I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman
“Hello, Iriya . How was Sevillino’s family home?”
“Ekvar. There were no dragons.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
In Egdoarm, Ekvar works as part of the royal guard.
When I peeked into his training session, his subordinates were sitting or crouching around him. I wonder what kind of training it was. It seems like he’s going to be working again today.
“Just kidding. Ekvar, it must be tough every day, especially since you just returned to your hometown.”
“Well, it’s fulfilling in its own way. So…?”
“Ekvar!! There you are. Oh, Belial-sama! Long time no see. Iriya -san, too.”
Descending from the sky was Enkaruna. She’s a colleague of Ekvar’s and a strange woman who likes to be insulted.
Sevillino, the court magician, is at the research facility, so he’s not here with us.
“It’s an emergency. Ekvar, there’s been a report of what seems to be an advanced dragon sighting in the Karlsroa Marquisate! It’s fine here, so go back to your house and confirm the situation!”
“Eh… I have to go home…?”
Ekvar made an unmistakably displeased face at the word “home.” He really doesn’t seem to want to go back.
“Let’s go, Ekvar! I’ll go with you.”
“Hmm, an advanced dragon, huh! It’s almost as if they’ve prepared a sacrifice for me. How considerate of you all!”
An advanced dragon. Even in Egdoarm, it’s said to be troublesome when they appear. They might be spotted more frequently here than in other countries.
“Ahhh…! I’d love to see Belial-sama’s heroic figure, but if I report it, I’ll have to go back… Ekvar, be careful!”
“It’s fine. You’d only make things uncomfortable, so it’s better if you don’t come. If you anger Belial-sama, the disaster that will follow will be far worse than anything an advanced dragon could cause…”
“But Ekvar was bullied, right? We can’t let him go alone!”
“I’ve always gone alone, since it’s my family home…?”
Though Ekvar seemed unwilling to bring us to his family home, in the end, we went with him to the Karlsroa Marquisate. I was worried after all.
Ekvar’s family home is impressive, as expected for a noble family. The garden is spacious, there’s a place for a carriage, and sculptures are displayed here and there, though some are occasionally broken. The servant opens the double doors, and immediately we see a bright lobby with wide stairs covered in a red carpet, bathed in sunlight.
It seems his parents are on the first floor, and a butler quickly guides us. As he walks, he exchanges a few words with other servants. Since an advanced dragon has been sighted, the maids look somewhat frightened.
We were guided to the living room, which is large, with many windows that let in light. The gold-trimmed sofa is long enough to lie comfortably. The shelves look expensive, and small, intricate statues decorate the room. The fireplace is stylish, making the room look very luxurious.
“Ekvar, you’ve returned, even though a dragon appeared.”
This must be the second son, Kaleva. He’s bigger than Ekvar.
Sitting apart from his parents on a chair by the window, he has his legs crossed. His hair is bright blue, resembling their father. Ekvar and their eldest brother Matthias must look like their mother.
“Father, mother, I hope my older brother and everyone is in good health.”
Ekvar bows his head, but it feels more like a meeting with a superior than with family.
“Glad to see you’re well. But now is not the time for pleasantries. An advanced dragon was sighted in our territory, so I’ve sent a request for its subjugation.”
“The prince is also concerned, and I would like to hear the current situation from you.”
“Hmph! What’s the point in talking to someone like you, who’s only in the royal guard because of the prince’s mercy!?”
Kaleva answers dismissively, raising his chin as he spits the words out.
His father, the marquis, sighs and shakes his head, looking exasperated.
“The subjugation team will arrive soon. You’re not useful, so just go and evacuate.”
…What is with this father and Kaleva, the older brother?! They’re completely ignoring Ekvar! Is it not allowed for nobles to talk back to their parents or older siblings?!
Even though I was bullied in Egdoarm, this treatment from his family is too harsh!
“I, too, have received orders from the prince, so I would like to hear the details…”
“Shut up! Father said to evacuate, so get out of the way!!!”
“Just like Kaleva said, Ekvar. There’s no point in you being here.”
Even his mother!
“…This is unpleasant, Ekvar.”
“…Sorry, I told you not to come…”
“That’s not it! I’m upset with you! How can you just bow your head and take this treatment?!”
It makes me more angry than if it were happening to me. Why is Ekvar staying so calm?!?
