Chapter 78

"………I’ve done it."

I mutter to myself in the room, almost groaning.

"Wha, ah!? Can you, hear, me!?"

Certainly, this is a room in the capital where I live alone, yet I heard someone else’s voice.

The source was the crystal in front of me, where a magic array, activated and linked, glowed in a square pattern.

"Just a moment, focus. The sound is quite distorted."

This is a device I created to transmit sound using magic.

Even at this point, I know there are various issues, but it is indeed working, and the sound is being transmitted. That’s why I can call this experiment a success.

"Haahhh………"

"Hey, what’s wrong? Can’t you hear me? Wearrel Kaurio?"

"Yeah, I can hear you."

"Then why such a big sigh? After all the invention you’ve made?"

This device requires both parties to simultaneously infuse the same type of magical power into crystals imbued with the same magic.

That’s why I entrusted the other crystal to a collaborator for the experiment.

The person on the other side of the crystal sounds suspicious.

We’ve been exchanging letters, but it’s been a while since I heard their voice.

The sound quality is much worse than I expected, and it almost sounds like a different person, but I can tell it’s them from their speaking habits and intonation.

"………You’re currently a teacher in the alchemy department at Lucisaria Academy. Even you, do you think this can be replicated?"

Because it’s someone I trust, I asked directly.

"………Didn’t you suddenly send me a small lightning lamp the other day?"

For some reason, they bring up a different topic.

"And you managed to unravel half of that complex combination of alchemy and magic."

I understand because we’ve known each other for a long time.

This is the pause they take when they’re getting close to an answer.

"Is this also related to alchemy?"

"Not exactly, but it was triggered by the small lightning lamp."

To be more precise, it was triggered by Asha-sama.

She is the prince I serve, and I am her tutor, but what she lacks is experience and information, which is something I can’t provide.

In terms of information, there is a highly intelligent entity with incredible information-gathering capabilities called Sefira Sefiroth.

It seems to recognize Asha-sama’s extraordinary nature and is obedient to her. It responds when spoken to but doesn’t pay much attention to us around it.

"Hey, don’t get lost in thought and forget about me. Haven’t you still not fixed that habit?"

"Sorry. Well, this is a magical device that activates when magic is inscribed on it."

I gave a brief explanation.

"Even though simple wind magic can’t reproduce sound, by reproducing the essential vibrations, it can be transmitted as sound."

I can feel the strong admiration from the other side of the crystal, but this isn’t my achievement.

I want to say this because I earned the title of genius at the academy through my own efforts.

There is a genius who surpasses me.

A ten-year-old prince who can deduce ten things from one.

"Haahhh………"

"So why the sigh?"

A sigh of exasperation came from the crystal.

"Can’t you see? This can only be used between you and me right now. It’s unstable, and it requires the ability to use wind magic, and the compatibility to synchronize magical power even when not face-to-face."

"True, it’s not very versatile. But the first step is to show that it’s possible. If it were the usual you, you’d be more proud………Ah, I see."

They seemed to understand something.

"Is the prince involved again?"

Hit the nail on the head, I couldn’t respond immediately and fell silent.

"Your silence speaks volumes. Basically, did you send me that detailed explanation of the small lightning lamp, thinking I wouldn’t notice? That was because the prince figured it out and passed it on to you, right? What a joke. I can’t steal someone else’s achievement like that."

They said it again, this time with anger.

But I need to correct this.

"No, I really thought you could do it, so I intended to send it to you without touching it. But, well, while looking at the structure with Asha-sama, I got so interested that I couldn’t help it."

"………Hey, isn’t the prince recruiting alchemy tutors?"

"If the only alchemy teacher in the department leaves the academy, I don’t think Asha-sama would agree."

"Damn, that sounds fun. I bet you’re still hiding research results from me, right?"

"I’ll refrain from answering."

But I imagine it.

Teaching Asha-sama together, that would indeed be fun.

It would be like the days when we were driven by curiosity alone, back when we studied together at the academy.

And what would this person’s reaction be to seeing Sefira Sefiroth?

"………Hey, is it really impossible for the prince to enter the academy?"

"According to his own estimation, it’s not possible right now. The reasons are valid, and politically, it’s difficult."

"Once the younger prince comes of age, becomes the crown prince, secures his position, and is no longer under suspicion………Haah. There are universities he could enter after coming of age, but none of them have an alchemy department."

The sigh from the crystal echoed the many problems and the distant prospects of a solution.

I feel the same way.

Asha-sama is enduring right now.

Having watched her grow from a young age, I can see that her interests and capabilities have expanded with her growth.

And I can also see that she is holding herself back.

The most peaceful and conflict-free solution would be for Prince Terry to become the crown prince, marry, and have a son.

Only then would Asha-sama no longer be seen as a threat and be able to pursue her interests.

But that future is still more than ten years away.

"As you say, just waiting will only take time."

"Is there no plan, Green-tailed Genius?"

"If there were, I’d want to know, Red-tailed Genius."

We both use the names we’ve been praised with, but it only feels hollow, and we both sigh simultaneously.

"It’s frustrating to feel powerless when there’s nothing I can do for a child who wants to learn alchemy."

"But Asha-sama looks happy that you’re maintaining the alchemy department. More than anything, she’s still grateful for the equipment you provided first. The small lightning lamp is also for the survival of the alchemy department, and as a thank you to you."

"I know, I know, but it’s pathetic."

I feel the same way, no, even more strongly.

After all, I’ve known her since she was a baby.

I had a sense of her intelligence, but by the age of three, she was already understanding our conversations.

As she grew, she never let herself be corrupted, and despite being confined to a corner of the palace with no entertainment other than seeking knowledge, she spent her time positively without wasting it.

She behaves with impeccable conduct, never showing any desire for the throne, and never giving those who plot to exclude her any opportunity.

Sometimes she even pretends to be a fool to slip through the cracks and exploit her enemies’ weaknesses.

It’s a skill that, if used correctly in the political arena of this palace, could be the best weapon.

Yet, Asha-sama chose not to fight.

"Eventually, she will achieve what she desires through her own power. I know that, but I can’t help but think if there’s something I can do."

"………When you left to become a tutor for the Niftas family, you were using them as a stepping stone to become an imperial mage, right?"

The title of imperial mage is the pinnacle of mages.

It requires not only the ability to wield magic but also knowledge, contributions to the country, and recommendations from nobles.

With the ambition of a young genius, I came to the capital aiming for the top……

Being directly employed by the emperor is a status, but more importantly, I am now thinking and acting to be of some help to Asha-sama.

Knowledge is a burden one can carry, and if I can provide her with as much as possible, it will be useful when she stands on her own, but I still feel inadequate.

"If I had aimed to become an imperial mage, I probably wouldn’t have thought of this magical sound transmission."

"Yeah, maybe. But this consumes a lot of magical power. I’m getting a bit tired, to be honest."

"True. With our magical power, it’s difficult to make it practical for such a short time."

"Ask the prince. He might make a great discovery again."

We joke and promise to talk again before ending the call.

The fatigue from the massive magical power consumption hits me, but I start thinking about how to convey this to Asha-sama.

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