Chapter 14

A month later, I found myself scheduled to attend an official event, and as a result, my etiquette lessons with Harty increased.

My studies of the history and current state of the opposing country, the Kingdom of Lukisaria, also increased. The Kingdom of Lukisaria, also known as the Academic Kingdom, is a country that developed centered around an academic city. It attracts people to learn and seek knowledge, which in turn attracts more people. It is a human kingdom that functions as a place for the exchange of people and the accumulation of knowledge. Located in the central part of the continent to the south of the imperial territory, it is a place where the children of the imperial nobility, regardless of gender, come to study for a year to enhance their prestige.

"Right, I remember these alchemy tools were brought from Lukisaria."

I am currently in the Emerald Room, which has been a laboratory for two years. The Emerald Room consists of multiple rooms, including experimental and storage rooms, all filled with alchemy tools. They are said to be discarded items from a school in Lukisaria.

One of the good things about this world is that magic can replace electricity. This means that as long as I store enough magic, the experimental equipment can operate even without me, and safety devices based on this premise are built into the instruments.

"Distillation apparatuses and the like are scary and time-consuming, but the person who thought of them must have been amazing."

Despite this, it seems that these are not widely available and are treated as specialized equipment. Even the multiple furnaces, which have magical mechanisms for deodorization and exhaust, are not commonly used.

As I was thinking about this from a layman's perspective, there was a knock on the door, and when I responded, Wearrel appeared.

"Your Highness, I have brought you a new book."

"Thank you."

Although I had previously said I would refrain from borrowing books to avoid drawing attention, it seems that borrowing books related to alchemy is considered a hobby and not suspicious, so I continued to do so.

The difficult and obscure nature of alchemy, as well as the misconception that it is primarily about making gold, makes it unpopular among the nobility, who consider it unrefined. It's a shame, considering it's a technological system created by humans.

"What about this, can you identify it?"

Wearrel was referring to a perfectly round flask. It had a short neck and a round bottom, and was placed on a three-legged stand.

Inside, something faintly glowing was floating. Despite the near-vacuum inside, which should prevent any air currents, it was moving, which was strange for smoke. It was an unidentified object.

"I was just breaking down the air. When I separated it, this was left behind. If you ask what it is, it's probably the residue of breaking down the air into finer and finer particles."

What was supposed to be a simple scientific experiment ended with something left over, perhaps because this is a world with magic. I tried various experiments, such as adding it to water and placing it in a near-vacuum flask. The result was a phenomenon that defied physical explanation, as the reaction did not change much.

"Well, first of all, I admire Your Highness's keen eye for noticing something was off."

"More than that, the idea to try breaking down the air is extraordinary."

Herkov and Icto were also present, watching me conduct the experiment. Harty had gone home, so she was not there.

I was taking a break from my intensive studies for the official event, but I was curious, so I had Wearrel bring me a book.

"Hmm, I think it might be aether."

"Aether. Indeed, it is said to exist, but there has been no successful visualization of it. If it is a non-physical residue from breaking down the air, it could certainly be a possibility."

Wearrel understood, but Herkov and Icto, who were not specialists, looked puzzled.

I tried to explain while flipping through the book.

"Magic, in general, has different types. It is said that the world has aether and mana, the fundamental sources of magic. Elves and dwarves are said to prefer living in areas with high concentrations of aether, where the power of magic is greatly enhanced. At the same time, the abundance of aether causes many unexpected phenomena, as written in the book."

Wearrel, who is half-elf, seemed to remember the detailed examples he had previously provided.

"Mana is said to bring good fortune. The elves say that if you can handle mana well, you can even control the weather."

"Yes, and the magic that living beings are born with is called od. It is a power that all living beings, to varying degrees, are born with and is thought to be generated within the body. It is said that through magic training, one can perceive this magic."

Icto, who can use water magic, nodded.

"That's right. When using magic, the first step is to perceive one's own magic. Depending on one's aptitude, some people can even sense the magic of others."

"Exactly. Mana is only perceived when it is affected and something is transformed."

Icto's response made Wearrel clench his hands.

"In other words! If this really is aether! It would be a significant discovery!"

"Calm down. Did you forget what the prince said? Stay low and quiet."

Herkov, with his thick paw-like hands, started to stroke Wearrel, perhaps to calm him down.

"Yes, I want to know what it is, but I don't intend to announce it. If it can be found this easily, someone else will discover it eventually."

I flipped through the book, reading the descriptions of aether. However, the content shifted to discussions about the spirit and the soul, treating them as invisible but existing entities.

The body is material, and the spirit that resides within it is also considered a material, invisible entity. However, the soul, while residing in the body, belongs to a different dimension, which is said to lead to the divine in religious terms.

"Even if the talent remains hidden, it will not be lost. Your Highness showed an interest in alchemy before we could say anything."

Icto whispered something, and I pretended to read the book while glancing at the attendants, who were huddled together.

"Your restraint in not competing is admirable, but in some cases, taking a step forward can establish your position. It can also be for self-defense."

Herkov, who was saying something radical, was nodded at by Wearrel.

"Even though you are composed, Your Highness is only seven years old. It's too early to stand on your own. There have also been movements to accelerate your coming of age and get you out of the palace sooner."

There are such movements?

If so, it might be worth asserting that I'm pretty amazing.

If that means they'll leave me alone even more, then it's worth considering.

Political strategies will continue regardless of my will.

That's not acceptable.

If I'm told that I was born a prince, I can't argue, but if I'm treated like a prince and only given responsibilities, it's problematic.

No, maybe the problem is that I lack self-awareness?

But regardless of my current position, I can't abandon my past life.

Why am I a prince in the first place?

Oh, the prince just happened to be me? Ah, that's about the body.

If I think about it that way, how is my spirit different from my past life? Maybe it's not different at all.

"......I think, therefore I am, right?"

There is such a philosophy.

Even if you deny it, you can't deny the existence of the self because you are thinking.

In that sense, even if the body is different, if there is continuity in the spirit, the current me is the same as the past me.

(That is so.)

"Yes!?"

"What's wrong?"

When I jumped up in surprise, Icto immediately drew his sword and came over.

I was surprised not only by the voice I heard but also by Icto's reaction.

Moreover, it seemed that no one else could hear it.

(I think, therefore I am. I am here, trapped in the flask.)

When I realized the smoke was moving with the voice, I understood.

Yes, it must be this.

"......Eh? Did I catch a ghost or something?"

I couldn't help but feel disappointed.

After all, if it's a ghost in a room where the royal family lived, it must be a relative.

More importantly, if it was aether, I could have used it in experiments, but experimenting on a conscious being without permission is hesitated.

To be continued: The Lost Princess 3