CH 4

[Eh?]

I tilted my head as I opened the closet to take out my cloak.

It’s not there.

That’s odd, I’m sure I put it in here yesterday but…….

Ah, no way.

[———— Seika-kun, Seika-kun.]

I turned around at the small voice and saw a girl looking at me through the gaps of the door.

She had fine golden hair. She was a little girl about the same age and height as me.

[What? Aoife.]

[Um, this……]

She offered me the cloak that I was looking for with a dispirited look.

If I looked closely here and there, I could see small leaves and twigs on it. I knew it and I sighed inwardly.

It was probably Gurai’s deed.

Four years have passed and that stupid brat was still alive and well. He has been looking down on me and pestering me repeatedly whenever possible but he has been very vigilant lately; it may be because I have been nonchalantly using shikigami to get back at him every time so he did not come to do anything direct anymore.

Then, he started to be small-minded and played mischievous pranks such as hiding or breaking my personal belongings.

How could he do this to a brother three years younger than him?

I am naturally worried about the humanity of my second elder brother.

[Thank you, Aoife. I’ve been searching for it.]

I thanked her and took the cloak and the little girl cast her head downwards.

Aoife is the daughter of a slave owned by the Lamprogue family.

The children born to slaves are also naturally slaves but slaves that live in the mansion are treated well and are not treated much differently from servants. This aspect was similar to the West in my previous life.

Although, I think it probably does not change the fact that slaves like those used for big plantations and mines are miserable.

[But, how do you find it every time?]

I wonder how many times I have asked Aoife to find something that’s hidden.

[That is……well, by chance…… Seika-kun, this is really too much. I’ll try to request help from the master and then maybe young master Gurai will kindly stop it……]

Aoife said in a hushed voice.

As you can understand from listening, this child does not use honorific titles and honorifics for only me. At first, I was disappointed that even slaves could look down on me but apparently, he was close to her age so she thought that she had to get along with the child outcast since that was the case.

I was moved to tears. This was one of the few in the house with a conscience.

[It’s all right.]

[But……]

[It’s the truth. Since this much is fine.]

Actually, this is kind of cute.

At the time I became the apprentice to my master, my senior brothers and sisters seriously tried to kill me.

Well, in the end, I cursed everyone to death.

[No, but I’m still……]

[Seika! What the hell are you doing here!]

The sudden loud voice made Aoife’s shoulders tremble in fear.

My second elder brother, Gurai approached us with his thudding big steps and glared at Aoife.

[Hey, slave! What are you doing slacking off here! I’ll tell father!]

[I, I’m sorry.]

Aoife was so frightened that she bowed her head and left in order to escape.

Gurai snorted and took his eyes off her back. He looked at the cloak I was holding and then said after he smacked his lips.

[Playing with grass outside again? The mistress’s children are so easygoing! Since you don’t have to study things like magic. Oops, you can’t do it even if you wanted to in the first place. ]

And then, Gurai said, showing his personality with an evil smile on his face.

[Well, you can do whatever you want. You are going to get driven out of this family in the future anyway! What are you going to do, Seika? The only future for you is the army.]

[Can I get into the Imperial troops?]

So I thought, why not.

""

It’s much better than starving. If it’s the direct army, I’ll be treated well.

Well, although I don’t think I will ever join the army.

[What are you being so relieved about? You don’t know? In the military, they train you to the extent that you will puke and you must obey the orders of your superior officer at all costs. Even if the other party is a commoner, you know?]

I was at a loss to respond.

No, that’s true. Because it’s the military.

Rather, if you don’t do those two things without exception, you will die in the crucial moment.

He thought I was silent because I was seized with fear, but Gurai’s tone of voice was clearly getting carried away.

[You should start practicing with your sword from now on. Well, but at any rate, a pipsqueak like you will probably die in your first battle!]

[I will grow taller from now on, more importantly, what about Brother Gurai?]

[What?]

[Brother Luft will take over the family, right? Isn’t Brother Gurai the one who will be driven out?]

Gurai snorted and scowled at me.

[I don’t want to be lumped together with a failure like you! I’m going to the Magic Academy to become a first-class researcher like father.]

[The Magic Academy?]

[You don’t know anything about the Magic Academy? It’s the Imperial Rodnea Magic Academy, a prestigious academy for magicians that has produced a number of imperial court magicians, you know?]

If I’m not mistaken, Rodnea is the name of a city close to the imperial capital.

I see, so there’s an educational institution there. Since it’s called an academy, it must be large-scale.

I have heard good things.

[Hmm. How old do you have to be to go there?]

[You have to be twelve years old to take the test but I am part of the Lamprogue family. I don’t need to learn the basics with those uneducated people. It would be enough for me to transfer to a higher division at the age of fifteen! Maybe I’ll be scouted by an imperial court magician as soon as I  enter the academy and I’d be happy to build my career there then.]

I was taken aback by my second elder brother who was not embarrassed talking about it.

That’s a lot of confidence. Even if you have the ability, it’s hard even for a human to do this.

[Hey, Seika. Don’t think you’re going down the same path as me. The Lamprogue family has such a wide influence that they don’t allow members of their family to choose the same path! Oh, you’re a failure with no magical powers in the first place. Humph.]

This fellow really never forgets to denounce me.

""

[I don’t care.]

[Ah? What’s with that……]

[Gurai, how long are you going to talk for?]

A low and heavy voice resounded.

A tall and mature man was standing behind Gurai before he knew it.

My second elder brother turned around in a panic.

[Father!]

[Luft has already left. Where’s your staff?]

[Ah, um, after this……]

[I told you I would examine your magic today.]

[No, no, That fellow, Seika is……]

As expected, it’s difficult to blame me, isn’t it?

""

The man looked away from Gurai and looked down at me.

[Seika, stay obediently in the mansion today.]

[Father.]

I stared straight at the man.

It doesn’t work that way. That’s why I was looking for the cloak.

[Can you please also take me along to practice magic?]