In those days...



'Bollocks!　Why do I have to be summoned to the 'Magic Guild'!

　The teacher Kachel knocked a piece of parchment on the floor.
　This is the library of the baron's house.
　The teacher Kachel was breathing heavily in front of the letter from the "Magic Guild" that had just arrived.

　The text on the letter is...



Kachel-Megen, class D magician.

　There was a serious error in the information submitted by your Lord in the 'potential test site'.
　As a result, those who went to the site were harmed.

　Under normal circumstances, I would have called you back and had you explain immediately, but considering the future of the examinee, Xellos-Glossaria, we have decided to go ahead with the exam as planned.
　You'll be doing your job as usual until the exam is over, and then you'll return to the Magic Guild.


You're kidding me!　What's the matter with those who came to check out the exam room?　I don't care about those lowlifes!　I just picked the place where Xellos-Grossalia stands out the most!　That would be my fault!

　I knew that demons would appear in the back mountains.
　But that place is also a place where the bastard Yuki-Grossaria can easily go hunting.
　I had planned to show his excellence by having Xellos play an active role in the same place.
　And yet, to think that the people who went to check it out were attacked by a demon...

If only Xellos-Grossaria could pass the test...

　That's the only hope.
Those who enter the educational institution of the "Magic Guild" can choose their own master.
　If you have Xellos choose you as his master, then Kachel will be able to maintain a reasonable position in the guild.
　I'm sure he will. Xellos feels indebted to himself. He had trained him to feel that way.

　But what if Xellos fails the test...?

If that happens I'll have to make a decision, too.

　Kachel-Megen held his head in his hands.

(How could I do this to myself!)
(Why should I make the choice to risk my life here!)
How could you...

GAHHHH!

　Duh, duh, duh.

　I stepped on the parchment scattered on the floor. Over and over again.

　Princess Iris will be here on schedule.
　The examinations will take place as planned. Presumably, the Kachelors of the place will be treated as they have been.
　So that a certain young man (Xellos-Grossaria) in the future can take the exam as usual.

'.........then I will only continue with the 'Teacher Kachel'

　We have an enemy in Xellos-Grossaria.
　If we continue with that, he will continue to be the same as before...

Doctor, have you got a minute?

　Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
　It was Xellos-Grossaria.

'We need to talk. May I come in?
Come in. Mr. Xellos.

　Kachel answered after picking up the scattered parchments.
　The door opens and a blue-faced Xellos walks in.

''...Doctor. I think I heard something, a loud noise.
'A little ... my hand slipped, I just dropped the book. More importantly, what happened to you?
Sir.

　Xellos murmured, looking up at his tutor's face.

'Am I really going to be able to pass the exam?'
"What are you talking about now?

　Teacher Kachel grabbed Xellos by the shoulders.

'Don't be so wimpy!　Her Royal Highness is already in the territory!
But...
You are a legitimate son of the Barons of Glossaria. You have to show your strength as much as possible in front of Her Royal Highness. That kind of weakness will only give the bastard a chance to take advantage of you!
It's about Yuki, isn't it?
'Yes. I've told you many times!　He said that the bastard is a pest that nests in the houses of the nobility. That to get rid of them, we must work together to confront our common enemy!

　Kachel gritted his back teeth.

'My family was the same way. Because of a bastard who was good at magic, the Meegen family was in turmoil. I don't want Master Xellos to feel the same way, that's why I'm speaking for him!
But Yuki... but he's my... my father... and...
'Enough!　I've told you many times!　What's he doing behind the scenes?

　The teacher Kachel glared at Xellos.
　In Xellos' mind, the words that Kachel had just told him came to mind.

　-Yuki Glossalia is trying to get rid of Xellos.
　Behind the scenes, she's been spreading rumors about Xellos to her servants. It was probed by Kachel. That's why the servants leave when they and Xellos are together.
　─ ─ Even his sister Lumia misses Yuki. This is also his ploy.
　I have heard such and such a story. I've heard other stories. But I'm not going to tell the Baron. I don't know what he's going to do when he gets desperate.
　If Xellos shows his superior strength, he'll be able to blow this all away. All right I am the only one you need to worry about, and that is me, and my teacher, Kachel, is on your side.

I gave Zellos the item I gave him. That item is the link between me and Master Xellos. If you have it, your anxiety will be relieved. Isn't that right?
Yes, sir.

　Xellos looked at the black amulet he wore on his right arm.
　He always wore this when he heard stories from Kachel about Yuki.
　When he touched it, his anxiety would subside. Now it's something Xellos can't let go of.

'What has happened as a result of neglecting Yuki-dono? 'You forgot to mention that your father praised Yuki.
But... that doesn't mean that Yuki is talented.
'Then how do you explain your Highness's instruction to 'summon all the barons'!

