The next day.
　I was about to go out, but my robe was gone.
　It seems that when I was washing it, Remy had accidentally torn it open with his fingernails.

"....I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry....
"...Martha's lack of guidance. I'm sorry.

　Remy and Martha nodded discouragingly.
　...It's not that big of a deal.

'Don't worry about it. I'm sorry, Martha, but can you make it for me?
''Of course. But Yuki-sama is going to the 'Magic Guild' today, right?
'It's not like there's a dress code. Besides, the only person I'll be meeting with is Dr. Demeter, so I'm sure he'll be fine once I tell him what happened.

　I decided to go out in my normal clothes.
　When Kachel was in the baronial household, he was told to behave like a bastard, and he wore the clothes he was told to wear.
　It's not very aristocratic, but Martha kept it neatly in order.
　There's nothing rude about it.

I'm out of here.
........yes. My husband.
Don't be discouraged. Martha takes care of Remy. Let him take it easy today.
"Yes. Yuki-sama.
You too, Martha. You can make your robe later.
I can't do that, sir.
I knew you'd say that.
'Yes. I thought Yuki-sama understood.

　Me and Martha looked at each other and kind of laughed.
　Then I waved to both of them and headed to the "Magic Guild".




　Today, we're going to learn magic from Demeter-san at the Magic Guild.
　The place is the research building of the 'magic guild'.

　When you enter the guild's grounds, there is a section lined with towers and buildings.
　The research building is a square building at the back. It seems that Demeter-sensei's laboratory is inside of it.

　The research building was a pure white building at the back of the grounds.
　It seems that Dr. Demeter's laboratory is located at the back of the third floor.

　It said that the room in front is the laboratory of the "Zamelites".
The Zamelites are the ones who are trying to force us to take ownership of the Beast King's Horse that we defeated.
　I'd rather not get involved with them if at all possible.

''......................

　Just when I thought that, something hit my back.
　The impact of the collision caused you to lose your balance - that's dangerous.

　I reached out and held the package that was about to fall.
　The other hand supports the girl's body with the other hand.

I'm sorry. Thank you very much...

　The girl said that and bowed her head to me........it seemed.
　I can't see her face due to the pile of stuff she's carrying.

　The crates are filled with books, scrolls, crystalline bodies and stone statues.
　It seems impossible for her to carry it all by herself.

'You can't even see in front of you in this state. Are you okay?
That's okay. We're short on staff today I'll see what I can do.
How far do you want to take this stuff?
...the building at the end of the street, third floor, up to the sorcerer's warehouse.

　The third floor.
　It's no use.

　In front of me is a really little girl.
　By the looks of it, she's about 10 years old. It's too young to be a trainee in the Magic Guild.
　I wonder if she's an assistant or a lowly worker.

"We're only going to the 3rd floor of that building. I just had to go in that direction.
Oh, really?
'I'll help you along. I don't know what's going on around here, so I'd appreciate it if you could show me around for me.
Oh, no, it's bad.
No, no.

　I'm used to taking care of my kids. From a previous life.

　I secretly activated the "Boosted".
　The girl gave me a box.

"Huh?　Preliminary motions and chanting, no?　You don't even use magic, and you take it lightly?　You're very powerful....
I grew up in the middle of nowhere, so I'm used to doing the heavy lifting.
I've learned to 'strengthen my body' as well, but it wears off too quickly... so I can't use it in these situations.
That's dangerous...

　If the 'body strengthening' runs out with a small child carrying a large load, the muscles in her arms will be in trouble.

　........But if she can use magic, is she a magician?
　I guess she's a trainee in the same class as me.

''Really, I'm sorry to bother you. You were at work, weren't you?
Are you working?
'No?　I thought that if you weren't wearing a robe, you were an assistant or a guild employee...

　The other party seemed to be thinking the same thing.
　Come to think of it, I was in my normal clothes too.
　Since I don't have a sorcerer-like appearance, it seems that I was misunderstood.

　.........I don't think it's necessary to correct me.
　If you say your name poorly, you might get into trouble for being a member of the XX group or being a higher or lower rank.

'At least I'm not at work, so I don't have to worry about it.

