healingbonds (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
healingbonds) wrote2022-03-19 12:36 pm
healingbonds) wrote2022-03-19 12:36 pm
Entry tags:
Main Story 2 | Chapter 2 | Lord Vincent’s Inspection Tour
MahoYaku Masterpost & Translator's Notes
Chapter 1 << | index | >> Chapter 3
Chapter 2: Lord Vincent’s Inspection Tour
2.1 Reason for His Inspection
2.2 A Change in Mood
2.3 Before we begin practice…
2.4 Recalling That Day
2.5 The Power to Heal
2.6 Specialties
2.7 Try Out Some Healing Magic
2.8 Mana Transfer
2.9 Past Tragedy
2.10 The Truth Behind the Tragedy
2.1 Reason for His Inspection
Drummond: Oh my...... Prince Arthur has such a wonderful way with words.......
Cock Robin, did you get it all down?
Cock Robin: Yes! Of course!
Vincent: Don’t take note of matters that are unrelated to the inspection at hand.
Cock Robin: M-my apologies!
Vincent: Where to next?
Akira: Erm... We’ll be observing the Southern wizards at practice.
Vincent: Oh, those country-folk wizards.
Vincent laughs derisively.
It appears he knows that the Southern wizards are relatively weaker than the others.
In contrast to his apprehension in front of the Central wizards earlier, he now looks a bit relaxed.
Drummond: The next inspection is indoor training. Oh? I can hear voices inside the room......
Vincent: I’m sure they’re simply engaging in useless idle chatter.
Mister Vincent seems disinterested. But his expression turns strained at their conversation.
Rutile: Why does Prince Vincent insist on visiting so many times?
Vincent: ..........
Figaro: Good question, Rutile. Tell me what strikes you as strange.
Rutile: Prince Vincent was quite cold to us wizards, remember?
If he wanted to turn the Magic Headquarters to rubble, I feel like he would have already. But he gave us three opportunities.....
Lennox: Maybe he’s actually a good person?
Mitile: I don’t know about that.....
Rutile: That would be lovely. Maybe something happened to put him in a bad mood on the day of the parade.
Mitile: Such as?
Rutile: Maybe he’d saved his favorite sweets for days, but found mold on them?
Lennox: Ahaha. That would be pretty adorable. We should have prepared some sweets for today.
Lennox, who often has trouble breaking out a smile, is laughing warmly today.
Mister Vincent, on the other hand, has even deeper creases between his brows than usual.
Vincent: ...........
Figaro: Actually, it’s because of the five countries’ peace conference. The magic headquarters houses Oz and Mithra, among others; between us, we have the military force of a nation.
Central Country is in charge of the magic headquarters, so its neighbors are all terrified.
That’s why the neighboring countries kept insisting...
Can we really leave the headquarters under your control? Will you take responsibility when something happens?
Of course not. Oz has the power to end the world. Mithra can destroy a castle in an instant.
But they can’t say, nope, we can’t! And let go of the magic headquarters just like that.
Mitile: Why is that?
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2.2 A Change in Mood
Figaro: They’d be in big trouble if Western Country piped up and went, we’ll take care of the magic headquarters instead.
Because it would mean this incredible military force would be passed on to an enemy country. It puts them in a bind.
Mitile: Then what should they do?
Figaro: They have to keep muddying the waters. Putting on the guise of responsibility; making it seem like they’re in charge, but not too in charge – they have to dodge accusations if it comes down to it....
Mister Vincent’s expression now makes him look like a demon.
And that’s when I realize.
Akira: (Figaro... Definitely realizes we’re here....)
But Rutile’s response brightens up Mister Vincent’s face.
Rutile: Oh dear.... That’s quite the dilemma. Prince Vincent is in a tough spot.
Vincent: ..........
Rutile: I said he was cold, but I never realized he was going through so much trouble for us.
Mitile: You’re right.... I feel bad for making him visit us so many times.
Lennox: Yes, that’s true. I feel bad for laughing. Let’s greet him kindly today.
Rutile & Mitile: Yes!
(Knock)
Akira: Hello everyone. We’re coming in.
I inform them of our presence and open the doors to the training hall.
(Door opens)
Figaro: Why, hello there, Sir Sage. And welcome, Prince Vincent. We are honored to have you.
Rutile: We’re happy to see you here today.
Mitile: W... we’re happy to see you.
Lennox: Pleased to have you visit today. I apologize; we don’t have any refreshments at the moment, but here are some tea leaves from the Town of Clouds.
If you’d like, please take them to enjoy back at the castle.
Vincent: .........
Drummond. Take it.
Drummond: Yes, sir....
Vincent: Do not mind me. Proceed with your training as you normally would.
Akira: All right. Everyone, please go on ahead.
Once I nod, Figaro stands in front of the class, and everyone else takes their seats.
The students pull out their writing utensils, and Figaro lifts his palm.
That’s when an image of Mithra lying down appears out of thin air.
Figaro: Okay, let’s pick up from where we left off. Rutile, do you remember where we were?
Rutile: Yes. We were discussing misconceptions around healing magic.
Classic healing magic primarily involves strengthening the innate recovery systems in the body, but it’s difficult to perform complex treatment with the same kind of magic.
In order to provide more advanced treatment, one needs specialized knowledge about disease and the human body.
Figaro: Exactly. Now let’s use Mithra here as an example. Mithra is gravely injured.
Figaro says, and then tilts his head.
Figaro: .....Hang on. Right. We got sidetracked last class because I used Mithra as a model patient.
Mitile: I’m sorry.... I just felt like Mister Mithra wouldn’t really catch a cold so bad it almost killed him.
Figaro: Okay, let’s use Faust, then. He said he almost died during the last battle, after all.
Figaro snaps his fingers, and replaces the sideways Mithra with Faust.
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2.3 Before we begin practice…
Faust’s eyes are closed; his face is pale.
I recall my first moments in this world.
An exhausted Heathcliff had desperately begged me—
"Sir Sage, please save Mr. Faust."
Akira: (That was the beginning of my adventure....)
