NOVEL NEXT Chapter 33
As the sun’s presence grows stronger each day, I can sense the slow approach of summer in the air.
Around this time, everyone back at the manor has probably started to relax after the busy season passed, and the self-defense group’s training calls have likely begun.
I just hope everyone remains in good health. Here, on the main road leading towards the Imperial Capital which grows closer by the day, I gaze up at the clear blue sky and pray for everyone’s safety.
The journey to the Imperial Capital of Bearlin, which was said to take three months, has stretched on due to delays from rain and unexpected long stays—please don’t let another spontaneous book fair pop up—but at last, we’re nearing the final stretch.
If no “event” like a giant beast blocking the road to the capital arises, we should arrive in about three days.
It’s been an exceedingly long and arduous three months, the kind where jokes no longer cut it. We’ve gone through quite a lot.
Like the time I received a book of combat magic and, in my excitement, accidentally singed my bangs. Or the incident when Lady Agrippina, for some inexplicable reason, decided to visit the brewery and got into a spat, resulting in an elaborate fight to protect some ruffians. And another morning when I woke up to find my hair dreadlocked with tiny braids, spending the whole day trying to untangle them… It’s been one event after another.
But the most surprising event of all was…
“Brother, brother!”
“Eliza, what is it? I told you not to come out onto the driver’s perch—it’s dangerous!”
Could it be that Eliza has awakened to magic?
This carriage is currently cruising at a fairly high speed. If one were to fall, it would be about as dangerous as a motorcycle accident at the very least. No, when you consider the risk of getting trampled by hooves or wheels, it might be even worse.
In such a situation, it would be nearly impossible for an ordinary seven-year-old to climb from the door to the driver’s perch.
Unless they could either leap through the air or fly.
But my little sister has gained the ability to do both.
“Mr. Guardian said it was alright to jump.”
Gently floating while somehow penetrating the carriage wall, Eliza wraps her lower half around my neck, though the rest of her body remains inside the carriage.
This is a characteristic of the half-fairies—to exist in a kind of ambiguous “phase” between matter and not.
My dear sister awakened to magic last month. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say she remembered her true nature as a half-fairy. It all started shortly after fairies began to hover around me as though competing for attention, and one morning, she woke up floating in bed without even trying.
It was quite the shock, I tell you. I was ready to run to the manor for an exorcist! Such scenes belong in classic horror films.
Since then, things have been like this. She floats about whimsically, touching what she wants and passing through things as she pleases. If all the children in the world grew into adults with abilities like Eliza’s, all the world’s spies would go unemployed.
According to Lady Agrippina, Eliza is only half-awakened and still in a drowsy state. She hasn’t formally begun her education as a sorcerer yet. This is an innate characteristic of the half-fairy race—like how our kind walks on two legs or fish swim. This is just the beginning.
It’s clear from her lisping, adorable speech that Eliza hasn’t fully mastered the court language yet. So, her basic education isn’t yet complete, which is why her magical specialization hasn’t started either. For now, I float her around at her leisure to control her wild magical outbursts and accompany her in “meditation” to develop her concentration.
Eliza seems motivated and is putting in effort, but her progress is slow because of her speech impediment. It reminds me—when I first started, I struggled too… learning the common variant of court language from Margit. I ended up attaching unnecessary accents and made a terrible embarrassment of myself… but let’s not go there, it’s not good for my mental health.
In contrast to me, someone who can acquire skills effortlessly with the flick of a button, I have much to be grateful for with the patient guidance Lady Agrippina provides. Teachers who are willing to be patient and nurture enthusiasm are truly rare.
Still, I wonder what made her change her mind so drastically? She’s become so considerate, even though the first time we met she was a different sort…
Ah, right, there were also troublesome events stemming from Eliza’s magical awakening. When rare individuals like her are targeted by human traffickers, and I nearly became a killer due to my rage—if Master hadn’t stopped me, I would have killed seven people. And then the fairies tried to “play” with her, thinking she was kin, and almost took her away.
