Kays Translations

Chapter 92: Aptitude

“Special magic…”

Rosalia continued staring at her hands.

How should I explain this? Instructor Carnell might know something, but a poor explanation from me could frighten her unnecessarily.

“It’s all right, Rosalia. I can do the same thing. I had never stopped to consider how unusual it was, but I’ll ask Instructor Carnell during our next lesson.”

Rosalia nodded. She seemed reassured, so I changed the subject before she could worry herself again.

“It’s nearly time for dinner. Let us stop for today and clean up.”

“All right.”

We put the room in order. Would Rosalia become angry if I secretly continued making magic tools after she went to bed? I would have to restrain myself.

“Kyu.”

“Thank you for helping too, Mira.”

“Kyu!”

Mira had become deeply attached to Rosalia. It was fortunate that they weren’t timid around people; introducing them to my friends should be easy.

The next morning, we had a magic lesson. I asked Instructor Carnell about Rosalia’s ability at the first opportunity.

“I see,” he said. “That’s what we call an aptitude.”

“An aptitude?”

“Yes. It resembles magic, but its underlying principle is unknown. Only certain people possess one.”

That matched what I knew about skills. Not everyone could use them, and even those who could might never learn a particular one.

“An aptitude also requires no incantation,” Instructor Carnell continued. “For that reason, it’s treated separately from ordinary magic.”

So this world regarded skills as mysterious innate abilities. Research would naturally progress slowly if only a small number of people could demonstrate them.

“What other aptitudes are known?” Rosalia asked.

“The best documented are Appraisal, the ability to perceive the flow of mana, and the ability to sense monsters. Others undoubtedly exist. Many people probably use their aptitudes unconsciously and never realise that they’re unusual.”

That explained a great deal. Even people who recognised their abilities might conceal them for fear of being regarded as strange or dangerous.

Rosalia relaxed after hearing that her power was neither unique nor unnatural.

Once the lesson ended and we had eaten lunch, I decided to inspect the territorial capital. Nothing troubling had been reported during the half-month I spent in the royal capital, but I also needed to show Gyre and Christopher that I had returned safely.

“I’m going into the territorial capital this afternoon. Are you coming, Rosalia?”

“Yes.”

“Kyu!”

Mira was coming too. That suited me; I intended to introduce them properly.

I sent a messenger, and Gyre and Christopher arrived at the mansion shortly afterwards.

“Forgive the sudden summons,” I said. “I wanted to introduce you both.”

Gyre had probably heard about Mira from his father, Lionel, and Christopher would have heard from Gyre. Neither looked shocked, although both watched the little dragon with intense curiosity.

“This is Mira, the holy dragon who will be living with House Heine. Mira, this is Gyre, and this is Christopher.”

“Kyu.”

Mira responded and bobbed their head. The boys stared.

“Lord Julius,” Christopher said, “does Mira understand our language?”

“Yes. So don’t say anything rude. They might bite you.”

“Bite me?”

Mira would do no such thing, but the warning might prevent foolish behaviour. Christopher hastily withdrew the hand he had been extending.

“Now that you’ve met, let us go. Has anything unusual happened?”

“Nothing serious,” Gyre replied. “The merchants have begun selling firewood for winter.”

“Everything else is the same as usual,” Christopher added.

Our carriage, bearing House Heine’s crest, travelled through the streets. People turned to look, but I saw no hostility. The residents of the territorial capital didn’t appear to resent their ruling family.

I stopped outside the Magic Pharmacists’ Guild. I needed to report Grandmother’s death and wanted to inspect the guild’s available ingredients.

“Rosalia and Mira, please wait in the carriage. I won’t be long.”

I entered with Gyre, Christopher, and several knights, leaving Lionel to watch the carriage.

While the receptionist went to fetch the guildmaster, I examined the displayed merchandise. The selection was broad, but the quality was poor. A list indicated that valuable ingredients were stored in a safe at the back. I doubted the storage conditions were adequate.

I wanted ingredients from which I could harvest viable seeds, but I wasn’t yet licensed to purchase them. Hiring a qualified magic pharmacist might solve that problem.

The possibility deserved serious thought.

The guildmaster hurried from the rear, wiping sweat from his round face.

“My apologies for keeping you waiting, Lord Julius.”

“There’s no need. I arrived without notice.”

I had hoped to finish my errand quietly, but my attempt not to create a fuss had merely forced the man to rush.

After introducing himself, he listened to my report.

“I had heard of Lady Margaret’s death. It’s a terrible loss. I remember her speaking so happily about how Lord Julius would succeed her once he was older.”

The guildmaster began to weep. He appeared to have known Grandmother well.

Should I tell him that I had inherited her work?

No. That would be dangerous. Grandmother may have trusted him, but I had only just met him. I certainly couldn’t reveal that her potion book was now in my possession.

For the moment, caution was essential.

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