Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 190: Like Uncut Gems
I instructed the Royal Magic Pharmacists to prepare ordinary cold medicine as well, then finished the work I needed to do that morning. Now we could only wait for the Adventurers' Guild to deliver venomous moth scale powder. There was nothing else we could do about it.
Could the material even be gathered at this time of year? The game hadn't included seasons, so I had no idea. It had included phases of the moon, though. Perhaps if the developers had made the gathering conditions too strict, the players would have abandoned the game.
That afternoon, I attended magic training. As usual, we practised shooting at targets. I didn't speak much to Ijidol during the exercise. In my opinion, unnecessary chatter had no place in training.
Apparently, not everyone agreed. Pietro, Commander Campolla's son, was once again teaching magic with a smug expression. Roughly ten children had gathered around him.
Surely they would learn far more by asking Commander Campolla, their instructor, than by teaching one another. Was the commander too intimidating for them to approach?
I wasn't the sort of person to worry about that, so I asked question after question whenever I didn't understand something. Encouraged by my example, Ijidol began asking questions with me.
"You and Ijidol understand the purpose of this training very well," Commander Campolla said.
"Aren't you going to correct the others, Commander?"
"There's no need. Not every child here wants to become knowledgeable about magic. Some were probably sent by their parents against their will. If I treat those children too harshly and give them an aversion to magic, their parents will be furious with me."
The commander laughed.
Then why was he personally teaching children in a place like this? Couldn't he simply leave the work to someone else? The question must have shown on my face, because he laughed again.
Ijidol stared in astonishment at the smile Commander Campolla so rarely showed.
Hey. That was rude.
"Every so often, an uncut gem like one of you appears. If we discover such children early, teach them the fundamentals, and secure their future service, the Corps benefits greatly. For that purpose, it's better for me to serve as the public face of the programme. If I tell Ijidol, 'Join the Royal Mage Corps. I have high hopes for you,' then his future is practically guaranteed."
Was he seriously trying to recruit Ijidol? Ijidol's smile had gone stiff too. He was probably wondering whether the commander was joking and whether he was allowed to be pleased.
Commander Campolla laughed once more at our expressions.
"Of course, I meant every word. Ijidol has tremendous promise, and I believe he'll join the Royal Mage Corps one day. If possible, I'd like Julius to join as well, but I suppose that would be difficult for a son of a margrave's house."
Why me? I wasn't supposed to be standing out. I'd been practising alongside everyone else—or at least I thought I had. True, I used shortened spells like Ijidol did, but…
Had that been a mistake after all?
"It isn't merely difficult. I intend to inherit Grandmother's will and become a magic pharmacist, so joining the Royal Mage Corps is impossible."
"I see. Come to think of it, the late master magic pharmacist was also a member of House Heine. In that case, it truly would be impossible."
"What?! Julius, you really aren't going to become a mage?" Ijidol cried.
He looked genuinely shocked. I was certain I'd told him several times. Had he thought I was joking?
I wasn't joking. I was entirely serious.
"That's right. I only come here to practise magic."
"Then you aren't going to join the Royal Knight Order either?"
"No, Axel. I'm not."
Oh dear. Apparently, Axel didn't believe I intended to become a magic pharmacist either. Before any strange rumours arose, I needed to make them understand. If that point was firmly established, Pietro and Ovidio, Commander Yeongseon's son, would have no reason to resent me.
"Has the Knight Order taken notice of you too, Julius?" Commander Campolla asked. "Someone who can use both sword and magic is exceptionally valuable. You might be a candidate to become the Sword Saint."
"Please don't raise that kind of flag—I mean, please don't spread strange rumours. Ijidol, you understand, don't you?"
I spoke with the most deliberate smile I could manage.
Ah. Ijidol's smile had started twitching.
Nevertheless, I wouldn't stop smiling until he agreed!
"I-I understand, Julius. I won't tell anyone you're a candidate to become the Sword Saint."
"You don't understand at all."
Julius unleashed Pressure.
It was super effective.
Ijidol's face turned deathly pale. He clapped both hands over his mouth and shook his head frantically. It appeared that he had finally understood.
"Such force of personality at your age," Commander Campolla murmured. "What a waste."
And here was another person saying ridiculous things. My head hurt.
At least this wasn't swordsmanship practice. Ovidio would unquestionably have challenged me to a fight. He seemed incapable of tolerating anyone his own age who was stronger than him.
Compared with him, Pietro was still preferable. Pietro seemed to find his purpose in sharing his knowledge. At least he didn't pick fights, even if he kept asking to use stronger magic.
If he cast spells like that, his mana would run dry immediately. One mistake could even kill him, so he ought to restrain himself. Besides, when would anyone need magic that powerful? Unless we were fighting a Demon King or something, there would be no opportunity to use it.
"Commander, is there an easy way to increase a person's mana capacity?"
That conversation was over. I attempted an abrupt change of subject.
In truth, Axel's mana capacity wasn't increasing at all. I wanted to find some way to help him.
"If such a method existed, I'd be the one asking you to teach it to me."
"Then steady daily magic practice is the only way after all?"
"Precisely. And one must master mana control. Better control reduces the mana consumed by each spell. That's the purpose of target practice. You two may be the only children here who understand that."
Commander Campolla smiled wryly at Ijidol and me. Perhaps he knew that we secretly played games while practising.
But throwing Magic Arrows at a target like darts was fun.
One day, I wanted to replace the target with an actual dartboard.
Magic Arrow Darts. I had a feeling it would become popular among anyone capable of using magic.