Now that I’ve strictly ordered her to always stay by either me or her master, and not to go off with strangers without permission, things have settled down somewhat. But I can’t help but wonder what new troubles might arise next.
And now it’s come to this: the Magic Academy in the Imperial Capital, a place literally brimming with magical elements. Even in a countryside with less magical presence, Eliza attracted plenty of attention…
What will happen as we approach this “Mecca”?
I wiped the cold sweat from my face, troubled by unwelcome imaginings. But seeing my younger sister tilting her head curiously and innocently asking “What’s wrong, brother?,” I managed to regain my composure…
——
【Tips】 The population of the Imperial Capital is 60,000, a small city by Japanese standards, but within the Threefold Empire of Rain, it ranks among the top ten largest cities by population. The residents are primarily nobility and people associated with administration, but among these, magic users and related professionals make up roughly one-tenth of the population, which isn’t insignificant.
——
Standing on a small hill overlooking the distant, massive city, I trembled with mounting excitement and awe.
This is it—the Imperial Capital.
How elegant and beautiful the central Imperial Castle rises in the center! I can’t say much about architectural styles, but the main keep, with its dazzling white walls and numerous spires, exudes an overwhelming presence.
It isn’t a suffocating atmosphere. It has a captivating charm, a serene and grand “pressure” that impresses itself upon your heart.
Its majestic silhouette, reflecting the blue sky in shining water so vividly that it looks as if it’s floating in the air, leaves one no choice but to recognize that the master of the castle resides within.
The keep is surrounded by four protrusions, each of which houses a smaller castle that secures the roads leading to the Imperial City. Each one cleverly painted to avoid drawing too much attention, they beautifully meld together as one magnificent piece of art.
With the castle as its landmark, sixteen large avenues spread out from the city in a perfect circle, a marvel that takes your breath away. Streets of all sizes interweave like a spider’s web, while the chic red of uniformly baked bricks decorates every thoroughfare, displaying the meticulous urban planning.
Smoke rising from chimneys in all directions signals the richness of the people’s lives. The crowds of people and carriages on the roads, so vast they look like black velvet…
This is fantasy—truly, a grand city of fantasy lies before me.
“Wow… this is incredible!”
We’ve stopped in smaller towns along the way, but they were modest places with populations ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 at most. I’d always had this preconceived notion of what a big city would be like, so this was far more moving than expected.
It feels like I’m finally understanding the awe of someone who first saw a great city during the Showa era—although not Okayama.
I can’t wait to get there. I want to walk on those roads and experience it all. What started as a trip for Eliza has now turned into an adventure I can enjoy personally.
Yes, this is the excitement I craved. This is why I admired adventurers.
“You’re completely star struck, aren’t you…”
Ignoring Master’s exasperated thoughts, I soaked in the moment. After all, I am unequivocally a newcomer.
If I had the time, I’d love to capture this feeling through sketching. Even I, who used to disdain people taking pictures with their smartphones, would give anything for a shiny device to document all this now.
I wish the folks back at the manor could see this…
“Wow… it’s so big!”
“So big, Eliza! We’re going to live there starting today!”
“For real!? In that big castle?”
As usual, Eliza clings around my neck like a scarf, her legs fluttering with joy. Hey, hey, stop kicking me in the back!
“Well, technically, not in the castle…”
“The Magic Academy is in the southern outbuilding.”
“Wha-!?”
As I tilted my head in confusion, thinking “Ma?” I turned my gaze to the southern outbuilding. In contrast to the pristine white of the main keep, this one was painted black, emanating an enigmatic aura of authority. Unlike the other outbuildings, which seem to have bustling traffic, this one seemed oddly tranquil—perhaps because it’s reserved for people with business there.
Impressive… I’m going there.
“The southern outbuilding, known as the Raven’s Nest, is the main building of the Magic Academy. Combined with the towers to the east and west, and an extensive subterranean bookshelf and research facility, it truly is the central hub of magic within the Threefold Empire.”
