“Excellent.”
I said so with satisfaction and nodded, raising a finger.
“Lightning Rod”
The moment I cast the magic, a metal rod appeared roughly midway between Shenley and Gem, drawing in the lightning sphere that Shenley had created.
With a thunderous roar, the lightning sphere was absorbed into the metal rod.
“Im-impossible… for a child to use such magic…”
In the completely silent room, Gem’s astonished voice echoed. Ignoring this, I placed my hand on Shenley’s shoulder.
“That was wonderful magic. Since we have this opportunity, let me show you Thor, the ultimate form of lightning magic.”
I said this in high spirits, then moved to the wall and opened the room’s window. I looked outside to check if there were any tall buildings or mountains that might suffer damage.
Judging there to be no problem, I turned back to face the room. Everyone was looking at me with serious expressions.
“Well then, first an Electric Ball…”
Saying this, I put both hands forward and created two lightning spheres.
Then I launched one of them out the window first.
“Here I go… Thor”
The moment I spoke, the remaining lightning sphere in my hand became an enormous beam of light, swallowing the lightning sphere I had launched earlier and being released. With an ear-splitting roar, the window and wall vanished, and a torrent of light about two meters in diameter tore through the sky.
Seeing the magic that had opened a huge hole in the distant clouds, Gem tumbled from his chair.
“This is one of my most powerful spells. The advantage of this magic is that it can defeat most large dragons in a single blow. However, it’s unsuitable for magical beasts that burrow underground or small, quick-moving magical beasts.”
I gave a brief explanation, but everyone was so stunned they couldn’t even comment, let alone move a muscle. Since no one was moving or speaking, I had no choice but to repair the destroyed window and wall with earth magic. I made it stronger than before, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
While having an incoherent conversation with the dazed Gem, word came that a messenger from the royal castle had arrived.
“What could this be about?”
“No, I’m certain it’s about Aoi-dono’s magic…”
After such an exchange with Arabata, we had no choice but to all head to the royal castle. Gem didn’t seem to have been summoned, but since our conversation was ongoing, I decided to bring him along to the royal castle.
For some reason, Gem offered no resistance at all as we brought him to the audience chamber, where we found Emperor Diagio of Maple Leaf with an exhausted expression. Around him, fully armed knights and magicians were lined up and waiting.
I walked to the front, proceeded to the center of the audience chamber, and knelt on one knee.
“Is there something you need?”
When I raised my face and asked this, the prime minister standing before His Majesty’s presence flinched and trembled. Diagio glanced at this sideways, sighed, and raised one hand.
“No, I just wanted to confirm something. A short while ago, there was a mysterious lightning flash that could be called divine thunder from mythology. Very rarely, lightning that spreads in all directions has been witnessed above this Holy Capital, but what reached the royal castle this time wasn’t anything like that. Without warning, accompanied by a thunderous roar, lightning apparently shot straight across the western sky… Was that your magic?”
“Yes. Just now, I was teaching Shenley-san about lightning magic. I apologize. I didn’t realize it would cause such a commotion.”
I honestly apologized to Diagio’s words. Then Diagio looked at the prime minister.
“See, I was right after all. If you were going to be so frightened, you should have confirmed with Aoi-dono first before summoning her.”
Diagio told the prime minister this with a sigh, then turned back toward me.
“It was sudden, you see. This fellow was making a fuss about it being a natural disaster. I thought from the beginning that it must be Aoi-dono’s magic and told him to summon you here. But I was surprised. Please contact us in advance next time.”
To Diagio, who said this with a wry smile, I nodded and answered, “Understood.”
Confirming this, Diagio turned his gaze to the group lined up behind me.
“…Even so, this is an unusual combination. Arabata, of course, but there are Shenley and Viscount Rosenstiel. Oh, I see. Were the parent and child observing Aoi-dono’s magic together? But why is Vice Chief Magician Gem accompanying you?”
Called by name, Gem stiffened his body. He remained with his head bowed, sweating coldly. Watching Gem, who had his hands on the ground trembling, Gem raised his face.
“…Your Majesty. I, I am…”
Gem whispered in a small, hoarse voice, as if he had suddenly aged. At his appearance, Diagio also furrowed his brow.
