Chapter 4

The garden tour went off without a hitch.

An seemed very satisfied.

She looked around at the flowers improved in the western Aurelia with curiosity and delight.

Before leaving, I made sure to ask the gardener to pick the flowers I had chosen and decorate An's room with them.

This way, she would be happy when she got to her room.

Just as I was about to return to my room before dinner, I encountered something surprising.

"…Huh, not yet, let's go again…!"

"What a problem. You're already out of breath, Claus. I'm getting hungry, and I want to stop…"

It seemed that my brother Edelbert and Claus were practicing in the palace courtyard.

Claus was using the long staff of the eastern mage, while my brother Edelbert was using the short staff of the western alchemist.

It was clear that my brother Edelbert was overwhelmingly winning.

As expected, brother.

But you should go easy on a child, a twenty-year-old.

The lawn in the courtyard is almost all dug up, isn't it? Oh no!

"Oh, Erika. How did it go for you?"

When my brother Edelbert saw me, he called out with a relieved expression.

I saw Claus shudder at his voice...

He probably didn't want to be seen in such a thoroughly defeated state.

"Yes, Lady An was very pleased. Were you two practicing?"

"Yeah, Claus wanted to test my skills. He's really excellent. I was on the defensive the whole time."

"Oh, really?"

There you go, being modest again.

Excessive modesty can be annoying, brother.

I'm sure you coolly nullified all the offensive magic Claus cast, right?

"…!"

Look, Claus is trembling and turning red.

Basically, this match is clearly in Claus's disadvantage.

Generally, mages have far more freedom and variety than alchemists.

However, this comes with a higher physical and mental burden.

This is because mages generate spells from their own bodies to execute magic.

An immature body or unstable mind can hinder this process.

Conversely, magic constructed with strong emotions can be incredibly powerful.

Alchemists, on the other hand, pre-construct and generate spells, then fill them into various materials.

They can then re-execute the magic as needed.

Physical condition and mental health are irrelevant.

The only issue is whether they have prepared adequately for the situation.

Therefore, a well-stocked alchemist and an incomplete mage cannot compete.

By the way, I, Erika, am a rare underachiever in the Aurelia family.

Fatally, I cannot construct spells or fill magic.

I can barely use tools created by other alchemists.

Actually, even non-alchemists can do this... hahaha.

It's tough!

It's fine while I'm under the protection of my father and brother, but what will happen when I enter the academy!?

Anyway.

"Both of you, it's time for dinner. You should start preparing."

I told this to my brother, who hadn't broken a sweat, and Claus, who was on his last legs.

"That's the reason, Claus. Let's call this a draw due to time."

"…N-no, I won't lose next time…!"

"Yeah, that's right. I was just called by a friend from my student days. I'll be returning to the Magic Academy City after dinner."

"What!?"

"Ah, it's a shame, Claus."

I had no idea my brother was leaving so early tonight.

Claus will be left with a loss against my brother.

"Isn't this sudden? At least stay until the guests from Halfan leave?"

"Unfortunately, it's an emergency. Erika, be friendly with Claus for me."

"Uh... Yes."

And with that, my brother left.

Claus and I were left behind.

This is awkward.

When I glanced at Claus, he glared at me.

I smiled, thinking about what to do, but he glared even more.

"…I'm sorry for being rude earlier."

He wasn't glaring, but looking at me straight in the eye.

"It's fine, Claus."

"Before others' weaknesses affect me, I was already weak."

Claus looked like a sad puppy.

What did my brother do to him...?

"You're the sister of that man. You must be a skilled alchemist."

"No, I have no talent for alchemy."

"…Do you people like being modest?"

After my brother's modesty, it sounds suspicious.

"No, it's true for me. Unfortunately, my body blocks the magic and spell power needed for magic."

"…! I see, that's a sorry thing to hear."

Even in the western Aurelia, it's a tough condition, but in the eastern Halfan, it's quite fatal.

Claus's look at me became sympathetic.

Reflecting on myself seriously, I get genuinely worried about my future.

Erika in the original game must have been twisted by this inferiority complex.

"However, … this isn't me trying to back down, but I have a genuine question. I feel a very unusual magical trace around you. If it's not your own magic, what is it composed of?"

What does he mean by that?

"I didn't notice at all."

Of course, I sometimes use defensive magic through items.

But here, in the heart of Aurelia, there's no need for such magic.

"I'm curious. Can I get closer?"

"Uh? Yes, that's fine."

Claus said this and came very close to me.

He then stared at me intently.

"Hmm…"

Can he tell from this?

Impressive, he's going to be a versatile mage.

"I see, it's from your chest. Are you wearing some kind of special magical ornament?"

Ah, that one!

The star crystal necklace from my brother.

"I received it this morning from my brother. I didn't know it had such powerful magic."

I shouldn't show this to An, but it's fine with Claus.

I thought and pulled out the necklace from my chest.

It was evening.

The dim space was filled with a blue star-like light.

"…Beautiful. So this is the famous light of Aurelia's stars…"

"It's said to have a charm to make people get along."

I thought it was just a charm, but maybe it's a real enchantment?

Claus stared at it, captivated.

"It's not your brother's magic. It's a type I don't know. It doesn't seem to be from Halfan or Aurelia."

"Yes, I heard it was found in the 'Ruins of the Arrivals.' It might be some kind of ancient magic."

"The 'Ruins of the Arrivals.'"

I thought, "Oops."

Somehow, the appearance of this keyword feels like a bad omen.

"But why didn't my brother notice the magical treatment on this stone?"

"It's so faint that I almost thought it was my imagination. However, if I don't know the magic, it must be quite rare."

Given Claus's talent as a mage.

He can use the magic eye to visually sense magical traces at any time.

Their magic automatically activates even subconsciously.

Unfortunately, we western alchemists cannot handle unexpected events.

It's not surprising that my brother didn't notice it.

Still, Claus is quite confident.

He claims to know both eastern and western magic even before entering the academy.

"That's impressive, Claus."

"Of course. I train hard every day for that."

Claus's eyes seemed to sparkle.

Talented people are curious and greedy about their favorite fields.

"I want to go to that ruin. Erika, can you show me the way?"

—This flow gives me a bad feeling.

I feel like my death flag is being raised.

In the game, An was possessed by the evil spirit in the 'Ruins of the Arrivals.'

If Claus goes there instead of An, he might be possessed and curse me to death!!

"It's impossible. That place is dangerous."

"Edelbert could go there without any problem, right? Are you saying I can't?"

Oh, I've stimulated his competitive spirit!

If I say "Yes," it will hurt his pride.

What should I do?