Chapter 66

I followed the servant into the expansive manor.

On the way, I encountered several people who appeared to be maids.

‘The Nation’s Strategist must surely hold a high position.’

I began to truly grasp Jinoru’s standing anew. Back in the days when he was effectively the strategist for the Lunarien Army, he sometimes slept wrapped in a single blanket in an old house.

Lost in reminiscence, I soon arrived at my destination.

“This way.”

Upon entering the room, I saw Jinoru sitting regally, dressed in fine attire.

“Swoen. You’ve arrived right on time.”

“Lord Jinoru.”

“The formalities are good. Sit down first.”

After taking a seat, I cautiously asked,

“So, this Mage I’m supposed to teach…?”

“My adopted daughter, Reika. She’s in her room now. As I mentioned, she’s a talented child.”

“I see… so it’s the young lady.”

Though I already knew this since I’d met Reika earlier, I still acted as if hearing it for the first time.

“You’ll go to her room and start your lecture on detecting the floating power in the air. I’ve already informed her that her teacher will arrive today, so there’s no need to worry.”

Jinoru then told me the location of her room.

“Understood. Is there anything else I should know?”

“Not really… but she’s a bit shy, so understanding that would be helpful.”

“That’s fine. I also feel like that when meeting new people.”

“You’ll likely take back those words after meeting her.”

“Is that so?”

While I said this half-jokingly, Jinoru looked extraordinarily serious.

It was too early to make assumptions, but does he have almost no human affection for his adopted daughter?

“I’d appreciate it if you could help her abilities bloom.”

“As I mentioned before, I don’t know how much help I can be… or even if I can help at all. Is that alright with you?”

“It’s fine. Just convey what you feel. And as I said earlier, even if it doesn’t directly help, the experiences of a man who performs miracles will serve as a kind of learning for her. There’s no need to feel too pressured.”

“If you say so…”

“Then, I have somewhere to be, so I’ll take my leave. Swoen, I have one request.”

Jinoru spoke with utmost seriousness.

“While inside this mansion, you’re free to go anywhere, but please refrain from taking her outside.”

“Why is that?”

“…I can’t explain it in detail. Please understand.”

Adoptive fathers restricting their daughters’ freedom is a common stereotype, but his tone felt different.

As if… he feared his plans might unravel.

“Understood.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

After Jinoru left the room,

‘I should head over too.’

After passing some time, I made my way to Reika’s room.

*

“Is this the right place?”

Despite the vastness of the mansion, I managed to find the correct room. I lightly knocked on the door.

“D-d-d… Come i-in!”

This voice. I’ve heard it before. Indeed, Jinoru’s adopted daughter was Reika.

The moment I opened the door,

PENG!!!

A loud noise rang out in my ears.

“What… What is this?”

And before my eyes—

A woman with long pink hair tied in two braids looked at me, trembling and speaking in a quivering voice.

“W-w-welcome! Are y-y-you the o-one who w-will be t-teaching m-me? T-t-that’s r-right…? M-my n-name i-is… R-r-rei-ka…”

“…”

Delicious-looking cake sat atop the table. The woman in front of me seemed unusually nervous.

“…Da…”

After shaking nervously and finishing her prepared speech, upon seeing my face, she let out a short sigh.

“…Ah.”

And immediately apologized.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… Sorry for sneaking out… So you’ve come to retrieve me… I deeply apologize…”

“Ahh, wait… just a moment… just a moment.”

I sighed deeply. No matter how many hours I played games controlling her,

I realized there were things about her I could never fully understand.

* * *

After calming down somewhat,

“So… You didn’t come to retrieve me, but you’re here to teach me…?”

“Yes. At Lord Jinoru’s request, I’ve come to give lectures.”

“Then… h-have you not yet s-said… th-those w-words…?”

Reika spoke while sweating profusely, clearly afraid.

I noticed when she apologized for sneaking out, but it seems leaving the mansion causes various complications.

She had been wearing a veil tightly wrapped around her when we met outside.

I smiled kindly and said,

“I’ll keep last time a secret. There’s no need to worry too much.”

