Chapter 9

I was led by Iifa to the edge of the estate grounds.

Iifa stopped and looked around as if searching for something.

“Ah!”

With a short exclamation, Iifa ran to the base of a large tree.

“Seika-kun, this….”

“What is it…?”

Lying there was a small animal with emerald green fur.

It was about the size of a kitten, with a thick tail. On its forehead was a gem of the same color as its fur, which gave off a faint sense of power.

However, it was covered in wounds, and more than half of its fur was dirty with dirt and blood.

“Is this a… no, a monster?”

“Yeah, it’s probably a young Carbuncle.”

I think I remember seeing an illustration of an animal like this in one of the estate’s books.

“I think it must have been attacked by an owl or a crow.”

“Can monsters be attacked by ordinary animals?”

“Yeah, when they’re young, they’re weak, and that kind of thing can happen.”

I thought they were more like spirits, but maybe they’re closer to ordinary creatures.

“Seika-kun… can we help this one?”

Iifa looked up at me.

So that’s what this is about. But, hmm….

“Well….”

In my previous life, I had treated humans, dogs, cats, and livestock.

But I don’t have much confidence in treating a creature I’ve never seen before, let alone a monster.

However, there is a spell that generally works on most things.

“Alright. I’ll try, but I can’t concentrate if you’re watching, so turn around, okay?”

“Huh? O-Okay.”

I pulled a blood-soaked strand of fur from the Carbuncle’s body and attached it to a piece of paper I was holding.

I added some text with my magical power, formed a seal, and chanted softly.

“――――Om Hrih Sthānāntaraṇa Traḥ Nyūnam Daśā Svāhā”

The spell took effect, and changes began to occur in the Carbuncle and the paper.

And then,

“I’m done.”

I stuffed the torn and blackened paper into my robe and called out to Iifa.

Iifa’s eyes widened when she turned back.

The Carbuncle was getting up and licking the blood off its body with its tongue.

It was still weak, but it was much more energetic than before. Although it was still covered in blood, its wounds should have mostly closed.

“Why? That’s amazing! …Ah!”

As Iifa reached out, the Carbuncle darted into the forest with a movement typical of an animal.

It looked back once, stared at me for a while, and then disappeared into the shadows of the trees.

It seems to be okay.

“Just now… did Seika-kun heal it?”

“Yeah, I’m glad it worked better than I thought.”

“Seika-kun can use healing magic!?”

Huh?

“T-That’s amazing! I thought only light-attribute magicians in big cities could do that!”

“Ah… hehe.”

I laughed it off.

Wait, what? She didn’t mean to heal it with magic?

Besides….

Healing injuries and illnesses is one of the main things people seek from magic, yet only magicians in big cities can do it? Even though there are educational institutions?

I don’t understand this world’s magic. Shouldn’t they focus on things like that before producing fire and wind?

“Seika-kun is amazing.”

Iifa said quietly.

“Before, you were told you didn’t have any magical power, but now you can use magic as well as Luft-sama and Grail-sama… No, it’s not just that. Even when you’ve had a hard time, you never gave up. I always thought you were strong.”

Hard time…?

Did something like that happen? I’ve been disappointed by my older brother many times.

But the past eight years have been quite relaxed.

It was the first time in a long time that I didn’t have to worry about hunger, my life being threatened, or my disciples.

I don’t think I want to stay here forever, though.

“Ah… maybe. But I think Iifa is the same.”

“Huh?”

“Remember, when I was being bullied by Grail-nii, you often found the clothes and shoes he hid. Even after Grail-nii started targeting you, you still helped me. That really helped me a lot.”

This was pretty much the truth.

Today’s Carbuncle incident and other things show that this kid has a strong core.

“I think being strong is about things like that.”

“H-Huh? No, not at all! I just didn’t notice those things. I’m slow and often get scolded for being absent-minded… And even when things were hidden, you often found them before I did….”

Well, I used divination to find them myself, which was a hassle.

“I don’t have a good background or any special talents… I’m not the same at all. I’m not special like Seika-kun.”

“Hehe, I don’t have a good background either. Besides… Iifa is special too.”

“Huh…?”

Ah, finally, the main point.

“Can you see things that ordinary people can’t?”