'Hiccup,' Xellos let out a small scream.
　He screamed so loudly that Kachel slammed the desk with his fist.
　The tutor Kachel would not allow him to argue. At first, Xellos was afraid of Kachel too.
　But he had gotten used to it.
His skill in 'Ancient Magic' has improved. Thus, he was able to take the test of the 'Magic Guild'.
　It means that the teacher Kachel is right (...).

''Why can't you understand!　In the first place, His Highness couldn't possibly know anything about Yuki-dono.　And yet His Highness gave me a letter asking me to summon the entire baronial family. You know what that means, Xellos-sama, I'm sure you know what that means!
".........Yuki spread his own rumors (rumors) to get rid of me.......?
I'm glad you understand.
"Yuki.........said he was going to travel during the exams. Is that to spread rumors (rumors) to other towns...?　To spread my name and bring me down...
You've found yourself in a dangerous position.
Dr. Kachel.
'I'm the only one on your side. I'm the only one. Lord Xellos.

　Teacher Kachel sighed, huffing and puffing.
　Then he tapped Xellos lightly on the shoulder.

"Master Xellos, you have a gift. Believe in yourself and use the best magic you can. Use magic of such a high order that even Her Royal Highness would have to admit it.
Yes, sir. Teacher.

　Xellos - who was still pale - nodded - but nodded.
　The teacher Kachel ducked the hem of his robe and told him.

'You must win. You must win for the sake of the barons. It's not just a matter of time before you're ready to go. I expect you to succeed. Your heir, Mr. Xellos Glossalia, son of the baron.




　The next day, in front of the baron's house.



　The entire family of the Baron's family was lined up in front of the mansion.
　Father, Brother Xellos, me, and Rumia in that order.
　Behind us at a distance are the butler Nail and all the servants. Martha is also with us.
　Teacher Kachel is standing behind his brother.

'Lemire is relieved.

　Next to me, Rumia murmured quietly.

''This means that in front of the princess, brother Yuki has declared himself a member of the baronial family.
Do you mind if I stay with Martha and the others?
Brother Yuki.

　Lumia looked up at me. She looked like she was about to cry.
　She said she couldn't escape.
　I sighed.

'Everyone be quiet. He's here.

　A black painted carriage with gold trim approaches.
　The carriage is pulled by two white horses. They are dressed like noblemen, and they hold the reins. Behind the carriage are soldiers. The one next to the carriage is probably the bodyguard. The face looks very familiar.
　He's an old man with white hair, carrying a long-handled axe on his back.

　There's no doubt about it.
　You're the same Mr. Barnes we met in the backwoods a few days ago.


　Okay.


　I dropped to my knees on the ground before Mr. Barnes could even look at me.

"Hey, Yuki. You're not ready.

　I'm sorry, Father. I'm sorry I made you hide.
　It wouldn't be rude to kneel down earlier.

　That's why I didn't want to come to the house because I knew you two were related to the Princess.
　I would have preferred to be in the servants' quarters with Martha and the others.
　It was the one who dragged me out here, the one and only Kachel, the teacher.

''What do you mean by your absence from the baronial family, Yuki.

　You know...
　If you weren't Brother Xellos' teacher, I'd beat you up.




"Thank you for the presence of Your Highness Princess Iris Liestier!

　Suddenly, Father shouted.
　A black boxcarriage stopped in front of us.
　The rest of the house fell to their knees in unison.
　Father shouted again.

The Barons would like to thank you all for the opportunity to test Xellos-Grossaria.
Thank you for the gracious welcome.

　I heard the carriage door open.
　Someone comes down.

''This is not the royal palace. I am not a princess, but an examiner for the 'Lindbergh Magic Guild'. There's no need to be polite, Xellos-Grossaria-sama.
Yeah.

　In front of me, a person with white shoes stopped in front of me.
　I looked up and saw a girl with silver hair standing there.
　She was about my height. She's wearing a gold hairpiece. It's the same one Clara gave me.

'I'm Iris-Liestier.

　Clara-san (.........) said.
　With a gentle smile on her face, it was as if they had never met before.

''I've heard that Xellos-sama is a person with excellent magic skills. I'm looking forward to meeting you with great anticipation to see how much training you've had at such a young age...
No, Your Royal Highness! Your Royal Highness!

　Father spoke up.

''That's my brother, Yuki. The one who will be taking the test this time is my legitimate son, Xellos, who is next to me.
Oh, my God. I beg your pardon.

　Princess Iris bowed her head lightly and moved to stand next to me.

'Nice to meet you. Xellos-Grossaria-sama.
It is an honor to be granted an audience with you, Your Royal Highness. Your Royal Highness Princess Iris Liestier.

　With a grind, I hear brother Xellos' teeth clicking.
　My brother glances sideways at me. Kachel too.

