Chapter 4 – Single Aristocrat Has Future Promise

　Eight years have passed since I was reborn in another world as a baby.

　The me who could not even walk, has now grown up to be a splendid eight-year-old boy.

　I have blue hair and emerald eyes. It looks like I take after my mother

　Reincarnated into the Louren family, a family that has been making magical tools for generations, and nobility.

　My ancestors were magic tool specialists and they seem to have been given titles in recognition of their achievements for the magic tools they created.

　It’s way too lucky to be reborn into a family of magic tool makers, so this must be also a blessing by the power of the Solitary God.

　I’d thought that I would have to start gradually studying from childhood and learn from someone after a certain age, so I was very happy about this benefit. 

　The mansion is filled with various magical tools and materials for making them.

　Most importantly, it’s huge that both my father and mother are magic tool specialists.

　They were quick to teach me anything related to magic tools, so I was able to learn about making them from a young age.

　As someone who aspires to become a magic tool specialist in the future, this blessing might be the one I’m most happy about. 

“Zirc, what are you up to?”

　The one who came into the living room was my father, Lesta, with his chestnut hair and black-rimmed glasses.

　Zirc is my name. Zirc Louren. That was my name in my second life.

　The language of this world was obviously not Japanese so I was troubled, but as might be expected, after living here for eight years, I was able to master it.

“‘I’m drawing plans for a new magic tool.”

“Heh, what kind of thing is it?”

“It’s called a refrigerator, I want to make it so that food can be stored for a long time by releasing cold air inside the box.”

　In this world, I don’t have the conveniences I had in my previous life. That’s why I’m aiming to recreate them with magic tools. 

　Right now, looking ahead to the future, I’m trying to build a refrigerator, and I’m drawing on my own knowledge to recreate it. 

　The current season is summer. In this world, food is generally preserved only by methods of salting or drying.

　That would mean that in a climate like this, you cannot eat food directly fresh.

　Eating is one of the major pleasures in my life, so I wanted to develop this first, rather than air conditioners or fans.

“……This.”

　My father had the kind face of a parent, but his eyes gradually turned serious as he looked over my blueprints.

“What’s wrong, Lesta?”

　While Lesta was looking at the plans with his eyes wide like saucers, a woman with the same hair colour as mine came in.

　Mira Louren. My mother in this life, and like Lesta, she is also a magic tool specialist.

“Magic tool plans that Zirc thought of. Take a look.”

　While being surprised by Lesta’s expression, Mila leaned in close and looked at my blueprints.

　Then, not only Lesta, but even Mira’s eyes lit up.

“……It might be better to make the box a bit thicker in order to better isolate it from heat, besides that, I’m worried about how much cooling power can be extracted from the ice magic stone and how long it’ll last with this magic circuit.” 

　I see, as expected of the professional magic tool specialist, she points out things that I wouldn’t notice.

　It looks like without the kind of suitable materials from my previous life, it’ll be difficult to make it compact with the materials here. 

“I think that since cold air tends to sink, it wouldn’t be a problem even if it didn’t produce very cold air.”

“Ah, so that’s why the ice magic stone is inserted in the upper area.”

“But you also want to be able to freeze ingredients, so you might want to increase the efficiency and strength of the magic circuit.”

“If that’s so, we might be able to do that by splitting the ice magic stone into two and putting the magic circuits in series?”

“But that would consume a lot of ice magic stones. Let’s review the circuit first.”

　Talking about making magic tools, my parents were having a heated conversation without me.

　There were some parts I haven’t learnt, so I was a little annoyed that I couldn’t keep up.

“There are still some parts that need to be worked out, but it can stand by itself admirably as a magic tool. Moreover, this magic tool will definitely sell. Did Zirc really draw these plans?”

“Yeah.”

　When I answered so and Lesta also nodded firmly, Mira’s eyes opened in disbelief.

　But soon after that, she gave me a big smile and hugged me.

“Zirc is a genius! He’s only eight years old, but he can already invent such amazing magic tools!”

“It’s really unbelievable. With Zirc, the Louren family is set.”

　Not just Mira, but even Lesta hugged me. 

　It’s summer so it gets a little stuffy when two people hug me, but since they are happy for me, I can’t refuse them.’

　I resigned myself to Mira and Lesta’s continuous praise until their excitement subsided.

　◆

　After showing my parents the plans for the refrigerator, the two of them had been contacting various places to gather the materials required.