As I reflect on my memories, I notice Lennox’s bitter expression.
Lennox: ....Dr. Figaro. If you need a patient, let me take his place.
Mitile: But why....
Rutile: Oh, right. Mister Faust was Mister Leno’s former master.
Figaro: Right, this must be painful. But I don’t want to conjure up a bloody image of you right before your eyes.
Mitile: Yeah, I don’t think I’d want to see one of my friends looking gravely injured.....
Figaro: But Oz and Mithra seem too unrealistic, right? Should I pull up one of the Southern wizards who passed away?
Rutile: Dr. Figaro.....
Figaro: Right. Yeah. Bad taste. Don’t worry. I understand.
Hmm. What to do.... I don’t mind using an image of myself, but that would be weird too.
The Southern wizards are all kind. That’s why it takes a shocking amount of time to decide who they should use as the example patient.
They list a number of candidates, including myself and some men and women I don’t know, but....
No matter who comes up, everyone looks pained.
It’s classic Southern wizard behavior — it brings a smile to my face, but Mister Vincent is losing his patience.
Vincent: Are they always like this?
Akira: Wizards use magic with their hearts, so.... I think it’s important for them to use a model that feels right.
They carefully continue their conversation. It’s easy to imagine Shino and Cain all bloodied up, but it’d pain their hearts to witness that.....
They don’t want to see any of their own Southern wizards get hurt....
But it might be good to get used to such a sight, just in case something happens; they’ll practice next time.
After spending an extended amount of time deliberating, they decide on Faust after all.
Lennox: I’m sorry, Sir Faust.....
Rutile: It pains me, but.... We all know that Mister Faust survived.
And since Sir Sage is with us today, I’d like to hear about how he was saved.
Akira: You mean when Oz saved Faust?
Rutile: Heathcliff said he wouldn’t have survived without you, Sir Sage.
Rutile smiles, his eyes affirming.
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2.4 Recalling That Day
I feel myself blushing, but by my side, Mister Drummond looks apologetic.
Drummond: I apologize for what we did back then.... It was beyond rude — we were about to lose one of our precious Sage’s wizards.
"Our precious Sage’s wizards." Those words make me feel warm.
He’s a far cry from the Mister Drummond who called wizards irresponsible liars.
I realized this once I spoke to him, but Mister Drummond actually isn’t a bad person at all.
But because he’s the Minister of Magical Affairs, he was frequently fooled, taunted, and frightened by wizards....
And that was why he came to hate wizards.
Just as the wizards came to hate humans after years of being shunned by humans.
Akira: Thank you, Mister Drummond. It makes me happy to hear that.
When I thank him, Mister Drummond scratches his head and smiles like a child who has just been praised.
Drummond: No, no.... It’s all thanks to you, Sir Sage. If you hadn’t been there.....
Vincent: Ahem.
Drummond: ......!
Mister Drummond instantly pulls himself together as Mister Vincent clears his throat.
Drummond: Y-you all! If you’ve agreed upon a patient, proceed with your training.
Figaro: All right. Well then, Sir Sage. Do you remember how he was wounded?
Akira: ....I don’t know the details, but I recall there was smoke leaving his body. Right around here.....
Figaro: Like this?
When Figaro chants his spell, smoke emerges from Faust’s body – it’s a near-perfect reenactment of what happened that day.
His pained groans. The agonizing silence. It all comes back to me, and I clench my fist.
Rutile: Smoke.... Does that mean Mister Faust suffered from burns? Or was there another reason?
Figaro: The wounds of his soul took a material toll on his body. You know how you feel really weak when your stomach hurts a lot?
Mitile: Is the < Great Catastrophe > what wounded his soul....?
Figaro: Probably. I didn’t witness it with my own eyes, so I can’t say for sure....
But the < Great Catastrophe > can take control of the spirits in the environment.
Alternatively, the < Great Catastrophe > might be a force equal to the spirits themselves.
The room falls silent when the conversation turns to the < Great Catastrophe >.
That’s when Mister Vincent, who was listening in silence the entire time, speaks up.
Vincent: What exactly is the < Great Catastrophe >?
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2.5 The Power to Heal
Figaro: I can’t say. The Western wizard, Murr Hart, is our specialist on the < Great Catastrophe >, but...
Vincent: That’s all in the past. I hear the great man who was once the pride of Western Country has become a useless fool.
Figaro: I can’t call Murr a fool. Because that would be like saying I’m an ignorant idiot.
Vincent: ....Is his intellect intact? Does he know of any leads that will help defeat the < Great Catastrophe > ....
Figaro: Please direct those questions to Murr himself. You will see him soon.
Mister Vincent falls silent, but he is visibly irritated. He changes the question.
Vincent: ....Can healing magic heal any wound or disease?
Figaro: In one sense, yes; in another sense, no. Just take a look at the portrait in Granvelle castle.
Vincent: Whose portrait? There are several portraits in the halls of Granvelle.
Figaro: The portrait of the First King, Alec. If wizards could heal any wound, King Alec would have retained his right arm.
Vincent: .........
Figaro: Healing magic primarily focuses on strengthening the innate recovery systems of the human body.
But if a patient is too ill or wounded, and their bodily systems can’t heal them quickly enough, we can’t save them.
This is the basic form of wizards’ healing magic. Our sugar has a similar effect.
If we were to draw human parallels, we could look at things like warming the body, eating nourishing food, or getting a good night’s rest.
It’s like that, except more powerful.
Akira: In other words, it’s like helping a patient heal their own wounds....
Figaro: That’s the right way to see it. We boost the patient’s immune system and natural healing capacity so they can feel better in one day instead of three.
And with specialized areas of knowledge, such as medicinal herbs and diseases, we can provide even more efficient healing. Mitile knows a lot about herbs.
Mitile: Yes! I’m still learning, but I’ll do my best to remember whatever I can so I can help everyone out.
Mitile’s enthusiastic reply makes me smile.
A question forms in my mind, so I ask Figaro.
Akira: Can any wizard learn healing magic?
