Chapter 12: Eliza’s Presentation and King Grandsands
“Sorry to keep you waiting. I really intended to return right away, but I never expected it would take this long… My apologies.”
I approached Tis, who had been watching the presentations while waiting, and immediately apologized for taking so much time. She shook her head left and right with a very apologetic attitude.
“N-no, I don’t mind at all.”
Perhaps being reserved, Tis said such a thing. I bowed my head to her once more.
“I’m terribly sorry again and again. Well, Ramsey-san was unexpectedly formidable, so the time for the next presentation is approaching… Would it be alright if we discuss your matter after that presentation? If evening would be too difficult, I can make time tomorrow as well.”
“…Um, you’re calling the Guardian of Bushmills merely ‘formidable’… No, never mind. I have time, so after the presentation is fine.”
“Thank you very much. Well then, I’ll just go for a moment. Ah, I think the next presentation will be quite spectacular to watch, so please do take a look.”
“Eh? Even more than the current presentation? That’s a bit scary…”
After such an exchange, I headed toward Eliza.
I crossed the plaza and headed toward Eliza, who was preparing for her presentation. I approached her figure from behind as she was doing something on the ground in a corner and called out to her.
“Eliza-san, how are the preparations going?”
“Y-yes!?”
When I called out, she turned around vigorously and looked relieved when she saw me.
“It was Aoi-san. I panicked thinking it was already time.”
I smiled at Eliza, who laughed like a child saying “ehehe” with her eyebrows forming an inverted V shape, while checking the time.
“It seems there are just a few more minutes.”
“Eh, it’s already that time!?”
When I told her the time, Eliza hurriedly stood up. Looking around, spectators waiting for the start had also gathered. Among them were clearly those dressed as royal nobility, and Eliza’s tension suddenly heightened.
“I-I’m incredibly nervous… Last year too, I made various mistakes, so I wonder if this year will be okay…”
Eliza said such things anxiously. I nodded lightly and placed my hand on her back.
“It’ll be fine. If something happens, I’ll help you from behind the scenes. Relax your shoulders and face the presentation.”
I tried to encourage her, but Eliza still looked very anxious. Her skills as a magician were certainly solid, but she seemed to lack confidence. Because she lacked confidence, her shoulders tensed up, giving the impression that she would make unnecessary mistakes.
“If you’re really anxious, shall I join you as an assistant for the presentation?”
When I asked this, Eliza shook her head left and right vigorously.
“…No, I’ll do it alone! Please watch me!”
“I understand. Well then, I’ll be watching from over there. Good luck.”
Eliza decided on her own to do it alone with determination. I nodded and spoke words of encouragement. Eliza was more serious than usual. I found myself smiling at her demeanor.
Then, Eliza suddenly noticed something in my hands and tilted her head.
“Aoi-san. What is that?”
“This?”
At Eliza’s question, I checked my belongings. A colorful cloth bag, a flashy flute with bird feathers attached, and a freshly grilled meat skewer.
“I bought these from that shop over there. Would you like some?”
When I offered the meat skewer, Eliza gently took it.
“…Aoi-san, you like festivals, don’t you? That’s unexpected.”
She murmured this and bit into the meat skewer, then let out a breath as if laughing.
“I feel a bit more energetic now. I’ll do my best.”
And so, Eliza laughed cheerfully.
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When the time came, the sound of bells rang from the direction of the academy buildings. Hearing that sound, the audience’s eyes all turned at once to Eliza standing at the back of the plaza.
Eliza moved her right hand and right foot forward together, coming out to the center of the plaza.
In the venue that had fallen completely silent, Eliza took a small deep breath and opened her mouth.
“Thank you for gathering here. I am Eliza Woodford, a general instructor at Fidic Magic Academy. Today I will present earth magic using golems. Thank you for your attention.”
Despite her nervous expression, she managed to give her greeting without stumbling. For some reason feeling like a mother, I watched Eliza’s presentation seriously.
“Eliza-chan!”
“Do your best!”
From nearby, several men gave Eliza cheers as if they were supporting an idol.
Who are they?
I thought this and checked the men’s behavior, but their eyes looking at Eliza with prayer were filled with affection. They seemed to be friends or something. Though their enthusiasm was a bit excessive, if they were allies, that might be a good thing.
For now, I set aside the men and returned my gaze to Eliza.
Eliza had already begun her incantation. Magic activated, and the ground swelled up to form a mountain of sand. Eliza was on top of that sand mountain, in a position where everyone had to look up at her.
Since the instructors had been giving presentations using magic until now, the audience didn’t react and waited for the continuation.
I became a little anxious, so after seeing Eliza close her eyes and begin concentrating on her incantation for the next magic, I quietly provided some assistance.
I cast magic to create a film of water containing sand in the sky above, dropping shadows slightly everywhere except where Eliza was standing. This would make it feel as if Eliza’s figure was naturally lit up.
Several people noticed the change in the sky, but most of them had their attention drawn to Eliza’s incantation and didn’t react.
Eventually the incantation ended, and Eliza raised her face to cast her magic.
The magic was one that lifted objects from within the earth and returned the surrounding sand to the ground. It was simple, but difficult magic to present well. It would require precise manipulation of magical power.
However, Eliza concentrated with an unusually serious expression and cast the magic accurately.
