Now that I’m three years old, I’m standing at the center of attention among my family, with everyone gathered except for my eldest brother, Karous.
In front of me is a clear crystal.
This clear crystal isn’t just any ordinary crystal; apparently, it can determine a person’s magical aptitude when they touch it.
As a child born to a noble family, I should have the ability to use some elemental magic. The number of elements varies by individual, but everyone has at least one.
Incidentally, my father can use wind magic, and my mother can use fire magic.
So, genetically speaking, I have the possibility of being able to use either wind or fire magic—or maybe even both.
But if we consider genetics further, there’s a chance I might have an aptitude for magic that my grandparents could use. My second-oldest brother, Lodu, can use earth magic.
“Alright, just put your hand on the crystal. Don’t think about it too much; just rest your palm on it.”
“Understood.”
Following my father’s instruction, I placed my palm on the crystal.
The moment my hand touched the crystal, three things seemed to enter inside me.
“?!”
This is… and… also…
Haha, with this, no one else besides me would have these abilities… No, I think only monsters have the last ability.
But… maybe because the magic is quite unique, there’s no reaction in the crystal.
My parents and siblings are looking worried… although there seems to be one exception.
Hmm? The center of the crystal looks like it’s rippling… I see. So this is the magic I’m originally capable of learning.
After a few seconds of rippling in the center of the crystal, there was no further change, so I took my hand off it.
“R-Lagas, would you like to try touching the crystal one more time?”
My father asked, looking less worried and more confused.
It seems rare for the crystal to show so little reaction.
“It’s alright, Father. I definitely have a magical aptitude.”
“R-Really?! Well, that’s good to hear, but… what kind of magic is it?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
Even if I said it here, I doubt they’d believe me about the first three spells, leaving aside the last one.
“Hey, hey, Lagas, there’s no need to act cool about it. Lying would just… you know, be pathetic.”
Does this guy have no sense of common decency? That’s my third brother, Arik, who looked down at me with words that don’t seem fit to address his own little brother.
This guy often mocks me when our parents and servants aren’t around.
At first, I had no idea why. Having just been born into this world, I haven’t done anything to make him hate me.
And why he’s like this to me, his younger brother, is a mystery, especially since his twin sister, my second-eldest sister Claire, treats me well.
But recently, I figured out the reason. Knowing it hasn’t made it any less annoying, but I can sort of understand now.
That said, it’s still impossible for me to like him.
“Then, Arik, considering you always skip your studies but tell Father and Mother you’re studying, you’re quite the pathetic guy yourself.”
“Wha-?! Y-You, you’re just…”
“Our tutor, Ms. Sala, has been worried. She was half-crying, wondering if her teaching methods were so poor that you wouldn’t listen to her lessons.”
Everything I said was true. Ms. Sala is a timid woman who believes Arik ignores her lessons because she’s a bad teacher, so she hasn’t told our parents about Arik’s slacking.
“…Alright then, Lagas, come to the study after dinner. Lodu, could you go get Ms. Sala?”
“Understood. I’ll bring her right away.”
“Now, the rest of you are free until dinner… except you, Arik.”
Arik, who had been about to leave the room, turned back with a broken-machine-like motion, as Father’s glare froze him.
“W-Why, Father?! I’ve been studying properly…”
“If that’s true, why aren’t Claire and the others defending you? Claire, in fact, is looking at you with a ‘serves you right’ expression.”
Just as Father said, Claire was looking at Arik with a mocking smile.
Claire and Arik have a bad relationship, after all…
“Mother, could you stay a little longer as well?”
“Of course.”
Uh-oh. Even I feel a chill from seeing Mother’s usually gentle smile now.
My condolences, Arik.
My sisters and I joined hands in prayer in our hearts as we left the room.