“N-net?! Ah, thank you…”

And again, the conversation ended.

‘Shy indeed. Definitely different from ordinary people.’

I calmly observed Reika in front of me.

So this is what the real Reika is like.

Her long pink hair was tied in two braids at the ends, giving her an incredibly cute impression.

Her trembling irises were a slightly lighter shade of pink than her hair.

Her white short-sleeved dress was rather revealing, accentuating her curvaceous figure.

Judging by what I saw when she went outside, she usually wears an outer garment, so this isn’t an issue.

In this world, she became Jinoru’s adopted daughter.

Somehow, Jinoru recognized her potential—the qualities of the strongest mage.

Though I don’t know why she isn’t allowed to leave the mansion, considering she secretly goes out, it seems Jinoru isn’t treating her well.

‘To get closer, I should tackle that aspect.’

There’s no need to rush.

For now, let’s start by making her realize ‘I am someone who can give you what you want.’

Before that, there’s something I want to ask.

I casually picked up the cake and said,

“Can I ask one question?”

“Net?! Yes! Yes! Ask anything!”

She replied with a red face, flustered.

Cute in her own quirky way.

“When I came in, there was a loud ‘Peng!’ sound. What was that?”

“Oh… That’s…”

She nodded and began explaining to me.

From her tone, it was clear she was excited about it.

“It’s gathering floating air and bursting it. Other than creating a big sound when the gathered air bursts, it doesn’t have any other abilities, but I thought it might liven up the atmosphere when welcoming someone new…”

Hoo.

This girl has conceived the concept of ‘fireworks’ in a fantasy world and actually created something similar.

Though she seems a bit scatterbrained, she definitely has extraordinary talents befitting the world’s strongest mage.

“I see…”

After saying that, I cut a piece of cake and ate it.

Hmm?

It’s much tastier than expected.

“Do you think this is delicious?”

“Ah, is it…?”

Reika’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.

Could it be…

“Did you make this yourself?”

“Net?! Ah… Me… Net…! When I heard the teacher was coming… Hehe.”

“It’s extremely delicious.”

“Is that so? That’s fortunate…”

She smiled bashfully.

Even if she just made bread, she could live happily ever after. But because of her talent, she’s confined here.

Of course, as an orphan, being in a safe place where meals are provided three times a day might be enough satisfaction, but for some reason, I feel a little sympathy for her.

To change the mood, I spoke up.

“Ah, right. Do you have anything else you can show me?”

“Like what? Other pastries or cakes—”

“No, no. Those are very much anticipated, but now it’s magic’s turn.”

“Ah… I’m sorry. Me too… understood.”

She nodded awkwardly a few times, took a deep breath, and extended her pristine white hands in front of me.

Then,

“Ooh.”

A small fireball appeared above her hand.

The flame moved freely above her hand, emitting a luminous glow.

However,

“Huff…”

Less than three minutes later, the fireball disappeared.

Clearly exhausted, she looked at me while panting.

“At this moment, this is my limit…”

‘So this is her current limit.’

I feigned surprise.

“Unbelievable… Not only the sound of the air bursting earlier, but magic itself is indeed a real ability.”

“?…”

She looked at me with a puzzled expression.

The teacher who came to teach her was surprised by her mere abilities—it was understandable.

But she shouldn’t perceive me as a liar.

With an embarrassed expression, I said,

“Thus… As I mentioned to your father, I’m not a mage. However, I faintly sense that there’s something other than air existing on this land.”

“You mean… mana?”

“That’s what it’s called, huh?”

I said with a crafty smile.

“Detecting that force… and concentrating leads to an odd sensation, as if communicating with some absolute ruler watching us from the sky. Your father believed my ability to handle this sensation could help you.”

“Is that so…?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“…”

She bowed her head, seemingly disappointed.

Apparently, she expected to learn from another mage.

I instinctively sensed this was a critical moment.

“Miss Reika… May I ask you a question?”

“Question… you mean?”

“As a mage, do you have a purpose for your practice?”

“Purpose…”

She paused for a moment, then carefully responded.

Strangely calm, unlike her usual trembling self.

