“Currently, our Court-Highland has adopted Fidic Academy’s methods, implementing advancement based on ability and graduation based on final presentation results, but somehow the overall skill of our mages hasn’t improved. How are your countries handling this?”
“In terms of mage ability, we have some outstanding individuals. However, that’s largely due to talent. Carvan Kingdom has many unique magics, but aren’t those also research results by a very small number of talented individuals?”
“That’s true. Certainly, new magic creators appear every year, but it’s by the same ten or so people. Well, on average, I’m proud that our Carvan Kingdom is a magically advanced nation.”
“My country is… fire mages just need to be able to light furnaces. Earth mages just need to repair furnace walls and bottoms. Wind mages just need to send wind to furnaces… Are we even doing magical research?”
And so the current state of magical research in each country was laid bare. I found this extremely interesting to listen to. In a way, it might have been good that I attended the reception. I felt like the problems each country needed to solve had been highlighted.
The common belief that magic depends on talent is strong, and in the dwarf country, there’s only awareness of whether it connects to smithing work.
I should probably formulate some countermeasures before visiting each country.
As I was thinking and pondering this, Isaac looked at me.
“As expected, each country is struggling with magical research. Creating new magic is like groping through darkness. If only there were some good research methods…”
When Isaac said this, everyone’s eyes turned to me. Looking at Glen, he was also looking at me with a similar expression.
I was still in the middle of thinking, but the atmosphere was such that I couldn’t say nothing.
Reluctantly, I decided to broadly convey my current thoughts.
“From listening to everyone’s stories just now, I feel there are differences in your perceptions of magic. The same goes for common knowledge. Just changing those thoughts might bring some change.”
When I answered, Middleton raised one eyebrow and looked at me with interest.
“Oh? Perceptions of magic, common knowledge. What kind of differences are there? I’m also curious about your suggestion to change our thinking.”
Middleton said this, and Lorette also nodded deeply.
“You speak as if our way of thinking is fundamentally wrong?”
Lorette asked back with a slightly annoyed tone. I nodded in response and answered.
“First, if it’s just about becoming a mage, everyone can do it. However, whether they can achieve the excellent skills of court mages or Headmaster Glen is uncertain.”
When I said this, everyone’s eyes widened. Then Lorette furrowed his brow and glared at me.
“…This may be true in other countries as well, but in Carvan Kingdom, being a mage is considered something only those with talent can achieve. In fact, those who cannot become mages cannot activate even basic magic for their entire lives.”
Setting aside the content of Lorette’s statement, I sensed hostility in his words for some reason.
Did I say something wrong?
When I thought this, I remembered something.
“Ah. When I met Count Vic from Carvan Kingdom, he said that magic can only be used by those of noble bloodlines. I shared my thoughts with him as well, but he had difficulty accepting them.”
When I briefly mentioned Vic, Lorette blinked.
“That would be natural. Count Vic is someone who has long researched magic. In terms of magical common knowledge, he is undoubtedly one of the experts.”
Lorette said this while looking at me. I nodded at this, but firmly spoke words of denial.
“However, if that common knowledge is wrong, magical research will definitely be delayed. After all, this is about the stage before conducting research. Research based on wrong knowledge and common knowledge won’t go well.”
When I stated this clearly, Lorette looked taken aback, but glanced at the other attendees and cleared his throat.
“…You seem quite confident, but can this be verified?”
“Of course. I’ve already shown the proof to Count Vic, and I believe verification results will emerge as the number of mages actually increases. Starting from this Wintervalley.”
When I answered, Lorette groaned and closed his mouth. Then Middleton raised the corner of his mouth.
“Oh! So the mage population of Varted Kingdom will increase? What form do you predict this increase will take? Since those thought to have no magical aptitude will become mages, even one or two per year would be a significant plus.”
Middleton said this with a laugh, and I nodded in response.
“Yes. This month and next will be preparation periods, so only a few mages will increase, but after that, I think more than ten mages will increase every month. However, since I’ll only be teaching basics for about one to one and a half months, intermediate and advanced mages won’t increase until after six months.”
