Vol 1 Chapter 3 – The Nature of the Work

Make her give up on enrolling in the Royal Academy.

I get the reverse. I’ve taken on requests like that several times before, and they all successfully passed. But I’ve never made anyone give up. Obviously.

“What do you mean, she has no talent for magic?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. Tina, at her age, can’t even activate simple basic magic. She does possess magical power itself—more so than even I or my eldest daughter. We’ve had many famous mages investigate the cause… but we just don’t know.”

“The Royal Academy presupposes that students possess magical talent, but in recent years, they’ve permitted enrollment if one has remarkable talent in other fields. That includes potential talent as well, however.”

“Though she’s my own daughter, Tina excels in her studies and is a very kind child. However, no matter how vast her magical power may be, that place isn’t lenient enough to admit someone when it’s uncertain when they’ll ever be able to use it. Especially since you and your peers, they’ve become wary of unconventional individuals.”

“…”

The Royal Academy is renowned as the kingdom’s most prestigious institution. Naturally, the people who gather there are, in a word, brilliant. Students there spend three years diligently studying academics, magic, and swordsmanship, among other things.

However, a few years ago, a disturbance occurred at that prestigious academy.

Two students ended up graduating in a mere year.

Moreover, one of them, despite being unable to use magic properly before enrollment, had grown into one of the kingdom’s foremost mages by graduation.

…Well, actually, that was Lidia, the willful eldest daughter of Duke Linster—my pain-in-the-neck associate. She’s the only unconventional one. I just got dragged into it.

“I, too, have heard stories of Lady Lidia. But in her case, she only became able to use magic properly after enrolling, if I recall correctly. And what’s more, she supposedly got through the entrance exam relying almost entirely on swordsmanship.”

“That’s true. Indeed, she only became able to use magic after enrolling—to be precise, after she met me. Her swordsmanship was top-notch from the very beginning, though.”

“Nevertheless, I hear she could use basic magic. But Tina…”

Lidia is fundamentally not good with details, and I think the reason she couldn’t use magic was also partly due to issues with the teaching methods of the instructors she had before enrolling.

She originally had incredible aptitude; I remember her happily using advanced magic the day after I taught her the knack. I was utterly flabbergasted back then.

Even so, she could use some basic magic, like lighting a candle.

The Duke’s daughter… she has magical power, yet can’t use magic. This might be a tough nut to crack.

“Tina is a child with a strong sense of responsibility. Having been born into our family, she believes it’s only natural for her to enroll in the Royal Academy to fulfill her duties. But I… I wouldn’t mind if she chose a different path.”

“And by that, you mean?”

“It would be quicker to show you. Come with me.”

With those words, the Duke headed for the door. I hurriedly followed him.

He didn’t take me to the main residence of the estate, but to an annex.

As I get closer, I started to sweat. It’s hot. This is—

“A greenhouse? There’s nothing this large-scale even in the Royal Capital.”

“You’re well-studied. It seems the rumors that you’re knowledgeable in areas beyond magic are true.”

“Lady Tina did this?”

“That’s right. That child has been interested in crops since she was little.”

To build such a large-scale facility just for his daughter’s interest… High-ranking nobles are as astounding as ever.

But I agree with what she’s doing.

Just by focusing on how to successfully grow crops in a snowy country, the Duke’s daughter shows she’s no ordinary person.

Ah… I see.

“Your Excellency, you wish for Lady Tina to continue this research, is that what you’re thinking?”

“…Just as he said, you’re perceptive. That’s correct. Thanks to the research that child started, we’re now able to produce crops in our domain that we couldn’t before. From my position as lord, and also as a father, I want her to remain here and continue her research.”

And here I am, saddled with an even tougher problem than I imagined. Guess I was being naive.

A father who wants his daughter to pursue crop research where she already has achievements, and a daughter who aims for the Royal Academy, considering her family name. And I’m supposed to resolve this dilemma?

…That damn Sensei. He knew I’d refuse if I heard the details, so he deliberately rushed me.

“May I confirm one thing?”

“Speak your mind.”

“I understand Your Excellency’s feelings. However, in my personal opinion, I believe Lady Tina should proceed down the path she wishes to take. If she becomes able to use magic, and it’s sufficient for enrollment in the Royal Academy…”

I say this while looking the Duke straight in the eyes.

“If she still wishes to enroll in the Royal Academy even then, I would like you to permit it.”

“…You’re a man who speaks his mind clearly, aren’t you?”

“Because I’m being asked to play a thankless role.”

“Very well. If, through your power, Tina becomes able to use magic, then I too will use any and all means to support her. I swear it on my late wife.”

“Thank you very much. Well then…”

I smile intentionally. Isn’t this interesting?

In Lidia’s case, it was simply a matter of correcting the aversion she had.

This time, I have to do something about a girl who can’t use magic for an unknown reason.

This looks like it’ll be quite the rewarding challenge to teach. If she has magical power, there has to be a reason she can’t use it.

Taking on the unknown is always fun.

I’ll see what I can do. I’m the one they mockingly called ‘The Sword Princess’s Brains,’ after all. I should be able to lend a hand, at least somewhat.