Volume 1 - CH 8

Aoife took me with her and we arrived at the edge of the mansion grounds.

The person in question, Aoife, stopped walking. For some reason, she was restlessly looking around the vicinity for something.

[Ah!]

With a short cry, Aoife ran up to the base of a large tree.

[Seika-kun, this……is.]

[This is……]

A small animal with a coat of jade green fur was lying down there.

It was about the size of a kitten and had a thick tail. There was a gem the same colour as its fur embedded in its forehead. I could sense a weak flow of energy from it.

It was covered in injuries and more than half of its coat was stained with dirt and blood.

[This, whoa……isn’t this a monster?]

[Yes. It’s probably the young of a carbuncle.]1The carbuncle (カーバンクル) is a creature from South American folklore and is said to have a gem on its forehead that would bring wealth and fame to those who possess it.

Meanwhile, in Japan, they are treated as rare monsters with valuable items and have a lot of gold in games.

The carbuncle got its name from the gem on its forehead was red like a garnet.2

That reminds me, I think I saw an illustration of such an animal in one of the books in the mansion.

[I think it most likely sustained losses from an owl or a crow.]

[A monster was attacked by common animals?]

[Yes, that’s correct. They’re weak while they’re young so something like this happens.]

I thought it was like a demon but it was more like an ordinary creature.

[Seika-kun……this child, I wonder if we can help it?]

Aoife said as she looked up at me.

So that’s the reason. But, um…….

[Alright……]

In my previous life, I have treated humans, dogs and cats, livestock, etc.

However, I don’t have much confidence in healing something like a monster that I’m meeting for the first time.

Nevertheless, there was a technique that works on almost everything.

[Okay. I don’t know if it’ll work but I’ll give it a try. Even so, it’s hard to concentrate when I’m being watched, so turn around.]

[Huh? Uh, yeah.]

I pulled a strand of fur soaked in blood from the carbuncle’s body. 

And then, I stuck it on a piece of shikigami I had with me.

I added characters to it using spiritual power.

I formed the seals and recited the mantra in a low voice.

[――――ओम्ह्रीःस्थानान्तरणत्राःन्यूनम्दशास्वाहा]

The technique worked. Changes begin to happen to the carbuncle and the shikigami.

And then―――― 

[It’s done.]

I shove the torn and blackened shikigami into my clothes’ pocket while I called out to Aoife.

Aoife turned her head and her eyes widened.

The carbuncle sat up and licked the blood stuck to its body with its tongue.

Despite the fact that it was still weak, it was much better than before. There was still blood all over its body but its injuries should be almost healed.

[W-what? That’s amazing!……Ah.]

When Aoife reached out with a hand, the carbuncle dashed into the forest like a bullet with animal-like movements.

In the end, it turned around one last time, stared at me for a moment before it disappeared into the shade of the trees.

It seems to be fine.

[Now……By any chance, did Seika-kun heal it?]

[Yes. I’m glad it turned out better than I expected.]

[Seika-kun, you can use healing magic!?]

Huh?

[W-wow! I thought only magicians of the light attribute in big cities could do that!]

[Ah……hahaha.]

I laughed to cover it up.

W-what? Isn’t that what you mean? You wanted me to heal it with magic?

Or rather…….

The treatment of injuries and sickness was the most important pursuit for spiritual arts but even so, only those magicians in the big cities could do this? Even though there are educational institutions?

I don’t understand the magic in this world well. Wasn’t there something I should be doing before I start with the likes of fire and wind?

[Seika-kun is amazing.]

Aoife said quietly.

[They used to say you didn’t have any magic but now you can use magic as well as Luft-sama and Gurai-sama……No, it’s not just that, you were also not discouraged at all even when you’ve had unpleasant experiences in the past. I believe you are strong.]

Unpleasant experiences……?

Did something like that happen? Though, I’ve been astounded by my second brother time after time.

If anything, the last eight years have been considerably easygoing.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been in an environment where I don’t have to worry about starvation, fear for my life, or any strange responsibilities.

I don’t think I want to stay like this forever.

[Ah……maybe that’s so. But I think that’s the same for Aoife.]

[Eh?]

[Let’s see. Didn’t Aoife frequently find my hidden clothes and shoes when I was being bullied by my brother, Gurai? That’s why it didn’t matter even when Brother Gurai zeroed in on me. That helped me a lot.]

I really meant it.

As well as with the carbuncle today, this child was surprising and had a heart.

[I think that’s what it means to really be strong.]

[Eh, I, I’m not like that at all! Since I’m sluggish, I simply didn’t notice it that much. I often get angry at myself for being so absent-minded……And even when things were hidden, there were a lot of times when Seika-kun found them first before I knew it……]

That’s because I did divination when I was looking for them. But it was a hassle.

[I’m also not of excellent birth and I’m of no worth……We’re not the same at all. I’m not special like Seika-kun.]

""

[Haha, I’m also not of excellent birth. Besides……Aoife is special too.]

[Eh……?]

Ah, finally, that’s the main point.

[Don’t you see things that normal people don’t?]

Nooo, Aoife! Don’t self-deprecate yourself! ⊂((・▽・))⊃

You’re great in many ways and such a nice girl with a great heart, even Seika think so.

This is what a carbuncle looks like but for some reason, this carbuncle Seika and Aoife met has a jade green gemstone.

P.s. To make it clear, spiritual power (呪力) refers to the power Seika has like every other onmyouji in his previous world and magic (魔力) obviously is just magic. Techniques relating to those powers will be named as spiritual arts (呪術) and magic arts (魔術) respectively.