Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 52

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 52   New collaborator

Glast’s house. First floor. At the back of the shop, in the living room.

I apologize to Glast, but the space there is only as spacious as an average house, and it feels cramped with just a few people.

Four people have gathered there.

By the order of Duke Balkh, the gathering of this group was initiated.

I could easily understand what was in their hearts.

In the tense atmosphere, I managed to relax my strained cheeks and opened my mouth.

“Um, well, let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Shion Ornstein. Under Duke Balkh’s orders, I’m investigating the cause and treatment of Lazy syndrome. In addition, I’m tasked with investigating and devising countermeasures for the invisible creatures that appeared ‘five days ago.'”

There was no reaction.

Three people sitting in front of me.

One with an indifferent expression, one looking stern, and one seeming uninterested.

I could somehow understand their feelings, but it left me with an indescribable sense of unease.

After a brief pause, a boy in a white shirt spoke up.

“I’m Cole. Cole Alastor. I work as an assistant under Dr. Alfonse, a physician. I was given a decree by Balkh-sama to accompany a child no one knows and find a treatment for Lazy syndrome. They told me to help with the investigation, conducted by an outsider, and moreover, just a kid. Even though the doctors all over Istria are desperately researching a disease with no treatment in sight, I’m stuck here dealing with the boy’s antics. Frankly, it’s a waste of time, but because of the Duke’s words, I have no choice but to be here. That’s all.”

He directed clear animosity and disgust towards me, the boy who had come from Dr. Alfonse’s clinic. He was about five years older than me. Perhaps due to his clean features, any distortion made his emotions seem even more pronounced. However, the change in his expression was fleeting, quickly reverting to a cold demeanor. Despite feeling a slight tremor in the atmosphere, I didn’t feel discomfort from the hostility directed at me. It was a natural reaction. The girl sitting in front of me next to him sighed and continued.

“You mentioned Cole. You are extremely rude. Regardless of the fact that the other party may be a child and that you reluctantly comply under the Duke’s orders, you should approach with loyalty. Everything has meaning. Even if you can’t produce results, there is meaning in the process.”

The girl who sighed and shrugged her shoulders, seemingly unavoidable, wore a suit of steel armor that did not match her face or physique.

While she might have thought she was covering for him, her words were demeaning towards me. Well, I don’t really care.

She’s about fifteen years old.

Not delicate, but somewhat unsettling for an adventurer, mercenary, or soldier.

She tied her golden hair behind her head, exuding an atmosphere somewhat similar to a young boy, but her chest and oddly high-pitched voice emphasized her femininity.

A slender sword at her waist, clearly not well-worn and rather unreliable.

Honestly, my sister is probably superior as a swordsman.

I’m not a swordsman, and I’m not strong enough to accurately gauge someone’s strength.

However, the aura she exudes is not that of a swordsman or knight, that much is certain.

Not that I think she’s concerned about such things.

Cole let out a small click of his tongue, but it seemed like the girl didn’t hear it.

I could see Cole’s expression, so I understood the source of the faint sound, but it seemed to be in her blind spot.

I’m grateful that we were spared unnecessary friction.

Since Cole didn’t say anything, the girl seemed to have misunderstood and graciously nodded.

It didn’t seem appropriate for a beautiful girl like her.

She continued with a confident expression.

“I am Rafina Spel!

The legitimate child of Marquis Alfred Spel, who rules the Zeppenlast Territory in the Listia Kingdom!

Rafina Spel of the 75th Royal Guards of Istria…that’s who I am!”

I don’t know her.

Who could she be?

And where is Zeppenlast?

I’ve never heard of it.

Why introduce herself by mentioning her father’s name in a self-introduction?

Nobles, I guess.

Is that how nobles do things?

There’s something that caught my attention.

I couldn’t quite hear the words that followed after “Royal Guards.”

Should I ask?

Should I not ask?

She seems so confident and composed, but part of me feels like it’s better not to ask.

“The 75th Royal Guards are said to be a useless unit assigned to menial tasks.

Moreover, you’re the ‘Captain’ in such a small unit, essentially at the bottom, right?”

“What!? What are you saying!? I am a legitimate knight!

Look at this sword! A sword bestowed upon me by His Majesty!”

With a crisp sound, the slender sword was unsheathed.

It was well-maintained, reflecting the sunlight streaming in from the window with a sparkling glint.

It might be expensive as an art piece, but I wonder about its practicality.

Whether she’s aware or not, she snorted and struck a pose.

“Don’t draw your sword indoors, Lady Knight.”

Despite the sarcastic remark, Rafina, taking the term ‘Lady Knight’ literally, sheathed her sword with a smug expression and returned to her seat.

“Hmph. Finally figured it out, huh?”

It feels like nothing but turmoil since the beginning. I sighed softly and turned my gaze to the last person in the room.