“…Father said… This power of mine is the power to bring peace to this continent.”

“Is that all you seek?”

“…?”

“Therefore… This is merely my assumption… But don’t you desire freedom?”

When she heard that, she gasped.

“How did you…?”

Well, considering she sneaked out wearing a veil, it wasn’t hard to guess.

She seemed to yearn for freedom.

Perhaps during that day, she sneaked out without Jinoru knowing, and that’s how she met me and Iren.

At least, in the near future.

In a few years, she will awaken to the power of the first mage.

There’s no immediate need for practice. All she needs is time.

But from Jinoru’s perspective, he might feel urgent. Aishias Army might not withstand Brance Army’s offensive forever.

Even if it’s not Brance Army, if the balance in the south breaks and an absolute ruler appears, or if Serpina Army finally advances into the central region—there are countless scenarios where Aishias Army could fall.

Naturally, he wants her powers to develop as quickly as possible.

My arrival in Aishias Army, wielding abilities akin to magic, must have felt like a windfall to him.

This was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.

If I spend time here meditating or doing strange practices with her,

She will naturally grow stronger with the passage of time.

Though she will inevitably become stronger over time, others will perceive it as her improving due to my training methods.

If her abilities improve, my influence will naturally grow, and perhaps I’ll get the chance to take her out.

Giving her what she desires—freedom—is what I need to do.

“Though I’m not a mage, I don’t know how much help I can be… but starting today, I’d like to conduct the meditation I used to better detect this ‘mana’ with Miss Reika.”

“Better detecting mana… you mean?”

“Being able to detect more of the flowing mana in the air, and enhancing the ability to handle it.”

“Much more… accurately…”

She seemed to grasp something from my words, nodding her head.

Though I just made it up on the spot.

“Wouldn’t that make you an excellent mage faster?”

“…!”

She finally seemed to understand the meaning of my words.

Becoming an excellent mage faster means obtaining freedom sooner.

If she shows enthusiasm, it’s perfect for me.

“The practice will begin precisely next week.”

Upon hearing my words, she tilted her head and asked,

“Eh? Isn’t it starting today…?”

“The energy flowing through the land isn’t good these few days. If you practice manipulating mana now, you might get consumed by it. It happened to me before.”

“Is that so…?”

She looked at me as if wondering what nonsense I was spouting.

Of course. I don’t even know what I’m saying myself.

Still, with a shameless grin plastered on my face, I continued seriously,

“Yes. Also, I’d like to organize a curriculum. I’ll prepare well over the next week. I’ll definitely bring a rich timetable to advance Miss Reika’s abilities.”

“A, net…! Thank you very much…! Umm…”

“You can call me Swoen.”

“S-Swoen-sama…! Thank you very much!”

That’s how Reika and I officially met for the first time.

*

After Swoen left,

Reika sighed deeply and leaned back on the sofa.

“Who would’ve thought… The handsome man who saved me back then would be my teacher.”

Though I knew he belonged to the Aishias Army, I never imagined meeting him again.

Therefore, when we first met, I thought he had already told my adoptive father, Jinoru, about my outing.

The probability of encountering someone who reports my mischief is higher than finding someone who can read mana on this continent.

But,

“He said he wouldn’t tell Father.”

Moreover, he instantly guessed that I desired freedom.

Actually, there was something even more delightful—

He enjoyed the cake I made immensely.

Though I’m quite shy and hadn’t interacted with men even during my street life, having a male teacher worried me a bit.

But somehow, I felt I could get along well with him.

“…I want to master this mana power as soon as possible.”

Father Jinoru once said, “Those who handle mana must avoid contact with their surroundings as much as possible.”

Thanks to that, I became a bird in a cage, spending a long time alone practicing magic at home.

Although I felt my abilities gradually improving, the speed was unbearably slow.

Once I reach the level where I can freely manipulate mana, Father promised me freedom.

Now that I have a teacher, maybe that day will come sooner.

Thinking about reclaiming my freedom makes my heart race with excitement.

“Swoen-sama, please take care of me.”

Though she was quite pessimistic about the future before,

Right now, she was more optimistic than anyone else.