Chapter 12

It has been a year since I became the apprentice of the clan leader in magic.

I turned eight, and Giselle turned six.

Although the clan leader was difficult to talk to at first, we have now become quite close.

I have come to understand how to handle this tsundere old man.

Giselle's mother also smiled and said, "Lately, he talks about you all the time," looking pleased.

"Then show me, Abel. It's been a while since the last time. Let me see how much you've improved."

"Yes!"

Recently, the clan leader has been busy with ritual preparations, and as my magic level has improved, the frequency of my training sessions has decreased.

Today, it's been a week since I last had a magic training session with him.

Giselle always accompanies me for training, of course.

While she does try to mimic me a bit during magic training, she mostly just comes along for the ride.

...By the way, Philo was kicked out by the clan leader.

Although I think he should treat his own grandson with more care, his constant interference actually helps the training.

"Draw the spirit"

I float my hand in the air and use the spirit's power to draw a magic circle.

After finishing one, I start drawing the second one.

"Hmph, can you handle two? Don't make a fool of yourself."

His expression was stern, and his tone was matter-of-fact, but his hands were fidgeting.

He seems to be expecting something.

I can't afford to fail this.

This time, I am practicing controlling the othum with magic.

The specific movements need to be incorporated into the magic circle.

To make the othum perform complex movements, a deep understanding of the magic circle is essential.

This is something my father, who said I just needed to memorize the magic circles, couldn't do.

However, the trajectory of the movement is determined by only a small part of the magic circle, so it's possible even without a deep understanding.

In short, practicing to control the othum freely is the beginning of designing your own magic circles.

Being able to control the othum is not enough to call oneself a sage, though.

"Control the puppet"

I chant and cast my right hand over the othum.

Two lights fly out from my hand and enter the othum.

The moment the light enters, the othum starts moving.

One moves forward, and the other moves backward.

Then they both start spinning.

"Hmm, not only simple movement but also rotation. You've done your research well."

The clan leader says this with a pleased voice.

But this is just the beginning.

I then draw a third magic circle in the air.

"Wind, in this hand"

I chant and cast my hand over one of the othums.

The magic power released from my palm turns into wind and flies toward the othum in the shape of a sphere, following the magic circle.

The othum, which was spinning, stops moving as the wind sphere approaches and quickly dodges it.

The wind magic was suppressed in power, so it easily disperses when it hits the wall.

With a thud, the clan leader stands up.

"Could it be, you've incorporated responsive actions into the magic circle?!"

The clan leader, who rarely shows surprise, raises his voice.

Giselle, who knew beforehand, looks at the clan leader with a proud face.

Her smug look is cute.

I feel honored that my little sister is proud of me.

"W-Why... I didn't teach you about responsive actions."

"I found a part that caught my attention while trying different things. So, I focused on investigating that part."

To be honest, I spent almost a week without sleep, trying different things.

I tested various shapes of magic circles and the conditions under which magic works and doesn't work, persistently.

This is the result of my dedication.

"...You've done well, very well. You are already at the level of a first-rate magician. Even without further instruction from me, Abel can continue to improve through self-study. I never thought you would grow so much in just one year."

The clan leader's voice was hoarse.

Looking at him, I see he has tears in his eyes.

"Clan leader?"

When I call out to him, he wipes his tears with his sleeve.

"I-I'm not crying out of emotion! It's just dust in my eyes!"

...He's still the same old man, Philo's grandfather.

"But, without someone to teach you..."

"From now on, I will allow you to take books out. Take whatever you like from the library. If I were to teach you, it might hinder your growth. Abel has the talent and determination for it."

Until now, the books in the library were mostly expensive, so I was rarely allowed to enter, but now I can finally take them out.

I am genuinely happy about this, but... the clan leader's words sound a bit sad.

Recently, the clan leader has been taking care of me more than his granddaughter, Philo.

I feel a bit sad thinking that this might be the last time he watches my training.

"...Can I come for advice from time to time?"

"...If it's just advice, I might consider it."

He's still not being honest.

When I smile, the clan leader turns his face away but smiles as well.

"By the way, can I borrow four othums from the room?"

"Hm? You can, but what do you need them for?"

"I want to carry some books."

I select four large othums from those in the room.

"Draw the spirit"

I chant and draw four magic circles in the air.

Let's see, what was the route to the library?

If I apply responsive actions, I can avoid walls, and I can give simple commands.

If the movement stops, I can redraw the magic circle and recast the spell.

"Control the puppet"

When I chant, the four othums start moving.

Yeah, I can probably stack ten books on one othum.

Othums are convenient. I think I'll focus on researching magic circles to control othums for a while.

"Then, I'll go borrow some books."

"A-Abel, I did say you can take them, but how many books do you plan to take?"

"For now, I'll make three trips today."

"Y-You plan to take over a hundred books!?"

I might have gone a bit too far.

But I want to be able to create magic circles from scratch on my own as soon as possible.

For that, I need an overwhelming amount of knowledge.