He just gives a wry smile as if he’s resigned to it.
“Well, I expected it to be like this.”
“Such an impudent girl. Perfect for someone as useless as you.”
This older brother again! Calling him useless…!
“Ekvar! When you’re insulted like this, it means they’re disrespecting the prince’s judgment in choosing you! You’re one of the five trusted aides chosen by the prince!”
Ekvar blinks a few times in surprise, then smirks, twisting his lips into a defiant smile.
“…I hadn’t thought of it that way. Disrespecting the prince’s authority is unforgivable.”
The Marquis, Ekvar’s father, grew so angry at the words about disrespecting the prince’s judgment that he slammed his foot on the floor with force.
“…Ekvar, what kind of woman have you brought here! To make such statements that seem to disrespect our prince…”
“Even though you’re in love with her, she’s saying some pretty outrageous things!”
“…Silence, Father, Brother. Insulting His Highness and her is unforgivable!”
When Ekvar gave them a sharp glare, the three were overwhelmed and instinctively fell silent. When Ekvar switches to soldier mode, his presence completely changes.
It’s scary, but I’m getting used to it. Belial’s gaze is cold, but it seems like he’s waiting for something?
“Marquis-sama! The extermination team has arrived!”
Breaking the tense atmosphere, a soldier rushed in to report.
Soon after, the sound of military footsteps echoed in the hallway, and the clanking of armor grew louder as it approached the door. Come to think of it, I hear a lot of noise outside. The soldiers must be well-trained; there’s hardly any idle chatter.
I had forgotten; the extermination team had already been dispatched. It would have been better if they had gone straight to the scene and defeated it. Oh, but I don’t know the location where the dragon was spotted.
“We have just arrived.”
The first to enter were Sevillino and the captain of the second knight squad.
Oh right! When it comes to extermination, it’s them!
It feels like I’m back at the court. The captain, especially, looked at me with a surprised expression, his eyes wide open.
Sevillino, yes, Sevillino…
“Master, you were here! A dragon is no longer a threat!”
Without hesitation, he knelt right in front of me… How typical of him. But his greeting should be to the lord, the Marquis of Karlsroa, not me.
“Iriya -sama… I mean, amazing, Sevillino-sama.”
The captain looked exasperated but seemed somewhat pleased.
Seeing this, the Marquis and his second son, Kaleva, stood there, stunned, watching the scene.
Until then, Belial, who had been quietly observing, was now smiling as if he had been expecting this outcome…!
“Everyone, it has been announced that safety has been confirmed! This is Iriya -sama!”
“Sensei!?”
Many of the second knight squad had worked together during exterminations, so they were mostly familiar faces. A few of them had come as representatives and were extremely happy to reunite with me.
On the mage side, there was one person I didn’t know, and one person was a male court mage who had joined me on several extermination missions.
The person who shouted “Sensei!” was a man named Zasha Owl Volter, who had always applied to attend my classes at the magic training institute. I think he’s a little younger than me. He managed to become an apprentice court mage, something I had always admired.
That means, now he will also be the one teaching classes.
Now, I must properly show what I can do! I can’t lose in this situation!
“It’s been a while, Captain-sama. I will head to the extermination with Sevillino. Please regulate the civilians so they do not approach. Zasha Owl Volter, let’s go together.”
“Leave it to me, Lady Sumire!”
“Yes, Master!”
“I will accompany you, Sensei!!!”
Everyone gave an even better response than I expected.
The second knight squad still has this kind of enthusiasm. I really wish they’d stop calling me “Lady Sumire.” Who thought of this strange nickname?
The remaining two mages looked relieved, not being called. If they want to come, they can follow.
“Ekvar, let’s go together!”
“…Of course. To the ends of hell.”
“No, we’re not going to hell.”
“It’s just an expression!”
And so, we set off!
But before that, I must greet them properly.
“Well then, Marquis and Madame Karlsroa… Kaleva Taisto Karlsroa-sama. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Ah, yes…”
Heh, the Marquis seems at a loss for words, and Kaleva is completely speechless. I’ve won!
I feel like I’ve struck a blow to those arrogant nobles of Egdoarm!
Now, all that’s left is to defeat the dragon.
This is far more relaxing than dealing with nobles.
Belial is motivated too!