She has been reading a book ever since she arrived. The cover of the book, made of stiff leather, read ‘Practical Knowledge and Countermeasures in Monster Ecology.’

Perhaps she is well-versed in monsters. Her hair is messy, and it’s unclear whether she bothers to tidy it up. Her bangs are so long that her eyes are hidden.

She seemed unaware of our gazes, deeply immersed in her own world. She is probably a bit older than my sister, around thirteen or fourteen.

“Um, sorry to interrupt, but could you introduce yourself?”

When I spoke, the girl slightly shrugged her shoulders.

“Brigit Guite.”

Her voice was too soft. I managed to hear it somehow, but any background noise, and I wouldn’t have caught it.

Feeling a bit perplexed, I continued the conversation.

“You came here on the Duke Balkh’s orders too, huh?”

“…Yeah.”

“Are you knowledgeable about monster studies?”

“…When it comes to monsters… I know quite a bit.”

Seems like my assumption was correct. So, if Cole is well-versed in the Lzay syndrome, Rafina is here for protection and monster investigation, and Brigit is knowledgeable about monsters. Indeed, the requests made to Duke Balkh seem to have been fulfilled.

However, this… It’s a bit sloppy from the perspective of a child like me, tasked with planning strategies against the Lazy syndrome and unknown monsters. Regardless of whether they are competent or not, it’s just about personnel and environment from that perspective.

Especially, Cole and Brigit don’t seem satisfied with this job. I can understand their feelings. Except for Rafina, who is part of the squad, the rest are probably civilians. Suddenly being told to help a child the next day is not something anyone would readily accept. However, Duke Balkh rules over Istria, and there’s no one in this city who can refuse his orders. Understanding those sentiments, I accepted everything. I was initially prepared to do it alone, so having someone help is appreciated.

Anyway, the cast is assembled.

“First of all, thank you all for gathering here. Let me make it clear from the start; this mission is not a game. And there is some information and basis for it. I can’t guarantee success, but I believe there will be progress.”

“…Are you saying you can find a cure for the Lazy syndrome, something even Dr. Alfonse can’t discover?”

From Cole’s reaction, it was clear he held both frustration and deep respect for Dr. Alfonse. For him, Dr. Alfonse seemed to be a highly esteemed figure. However, at the moment, I couldn’t grasp the nuances of such emotions.

“I believe I can at least provide some assistance. The research on Lazy syndrome is far from advanced. The cause is unknown, and the number of patients keeps increasing. Yet, physicians are unable to find any clues for its treatment.”

“Are you mocking doctors…?!”

“No, that’s not it. I’m not well-versed in medicine; I’m just an amateur. If the doctors throughout Istria can’t identify the cause, I don’t think anyone, from a medical standpoint, can find a cure for Lazy syndrome. Naturally, that includes me. I’m not even close to the level of specialists. That’s why we need to approach it from a different angle.”

“Different? Tch! Don’t tell me you’re planning to try some kind of occult methods? If that’s the case, count me out. I won’t waste my time on foolish beliefs and useless rituals.”

Ritualistic treatments, using prayers or curses without any scientific basis – basically, occult methods.

“No, it’s not like that. What I want to try isn’t something uncertain. It’s something that exists, and something only I can do.”

I equipped the Raika and activated Flare by waving my right hand. The three of them, including Brigit, who was looking at a book, shared expressions of astonishment as they witnessed the blue flames appearing in front of me. Eventually, the flames disappeared, and silence fell.

“W-What was that just now? What happened?”

“T-That flame appeared suddenly, didn’t it!?”

“…Mysterious.”

“That was magic. A technique I developed – that’s what magic is. By releasing the internal power called magic, I amplify and sustain the phenomenon, allowing it to manifest. I can create not only fire, like just now, but also lightning, water, and wind. It’s more like combining them accurately than creating them.”

Rafina, who hadn’t yet regained her composure, was nervously shifting her gaze. Brigit, too, was just blinking rapidly. Among the three, only Cole, who seemed to have regained his composure, frowned.

“Was that just… magic? Regardless, how does it relate to treating Lazy syndrome?”

“Magic, as I mentioned, utilizes magical power. It’s a force residing in the body and mind. So, using it excessively makes you extremely tired, unwilling to do anything, and eventually unable to move. Doesn’t that sound similar to the symptoms of something?”

“Lazy syndrome…”

“Yeah, I’ve experienced similar symptoms many times, so I’m sure. And I can see the magical power of people who possess it, like me. Occasionally, there are people with magical aptitude like mine. My sister was one of them, and she could use a bit of magic. She suddenly collapsed and developed Lazy syndrome five days ago. I think Cole is aware of that.”

Cole nodded slowly without making eye contact. Perhaps because he’s on the path to becoming a doctor, his actions and words reflect concern for the patients, likely including my sister.

“When my sister contracted Lazy syndrome, her magical power disappeared, or more precisely, I couldn’t see it. It was the same symptom as when magical power is depleted.”

