Chapter 4

The children of nobles and the wealthy are assigned tutors even before they enter the group schools, diligently studying.

Gaining knowledge ahead of others is advantageous in the future, no matter where you are.

On the other hand, in the Turquis household—this role was taken on by the butlers and maids.

It wasn't that they couldn't hire tutors.

To put it simply, there was no need for them.

The Turquis household was a somewhat special family.

Will's grandfather, Orpheus Renato Turquis, was a former duke.

His older brother was the late king of Filfarria, Wagner Renato Filfarria.

Orpheus passed the family headship to his eldest daughter's husband and retired, now immersing himself in his hobby of magic research.

Cecilia, the second daughter who did not inherit the family headship, was the one in question.

Normally, the second daughter of a ducal family would receive numerous marriage proposals from nobles and royalty both domestically and internationally.

Cecilia was no exception; she received such proposals.

However, she rejected them all and ended up marrying Shiro, who was an adventurer at the time.

The royal family of Filfarria blessed their marriage.

However, as expected, there were those who objected to the marriage of a mere adventurer to someone connected to the royal family.

Cecilia was a perfect match in terms of status and appearance for a political marriage.

The royal family of Filfarria was concerned.

Cecilia, who could not inherit the family headship, had to leave the family.

There was even a fear that she could be kidnapped and used to threaten the royal family.

Therefore, Orpheus arranged for first-class attendants for her.

Maids trained in every aspect.

A first-class butler to lead them.

Even the guards and gardeners.

Excellent personnel, on par with the royal family, were sent to Shiro and Cecilia.

Let's return to the story.

The Turquis household did not need to hire new tutors.

This was because each attendant was already more capable than any hired tutor.

---

Three days have passed since Will activated the magic.

"Aww, Master Will is so cute!"

"Here, here, Master Will!"

"Aww, that's not fair. Let me hold him too!"

In one of the rooms in the mansion, three maids are completely smitten with Will, while Ren looks at them with a deadpan expression.

"Yu...shu...?"

He feels like tearing his hair out.

Indeed, they are excellent.

However, it's questionable whether their judgment includes personality.

Well, it can't be helped.

Will is cute.

This is the consensus among those involved with the Turquis household.

Even Ren, though not as smitten as them, agrees.

"Let's start Will's magic practice..."

Just as Ren was about to start, the maid with long, twin-tailed auburn hair, Mina, shook her head.

Will, mimicking her, also shook his head and said, "No, no."

It seems she's the one teaching Will various gestures.

"Wait! I want to enjoy Master Will a bit more!"

(Enjoy, what exactly?)

Ren almost interjected.

"Anyway, let's be serious. This is a crucial matter for Master Will's future."

The gentleman with silver-gray hair, the butler Tomason, looked around at the maids.

He is a kind old gentleman, but he supervises all the servants.

As a result of the discussion, it was decided that only defensive magic would be taught to Will.

This is because defensive magic rarely harms others.

The servants will take turns teaching him, to keep him from getting bored.

"The first problem is whether he can understand the two types of barriers, right?"

The red-haired maid with short hair, Aika, put her finger to her chin.

There are physical barriers and magical barriers.

The first type of barrier children learn is the physical barrier.

Most dangerous accidents in their living area are physical (like being run over by a carriage or falling from a height).

Learning this increases their chances of survival, so it is prioritized.

A child with good judgment can understand the difference between the two barriers.

(Will understand, right?)

Ren looked into Will's face, which was looking up at him.

Beside him, the maid with wavy brown long hair, Misha, raised her hand.

"Just in case~"

She said this in a relaxed tone, then made a "Jaan" sound effect as she pulled something out of a bag.

"Master Will, it's a paper theater!"

"Whoa..."

Holding up the paper theater, Will turned around with shining eyes.

"Master Will, he's hooked!"

"Huh...? Paper theater? Is there such a thing in magic lessons?"

Aika, feeling the impact, was beside her, while Mina tilted her head.

The paper theater was beautifully drawn with delicate lines and soft colors, making it enjoyable even for adults.

"Who's the author...?"

The author's name should be on the first page of a paper theater—but—

[Misha Valencia, Illustrator]

"You!?"

Mina, who couldn't help but interject, made Misha smile sheepishly.

"I thought really hard about how to make Master Will understand~"

"Indeed... This can be read to him multiple times."

"Beautiful drawings. I didn't know Misha had such talent..."

Ren and Tomason were also impressed.

The title was [Belle-kun Becomes a Magician].

"Once upon a time, there was a boy named Belle~"

As Misha started the paper theater, Will laughed happily.

