The Third Civic Plaza. This is one of the civil squares that were systematically arranged when the capital was built.


　This place is not the center of the capital like the central square, but a place of relaxation like a park in the man's world, set up in various parts of the capital. In the middle of the square, children are running around, housewives in the neighborhood are enjoying conversation, and old people with too much time on their hands are playing a board game called Senki.


　On this day, as usual, Arx and Suu were having a magic study session. Instead of the chairs and tables in the café, they were seated on stone stools.


　They had already finished studying for the day and were enjoying idle talk, but before they knew it, they were talking about Arx's personal history.


　He told me that he was born the eldest son of a viscount and that he was currently studying magic under Crabbe.
　Of course, the story extended to the fact that he was disinherited.
　Anyway, when Suu heard this, she made a difficult face and groaned.


　Her lapis lazuli eyes widened and narrowed.


I see. I've been removed from the heir .......

Yeah. And he hates it.


　I can only sigh about that.
　If your parents are in the wrong, they'll abuse you, beat you, kick you. In a man's world, I would have been arrested for child abuse.


　Basically, I try to avoid them now, and because of Noah's presence, my parents can't come out in force, so they just ignore me,......, which is not healthy at all.


　I'm not sure what to do.


I'm not sure what you mean by disinheriting someone because they have a low amount of magic?　That's not normal, is it?

"Normally, yes. But he's not allowed because his magic power didn't meet the Raytheft family's standards.

As far as I know, Arks are no different from ordinary mages. ......


　Yes, it is true that the amount of magic power of Arx is normal in general terms. There are many mages who hold government positions who have less magic than Arx.
　In the first place, in this world, the ability to use magic is a talent. Magic is a specialized technical profession, requiring not only magic power and spells, but also understanding and images of magic, and cannot be used simply by learning spells.


　This can be seen from the amount of magic power to be infused.
　Anyway, about the amount of magic power of Arks.


The amount of magic in Arx's bloodline ...... seems to be on the low side in the noble world.

That's kind of annoying too. Just because your ancestors had high magic power, you have to suffer like that.

That's true. Thanks to you, I've been in a lot of trouble.


　I sigh loudly for the umpteenth time. Before I knew it, my personal story had turned into a complaint.


"So, why are you still studying magic, Arx?

"Hmm?

Because he's not the heir anymore, right?　Then didn't he have the option of not becoming a mage?

Oh.

Or maybe you'd hate it. I'm sure you're not the only one.


　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. ...... Suu is right, it's possible that you could come to hate magic and mages. We've been through so much because of magic. If this is the case, it is a normal reaction to dislike magic as well.


　But...


I'm just trying to make a name for myself as a mage and get back at you. ......


　When I said it honestly and with embarrassment, Suu pouted.


I'm sure you'll agree.

It's not childish, it's just childish.


　What does this girl have to say? When I show a little grumpiness, Suu laughs and apologizes.


I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to twist anything.

...... I guess it's not a good idea to look back.


　That has always been my primary goal. But it is not that I have not thought that looking back is ultimately a vain thing.

　Gaining power and being able to do it. From the other side, it might make you look like a jerk. Is it really a good thing to become such a person? If you do, you will fall to the same level.


　As I was thinking about this, Suu's expression changed to one of seriousness.
　It was the same dignified and serene expression that he had shown when he confronted the kidnapper.


　And then.


"That's not true. I think it's much better than getting frustrated and not doing anything.　Whatever the reason, you're moving forward. He's facing it. If that's true, Arx could've just run away, you know?

"Escape. ......

Yeah. Rely on his uncle, rely on him, get away from all those nasty people. But Arx didn't do that. He's training himself to stand up to them. That's great.


　...... Maybe that's true. I could have chosen not to fight with my parents, not to study hard, and just turn my back on them and take the easy way out. But he didn't do that. He chose the path of confronting his parents, the ultimate of children, and struggled to break through the status quo.




　It may not be good, but it may be constructive. If it's constructive, then it's the kind of progress she's talking about.


"............ I see.

"Yeah, yeah.


　Before I knew it, her expression had returned from serene to its usual softness.


But isn't it a small goal to just look back?

Small?

Yes. I think it's better to have big dreams and goals, don't you?


　Goals. That's what I've heard, but it doesn't make much sense to me.
　And then.


"After you look back. After. If you don't think about what happens after that, you won't know what to do after you look back.

"Oh...


　Suu's words finally made sense to me. In short, she was saying that she would be burned out after finishing.


　But she does have a point. It's not uncommon to lose sight of the goal after accomplishing a difficult goal. For example, a friend I had when I was reliving a man's life, studied hard day and night in order to pass a national university, and after finally passing the exam, he became apathetic.


　There is no guarantee that this will not happen to you too. Especially if the goal was set out of resentment or frustration, it is more likely to happen. Because you put all your energy into it and push forward single-mindedly, you lose sight of your surroundings and are left behind after achieving your goal.


　In order to avoid such a future, a big goal may be necessary.


"But... ...... goals...


　What would you like? What would be the best goal for me?


"A national mage?


　All I could think of was to get the same certification my uncle has. The highest level of difficulty nightmare certification, of which there are only eleven in the country. It would be a great goal to aim for, wouldn't it?
　But Suu is not convinced.


"Hmm, isn't that a bit short of a big goal?

No, a national mage is not enough.

But if you're an Arx, you can become a national mage in no time.

"No, no, no.


　"No, no, no." "How did you come up with that answer? How could he expect to get the highest qualification in the country right away?
　Even when he raises doubts, Suu starts to talk about the future as if he believes in it, as if he is sure of it.


The goal of life has to be bigger and bigger to be interesting, right?　How about being a general or a senior nobleman?