“Whoa…”
The succession of fantasy-laden words sent my excitement through the roof. All the hardships I endured in this world have culminated in a moment of profound awe. I can’t wait to explore every historical site and museum—surely there must be dozens!
“True, the educational hub is elsewhere… but functionally, this really is the core. It was built as a castle for show in a city of show, so I suppose that fits its role.”
“City of show…?”
“Maybe I’ll explain if we have time. Come on, we should head back, I’ve already sent word we’d be arriving today, so it’d be troublesome if we’re late.”
Though curious about that phrase and tempted to linger to take in more of the fantastical cityscape, the client’s order leaves no room for delay.
And Eliza is eager to go, so to avoid further attacks from behind, I need to get back on the driver’s perch quickly.
The carriage creaked as it descended the hill and entered the southern road toward our goal—the south-southeast gate, which diverges from one of the sixteen great avenues.
This gate is a priority entry for those associated with the Magic Academy. Unlike the grand gates to the north, south, east, and west, it remains open all day but requires a special talisman to pass through. It seems that each gate not aligned with the cardinal directions is designated for specific personnel.
Furthermore, near the southeastern city wall lies the “Magical District,” a specialized zone where magicians’ private workshops, lecture halls, and private schools are clustered.
Practicing magic can be dangerous, so individual laboratories and research facilities are kept separate from the city center.
—Well, that makes sense. With so many spells capable of catastrophic explosions, it’s understandable they’d isolate them. The magic guidebook I received was filled with alarming, eyebrow-raising spells numbering more than all my fingers and toes combined.
At the “Raven’s Gate,” as it’s called, a splendidly armored guard contingent stood in precise formation, a far cry from the poorly trained militias back in the country towns. Their perfect alignment, even without an audience, revealed the pride of true, battle-hardened soldiers.
But what truly caught the eye…
Were the massive three-headed dogs standing next to the guards. Though their size is comparable to regular large breed dogs, these obviously dangerous magical creatures instill a profound sense of intimidation.
“These magical beasts won’t bother you unless they’re commanded to, despite their terrifying appearance. They’re loyal and highly efficient, created by the Magic Academy… though calling them harmless ‘puppies’ might be stretching it.”
The Magic Academy making something like this? What kind of “puppy” is that!?
Shaking in fear as we approached, the guard still addressed me politely as a child with “May I see your talisman, please?” Handing over the token we were given in advance, it was paired with the guard’s half of a special magic-inscribed talisman. The two pieces glowed blue with a string of text visible from afar, displaying Lady Agrippina’s name and title.
This was likely also used to document entry and exit records for the city.
“You may proceed. Enjoy the Imperial Capital!”
“Thank you very much!”
I wondered if I should give them a tip, but seeing the carriage drive off, it seemed unnecessary. Perhaps similar to Japanese police, they are not allowed to accept such things.
“Behold, the illustrious Imperial Capital—as self-proclaimed, somewhat disappointing but still impressive.”
“Whoa…!”
The cityscape beyond the gate was magnificent.
The red brick buildings to either side of the road were neatly arranged, not a single one appearing shabbily patched or damaged. The signs hung throughout were stylishly designed, a feast for the eyes.
Scholarly-looking people and robed individuals, presumably connected to magic, moved through the streets. The diversity of races mingling made it a scene I could watch forever.
But the most striking sight was the wide road stretching straight from the gate, leading to the imposing black castle in the distance.
This was it—the Magic Academy. Its magnificent yet solemn presence made it clear why it would be called a “castle of magicians.” It carried such an undeniable air of majesty that, had Eliza not been under our protection, one might mistake it for a Demon King’s Castle.
The thought of arriving there now sent my already sky-high excitement skyrocketing beyond what I thought capable……
—
【Tips】 While the Magic Academy is known for creating convenient magical creatures through spells, these are clearly distinguished from true magical beasts. The most notable distinction is that magical creatures cannot reproduce unless their masters intervene.
And thus we arrive at the illustrious Imperial Capital after three eventful months.
With Eliza awakening to magic, a series of events will unfurl.
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The next update is planned for February 14th at 19:00.