After completing the magic meter, Arx visited Crabbe's mansion the next day.


　As before, he had the guard of the Arbent mansion attend to him and immediately rushed to Crabbe's side.
　Not that she didn't think of his inconvenience, but this result outweighed it.
　She ran into her uncle's room, leaving the servants surprised at her haste.


"Uncle, Uncle, Uncle!

"...... Arx, you've been up late again, haven't you?　Are you overexcited?


　Crabbe, of course, saw this and looked half-amused. He had just heard from his servants that he was coming, so he was not too surprised.


I've got to go to work.

I'm about to leave for work, but I don't mind a little.　But first, you need to calm down a little.


　Following Crabbe's words, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.
　As my calm thoughts returned, I had time to look around me.


　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.


I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.

But what the hell is ...... this?


　Crabbe waved his hand in the appropriate manner and dispersed the servants from the room.
　When he was sure that no one was around, he took out his bag.


"Uncle, take a look at this.

This is the glass tube I sent you the other day. ......?　This is the glass tube I sent you last time. ...... Hmm? Did you put something in it, like the scale on a ruler? ......

"Watch this. If you generate magic power near it like this, the magic silver inside will ......

Huh?　It moves. But it's not very interesting for a new toy. ............ Hey, wait!　It's a scale!


　That's Crabbe. I realized what it was right away.
　He froze in astonishment, and I couldn't help but make a smug face at his expression.


　I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I mean.


"......, what's wrong with you, man?

The other day, I happened to be able to turn magic silver into a substance that expands in response to magic power, and that's how I came up with this.

No, you came up with it. ......

Really, it was an accident.


　The idea of the thermometer was due to his knowledge of the man world, but the transformation of the magical silver was really an accident. The idea for the thermometer was based on my knowledge of the male world, but the transformation of the magical silver was really a coincidence, thanks in part to Lisha.


　Anyway, it was Crabbe's turn to calm down, so he sat down on the couch and waited for a while.
　Eventually, Crabbe seemed to take in the situation and let out a breath.
　Then, with a serious look on his face that he had never shown before.


"............ Arx, did you tell anyone else about this?

"No, just my uncle. Things are things.

Well... Good call, including the exorcism.


　A slight smile returned to Crabbe's face, as if he was less nervous now that his concerns were gone.


"You know, this is a big find, right?

"Yes, it is. There is nothing in the world that can accurately measure magic power, is there?

No. At least in the countries I've been to, there wasn't, and still isn't, anything like that. But a measuring device that can measure magic power. ......

"This will help me learn magic.

That's true. It's easy to see how much magic you can put into a word with this.


　Crabbe said, placing the magic meter on the glass table and turning serious again.


"Before we talk about how you made this or anything like that. First, I need to ask you something. What do you want to do with it?

"Well, .......


　Of course, the main goal is to be able to use a lot of magic with it, but ...... that's not what Crave is asking.


I'm not going to keep this to myself. I'll have to wait and see when the time is right, but eventually I'll publish it in a proper form.

"Are you sure?　If you keep it to yourself, you'll have a big advantage over the others.

No, if you have it, someone will eventually find out about it, and when they do, they will definitely want it. Then it's better for you and your country to publish it and get ...... fame or money for it than to monopolize it and be envied.


　That's right. Monopoly is certainly tempting, too. As Crabbe said, if you have this, you can greatly distinguish yourself from other mages, and you can enjoy the sense of superiority that this difference creates.


　However, if you do so, you may be destroying the beneficial compensation that can be obtained by spreading the existence of the magic meter and the opportunity for the development of magic technology.
　In that light, there should be more disadvantages than advantages to monopolization.


　The amount of magic power you can put into a spell is something you can learn with time, and since it is your sense of spell creation that determines your superiority as a mage, giving up the advantage of being able to measure magic power doesn't hurt or itch us.


　In the first place, I thought my uncle would have told me about these things.


"...... I didn't have to tell you. Yeah. You've got a good head on your shoulders.


　Crabbe pats me roughly on the head.
　I knew you were going to say that.


