“Master, about this white stone…”
Ranvalt and Baraha had arranged lodgings for the knights and returned there before nightfall. Once the two had left, Sebirino took a stone out of his item box.
It was a small fragment—a few tiny pieces—that I had given as a quiz. It hadn’t been used for robes or talismans. He could have used it, though.
“Did you figure it out?”
“Yes, this is Albedo!”
Sebirino confidently nodded and answered with pride. Although I only managed to create small fragments, I wondered if he would understand, but it seems he did.
“Impressive, that’s correct!”
“…Albedo? That’s a stone I’m not familiar with.”
Ekvar descended the stairs. Was he planning to continue his scolding now that the two had left? Sebirino seemed on guard.
“If I tell you, could you not be too harsh with Sebirino-dono?”
“…Ugh…”
He’s thinking about it. This might actually work!
“Actually, it was Ekvar-dono’s words that gave me the clue. You said, ‘You created the stone itself.'”
“Huh, did I? Was that really such a big hint…?”
Sometimes, an offhand remark from someone uninvolved can connect the dots or lead to a realization. Although a multifaceted perspective is important, it’s certainly a difficult endeavor.
I suppose I’ll have to stop being coy and just explain.
“It’s a transitional stage of the Philosopher’s Stone. The next steps are still shrouded in mystery, and it’s impossible to proceed alone. You must maintain a fire continuously for seven days and nights.”
“Ph-Philosopher’s Stone!? Is that really something that can be created!?”
Ekvar turned to the stone with exaggerated astonishment. At this stage, it feels more like a mysterious mineral overflowing with magic power.
The Philosopher’s Stone has several stages of creation.
First, a black stone known as Nigredo emerges as a transitional form. Next, it evolves into this incomplete white Philosopher’s Stone, called Albedo. Even at this stage, it possesses considerable power. From there, it transitions to yellow and finally becomes the completed red Philosopher’s Stone, Rubedo.
At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work. I’ve never actually completed one.
Creating the Philosopher’s Stone requires specialized tools known as an Athanor and a Philosopher’s Egg. These are not something you can buy on the market, which is troublesome. Egdoarm’s facility had them, though.
“At this point, it’s still uncertain. I need to research more; it’s a bit beyond me right now. But I’d like to continue working on it with Sebirino-dono.”
“Such kind words… I am overwhelmed with gratitude, Master! Together, let us complete the great work—the Magnum Opus!”
“Of course, Sebirino-dono!”
So, it’s decided—I’m officially his master now! Sebirino seems more distant somehow…
His personality feels a bit different too. He’s serious and kind, but wasn’t he someone with a stronger sense of pride, especially when it came to magic?
Incidentally, the “Great Work” refers to the Grand Alchemical Process—turning this white Philosopher’s Stone into the completed red one.
The process of obtaining the white Philosopher’s Stone, by contrast, is called the “Lesser Work” or “Lesser Alchemy.” It’s not a term commonly used, though.
“By the way, Master. If it’s not too much trouble, could you introduce me to your contracted demon?”
Sebirino glanced at Belial. Come to think of it, this was their first meeting! So much had been going on that I hadn’t even thought about it.
“Oh, you’re right. I forgot. This is Belial-dono.”
“Belial-sama, is it? I am…”
As Sebirino carefully put away the white stone and placed his hand on his chest to introduce himself, Belial interrupted him.
“There’s no need. I’ve heard from Iriya. I am a direct vassal of His Majesty Satan, Emperor of Hell, and commander of fifty legions.”
“A king…! As expected of my master, to have formed a contract with such a noble being!”
What is this? No matter what he hears, he seems to find a way to praise me.
Doesn’t he have some kind of grand illusion about me? I hope he doesn’t later say he didn’t expect me to be “this underwhelming.” Am I overthinking it?
“Huh, Belial-dono. You’re surprisingly forthcoming about this,” Ekvar said, glancing at Belial with curiosity.
Now that you mention it, it’s true. He usually keeps things like this to himself.
“Unlike you, this man may be a bit impulsive, but he seems sincere. As my contractor’s disciple, there’s no issue.”
“Hey, I’m sincere too!”
Belial seemed pleased to be addressed as a noble being. His smile carried a faint trace of satisfaction, and he subtly affirmed Sebirino’s position as my disciple.
“Oh, by the way,” Sebirino said, as if recalling something, and turned to Ekvar.
“I heard rumors that you, Karl… I mean, Ekvar-dono, were ill and recuperating?”