　I picked up my stuff and started walking.
　The girl trailed behind me with small strides.

　After about five minutes of walking, I arrived at my target building.
　It's a large, literally warehouse-like building.

'Which room on the third floor do I take this stuff to?
Front room. That's where we keep the 'target golem'.
"'Target Golem'?
A golem to use as a target for magic. It is used to experiment with 'ancient magic'. Inside the box is an item that activates the golem.
'So there is such a thing. That's great, 'The Magic Guild'.
''You're not with the guild?''
I'm new here.
'I see. Then you can ask me if there's anything you don't understand.

　The girl taps her chest with a pop.
　She's wearing a large apron.
　The clothes underneath are an unadorned blouse and skirt.
It's like the "dirty clothes" worn by the children in "Fira Village".

　I wonder if she wears her long hair in twintails so that it doesn't interfere with her work.
　As she trudges up the stairs, she tells me about this warehouse.
　Where the cleaning supplies are kept, where the toilets are located. The unsuitable door, for example.

　So there are kind people even in the 'Magic Guild' with all the nobles.
　It's somewhat reassuring.

''About this room........sorry. We can't let anyone in the room without permission.
All right. I'll leave your stuff at the front of the room, don't take it easy.
'We'll carry it a little at a time, so you'll be fine. Thank you very much, indeed.

　The girl bowed deeply to me.

'May I ask your name?'
Don't tell anyone about it.
Why?
'The world of witchcraft is all about Nawabari fights and stuff. If someone you don't know finds out you've helped them work, it could get you in trouble, right?
''Well yes. Indeed.

　The girl nodded with a serious face.

'Well, then, next time I see you, I'll try to return the favor in secret.
Yeah. And if I ever see you again, I'll sneak in a quick hello.

　I waved and left the girl.
　Then I headed to Demeter-sensei's lab.




''First, let's review the basics of 'Ancient Magic'.

　Sitting in front of me, Dr. Demeter cut him off.
　This is the second floor of the research building. This is Dr. Demeter's lab.

　As soon as I left the girl carrying my luggage, I came here.
　I had heard that the room next door was the laboratory of the "Zamelites", but there was no sign of anyone.
　I guess they weren't home.

　Then I arrived safely at the laboratory and was listening to the professor's lecture like this.

The 'ancient magic' is activated by verbal chanting and performing prescribed actions with your fingers. They are based on the stone tablets and scrolls found in the Sanctuary Church. They found the records of the ancient magical civilization and deciphered them to revive the Ancient Magic.
Up to that point, the 'Sanctuary Church' was a good group of people, wasn't it?
''Well, that's true. With the acquisition of 'ancient magic' that specialized in combat, humans were able to gain an advantage over demons and other races. That's why countries began to hire the people of the "Sanctuary Church" to compete with each other.
　However, as a result of this, there was a power struggle within the Sanctuary Church as well, and the end result was the 'War of the Eight Kings'.

　Dr. Demeter chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

''We, the 'Magic Guild,' are not like them.
Well.....
─ ─ ─ And this is the kind of story I have as a rule to tell when I teach 'Ancient Magic'. I know it's boring to hear something so obvious, but I hope you'll bear with me.
No, it was an interesting story.

I'm thankful that I was able to reconfirm that the Magic Guild is the opposite of the Sanctuary Church.
　In such a place, I can safely join the guild.

From now on, we are going to teach you the ice 'ancient magic', what would you like to learn?
I want something that will last as long as possible.
A long time... hmm.

　Dr. Demeter spread a few scrolls on his desk.
　He must have noticed me looking at them, because he smiled wryly and

'There's no point in peeking. This only describes the action before it is triggered. The chanting is recorded in a separate scroll. If you don't have both, you can't use 'Ancient Magic'.
Do you separate scrolling for movement and chanting to prevent information from getting out?
'You're a really quick learner. You're an excellent student.

　Dr. Demeter, as if on a whim, had an idea.

