Chapter 9

The chirping of birds could be heard in the room... gentle sunlight was streaming in. It was neither hot nor cold, but a mild and pleasant day. Getting out of bed and looking outside, the sky was a clear blue, and the greenery was sparkling, almost blindingly so...

"Ultimately... I couldn't sleep at all..."

The one sparkling was my eyes.

The tears wouldn't stop...

After finishing the breakfast prepared by the maid and staying in the room, a man in a blue robe came and led me to a place for magic training. Was this the mansion's courtyard? It was a wide, well-maintained lawn.

I see, so this is where we'll practice magic...

It's about to begin.

If I don't show results in a year, I'll be out of here, I guess. It's not that I'm happy to be taught by a handsome guy, but...

After all, for me, who lacks confidence in my appearance, dealing with a handsome guy is too much.

"Well, let's get started right away. I am Sonia, your teacher. I am also the commander of the border lord's magic corps, and while I may not be the best choice to teach you, I am not a bad one."

He's handsome and skilled... a real winner, huh?

"Yes. Please take care of me, Master."

"Sure. Let's start by checking your magic affinity. Hold this crystal ball with both hands."

He handed me a crystal ball about 20 cm in diameter. The moment I held it, a white light orb floated inside.

What, it doesn't break or shine brightly or anything? Just a white light... Do I have no talent at all?

Feeling disappointed, I looked at my teacher, who had a condescending, mocking, and pitying smile...

Sigh... I really am no good, huh...

"Amazing! Hehehe, the Light attribute! And pure white light, no less! Just like the hero who fought in the past war, you are truly unique. I've seen it in literature, but this is the first time I've seen the crystal glow white."

...Am I being praised? Your face and words don't match, Master.

"Is it the Light attribute? What's that like?"

The teacher nodded with the same mocking smile.

"The Light attribute allows you to learn defensive and healing magic, which are specialized in defense and recovery, unlike the other five attributes: fire, water, earth, wind, and darkness. There are very few Light attribute users in our empire, making it a very rare attribute."

...Defensive and healing, huh?

So I can't just go on a rampage with magic... damn it!

"By the way, Light attribute users have a very strong protection against status effects like poison, paralysis, and sleep. High-level users can nullify all of them. Well, this is more like an additional ability."

What!? No, no, that's definitely a cheat ability, Master!

But if you think it's just an extra, that's fine. It will be my trump card.

At worst, if I'm immune to status effects, I can survive in this world.

Bring on the poisonous mushrooms and rotten meat.

It will make scavenging leftovers easier too! Even though I don't like it...

"Let's try using magic right away. It's easy, okay? For the Light attribute, you don't need to chant spells or perform actions. Just focus your magic power and imagine what you want to do. Well, as a teacher, there's no more unteachable attribute than this."

He placed his hand on my shoulder.

What is it... it feels like something warm is entering my body?

"Master... is this magic power entering me?"

The teacher spoke with a look of deep disappointment.

"Yes, that's magic power. Focus on it... imagine a soft light, the same size as this crystal ball, floating in front of you..."

As I imagined it, a light orb actually floated in front of me...

Smirk

Ah!? That's why it's scary! Don't give me that evil smile, handsome guy!

"That's right. That's magic. It's easy, isn't it? Well, I've never heard of a Light attribute user who can't use magic. Let's practice until you can do it without my assistance, okay?"

This guy is so condescending...

It was my first magic, and...

I'm the type who grows with praise! I have a tofu-like mentality...

"Yes! I'll try, Master!"

It was actually easy even without the Master's assistance...

Once I felt the magic power, it felt so natural that I wondered why I didn't understand it before.

I can see why the Master said it was unteachable.

"Well, the Light attribute is easy in itself. Even other attribute magic users can use simple Light attribute magic. You don't need an affinity to use it normally. Making light to brighten things up, anyone can do that, right?"

He said this while I was practicing making and extinguishing the light orb.

Am I practicing something anyone can do...

"But when it comes to having the Light attribute as your affinity, it's a different story. You can use defensive magic and healing on allies without chanting or performing actions. The range of what you can do expands dramatically, and it truly becomes a magic worthy of a hero. So..."

Yeah, I think he's a good teacher.

If his words didn't have thorns, if he didn't have that condescending smile, if his full smile wasn't that of a villain...

"So... this magic is perfect for my son-in-law. I have high hopes for you, son-in-law?"

He smiled as he said this, and I lost consciousness while praying, "I hope his daughter doesn't take after him..."

I don't want to die...