　In the awkward air, the baronial family and His Highness the Princess and her attendants are facing each other.
　At the princess's side are Iris herself and Mr. Barnes with an axe.
　The other soldiers are looking at us from a distance.
　The princess and Mr. Barnes are the ones who are involved in this test, right?

Well, let's get the test started.
'Ha. We've already arranged a venue, Your Highness. Your Royal Highness.

　The teacher Kachel looked up.

''This Kachel will be able to guide you to the venue, the 'Kittoral Forest'.
Thank you. Kachel-Megen.

　Princess Iris sighed quietly before answering.

''Since this is the realm of magic from here on out, I'll assume that only a few of us will be accompanying you.
The Kachelors have been very thorough. I have asked Baron Georg and his family to wait for the results of the exam in the house.
All right. We'll send Barnes and his men with you. That's fine.
"As Your Highness commands.

　Ms. Clara was Her Royal Highness Princess Iris-Lestia.
　Ms. Barnes is her bodyguard. That means he's a person of fairly high status.

　The two of them had secretly come to preview the exam room by hiding their identities. I guess the reason they were using an alias was so they wouldn't make a scene. And since I didn't say my name either, they confused me with Brother Xellos. I was using magic at the time, too, you know.

''Well I didn't want to have anything to do with the royal family.

　It's hard, doing a normal human being.
　One by one, the uncertainties pile up, and the relationships change.
　To tell the truth, I'd like to run away right now.
　But when I think about the baronet's family, that's not going to happen.

Let's hope my brother passes the test.

　As long as Brother Xellos joins the 'Lindbergh Magic Guild' and becomes close to the higher nobles, the Baron Grossaria family is safe. I can go to the general academy without worrying about it. If I go missing in the future, it won't be a problem.

　I'm a foreigner to this baronial family.
I think I'll keep my "Nosferatu" out of sight and hope for the best for my family.

Therefore, we would like to ask the baronet to help us with the examination.
A member of my family?
''Yes, Baron Georg. We will need someone to serve as a comparison in order to confirm Master Xellos's talent for magic.
Hmmm... but if anyone in our family is skilled in the art of witchcraft...
''You don't need to know any magic at all. What you need is the ability to manipulate magic, the ability to apply it, and the ability to deal with danger. If possible, the candidates should be close in age, build and gender.
'I see!　If that's the case. Yuki.

　The next thing I knew, my father and His Highness were looking at me.

Yuki, despite being my son, has excellent application skills. I never taught him anything, but he set a trap in the back of the mountain and caught his prey all by himself. He even has the gentleness to offer it to me easily!　I'm very proud of him.
'Well. I see.

　Father. What have you done?
　No, Princess Iris is not "so-so" either.
　You're here for Brother Xelloss' test. I don't need you to be here for me!

'So, Yuki-Grossalia-sama. Would you be able to help Xellos-sama with the exam?
This is a bastard!　Your Royal Highness!

　The teacher Kachel exclaimed.

'He was born by a woman whom Baron Georg met on the battlefield, and of whom I do not know which bloodline he is from. I would not allow such a man to be involved in the examination!
'What?　This Iris' mother was a bastard child of a noble family.
'That's a different story. I'm talking about the human pecking order.
Your brother is helping your brother with his exams. Don't you think this is in line with the pecking order?

　Her Royal Highness mischievously closed one eye.

'But!'
'Kachel-Megen!　Be aware of it. This test is already out of your hands!

　Suddenly, Her Royal Highness spoke up.

''Your job is to choose an exam room. That has already been done. In order to make the exam go smoothly, I won't make an evaluation on it now!　Right now, we just have to prioritize the test to find the talented ones. Be aware of that.
"So, Your Highness. I'm ... I'm ...
Your highness is right, doctor.

　The Father took a few steps forward.
　He kneels down in front of the Princess and bows deeply.

'I will obey Your Highness' command. My son, Yuki, will be ordered to assist in the examination. Xellos, that's fine too.
...I hope so.

　Brother Xellos glared at me.

Don't run away. Yuki.

　Brother Xellos said in a whisper.
　'Get your face close to mine so the others can't hear you.

'I will remind you of the difference in birth. You know what happens when you run away.'
What's going to happen?
I'm the next in line. I will be the next in line. "I'm the next in line, and I'll remake the baronial house the way I want it to be. I know you're trying to get the people in the house to throw me out.
What's up?　Xellos, Yuki.
'It's nothing. I was just doing Yuki a favor.

　At the sound of my father's voice, Brother Xelloss pulled away from me.
　He's laughing like nothing happened. And Kachel.

All right, Father, brother. I will sit in on the test.

　I said.
　"I wanted to talk to my brother.
　In the middle of an exam. Without Kachel, the teacher.