'Ancient magic' is sometimes compared to a bow and arrow.
For a bow and arrow?
'You can't use a bow and arrow unless you have both a bow and an arrow, right?　Ancient Magic" is similar to this. The arrows of magic power are created through chanting and released with a bow of action. That's the image.
It's easy to understand.
''Some advanced magicians seem to be studying the 'Ancient Magic' that can be used with no chanting and no movement. Well, we C-levels don't need to think about it that much.
I'm a trainee, remember?
But you're still a C-class sorcerer. And you're the one who neutralized the Beast of Beasts and defended Torrius territory. I know the horror of the 'Lord of the Beasts', but I'm a respected magician.

　Dr. Demeter looked at the window.

''I took part in the activation experiment of the 'Spirit King Rider'. While I was wearing it, I was very, very frightened. I felt my mind changing. I felt like I was something beyond humanity and that other humans were inferior and trivial...
...Is that so?

　Huh?
　When I wore the Jet Black King's Horse, I didn't feel that way.
Do you feel differently wearing it depending on the "lord's horse"?

'That's a truly terrifying thing. Maybe it's not just a magical weapon.
I understand that.
Anyway, you fought that thing and won. That's a credit to you. At least I do.

　With that, Professor Demeter stood up.

''Then let's start teaching the 'Ancient Magic'. If you want a magic that can fight for a long time, then the 'Icylle Blue Needle' would be good.
''Freezing Ao-shin?''　What kind of magic is this?
It's an 'ancient magic' that shoots out countless needles. It's not very powerful, but it has a wide area of effect and a high freezing ability. Since it doesn't consume much magic power, it can be fired for a long time.
'Good. Tell me about it.
'Are you sure about this?　There are more destructive magics out there, though?
From now on, I'm going to be searching for 'Elysian', right? If that's the case, I think a magic that can fight for a long time and can be applied for a long time would be good.
"But hey. Research suggests that this is a magic for use by a large number of sorcerers to surround their enemies and use it for so-called group combat. It's not for individuals, you know?
It's great.
"If you're okay with it, fine. Well, let's get ready. I've reserved a golem for the target. I'll bring it to you now.

　A targetting golem...?
　Speaking of which, I remember the girl from earlier carrying the tools to activate the 'target golem'.

　I see. So she was related to Demeter-sensei?

''So what that girl was carrying just now was an item arranged by Sensei?
No, I don't remember arranging the item, though?
...What?

　When Dr. Demeter and I nodded our heads at the same time...


　Thump, thump, thump!


　Suddenly, there was a knock at the lab.

''I have something to tell C-level magician Demeterdono!
Who are you?
"I'm Flora-Zamel, a D-level wizard.

　The voice was familiar.
　When Dr. Demeter opened the door, there was...


　There was a twin-tailed girl in a sorcerer's robe.
　She shook her red hair and looked at Demeter-sensei.
　Then she looked at me──.

...e....

　He sounded surprised.
　I greeted him secretly. As promised.

　Behind Flora-Zamel is a man.
　The Marquis of Keels, Alec-Keels.



　Instead of the girl, Flora-Zamel, who is being hardened, Alec-Keels begins to speak.
　........This person quit being Princess Salvia's guardian knight?
　Besides, he's gone from being a C-class mage to an E-class mage.

''The 'target golem reservation' that Demeterdono applied for, it has been confirmed that Flora-sama of our 'Zamel Faction' has actually made a reservation first. Therefore, we are unable to use it today.
No way!

　Dr. Demeter exclaimed.

'I'm sure that wasn't mentioned yesterday when you applied for an appointment.
Please understand.
Is that the way of the 'Zamelites'!
If you have a grievance, you can talk to the guild's administrative staff.

　Alec-Keels replied in a boring tone.

''Lady Flora-Zamel is the granddaughter, the one who will eventually follow in the footsteps of the A-class sorcerer Zamel. He didn't have to come here to greet you, but here he is. That should be the end of the conversation.
'Are you okay with that?　Flora-Zamel.
"...my party is the lowest-ranking party in the quest for Elysian, which begins in 20 days.

　Flora Zamel bent her little body to its fullest and...



That's how much we can accomplish. We, the Zamelites, will change the history of the Magical Guild. Isn't it only natural for you to give way?　Isn't that right, Class C sorcerer Demeter-sama you there, sorcerer?



　He declared such a thing without making eye contact with me, after all.