　As for me, as an assignment from my parents, I was thinking about how to improve the efficiency of the refrigerator.

　Of course, my parents who are both active magic tool specialists already have the right answer for how it could be optimised, but they said that this wouldn’t help me grow, so they wanted me to come up with my own solution. 

　My parents are so strict that I can cry, but it’s part of accumulating experience as a mage tool specialist, so I’m energetically setting out to work on it. 

　Being involved in the development of magic tools from a young age will lead to results in the future. To be able to stand with pride at that time, I need to acquire the appropriate skills.

　For leading an elegant life as a single person, I need to be independent.

　That is why, with the book on efficiency given to me by my parents in one hand, I’m working on reviewing the plans and magic circuits.

“Big brother, let’s play!”

　However, there was an existence that interfered with my determination to work.

　I was sitting on a chair, working, and he was tugging at my sleeve.

　But having no time for that, I ignored it.

“Big brother Zirc!

“Oi, stop it. You’ll tear my clothes.”

　However, the other person, perhaps getting fed up, began to pull harder on my hem.

　When I turned around, I saw a girl with chestnut hair tied in twin-tails and a quiet-looking boy with blue hair.

　The girl is Ilya Louren. The boy is Alto Louren.

　They are my younger sister and brother in this life, and they are the ones who are cutting into my studying time that I need to lead my elegant single life.

“But, big brother won’t play with me!”

“I’m busy improving my magic tool. Ilya and Alto, you two can play by yourselves, right?” 

“Don’t wanna! I want big brother too! Play!”

　As I said that and was about to go back to work, Ilya tugged even harder at my sleeve.

　Alto, my younger brother, does not appeal directly to me like Ilya does, but he comes right next to me and stares at me intently.

　There’s nothing more annoying than this.

　Seriously, even though I’ve explained the reason why I can’t be with them, why can’t they understand? 

　This is why children are so troublesome.

“Ilya, what’s the matter?”

　As you’d think, with such a commotion, other people will get concerned

　Mira came to check on my room.

“Big brother won’t play!

“Ilya keeps interrupting my work on the improvements.”

“Big brother’s always like that! When Iyla asks him to play, he runs away and says it’s cause he’s too busy reading or doing his sword! Big brother hates Ilya! Uwaaah!”

　To think my sister would start crying while complaining. 

　There was no logical argument there at all, she’s just venting her emotions.

　And Alto next to her. Don’t just randomly imitate Ilya’s crying for no reason. You’ll probably end up crying too.”

“……Zirc, play with Ilya and Alto once in a while.”

　To become a magic tool specialist and live an elegant single’s life, there is non time to waste. 

　Rather than playing with Ilya and Alto, it’s much more meaningful to think about improving the refrigerator.

“Yeah?”

　I guess she understands my disatisfaction.

　Mira bends down and makes eye contact with me.

　Her serious eyes were filled with genuine hope for my growth as an older brother.

　Under these circumstances, I can’t even think straight.

　And if I go so far as to offend my mother, it’ll be more troublesome than with Ilya and Alto.

“Understood.”

“Thank you, Zirc.”

　When I nodded my head, Mira patted me on the head.

“I don’t hate Ilya. So don’t cry.”

“Ugh, hic…… really?”

“Really.”

“Eheheh.”

　As I declared firmly, Ilya laughed even though her eyes were red. 

　Like this, at least for now it looks like she’s stopped crying.

“Hey, we’re playing now, right? What do you want to do today?” 

“Um, Ilya wants to play tag!” 

“I want to play hide-and-seek.”

“Got it.”

　I nodded obediently to the words of my sister and brother, who said so as we held hands.

　Haa…… it’s hard not being able to do what you want when you want.

　Having lived as I pleased for many years in my past life, I feel this even more strongly.

　After all, living with someone is not for me.

　I need to quickly become a full-fledged magic tool specialist and enjoy the life of a single person.

　◆

“Did Ilya and Alto get a chance to play with Zirc?”

“Yes, he looked a little unhappy, but Zirc gave in.”

“Zirc is so mature that it’s hard to believe he’s eight years old. He’s doing well in his studies, and his swordsmanship training is also going well.”

“Not only that, he has already finished with the basics of being a magic tool specialist, and he is already working on practical application.” 

“Saying this might make me sound like a foolishly doting parent, but just like Mira, Zirc is also good looking. Zirc will probably be very popular in the future.”

“Yes, I have no doubt that when he grows up, he will get a beautiful bride and succeed the Louren family.”