Chapter 15

Another two years have passed.

I am now eleven years old, and Giselle is nine.

I had once vowed in my heart to give up magic when I was sick with a cold, but once the fever passed, I forgot all about it.

Thinking back, I probably only regretted it for a day or so.

Today, I was diligently practicing magic.

I have already surpassed the chief in some areas.

I can see the limits of what I can do here starting to appear.

I should indeed learn more about the outside world.

I shouldn't stay in this village.

Lately, I sometimes feel this way.

"Abel! We're going hunting, Abel! Come out, you shut-in!"

Father knocked on the door to my room.

But it's useless.

The room is protected by a strong barrier.

Only someone of the chief's level can remove it from the outside.

I feel bad for Father, but I've decided to stay in for a few days to study magic.

Since I learned that magic exists in this world, there has been a spell I've always wanted to use.

I've completed it to about eighty percent.

I want to finish it all at once.

My resolve is firm.

"I'm sorry, but I'm busy right now. If you want to go hunting, I can lend you Othum."

Indeed, I have finally succeeded in developing a magic circle that can make Othum hunt.

The magic circle has several complex response reactions built in, so it can react to simple commands like "Follow me" or "Wait."

It can take actions in response to voice commands, and more commands can be added depending on the magic circle.

If I make the arms large enough in advance and make the joints move, it can even shoot a bow.

It is designed to move efficiently with minimal magic, so it should be able to move for about five hours after being given magic.

The accuracy of archery is also quite high, and it will not oppose the user.

It should be much more useful than a single child.

When I showed this magic circle to the chief, he was delighted, saying, "You're a prodigy! Abel is indeed a prodigy!"

Recently, the chief often uses this magic circle.

However, since the magic circle is complex and the adjustment of magic is difficult, it seems that no one other than the chief can use it proficiently.

"Abel, that's not the point! How many times do I have to tell you!"

"I'm in the middle of important magic research, so please don't disturb my concentration! If you keep knocking on the door, I will have to use soundproofing magic!"

"Giselle is feeling lonely too!"

"That's a lie! I told Giselle I would be in for three days! Giselle is a patient child!"

As I said this, I took out a small wooden wand.

Magic can be used more accurately and powerfully with a wand.

This wooden wand is something I made.

It is engraved with a magic formula and can transcribe a magic circle into the air without incantation.

Using this saves a step.

When I first made it, I thought I had done a good job, but the chief said, "A wand with a transcription formula is a common type. It's impressive that you made it yourself, though."

I was a bit disappointed, but it is reasonable to incorporate a transcription formula, which is the basis of most magic.

It wouldn't be strange for others to do the same.

At the same time, I strongly felt that I should go to the outside world.

Well, let me add soundproofing to the barrier covering the room and completely isolate it from the outside.

I quickly waved the small wand to create a magic circle.

"Silence... "

"It's true! Giselle was crying! It's hard for her not to see Abel for three days!"

... When you put it that way, it's hard for me too.

I had given her an Othum that looked like me to act as a substitute, but it seems that wasn't enough.

Maybe I should go check on her.

"But if I go out, you'll drag me to the hunt, right?"

"Of course."

"That would be counterproductive... Don't you think Giselle is pitiful?"

"You can play with her when you get back from the hunt."

"The hunt takes almost half a day, doesn't it? If I come out for Giselle, isn't that a bit strange?"

"It's Abel who is strange for wanting to stay in the room for three days."

"You have a point."

I understand, but I don't intend to agree.

"By the way, how do you go to the bathroom!"

"I don't like to talk about it because then you'll take countermeasures. Don't worry."

Using a transfer spell, I can instantly move to a place where a magic circle is prepared.

I have transfer magic circles engraved on Othums in the bathroom and my room.

Since the transfer spell is advanced magic, my father doesn't know I can use it.

I engraved the transfer magic circle on an Othum that was already in the bathroom, so it shouldn't be noticed easily.

It shouldn't be exposed so easily.

However, without magic, it won't function as a transfer point, so I need to replenish it every five hours.

A lot of magic is needed for transfer, but for the distance between the bathroom and my room, replenishing every few hours is sufficient.

This should have been perfect, but I underestimated Giselle's clinginess.

I can't just leave my cute little sister crying.

"I'll go out when Father goes hunting."

"I won't go hunting until you come out today."

"I'm fine, but Mother will be angry."

"If you don't want her to be angry, you should come out."

There's no point in arguing.

I waved the small wand to float a magic circle in the air.

"I have no choice. I'll come out when I finish. Please wait a moment."

"Control puppet"

I cast a spell on the Othum on the desk, took it in my hand, and placed it on the door of my room.

"Did you just cast a spell?"

"Please wait a moment."

The Othum's mouth moved, mimicking my voice.

It's a talk Othum with a special mechanism in its mouth.

I made it by adapting the theory I found in the chief's library.

The voice is a bit rough, but it can't be helped since it's a hastily made magic circle.

To improve the voice's precision and variety, more detailed adjustments are needed.

However, this should keep Father in front of the door for a while.

"Father, where is Giselle now?"

"Giselle? She's in the yard now..."

Mother was out shopping in the square, so the bathroom should be empty now.

I moved to the corner of the room, waved the small wand, and floated a magic circle in the air.

I lowered my voice and cast the spell.

"Move me"

Light from the tip of the wand enveloped my body.

I closed my eyes due to the brightness.

After a floating sensation, I opened my eyes to find myself in the bathroom.

Good, this is fine.

I'll go check on Giselle.

I might even leave Giselle in my room.

I didn't bring her into the plan to avoid unnecessary trouble from Father, but considering that I made her cry, I should have done this from the beginning.

"Abel! Are you still in there!"

Father's voice came from upstairs.

"Please wait a moment."

"Have you been saying that all this time!"

"Please wait a moment."

... I might need to hurry.

It seems the ruse will be exposed soon.