"You lot, stop daydreaming and help. If you're apprentice mediations, you ought to be able to handle at least the preliminary preparations for mixing."
"So, I was told to make these for
While the apprentice mediations washed the mixing equipment in waschen, Ferdinand posed the question to me, and I fell into thought, hmm.
"I was actually planning to give one to Lady Retizia. Because you're so strict, Ferdinand, I wanted to include words of encouragement—or something like 'please don't scold her anymore.'"
"Ah. That might indeed be necessary."
During the two years I'd been asleep, Wilfried had apparently been buried under assignments, and as he washed the waschen alongside the apprentice mediations, his gaze drifted somewhat into the distance.
"When I took uncle's lectures with Rozemyne, I thought the same thing—the assignments are endless, and the standards demanded are brutally strict."
"Lord Wilfried feels the same way, doesn't he? I think words of praise are absolutely essential."
I began listing candidates for the words I wanted to record onto the magical tool for Retizia. Hearing this, Ferdinand made an unpleasant face, while
"If Zergus has close ties to Lady Retizia's head attendant, then it might be better to register the new magical tool using Zergus's magic power. Lady Retizia will be leaving her family behind to become an adopted daughter, won't she? If possible, I'd like her parents' words to be recorded. A family's voice is the greatest encouragement there is."
"...I see. Then, if we make one with your voice, one with the family's voice, one from me to you, and one spare, that should be four total—enough to cover everything."
The apprentice mediations who received sheets of paper listing the materials and exact measurements began weighing them out. Ferdinand and I then chopped, separated attributes, and prepared everything in succession.
"Ugh, the speed of the preliminary preparation is on another level entirely."
"We've never prepared things this meticulously for any mixing before. The part where you match the quality of the materials is far too advanced."
When
"Huh? You're doing all of this at once?"
"Yes. I was taught that this method is convenient for cutting down time. This way, the quality of all the materials aligns at once. ...It's done, Ferdinand."
I finished aligning the quality of the materials I'd been assigned and handed them to Ferdinand. Justus, performing the same operation, smiled at Ignaz and the others.
"The key is practice. The lot of you are severely lacking in mixing experience and ingenuity."
"Well, I make my own recovery medicine, so my mixing count naturally increased."
Between that and the yuréve production, I probably had more mixing experience than the apprentice mediations my own age. And since Ferdinand had been the one to teach me mixing in the first place, it was partly because his methods were full of efficient, logical demands that pushed me hard.
"Ferdinand's mixing is different from what you learn in lectures—he incorporates all sorts of ingenuity to make the process as efficient as possible, so I think it's educational just to watch."
As Ignaz and the others stared with serious, focused eyes, Ferdinand reshaped his stap and began the mixing, employing a time-reduction magic circle from the very start.
...Hmm, I still can't use a time-reduction magic circle from the beginning.
When mixing, you normally add each next ingredient while watching how the materials gradually change. But if you use a time-reduction magic circle, that change finishes in an instant. Just when you're thinking "maybe now?", the right moment has already passed, making failure extremely likely. I can only use the time-reduction magic circle when all the ingredients have been added and I'm purely kneading them with magic power.
...I still need to train a lot before I can catch up to Ferdinand.
Once we reached the stage where all ingredients were in and it was just kneading with magic power, Ferdinand murmured, "Justus, layer another time-reduction circle." A murmur of shock rose from the apprentice mediations, but Justus, standing close at Ferdinand's side, replied, "Understood," and began drawing a time-reduction magic circle over the mixing pot.
Using a time-reduction magic circle meant that magic power normally spread over a long period had to be released all at once, making control somewhat difficult. Layering two of them was something I'd never seen before. My heart pounding, I watched Justus skillfully draw the double-layered circles and the mixing transform, and Ferdinand glanced at me.
"Rozemyne, once Justus finishes drawing his, you draw one as well."
"You're making it triple-layered? What? Is that really safe?"
"I said we were short on time, didn't I? Do you think I can't do it?"
"I don't think that."
Ferdinand only ever took on things he was confident he could handle. I knew at least that much. But knowing didn't stop me from being startled. In fact, the apprentice mediations watching the mixing wore stunned, blank expressions, as though they couldn't comprehend what was happening. Only Wilfried, who had been shown out-of-the-ordinary mixings several times during his prep work for the lord candidate course, wore an expression of "it still makes no sense" while simultaneously treating it as something inevitable.
