Chapter 167: The Royal Mage’s Training Ground

　After finishing lunch and sipping hot tea, I headed to the royal mage training ground. Today is magic practice day. Tomorrow is the day for swordsmanship practice. I was to do them alternately, day by day.

　I strongly insisted that there was no need to do such a thing and that training at the townhouse would be sufficient, but I could not get permission from my brother Alex.

　Did he think I was going to slack off? I’m offended.

　At the training site where I arrived, several mages were trying out their magic by shooting at a target. It was sporadic, so I guess it probably wasn’t a full-fledged practice. Perhaps this is the time of day when they can practice freely.

“Little Julius, over there is the head of the mage corps, commander Campolla -he will be guiding you.”

“What, me, I’m going to be taught by the head of the mage corps?”

“I heard that you are good at magic, little Julius.”

　Who told you that? Was it my father?　Maybe it’s brother Alex. The question is, how far is the message getting out? I was planning to cut corners in my magic practice and swordsmanship so as not to attract attention, but I’m afraid that plan may fall apart. Be careful.

　There were a few other kids in the vicinity of Commander Campolla. All of them seemed to be about my age. I see, this was the time to teach magic to children.

　If that’s the case, the children here might be the children of some famous aristocrats. I guess I should be careful.

　The servant took me to the vicinity of Commander Campolla. The servant said something to the magic division commander who noticed us and left.

“I’ve been waiting for you. I hear you are a child of Margrave Heine’s family. His Majesty the King has specifically told me about you. But I will treat you like any other child.”

“That’s fine. I look forward to working with you.”

　I exchange greetings with each child. Among them was a boy named Pietro Campolla. He must be the son of the magic division commander. His bullish expression resembles that of the magic division commander. Maybe he has confidence in his magic. This seems like a good bullet shield.

　Magic practice was basics. The basics are important. You know it well, don’t you? Each of them fired their magic at the prepared target. I followed their lead and fired off appropriate magic. Sometimes I remember to miss the target. And I don’t forget to slump my shoulders in disappointment. This is an ironclad rule when pretending to be a child.

“Hmm, I’d heard stories, you’re pretty good,  Julius.”

“Thank you very much.”

　 That was good enough? I guess it was amazing enough for a child. Ah, Pietro-kun is glaring at me. Is he already seeing me as a rival?　It’s very annoying.

　While Pietro-kun was hitting the target with magic like everyone else, he was also using other types of magic.

“Pietro, why are you using magic that I didn’t tell you to do?”

“Father, you can’t become strong by using only weak magic.”

“Maybe so, but…”

　In Pietro’s mind, he is probably “using strong magic to show off his awesomeness.” The other kids look a little down, they probably can’t use that magic. It was not a big deal for me.

　Perhaps understanding Pietro-kun’s intentions, it became a different kind of magic training. It was a magic with a higher degree of difficulty, and there were no children who could use it. Of course I could use it, but I pretended like I couldn’t. I don’t want to be the center of attention any more.

　The kids were getting tired of practicing magic that didn’t work. That’s all right. They are just aristocratic children. The target shooting I mentioned earlier was probably more fun because they would get the feeling of having used magic on their own. Maybe the mage leader chose target practice in anticipation of that as well.

“It looks like I’m the only one who can use it. If I keep practicing like everyone else, won’t my talent be lost? That’s why I would like to train with the Mage Corps.”

“No, you can’t. You can participate in the mage corps training  only after you become an adult. Until then, you should continue with basic training as usual.”

“But…”

“No.”

　Pietro-kun’s mouth tightens at the strong tone of the mage leader. Oh well, he doesn’t look convinced. I think basic training is important. If you don’t get it down to the unconscious level, you won’t be able to use it when the time comes, just like in games or in sports.

　Despite Pietro-kun’s mumbling and muttering, today’s practice was over. That’s all I had to do at the royal palace today. I’m free! But before I enjoy my freedom, I want to make some friends.

　I speak to the boy who was right next to me. I had friends in the capital, but none in the royal capital. father was worried that it would be bad. Then I should make friends.

“Is Pietro-kun always like that?”

“Huh? Uh-huh. No, no, yeah, yes. He wants to do a lot more amazing magic. I can’t do that.”

“As I recall, you’re Ijidol-kun, right?”

　Ijidol Capução, that was his name. He has big eyes and brown hair. If he were a small animal, he would be a squirrel. He seems as timid as he looks.

“Yes, I am. You’re Julius Heine, right?”

“Yes, but Julius is fine. We’re the same practice buddies, right?”

“In that case, please just call me Ijidol as well.”

　His expression softened, perhaps a little less cautious. I invited him to join me for a cup of tea and he graciously agreed. I instructed the servant to secure a table in the common room for us.

　By the time we got there, everything was already ready.

“You can eat without hesitation. My brother will pay for it.”

“Is that okay?”

“Don’t worry about it. Since my brother said so, I’ll make sure he takes full responsibility for it.”

　We laughed at each other. Over a cup of tea, I gathered information. I need to know more about the children, especially the ones who go in and out of the castle. I must remove the “land mines” that are planted everywhere.

“Why are you taking part in the magic training, Ijidol?　I’m being forced to participate by my father and brother.”

“Well, my father is in the Mage Corps. Children of those in the Mage Corps are able to participate in the training we just went through until they enter the academy.”

　I see. I guess they are trying to develop the talents of children who have excellent parentage from a young age. It is quite a solid idea.

“You don’t like magic?”

“I don’t hate it, but I don’t think I’m as gifted at magic as my father.”

“Why is that?”

　For some reason, he looked at me like he was about to cry. I didn’t say anything shocking.

“I’m not as excited as Pietro-kun, I just can’t seem to learn new magic.”

“Oh, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. You don’t have to be like Pietro-kun, you know?”

“really?”

“really .”

　I don’t know what it is, but for better or worse, it feels like I’m being dragged along by Pietro-kun. Maybe there are other kids out there who are suffering like Ijidol. It’s good to train them from a young age, but I hope it doesn’t traumatize them in any weird way.

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