How's that for Felinella?

　An outlandish question, I was told that Vizayst had allowed Felinella to join the mission by attaching her to Ars.
　In other words, he said, that's what it was all about.

'You've worked out a lot. You've put them out into the outside world, haven't you?'
'Of course. I'm going to hit you with everything I have.

　I guess they are being raised with a sweet but firm whip.

'I haven't seen any combat, but I'm sure detection will come in handy at this point as well.
Yeah, that one has the talent to go beyond me.
Are you retiring?
Don't be stupid, I'm a lifelong employee.

　Viziest snorted as he dared to say it.

'It was worse when I was his age, you know.

　That's why he's proud of his daughter, who showed a triple-digit ranking.

　In fact, I've heard this kind of story many times. He was always proud of his daughter.

She's one of the best students in the school, and she's very well-liked. She's one of the best students in the school, and she's very well-liked.

　But he didn't get an immediate response back.
　Something bitter and distressed carved a crease between his brows.

'Not exactly ... well Ars, I'll give you my daughter.
What?

　At the words of the outcast, Ars could only reflexively raise his voice to ask back.
　Why would that be, is the truth.

''The meaning of what you say...''
'It's an inconvenience to be a nobleman, and a woman is expected to marry early, even if she's a man. No, I know I'll have to be prepared for that sooner or later.

　Viziest is also at this age. Even though he is a man, he must have been backed up considerably.

''I thought you said before that you didn't adhere to the rank of nobility.
I wouldn't miss it, of course. If it's just me, but not if he goes out into the world and joins the army.

　The house that is called a nobleman has its own set of benefits. Of course, regardless of their status, they have the right to reside in the vicinity of the Tower of Babel, in addition to having a say in military and national policy.

　If they were of the same rank in the military, the nobility would be treated as superior in position.
　Nobles are also allowed to hire private armies of magicians.

　The reason why Viziest speaks so loudly about his active service is because of Felinella. It's also for Felinella's sake that Viziest speaks so boldly about his active service. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

And I'm not going to give my daughter to some random wizard.

　That's why the white feather stood in Ars. It's not that they're not strangers, and it's probably inevitable that he would consider it if he were the current mage's strongest boy.

''When you were under me, it used to bother me, but now I forgive you.

　It's moving in the direction of confirmation, but the fact that he was troubled means that he was dismayed that Ars was thinking about such things when he was about 10 years old, even if it wasn't right after he joined the army.
　Considering his position as a nobleman, it's not hard to understand...no, I didn't understand.

'Lord Viziest, I have no intention of marrying you.
"Hey!　Are you saying that Ferrinella doesn't like it?

　A terrific swordsmanship is directed at Ars.

'That's an immensely beautiful woman, just like your wife. I'm telling you I'm going to give you a hard time.

　It's not just because she's your beloved daughter that she's called peerless, but she's also admitted that she's a beautiful woman with such a well-proportioned face and magnificent proportions, even from the point of view of Ars. There is a neat gesture in the midst of the euphemism, and there are even a few stories here and there that can be heard of the boys on campus being misled.

　Als continued unfazed by Viziest, who rose to his feet.

'That's not what I meant.
..........!

　The presence of it meant that marriage would be hesitant.

　As for Ars, as long as there was an unusual ability, he thought it was something that was far from unraveling.
　The Governor, knowing this, would not give permission.

'Beric.

　It's a secret, but even so, he wouldn't have been able to convince them if he hadn't said so.

　In the meantime, as long as Ars had that intention, he wouldn't be poked and prodded.

　You can't leave the uncertainties as they are. After all, this unusual ability to have an ego - magical power - is very similar to the nature of demons.

''Besides, if you decide to ignore your daughter's will, it would be repugnant.
I have no problem with that.

　Vizayst stroked his chin as he said it openly.
　Ars couldn't miss a word of it, but he stifled it with resignation that it seemed to have already been resolved.

'I'll hold off for now, it doesn't seem to be a simple matter.

　It was precisely to Ars foremost that he could say that. Early marriage wasn't just limited to the nobility, it was just that there was a strong tendency to do so.
　Those of high rank will have to marry eventually. And if you are the first in line, there is a tacit understanding, like a duty, in a sense.
　Many people have the notion that it is the duty of those with power.

　That's why the method of engagement has become a commonplace custom today.
　Still, this does not mean that polygamy is acceptable. We don't want an uncontrolled surge in population, even after a drastic decline in population.
　Second wives, like mistresses, exist because of the many measures taken by the state to assist in raising children. The state has been silent on that.

　No matter how hard it is said that magical talent is hard to inherit, it's not entirely irrelevant, as decades of research have demonstrated.
　So it's inevitable that the high-ranking mages are considered the leading horses.
　That's what makes high-ranking mages rush to marry.
　If you take it to the extreme, it means you should have children.
　If you profess to be a lifelong bachelor, you'll be looked at white.

"You may not understand, but your power should be preserved for posterity.

　Ars doesn't agree with this either.

''That's too much to expect. Even if it's proven, the heredity of the magic information body is negligible. There's no guarantee that you'll be able to reach single digits.
No, I'm aware of that.

　So you can't help but hope for the best.

　Viziest just knows that Ars's achievements have made him the Alpha he is today.

'I'm not going to be a bachelor for the rest of my life either.

　A smug reply.
　I couldn't deny that it was a teasing word. Because he knew that in the modern age, he would never be able to figure out Ars's unusual abilities.

''You're still young too. So, in that sense, Bellic thought about putting you in the academy.''

　I wondered if I would say that in front of myself, but I wouldn't say it.

'Then how about we get engaged?
No, I'm afraid it would be the opposite.
'Tsk!　Oh well, maybe you'll change your mind in time.

