【SIDE: ISAAC】
Even for my son, it was a dignified attitude.
He is praised as a well-made child not only by those of our own country but also by nobles of other countries, and I had no choice but to agree with that without flattery.
Court was a child who observed his surroundings well from a young age. He didn’t just observe; he would continue to watch until he understood the meaning, and eventually make it his own.
That was true for noble behavior, ways of thinking, and etiquette, but it was also true for swordsmanship and magic.
In particular, when he was provided with an excellent teacher, I think he was growing with terrifying momentum.
Watch, listen, and practice.
If the teacher’s precise advice was added to that, he absorbed knowledge with several times the momentum of an ordinary person.
I thought it was natural for him to enter Fidic Academy, and even when I heard he was achieving particularly excellent grades within the world’s top magic academy, I felt no sense of incongruity.
My child must be a genius. I think Aile is also quick to learn, but in terms of natural talent, he probably cannot reach Court.
That is my evaluation of Court.
Therefore, when Court gave the greeting first when the presentation started, I thought that Court was indeed the best among Aoi-sensei’s pupils.
The children of key figures from various countries, such as Rocks, Felter, and Hiram, are also rumored to have high abilities, but their ages are different. When my child reaches the same age, he will surely surpass them.
Inwardly, I was watching the venue while thinking such things, but Court’s greeting was taken over by Rocks.
And finally, an unknown boy stepped forward to give a detailed explanation of the magic they were about to perform.
Could it be that this boy possesses the highest skill?
No, if it were Rocks, it might be one thing, but there’s no way Court would lose to a boy of that age…
While confused, I watched the boy’s magic chant.
The chant was completed faster than I thought.
Just as one would expect from someone taught directly by Aoi-sensei, the explanation of the magic was at an unbelievable level, but surely a student wouldn’t be able to use magic to that extent.
That expectation of mine was overturned in an instant.
Before my eyes, purple lightning flashed violently. Before I even had time to think “No way, really?”, it grew larger and larger.
While I was astonished by that sight, Court and Rocks had finished their magic chants before I knew it.
Their magic also gradually grew larger, but it wasn’t growing with as much vigor as that boy’s.
And the same was true for the other students who were starting to exercise their magic in turn.
Apparently, regarding this Lightning Magic, that boy is one or two steps ahead.
Eventually, as the venue was being enveloped in the light of intense lightning magic, the boy who first activated the magic interrupted his magic midway.
Except for the center of the venue, the area was still repeating intense flashes with lightning magic. Amidst that, the boy began a new magic chant.
【SIDE: Tis】
The venue had fallen silent due to sheer surprise.
And around the time everyone had activated their lightning magic, cheers of surprise and emotion were finally heard.
That quiet Dean is showing off magic so grandly in the center of the venue.
Moreover, it’s an amazing magic that surprises everyone.
Just seeing that figure made me feel like I was going to cry, even though I was in public.
“Dean…”
Even though I knew he couldn’t hear me, I clenched my fists and called my child’s name.
Boasting the Stone house, selling our face and name in noble factions—none of that matters right now.
My child, Dean, is showing off his magic while receiving the applause of the people so grandly.
That was more prideful and joyful than anything else.
I noticed the tears wetting my cheeks, but forgetting even to wipe them, I continued to stare at my child’s presentation.
At that time, only Dean interrupted his magic. I wondered what was wrong. Did some problem occur?
Suddenly becoming anxious, my bad habit was about to come out.
While my heart was pounding, I stared at Dean’s figure as if praying.
Then, as if to encourage me, Dean took a light breath with a calm expression and started chanting again. Is he going to show us magic again?
As I watched while thinking that, I noticed the chant was longer than before. During that time, the other students also interrupted their magic, and eventually, the venue regained its original scenery.
What is about to happen? I felt everyone’s eyes turn toward Dean, wondering that.
Amidst the silence that enveloped the venue, Dean’s chant came to an end.
“…Lightning!”
As Dean shouted the name of the magic, he pointed his right arm toward the heavens. Immediately after, a small water ball the size of a fist appeared, grew larger in the blink of an eye, and began to flash violently.
Then, the water ball darkened for an instant, and in the next moment, it released an intense band of light toward the sky.
A low sound that resonated in one’s stomach and an impact sound like something exploding echoed simultaneously, and lightning darted through the sky.
My limbs tingling with pain—does that mean I slightly received the lightning in my body?
Looking around, many people had lost their strength in their legs and were sitting on the ground. There were also many standing, but all of them were staring blankly at the sky.
For several seconds, the venue remained quiet as if savoring the afterglow of the magic.
But eventually, one or two people returned their gaze to Dean and the others, and a great round of applause began to erupt.
That was a sign of the success of the students’ presentation, and at the same time, it must have been like a bell announcing a major turning point for Dean.
Leaving the overflowing tears as they were, I was sending applause until my hands hurt.