“Well, if I were absent for too long, it’d basically be like announcing to the world that I was off on some secret mission. So I spread false rumors and even sent my allies to visit an estate staffed with only servants.”
It seems Ekvar had prepared thoroughly for his arrival. It makes sense that if the captain of the guards disappeared for too long, it would seem suspicious. I suppose his anger is justified…though it was terrifying.
This time, Ekvar directed a question at Sebirino.
“How are things in the kingdom? Are they reaching a boiling point?”
“Yes, His Highness said the time is ripe. As for His Majesty the King… well, how should I put it? He’s as indecisive as ever…”
“I have no expectations of him whatsoever. The reason the Grand Mage has grown so arrogant is because of His Majesty’s spinelessness,” Ekvar interjected, cutting through Sebirino’s hesitation.
I’d only ever seen His Majesty the King during ceremonies, so I thought he seemed like an impressive figure, but it appears reality is quite different. I suppose grand attire and carefully prepared speeches can create a remarkable impression.
Belial also appeared to be listening intently to the two as they discussed the state of Egdoarm.
It seems that His Highness the Crown Prince has already been consulting with trusted allies about who should replace the Grand Mage. Recently, negotiations for magical items seem to have stalled, so perhaps it’s becoming urgent. The Grand Mage has far too much power… couldn’t it be distributed more evenly?
Since Sebirino is around, dealing with monsters shouldn’t be an issue… but is it really fine for him to be here?
The position of Court Mage in Egdoarm requires the ability to produce elixirs, but the Grand Mage has officially hired people through bribery, some of whom can’t even produce them. His Highness wants to remove those individuals, as they only pander to the Grand Mage and don’t even participate in monster hunts.
“There are many voices suggesting you should be the next Grand Mage,” Ekvar said.
Sebirino is favored by the Crown Prince and has both the achievements and the skills to back it up. The only drawback might be his lineage. As far as I know, no one below the rank of count has ever been appointed Grand Mage. A clear, easy-to-understand standard, I suppose.
“His Highness has broached the subject with me, but I respectfully declined. Accepting would make it difficult for me to leave the country. I still wish to study under my master.”
“If it’s about studying, wouldn’t the court’s excellent facilities suffice?” I pointed out critically, but Sebirino shook his head.
“Surely you jest. A facility without my master is like fire magic without flames!”
Wait, what? What are you even saying…?
When we get closer, he sometimes uses these peculiar metaphors, but honestly, they’re more confusing than anything else. This time, I really don’t understand. Fire magic without fire? That’s nothing. If you said “flames without smoke,” I could follow—oh, but that would imply angels.
“By the way, why does the Second Order of Knights all call you by your first name?”
As I struggled to respond, Ekvar shifted the conversation with another question.
“That? It’s because they want my master to call me by my first name.”
“Wait, me?”
This was news to me. Now that I think about it, they used to call him Lord Arens, but at some point, it switched to Lord Sebirino or Sebirino-dono. I thought it was just because they’d grown closer.
“When I realized my master was an extraordinary mage, one worthy of reverence, I thought it completely unreasonable for such a mage to address me as Lord Arens while I called them by their first name. It was too absurd to bear!”
“I don’t have a family name, so it’s not unreasonable,” I countered.
“It is unreasonable! It’s as nonsensical as the sky lying beneath the earth! So, to ensure my master would call me by my first name, I permitted the knights to do so. If everyone called me by my first name, it wouldn’t seem out of place, right?”
That’s the reason?! And to say it so proudly… Ekvar was half-smirking.
As if encouraged, Sebirino suddenly began passionately extolling my virtues. From the time I assisted with crafting elixirs—a prerequisite for court mages—he said he started respecting me as a master. That was fairly early on, wasn’t it…?
He also brought up all sorts of events I’d forgotten, speaking as though a dam had burst. He was utterly effusive in his praise, saying everything he’d been unable to express until now.
It was so embarrassing I could barely listen. Someone, please… help me…
“…Isn’t Sebirino acting strange? Why is he suddenly calling me master?”
Unable to endure it any longer, I muttered softly to myself from the sofa.
“They say he’s been acting like your aide since back in the kingdom. Did you really not notice at all?”
I had no idea he saw me that way! I’d been wondering if I could just introduce him as a friend without offending him. I feel like I’ve completely missed something important…
That night, Sebirino stayed over at my place. Thankfully, I’d bought a bed from the furniture store in case guests came over.