I gave a somewhat conservative estimate of the numbers. At this, everyone in the hall froze with confused expressions.
When I briefly explained the trigger for easily becoming a mage, everyone’s eyes widened.
“You’re saying that with that magical tool, one can become a mage?”
“No, any magical tool will do, but this one is simply the most efficient and safest. Also, since it can be easily made, it’s possible to implement it simultaneously in all countries if desired.”
When I answered with this intention, Middleton’s smile froze. Glen’s eyes lit up with this new information, but he would probably have another headache later.
After all, if we had limited the demonstration to Varted Kingdom alone, we could have created a significant advantage.
However, since key figures from various countries were gathered in one place, it was a good opportunity to improve the world’s magical standards.
“…How long would it take to create that magical tool? And what about the cost?”
Isaac asked with a serious face. I thought people from any country would be skeptical at first, but was he surprisingly trusting?
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“The magical tool itself could be made in one day, at most two days, given the materials. Also, I plan to have a certain trading company help, so eventually it should become available at low cost… I expected to be doubted at first, so this is a surprising reaction.”
When I honestly shared my feelings, Isaac smiled wryly and nodded.
“If I had heard this story with no prior information, I might have been skeptical too. However, I’ve been hearing from Court and Aile through letters almost every week. From their perspective, Aoi-sensei is undoubtedly the world’s greatest grand mage… Even if there were some discrepancies in today’s information, our country will be the first to adopt Aoi-dono’s magical tools. Rather, I pray that other countries will doubt Aoi-dono’s words and delay introducing those magical tools.”
Isaac said this with a laugh.
“Thank you very much.”
I couldn’t help but smile and respond.
As the two of us were laughing together, Ramsey immediately spoke up.
“Our country will also adopt them. However, receiving those magical tools would be meaningless if we can’t use them effectively. To have the methods taught to us, I’d like Aoi to come to Bushmill Empire once. I heard this morning that you visited Mapleleaf? Then Bushmill should be next.”
Ramsey crossed his arms and said this with a stern expression. This was also surprising. Not Felter, but I had arbitrarily held an image of him only believing in the strong. I hadn’t expected him to say such things without even having that duel.
As I thought this and watched, Ramsey showed a fearless smile.
“Of course, the duel matter is separate. I’m personally very interested in Aoi’s fighting style and abilities. However, if those magical tools can increase the number of mages, wouldn’t that definitely strengthen national power? I can’t imagine missing such a precious opportunity.”
Ramsey said this and took meat from his plate. Watching Ramsey continue eating heartily, Grants also looked at me with shining eyes.
“Certainly, increasing mages means being able to increase furnaces! Grandsands would like to purchase them immediately as well. However, I’d first like to see those magical tools. What do you think, Lorette-dono?”
When Grants turned and asked, Lorette leaned back in his chair with a difficult expression. He pondered silently for several seconds, then slightly opened his eyes and looked at me.
“…It’s troubling. If all countries adopt those magical tools together, and if the effects you described appear, we would be significantly disadvantaged. The longer we wait, the greater the wound becomes, tormenting our country. However, as you know, our Carvan Kingdom has somewhat strong elitist thinking. The common belief that being a mage is proof of noble bloodline is deeply rooted… If ordinary commoners become mages, and especially if mages superior to high nobles or royalty appear, the country would be in turmoil. Citizens, especially lower-class citizens, would distrust the nobility, and elitist nobles would definitely scramble to deny those magical tools.”
Saying this, Lorette sighed deeply.
“…And unfortunately, my brother has particularly strong elitist thinking. Accepting some disadvantages, it would be best to make recommendations when other countries have used the magical tools and produced results, as that would allow introduction with the fewest obstacles. Well, as King Grants says, I should probably see them directly first and gather as much information as possible…”
After saying this much, Lorette brought alcohol to his mouth. Surprisingly, his statement seemed to indicate he was thinking positively about it personally.
If so, as Lorette suggested, I should first increase the total number of mages in other countries and implement educational curriculum reviews.
I felt that the previously vague plan for improving magical standards was gradually becoming clearer, and I was able to enjoy the delicious food in good spirits.
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