I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman
The Royal Capital of Egdualum, Visiting After a Long Time
Equvar , his familiars Lini and Sebirino, and I are together today to buy souvenirs before heading back to my hometown tomorrow. Equvar promised to show me a popular sweets shop. Since sweets are hard to come by in the mountain villages, they’ll surely be appreciated.
Meanwhile, Belial is off wandering on his own. Probably looking for some liquor again?
“Wow, these financiers look delicious! Oh, and these cookies too!”
There’s no need to choose just one, right? I buy both and have them wrapped up, but I notice people occasionally sneaking glances in my direction. Some even stop and observe from a distance.
They must be looking at Sebirino, the royal court mage, or Equvar , a member of the royal guard. Both professions are admired, after all.
“…Equvar .”
Among the distant onlookers, someone actually speaks up!
“…Brother Matthias, Sister-in-law Elminia.”
Wait, that’s Equvar ’s older brother? But something about them seems awkward…
The man, who resembles Equvar with the same deep blue hair, stands beside a woman with beautiful light blue hair—his wife, I assume.
“You’ve returned… um…”
His words trail off. Is he bad at conversation? He glances between Equvar , Sebirino, and me, seemingly unsure what to say.
“Lord Matthias was worried about Lord Equvar . He never imagined you were away on a mission and visited you in concern, acting somewhat thoughtlessly.”
“No, if anything, I apologize for causing you worry.”
The wife continues the conversation on his behalf, and Equvar , suddenly quite formal, bows his head toward them. Then silence again. Is this just how brothers interact?
“…Is that Lord Arens? And that woman, is she from the royal court as well?”
“Indeed. And this is my master, Lady Iriya.”
“Master…?”
Sebirino nods in satisfaction at the reasonable question.
Hmm. Will this be okay in Egdualum? He makes it sound like I’m someone important!
“Would you care to join us for tea? I’d love to hear more details, wouldn’t you, Matthias?”
Elminia gently rubs her husband’s back, encouraging him as she brightly extends the invitation.
Encarnacion mentioned before that the eldest brother wanted to reconcile—was she talking about this? Equvar looks hesitant.
“May I join as well? I was just getting thirsty.”
“Lady Iriya too?”
“Yes! All of us… how about it!?”
Matthias appears nervous and restless.
“I know a lovely place. Allow me to take you there!”
Elminia Inojosa Terrasas—that’s her name. Since she has only one younger sister, she needed a husband to inherit the Terrasas Countship.
Matthias Sabara Terrasas—Equvar ’s older brother—actually married into the family to become the heir!
They met at a ball. Elminia fell in love at first sight and pursued him, and they ended up together. Originally, Matthias was set to inherit the Karlsroa Marquisate, but he instead became the successor to the Terrasas Countship.
At the time, it was a huge romantic scandal. Even I had heard about it.
So that was about Equvar ’s brother!
“The second brother was deeply attached to our parents, so Matthias agreed right away, saying that Kalewa could inherit instead.”
“Really? That’s quite selfless of him.”
As I sip my tea and ask this, the four of them—including Sebirino—exchange troubled expressions.
“Master, Equvar ’s second brother, Kalewa Taist Karlsroa, is infamous as an ill-mannered brute with no real ability…”
“Huh? And they wanted him to inherit?”
“As children, he was better than me in both swordsmanship and academics. Our parents had high hopes for him and spoiled him…”
Matthias seems reluctant to speak.
It sounds like their parents favored Kalewa so much that they ended up ruining him. Yet, even so, they still adored him the most among the siblings…
“I heard rumors that Equvar was terribly bullied by his second brother.”
“There was a time… he claimed it was sword training, but Equvar had his arm broken. I couldn’t stop it. I’m truly sorry. I feel responsible…”
“That’s awful! And your parents said nothing!?”
My voice rises in frustration. Matthias shakes his head, looking downcast.
“They said it was Equvar ’s fault for being weak… even though he was six years younger than Kalewa.”
Matthias and Kalewa are only two years apart, but they never got along. Since their parents always took Kalewa’s side, Matthias couldn’t intervene.
Equvar wouldn’t lose now, though!
…Wait, could this be why he keeps his fire magic talent a secret?
“Equvar ! No matter what, I’m on your side!”
“And I, too, as well as Matthias, have made preparations for you to stay with us should you need to, at any time.”
“Equvar , if there’s ever an issue, tell me. I’ll intervene as a royal court mage.”
One after another, we all nod at him firmly.
Equvar , somewhat flustered, laughs and tries to brush it off.
“I… I’m on Equvar ’s side too!”
Lini, sitting beside him, tugs at his sleeve and declares this.
“Thank you, I’ll count on you.”
“Mm!”
Equvar pats her head, and she closes her eyes, looking pleased.
“Lini’s adorable. She’s like your little sister, isn’t she?”
“I appreciate that. I always wanted a sister.”
“…If she’s Equvar ’s sister, then she’s like a sister to me too…!”
Matthias seems proud of what he just said, but Lini only looks puzzled, and Equvar gives a wry smile. He completely missed the mark.
“…That’s, um… kind of what I meant…”
Embarrassed, he blushes slightly and looks down.
They’re such awkward brothers. They’re feeling their way through this.
Seeing how Matthias is, it’s clear he can’t stand up to their violent second brother. He seems kind but a bit timid.
I hope he and Equvar can get along better.
…Wait, isn’t he coming to Chenkaslar with us? Along with Sebirino?
I wonder if this will be okay.
The couple whispers to each other, then both look at me before turning their gaze to Equvar .
For some reason, they nod, but Equvar shakes his head.
What are they discussing? Are they already on the same page??
“Um, Iriya, was it? Are you close with Equvar ?”
“Matthias! Ahem… Iriya, we’d like to hear about Equvar ’s daily life…”
“Uh… he works while adventuring, and he teaches me a lot…?”
Their questions are different. It’s probably best to answer Elminia.
Equvar is glaring lightly at his brother.
“Iriya, Iriya. Outside.”
“Hmm?”
As I sip my tea, Lini points to the window.
We’re on the second floor, so the sunlight is a bit dazzling. A red shadow swiftly descends outside.
“Oh, you know a fine establishment.”
Belial has appeared outside the window. Other patrons start staring.
“Belial, what brings you here?”
“Hmm, too many liquor choices. I need Sebirino’s expertise. May I borrow him?”
“Understood. Master, excuse me.”
Sebirino bows and leaves the table.
The couple stares at Belial.
“Could it be…?”
“Indeed…”
“Equvar , don’t worry! Um… I’m sure you have your own strengths! Like kindness!”
“What are you even saying, Brother!?”
Matthias grips Equvar ’s shoulder, clenching his fist.
“Lord Equvar , would you like me to introduce you to a noblewoman friend?”
Elminia clasps her hands together in a hopeful gesture.
“Oh! I get it! Equvar wants his brother to find him a wife!”
“No, no, that’s not it!!”
“I’ll support you too! But I don’t know any noblewomen here.”
“Seriously, stop!”
He seems really troubled. How odd.
“Uh… Iriya, you’re wrong. His brother thinks Equvar was dumped…”
“Ah! So he’s looking for a new partner? But we’re moving to Chenkaslar soon… Oh! I know someone there!”
Equvar , however, looks disheartened.
“I give up. You’re a demon…”
“That would be Belial.”
““Wait, he’s a demon!?””
The couple exclaims in unison. They didn’t notice?
Then… what was that earlier?
