Since regaining full consciousness, Lagas spent most of his time either having someone read to him or tracing letters on the floor with his finger. After about a month, he had learned to write all the characters.
When his body began to move a bit, he focused on sensing the magic within him and tried to control it. However, since Lagas was still a baby, the amount of magic he could harness was limited. It took four months just to sense the magic within, and any attempt to release it quickly drained him, leaving him almost unable to move.
Yet, through sheer persistence—continuing his efforts day after day, for nearly two hundred days—he finally managed to do what he’d envisioned.
“…Ha!”
Pointing his right palm at a tree, he gathered magic, shaping it into a bullet that launched at the tree, leaving a dent upon impact.
“Not bad… Okay, let’s add an ability this time.”
He directed his palm toward the tree again, creating a magic bullet and adding a spin before releasing it.
“…Seems like it worked.”
The spot hit by the spinning magic bullet had a deeper groove than before.
“Next, let’s try fire. Although… setting a tree on fire might be a problem… I’ll just douse it with water afterward. Here goes… Fire Bullet.”
The fire bullet shot from his palm hit the tree directly, igniting it as expected. He realized he’d better put it out quickly—otherwise, his parents would be furious, and this might cause other problems.
“Water Bullet.”
The water bullet struck the tree just like the fire bullet, successfully putting out the flames.
“I’ve only tested about a third of the magic bullet’s effects, but considering my age, it’s enough for now. I should head back. Hey, Meryl?”
“…Master Lagas, may I ask you something?”
It was rare for Meryl to ask him a question. Though, given her frequent surprised expressions, it wasn’t too strange that she’d eventually ask something.
“Sure. And you don’t need to ask permission to ask a question.”
“Understood. Then… how did you come to know such techniques, Master Lagas?”
“How…? Well, I didn’t learn it from my parents or books. I just thought of it myself. Since I’m not even three yet, I don’t know what elemental magic suits me, so I figured out a way to train in magic—or rather, in controlling magic power.”
This was entirely true. He didn’t know what magic attributes he’d have. He did know he could use three types of magic, though he wasn’t sure if they aligned with the five basic elements.
“Meryl, you could do it if I taught you. The technique of forming magic into a bullet and launching it—I call it a magic bullet. Have you managed to acquire the magic bullet ability?”
“No, even though I practice during my free time, I haven’t been able to acquire the magic bullet ability as you describe… That’s not my main question, though… well, it is intriguing, but my main question is elsewhere.”
…Seeing the usually cool Meryl flustered was quite endearing.
She was four years older than him, yet possessed a calmness and poise beyond her years. Despite her strictness with herself, she was gentle with others. At school, she’d probably be the type called “Miss Elegant” by both her peers and younger students. Her features suggested she’d grow to be more beautiful than cute.
“I’d like to know why you came up with such a technique, and why you’ve manifested an ability. That, and… Master Lagas, you’re two years old… nearly three, yes? For your age, you seem overly mature, in my opinion. If possible, I’d like you to explain that as well.”
“Three questions at once, huh? Well, first, I thought that simply sending a mass of magic power would be quite powerful on its own.”
In truth, he’d stumbled upon the idea. While magic existed that turned elemental magic into projectiles, there wasn’t one for firing raw magic bullets. The technique might be established, but it didn’t seem to have an official name.
…She looked unconvinced.
“As for the second question… I honestly don’t know. I don’t remember how many times I had to cast it or what skill level I needed. I don’t even know if I’m the only one who can learn this skill. Sorry, but I really don’t know.”
He genuinely didn’t remember… or rather, he hadn’t kept track of those details. If he were the only one with this skill, that’d be fortunate, though it also hinted at potential drawbacks.
“And for the third question, yeah, maybe I’m unusually mature for almost three. The reason? Probably because I was inspired by those around me.”
“Inspired…?”
“Yes. I wanted to move around like everyone else, read books on my own, and try using magic. Those desires pushed me to reach this point… but seriously, Meryl, you’re the one calling me mature?”
Of course, that last part was a bit of a lie. The real reason was that his sense of self-awareness developed exceptionally early.
Though, Meryl, even though she’s only two years older, already speaks like a full-grown adult.
“Th-that’s… it’s because Miss Martha, the head maid, has taught me very thoroughly!”
“Even I learned to read and write from my siblings. I even learned to handle magic from watching my parents.”
Well, he had technically observed and mimicked them.
Seeing Meryl hesitate with an adorable expression as she tried to come up with a retort to his teasing only made her all the more endearing.
