Chapter 3

"Come forth, spirits! Strike my enemies with your arrows!"

The wand raised by Serena, the eldest daughter, amplified her magic, and a beam of light extended from its tip.

The light pierced the target ten meters away with perfect accuracy.

This was a magic practice session in the garden.

Applause erupted from Shiro, Cecilia, and the servants who were watching.

"Serena has a natural talent."

The old man standing next to Serena, who had been observing the proceedings, stroked her head.

He had a gentle face framed by long, white hair and a beard.

He was Serena's grandfather—Orpheus.

"Really!? Grandpa!!"

Serena's face lit up.

Orpheus, a former court magician, now served as an advisor to the country's spirit magic research institute.

He was considered the foremost expert in magic in the country.

To receive his approval was a significant achievement.

Serena's joy was palpable.

"Indeed. You remind me of Cecilia when she was young."

Not only was her talent praised, but she was also compared to her beloved mother, causing Serena's joy to explode.

Her exuberance was endearing, and the adults watching couldn't help but smile.

"Next is me!"

Nina, determined not to be outdone by her sister, stood up from her chair and stepped into the garden.

"Come on, Nina. Try to create a barrier."

"But I can shoot magic arrows too!"

Nina pouted, and Orpheus chuckled.

"Basics are important, you know."

"I know, but..."

Nina reluctantly agreed.

Her desire to do something flashy was more about showing off than competing with her sister.

Orpheus chuckled again, stroking his white chin beard, and made a suggestion.

"How about this... If you can create a barrier well, I'll let you see the magic arrows too."

"Really!?"

Nina's eyes sparkled, and Orpheus nodded with a smile.

With renewed determination, Nina focused her mind on the wand in her hand.

A barrier is a defensive shield created by channeling magic to protect oneself.

Unlike a magic arrow, it doesn't require fine control, incantations, or amplification of magic.

It is considered the most basic of magic practices.

However, the more skilled one becomes in combat, the stronger the barrier becomes.

Thus, it is closely tied to the improvement of one's magical abilities.

Nina easily completed the barrier and puffed out her chest proudly.

"How is it, Grandpa!?"

She struck a smug pose, and Orpheus chuckled again.

"You've got me there. Well done, Nina."

Nina struck a victory pose at her grandfather's words.

Will, who was sitting on Cecilia's lap, clapped happily.

"Look, Will!"

Eager to impress Will, Nina raised her wand again.

"Come forth, spirits! Strike my enemies with your arrows!"

The magic arrow, released with a shout, narrowly missed the target.

"Ah..."

Nina's spirits sank, but Orpheus, still smiling, stroked her head.

There was no reprimand.

Everyone was impressed by her progress.

"You have plenty of power. Just keep practicing."

"Okay..."

Nina's shoulders slumped as she returned, and Cecilia greeted her with a smile.

Seeing her mother's face, Will reached out his hand.

"What is it, Will?"

"Will too, Will too, magic."

"Oh dear... Will wants to practice magic too?"

Cecilia looked troubled, as the young Will was too young to understand magic.

"Don't give your mother too much trouble, Will."

Shiro, who had taken a glass of water from a maid, leaned in to look at Will.

"But if you really want to, start with creating a barrier like Nina."

Shiro's mischievous smile drew a glare from Ren.

Even with a lot of magic power, one cannot use it immediately.

One must gradually perceive and control magic, building up to more complex abilities like barriers and magic arrows.

Serena and Nina, who had progressed quickly in a short time, were considered talented.

For the young Will, who had not even learned the basics, creating a barrier was nearly impossible.

Shiro's words lacked seriousness,

"Just imagine a round shape. Create a wall in front of you."

Shiro, with water in his mouth, laughed and tried to surprise Will by creating a large magical wall.

Just as Ren was about to complain about his lack of seriousness,

Will, who had been watching Shiro's magic, thrust his hand forward.

"Round, done!"

"Wha!?"

Shiro spat out the water he had been holding.

In front of Will's outstretched hand, a weak but unmistakable magical barrier floated.

Though incomplete, it was the same defensive magic that Shiro had demonstrated.

Everyone present stared at Will in astonishment.

"Oh my, Will is amazing."

Cecilia, regaining her composure, expressed her amazement, and Will beamed.

"Round, done!"

"No, no, 'done' isn't quite right."

Wiping his mouth, Shiro groaned, water still dripping from his chin.

Will, still smiling, moved his hand up and down, making the magical barrier move.

"Barrier."

"Will, that's not a barrier."

When Cecilia pointed this out, Will tilted his head in confusion.

A barrier is a magical wall centered around one's body and cannot be moved freely.

On the other hand, the magic created by Shiro and Will could be controlled to specify its effect range.

The more one uses magic, the more one's magic power grows.

Naturally, Will could not maintain the defensive magic and slumped in Cecilia's arms.

"I'm tired..."

"Your magic is depleted, Will."

Cecilia stroked Will's head comfortingly.

"Tsk... What a surprise."

Orpheus muttered in amazement.

"I've never heard of a child manifesting magic without a catalyst."

Magic is a skill that anyone can learn, and people use it in their daily lives.

Even for simple tasks like starting a fire or lighting a lamp, a catalyst in the form of a spirit stone is used.

For combat skills, there are differences in proficiency based on attributes.

Still, generally, warriors embed spirit stones in their swords, and mages in their wands, to cast spells and use magic.

The young Will, who had never been taught magic,

without a catalyst,

without chanting a spell,

manifested magic.

It was completely unexpected.

"What should we do, Father?"

Cecilia looked up at Orpheus with a puzzled expression.

He stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment, then sighed and spoke.

"We'll have to start teaching him, though it's a bit early... Fortunately, Will is a smart child. If we teach him carefully, he won't go astray."

Too much power can sometimes lead to tragedy.

Whether one wants it or not.

Especially in a child who lacks judgment.

That's why it's generally considered best not to teach magic until a certain age.

Will's age was far too young.

However, since he could use magic, it was necessary to teach him to control his power and prevent him from accidentally harming others.

The question remained whether a young child could understand the dangers even if they were explained.

Cecilia hugged Will tightly in her arms.

"Numerous spirits, please watch over Will."

Usually calm, Cecilia couldn't hide her anxiety at this moment.

And so, with a hint of unease, Will began his magic training.