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【SIDE: AOI】
“…That was nerve-wracking.”
“Yeah. But it was fun.”
“Ah! Don’t touch me right now! You’ll definitely get a zap!”
Aile and the others moved to the back of the venue while making a fuss.
Court should still be giving the final greeting, but they are free-spirited children.
“Good work. It was a very good presentation.”
As I said that, the three of them looked back.
“Aoi-sensei!”
“Right? I worked hard! Right?”
“Kyah!? I told you not to touch me!?”
Aile, Liz, and Belle made a lot of noise.
While giving a wry smile to the always energetic three, I also spoke words of appreciation to Shenley, who came out next.
“Good work. You did your best.”
As I told her that, Shenley nodded with a shy smile.
“Yes. I couldn’t see my father, but he must have been watching somewhere, right?”
As Shenley muttered that looking a little anxious, I laughed as if exhaling.
After all, Shenley’s father, Ord, had been positioned at the edge of the venue from the start.
Since many people had gathered before Shenley and the others appeared at the venue, he was probably pushed further to the edge.
But I think he properly watched Shenley’s big moment.
“It’s okay. Ord was at the venue.”
When I said that and laughed, Shenley nodded with relief.
And then, this time Dean quietly returned from the venue.
It was a little amusing how he had returned to his usual quiet atmosphere from his dignified attitude until a moment ago.
“Good work. Tis was moved.”
“Eh? Is that true? T-That… I was focusing too much on the magic and couldn’t see people’s faces…”
“Please try talking to her later. I’m sure she’ll be happy.”
I told the bewildered Dean that and smiled at him.
And finally, Court and Rocks returned.
“Good work. You both were dignified and looked cool.”
When I told them that, Court waved one hand with a refreshing smile, and Rocks snorted and looked away as if sulking.
Does the competitive spirit come out even in a place like this? The two showed contrasting reactions.
While feeling something heartwarming about that, I looked back at everyone.
“Everyone, it was a wonderful presentation. Just between us, personally, I think it was the best presentation of anyone at this cultural festival. Let’s show off even more amazing magic next year and surprise the audience.”
When I said that with a peek of my mischievous side, everyone burst out laughing.
“Fufu, I didn’t think Aoi-sensei would say something like that.”
“Everyone was so surprised!”
“…I-It was fun, wasn’t it?”
When Dean finally stated such an impression, everyone’s gaze strangely gathered on him.
“Eh? W-What…?”
At the sight of the flustered Dean, everyone laughed out loud. Aile slapped the bewildered Dean’s back and opened his mouth.
“Well, you did fire off the flashiest magic! It must have felt good, right?”
“Eh? Eh? Y-Yeah…”
Being teased by Aile while laughing, Dean smiled shyly.
While being calmed by that sight, Rocks crossed his arms and furrowed his brows.
“…I’ll be able to use the same magic as Dean soon. Remember that.”
Leaving a line like a villain, Rocks turned his back with a huff.
Dean watched Rocks’s back as he walked away with wide eyes.
“…M-Maybe, I made him angry…?”
To Dean, who turned around with a face that looked like he was about to cry, Court shook his head while giving a wry smile.
“That’s not it. He’s just frustrated. Don’t worry about it, I think it would be good to pull even further ahead next year.”
Court laughed enjoyably. However, he immediately narrowed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.
“Well, I don’t intend to lose either, you know?”
Saying that, Court smiled fearlessly. He is a refreshing man through and through.
Dean looked at such a Court and nodded slightly.
“…I-I don’t intend to lose either.”
When Dean said that, everyone’s eyes widened in surprise for an instant.
That Dean, who was always lacking in confidence, had said for himself that he wouldn’t lose.
The fact that he had mastered Lightning Magic more than anyone else among the students might have led to great confidence.
I felt immensely happy and wanted to pat Dean’s head. Impulsively, I grabbed Dean’s head with enough force to make a washi sound and patted it vigorously.
“Wa, wawawa…”
I wasn’t patting that hard, but Dean was making a strange voice as if bewildered.
In the next moment, I saw Tis running from the side of the stage.
“Uwah!”
Tis, who had rushed in silently, jumped at Dean’s head and hugged him just like that.
“You did… you did so well, Dean! It was an amazing magic!”
With a tearful voice, Tis hugged Dean with all her might and praised him.
Dean himself had his eyes spinning, but gentle gazes were being sent from the surroundings.
Tis, who had voiced so much dissatisfaction with Dean, was praising his efforts without reservation.
I felt happy myself. While watching with a heartwarming feeling, Tis looked back at me without even wiping her tears and bowed deeply.
“Thank you very much, thank you so very much…!”
While looking at Tis, who was expressing gratitude while holding back sobs, Dean looked down bashfully. The sight of those two was truly joyful, and I unexpectedly felt like I was about to cry as well.
Suppressing the urge to pat Dean’s head even more, I patted the head of Shenley, who was nearby, instead.
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