine punishment, that rigorous training is necessary to develop the aptitude, and that anyone with the will can receive training regardless of their financial status. After the lecture, we left the room.