Kays Translations

Chapter 214: Getting Along with Lady Meeka

　When we reached the salon, Brother Cain finally pulled me free. His cheeks were puffed out, just as before, but apparently he didn't intend to retaliate. I had saved Lady Meeka's life, after all.

　Seated side by side, the two of them faced me once more.

　“Thank you, Julius, for saving someone precious to me.”

　“Thank you, Julius. Because of you, I'm still alive.”

　They both bowed their heads. I hurried to stop them. This was far too much!

　“Please, don't do that. We're family. Helping one another is only natural.”

　“I'm glad we're becoming family.”

　“And I'm glad you're my brother.”

　They seemed unusually emotional, which made me wonder whether something else had happened. I glanced at Brother Alex, but he didn't seem to know either. He noticed my look and tilted his head.

　“Did something happen at the academy?”

　“Yes. Besides Lady Meeka, another student contracted lung disease. You know about that, don't you?”

　“Of course. But that student would have taken lung-disease medicine and recovered… Ah!”

　Brother Alex's eyes widened and he looked at me, apparently having understood something. I still didn't, so Lady Meeka explained it to me.

　“The student who drank the medicine suffered terribly…”

　“Oh.”

　Of course. The medicine I had made for Lady Meeka was sweet and pleasant, but ordinary magic potions tasted ghastly. No, wait. Medicine prepared using the method I taught the Royal Magic Pharmacists' Corps shouldn't have been nearly that bad.

　…Come to think of it, I had designed Lady Meeka's medicine specifically so a child could take it easily. I had omitted the part about making it sweet and pleasant when I taught the standard recipe because I thought medicine for the general public didn't need that extra consideration. Making it taste good required additional ingredients such as apples and honey.

　“I'm truly, truly glad that you made my medicine yourself, Julius.”

　“I'm glad it helped.”

　She was completely sincere. After seeing what ordinary medicine was like, she had probably imagined that she would have suffered the same way if I hadn't made hers. And since I could make delicious magic potions, perhaps she wanted to strengthen her relationship with me.

　“That reminds me: I prepared elementary healing potions for you and Brother Cain. Injuries can happen during swordsmanship lessons, so please use them when needed.”

　I said that and glanced at the servant, who left with a look that said they understood. I had found time to make the potions while the Royal Magic Pharmacists' Corps were working on the Panacea. There weren't many, but they should be enough for emergencies.

　“Do you have any for me, Julius?” Brother Alex asked.

　“Forgive me. I will prepare yours at once.”

　“There is no need to rush. Just do not forget.”

　Scary! I had better finish them by tomorrow evening. Brother Cain and Lady Meeka examined the crate the servant brought in, repeatedly looking over the potions and nodding.

　“Thank you, Julius. We shall use them without hesitation. Even at a glance, they look completely different.”

　“That is true. I never paid much attention before, but these are far clearer, are they not?”

　“Yes. Ordinary potions are much cloudier.”

　Brother Alex joined them in inspecting the bottles. He clearly wanted one immediately, but Brother Cain showed no sign of saying, “I'll give you one.” They must regard the potions as precious lifelines.

　“I am also teaching the Royal Magic Pharmacists' Corps to make them, so they should become widely available in the royal capital before long.”

　“You are teaching the Royal Magic Pharmacists' Corps as well? I knew you were remarkable, Julius.”

　“No, I'm really not.”

　I looked to Brother Alex and Brother Cain for support. They noticed and chuckled.

　“Oh, he is remarkable enough. The difficulty lies in cleaning up after him. I only wish he would spare a thought for those of us scrambling to put out the fires he starts.”

　“I had heard rumours about you, Julius, but apparently they describe only a fraction of the truth.”

　Had my brothers now begun to regard me as a nuisance? Oh no. Did I have no allies left? While I was reeling from the thought, Lady Meeka hugged me again. Apparently, she found holding me comfortable.

　Of course I didn't dislike being hugged—I'm a boy, after all—but I couldn't help noticing the look Brother Cain was giving me whenever Lady Meeka did it.

　“You are both staying tonight, correct? Then we must make arrangements.”

　Brother Alex immediately began issuing instructions, and the servants hurried off. They would need to prepare dinner and a room for Lady Meeka. We could hardly have her simply stay in Brother Cain's room. Something happening would be a problem.

　“Julius, let's take a bath together later.”

　“No, that's not a good idea!”

　“It's fine. Don't worry, don't worry.”

　Lady Meeka might be fine with it, but I certainly wasn't. And what would Brother Cain say afterwards? Look at him. The corners of his mouth were already curling up.

　After somehow escaping the invitation to bathe together, I collapsed onto the sofa in my room.

　“What is with those breasts? They're way too soft…”

　Oops. I couldn't keep thinking about breasts. Tomorrow I had to test the icehouse's cooling system. I took the small enhancement magic circle I had made earlier from my desk.

　I hadn't expected adjustment to be so troublesome. If only I could control the output more precisely. Should I modify the circle? No, better not. If word got out, everyone would say, “Julius has done it again.” I couldn't afford to lose any more points.

　One day, I would have to launch Operation Improve Magic Pharmacist Julius's Reputation. I would ask Nero to help me when the time came.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter