Chapter 2:
Magical Aptitude
TIME WHIZZED BY, AND NOW I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD. The tiny prodigy who’d taken on Esparda’s and Dee’s hardcore lessons had morphed into a slothful child. At least, that was how I wanted everyone to think of me.
I was happy that things had gone according to plan, but I’d never anticipated doing so poorly as to be shipped off to a village in the middle of nowhere.
When I returned to my room after the assessment, Till and Khamsin were anxious to hear the results.
“How did it go?” Till asked.
I smiled and nodded.
“That means you’ve got flame magic, right?” My maid looked delighted—until I shook my head.
Next it was Khamsin’s turn. “Erm… Wind magic, then? The same as Murcia?”
I shook my head again, and the two went quiet.
“I have production magic.”
Frozen in place, all they could do was blink. And after several seconds of silence, Khamsin spoke up in a whisper. “Um, I’m not familiar with that kind. Is it uncommon?”
It wasn’t uncommon, no. It was just that those who had that aptitude did not make it public.
“Well, I suppose you don’t see it much among the nobility,” I replied with a pained smile while Till finally rebooted.
“Oh, b-but, um, Lord Van… You’re immensely talented, so I’m sure you’ll be given a key position in the family! I wholeheartedly believe that!”
A dry laugh escaped my lips. “I mean, I was given territory, so I suppose I did get a key position.”
“Really?! That’s incredible! That’s huge!”
As soon as I answered, Till leapt up in joy, prompting Khamsin to grin as well. My next words sapped their enthusiasm in an instant.
“I’ll be in charge of a nameless border village.”
The fact that my aptitude wasn’t one of the four elements was to be kept secret. Anyone who knew the truth was under strict orders to remain silent. The problem was that one couldn’t just board up a person’s lips. It wasn’t long before rumors of my poor result rippled throughout the house.
Meanwhile, I was busy preparing to leave. Murcia had lent me money, so I had the funds and the manpower I needed. All of my clothes, daily necessities, and weapons were loaded onto three carriages. I wasn’t allowed to bring any of the knights, so Murcia hired ten ruffians—that is, adventurers—as my protection detail.
Originally, I was only going to have a single carriage, with Khamsin as my caretaker and sole companion. It was awful. Fortunately, Till had intervened and managed to get herself on board.
The three of us squeezing into a single carriage might be a tight fit, though.
Then Dee showed up in full armor and wielding a sword. He, too, had strong-armed his way into coming along. Something about being my bodyguard, apparently.
“I plan on drilling all of my warrior know-how into you, Lord Van! Ha ha ha!”
Please, no more.
Before I could protest, Dee began chatting up my workers and getting a carriage ready. I suddenly had two large carriages added to the mix, and Dee and two other knights took positions at the rear.
Esparda was the final person to join our little caravan.
“I told Lord Jalpa that I would be retiring effective immediately. Early though it may be, I have already trained a successor, so he willingly accepted. I am fifty-five years old now, so I’d like to spend the rest of my days relaxing away from the bustle of the city. I assume you’re fine with this?” Though he posed it as a question, he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. He’d rolled up with a carriage ready to go.
When did he have time for this? Also, did my father really let a butler who’s served him for so many years go without a fight? Finding someone who can follow in his footsteps had to have been tremendously difficult.
When I cast a doubtful glance at him, he climbed into the carriage and flashed me a fearless smile. “I suppose I can look over your studies as a bit of entertainment, Lord Van.”
With that said, he entered the carriage.
Please, everybody! Stop already!
I had to wonder if they’d all conspired to do this. What was wrong with both Dee and Esparda? Why would they join me in the middle of nowhere? I itched to tell them to quit it, but the reality was that having them with me would be a massive help. Dee was a peerless swordsman, Esparda an exceptional scholar.
I climbed into my carriage, conflicted.
“Hear some good news?” Till asked me, looking chipper.
“What?” I might as well have had a question mark floating over my head.
Till bobbed her head, grinning. “You have a big smile on your face.”
That was when it clicked. Despite my posturing, I’d been pretty worried about being sent away. I was actually happy that everyone was coming with me.
“Honestly, I’m glad you’re all tagging along. Thanks.”
Till’s grin turned impish as she pointed at herself. “Actually, there were a few maids who wanted to go with you. But I told Lord Murcia that I’m your personal maid and protected the spot with my life!” She gave her seat a proud pat.
“Aw, you should have just brought anyone who wanted to come…”
Why does she have to make it like some kind of tournament? Truthfully, I was saddened by the news. My days of being surrounded by cute maids were over.
Till was too lost in her reverie to address it. “I don’t know the details, but Lord Murcia is very busy and seldom speaks to the maids. Lords Jard and Sesto likewise pay us no mind. But you? You’re different. You greet us every day. You’ve even shared your snacks and helped us clean. The maids who trained with you love you, my lord.”
Finding her comments a bit embarrassing, I looked over at Khamsin. “What about you, Khamsin? You could stay behind if you like. I can change our contract or even terminate it, and I’m sure Murcia would look after you if I asked.”
Much to my surprise, Khamsin fixed me with a glare. “Lord Van, I made the decision to serve you as long as I live. No matter what happens, I will spend my life at your side.”
“Um, did you just propose to me? I didn’t realize you loved me so much.”
His words were almost too flattering, so I tried to brush them off with a joke, but Khamsin gave me a strong nod.
“I do. I love you, Lord Van. I adore you.”
My plan had backfired, and I’d prompted him to say something even more embarrassing! Khamsin really had grown. Moved by his words, I dipped my head in thanks. I’d prepared for this journey thinking I would have to endure exile all on my own, but now I had four of my closest companions alongside me. I was truly grateful.
“All right, it’s about time we get going.”
With that, the carriages set off.
Father didn’t want word of my exile to spread, so we traveled incognito. I couldn’t open the windows too far, and we had to speak in hushed whispers. Also, none of the carriages bore our family crest.
I opened the window just a crack to get a better view of the passing scenery. “I came here to play a lot in the last two years… This is kind of sad.”
Right then, a child popped up beside our carriage. “Lord Van!”
“Oh, if it isn’t Viza. Hi there.”
Viza was the daughter of one of the city guards. I’d bumped into her numerous times on my trips.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” she asked, looking upset. “Why?”
“Huh? D-did you hear that from someone?”
Viza pointed at the rear. I poked my head out the window to see that Dee’s carriage was flying a banner that read LORD VAN’S DEPARTURE!
“Aw, c’mon! That’s so embarrassing!”
One of Dee’s underlings, a young knight atop his horse, noticed us staring. “The banner was crafted under the deputy commander’s orders! He was deeply saddened that you had to leave like a thief in the night, so he at least wanted to announce your departure…”
“Didn’t Father tell him to keep this under wraps?”
The young knight grinned mischievously. “Is that so? First I’ve heard of it! My guess is that Deputy Commander Dee did so without knowing. We could lower the banner, but he’s currently asleep in his carriage… My apologies! When he awakens, I’ll explain the situation right away!”