Since When Did You Have The Illusion That You Don’t Have Magical Powers?!

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield

Liliana, daughter of a Viscount, Aurora’s lady-in-waiting

Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival’s mother

Bruno Kingsleigh, Commander of the Kingsleigh unit

 

“Sapphiras!”

When I was exchanging greetings with a lady classmate near the entrance of the classroom, a red-haired guy rushed towards me.

He’s being very loud and noisy since this morning. In general, it’s not good aristocratic behaviour to be loud and noisy and to run in the corridors.

“You’re so noisy in the morning……you’re disturbing everyone, go back to your class.”

“I heard Percival gave you a ring, is it true?”

“Ha?”

You came all the way here just to ask me that? And so what if I got a ring. In the first place, is it something you’re going to get all bloody excited about and come and ask about? Classes will start soon, and I don’t plan on dealing with him because it’s tiresome. As soon as I waved my hand as if to scare away the dog, the red-haired person instantly showed a look of despair and fell to his knees and bowed his head.

Eh? Wait, what?

“Sapphiras-sama, the teacher will be here soon. Let’s take our seats.”

“……Ye-yeah.”

 

The lady was completely unperturbed by the sudden noisy appearance and sudden crouching of the other party in front of her. Amazing, a lady’s courage.

I took my seat as she urged me to. Redhead was crouching at the entrance of the classroom for a long time, but soon after the teacher arrived, he was warned to return to his class as soon as possible because he was in the way, and finally stood up. Although I feel the sadness of a calf sold in his departing back as he trudged heavily, I will not be bound by that kind of thing.

But it’s not just the redhead, and I’m sure there was a bit of a buzz around me this morning.

I glance at the ring on my left hand.

I guess this is the cause after all. The ring with the Vanderwall crest on it stands out in its own way. Although I received proof of a sworn friend as a bond of companionship, it also invited unnecessary misunderstandings. But I think it’s strange that I care when Percival doesn’t seem to care at all.

Even so, there is a faint hint of magic from this ring. Strangely enough, it fits perfectly on my finger, so it must be a kind of magical tool.

“……Well, the rumours were true.”

After school, when Aurora came to me with Liliana while I was practising how to spin the wand in the backyard, she said so the first time.

“Eh? What rumour?”

“It’s about the ring. I overheard that Sapphiras-sama received a ring from Percival-sama.”

“What, even Miss Aurora is talking about it? Everyone seems to be imagining things on their own, but it’s not such a great reason. I got it as a bond between friends.”　

“……Did Sapphiras-sama hear anything from Percival-sama about this proof of a sworn friend?

“No, nothing in particular……But he said I wouldn’t be underestimated if people knew where this dragon’s crest came from. Was this ring something special after all?”

“Yes, I suppose you could say it is special. Percival-sama gave it to you as a bond……but if it develops into more than a bond in the future, please be sure to inform me. It would be a great pleasure for our ducal family, which is behind you, Sapphiras-sam. Our ducal family will prepare it with all our strength!”

Miss Aurora, with her amethyst eyes shining, leans forward. Behind her, Liliana nods deeply.

Ehh? What do you mean by all the strength of the ducal family? That’s scary, isn’t it? And if you’re talking about more than a bond, I’ve already been engaged once, and I’m a half-wit who’s been kicked out of my house.

“No, as expected, that kind of thing,”

“I know you don’t think so, but do you think that someone like Percival-sama would easily hand over an item bearing the Vanderwall crest to anyone? The fact that you are wearing it is proof that the margrave approves of it, no matter what your position is.”

Aurora, who interrupted me, said fluidly. It’s true that when I went to Vanderwall, Madam Adeline and the people of the castle welcomed me, and even Kingsleigh-san, the strongest unit, got along well with me.

“It’s true that they may recognise me as a good friend.”

“Well……I’m sure Percival-sama is going to have a hard time.”

Aurora put her hand on her cheek and let out a sigh. A beautiful girl sighing can become a piece of art, but why is it said that Percival will have a hard time?

“Eh? Why is it that Percival is going to have a hard time?”

“It’s that part of Sapphiras1Idk how to put it, she’s saying that what Sapphiras just asked is exactly why Percival will have a hard time. Of course, he’s too naive .”

What do you mean by that? I have no idea what Aurora is trying to say.

“Sapphiras-san, here you are!”

While calling my name, the academy clerk rushed towards me with a flustered look, interrupting my doubts there. I looked at Aurora, wondering what was going on.

“There’s a guest here to see you, Sapphiras-sama. He is waiting for you in the salon, so please hurry over.”

A guest? Who could it be? I have no idea who it is, so I tilted my head and my feelings must have shown on my face.

“May I also be present?”

“Ye-Yes. If it’s Steinfeld-san, there should be no problem. Oh, and Mr Belisario has also been invited.”

“Is Percival invited too? That means there’s only one person I can think of.

“Is it possible that the guest is a member of the Order of Knights?”

“Yes. He is Commander of the Kingdom’s Second Order of Knights, Harvard-sama .”

I knew it. Even if it’s not, it’s probably about the forest in in the royal capital. Although I should have refused thanks. The red-haired brother is the type of knight with a strong sense of duty to come all the way to say thank you to a mere academy student.

“It’s not good to keep him waiting. For now, let’s go.”

“Right.”

Percival and Aurora are both there, and I don’t know how to refuse, so if we talk about that, I’ll have the two of them find a suitable meeting point.

When we went to the salon, there was the red-haired brother and another knight standing up to welcome us.

“Long time no see, Sapphiras-san……and the daughter of Duke Bloomfield?”

The red-haired brother seemed a little perplexed by Aurora’s appearance. He would be confused if someone he didn’t plan to meet appeared.

“It’s been a long time. Commander Harvard-sama of the Second Order of Knights. May I join you today?”

“Of course it is fine with me……”

“Sapphiras-sama is a student at the academy supported by our ducal family.”

“……Eh? Then, the student that my foolish brother caused a lot of trouble was Sapphiras-kun! I am very sorry for not noticing this! I’m really sorry for my foolish brother!”

The red-haired brother deeply bowed his head. The one who did something rude was the redhead, not Onii-san, so please don’t bow your head!

“No, no, no! He apologised properly, so it’s all right, please, just lift your head!”

“I’m really sorry. I hope my foolish brother hasn’t caused you any trouble since then?”

He was causing trouble in my class early this morning, but I’ll keep quiet about that.

When I was having such exchanges with my red-haired brother, Percival arrived in his training clothes. He must have been called by the clerk and rushed over without even having time to change his clothes.

“Excuse me. I’m Percival Belisario.”

Percival was a little surprised that Aurora was there, but as soon as he entered the room, he immediately lined up next to me.

“First of all, let’s talk calmly. Please sit down.”

When I was urged by the red-haired brother to take a seat, the other knight who was standing by made me a cup of tea. I didn’t realise that knights would  even do this. I was so impressed I couldn’t help but watch.

“Is it unusual for a knight to serve tea?”

“Eh? Ah, yes.”

“Because we go on expeditions to subjugate magical beasts. We try to do most of the things ourselves. As such, I apologise if it doesn’t suit the lady’s palate.”

Come to think of it, Percival once said something like that and made me a pot of tea. Many knights must have been nobles in their parents’ families, but they must have been confused at first.

“No. It is not only the skill in making tea that determines the taste. I am honoured to have the rare opportunity to enjoy tea brewed by a knight.”

Aurora took a sip of tea with an elegant gesture and smiled kindly towards the knight who brewed the tea.

Aurora is indeed a saintly woman. The knight who made the tea has his cheeks dyed. Who wouldn’t fall in love with such an elegant and beautiful girl?……No, there was. There was a fool called the Second Prince.

“He’s the first knight that Sapphiras-san brought back to the royal capital. He’s a good man, but if you hadn’t been there, he would have lost his life for sure, and thanks to you two, he’s still a knight today. I am truly grateful. Thank you.”

The red-haired brother and his subordinate bow their heads together.

“My name is Hugo Wood. Thank you very much for the other day. I am here to thank you as a representative, and all the members of the group are sincerely grateful to you both.

“The kingdom would be safe and sound if talented people like Belisario-san and Sapphiras-san could join the Order of Knights and the Order of Magicians.

“I’m sorry, but since we’re going to be adventurers, we won’t be able to live up to your expectations.”

I answer immediately. And Percival nodded. It’s no use trying to recruit us.

“Adventurers…….”

The red-haired brother and Hugo-san look as if they can’t believe it. Leaving me aside, it’s not normal for an aristocrat to aim to become an adventurer.

“However, Belisario-kun is from the Margrave family, right? What about the Margrave?”

“I’ve been told to do as I please.”

“The Margrave is a very understanding man.”

“That’s right, Belisario-kun has excellent brothers.”

While listening to their conversation, I reached out for the baked sweets served with the tea. This sweet has a strong milk flavour and plenty of sugar, making it quite delicious. I can’t stop my hands.

“By the way, I wonder if it might be Sapphiras-kun who hunted the magical beasts around the royal capital?”

“……Ngg2Lmfao busted again!”

I choked on the sweets I had inadvertently eaten. I didn’t expect that the story would be thrown at me, so I let my guard down. Percival handed me a cup from the side, so I downed the tea in one gulp.

I almost stopped breathing.

Rather than that, people other than Percival found out that I’ve been hunting magical beasts huh?. I thought it was a little too flashy. No way, this won’t be a hassle, right?

1Idk how to put it, she’s saying that what Sapphiras just asked is exactly why Percival will have a hard time. Of course, he’s too naive 2Lmfao busted again