“What are you saying?! It doesn’t matter if you can’t use magic as long as you have skill! I will train you to be so skilled that you’ll be able to earn a living with one hand tied behind your back!”
I suppose some craftsmen don’t use any magic…
Take Mama’s favorite furniture maker, for example. They prided themselves on not using a lick of magic, creating the most intricately detailed pieces entirely by hand and ensuring the furniture would last a long time by staining it with compounds extracted from plants rather than casting spells on it. This furniture maker’s skill was easily on par with the best craftsmen Earth had to offer, no doubt about it.
“Warnock, listen to me! There is absolutely no possibility of Lady Nefertima ever becoming your apprentice!”
Whoa! I’ve never heard Towen raise his voice like that. And he’s in full-on lecture mode! He’s really letting him have it, saying things like, “You’ve always been like this!”
…Does this mean they’ve known each other for a long time?
“Just like how you always used to sneakily change the menu in the cafeteria at the Hall of Learning and build strange creations out in the schoolyard…”
“Hey, hey, don’t bring up the old days at the Hall of Learning! That’s not fair…”
Only the two of them could hope to comprehend what they were talking about fully, but it was clear that they had known each other since they were kids.
“Did the two of you attend the Hall of Learning together?” I asked tentatively.
“That’s right. I wanted to enter straight into an apprenticeship to succeed my father, but he insisted that to become a master, I would also need academic studies. Fortunately, when I entered the Hall of Advanced Studies, one of my classmates was a certain imperial prince.”
“As I’m sure you’ve noticed, this guy has absolutely no tact. So the other aristocrats gave him a wide berth.”
“All except for this kind imperial prince, who couldn’t bring himself to ignore me.”
How nice. In addition to his father’s loving guidance, he also received the friendship of a true friend who saw past superficial things like social status.
The way they seamlessly bantered back and forth, all but finishing each other’s sentences, gave me an idea of how well they’d gotten along during their school days.
“The fact that you’ve stayed friends all this time just goes to show that you’re very similar, huh?” I remarked.
In response, Master Warnock’s eyes bulged again, and he shouted, “As if!”
“Lady Nefertima, I don’t see how I’m at all similar to a ruffian like this…”
It couldn’t be any more clear if it smacked you in the face! You’re two peas in a pod!
“I’m jealous of the two of you. I don’t have many friends my own age…”
Even though I was the one to say it, I felt a twinge of sadness at my words.
I want to make more friends! I, too, want to build deep bonds that overcome social status!
“Huh? Just go play outside; you’ll make friends in an instant,” Master Warnock said.
“Don’t confuse the situation of a highly ranked noble lady with that of a normal kid like you were,” Towen chided.
It must be nice… I want to run around the neighborhood and play tag with the other kids, too!
“In that case, you can come play at my place. I have a son, and neighborhood kids are always running in and out at all times of the day.”
“…Is it really okay?!”
I was surprised by the sudden invitation, but if he was serious, I absolutely wanted to go play!
“Of course. I can’t very well expect you to accept an apprenticeship at a workshop you’ve never even seen before, after all.”
Hey, wait a minute! We’re back at that again?! I just want to go play, that’s all!
“Give up on making her your apprentice already. Besides, right now isn’t a good time.”
Oh, that’s right. Until they can get a handle on Runohark’s movements, I’m not allowed to leave the imperial palace. Hmph, those Runohark jerks! How long are they going to prevent me from exploring the Imperial City?!
“For now, please focus on your job,” Towen said to Master Warnock, steering the conversation solidly back on the topic of the proposed tower.
In the days that followed, I met with Master Warnock every day, attempting to improve on the suntate support beams. We experimented with different combinations and ratios of metals, as well as testing out different shapes—L and C shapes instead of the H shape I’d proposed.
However, when Master Warnock started talking about technical stuff, I didn’t understand even half of what he said. But Master Warnock just laughed and declared that, too, was another part of my “training.”
I suppose I should assume that these hand-made blocks that Master Warnock gave me as a gift are also intended to sharpen my creative abilities? I don’t know if that will work, but I’m happy to play with them and see!
One such day, while I was meeting with Master Warnock, the emperor’s advisor, Sarius, suddenly appeared.
“Lady Nefertima, forgive me for interrupting while you are entertaining company, but the emperor has summoned you. Will you please come with me?”
It was strange to see Sarius, who was normally so stoic, look shaken like this. It was the first time I’d ever been summoned so urgently, so there was no doubt about it—something was going on.
“Master Warnock, it seems the emperor is summoning me, so I’d better go.”
“Yes, of course! Off with you, then.”
Based on the way Master Warnock waved his hands leisurely as he essentially dismissed me, I gathered that he intended to stay here, avoiding his work for a bit longer.
I’ve known the truth for some time now! The task of improving the suntate support beams is actually assigned to someone else. Master Warnock has other tasks he should be seeing to.
Our family’s servants reported that the other members of the carpenters’ guild have been grumbling about Master Warnock neglecting his duties lately. I’d better inform Towen later.
I’d already begun moving, and Shinki and Spica reacted automatically, preparing to follow me, but Sarius stopped them.
“His Majesty instructed me that you should bring only Shinki as your bodyguard.”
If Spica can’t come, then I assume it has something to do with beloved child stuff?
“Very well.”
Although it wasn’t ideal, I accepted the emperor’s instruction to only bring Shinki.
Paul, having picked up on the fact that this was an emergency, quickly checked over my outfit.
It’s okay; I have the usual stone containing the defensive spell in my pendant, and the dagger Grandpa Gouche gave me is inside my bunny backpack.
“Come back safely, my lady.”