The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman - Chapter 22: Is That Jealousy or Arrogance?

I demonstrated magic in front of Sheila Calera, a genius rivaling Lucia of the magical house Morgan. Seeing the small flame that shot from my finger, she showed clear astonishment.

“This is the first time I’ve seen someone activate magic just from reading a book. It’s frustrating, but your talent is genuine.”

Sheila said that with her face truly contorted in frustration. I puffed out my chest and answered with a smug expression.

“Well yeah. That said, I didn’t think I’d be able to use magic this easily either.”

Even though it was an ability similar to aura and divine prayer, there wasn’t even the slightest discomfort. Like a bird being able to fly in the sky from birth. Like a fish being able to swim in water, I could use magic.

“I’m curious.”

“Hm?”

“I want to cut you open and see what your body is like inside.”

“Don’t say scary things.”

Just when I thought she was getting closer, she spouted something terrifying. She didn’t seem this extreme when I was playing the game, but I felt a strangely psychopathic atmosphere.

“Can’t help it. Magicians are those who explore the unknown. They have an aspect of scholars.”

“So you want to see my talent… the brain that produces it?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t just say ‘yeah.'”

Who would let you do such a grotesque thing?

I grabbed Sheila’s face and pushed her back. Being inferior in physical strength, she didn’t even show signs of resistance.

“That hurts…”

“You brought it on yourself. More importantly, I need to read more books and practice magic.”

“That’s impossible here. You’ll get in trouble if you carelessly burn the equipment.”

“Then tell me a good place.”

“You should go to the training ground.”

“The training ground, huh. Nice.”

I could use magic to my heart’s content there.

“However… you’ve been surprisingly agreeable since earlier. What happened to that prickly attitude from before?”

“That was just me being wary thinking you might be desecrating magic.”

“What about now?”

“I’m interested in you. I want to keep watching.”

“The heck?”

I couldn’t help but give a Kansai-style retort.

“You’re a talent holder I’ve never seen before. You’ll surely discover something I haven’t noticed. It seems like I’ll be able to enjoy myself more than now.”

“I’m not your toy though?”

“I’ll pay compensation.”

“Oh?”

“Myself. I’ll devote myself to Luka. So let me observe you always.”

Sheila as a reward? Hmm. Not too bad.

Right now, no matter how much talent I had, I was a novice magician. If Sheila’s knowledge and experience were added there, I could become strong without wasting unnecessary time. There was no particular reason to refuse, so I nodded and gave permission.

“Fine. Teach me various things, senpai.”

“Sheila is fine. Luka and I are equals. Rather, I should be the one humbling myself.”

“It’s fine to stay as we are now.”

Even having an expressionless cool-type girl use polite language with me… I was the type who didn’t care about formal speech and such details.

While answering Sheila’s various questions, I borrowed several books and left the library. We headed to the training ground together.

☆

I stepped into the training ground guided by Sheila. Inside the training ground, human-shaped targets were placed in a row. Should I hit those targets with magic?

“Sheila, it’s okay to hit those targets with magic, right?”

“Yeah. They’re made quite sturdy, so feel free to shoot at full power.”

She gave a thumbs up and made a good OK sign. In that case, I immediately built up magical power to the limit I could control. Since I was a novice, it wasn’t that much.

The attribute I’d change it to was fire. Earlier I lowered the output by imagining candlelight, but this time I’d generate a fire bullet at full power.

“Mm. You’re casually activating magic again. That’s unfair.”

“If you think so, try learning from watching me. I’ll be a good sample.”

“Mm, got it. I’ll stare holes through you.”

“I’ll grow twice as fast as you though.”

“One comment too many.”

“Haha. Sorry, sorry.”

While joking around, I finished controlling the magical power. At my current level, it took time even to control magic about the size of a volleyball. I’ll have to speed this up gradually. Thinking that, I released the fire bullet I’d created in my palm.

The target was straight ahead. I could hit it just by throwing it. It would be harder to miss.

WHOOSH!

My magic hit the target as aimed. The fire bullet burst with a small explosion. The damage was questionable. It would be unreliable for actual combat.

“Tch. Too weak. Should I increase the magical power output?”

“No. Control is what’s important.”

“Control?”

Sheila behind me taught me various things.

“Just increasing output will only waste magical power if you can’t control it. Control ability is most important.”

“I see. So rather than rapid-firing magic, I should practice control first?”

“Exactly. Well, the more you shoot magic, the more your output and control ability improve, so it’s not wasteful.”

“Specialize or go balanced. Hmm.”

It was a dilemma.

How about increasing both in a balanced way while at the training ground, and focusing on control training outside the training ground? I think I could improve more efficiently.

“Got it. For now, I’ll blast away while at the training ground. I’ll do control training when alone.”

“That’s good. I’ll keep you company.”

“Nice. Show me your magic too.”

“Roger. Study well.”

“Yes yes.”

Even though we hadn’t met even an hour ago, I’d become friendly enough with Sheila to exchange banter. Rather than becoming friendly, Sheila was the one approaching me. She’s somewhat similar to the Salvatore family members.

“—Sheila-san! Are you practicing magic at the training ground?”

Huh? I suddenly heard a voice from the side. A male voice.

I glanced over and saw a man with seaweed-like bushy hair heading our way.

“Who is that? An acquaintance of Sheila’s?”

“Don’t know him.”

“GASP! N-no way…”

Seaweed-kun was extremely flustered. With a pale face, he said:

“It’s me! I’m Aug from the same class as Sheila-san!”

“Orc? I’m not familiar with monsters.”

“Aug! Gu, with a ‘gu’!”

He desperately gave his name, but Sheila tilted her head with apparent disinterest. How sad. To think she didn’t even remember her classmates’ faces. Well, neither do I.

“So? What does Gu want?”

“It’s Aug! How uninterested can you be?!”

“Your business?”

Sheila-san’s magnificent ignorance. Watching it made me feel sorry for Seaweed-kun.

“Gnnngh… well, fine. I have one matter of business. What’s going on, bringing along such a novice magician?”

Seaweed-kun’s gaze turned to me. Could he be talking about me?

“He’s Luka. Luka Salvatore.”

“Salvatore? A son of that genius family, the Salvatore house?”

“Yeah. Nice to meet you, Seaweed-kun.”

“Seaweed…?”

Hm? Wasn’t seaweed used around here? Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen any either. Since it’s a marine product, it might be hard to get when you’re far from the sea.

There were seaside towns in parts of the empire territory too, so I’d like to visit sometime. They probably have fish sauce and such.

“It means bushy hair.”

“Bushy?! How rude. Even if you’re a duke’s son, ability is everything in the Magic Tower! As a novice, you should respect me.”

“Impossible.”

I can only respect myself (smug face).

“! If you’re going to say that much, won’t you have a magic duel with me? I think it would be faster to actually fight to see which of us is more excellent.”

“Huh?”

It was not like I was looking down on you because you were weak or anything. I’ll become stronger than you quickly anyway. There’s no need to respect you! (Rude).

But I didn’t dislike that attitude of seeking battle himself. He must have considerable confidence in his own talent. Honestly, with my current ability there were too many uncertain factors, but could someone from the Salvatore family run away when challenged to a fight?

I grinned and said:

“I don’t really get it, but… fine. I’ll be your opponent.”