A lot of wizards get hurt during dangerous missions... So it would be nice if everyone could use healing magic.
Figaro: Great question. If it’s just the kind of healing magic I spoke of — boosting the body’s natural capacities — I think pretty much any of us could do that.
Akira: Great! That means....
Figaro: But remember what I said earlier? That kind of magic can’t heal severe injuries or stop aggressive diseases.
Sir Sage, you’re imagining the kind of emergency aid that can heal a dying Shino in an instant, right?
He uses a wizard who seems to get himself severely wounded all the time as an example.
I nod with a sincere gaze.
Akira: Yes.... I want to avoid any worst case situations – I want to make sure nobody dies.....
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2.6 Specialties
Figaro slowly shakes his head.
Figaro: You would need specialized knowledge and precise technique for that.... It’s not something you can master overnight.
You could also directly transfer magic.
But that’s the kind of magic that only Southern wizards are good at. The other countries have trouble with it.
Actually, it’s more like if they make one wrong move, the patient will end up dead.
Akira: Really?
Figaro: Yes. It’s like consuming a mana stone with too much power.
Most humans and wizards would fall into shock if a wizard like Oz or Mithra transferred their magic to them.
It doesn’t work unless they share blood or another powerful bond.
That’s how Rutile managed to save Mitile.
I look at Rutile and Mitile. The great witch Tiretta passed away when she gave birth to Mitile.
During her painful delivery, she had asked the young Rutile to save Mitile.
"Please share your magic and save your little brother."
Rutile: I was so desperate that I hardly remember what happened, but.....
If I managed to save Mitile because I’m a Southern wizard, then that makes me happy.
Mitile: You’re amazing.... I hope I can save someone one day, just like you did for me.
Figaro: You’re already helping so many people out there, Mitile. You’ll be a wonderful apothecary one day.
Mitile smiles happily at Figaro’s praise.
Mitile: But I never realized there was magic that only Southern wizards are good at....
Figaro: There’s a lot of magic like that. Southern wizards specialize in praying for others and helping them, after all.
It’s difficult to explain in words if I get into too much detail, but.....
Figaro’s gaze grows distant as he falls into contemplation.
He must be recalling the rise and fall of the lands, communities, and populations that he observed throughout his long, long life.
Figaro: Wizards don’t like to let others control their hearts.
I mean, nobody does. But for wizards, the very thought of someone else overwhelming us makes us feel inexplicable disgust.
Mana transfer is an intervention into the heart.
If a patient fears the procedure, medicine can turn to poison. Treatment can’t be accomplished without trust.
Southern wizards have weak magic. That’s why the mana transfer is easier for patients to accept – they know the magic won’t hurt them.
Plus, there’s this general sense that Southern wizards aren’t domineering.
Lennox: I understand what you mean. You feel at ease.
Drummond: Healing magic that boosts the natural bodily systems, and healing magic that involves mana transfer....
Can the patient tell the difference between the two?
Figaro: I think they can. Would you like to give it a try, Lord Drummond?
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2.7 Try Out Some Healing Magic
Drummond: Eh....!? You want me to be a test patient.....!?
Figaro: That’s right. Give it a go, Rutile.
Rutile: All right.
Drummond: One moment, please!! Cock Robin. I recall you saying your stomach was doing quite poorly lately.
Cock Robin: Hey, no fair, Sir Drummond!! Don’t foist it onto me....!
Drummond: Silence! You are in Lord Vincent’s presence!
Rutile: I won’t force you into anything, but there’s nothing to be afraid of. It won’t hurt in the least.
Cock Robin: R-really.....?
Rutile: Yes!
Cock Robin: ........ But Mister Rutile, you ride your broom at breakneck speed.....
Mitile: Don’t worry! I’m here today thanks to my brother, after all!
Lennox: I agree. We’d love it if you could try out some healing magic and record your experience.
Cock Robin: ....All right, then! I’ll leave it to you!
Cock Robin rolls up his sleeve with determination.
Rutile smiles and takes his hand.
Rutile: This isn’t a shot, so you don’t need to give me access to any skin. I don’t really need to touch you, either.
Figaro: But it usually works better for Rutile when he touches the other person.
Rutile: That’s right! Now let’s begin.
Cock Robin: U-um, is this something I can do even if I’m in good health? My stomach doesn’t hurt at the moment....
Rutile: No problem. We use this kind of magic to feel better when we’re just tired too.
Cock Robin: Thank goodness....
Rutile: Here we go.
<< Ortonik Setomaouge >>
Rutile’s palm glows with light.
Cock Robin, whose shoulders were stiff from anxiety, slowly releases a breath of relief.
Cock Robin: Ah.... My body feels warm and refreshed. Like a morning after a good, long sleep.
Rutile: Do you feel better?
Cock Robin: I.... I do! Sir Drummond, I feel better!
Drummond: Is that so!
Lord Vincent! Wizards are quite spectacular, are they not?
Vincent: .........
Mister Vincent meets Mister Drummond’s delight with a stone-cold expression.
Mister Drummond immediately releases a stern cough.
Drummond: And which kind of healing magic was that? Were you transferring magic?
Rutile: That was the booster type. I’ll proceed with the mana transfer now.
I’ll be gentle, but please tell me if it feels weird.
Cock Robin: All right....
Rutile: << Ortonik Setomaouge >>
Rutile chants his spell. The moment his palm begins to glow, Cock Robin’s eyes open wide.
Cock Robin: Aa.....h!
Drummond: What’s wrong, Cock Robin!?
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2.8 Mana Transfer
Cock Robin: Ah! Ah, I feel something coming in.....!
Drummond: Something coming in!?
Cock Robin: It’s like, strangely warm and ticklish.....!
Rutile: That’s what everyone tells me. But Dr. Figaro’s flows really naturally.
Figaro: Lennox said it was salty.
Lennox: It makes me feel like someone scraped off the old salt stuck to the sides of a ship. Kind of forlorn, but fulfilling.....
Cock Robin: Ahaha....! ....Okay, no, now I’m scared..... I can’t do this! Stop, please stop!
