Chapter 9

I'm sorry. Julia went to check on Gladdys' horse, not Gillion's.

I have made the correction, but I may have confused the readers. I apologize.

Eldest son. Gladdys, who likes swords.

Second son, Gillion, who likes magic.

A small bird wrapped in gray feathers perched on the edge of my room's window.

When I placed a small piece of bread, it made a voice that sounded apologetic.

"Sorry, I'm in your debt."

"Well, it would be a problem if you came for no reason, but I can help a little if it's a situation like yours."

"Yeah, and this bread is delicious! Is it white bread?"

Taking a bite, the bird exclaimed in surprise and shook its head at an incredible speed.

"Wow! Delicious! Delicious, delicious! I'm glad I got injured!"

"Hey, don't say it like that."

"Just kidding. For us birds, our feathers are our life. If they get damaged like this, it's a serious problem."

The bird stopped its restless movements and showed me one of its wings.

The wing was oozing a bit of blood, looking painful.

"Can you fly with that wing?"

"Yeah, it hurts a bit, but I can manage. It makes it hard to catch food, though."

"I see, sorry. I can't heal it. I'm not a doctor."

"What are you saying? Just giving me bread is enough."

With that, the bird focused on eating the bread, signaling the end of the conversation.

"By the way, is it true that goblins caused your injury?"

--- Goblins.

Monsters that exist in large numbers around the world. They are characterized by their large noses and ears and have green skin. Individually, they are not very powerful, but they tend to gather in groups. They often hunt in groups or attack people. They have an extraordinary breeding rate, and if left alone, they can form villages or even countries of goblins. If a Goblin King exists among them, the goblins' power is said to increase exponentially.

In the past, there have been cases where countries were destroyed by large groups of monsters led by a Goblin King.

Goblins are truly terrifying monsters.

"Yeah. They threw rocks at me while I was flying."

"Where did this happen?"

"Pretty close to this mansion, in the western forest."

The area to the east of this mansion is Asma Village. So, the goblins must be coming from the western forest. Since they are quite close, this mansion might be their first target.

"Well, they seemed to be wandering aimlessly, so they might still be in the forest."

"I see, I understand. I'll report this to Father."

"Thanks! I'll leave it to you! Well, I'm off."

With that, the bird awkwardly flapped its wings and flew away energetically.

"Be careful!"

"...Jed, who were you shouting at?"

Turning around, I saw Gillion standing at the door of my room, holding what looked like a book wrapped in a red cover.

"Just, I felt like shouting."

I know it's a weak excuse.

"Julia and Mother say you've been acting strange lately. Are you okay?"

Not only Julia but also Mother was worried about me.

"I'm fine. By the way, Gillion, what's that book?"

"Huh? This? It's a magic book."

"A magic book!? Let me see!"

I had forgotten, but this is a fantasy world where magic exists. I had forgotten about that in the midst of dealing with the animals.

Can it handle fire, water, and wind?

"No, you wouldn't understand even if you saw it."

He waved the book dismissively, as if it were impossible for me to understand.

Mm, that way of speaking is annoying. I can read any text in this world, you know.

"Can I just take a look?"

"Well, it's a waste of time, but here."

Gillion smiled slyly and handed me the book.

It was thick and quite heavy, like a dictionary or an encyclopedia.

"Um, Magic Textbook. Author: Chaos MacLeod."

"Huh? You can read now?"

"Yeah, a little."

Sorry, I can understand all the text.

"Well, that's my little brother for you. But being able to read a little is far from understanding magic."

He was surprised for a moment but quickly regained his composure.

Finding it amusing, I opened the first page.

"Um... Magic is something that is activated by weaving and speaking 'magic language' to the magical power present in the air. Wow, that's amazing."

"..."

There were also detailed theories, but I flipped through the pages.

"Well, just because you can read a little doesn't mean you can understand and activate magic. After all, 'magic language' has a unique pronunciation, emphasis, and rhythm. It won't activate unless everything is in place!"

Gillion suddenly started speaking passionately. I wonder what got into him. Still, I'm glad he explained it to me.

Then, I noticed a section on beginner magic.

"Beginner magic? So, magic has ranks?"

"Yeah. There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, each with different languages and powers."

"By the way, how far can you go?"

"Hehe! Listen and be amazed! The other day, I successfully activated beginner-level fire, water, and wind magic!"

"Is that impressive?"

Gillion puffed out his chest proudly, but I don't know the general standards of this world, so I can't judge.

"Of course. Being able to use three attributes and activate beginner magic at eleven is impressive."

He adjusted his glasses and added, "And I've already been accepted into magic school."

It seems Gillion is quite talented.

"Wow, beginner magic."

What's this? Magic has six attributes: fire, water, earth, wind, light, and darkness.

Oh, Gillion can only use half of them.

"Gillion, can't you use earth, light, and darkness?"

"Shut up. Most people can only use two attributes at most. Being able to use all of them is just a fairy tale."

When I asked, Gillion looked away with a regretful expression. The last part, "just a fairy tale," seemed like he was trying to convince himself.

"Maybe you started magic because you admired the fairy tale protagonist who could use all attributes?"

"Shut up! I'll knock you out! Give me back the book!"

Gillion's face turned red with anger. Oh, it was a direct hit.

"Sorry. Can I see a little more?"

"Fine."

I apologized sincerely, and Gillion calmed down, clearing his throat.

I managed to keep the book. It was close. If it had been interrupted, I would have been even more curious.

"...Fire magic."

"Well, from here on, it's 'magic language.' You won't be able to read it from here."

He extended his hand, and the 'magic language' activated, creating a fireball. With enough practice, it can be thrown or exploded.

As I read, I held the book in one hand and extended my hand.

And the 'magic language' is...

"Igna Flare."

"Wha—!?"

As I muttered the words, a fireball began to grow from my hand.

Eh, it's not spreading to my body!? Is it okay?

"What do I do with this?"

"Interrupt it quickly!"

"How!?"

I don't know how! As I said that, the fireball grew larger and started to spread to the carpet.

"Damn it! Aqua Coagulate!"

Gillion chanted a spell at the uncontrollable flames.

He recited the spell more smoothly and quickly than I did.

Then, a large amount of water converged in the air and poured down.

As a result, the flames in the room were instantly extinguished.

Naturally, a considerable amount of water also poured down on us.

"..."

Our hair and clothes clung to our skin, and the carpet, bed, and bookshelf were all drenched.

Lifting my waterlogged feet, the carpet made a squelching sound.

Ugh, that's disgusting.

Gillion's bangs were wet, covering his face, making it hard to see his expression. His glasses, reflecting the light from the water, looked scary.

"You're a real man, dripping with water?"

At that moment, the narrow eyes hidden behind the paper and glasses glared at me sharply.

Ugh, his eyes look like a snake's.

"...After you clean up the room, come to my room."

With that, Gillion left the room, making a squelching sound.

I wasn't scolded?

I was left alone in the room, stunned.

The sound of water droplets falling echoed throughout the room.