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

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Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

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

Bruno Kingsleigh, Commander of the Kingsleigh unit

 

“This is the Vanderwall Abyss……”

I’ve been on many adventures in my previous life, but this is the first time I’ve seen an abyss this big.

The pitch black hole in the abyss is about the size of a small pond. Something like this was hidden in the depths of Vanderwall’s forest of magical beasts huh?

When I tried to get closer and look into the hole, Percival pulled my arm to stop me.

“The abyss has no bottom. It is dangerous and you should stay away.”

“It’s ok. I have magic if it comes down to it. Besides, we won’t know what’s going on until we get closer, right?”

“……It’s exactly as Sapphiras-dono said. We can’t tell anything by just looking at it here. Now that the outbreak of magical beasts has subsided, it should be possible to take a peek.”

With Kingsleigh-san’s support, Percival reluctantly agreed to look into the abyss. The area around the abyss is very rough because it has been trampled by a large number of magical beasts. Of course, the bottom of the hole, which we peered into while watching our step, couldn’t be seen. There was nothing but pitch-darkness, and at first glance I could not find anything unusual.

“I can’t see anything unusual.”

A cold wind was blowing up from the bottom of the hole, making a sound like the roar of a beast. The hole is intriguing, but I can’t bring myself to go in. It’s full of bad vibes and makes me feel bad. If it’s like this outside the hole, it must be even worse inside.

In the first place, the abyss is a place where magical beasts spawn, but it is impossible for that many magical beasts to overflow all at once. There must be something that triggered it. And it could have something to do with the outbreak of magical beasts in the royal capital.

“Sapphiras, get back. The magical beasts are coming up.”

Percival and Kingsleigh-san readied their swords. A number of black masses crawl up from the darkness. The masses gradually took on the form of beasts, their eyes glowing brightly. The moment my eyes met one of them, I reflexively let out flames.

Blue flames burned the abyss and a fierce hot wind blew up, so I used barrier magic to protect myself from the heat. Hot flames swirl and descend toward the bottom of the hole.

After I was relieved that I had wiped them out, I was taken aback. If I burn it, it would burn away any trace of the anomaly that might have remained. I panicked and peered into the hole. The hole was still hot from the flames, and the air was thick with a thin plumes of smoke. I don’t know how deep it burned, but the black mass is completely gone and there is just darkness.

“……Sorry, I accidentally burned it.”

When my eyes met those of the would-be magical beasts, I felt an incomprehensible fear. Magical beasts are creatures that humans instinctively dislike.

“No, don’t worry about it.”

“……Sapphiras.”

Kingsleigh-san has a serious expression on his face.

“Wa-was it bad to burn it after all?”

“No, it’s not that. Sapphiras-dono’s power, wouldn’t it be better not to use it in public?”

“Eh? Why is that?”

“Sapphiras-dono’s magical power that is beyond common sense, anyone who desires power will want to obtain it by any means necessary. The evil one’s intentions may put Sapphiras-dono in danger.”

Kingsleigh looks tough, but he’s a really good person. He’s a military man, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he wants to borrow my power. There were a lot of people like that in my previous life. Of course, I didn’t lend power to those who would say selfish things.

“……Kingsleigh-san, thank you for your concern. But it’s okay. I won’t let anyone use my magic except by my own will. Besides, it’s frustrating that I have to put up with someone who’s trying to abuse magic.”

“No, but……Percival-sama, is it alright? Sapphiras-dono’s power is not limited to just being good at magic. If things go wrong, you might even be able to rewrite the map of the continent. If Sapphiras-dono, who easily manipulates extreme magic, is watched by a country plotting war, even the Duke of Bloomfield may not be able to protect Sapphiras-dono.”

Maybe it’s because I’m still a minor, but Kingsleigh-san is a worrier.

I wouldn’t be sure if I was an average magician, but I don’t need that kind of concern. It’s an anachronistic magic tool, but the collar of slavery, which is the standard for sealing magicians, doesn’t work, and I don’t need to chant to use magic, so even if my voice is stolen, there’s no problem at all. I can release as much extreme magic as I want because I never run out of magic power, and if it comes to an emergency, I can quickly escape by transferring. If someone tries to use me, he or she will have to be prepared to do so. I would never do anything against my own righteousness.

“Certainly, someone with bad intentions may plot to take advantage of Sapphiras. But if he is in danger, I will protect him at all costs.”

That’s a manly thing to say. I’ll do my best to protect Percival, too. Kingsleigh-san looked at me and Percival alternately, and he suddenly stopped his gaze on my left hand.

“……I see, I understand. Sapphiras-dono is the benefactor of Vanderwall. When the time comes, I will do everything in my power to help you.”

“Oh no, you two! Don’t worry about me, I’m absolutely fine!”

I pat Kingsleigh-san on the back. I’m usually the one who gets slapped, but I’m the one who made the first move. But Mr. Kingsleigh-san didn’t budge from being hit by me, and I sighed in amazement.

“You seem to be completely unaware of this, Sapphiras-dono, but you should know that your rare appearance can also be a source of danger. A good-looking magician is the best accessory for some people. Many have been unfortunate because of the blessing they were born with. It is this conceit of being okay that brings danger to oneself.”

“What Kingsleigh-san says is certainly true. The magic of Sapphiras is undoubtedly first class, but he is a little too defenceless. I think it can’t be helped if it’s taken as complacent.”

“Uuu……”

I may have been in danger a few times before, but I’ve always been safe. I’m not complacent. Besides, it’s not that I wasn’t aware of my appearance. I just forgot…….

“I-I’ll be careful…….”

The three of us then looked around the abyss, but in the end we didn’t find anything that could be connected to the anomaly. More than anything else, it’s because I set the abyss on fire……

I think the flames have burned quite deep into the abyss. I don’t think any magical beasts will appear for a while.

Even though I went to the third layer of the abyss, I returned to the forest entrance without any harvest, mainly due to my fault, and gave priority to the injured soldiers to transfer them back to the castle.

Both Percival and Kingsleigh-san were worried about my magical power, but there was no need to worry about that. After Kingsleigh-san’s troops withdrew from the forest of magical beasts, I went to see the mountains of magical beasts that had been gathered by the tornado. There were three big mountains, just like a marketplace of magical beasts.

“With this many magical beasts, we should be able to get some pretty good materials, don’t you think?”

“Ah, that’s right. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be busy processing these and restoring the city.”

“I’ll do my best too!”

“No, Sapphiras, you should go back to the academy now. You’ve used your powers enough for Vanderwall. We can’t rely on Sapphiras any longer.”

“Eh? I have no intention of going home. When I go back to the academy, it’ll be with Percival. Besides, I think it would be useful for you to have me around. I’ll do whatever I can, so don’t hesitate to use me.”

“……We owe Sapphiras more than we can ever repay.”

Percival is so serious. Even I don’t know when to rely on Percival. We’re friends, so it’s a mutual relationship.

“Percival, I’m in this because I want to be. I’m not going to do anything I don’t want to do.”

It’s just magical beasts. There may be some rare magical beasts inside. Besides, I might even acquire the skills to deal with magical beasts more skilfully. After all, all I know is a procedure from 150 years ago.

It can’t be helped because my guts as an adventurer are complaining that it would be more interesting to help deal with the aftermath of the magical beast outbreak in Vanderwall than to study at the Academy.

I have a principle of obediently following my own desires.