Chapter 63

In the small country of Karankoya, Schnell was born as the eldest son of a high-ranking noble, but from the moment of his birth, it was decided that he would not become the successor. This was due to his condition, known as hyper-magic storage syndrome. He was a baby who could not live long because he could not consume the magic power that he stored beyond his capacity. Most people unconsciously adjust the magic power they produce and consume, but occasionally, a child is born who cannot do this.

Hyper-magic storage syndrome and hyper-magic leakage syndrome

Hyper-magic storage syndrome, where one dies from self-poisoning by storing too much magic power, and hyper-magic leakage syndrome, where one dies from leaking too much magic power and not being able to retain it, are congenital diseases that were common among the nobility of the past.

I thought, "Is this a genetic disorder that appeared due to incest?"

"Are you alive now thanks to a spirit?"

"Yeah, I'm grateful."

Schnell smiled gently at the King of Wind Spirits and then bowed his head.

"She's my savior. Even though she has a male body."

Despite his dejection, the fact that he didn't speak in the past tense was endearing. The story continued.

Even though it was known that Schnell could not live long, his parents and grandparents rejoiced and blessed his birth, and they tried everything possible to make him live even one day longer. They even tried superstitious methods. One of these was to pretend his gender.

"I couldn't become the successor, and with the royal family's approval, I was raised as a girl."

"Oh, that's why! I thought Schnell looked like a noble, but sometimes the movements and habits seemed noble, yet not quite. It was because you didn't seem like a male noble."

At Arjitt-sama's comment, Schnell spat out a tongue click in disgust.

"Anyway, I was raised that way without being told myself."

Since he wouldn't be able to become manly anyway, and it would be more painful to make him aware of the gender deception, Schnell was not told that he was male until he became a spirit-attached person. He was captivated by needlework and sewing, which is one of the forms of education.

---

Achieving the dream of becoming a tailor is not that difficult. There are no qualifications required, and if you can make clothes that sell, you can call yourself a tailor.

"But what I want to make is a dress."

"A dress."

"That's difficult for a man, isn't it?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, but I tilted my head.

"Dresses are needed by the nobility, and women are resistant to having their body sizes known by men."

Mimachi-san said to me, who was tilting my head.

"Oh."

So, is that it?

"Schnell, you were originally from the nobility?"

Otherwise, a commoner wouldn't even think about wanting to be involved in dressmaking.

In response to my question, Schnell sighed weakly.

"Yeah. Well, not from this country, though."

When Schnell mentioned that he was from the small country of Karankoya, far to the northeast, everyone's eyes widened. I had never heard of it in my geography lessons.

"You're from quite a distant place."

"That country, and any place with no ties to it, is where I, in a sense, am a wanted man."

"Eh? This country doesn't allow foreigners with criminal records, right?"

Schnell slammed his hand on the table with a thud.

His expression, which had been one of resignation, turned to anger.

"That's what cut off my dream!"

"Was it an unjust charge?"

"It would have been better if it was a serious reason like that..."

From anger, he became resigned again, his gaze vacant, and Schnell began to tell his story.