“Are you trying to say there’s a commonality? When magical power is depleted, a situation similar to that occurs. So, if the magical power returns to the body, Lazy syndrome is cured?”

“Exactly. Normally, magical power recovers with rest, but Lazy syndrome patients seem to be in a state where they can’t do that. I suspect that might be the true nature of Lazy syndrome. In reality, only people in the age group likely to possess magical power seemed to be affected by Lazy syndrome.”

Upon saying this, Cole lowered his gaze, deepening the wrinkles on his forehead. He seemed to be contemplating and harboring some emotion, the depth of which I couldn’t discern. Cole sighed conspicuously and shrugged his shoulders.

“So, is there a way to prove that? We know there’s this magic thing, but it’s an entirely different matter to assert that this magic is deeply connected to Lazy syndrome. Is there a way to prove that magical power’s existence is related to Lazy Syndrome?”

Dismissive words, but his eyes were subtly wavering. Ah, I see. He has his pride too. Even if what I’m saying is correct, it wouldn’t be easily accepted. The more serious one is, the more sacrifices and efforts have been made, the harder it is to yield. This might be magic to me and medicine to him. I didn’t acquire this power to gain recognition from someone. It was simply for fun, because I liked it. But now, following my sister’s words, I’m exerting myself to help someone. That’s all there is to it, and I have no attachment beyond that.

“There is. I think I can show you later. Whether you believe it or not is up to you, Cole.”

“Well, whatever. I can’t just quit right away, and it’s also the doctor’s orders.”

Perhaps he came reluctantly, not so much because of Duke Balkh’s instructions but rather due to Dr. Alfonse’s guidance. As I pondered this, I could only respond with a wry smile. Rafina didn’t interject or comment while we were talking, as if she might not be fully aware of the situation. That’s what it feels like. Realizing I was staring at her, Rafina looked startled, then adopted a pose with crossed arms and a slightly arched back. Perhaps intended as a dignified gesture, but it was too late for that. Meanwhile, Brigit, who had quietly folded her book, slowly raised her hand.

“Um, any questions?”

Brigit, who nodded with a slight bow, trembled her small lips.

“I was called… for the investigation of invisible monsters…? Not related to Lazy syndrome?”

“Directly, it’s not related to Lazy syndrome. But it’s not entirely unrelated either. First, I mentioned earlier that some people have magical power, right? Well, all monsters actually have magical power. They can’t use magic, it seems, but that’s just within my knowledge. There might be monsters in the world who can use magic, I don’t know.”

Brigit shook her head, her face causing her untidy hair to sway from side to side.

“There aren’t… Monsters that can use such power… don’t exist.”

“I see. I thought so, but it’s good to know. I wanted information about monsters for another reason. In the process of treating Lazy syndrome, I want to explore ways to supply magical power. Magical power is dangerous; it can kill the target just by the magical power itself. When I used it on monsters a few times, it reacted to the magical power the monsters had, purifying them. To treat Lazy syndrome, I probably need to supply magical power and fill the patient’s internal magical power. To investigate that method, I have to conduct experiments by flowing magical power to someone who possesses it. We need to know how they react and how they change. It’s better to have an expert for that. Also, regarding the new nocturnal monster, the wraith.”

“Ah, have you seen that wraith?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. I saw it.”

With that said, suddenly Brigit leaned forward, sprawling on the table with her belly up.

In that position, she reached out to me.

Horror. It was scary. Very scary.

The way she approached with her long hair disheveled induced fear.

“Re-really!? What kind of shape did it have? When and where did you see it!?”

“C-Calm down! I encountered that monster at night before. I managed to repel it at that time, but now I’m in the process of developing countermeasures. I don’t know when it might come to the town, so my father reported it to the duke in advance, saying that lightning lanterns are effective. Anyway, I called you, who knows about monsters, for the countermeasure!”

“I-I see, hehe… Looking forward to it… the new monster… so exciting!”

She seemed happy and laughed, but from an outsider’s perspective, it was a scene that stirred fear.

She seemed to be a girl who loved monsters.

I’ll be careful when talking about monsters in front of her.

“So, that’s why Rafina was called to deal with monsters, I guess.”

“Oh, really! I see! Against monsters! Very well! Despite appearances, I have a record of taking down several orcs! Feel free to consider this a grand adventure, Shion-sama!”

She’s acting all high and mighty, but I can’t help but feel uneasy. Is she going to be alright?

“Y-yeah. Also, you don’t need to use that ‘sama’ title. You can just call me by my name.”

“Hmm, true. Showing too much respect to a kid without a title might be an issue. Very well! During this mission, you may address me as Rafina!”

“I-I’ll do that. Haha…”

One person looks dissatisfied, one person laughs loudly, and another mutters to themselves. Is everything going to be okay? Probably, hopefully. I have to believe that. With a dry laugh, that’s all I can do.