Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 191: Don’t Tell Anyone
When magic training ended, I headed for the common lounge, as had become my routine whenever I visited the castle. Axel had already secured a table. When he noticed me, he raised a hand in greeting.
"Oh, Julius. You're here today. Did something happen yesterday?"
"Something like that. I had to provide a particular magic potion."
I answered as I sat down. Without waiting for instructions, the servant brought tea and sweets. I relaxed while eating them.
Would the servant report that absurd Sword Saint candidate business to Brother Alex? My head already hurt just thinking about it.
"Did someone fall ill?" Ijidol asked, startled. "Could it be the epidemic?"
He was holding sweets in both hands.
Ijidol, this was why you were getting chubby. I knew you were using a lot of mana, but please calm down a little.
"It was worse than that. Apparently, the epidemic can develop into lung disease."
"Are they all right?"
"They're fine. I gave them a potion I made, and they recovered immediately."
"Immediately?"
Both boys looked astonished. They clearly understood that lung disease was a serious illness. I needed them to be careful too, so I reminded them once again to wash their hands and gargle thoroughly.
"The Royal Magic Pharmacists' Corps is making the medicine now, so the royal capital shouldn't fall into chaos."
"Then you probably won't be summoned without warning again," Axel said. "I couldn't spar with you yesterday or today, and I feel as though my body is getting sluggish."
"Does your opponent really have to be me?"
"The others aren't worth fighting. But I don't want to spar with Ovidio either. He avoids me as well, so I suppose the feeling is mutual."
Apparently, Axel and Ovidio really were rivals. Healthy competition was fine, but I hoped it wouldn't go too far. As a member of Axel's camp, Ovidio probably disliked me too.
Not that it hurt me in the slightest.
"It's too late for us to spar now. I have to go home before Brother Alex starts worrying."
"Your brother is overprotective," Ijidol said.
"This isn't funny, Ijidol. And he isn't overprotective. He's only worried that I'll do something."
"Ah, that makes sense."
Ijidol nodded in agreement.
Why were you agreeing with that? That was the part you were supposed to deny! Did everyone really think of me that way?
A wave of exhaustion swept over me.
"Oh, right. I was going to give Axel a new assignment. You can use Light now, can't you?"
"Yeah. Only for a few minutes, though."
"That's enough."
Axel's mana capacity appeared to be increasing little by little. In that case, we might as well train his mana control at the same time.
"From today onwards, try to keep the brightness of your Light constant. That will train your mana control, and mastering mana control will reduce the amount you consume."
"Oh, Commander Campolla said that," Ijidol blurted out.
He'd revealed my source, but that was fine. If people didn't think I'd discovered the principle, it couldn't generate more rumours about me.
"Keep the brightness constant? That sounds difficult."
Axel folded his arms in thought. Apparently, he could cast Light, but its brightness still fluctuated. That made this training all the more necessary.
"Don't worry. With your concentration, you'll manage it. Once you can, I'll teach you enhancement magic."
"Enhancement magic?"
"What's that? I've never heard of it," Ijidol added.
Uh-oh. Was this something I shouldn't have mentioned? Several knights used it, though. Perhaps they were doing so unconsciously. If that was the case, it was an impressive talent in its own right.
"It's magic that improves the body's movements. I think it's exactly what Axel needs."
"Enhancement magic… Is that the source of the incredible strength knights sometimes display?"
"Probably. This method lets you use that power deliberately."
Axel's face bloomed like a sunflower, and Ijidol's eyes widened.
This might become troublesome. I needed to research enhancement magic as soon as possible.
"Just to be clear, this is still a secret. If you tell anyone, I won't teach you."
"I know, I know. Ijidol, don't ever mention it."
Ijidol looked at me, covered his mouth firmly, and nodded several times. Apparently, my earlier intimidation was still working.
Had I really frightened him that badly? I hadn't meant to threaten him quite so much.
Several days passed after I threatened Ijidol. Axel practised Light desperately, and the results gradually began to show. He could now maintain a small light at a stable brightness for around ten minutes.
Naturally, I had also begun teaching him enhancement magic, though he could sustain it only briefly.
Ijidol and I celebrated his progress, but my unease continued to grow. It had nothing to do with Axel. I was worried about the epidemic.
It had already spread considerably through the royal capital. Fortunately, the cold medicine worked, so the city was managing. The royal capital had a Magic Pharmacists' Guild and a reasonable number of resident magic pharmacists.
The territorial capital was the problem. It had magic pharmacists too, and Lady Fabienne was coordinating their production of medicine. Brother Alex hadn't said that colds were spreading there yet, but reports indicated that the illness was gradually reaching towns around the royal capital.
It was only a matter of time before it reached our territory. I wanted to return before the epidemic took hold.
To do that, I first had to teach the Royal Magic Pharmacists how to make the Panacea.