Chapter 8

I met my younger brother, but things got complicated. I'm a five-year-old child.

However, I developed a hobby of alchemy, and since I didn't have to go outside and the people I met didn't change, I turned six without any problems.

"This isn't science, is it?"

I was in the Emerald Room, still playing with alchemy using borrowed books. Even so, I repeated the experiments many times and think I'm quite serious about alchemy. Thanks to Wearel, I have all the equipment I need, so my hobby is quite professional.

The problem is that in this world, there exists something called magic particles, which cannot be explained by science.

"This beaker contains distilled water. I made it using a distillation apparatus, a product of science."

It's a familiar method in science experiments, where a liquid is turned into a gas and then back into a liquid to remove impurities.

I took an empty beaker of the same shape and focused.

"......Water"

Water flowed from my fingers as if I had turned on a faucet. I've only learned the basics of magic so far. Still, I practiced long incantations to get used to it.

However, Wearel, who recognized my wisdom beyond my age, taught me a simpler technique. The repetition and incantations are to help bring about the desired phenomenon as magic intends. If the image isn't solid, the water won't appear, and if there's doubt or hesitation, it won't last. In other words, if you can imagine the water flowing endlessly and in the right amount, you can handle it without incantations.

"Tap water is a recent invention in the original world, right? Oh, no, it was in ancient Rome, wasn't it?"

When I asked, it turned out that this world had something similar to a faucet. However, it was simpler than the faucets I knew, more like a tap with a handle.

And the problem of magic particles.

"Let's try using a test paper to measure the amount of magic particles in the basic alchemy."

Saying this, I took out a black paper similar to litmus paper. When I dipped it in the distilled water, there was no change, but when I put it in the water I made with magic, the paper turned white.

This is proof that even though it looks like just water, there is a difference in its properties.

"First, making this paper is a type of alchemy, yeah, the alchemy I know is indeed different from the science I know."

The most noticeable difference is that some of the equipment Wearel gave me can be activated by infusing magic power. There are also experiments where you generate magic in a sealed container to cause a reaction.

However, I'm just starting to use magic and am not very good at it. There are no alchemy textbooks in the imperial library. It's trial and error, but I don't have enough materials for trial and error.

"This distilled water and the water made with magic are a waste. If there's a difference, the experimental results should change, so I need to find a clear way to verify it... maybe making salt crystals would be interesting."

Thinking about the necessary materials, I remembered a science experiment from elementary school. I'll use a stick instead of a chopstick, and I'll use a balance and weights to measure the same amount of salt.

I left the Emerald Room and headed towards the Red Room. This is where Harty, who is allowed to stay, is located, and I want to ask for the necessary experimental equipment. However, as I headed there, I met Harty near the Blue Room.

"Harty, I need to ask you something. I need salt for an experiment. Can you get it?"

"Yes, but, Asha-sama, no one has come today."

Hearing this, I peeked into the unoccupied Blue Room. This is where Wearel, my tutor, and the guards Ict and Helcof wait. They usually come when I finish breakfast, but today I had already finished breakfast and done a bit of alchemy. Still, they haven't come yet.

Just then, the door was knocked on, and when I went to see, the three of them arrived together.

"You're late. Did something happen?"

"This is Asha-sama. I apologize for being late."

Ict apologized first, and Helcof shrugged his broad shoulders.

"It seems we were all looking for the prince."

"Me?"

"We discussed our experiences and it seems that's what happened."

Wearel lowered his animal ears in confusion.

Being searched doesn't hurt me, and I have no ambitions or interest in the throne. However, I've heard that there are people who want to use me. I also haven't forgotten that the guard assigned to my younger brother Terry almost drew his sword at me out of suspicion.

"By the way, who from? Ict and Helcof are one thing, but does Wearel have acquaintances here?"

Ict is a palace guard, and Helcof, a former soldier, likely has connections with military-related nobles. However, Wearel, who doesn't seem to have noble connections, was also searched.

"There are some noble students I taught at the academy before. However, the one who approached me was a court scholar specializing in magic."

Wearel, followed by Helcof and Ict, described the situation.

"I was approached by someone from the military. It's common for nobles who don't inherit their family's name to join the military."

"I was prevented from moving here after my shift."

"What did they ask? You didn't do anything, right?"

The attendants looked at each other.

"I mentioned that you started learning magic at the age of six."

"I said that your bones are still soft and that sword training is too early, so we're just doing movement exercises."

"I said that you are enthusiastic about everything."

They seemed to have spoken positively, but maybe that wasn't a good idea?

"Did the people who investigated you seem to have the intention of using you?"

What concerns me is that there are no commonalities among the people who investigated you professionally.

"Just the fact that they approached you separately is troubling. If they were acting on one person's orders, it could be complicated. A person who can mobilize such a diverse group must have influence."

It's fine for me, but the problem is my father.

"My father has been on the throne for three years. He's just starting to take action after solidifying his base. There are people who want to slow him down by making me a rival to Terry."

In that case, being praised is a problem. If I'm seen as more capable and there's talk of me becoming emperor, it would be annoying.

The duke's family, my mother's family, seems to have become quite naive. There might also be an intention to further provoke them and slow down my father's actions.

"......Your wisdom......"

Harty and everyone else's voices overlapped. Not only me, but they themselves were also surprised and exchanged glances.

"Um......Am I standing out right now?"

I spend more time in my room, though.

Wearel cleared his throat and raised a concern.

"Your library usage is recorded. Anyone who looks at it can see that you read books that would surprise even adults."

"Ah, I see.......I'll reduce my library usage."

I said it with a heavy heart. It made me feel down, but if it means dragging down my family, I'll endure it. I'm the older brother. I'm sensible.

"I'll try to be less noticeable. Please do the same, everyone."

"Is that okay?"

Harty looked very sad as she confirmed. I smiled back, feeling embarrassed to say it.

"Because I don't want to be a hindrance."

Hearing my thoughts, the attendants fell silent. It seemed they understood and didn't say anything more.

However, the idea that everything would go well if I just endured was naive. I was caught off guard.

"What!? Ict is being reassigned!?"

The sudden news came just a few days after I said I would try to be less noticeable.

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