Chapter 9

Giselle and I returned home and quietly went upstairs. If it were discovered that I had taken the oracle cards without permission, I would be severely scolded by my parents. After returning them to their original place, I went back downstairs and waited for my father to return.

My father is usually busy with hunting, pest control, and village council meetings, so he generally doesn’t come home until the evening. While watching Giselle stack building blocks, I was munching on an Eve fruit. The Eve trees grow at the edge of the village, and I had picked them on my way back from my magic training.

The Eve fruit is quite sweet and delicious. Since dinner hasn't been served yet, I would probably be scolded by my mother if she found out, but I hope she can forgive me for this. The Maren people only eat two meals a day, in the morning and evening. I haven't quite gotten used to this two-meal-a-day system yet.

"Big brother, I want to eat that too."

Giselle stopped stacking the blocks and called out to me.

"No, you can't. You won't be able to eat dinner if you do. I'll save some for you, so wait until after dinner."

Giselle looked like she wanted to say something, but she nodded slightly.

"...Okay."

Hmm, good for you.

I heard the front door open. It seems my father has returned. I should ask him about my magic teacher right away.

I stood up smoothly and walked to the front door. Giselle followed me, trotting behind me.

"Father, welcome home."

"Father, welcome home."

"Hmm, Abel, Giselle, I'm sorry for being late. Let's have dinner soon."

"Father, I have something I want to ask you."

"What is it?"

I opened a page in the magic book and thrust it in front of my father.

"The magic array for launching a fireball and the one for launching a waterball are partially similar, right? I want to know the difference in meaning of the parts that are different."

Actually, I wasn't really interested in this part, but I wanted to gauge my father's level of magic by whether he could answer this.

"Recently, I thought you had become more childlike because you've been playing in the forest a lot, but I didn't expect you to still be practicing magic."

Father groaned and held his head. He used to be happy when I made Ortems, but when did this change? Indeed, if my seven-year-old child only studied, I might be a bit worried too.

"So, what is the difference?"

"Abel, that book is too advanced for you. It's said that you should only start handling spells and magic arrays when you come of age. Until then, you don't need to read such things."

Father reached for the book. I quickly avoided it and held it to my chest.

"Father, big brother can already use spells and magic arrays, mmmph—"

I covered Giselle's mouth with my hand. Dangerous, dangerous. Father disapproves of my magic training because he thinks my enthusiasm for magic is abnormal. If I tell him I can already use spells and magic arrays, his suspicions will only worsen.

"I want to become a top-notch magician in the future."

"It's fine. You can already make such advanced Ortems at your age, so you have plenty of potential. There's no need to rush."

Oh, how frustrating. It seems I can't make my father my magic teacher. He's usually out hunting and doesn't have much time, and I think his level of magic isn't much higher than mine.

"Besides, you don't need to understand the meaning of magic arrays. Only sages with vast knowledge can decipher and improve them. Most magicians simply memorize existing magic arrays and use them."

...But I want to learn that part.

With my current knowledge, my training is limited. It's like I'm only reading arithmetic textbooks. I want more substantial books on mathematics.

"Is there no one in this village who can be called a sage?"

"There is, but only the clan leader. And he says it's better to use traditional magic arrays rather than creating your own. They are more stable and consume less magic power."

Of all people, the clan leader... He's a scary old man. He claims to be 150 years old, but he looks like he's only 70. He boasts the longest lifespan in the village, apparently using magic to slow his aging. He's still very energetic and often yells.

The clan leader rarely leaves his mansion except for village meetings and ceremonies. However, I've heard that about ten years ago, when a dangerous monster entered near the village, he led a group into the forest and instantly killed it. He does seem to be the most skilled in magic in the village.

Also, his granddaughter (technically a descendant, I don't know how many generations apart) Filo doesn't like me. She always picks fights with me whenever we meet. I'm already busy with my magic training and taking care of Giselle.

However, the clan leader does seem to have the time. He must have a lot of books and 150 years of knowledge. He seems like the perfect teacher. I'll go to his mansion tomorrow.

"Oh, is that all it is? I thought it could do so much more."

I said this with a disappointed tone and shook my head slightly.

"Ah, yes, that's right."

"I thought it could just produce a meat pie... Oh well."

I said this with excitement and then dramatically slumped my shoulders.

"Ha... What good is magic? It can only ensure that rituals go smoothly, right?"

Father looked at me with wide eyes. If I say this much, will I be scolded later? But I don't want any lingering doubts. I need to be thorough. Let me push a bit more.

"Ah, Father, I was trying to get this earlier. Are you going to use it for something? Oh, it's a relief that I don't have to clean it up. I don't need it anymore. I didn't understand anything written in it anyway."

I pushed the magic book towards my father. He seemed to snap out of it and said, "J-just clean it up yourself," before walking into the living room. His back seemed a bit smaller than usual.

He might be disappointed that his son, who was once enthusiastic about magic, has suddenly changed. Father is difficult to deal with.

Well, it's fine. This should keep him fooled for a while.