Chapter 55 Genius and Effort
While the Arcanists ran around fixing the cracked barrier, the rest of us moved──on the princess's suggestion──to the guest salon.
Along with Ricardo, who looked like death warmed over, an older Arcanist who seemed like someone in charge came with us.
Princess Ellen didn't seem to notice the tense silence twisting through the room.
She just sipped her tea with all the poise in the world, set the cup down, and finally spoke.
"Sir Tsukumo, I imagine you have... a number of complaints. No need to hold back──forget about rank and say whatever you like."
"Well, uh, thanks to earlier, I got most of it out of my system."
Not like I'm completely satisfied, of course.
Most of what's left bouncing around my brain would probably get me thrown out if I said it in front of people like this.
I glanced at the other Arcanist.
The gentleman──long, deep-purple hair tied back, glasses perched on his nose──just smiled at me, perfectly polite.
"Forgive my late introduction. I'm Osric Lumines, First Arcanist of the Court Arcanists."
"A pleasure, Sir Osric. Lumines... You wouldn't happen to be related to Professor Lumines, would you?"
"Ah, yes. My less-than-dignified brother caused you trouble before, didn't he? Since it can get confusing, just call me Osric."
If I remember right, the Lumines family is a Marquis house.
His gentle, intelligent gaze──so unlike the frigid professor who snubbed me in school──felt almost... friendly.
"The truth is, I've heard you're quite the eloquent one──straight from my brother, no less. I've actually been looking for a chance to chat. Really, don't hold back. I promise, heads won't roll over a little impertinence."
Lord Osric chuckled, shoulders shaking in amusement.
And that's when it hit me.
This guy's just like Luka──he enjoys toying with people for fun.
Not so much friendly as... treating me like a fascinating specimen.
And the thing about people like him, they never get mad, no matter what their rare creature does.
"All right then──I'll take you up on that."
While I mulled over how to phrase things, I shot Ricardo, already shaking in his boots, a quick glare.
That was all it took for his shoulders to bunch up tight.
"Was it really that fun, picking apart everything I did? Holding a grudge from 5 years ago, dragging me down, defying Her Highness the Princess, causing trouble for everyone... Did you get anything out of it? Did you contribute to the research of the kingdom's top-tier magic institute, the Royal Court Arcanists?"
"You really know how to talk."
As my subordinate was being utterly insulted, Lord Osric immediately clamped his mouth shut, turned his face away, and struggled to keep from laughing.
The more he held it in, the redder Ricardo's face became.
"That fight earlier──'the most powerful magic'? Please. I've nearly died from magic that's meant to kill, been hit with it more times than I can count. A flashy magic spell meant to intimidate me? That's nothing. Stop underestimating me."
Of course, the magic used wasn't particularly bad.
Only a handful of Arcanists can even wield it, and yes, it's strong.
But more often than not, its difficulty in activation gets the most attention──if you don't properly hone it, its visual power won't match its actual strength.
"What a letdown. So, the Court Arcanists aren't all that impressive. Didn't you get weaker since your student days? Turning down the scout invitation was definitely the right call. ...Still going, or are you done?"
To meet Lord Osric's expectations, I brought up the gossip I'd overheard in the training grounds, and that was when I finally couldn't hold back──laughter bubbled up, and I clutched my stomach.
"Ah, alright, I'll let you off easy for now. I should've brought everyone who joined the arm-wrestling match. Ugh, that was fun."
Judging by the expressions of the Princess and Ms. Helmine, this kind of laid-back attitude was normal for him.
Truth be told, for someone to laugh off insults directed at their own organization like it's no big deal... he's definitely one of a kind.
"Come on, Ricardo. Your precious Court Arcanists are being mocked. What do you have to say about that?"
"...No, you're right. It's entirely my fault. I have no rebuttal."
What happened to all that bravado he showed when demonstrating his magic?
But still, I couldn't help but feel like he was only acting meek because of his superior, so I unsheathed my blade once more and pointed it at him.
"What exactly do you think you did wrong? Messing with Her Highness the Princess? Picking a fight you couldn't win? Or is it about the trouble you caused back in school?"
"Ricardo, did you really used to pick on him?"
"Only during the beginning of the year!"
You did, huh?
To be honest, maybe I thought you knew everything.
Time to reap what you've sown.
"In the end, you're still causing trouble. People really don't change, do they?"
"Yes, perhaps we should review our hiring standards."
"Indeed, please do consider it promptly."
With a sly grin, Sir Osric made his playful suggestion, prompting a dramatic sigh from the princess.
"To begin with, why do you hate Sir Tsukumo so much? Is it really all about grades from school? You became a court Arcanist just like you wanted, so what's your gripe?"
Ricardo then clenched up and started talking, his voice barely above a whisper.
"My family, generation after generation, has produced the top graduate of the Arcane Art Academy. I've studied and trained since I was young, hoping to follow in their footsteps. Even though my grades weren't bad, it was always 'because Kreis Tsukumo was there.' ...No matter how hard I tried, I kept asking myself why I couldn't come out on top."
He clenched his hands on his knees.
I have an older brother who's brilliant and sociable, and sometimes I feel overshadowed, but that noble inferiority complex of mine is a whole different beast.
But that still doesn't excuse causing trouble.
"...This position as a court Arcanist, it's a chair I warmed only after Tsukumo Kreis kicked it away. I coveted it, worked for it, and finally got it, but he just took it and trampled it like it was nothing. I couldn't forgive him for that."
He let his shoulders drop.
"...I thought if I stopped specializing in magic, I could finally win, but then I realized the gap was only getting wider. It just made me feel empty. After all, a genius is a genius."
In the end, a self-deprecating smile crept onto his face.
"Sure, I've got a lousy personality, but I don't get my kicks from pushing people to tears."
Just as I was wondering how to clean up this mess, Yuruyana, who had been sitting quietly beside me, looking uncomfortable, suddenly lifted his head.
"...You think it's simple? Do you really know what Tsukumo has been through?"
Surprisingly, it was Lord Osric who looked the most shocked.
Then, he narrowed his eyes, seemingly intrigued.
"I may not know about Tsukumo's student days or his time in the military... but enduring harassment to follow your dreams, toughening your knuckles through endless martial training──is that just a matter of talent? You don't know about the scars that can't be healed by magic, the exhaustion that leads to collapse. It's not just 'cause he's a genius that he seems to do nothing."
I was a bit moved by his thoughts, but then he ruined the mood by tearing up.
"...So the military is that harsh, with injuries all over your body..."
"Right after enlistment, you're made to write a letter to your family, just in case. Even if your face is unrecognizable, you wear a tag with your unit and name around your neck. In my unit, filled with Arcanists who could use healing magic, we still lost a guy in less than 3 years. ────He'd be the same age as you, if he'd lived."
Ricardo gasped as I calmly laid out the facts.
She was brilliant.
If she hadn't been a war orphan, she could've gone to the Arcane Art Academy, could've taken a very different path.
Lord Osric stroked his chin, looking between me, Ricardo, and Yuruyana before nodding slightly.
"Ricardo, Kreis has something else you don't──a comrade who correctly evaluates and acknowledges your actions."
"Sorry, I spoke out of turn."
Now that he'd been called out, Yuruyana turned away from me, covering his face with his hand, perhaps feeling embarrassed.
"No, it's something hard to come by, even with effort. Well, Kreis has always been sincere, so he never had to drag his feet..."
Don't needle me, guy.
Does he have something against Ricardo?
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