Seeing Gem who had become pitifully small, I rudely interjected from the side, knowing it was improper.
“…Your Majesty.”
When I opened my mouth, Gem drew a short breath.
“Hm? Does this concern Aoi-dono?”
Perhaps sensing the atmosphere between me and Gem from our attitudes, Diagio’s expression became somewhat stern. I was about to answer honestly, but suddenly I found myself considering what would happen if I answered truthfully. Not only Gem, but perhaps Ord might also be put in a difficult position. Thinking this, a different answer than what I had planned spontaneously came out of my mouth.
“Yes. Actually, when Gem-san heard that I was taking Shenley-san back to Fidic Academy, he asked me to teach him magic… Since Ord-san and Katy-san, who are Shenley-san’s family, were also in the Holy Capital, we were holding a magic observation session at Gem-san’s mansion.”
When I hastily told this lie, Gem and Ord looked at me. Diagio tilted his head while looking at Gem and Ord.
“Hmm… I thought for sure both parties had angered Aoi-dono and been literally struck by lightning, but that wasn’t the case, then?”
“…Yes.”
Gem couldn’t answer, and Ord barely managed to say just that. At their appearance, Arabata made a troubled face, lowered his chin, and bowed his head to Diagio.
“With all due respect, Your Majesty. The nobles of the holy capital have already been informed that Aoi-dono is receiving treatment as a top-level dignitary. Furthermore, though not officially stated, we have also added a note that any actions opposing Aoi-dono should absolutely be avoided. Under such circumstances, to anger Aoi-dono by going against the royal decree would be an action worthy of exile from the country. Would these two, who have served the royal family for many years, really take such action?”
Arabata grandly defended the two. As expected of someone holding an important position in the Royal Guard Knights. It sounded like a very convincing excuse.
Even Diagio and the Prime Minister could only look at each other and nod at this.
“Indeed. Well then, I believe you understand, but let me emphasize this once more. Prime Minister.”
When Prime Minister was called, he cleared his throat once and looked down at Gem and Ord from atop the stairs.
“By decree of His Majesty. Aoi-Konominato-shi, a senior instructor at Fidic Academy, is henceforth an important person who will greatly contribute to the magical development of the Mapleleaf Holy Empire. In order to build maximum cooperation, not only the royal family but also the nobles belonging to the Holy Empire will assist Aoi-dono. Naturally, since this is a royal decree, defying it will be considered treason against the state. Do you both understand?”
When the Prime Minister solemnly declared this, Gem and Ord, still kneeling on one knee, gave affirmative responses.
“……Aoi-sensei?”
Seeing me dejected after leaving the audience chamber, Shenley called out asking what was wrong.
“……I brazenly told lies in an official setting. I’m unfit to be a teacher……I should be a model for my students, yet what have I done……”
As I muttered while tormented by self-reproach and guilt, Shenley blinked once, then immediately burst into laughter.
“Please don’t laugh……It makes me feel even worse……”
When I protested, Shenley grasped my hands with both of hers.
“Aoi-sensei is the best teacher, so you don’t need to feel down!”
Told this with a radiant smile like a blooming flower, I naturally felt my mood lighten. I’m quite simple-minded, aren’t I?
Thinking this, I patted Shenley’s head and thanked her.
“Thank you. I feel a bit better. Shenley-san, you’re the best student.”
When I said this, it felt like a warm, gentle atmosphere spread between Shenley and me.
“Ahem. By the way, what do you plan to do after this?”
With a throat clearing, Arabata interrupted. When I turned around, Gem, Ord, and Katy were also standing awkwardly in the hallway in front of the audience chamber.
“Well then, let’s discuss Shenley-san’s unreasonable marriage proposal once more. For the location, would Arabata-san’s house be good this time?”
“M-my house!? Please spare me from that……I have a feeling my house will burn down completely this time……!”
When I suggested this, Arabata shrank back and trembled. Since it couldn’t be helped, I was thinking of going to the magic academy or research laboratory when Gem shook his head left and right and looked up.
“I no longer intend to argue.”
“Eh?”
My voice involuntarily hardened at Gem’s words. If he wouldn’t even listen to our arguments, persuasion would be impossible. In that case, I’d have no choice but to run away with Shenley like eloping.
Such thoughts instantly swirled around in my head.
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