Rutile: Does it hurt?
Cock Robin: It doesn’t hurt, but I don’t think I can keep going.....
Rutile: All right.
Cock Robin heaves a huge sigh of relief when Rutile lets go of his hand.
But he looks really refreshed, and I feel like his eyes are sparkling just like Rutile’s.
Rutile, on the other hand, looks exhausted. He wipes the sweat from his brow and laughs languidly.
Rutile: Phew.... Do you get the difference?
Cock Robin: I do.... That was like, very strange.
I feel like it would have healed any part of me that was broken or immobile, but....
I also felt this weird anxiety — like I wouldn’t be myself anymore.....
Figaro: Your intuition is spot-on. That’s why we shouldn’t use mana transfer unless it’s absolutely necessary.
It’s particularly troublesome for Northern wizards, who have powerful magic and don’t know how to hold back.
Rutile, Mitile, you two need to be extra careful. I’ll tell Mithra myself, but if he ever tries to heal you with mana transfer, tell him to stop.
Mitile: I will. ...What will happen to us if he does?
I hear my brother lost half his magic because he shared too much of it with me....
Figaro: Mithra’s magic is too powerful, so you two would probably break first.
Mitile: Break.....
Figaro: That’s right. So take care not to get hurt too badly.
Mitile: ....Yes.
Mitile nods nervously.
Vincent: That’s enough. That was informative.
Mister Vincent says, and we take our leave.
We say goodbye to the Southern wizards and head to our next destination.
✦✧☾✧✦
Our tour has gone incredibly smoothly up to this point.
It was probably to our benefit that we started with the more welcoming countries — Central Country and Southern Country.
Drummond: My goodness, the wizards’ powers never cease to amaze me.
Vincent: Magic is a double-edged sword. Stop acting like a child who has just witnessed his first magic trick.
Drummond: I-I apologize.
Vincent: ....But I might be willing to appoint them to welfare activities where they can make use of healing magic.
Things are looking good. So good that Mister Vincent is saying things like this.
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2.9 Past Tragedy
I keep an eye on the flow of the conversation and jump in.
Akira: I think they’d love that. I mean, not everyone, but......
There are definitely wizards who want to help out.
Vincent: .........
Akira: Um.... I have a question for you.
Vincent: For me?
Akira: Yes.
Vincent: What is it.
Akira: Humans and wizards supposedly joined hands and worked together to establish Central Country, correct?
Vincent: What do you mean, "supposedly"? I’ll have you refrain from commentary that belittles the very history of our nation.
Akira: I apologize.... Um, if wizards and humans joined hands and worked together to establish Central Country.....
Then why do people still alienate wizards? There’s even a church here dedicated to a wizard.
I brace myself for Mister Vincent’s reply, certain that he’ll hit me with a snide remark or biting acrimony.
But instead, he makes a bitter expression.
Vincent: It must be due to the Tragedy of the City of Rain.
The Tragedy of the City of Rain.
The City of Rain? The one in Eastern Country?
Drummond: I believe so.... That was certainly a horrific incident.
I believe that was around the time the wizard guild was dissolved, and the Ministry of Magic took its place.
Akira: What is this Tragedy of the City of Rain?
Vincent: A massacre. A mere six wizards massacred innocent civilians in Eastern Country’s the City of Rain.
Our country sent reinforcements to Eastern Country to quash the wizards, but the culprits escaped before our aid reached the city.
The citizens of the City of Rain were slaughtered in cold blood; half the population was killed. This all happened about 150 years ago.
Akira: .....Eh....
I find myself at a complete loss for words.
Wizards massacred innocent civilians.
In the eyes of wizards who can command wind, water, fire, and thunder like gods, humans are as feeble as newborn babies.
Mister Vincent glares at me.
Vincent: This was a massacre: wizards one-sidedly slaughtered innocent civilians.
Eastern Country loathes foreign intervention in domestic affairs; their initial response was slow, allowing the ringleader to escape.
As a result, every human on these lands realized how helpless they were in the face of magical power.
Humans cannot even lift a finger against wizards — even if their beloved cities and families are stolen from them. A keen feeling of inferiority cast a dark cloud of suspicion over the entire world.
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2.10 The Truth Behind the Tragedy
Vincent: But decades after the incident, in an operation led by Central Country with the cooperation of each country.......
We achieved the honor of imprisoning a villainous wizard infamous for his monstrous crimes across the lands.
It was a victory for both humanity and the law against criminal wizards.
In Mister Vincent’s voice, I can hear his pride in humans and in his own country, as well as a faint note of elation in their victory.
Since it happened about a hundred years ago, he wouldn’t have been born yet.
Even so, it must have been a triumphant occasion — something grand and revolutionary — for him to speak of it as eloquently as if he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
Akira: (Can I compare it to the moon landing back in my world......?)
(No, I’m sure it must be poignant beyond comparison, since they emerged victorious after such a long time of living in fear and intimidation.)
Did the humans capture the villainous wizard all by themselves?
Vincent: They were assisted by a number of wizards.
Akira: That’s amazing! So humans and wizards fought together in battle.
Vincent: Only a small handful of chivalrous and devoted wizards agreed to the noble cause championed by the humans.
Akira: I see...... By the way, who was this villainous wizard they captured......?
Mister Vincent raises a single eyebrow as he looks down at me, mocking.
Vincent: You should be well-acquainted with him.
Akira: Huh?
Vincent: The atrocious villain who leads the Bandits of Death — Bradley Bain.
Akira: Bradley!?
I yelp unthinkingly.
Bradley is a Northern wizard, and one of the Sage’s wizards.
The five countries teamed up to work toward a common aim, aided by a number of wizards......
I’m shocked that it was Bradley at the center of this historic, large-scale operation...
But the more I think about it, the more everything about the tale makes sense.
I’ve heard about Figaro and the twins being involved in Bradley’s capture.
Once again, I find myself overwhelmed by the existence of wizards so deeply intertwined through the history and landscape of this world.
Drummond: Sir Sage. We’ve arrived at the library.
