Volume 1 - CH 5

My father in this life looks at me in silence.

Blaise・Lamprogue.

The current head of the Lamprogue family.

The Lamprogue family was originally bestowed their title in recognition of their achievements in magical research and also produced a great number of excellent magicians. Blaise seemed to have been a top-notch magic researcher too before he took over as the head of the family and even now he was always away from home because he dropped by at various research institutions.

Furthermore, he also seems to have excelled in magic combat and has been invited to be an imperial court magician more than once or twice.

But I actually don’t know how great his skills were.

When I used to be an official in the Bureau of Onmyoudou, I guess I was an imperial court magician, my colleagues were generally morons who could not even do proper divination.

[Hey. Seika! What are you talking about! What’s the use of a person like you coming when you don’t have magical powers!]

[All right.]

[Eh, father!?]

[However, only to observe. If that’s alright with you, then get ready to go soon.]

I broadly grinned at Gurai, who was dumbfounded.

[Thank you, father. I’m ready to go.]

****

A short distance away from the mansion, there was a magical training ground used by the Lamprogue family.

Although one might say it was just a row of rock targets on the wooden platform.

The mansion of the Lamprogue family itself was located at the foot of a small mountain, a short distance away from the town.

It was said that Gurai will eventually hunt the monsters that live in the mountains to gain practical experience but……that aside I’m sure that even if a lot of noise is made here, no one will be bothered by it.

[Let’s start with Luft.]

[Yes, father.]

Luft, my eldest brother, held up his staff with a nervous look on his face and aimed the tip of his staff at the rock target.

[Green surges! O spirits of the air, gather thy fury into a blade.]

With those words, power flowed into Luft’s staff.

[————Wind Edge!!]

Wind was shot out from the staff and struck the rock target with a bang.

With a closer look, the surface of the rock seemed to have a few scratches on it.

[It’s stable. The power is passable. This would be a good time to try it without a chant.]

[Yes!]

I contemplated as I took a sidelong glance at my eldest brother who was delighted.

Magic that deals directly with the matter. As expected, it was an existence that was quite similar to black magic.

It’s different in that combat magic is learned first and to assume that you will be in a situation where you’re directly facing your opponent.

It’s very different from the black magic in my previous world where curses and divination are mainstream in every country. 

If I had to choose, it’s similar to martial arts.

How should I put it……what a waste.

Another thing that bothered me was that spells were usually spoken.

To tell the truth, it doesn’t matter what the language is, there is nothing wrong with it per se but……

Well, you know, it was kind of embarrassing to listen to it. I don’t know how these guys can be so composed.

[Next, Gurai, go ahead and try it.]

[Yes!]

Gurai walked out triumphantly and held up his staff in contempt.

[Red blazes! O spirits of flames and sulfur, bellow thy fury into a fireball! ————Fireball!!]

A bright red fireball was shot out from Gurai’s staff.

It hit the rock with great force……and dispersed just like that. It was no surprise that the rock did not burn.

[How did it go, father?]

[Gurai, why didn’t you use wind magic like Luft did?]

[Uh, that’s……]

[It’s good that you have learned a new spell. But it’s still rough. I told you to be proficient in one system first.]

[Yes……]

[You should learn to be diligent like Luft. Your aptitude is not bad either. If you keep up with your efforts, you will eventually succeed as a two system magician in wind and fire.]

[Y-yes! Father!]

With a glance at Gurai, who did not seem to reflect, I pondered once more.

Hmm……

That was pure spiritual power, not magical power burning?

The efficiency was bad and on top of that, there was no physical power too. It is also difficult to aim with the spread of fire. If that’s the case, wouldn’t a fire arrow be better for that?

Oh, well. I’m sure Gurai is just not very good at it but it’s actually more powerful.

[Hahahah…That’s right. Hey, Seika! You should try it too!]

And Gurai, who was in a good mood, suddenly called out to me like that.

[Hey, Gurai……]

[Isn’t it boring for you to watch in a place like that? Father is kindly watching so I’ll lend you my staff for a bit for you so you can show that you are worthy of the Lamprogue family.]

Gurai ignored Luft’s attempts to stop him. He walked over to me and pushed his staff against me.

He was trying to make me a laughing stock for not being able to do it. 

This guy really has a bad personality.