The story was about a boy named Belle taking his first step to become a magician.

The pages turned, and the acquisition of physical and magical barriers was beautifully and carefully illustrated.

However—

'Always wandering around. A bad master deserves punishment. Here, here~'

'Listen, Belle. When someone hits you or throws something at you, use a physical barrier.'

'Impudent. Taste my magic attack.'

'Oh, if the opponent uses magic, then use a magical barrier.'

In the carefully drawn paper theater, a maid resembling Ren attacked a master resembling Shiro, who then explained the barriers to his son, Belle.

"Tomason, I feel a sense of malice from this paper theater..."

"Uh..."

Tomason's gaze shifted as he looked at the paper theater with a deadpan expression.

The paper theater ended with Belle successfully activating a barrier, taking his first step as a magician.

Will clapped his hands happily.

"How was it~?"

"Yes, it was very easy to understand..."

Misha, seeking feedback, received a deadpan response from Ren.

Incidentally, all the servants watching, except Ren, had their gazes wandering.

"Did you understand, Master Will? Physical barriers and magical barriers~"

"I understand~"

Raising his hand and smiling, Will answered.

Misha demonstrated the barriers alternately in front of him, and Will pointed and correctly identified the physical and magical barriers.

Seeing this, Misha nodded and smiled.

"Then, can Master Will do a physical barrier like Belle~?"

Saying this, she gave Will a beginner's wand, similar in design to the one Belle held in the paper theater.

Will held the wand and concentrated.

"I did it~"

A weak but complete physical barrier appeared in front of Will.

"Very good~"

Misha patted Will's head.

Will leaned into her, looking happy.

A warm atmosphere flowed between them, but the others felt differently.

"First try..."

"First try, indeed..."

"First try, huh..."

"Master Will, you're a scary child..."

Ren, Tomason, Aika, and Mina muttered in astonishment.

Learning magic usually involves repeated failures to develop a sense of it.

After many failures, one grasps the knack and successfully activates the magic.

From there, further practice is needed to master it.

Misha, who was a bit air-headed, didn't seem to notice this.

"Hmm..."

Would he also easily learn the magical barrier?

Aika, curious, stepped forward.

"Master Will, what about this?"

Aika produced a small ball of light at her fingertips.

This was a simple light magic to illuminate darkness, but it was clearly recognizable as magic.

"Hmm"

A magical barrier appeared in front of Will, who gave a small response.

"You're a good boy, Master Will~"

Misha, pleased with the effect of her paper theater, patted Will's head.

Will leaned into her, looking happy.

"This is too much..."

Ren's expression darkened.

Will's speed in learning magic was clearly abnormal.

Ren, who usually doesn't show much emotion, rarely shows such concern on his face.

"Hmm..."

Tomason knelt beside the giggling Will.

"Master Will, please tell me. How do you use magic?"

Tomason tried to speak in a simple way, but it wasn't that simple.

As expected, Will tilted his head in confusion.

Aika came to his rescue.

"How do you use magic, Master Will~?"

"Misha's imitation~"

Will smiled shyly.

The cuteness of his gesture made Aika pat his head and continue questioning.

"Then, why did you want to use magic, Master Will~?"

"Hmm?"

Will crossed his arms in a cute gesture and thought.

If he said it was because he could, that would be the end of it, but Will tried hard to think of an answer in his own way.

"Because when Nee-sama used magic, everyone was happy~"

Indeed, when Serena and Nina demonstrated their magic in the garden, everyone celebrated their growth.

"So, Will wanted to make everyone happy~"

This little boy activated magic solely with that thought.

He wanted to see everyone's happy faces.

"Master Will..."

The maids all felt a lump in their throats.

"Ren, you always have a serious face, so I thought you might be happy~"

"Master Will..."

More than the fact that he was thought of in this way, Ren's heart warmed at Will's consideration.

Just as Ren was about to hug Will, he froze in shock.

Tomason was crying like a waterfall, covering his eyes with his hands.

"What a kind heart... Master Will, this Tomason is moved!"

Tomason, who suddenly stood up, made Will flinch and tremble.

He picked up Will with one hand and pointed upward with the other.

"With all my might, I will lead Master Will to the pinnacle of a great magician! That is the star of the magicians!! Can you see it, Master Will!!!"

They were indoors.

Of course, the stars were not visible.

Moreover, it was broad daylight.

"Everyone, let's help Master Will with his magic training!!"

Will was taken aback by Tomason's intense enthusiasm.

It was a miracle he didn't start crying.

Aika and Mina gently patted Ren's shoulder, which was still outstretched to hug Will.