I nod, startled. I have to put this aside and get ready for the inspection with the Eastern wizards.
I open the door to the library.
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Chapter 1 << | index | >> Chapter 3
Chapter 1 << | index | >> Chapter 3
Chapter 2: Lord Vincent’s Inspection Tour
2.1 Reason for His Inspection
2.2 A Change in Mood
2.3 Before we begin practice…
2.4 Recalling That Day
2.5 The Power to Heal
2.6 Specialties
2.7 Try Out Some Healing Magic
2.8 Mana Transfer
2.9 Past Tragedy
2.10 The Truth Behind the Tragedy
2.1 Reason for His Inspection
Drummond: Oh my...... Prince Arthur has such a wonderful way with words.......
Cock Robin, did you get it all down?
Cock Robin: Yes! Of course!
Vincent: Don’t take note of matters that are unrelated to the inspection at hand.
Cock Robin: M-my apologies!
Vincent: Where to next?
Akira: Erm... We’ll be observing the Southern wizards at practice.
Vincent: Oh, those country-folk wizards.
Vincent laughs derisively.
It appears he knows that the Southern wizards are relatively weaker than the others.
In contrast to his apprehension in front of the Central wizards earlier, he now looks a bit relaxed.
Drummond: The next inspection is indoor training. Oh? I can hear voices inside the room......
Vincent: I’m sure they’re simply engaging in useless idle chatter.
Mister Vincent seems disinterested. But his expression turns strained at their conversation.
Rutile: Why does Prince Vincent insist on visiting so many times?
Vincent: ..........
Figaro: Good question, Rutile. Tell me what strikes you as strange.
Rutile: Prince Vincent was quite cold to us wizards, remember?
If he wanted to turn the Magic Headquarters to rubble, I feel like he would have already. But he gave us three opportunities.....
Lennox: Maybe he’s actually a good person?
Mitile: I don’t know about that.....
Rutile: That would be lovely. Maybe something happened to put him in a bad mood on the day of the parade.
Mitile: Such as?
Rutile: Maybe he’d saved his favorite sweets for days, but found mold on them?
Lennox: Ahaha. That would be pretty adorable. We should have prepared some sweets for today.
Lennox, who often has trouble breaking out a smile, is laughing warmly today.
Mister Vincent, on the other hand, has even deeper creases between his brows than usual.
Vincent: ...........
Figaro: Actually, it’s because of the five countries’ peace conference. The magic headquarters houses Oz and Mithra, among others; between us, we have the military force of a nation.
Central Country is in charge of the magic headquarters, so its neighbors are all terrified.
That’s why the neighboring countries kept insisting...
Can we really leave the headquarters under your control? Will you take responsibility when something happens?
Of course not. Oz has the power to end the world. Mithra can destroy a castle in an instant.
But they can’t say, nope, we can’t! And let go of the magic headquarters just like that.
Mitile: Why is that?
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2.2 A Change in Mood
Figaro: They’d be in big trouble if Western Country piped up and went, we’ll take care of the magic headquarters instead.
Because it would mean this incredible military force would be passed on to an enemy country. It puts them in a bind.
Mitile: Then what should they do?
Figaro: They have to keep muddying the waters. Putting on the guise of responsibility; making it seem like they’re in charge, but not too in charge – they have to dodge accusations if it comes down to it....
Mister Vincent’s expression now makes him look like a demon.
And that’s when I realize.
Akira: (Figaro... Definitely realizes we’re here....)
But Rutile’s response brightens up Mister Vincent’s face.
Rutile: Oh dear.... That’s quite the dilemma. Prince Vincent is in a tough spot.
Vincent: ..........
Rutile: I said he was cold, but I never realized he was going through so much trouble for us.
Mitile: You’re right.... I feel bad for making him visit us so many times.
Lennox: Yes, that’s true. I feel bad for laughing. Let’s greet him kindly today.
Rutile & Mitile: Yes!
(Knock)
Akira: Hello everyone. We’re coming in.
I inform them of our presence and open the doors to the training hall.
(Door opens)
Figaro: Why, hello there, Sir Sage. And welcome, Prince Vincent. We are honored to have you.
Rutile: We’re happy to see you here today.
Mitile: W... we’re happy to see you.
Lennox: Pleased to have you visit today. I apologize; we don’t have any refreshments at the moment, but here are some tea leaves from the Town of Clouds.
If you’d like, please take them to enjoy back at the castle.
Vincent: .........
Drummond. Take it.
Drummond: Yes, sir....
Vincent: Do not mind me. Proceed with your training as you normally would.
Akira: All right. Everyone, please go on ahead.
Once I nod, Figaro stands in front of the class, and everyone else takes their seats.
The students pull out their writing utensils, and Figaro lifts his palm.
That’s when an image of Mithra lying down appears out of thin air.
Figaro: Okay, let’s pick up from where we left off. Rutile, do you remember where we were?
Rutile: Yes. We were discussing misconceptions around healing magic.
Classic healing magic primarily involves strengthening the innate recovery systems in the body, but it’s difficult to perform complex treatment with the same kind of magic.
In order to provide more advanced treatment, one needs specialized knowledge about disease and the human body.
Figaro: Exactly. Now let’s use Mithra here as an example. Mithra is gravely injured.
Figaro says, and then tilts his head.
Figaro: .....Hang on. Right. We got sidetracked last class because I used Mithra as a model patient.
Mitile: I’m sorry.... I just felt like Mister Mithra wouldn’t really catch a cold so bad it almost killed him.
Figaro: Okay, let’s use Faust, then. He said he almost died during the last battle, after all.
Figaro snaps his fingers, and replaces the sideways Mithra with Faust.
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2.3 Before we begin practice…
Faust’s eyes are closed; his face is pale.
I recall my first moments in this world.
An exhausted Heathcliff had desperately begged me—
"Sir Sage, please save Mr. Faust."
Akira: (That was the beginning of my adventure....)
As I reflect on my memories, I notice Lennox’s bitter expression.
Lennox: ....Dr. Figaro. If you need a patient, let me take his place.
