Chapter 1

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"Magic Arrow"

As I say this, a white arrow is released from my hand, which is pointed diagonally upward. It travels straight through the air and hits a bird flying in the distance.

The bird makes a gesture as if it is screaming, then loses its balance and plummets downward.

It seems that I will have dinner tonight.

I started walking in the direction where the bird fell.

"Magic Arrow"

This is a spell that shoots a magical arrow from an outstretched hand.

It is a standard and basic spell known even to children, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is the first spell that all aspiring magicians learn.

Yes, I am no exception.

It was the first spell I learned—and

the last spell I learned.

The words I just spoke encapsulate my twenty-six years of life. Just two lines. That is my entire life.

I was born into a noble family, the House of Marquis.

I was born as the eldest son, but I was not a particularly capable person. I was often compared to my excellent younger brother and subjected to much gossip.

"Lord Alberto is such a disappointment. He is a perfect embodiment of dullness. Compared to his younger brother, he is truly pitiful! It must be heart-wrenching for his parents. If only the order of their births had been reversed, he wouldn’t have to suffer so much!"

I was frustrated, but—

I couldn’t say anything in return. It was the truth. Even my parents’ eyes acknowledged it when they looked at me.

However, I had one talent—or rather, something I believed to be a talent.

It was magic.

I could use Magic Arrow without any special training.

I was only ten years old at the time.

It really surprised everyone.

"The dull older brother has a talent for magic!"

For the first time, my parents’ eyes showed joy and pride.

From then on, I immersed myself in the study of magic.

In the end, I didn’t learn any other spells besides Magic Arrow, but my parents continued to support me.

"Alberto, a magician is a profession that only those who have undergone rigorous training since childhood can achieve. There’s no need to worry yet."

I also believed in my talent.

I can do it, I will surely become someone. It’s because I have this talent that I lack all other talents.

At fifteen, I entered the capital’s magic school to prove this.

And—

I failed there.

It wasn’t because I was overwhelmed by the high level of my peers. It was a more fundamental issue: I couldn’t overcome my own low level.

I couldn’t learn any other spells besides Magic Arrow.

The magic school was full of students who could already handle about ten spells.

I thought I would catch up someday.

But I couldn’t learn any new spells. The gap only widened.

Not only that, but I started to fall behind even the students who were at my level. While I was stuck with just Magic Arrow, the other students kept learning new spells.

I was left behind.

A magician’s rank is determined by the number of spells they can use.

Before I knew it, I had gone from being a "prodigy" to a "failure."

In the end, I fled from the magic academy before a year had passed. It wasn’t a voluntary withdrawal. I literally ran away. I took my belongings from the dormitory and fled without telling anyone.

The thing I believed in without doubt, the fact that it didn’t exist. The reality that I was nothing but dull.

I was crushed by these facts—

I was cornered. I had no choice but to run.

I had some money from my parents for living expenses, so I wandered for a while. I didn’t want to go home. I was afraid of my parents’ cold eyes.

But the money ran out.

I was a naive noble child at the time, and I didn’t have the ability to live on my own.

When I was hungry, I knocked on the door of my family home.

I was greeted by my parents’ and younger brother’s cold eyes.

My father said,

"Disgrace to the family."

And continued,

"There are many noble children at that school. Thanks to you, our family is a laughingstock. A family of a shameless runaway."

Then he added,

"Indeed, you are dull. I should have locked you up at home without any expectations. At least our family name wouldn’t have been tarnished."

Dull.

It was the first time I heard this word from my own father. I knew he thought of me that way, but he had his own considerations and never said it to me directly.

He finally said it.

"Father—"

I opened my mouth. I thought I had to say something.

But my father didn’t listen. He spoke as if ignoring my words.

"That’s enough. Don’t speak. Don’t do anything. Don’t give us any expectations. You are not needed. Just disappear from our sight."

And he added,

"You are banished. Never use the name Luminas again."

I was kicked out of my home.

Not that I was left penniless. My father, in his final duty as a parent, provided me with a place to live and sent me a living allowance.

In other words, a severance package.

Ten years have passed since then.

I now live alone in the residence provided to me. Until a few years ago, an elderly maid took care of my daily needs, but she retired due to her age.

I didn’t hire a new maid. I had learned enough to take care of myself, at least to the extent of being able to process a fallen bird.

While thinking about these things, I reached my destination.

"There it is."

I emerged from the forest and found the bird that had fallen on the grass.

My home is a bit away from the capital, in a quiet place surrounded by a sparse forest. It was originally a vacation home owned by an elderly noble who was an acquaintance of my father, and my father inherited it.

I approached the bird, which was already dead—

and was startled.

Someone was sitting in the shade of a tree by the road leading to the capital.

It is indeed a road to the capital, but it is not the main route, so people rarely pass by.

So, I didn’t expect anyone to be there.

The person was wearing a white robe, with the hood pulled over their head and their face down, making it impossible to tell their gender.

They didn’t move at all, as if they hadn’t noticed me.

It’s not a problem if someone is there, but I felt a bit embarrassed thinking they might have heard my monologue.

Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll quickly retrieve the bird and leave.

As I was about to head back into the forest—

thud.

A strange noise came from the direction of the person in the shade. They were lying on the ground.

"…?"

I thought, "Oh," as I noticed something was wrong. Their posture was unnatural. It didn’t look like they were falling asleep; rather, they had suddenly collapsed.

I approached the person.

"Hey, are you okay?"

There was no response.

I knelt down and shook the person’s shoulder. There was no reaction. But, thanks to this, I could see their face.

It was a woman.

She looked to be around fifteen years old, with snow-white hair that reached her shoulders. Her face was pale, and her breathing was labored. When I touched her neck, she was burning hot.

"…Should I take her home…?"

I was a bit hesitant. It’s not that I wanted to avoid trouble—I’m idle anyway, so it’s no big deal.

The problem was whether it was appropriate to bring an unconscious young woman to my home, where I live alone.

"…u, uh…"

The woman let out a pained sigh.

I sighed.

It seemed I didn’t have time to hesitate. Hoping I wouldn’t be misunderstood, I picked up the woman.

This is the "Character Design Image" drawn by the illustrator, Mashimasaki.

This is the casual version.

Please note that since this is from the initial design stage, there may be some adjustments in the final release.

There are two versions of Rora, as she was still being considered. The final version is with a skirt, so the version with pants is a rare sight.