[……Ok.I’ll try it.]

I walked past Gurai, who was grinning and stood in front of the target.

Honestly, I don’t really want to show them my spell right now.

Those who stand out will be regarded as an enemy.

That’s why, the truth is that the stronger one is, the more likely they will die in this world.

No matter how strong I became, I could not escape from that principle in the end.

However, the weak will continue to be robbed. This is also the truth.

It is also inconvenient to be made fun of as one likes. It would be good to show them my minimal power here.

[……ha. What are you getting all worked up about? You don’t even have magical power.]

With Gurai’s voice in the background, I sensed my spiritual power.

As long as I’m being watched by them like this, I can’t use mantras, seals and charms but I’ll be able to manage it one way or another.

I chanted the mantra in my mind.

I formed a seal in my consciousness.

I invoked fire and earth.

I briefly said the name of the technique.

[———— Fireball.]

<Phase of Fire and Earth ———— The Art of Demon Fire>

The staff, to be precise, the space in front of it shot out a ———— large fireball clad in pale blue flames.

The fireball hit the rock.

Then, there was a loud explosion.

The training grounds fell into complete silence.

""

Everyone’s gaze was drawn to the rock that was half gone and embers giving out white smoke.

That’s bad.

I’ve gone overboard.

[Just now……a fireball?]

[No chant……and that power……and the flames were blue……]

While my brothers were in a daze and in the middle of muttering, my face stiffened.

The art of the Cosmic Dual Force and Five Elements that I have developed are based on the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water; and with yin and yang included, a total of seven elements. I can call the spirits of each element with ease.

Of the previously mentioned, the <Demon Fire> that I often used in my previous life, is only a simple technique that ignites the earth energy summoned as a lump of phosphorus, with fire energy but……Apparently, there was too much phosphorus. All the pieces seemed to have burst up in flames at once the moment they were broken by the rock.

On top of that, the pieces of quartz that had been mixed in order to maintain the form of the core had pulverised the rock in the blast.

In addition, I completely forgot about the flame reaction……If I had at least mixed in quicklime and salt, I could have made the colour natural……

This is bad.

[Seika.]

My father in my life said in a calm voice.

[Aim at the next rock and try it again.]

[……Yes. Father.]

Okay, let’s just do it in moderation this time.

[———— Fireball.]

A large pale blue fireball was shot out again and ———— with a loud bang, it destroyed the rock target once again.

[What the hell……?]

It was better than before but not much had changed.

Apparently, the circulation of spiritual power in this body was good. It seems that I can’t control the technique well.

This is bad if I don’t fix it.

[Father……Th-this, what is the meaning of this? Seika does not have magical powers. He should not be able to use magic……By any chance, could it be my strong magic left in the staff?]

Gurai said as he looked up at his father.

No, that’s not possible.

[There have been cases where those who are not born with magical powers can use magic. Moreover, depending on the quality of the magic, it is said that the flame can take on a distinctive colour.]

[Father.]

I called out to our father.

[I want to learn magic just like my brothers.]

There was a slight miscalculation but this was a good opportunity. If I can use and comprehend magic, he might teach me magic too.

But my father shook his head.

[No.]

[……Why?]

[There have been instances of magic being used by those without magical powers. However, there are no known instances of them becoming great magicians. There’s no point in learning.]

[……]

[Seikai. From this year onwards, you will be assigned a private tutor just like your brothers. You need to focus on that.]

[……I understand, father.]

My father looked at my brothers and said,

[Now that this has happened, practice is now over. I’ll make arrangements for new targets. Until then, the two of you need to make an effort in your own training.]

With the reply of my two older brothers, father left. Luft followed after him.

As for Gurai, he snatched the staff out of my hand and spit out some words when he left.

[Don’t get cocky, you don’t have magical powers.]

Then chased after our eldest brother————I was the only one left behind.

It was a very meaningful time.

I understood the magic of this world and also the issues with myself now.

I’m also honestly happy that I can study under a tutor. Since there was a limit to how much I could learn from only reading books.

The magic practice was, whatever.

Since I can just skip the formula and watch a show.

""

※The Art of Demon Fire

A technique to easily ignite white phosphorus and shoot it out. When phosphorus burns, the flame turns pale blue due to flame reaction.