Mitile: But why....
Rutile: Oh, right. Mister Faust was Mister Leno’s former master.
Figaro: Right, this must be painful. But I don’t want to conjure up a bloody image of you right before your eyes.
Mitile: Yeah, I don’t think I’d want to see one of my friends looking gravely injured.....
Figaro: But Oz and Mithra seem too unrealistic, right? Should I pull up one of the Southern wizards who passed away?
Rutile: Dr. Figaro.....
Figaro: Right. Yeah. Bad taste. Don’t worry. I understand.
Hmm. What to do.... I don’t mind using an image of myself, but that would be weird too.
The Southern wizards are all kind. That’s why it takes a shocking amount of time to decide who they should use as the example patient.
They list a number of candidates, including myself and some men and women I don’t know, but....
No matter who comes up, everyone looks pained.
It’s classic Southern wizard behavior — it brings a smile to my face, but Mister Vincent is losing his patience.
Vincent: Are they always like this?
Akira: Wizards use magic with their hearts, so.... I think it’s important for them to use a model that feels right.
They carefully continue their conversation. It’s easy to imagine Shino and Cain all bloodied up, but it’d pain their hearts to witness that.....
They don’t want to see any of their own Southern wizards get hurt....
But it might be good to get used to such a sight, just in case something happens; they’ll practice next time.
After spending an extended amount of time deliberating, they decide on Faust after all.
Lennox: I’m sorry, Sir Faust.....
Rutile: It pains me, but.... We all know that Mister Faust survived.
And since Sir Sage is with us today, I’d like to hear about how he was saved.
Akira: You mean when Oz saved Faust?
Rutile: Heathcliff said he wouldn’t have survived without you, Sir Sage.
Rutile smiles, his eyes affirming.
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2.4 Recalling That Day
I feel myself blushing, but by my side, Mister Drummond looks apologetic.
Drummond: I apologize for what we did back then.... It was beyond rude — we were about to lose one of our precious Sage’s wizards.
"Our precious Sage’s wizards." Those words make me feel warm.
He’s a far cry from the Mister Drummond who called wizards irresponsible liars.
I realized this once I spoke to him, but Mister Drummond actually isn’t a bad person at all.
But because he’s the Minister of Magical Affairs, he was frequently fooled, taunted, and frightened by wizards....
And that was why he came to hate wizards.
Just as the wizards came to hate humans after years of being shunned by humans.
Akira: Thank you, Mister Drummond. It makes me happy to hear that.
When I thank him, Mister Drummond scratches his head and smiles like a child who has just been praised.
Drummond: No, no.... It’s all thanks to you, Sir Sage. If you hadn’t been there.....
Vincent: Ahem.
Drummond: ......!
Mister Drummond instantly pulls himself together as Mister Vincent clears his throat.
Drummond: Y-you all! If you’ve agreed upon a patient, proceed with your training.
Figaro: All right. Well then, Sir Sage. Do you remember how he was wounded?
Akira: ....I don’t know the details, but I recall there was smoke leaving his body. Right around here.....
Figaro: Like this?
When Figaro chants his spell, smoke emerges from Faust’s body – it’s a near-perfect reenactment of what happened that day.
His pained groans. The agonizing silence. It all comes back to me, and I clench my fist.
Rutile: Smoke.... Does that mean Mister Faust suffered from burns? Or was there another reason?
Figaro: The wounds of his soul took a material toll on his body. You know how you feel really weak when your stomach hurts a lot?
Mitile: Is the < Great Catastrophe > what wounded his soul....?
Figaro: Probably. I didn’t witness it with my own eyes, so I can’t say for sure....
But the < Great Catastrophe > can take control of the spirits in the environment.
Alternatively, the < Great Catastrophe > might be a force equal to the spirits themselves.
The room falls silent when the conversation turns to the < Great Catastrophe >.
That’s when Mister Vincent, who was listening in silence the entire time, speaks up.
Vincent: What exactly is the < Great Catastrophe >?
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2.5 The Power to Heal
Figaro: I can’t say. The Western wizard, Murr Hart, is our specialist on the < Great Catastrophe >, but...
Vincent: That’s all in the past. I hear the great man who was once the pride of Western Country has become a useless fool.
Figaro: I can’t call Murr a fool. Because that would be like saying I’m an ignorant idiot.
Vincent: ....Is his intellect intact? Does he know of any leads that will help defeat the < Great Catastrophe > ....
Figaro: Please direct those questions to Murr himself. You will see him soon.
Mister Vincent falls silent, but he is visibly irritated. He changes the question.
Vincent: ....Can healing magic heal any wound or disease?
Figaro: In one sense, yes; in another sense, no. Just take a look at the portrait in Granvelle castle.
Vincent: Whose portrait? There are several portraits in the halls of Granvelle.
Figaro: The portrait of the First King, Alec. If wizards could heal any wound, King Alec would have retained his right arm.
Vincent: .........
Figaro: Healing magic primarily focuses on strengthening the innate recovery systems of the human body.
But if a patient is too ill or wounded, and their bodily systems can’t heal them quickly enough, we can’t save them.
This is the basic form of wizards’ healing magic. Our sugar has a similar effect.
If we were to draw human parallels, we could look at things like warming the body, eating nourishing food, or getting a good night’s rest.
It’s like that, except more powerful.
Akira: In other words, it’s like helping a patient heal their own wounds....
Figaro: That’s the right way to see it. We boost the patient’s immune system and natural healing capacity so they can feel better in one day instead of three.
And with specialized areas of knowledge, such as medicinal herbs and diseases, we can provide even more efficient healing. Mitile knows a lot about herbs.
Mitile: Yes! I’m still learning, but I’ll do my best to remember whatever I can so I can help everyone out.
Mitile’s enthusiastic reply makes me smile.
A question forms in my mind, so I ask Figaro.
Akira: Can any wizard learn healing magic?
A lot of wizards get hurt during dangerous missions... So it would be nice if everyone could use healing magic.
Figaro: Great question. If it’s just the kind of healing magic I spoke of — boosting the body’s natural capacities — I think pretty much any of us could do that.
