Surprised by My First Experience With Magic
On a bright, clear day in the courtyard.
Under the sun, Milfie was being straddled.
"Me—meooooooooooooooowrrr!"
A heartrending scream rang out.
The sound of bones grinding could be heard.
It was the first time I had ever heard her voice like that.
"Hehehe, your joints are fascinating."
"Meow—t-that spot!? Meoooooowrrr!"
"I knew it would turn out like this."
The one doing this was Luna, the woman I met previously through night service reviews.
As expected, her strength seemed incredible—so much so that even Milfie's flexible body couldn’t withstand it.
And yet, a few dozen minutes later, Milfie was all smiles.
"I can move—I can move~!"
"Hehe, I’m glad. Make sure to get massages now and then. It’s an important body, after all."
"Thanks, Luna-meow!"
Milfie’s ability to quickly get along with anyone was truly extraordinary.
As I looked ahead, I saw the grand clock tower of the royal castle and the neatly trimmed lawn.
Somehow, we were basking in the sun in the castle courtyard.
Of course, this area wasn’t open to the public, and even adventurers weren’t allowed in without permission.
"Still, I was shocked. When I got the message through the Guild, I didn’t expect it would lead me here. And to think you are a candidate for a Court Magician."
"Eheh, amazing, right?"
Luna’s smug face was unbelievably cute.
I’d also heard from Karin that she was a prodigy, famous even in the royal capital.
Apparently, her night work was more of a hobby and kept secret. Well, it’s technically a legal establishment, so it shouldn’t be a problem...
"Is your strength due to magic?"
"Not at all. I was just always strong."
Still, it was *too* strong.
In my mind, I decided to nickname her *Powerhouse Luna*.
"Mr. Tabito, just now... weren’t you thinking something strange?"
"Nope."
By the way, the reviews of the royal castle were even more amusing—no, dangerous—than I expected.
Back when I was busy with escort missions, I hadn’t looked into them, but now I realized there was a ton of info I probably wasn’t supposed to know.
—
[Ortoria Royal Castle, Courtyard]
4.3★★★★☆ (8947)
Court Magician
★★★★☆
A beloved place that raised me.
The teacher is terrifying.
It was really fun.
The teacher is scary.
Court Warrior
★★★★☆
A good place that raised me to be a full-fledged warrior.
The teacher is scary.
I want to repay the favor in the future.
The teacher is scary.
Royal Librarian
★★★★☆
I want to collect more wonderful books.
I want to talk with Mr. Dorschka again today.
He’s always so cool.
Royal Knight
★★★★☆
Every time I go to the library, I feel like Librarian Midia is watching me.
Maybe I’m just full of myself...
She’s really cute though.
His Majesty the King
★★★☆☆
There’s a meeting tomorrow—
Ugh, how annoying—
Sunbathing feels so good—
—
"His Majesty the King is a very earnest and cool person, you know."
"Oh, that’s nice-meow. Yeah, I got that impression too!"
As Luna and Milfie chatted casually beside me, I glanced around, wondering where His Majesty was.
Judging by the reviews, he had to be nearby, right...?
Maybe this ability of mine was more dangerous than I thought...
Could it be that if I searched harder, I’d find statements that could shake the political world?
… I want to look, but it’s kind of scary.
If I had any ambition, this could be bad.
“Luna, are these friends of yours?”
At that moment, a man with a solid build approached and spoke to her.
“Oh, Mr. Dorschka. Yeah, something like that. They’re kind of here on a field trip, too.”
“I see. Luna is a really good girl. Please take care of her.”
A handsome man.
And most likely, someone harboring feelings for the librarian.
“Okay, meow!”
“For sure!”
Don’t worry. Your one-sided love will come true.
And then—
“Mr. Dorschka, there you are. We just got a new shipment of books.”
“Thanks, Midia. I’ll come borrow them right away.—See you later.”
Beautiful Midia. Most likely, she also has a crush on Dorschka.
Hmm, I hope they get together. I don’t know either of them, but I just feel like cheering them on.
“Tabito? What’s wrong? You’re spacing out.”
“Youth is wonderful. I hope those two end up together.”
“Eh, what do you mean by that?”
“Don’t worry about it. Tabito always says weird stuff, meow.”
At last, we got to the main topic.
Luna brought sandwiches, so we ate while looking at her notebook.
It was filled with neat handwriting.
It had detailed information on catfolk and demi-humans.
“A-amazing, meow!?”
“You two wouldn’t be allowed in the archive, so I got permission to copy some things. Though, it was mostly basic history, origins, and foundational information.”
Apparently, she couldn’t find much about me.
That was understandable.
But when it came to the catfolk, there was a *lot* of information.
Things like how they liked warm places, or how their leg strength was incredible and used for hunting.
What shocked me was that they were often sighted in the northern regions.
That area is said to have many surviving demons even today.
“According to the records, the catfolk—Milfie’s race—were a warrior race. Being far older than modern demi-humans, their numbers are likely few. Ancient documents mention them fighting demons on the front lines.”
“F-f-for real, meow!?”
As expected.
She was seriously strong.
But that made it strange.
In a survival-of-the-fittest world, the weak are weeded out first.
However, as I kept reading, I came to understand the reason.
"... So they don't often grow fond of others, huh."
"Yes. I'm sorry—I don't mean to speak badly of Miss Milfie, but according to the documents..."