That's just absurd. ......


　I'm not sure what you mean by that. In the event that you have a lot of money to spend, you will be able to use it to pay off your debts.


　To do so in a single generation, one would have to make a tremendous achievement that would make one's eyes pop out of one's head.
　I don't think it's possible, but Suu seems to be done with it.


"Yeah. That's good. That's good. Aim for a position so great that no one can say a word about it. That kind of crazy is a good goal to aim for.

I don't think I can do that.


　"I don't think I can do it," Suu says, but for some reason she's proud of herself.


"Don't worry. I can guarantee you that you will be great.

"Mu...... sister is only a year older than you.


　Yes, as I recently found out, Suu is about one year older than me.
　And ever since I found out, I've been acting like an older person from time to time.


One year is a lot.


　I complain about it every time, but Suu doesn't budge. It's a little annoying.


Anyway, Arx is going to be a great man.

"All right. I'll do my best.

"Yeah. I'll support you and do my best.


　When Suu tells me this, I feel like I should try my best. I wonder if this is due to her virtue. However, this is also in line with our purpose.
　I haven't yet thought about what I want to do when I become a great person, but I'm sure I'll come up with what I want to do soon.


If you want to be great, don't miss opportunities.　If you want to be great, you must never miss an opportunity.

That doesn't sound like the words of an eight-year-old.

Kyu-sa-ay!　I'm older than Arx!

Okay.

So, what about you, Suu?

Me?

What do you want to do in the future, Suu?

I do, too.



It's...

"Yeah, I'm--


　Suddenly, Suu's austere mood returned.


"...... I want to make this country strong. I want this country to be as strong as any other country.

What?

"The kingdom has always been threatened by the empire. No. Not just the Empire. It's not just the Empire, it's the barbarians in the eastern cross mountains and the maritime nations in the south. The moment you show your head, they'll beat you and lower your power. They start wars, and from within, they provoke uprisings of nobles and independent monarchs. So--

"............


　There is a will in her words. A strong will. It's not just words on the surface, there was definitely a desire to make this country truly strong.
　Is it because I'm a child of nobility that I desire such a dream after all?
　Is this what you are thinking about at your age? I was more than a little surprised by her mature ...... ambitions, which even adults rarely have, but she may actually be more mature inside than I thought.

　It's a melancholy country. This is akin to the aspiration of melancholy.
　The kind of person who is anxious and dissatisfied with the status quo and desires tremendous change.


"Oh, my God!

Is Suu a hard worker?　If you want to make your country stronger, you must have suffered a lot from other countries, right?

Well, I've never had such a hard time. ......?

"......?


　I'm not sure. I don't know. But I think what he said was almost uncanny.
　We have to make this country strong. If we don't, we will succumb to external pressure and be swallowed up by the big powers.


　While we were talking about this, I suddenly remembered something important.


I forgot to mention this.


　What he took out and showed me was his invention, the magic power meter.


"...... What's this?

"What do you think it is?


　He smiled thoughtfully, as if he was trying to get back at the older man.
　It was a bit of a prank that he didn't tell her what it was right away.


　Suu, on the other hand, turned the magic meter upside down, looked at it from various directions, and eventually .


"Hmm. Take it out of this crate and shove it up your a**h*le. ......

"Why would you do that?


　Why is this girl's idea going in such a nonsensical direction? Or rather, why does she think of the extremely dangerous act of putting a glass tube in such a place?


　That's what I don't understand.


So, what is this thing after all?

"It's a measuring device to measure magical power. It's named [Magic Meter]. I don't accept your complaint that it doesn't have a twist.

"Huh, ......?


　I'm not going to complain about the lack of a twist.


No, so it measures magic power.

I'm not sure what to do.　What is it?

I made it.

You made it. ......


　Suu rolls her eyes and stares at the magic meter. He's been in a constant state of amazement and commotion ever since.
　Anyway, the other day a very important person showed me his reaction, so it's not so new for me to be surprised.
　I put my hand on the magic meter and release the magic power.


"See, when you release magic like this...

It's true, the red sludge in ...... is moving. ......

That's roughly the amount you'd use for a telekinetic movement. Ten mana. Mana is a unit of magic power.

That's amazing!


　Suu started to get excited like a child who got a new toy. But you can't make fun of her reaction as childish. If I were in her position, I probably would have behaved like this.


　Suddenly, Suu gives me a curious look. I guess that means she wants it. I've never seen her shyly squirm like that before.


　But.


"Oh, well, I'm very sorry to see you looking so covetous.

"Yeah!　I want it, I want it, I want it!


　Suu knew that she couldn't get it. I want it! I don't understand how she can act like this and act like a big sister.


"No, you can't have it!



But I think it's a little out of character to show off and then not give it away.

If I didn't tell you, you would have asked me why I didn't tell you, right?

Of course she'd say that.

That's absurd. What do you want me to do?

Just give it to me. You're gonna give that witch doctor thing to your sister.

I can't do that! I can't do that!

What? Why?

I'm going to announce it. Until then, I can't accidentally give it to anyone.


　When Suu heard this explanation, she immediately understood.


"Oh, yeah, ......, that's right. It's necessary to get ahead.


　That's where you're coming from.
　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with your loved ones, you can call us at the web site. When he pulled lightly, she was pulled along with him. Apparently, it wasn't going to let go. When I turned to look at her, she gave me a deceptive smile.


I'm not giving you .......

"What?

It's only until the announcement. You can use it with me for now.

Really?　Yeah!　Thanks, Arx!

"Ugh!


　As soon as I made the arrangement, Suu jumped into a hug.
　I guess she loves magic.


"Pfft!

"So that's ......


　In the end, I was able to enjoy the softness of her cheeks again that day.