"Arx. As you know, don't tell anyone about the existence of the magic meter yet, okay?　I want everything to be in order before I make any announcement.



Well, do you show your friends ......?

...... Well, only if you trust them not to tell anyone.


　Crabbe and I were like, "You got any friends? I do. ......


I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. You'll want to let her know, but don't do it just in case. You know why ......?

"............ Yes.


　Yes, there is no guarantee that the parents will not be informed through Risha. And once they do, it's those haters. They could take this discovery away from me by force.


　But it seems that Crabbe is more wary of Joshua and Celine than I thought.
　I thought they were casual visitors to Raytheft's mansion, but in fact, there is a deep divide between them.


　I'm not sure what to make of it.


You may not think it's so surprising, but Joshua is a bit of a cynic, and he hates people who are better at magic than he is.

I'm sure you'll agree.　I thought he was more of a guy who looked down on people with lesser magic skills.

...... You're pretty merciless, too.

I don't even think of him as my father anymore.


　I'm sure you're not the only one.


But how could you be like that if you were chosen to be the heir of the Raytheft family?

It's the opposite of being chosen ....... It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web, as well as to make sure that you're getting the most out of it.


　In other words, is it a complex in the male world?
　I don't know much about Joshua's skill as a mage, but perhaps the pressure of being the head of a prestigious family didn't match his skill, and it caused a strain in his character.


It would have been better if he had stayed that way. But now that I'm back, it's even worse.

Your uncle?

Well, if I do say so myself, I traveled around the world and returned home much stronger than before. In addition, as soon as I returned, I became a national mage, which he couldn't even become, and my position in the national army as well as my position as a mage became higher. And to top it all off, my father's words on his deathbed.

"Your grandfather?

"I made a mistake making you my heir. ......

"Wow. ......


　That's harsh. You're the one who made the choice, and you overturned it by saying it was a mistake.
　That's what I call being in over your head.


I guess that's why Joshua had such high expectations for the child's talent. If the child's ability is high, it's good for his own reputation. That's what I was hoping for. ......


　Crabbe continued, "Now you know what I mean. He continued.
　In short, Joshua had a strong complex about his own abilities and could not accept himself (Arx) as his son because of his inferior talent.


　That's why he was so hard on him. I had always thought that even if disinheritance was a natural family rule, it was unnatural to dislike him so much.


　However, if such a reason is at the root of his dislike, it is understandable.
　Is it the grandfather who left the curse words that I should hold a grudge against? ...... No, in any case, with such a character, the result may not change.


　In the midst of thinking about this, Crabbe suddenly lowered his eyes apologetically.


I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but I'm sure you're aware of it.

No, it's not. ......

No, it's my fault. No matter how you try to fix it, it won't change it.


　So Crabbe felt guilty about it. Maybe that's why he was willing to teach me magic.


　And this confession was his way of repenting?
　But...


"Oh, thank you for everything, Uncle!


　If it was true that his uncle's return was part of the reason, it was also true that he was being taken care of in this way. It is because of Crabbe's care that I was able to learn magic properly, and it is because of Crabbe's restraint on my parents that I have been able to live a life of misery.


　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.


...... I see. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.


　I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. I'm not sure if he's embarrassed or nostalgic. He watches the purple smoke being sucked into the ceiling and throws himself back onto the couch he was sitting on.


　As he waits quietly for the cigar to finish, Crabbe's gaze returns to the magic meter.


You're a hell of a lot better than ....... That's for sure.


　The family talk had faded, but the excitement was slowly returning.
　He said it in a dumbfounded voice, but he couldn't hide the grin on his face.


We have a lot more to discuss about this, so if you'd like to take a moment, please visit .......

"Sure.


　Crabbe rang the bell and called for a servant.
　And to the one who came in.


"Oh, I'm sorry, but I have to cancel my attendance today because I have a very important appointment. Please inform him of this.


　The servant nodded, bowed, and left the room.


　There are a number of things I need to discuss with ...... Crave.
　It is necessary to talk about the process of making the magic meter and get advice on how much to make.


　I spent the rest of the day working out the details with Crabbe and going to see the glassblowers involved in the making of the magic meter.