Akira: Great! That means....
Figaro: But remember what I said earlier? That kind of magic can’t heal severe injuries or stop aggressive diseases.
Sir Sage, you’re imagining the kind of emergency aid that can heal a dying Shino in an instant, right?
He uses a wizard who seems to get himself severely wounded all the time as an example.
I nod with a sincere gaze.
Akira: Yes.... I want to avoid any worst case situations – I want to make sure nobody dies.....
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2.6 Specialties
Figaro slowly shakes his head.
Figaro: You would need specialized knowledge and precise technique for that.... It’s not something you can master overnight.
You could also directly transfer magic.
But that’s the kind of magic that only Southern wizards are good at. The other countries have trouble with it.
Actually, it’s more like if they make one wrong move, the patient will end up dead.
Akira: Really?
Figaro: Yes. It’s like consuming a mana stone with too much power.
Most humans and wizards would fall into shock if a wizard like Oz or Mithra transferred their magic to them.
It doesn’t work unless they share blood or another powerful bond.
That’s how Rutile managed to save Mitile.
I look at Rutile and Mitile. The great witch Tiretta passed away when she gave birth to Mitile.
During her painful delivery, she had asked the young Rutile to save Mitile.
"Please share your magic and save your little brother."
Rutile: I was so desperate that I hardly remember what happened, but.....
If I managed to save Mitile because I’m a Southern wizard, then that makes me happy.
Mitile: You’re amazing.... I hope I can save someone one day, just like you did for me.
Figaro: You’re already helping so many people out there, Mitile. You’ll be a wonderful apothecary one day.
Mitile smiles happily at Figaro’s praise.
Mitile: But I never realized there was magic that only Southern wizards are good at....
Figaro: There’s a lot of magic like that. Southern wizards specialize in praying for others and helping them, after all.
It’s difficult to explain in words if I get into too much detail, but.....
Figaro’s gaze grows distant as he falls into contemplation.
He must be recalling the rise and fall of the lands, communities, and populations that he observed throughout his long, long life.
Figaro: Wizards don’t like to let others control their hearts.
I mean, nobody does. But for wizards, the very thought of someone else overwhelming us makes us feel inexplicable disgust.
Mana transfer is an intervention into the heart.
If a patient fears the procedure, medicine can turn to poison. Treatment can’t be accomplished without trust.
Southern wizards have weak magic. That’s why the mana transfer is easier for patients to accept – they know the magic won’t hurt them.
Plus, there’s this general sense that Southern wizards aren’t domineering.
Lennox: I understand what you mean. You feel at ease.
Drummond: Healing magic that boosts the natural bodily systems, and healing magic that involves mana transfer....
Can the patient tell the difference between the two?
Figaro: I think they can. Would you like to give it a try, Lord Drummond?
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2.7 Try Out Some Healing Magic
Drummond: Eh....!? You want me to be a test patient.....!?
Figaro: That’s right. Give it a go, Rutile.
Rutile: All right.
Drummond: One moment, please!! Cock Robin. I recall you saying your stomach was doing quite poorly lately.
Cock Robin: Hey, no fair, Sir Drummond!! Don’t foist it onto me....!
Drummond: Silence! You are in Lord Vincent’s presence!
Rutile: I won’t force you into anything, but there’s nothing to be afraid of. It won’t hurt in the least.
Cock Robin: R-really.....?
Rutile: Yes!
Cock Robin: ........ But Mister Rutile, you ride your broom at breakneck speed.....
Mitile: Don’t worry! I’m here today thanks to my brother, after all!
Lennox: I agree. We’d love it if you could try out some healing magic and record your experience.
Cock Robin: ....All right, then! I’ll leave it to you!
Cock Robin rolls up his sleeve with determination.
Rutile smiles and takes his hand.
Rutile: This isn’t a shot, so you don’t need to give me access to any skin. I don’t really need to touch you, either.
Figaro: But it usually works better for Rutile when he touches the other person.
Rutile: That’s right! Now let’s begin.
Cock Robin: U-um, is this something I can do even if I’m in good health? My stomach doesn’t hurt at the moment....
Rutile: No problem. We use this kind of magic to feel better when we’re just tired too.
Cock Robin: Thank goodness....
Rutile: Here we go.
<< Ortonik Setomaouge >>
Rutile’s palm glows with light.
Cock Robin, whose shoulders were stiff from anxiety, slowly releases a breath of relief.
Cock Robin: Ah.... My body feels warm and refreshed. Like a morning after a good, long sleep.
Rutile: Do you feel better?
Cock Robin: I.... I do! Sir Drummond, I feel better!
Drummond: Is that so!
Lord Vincent! Wizards are quite spectacular, are they not?
Vincent: .........
Mister Vincent meets Mister Drummond’s delight with a stone-cold expression.
Mister Drummond immediately releases a stern cough.
Drummond: And which kind of healing magic was that? Were you transferring magic?
Rutile: That was the booster type. I’ll proceed with the mana transfer now.
I’ll be gentle, but please tell me if it feels weird.
Cock Robin: All right....
Rutile: << Ortonik Setomaouge >>
Rutile chants his spell. The moment his palm begins to glow, Cock Robin’s eyes open wide.
Cock Robin: Aa.....h!
Drummond: What’s wrong, Cock Robin!?
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2.8 Mana Transfer
Cock Robin: Ah! Ah, I feel something coming in.....!
Drummond: Something coming in!?
Cock Robin: It’s like, strangely warm and ticklish.....!
Rutile: That’s what everyone tells me. But Dr. Figaro’s flows really naturally.
Figaro: Lennox said it was salty.
Lennox: It makes me feel like someone scraped off the old salt stuck to the sides of a ship. Kind of forlorn, but fulfilling.....
Cock Robin: Ahaha....! ....Okay, no, now I’m scared..... I can’t do this! Stop, please stop!
Rutile: Does it hurt?
Cock Robin: It doesn’t hurt, but I don’t think I can keep going.....
Rutile: All right.