　To this too, Ars could only reply with a bitter smile. It was rare for anyone within the Alpha to turn down a marriage offer from the Socarent family.
　Not that this was why, but it was really a pleasant offer. It was an honor for a man to be favored by a woman, though he ignored Ars's will.
　But Ars perceives it as knowledge. He is an adult in a bad way. In Ars, who hasn't had a proper childhood, reason precedes reason beyond sparse.

　A person in search of omniscience about magic has no idea what love and love is at the same time.

'Shall we wait to be caged by that one?
That's not an easy thing to do.

　Viziest started laughing out loud when he thought his eyes were wide open.

'Calm or not, I've been dropped. You've got that blood in your veins, so be prepared.'
"Then you will be greeted with a fortress.
We could use some papier-mâché.

　After a look of remembrance there, he smiled with a smirk.

''Then you'll be in trouble after this, too!
What?
It's about time.

　I scoured the schedule in my brain to see what was going on, but there was nothing applicable.

'What are you talking about?'
"The Seven Nations Magical Friendship Tournament.
It's none of my business, sir.
No. Bellick was gonna let you do it.

　It is an annual competition held between the magical schools of seven countries, where students compete with each other in daily magic. It's called "goodwill," but it's more like an inspection of the countries. Of course, there is also the aspect of showing off the power of the country, such as the fact that they are putting effort into training.
　It is a very simple tournament. The main event is interpersonal combat, which is often done in practical skills classes.

　Naturally, Ars didn't expect to participate in such a competition between students.

''What are you thinking about?''
Don't say that. It's a fact that Alpha is the most accomplished of the seven nations. You were the driving force behind that, so why don't you get out?
I'll have to go along with the travesty... you've got to be kidding me, I'll put it straight to the Governor.
'It's not an exaggeration to say that the prestige of the country is at stake. It's probably not a good idea.

　Sighing heartily, Ars stroked the nape of his neck in disgust.

'If you're leaving, those looking for a son-in-law won't shut up.

　It is true for both men and women that if they perform well, they have a bright future.
　In that sense, parents who come to watch the games may have in common that this is a place to look for a mate.
　I smiled wickedly.

On that note, if you're engaged, you'll shake off the sparks.
'You just don't have to compete, and I'll take care of what comes to me,'
Hmm, he's not very pretty.

　The sarcastic swearing was probably half expected. They were just thrown in as a matter of course.

'If you say so, your daughter must be a dragging kite.
You know, my eyes aren't blinded by the fact that I'm going to marry you.

　I've often said that I'm a parental idiot, and it seems to be a difficult choice to give up on Ars, just because I thought this was a very serious case.

'Besides, it's the Socarent family's educational policy to respect their daughter's wishes!

　The first-time commander, who was composed in a peaceful manner, was unyielding.


　Felinella came back just after the talk was over. During the time he was looking at her, Ferrinella's eyes were soft, as if it was her imagination.

''Father it's done, commander.

　Ars didn't think too much about what the misunderstanding meant, but assumed it was from upset.

'Good work, and I won't be able to get rid of that and the other experiments.

　We were successful in erasing the data that contained the majority of the research material, but not so much the nearly 100 experimental bodies lying outside.

　Felinella's arrival pulled the conversation back again.

''It should be fine. Perhaps the experimental bodies should only give us superficial observations. It's an unfinished study to begin with. There are too many uncertainties for the state to take the initiative in launching it.'
'Well, it's not like I can do anything, but if you say so, I'm sure you'll be fine.

　The fact that the military is interested in this is an abhorrent thing to say, but I'm not going to start now. At worst, it would be enough to prevent the confiscation of research data.
　It is highly unlikely that those bent over at the top will ever visit the site.

　It was just as well to take the reins.

It's our job to do the rest. You can go home now, Ars, you can go home. You're not going to have anything to do with this, so get a ride home.

　I don't know if this is an intentional ploy, but I thought that there was a great deal of backing, and if I were to have my fortune told now, there must be a phase of female difficulty.
　It's not that Ars doesn't send it, even if it's too perceptive. It's a misnomer to say that he's sending you, because he's just going back to the same place.

"The mission is now complete, and I will contact you with a report in due course.
Yes, sir.

　A supreme voice comes through, just like a military man.
　When I answered it with discipline, I turned on my heel and immediately a bad word of humanity was thrown at me from behind.

It's a good idea to be careful of the wolves you send. Hmm?　...or in this case the other way around, watch out for the wolf that's sent you.
..........
Father!

　Felinella, who glared at him with a bright red face and glared at him with a grimace, pulled away from Ars's hand and hurriedly left the headquarters.

　She was pulled in silence for a while, then hobbled her way to the middle level circle port.
　It was beginning to get dimly lit outside. It would not be safe to say it was still midnight. Still, the blue leaves were bathed in the tilted moonlight, giving off a different light than in the daytime.
　Only this time, the sinister forest at night was wrapped in a fantastic veil.


''I'm sorry,''

　As the fire in her face cooled, the headquarters was a distance away, completely obscured by darkness. When she realized that they were still holding hands, Felinella let go with a flash and slowed down.

''Well, I'm sorry about my father,''

　He bowed his head as if he'd been played for a change.

'No, I don't mind. I'm sure you're not the only one who cares about such things now, and it's not a shallow relationship. I don't even understand the customs of the nobility, though.

　Ars tries to meditate on one eye.

'No, I mean...'

　The stammering caught Ars's attention immediately.

'Oh, Feri was listening, wasn't she?

　He was listening to the conversation between Ars and Vizayst midway through. That was an exaggeration. It was simply hard to get into, and he couldn't leave even if he felt bad for himself alone. Besides, her marriage to Ars had been brought up as a topic of conversation for some time.