"It's okay. But maybe that's true. There are few people you can truly trust."
That was unexpected.
According to Luna, elves as a race also tend to lack interest in others, and ever since the Demon King's defeat, their population has been slowly declining.
In a sense, it seems human instinct plays a vital role in sustaining a species.
"Here, this is for you to look at at your leisure. I've obtained permission, but it might be better to keep it as confidential as possible. Information, at times, can turn against you."
Now that I was talking to her, Luna’s polite speech and thoughtful demeanor did make her feel like someone affiliated with the court.
People can be deceiving by appearances… or maybe it’s strength that can’t be judged by appearance.
"Thanks. This really helps."
"Truly, thank you, Luna, meow!"
"Hehe, it’s no problem. Besides, I was surprised. In just the past few days, your names have become widely known in the royal castle."
"Huh? What do you mean…?"
"Mr. Tabito’s defeat of the Cyclops, Miss Milfie’s feats, and on top of that, you’re being talked about by the currently most popular group, Karos. And then you even cleared an unexplored dungeon. Honestly, you're way more impressive than someone like me."
Now that she puts it like that, it does sound kind of amazing.
Though I mostly relied on the guide map. And Milfie helped a lot too.
Still, it feels good to be praised.
"Thanks. But why’d you call us here? We could’ve talked outside."
"Yes. Actually, there’s someone I’d like you to meet. I thought they might be able to tell us something about you, Mr. Tabito."
"Someone you want us to meet?"
"They should be here any moment… Ah, here they are."
Just then, a woman dressed in white court attire appeared, walking slowly.
Her uniform had a high collar like a military outfit, and she held a large staff in her hand.
"Luna, is this the person?"
"Yes, teacher."
Wait, *teacher*? As in *that scary person*? Or maybe just an intimidating person?
But she's beautiful.
"Nice to meet you. I’m Edna, a court mage instructor from Ortria."
"I-I’m Tabito! Pleased to meet you!"
"I’m Milfie. It’s a pleasure to meet you~"
Milfie was in her full serious mode.
I also stood up straight.
Probably because I’d heard this person was seriously scary.
"No need to be so nervous. May I examine your mana a little? The black attribute is rare, and I’m curious."
"Ah, yes. Wh-what should I do?"
"May I take your hand?"
Her demeanor was graceful—not scary at all for now.
She closed her eyes, seemingly deep in thought.
But then, in the next moment, her eyes snapped open.
"... It’s certainly strange. It’s not one of the four elements, nor light or dark. This… doesn’t seem like magic."
"Teacher, do you understand anything?"
But Edna shook her head.
"It seems I can't be of help. Normally, one can determine a person’s origin by the nature of their magic, but none of this fits."
Maybe it’s like a dialect of mana or something. Too bad.
Luna apologized too, but after everything she’d done, there was no way I could let her feel sorry.
She even got her teacher to help us.
"Thank you, Luna, and thank you, Ms. Edna."
"No, thank you. Let's talk again sometime."
"... Mr. Tabito, if you'd like, would you like to try a bit of basic magic?"
"Eh, magic?"
"Teacher, Mr. Tabito said he’s never used magic before, right?"
"Yes. That’s exactly why I’m curious. I can’t even estimate the amount of mana or his technical aptitude. If I knew that, it might lead us to something. Of course, this is just my personal interest. You can refuse if you prefer."
Can I even use magic?
I’m not sure, but I’d like to try.
"Please, I’d like to."
"Very well… Magic is a world of imagination. The world is made of the four great elements."
"Fire, water, wind, and earth?"
"Oh, you already know."
Yes. In fact, that’s like an entry-level quiz question that 99% of people wouldn’t get wrong.
At least, if you’re a nerd.
"Then, let’s start with imagining fire. For example, saying a word aloud can help solidify the concept—"
"Fire."
I cut off her explanation and imagined a lighter at my fingertip.
The image was simple. I just needed to recall it.
And then, a tiny flame appeared with a single try.
No way.
I should’ve tried this earlier.
But it was small. Surely they couldn’t tell anything from that.
That’s what I thought.
"... What in the world?"
"Didn’t Mr. Tabito say he’d never used magic before…?"
"Huh? Oh, but it’s just a tiny—"
"A-amazing meow!? Why, why!?"
Edna was shocked, Luna was stunned, and Milfie shouted.
Huh? Is a lighter really that amazing?
"... To succeed on your first try, untrained…"
"R-really?"
"Even the simplest spells are impossible on the first try. What the teacher wanted to observe was the flow of mana. This is an extraordinary feat. Not even a great sage could do it in one try. Mr. Tabito, just what… are you?"
Uh, um.
I don’t know either…
… Seriously, what *am* I?
---
Tabito
★★★★★
The royal castle is huuuge—amazing.
So many people, it's fun.
Am I... amazing?
Milfie
★★★★★
The maaassaage felt sooo good meow~
Wait, where *did* I meet Tabito again?
Luna
★★★★★
They both look like they’re having so much fun.
Adventurers... I admire them.
Wait, isn’t Mr. Tabito *way* too amazing?
Edna
★★★★★
… He’s unbelievable.
Even if it’s a simple spell, to succeed on the first try...
A once-in-a-century—no, once-in-a-millennium talent.
I want him. I *want* him in the court!!!
I want to raise him, raise him, raise him!
What do you think about this chapter?