Cock Robin heaves a huge sigh of relief when Rutile lets go of his hand.
But he looks really refreshed, and I feel like his eyes are sparkling just like Rutile’s.
Rutile, on the other hand, looks exhausted. He wipes the sweat from his brow and laughs languidly.
Rutile: Phew.... Do you get the difference?
Cock Robin: I do.... That was like, very strange.
I feel like it would have healed any part of me that was broken or immobile, but....
I also felt this weird anxiety — like I wouldn’t be myself anymore.....
Figaro: Your intuition is spot-on. That’s why we shouldn’t use mana transfer unless it’s absolutely necessary.
It’s particularly troublesome for Northern wizards, who have powerful magic and don’t know how to hold back.
Rutile, Mitile, you two need to be extra careful. I’ll tell Mithra myself, but if he ever tries to heal you with mana transfer, tell him to stop.
Mitile: I will. ...What will happen to us if he does?
I hear my brother lost half his magic because he shared too much of it with me....
Figaro: Mithra’s magic is too powerful, so you two would probably break first.
Mitile: Break.....
Figaro: That’s right. So take care not to get hurt too badly.
Mitile: ....Yes.
Mitile nods nervously.
Vincent: That’s enough. That was informative.
Mister Vincent says, and we take our leave.
We say goodbye to the Southern wizards and head to our next destination.
✦✧☾✧✦
Our tour has gone incredibly smoothly up to this point.
It was probably to our benefit that we started with the more welcoming countries — Central Country and Southern Country.
Drummond: My goodness, the wizards’ powers never cease to amaze me.
Vincent: Magic is a double-edged sword. Stop acting like a child who has just witnessed his first magic trick.
Drummond: I-I apologize.
Vincent: ....But I might be willing to appoint them to welfare activities where they can make use of healing magic.
Things are looking good. So good that Mister Vincent is saying things like this.
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2.9 Past Tragedy
I keep an eye on the flow of the conversation and jump in.
Akira: I think they’d love that. I mean, not everyone, but......
There are definitely wizards who want to help out.
Vincent: .........
Akira: Um.... I have a question for you.
Vincent: For me?
Akira: Yes.
Vincent: What is it.
Akira: Humans and wizards supposedly joined hands and worked together to establish Central Country, correct?
Vincent: What do you mean, "supposedly"? I’ll have you refrain from commentary that belittles the very history of our nation.
Akira: I apologize.... Um, if wizards and humans joined hands and worked together to establish Central Country.....
Then why do people still alienate wizards? There’s even a church here dedicated to a wizard.
I brace myself for Mister Vincent’s reply, certain that he’ll hit me with a snide remark or biting acrimony.
But instead, he makes a bitter expression.
Vincent: It must be due to the Tragedy of the City of Rain.
The Tragedy of the City of Rain.
The City of Rain? The one in Eastern Country?
Drummond: I believe so.... That was certainly a horrific incident.
I believe that was around the time the wizard guild was dissolved, and the Ministry of Magic took its place.
Akira: What is this Tragedy of the City of Rain?
Vincent: A massacre. A mere six wizards massacred innocent civilians in Eastern Country’s the City of Rain.
Our country sent reinforcements to Eastern Country to quash the wizards, but the culprits escaped before our aid reached the city.
The citizens of the City of Rain were slaughtered in cold blood; half the population was killed. This all happened about 150 years ago.
Akira: .....Eh....
I find myself at a complete loss for words.
Wizards massacred innocent civilians.
In the eyes of wizards who can command wind, water, fire, and thunder like gods, humans are as feeble as newborn babies.
Mister Vincent glares at me.
Vincent: This was a massacre: wizards one-sidedly slaughtered innocent civilians.
Eastern Country loathes foreign intervention in domestic affairs; their initial response was slow, allowing the ringleader to escape.
As a result, every human on these lands realized how helpless they were in the face of magical power.
Humans cannot even lift a finger against wizards — even if their beloved cities and families are stolen from them. A keen feeling of inferiority cast a dark cloud of suspicion over the entire world.
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2.10 The Truth Behind the Tragedy
Vincent: But decades after the incident, in an operation led by Central Country with the cooperation of each country.......
We achieved the honor of imprisoning a villainous wizard infamous for his monstrous crimes across the lands.
It was a victory for both humanity and the law against criminal wizards.
In Mister Vincent’s voice, I can hear his pride in humans and in his own country, as well as a faint note of elation in their victory.
Since it happened about a hundred years ago, he wouldn’t have been born yet.
Even so, it must have been a triumphant occasion — something grand and revolutionary — for him to speak of it as eloquently as if he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
Akira: (Can I compare it to the moon landing back in my world......?)
(No, I’m sure it must be poignant beyond comparison, since they emerged victorious after such a long time of living in fear and intimidation.)
Did the humans capture the villainous wizard all by themselves?
Vincent: They were assisted by a number of wizards.
Akira: That’s amazing! So humans and wizards fought together in battle.
Vincent: Only a small handful of chivalrous and devoted wizards agreed to the noble cause championed by the humans.
Akira: I see...... By the way, who was this villainous wizard they captured......?
Mister Vincent raises a single eyebrow as he looks down at me, mocking.
Vincent: You should be well-acquainted with him.
Akira: Huh?
Vincent: The atrocious villain who leads the Bandits of Death — Bradley Bain.
Akira: Bradley!?
I yelp unthinkingly.
Bradley is a Northern wizard, and one of the Sage’s wizards.
The five countries teamed up to work toward a common aim, aided by a number of wizards......
I’m shocked that it was Bradley at the center of this historic, large-scale operation...
But the more I think about it, the more everything about the tale makes sense.
I’ve heard about Figaro and the twins being involved in Bradley’s capture.
Once again, I find myself overwhelmed by the existence of wizards so deeply intertwined through the history and landscape of this world.
Drummond: Sir Sage. We’ve arrived at the library.
I nod, startled. I have to put this aside and get ready for the inspection with the Eastern wizards.
I open the door to the library.
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Chapter 1 << | index | >> Chapter 3