The citizens of the Kingdom of Lordberg receive the “Blessing Ceremony” at the church when they turn ten, but it is said that only about one in twenty receives a magical talent.
Most people only possess enough talent to light a small fire or produce a cup of water, but some can master powerful magic and earn the title of “mage.”
Because exceptional mages often rise in status and marry into noble families, the proportion of those who receive talent is higher among the nobility and lower among the poor.
Noein’s “puppet magic talent” was certainly better than having no talent at all, but it wasn’t particularly esteemed among the nobility.
Had he received an obvious and powerful talent like fire magic, water magic, or healing magic, perhaps his treatment within his count family might have been different.
Puppet magic, as the name suggests, involves controlling puppets with one’s mind. It is generally recognized as the magic to control “golems,” large wooden puppets engraved with magical patterns.
However, the downside is that it is “extremely difficult to handle.”
Ordinarily, golems cannot perform very complex actions. At most, they can carry heavy loads or act as shields on the battlefield.
With extensive training, one might be able to make them move as smoothly and intricately as a human, but only someone with a lot of free time could afford such training.
And Noein had that “plenty of free time.”
Upon discovering his talent at age ten, Noein saved his allowance given by his father and bought a golem (wooden golems were not very expensive by noble standards). He spent a long, long time mastering the manipulation of golems.
As a result, now at age fifteen, Noein stood before two golems performing the highly unusual and complex action of “holding hoes like humans, turning the soil, and tilling the field.”
“The soil is fertile, as expected in an untouched forest. This should make a good field.”
“To think you also possess the knowledge to judge soil quality, as expected of Lord Noein.”
To be honest, Noein was just speaking based on vague impressions and knowledge he’d read in books.
And Mathilda would praise him no matter what he said.
Despite their amateur and uncertain venture, the two enjoyed their pioneering work.
…
“Well then, Mathilda, we’ve managed to make something that resembles a field.”
“Yes, Lord Noein. Shall we plant this… potato next?”
As she spoke, Mathilda looked at the light green lump, which appeared like a thickened plant stem.
“That’s right. While potatoes are imported to the Kingdom of Lordberg only as ornamental flowers, their true value lies in their usefulness as food. The agricultural guide from the southern continent detailed how to cultivate and eat them.”
Knowing the true value of potatoes from books, Noein had specifically bought them from the market near the port before leaving his father’s territory. This was a stroke of luck, thanks to the Count of Kivileft’s territory having a port and serving as a trade hub with the southern regions.
“I see. I am sure you have reasons beyond my understanding for choosing this peculiar crop instead of wheat for the initial planting.”
As Mathilda said, potatoes do appear strange to those unfamiliar with them.
When he bought them over a month ago, they were yellow and glossy, but now they were somewhat greenish and sprouting.
If one didn’t know they were crops, they would certainly appear as grotesque, mysterious objects.
“That’s right, Mathilda. This plant is known as the ‘savior crop’ in some southern countries. It’s easy to grow, easy to multiply, and highly nutritious. Perfect for our pioneering efforts.”
Though, in truth, Noein’s knowledge of potatoes was still purely theoretical.
“Impressive. Noticing such a crop is indeed fitting for you, Lord Noein.”
Following Noein’s instructions, Mathilda began cutting the potatoes into pieces with a knife.
Noein then planted these pieces at regular intervals in the furrows dug by the golems.
With water, each piece was supposed to sprout multiple potatoes.
“With this, the planting in this field is done. The first farmland in the Earlkvist territory is born.”
“A memorable farmland indeed, Lord Noein.”
…
Having completed the planting in the small 5-meter square field, Noein immediately set to the next task, though the work was done by the golems.
First, a flat area suitable for farmland was essential. Therefore, Noein had the golems wield iron axes and fell trees.
The massive size and weight of the over 2-meter tall golems allowed them to make deep cuts with each swing, eventually causing the trees to fall in the pre-determined direction.
Thanks to the golems, felling a tree took significantly less time than it would for humans.
The fallen trees were then cut into manageable lengths and trimmed of branches.
“I’m glad to be a puppet mage. It’s much more versatile than spewing fire or water from my hands.”
Noein mused to himself.
Controlling two golems simultaneously, each performing such precise tasks, was likely a feat only he could accomplish in the Kingdom of Lordberg.
With Noein’s dexterity, the golems could handle everything from farming to forest clearing, wood processing, and even combat if necessary. Although it lacked the flashiness of other famous magics, it was a perfect fit for someone like him tasked with frontier development.
“…!”
Mathilda’s ears suddenly twitched.
“Lord Noein, something is approaching. Likely a monster.”
“I see. Well, it’s no surprise with all this noise.”
This was an untouched forest, so of course, monsters were expected.
Noein stopped the golems’ branch trimming and positioned them to shield him and Mathilda in the direction she indicated.
“Lord Noein, if it’s not a significant threat, may I handle it as practice?”
“…Sure. Only if it’s not a significant threat. I’d hate for you to die, my dear Mathilda.”
“! Understood.”
Blushing at being called “dear Mathilda,” she moved to stand in front of Noein. The source of the detected presence approached her.
A rustling in the bushes revealed—an approximately 1-meter-long creature, resembling an oversized rabbit, the Gluttony Rabbit.
Unlike regular rabbits, it had slightly longer legs, sharp fangs, and an unusually aggressive nature, eating both plants and meat.
Still, it was among the weakest of monsters.
“I’ll handle this.”
“Go ahead.”
With Noein’s brief permission, Mathilda used her rabbit-like leg strength to spring forward.
She aimed a roundhouse kick at the charging Gluttony Rabbit.
Her footwear, resembling sandals but fitted with metal blades, was designed for her long, rabbit-like feet.
The force of her kick, combined with her body weight, struck the rabbit’s face, the blade shattering its skull in one blow.
The Gluttony Rabbit dropped lifelessly to the ground.
“I did it, Lord Noein.”
Uncharacteristically, Mathilda turned to her master with a buoyant smile, proud of her first successful battle against a monster.
“Yes. I saw it all, Mathilda. Well done. Good job. Very good.”
Approaching the smiling Mathilda, who was taller than him, Noein patted her head. Patting, patting, and patting.
“Ah, um, Lord Noein…”
“You’re great, Mathilda. You’re my pride. Very good, very good.”
Indeed, she was his pride. His cherished follower.
She had splendidly completed her first battle, and he was rewarding her with praise.
Certainly not because her adorable, blushing face made him want to pamper her until she turned even redder.
“Uh, Lord Noein, we should bleed and process the game…”
The usually cool Mathilda had turned into a pure-hearted maiden, but she reminded him they should get back to work.
