Chapter 67

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In the end, the magic of slide projection was simply the ability to project vivid images onto a screen. However, what was noteworthy was that it could project onto three-dimensional objects, much like projection mapping.

But that was all.

It was a magic that could serve as a bit of entertainment, neither a medicine nor a poison.

"Occasionally, someone creates new magic, but to create magic with such a strong entertainment element is quite consistent, I suppose."

She wasn't praising. Clearly, she wasn't praising.

Lara noticed that I had pouted and smiled, saying, "But, I like this neck warmer. When you channel magic, beautiful flowers appear and disappear, which is quite stylish. The magic required is minimal, and while it might not be useful during battles, it's novel and lovely for everyday use."

"I agree. I want this magic on my poncho."

"You two are so unfair. I want it on my cloak too."

Despite everything, you must be interested, right?

Well, the magic really requires very little power, and the patterns change easily, so it might be a fun extra for those with abundant magic.

This could be a selling point for Effet Papillon.

Yes, today is the day Effet Papillon's products were officially released.

Currently, the products are "pinched work," "adventurer's accessory," and "curry powder."

A butterfly had taken its first flight.

To celebrate, the head chef went all out and prepared a feast with vegetables from the garden, ducks and mushrooms procured by Professor Romanov, Victor, and Lara, and fish.

Everyone who worked in the mansion and Kousuke, the Effet Papillon apprentice, joined in for a small party.

After the party, when it was time to take a bath and go to bed, a seasonally out-of-place firefly floated in through the window and shone brightly, transforming into a human form.

'You're here.'

"Yes, welcome."

It was Hyouren-sama, making a second visit today. He smiled, enjoying the unstable hair color and aura.

'Your fever seems to have completely gone down.'

"Yes, thanks to you."

'It's good to hear that you avoided a crisis.'

"Avoided a crisis...?"

'You managed to stay out of the factional disputes, didn't you?'

How did he know? Could it be that gods can see the future?

I looked at Hyouren-sama, and he slowly shook his head in denial.

'I can't see the future.'

"Then how...?"

'This morning, a black mist covered the candle of your life. I was told by Hyakka to protect you from calamity, even if it meant interfering with your life.'

"I see..."

Despite everything, the princess is truly kind. The protective makeup she gave me, which doesn't wash off with just water, is still floating on my forehead and Regulus's forehead, and she's taking further action.

As I thought this, Hyouren-sama's hand silently reached out to my forehead, where a red flower tattoo was floating.

'Hyakka's protection can avoid most calamities. Even if a mist covers your future, it can prevent fatal events. However, it might overlook small misfortunes. In this case, you avoided being involved in factional disputes but caught a cold instead. If Hyakka's protection were perfect, you wouldn't have caught a cold. When I checked on you, you had a cold, so I thought it would be better for you to stay home. That's why I came to see you.'

"I see..."

But the cold was cured quickly thanks to Hyouren-sama and Lara.

By the way, you said you can't see the future, but didn't you mention the candle of life? If that exists, wouldn't it show how long one will live?

When I said this, he quietly denied it.

The candle of life exists for each person, and its length is the same for everyone.

However, people don't all die at the same time because the candle can become longer or shorter, thicker or thinner based on their actions.

Moreover, this change isn't simply due to good or bad deeds. It reflects how much a person polishes their soul. When a person polishes their soul, the candle becomes thicker and longer, and when they degrade their soul, it becomes thinner and shorter. There's no distinction between good and bad deeds; it's all about how much one polishes their soul.

In my case, my candle has been very unstable recently.

It has gone from being very short to very long and thin, and then to very thick and short, repeatedly.

When I was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, I thought my time was near, but sometimes my candle is very thick and long.

However, it's definitely thicker and longer than it was around this time last year, and it usually doesn't fluctuate so much.

'You've made remarkable growth over the past few months. The candles of children your age don't change much. This is probably because you are wise and accomplish many things.'

I'm not wise. It's just that knowledge from my previous life was downloaded, and I've been relying on that "cheat" instead of putting in the necessary effort.

There's nothing to be proud of.

I couldn't help but look down, and my forehead was gently tapped. When I looked up, Hyouren-sama was smiling as usual.

'If you're praised, accept it humbly... That's what Hyakka would say.'

"But..."

'In the future, you'll be dealing with people who must smile even when they're not happy. Think of this as practice.'

That's even more disrespectful.

As I pondered, Hyouren-sama laughed even more.

I don't understand.

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