Eventually, the sand mountain returned to the ground as if time were rewinding. As the golem’s figure gradually appeared, cheers rose from some of the audience. True to Eliza’s style, the golem with detailed craftsmanship was very handsome. After finishing her incantation while positioned on the golem’s head, Eliza gave everyone a light bow and began another incantation.
Was there still something more? If she was going to do something after this, I could only think of things like making the golem move, but what would she do?
Like the audience, I also focused on Eliza’s actions, wondering what she would do.
The incantation was completed in a few seconds, and the magic was cast. Then, from the ground around Eliza’s golem, something appeared like moles poking their heads out.
“Ohh…!”
Someone let out an exclamation of admiration. And rightfully so. Incredibly, four more golems of different shapes had emerged from the ground! A female-type golem, a golem with arms that were swords, a large wolf-like golem, and a beautifully formed horse golem.
They looked good, and since I hadn’t expected such shaped golems to appear, the surprise was great.
“A horsie!”
As soon as a child’s delighted cheer was heard, the other spectators also applauded. The presentation was a great success.
I dispelled the water film floating in the air and joined in the applause.
“Eliza-chan!”
“You’re cute again this year!”
Eliza’s friends who had been cheering earlier were also very happily giving applause and cheers. They really seemed like good friends.
I hoped this would give Eliza a little more confidence. I was thinking such things when I was suddenly addressed.
“Hmm… I came here because it was a presentation by magicians from my country, but was it a wasted trip?”
At such words, I involuntarily turned around.
“Aoi-dono surely thinks so as well, doesn’t she? What an embarrassing, childish presentation.”
Chuckling bitterly while muttering this, King Grandsands, Grants, looked at me.
“Do you think so? I think Eliza-san’s presentation was wonderful with various possibilities for development. What kind of presentation would have satisfied you, Grants-sama?”
When I asked back, Grants furrowed his brow and sighed.
“In the end, rather than magic that has no meaning without that particular person, sturdy weaponry that anyone can handle is superior. At least, that’s what I believe. In fact, even with many magicians who can only use intermediate-level magic, my Kingdom of Grandsands has always maintained its presence as a great power.”
Being told this, I too became somewhat emotional and opened my mouth to argue back.
“Isn’t that conclusion hasty? For example, no matter how excellent weaponry one might possess, they might not be able to defeat Eliza-san in a one-on-one fight. Furthermore, Eliza-san’s specialty is earth magic. Whether it’s buildings, bridges, or roads, she can create various things necessary for daily life all by herself. Isn’t this wonderful?”
When I confirmed this, Grants shook his head left and right with a troubled expression.
“Aoi-dono is still young. You probably aren’t well-versed in history… Until now, few magicians from the Kingdom of Grandsands have become what could be called first-class magicians. But even so, the Kingdom of Grandsands has never had its territory invaded, and has even been counted as one of the great powers. That is all due to the power of excellent weaponry.”
By the time Grants spoke these words, some of the spectators in the plaza had turned their attention this way. Since dwarf guards surrounded us, it was natural that we would stand out.
However, troublingly, Eliza, who had just finished her presentation, had heard this.
Looking at Eliza, who was gazing at us with an anxious expression, I hesitated over what words to say to her.
Then, Grants opened his mouth.
“…In any case, today’s final presentation would be lacking with just now’s display. Well, shall I lend a hand?”
“What do you mean?”
When I tilted my head at those words, Grants walked toward Eliza, taking his guards with him. Surprised that her country’s king was approaching, Eliza straightened her posture.
“Eliza. You’re a magician of the Kingdom of Grandsands.”
“Y-yes!”
Called by name by Grants, Eliza straightened her spine and replied. Looking at this with displeasure, he nodded and opened his mouth.
“It was good magic, but if you’re going to do it anyway, why not do something that would serve as advertisement for the Kingdom of Grandsands? I take pride in the fact that the weaponry of my Kingdom of Grandsands is the world’s finest. Would you try fighting against my guards equipped with that weaponry?”
When Grants said this, Eliza made a very complicated face and froze, opening and closing her mouth several times. She must have been very shocked, as it was like being told her own presentation was unsatisfactory.
I couldn’t help but interject from the side.
“Please wait a moment. This is a magic presentation. Eliza-san’s presentation is finished, so beyond this…”
I tried to stop Grants’s actions, but Eliza interrupted me.
“Your Majesty.”
Eliza knelt on the spot and addressed Grants. Grants turned his face toward her.
“…Do you have some opinion?”
It was an intimidating voice. Well, I suppose a king would be like that with his own subjects. It was quite a different reaction from when he dealt with me.
I don’t know how she interpreted this, but Eliza opened her mouth without raising her face.
“I… hope that magic will be recognized as something more important in the Kingdom of Grandsands. Um, if I win, I would like to request that Your Majesty use your power to improve the educational situation for magicians…”
When Eliza said this, Grants groaned with a difficult expression.
“What? Magician education, you say? Originally, magic should already be given reasonable preferential treatment over other education, but what more do you want?”
To the confused Grants, Eliza shook her head slightly left and right while looking apologetic.
“…With all due respect, magic education in the Kingdom of Grandsands only teaches simple beginner and intermediate magic. In the future, I was hoping we could establish an environment to teach advanced-level and higher magic…”
“Ridiculous.”
Grants spoke up in the middle of Eliza’s petition. When Eliza fell silent, Grants shrugged his shoulders.
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