"Then, My Lady. Please."
Receiving the stunned gazes of the apprentice mediations, I swapped places with Justus and drew a time-reduction magic circle with my stap. To layer onto the double time-reduction already in effect, I poured in magic power, and I could feel Ferdinand's entire focus concentrating on the mixing pot and the moment the circle was completed.
The instant it was complete, Ferdinand gripped the stirring rod with a surge of force. The triple-layered time-reduction circles apparently demanded magic power all at once, but as he stared at the mixing pot with a challenging smile playing at the corners of his mouth, he seemed to be enjoying the increased difficulty.
"...It's done."
Ferdinand had completed the equivalent of four mixings—each normally taking as long as a single bell strike—in a short span, and his face was filled with a sense of achievement as he retrieved the recording magical tool. He looked satisfied, and that was all that mattered.
"Clean up. We certainly can't just leave the mixing equipment sitting here."
The mixing set that had been brought in via teleportation circle had to be returned to the mixing room the same way. That was something Ferdinand couldn't do, since he couldn't leave this tea room.
"I have a teleportation circle prepared in the mixing room. Could someone retrieve the equipment over there?"
Rizeliera spread out the teleportation circle for sending, placed the washed mixing equipment onto it, and began setting things down. Seeing the attendants start tidying up briskly seemed to snap a few of the apprentice mediations out of their stupor, and they headed to the mixing room to receive the equipment.
"The apprentice mediations will handle the cleanup of the mixing equipment."
"Understood. I'll leave it to you then."
The remaining apprentice mediations took the mixing equipment from Rizeliera's hands, washed it in waschen, and placed it onto the teleportation circle. Each time the magic circle glowed, the equipment and materials on top vanished—it was somewhat entertaining to watch.
After watching the apprentice mediations bustle about with the cleanup for a while, Ferdinand approached the cleared table, took his seat, and slowly exhaled. Zergus, who had apparently finished eating during the mixing, immediately began brewing tea. Wilfried and I also sat down and had our own attendants pour us tea.
"I never imagined four magical tools could be made in such a short time."
After looking at the recording magical tools lined up on the table, I turned to Ferdinand with a smile.
"Well then, Ferdinand. Since you've made the recording magical tools, please pay the design fee for all four copies."
"I memorized the blueprints myself, so I didn't use yours."
"But I was the one who purchased the blueprints, and it's necessary for Laimunt's sake, as well as to secure the benefits of future researchers."
Honestly, since my main feeling was that he'd made them for me, I didn't particularly need the money. But it was necessary money if I wanted Laimunt to understand that "my research is so valuable it generates income," and it was also important for spreading awareness of intellectual property rights.
When I explained my desire to expand intellectual property rights in a manner similar to royalties, Ferdinand said, "Your thinking is as eccentric as ever," and ordered Justus to make the payment.
"The Printing Guild and the Smithing Guild have been going fairly well, but for magical tool patent fees, we may need an institution that can enforce them even among the nobility."
"Regarding that, once the practice of purchasing manuscripts from authors and paying royalties based on book sales has become established, then you can think about applying it to researchers as well. It's easier for everyone to accept if you adopt a method that's already proven successful once. Don't try to do everything at once. It's one of your bad habits."
Ferdinand told me it was crucial to publicize the existence of this system by paying patent fees for the blueprints I'd personally purchased, and to build a track record ensuring that royalties from successful books were reliably paid. I nodded.
...He's right, steady effort really is necessary.
The apprentice mediations who had finished cleaning returned to the tea room. They were buzzing with excitement, saying things like "that was an incredible mixing" and "what should I do to get to that level?" Ferdinand responded to them with a smile, but he looked extremely tired. It wasn't the pleasant kind of fatigue that came with a sense of achievement—it was as though all the fatigue that had been building up was crashing down on him at once.
"You have a meeting with Father after this, don't you? Don't you need some healing?"
"...That would help."
At his words, I looked around the tea room. Not just Ferdinand—Justus and Brother
I stood up, drew my stap, and chanted, "Streitkolben." Transforming it into the Flutrene staff, I cast healing magic on everyone in the tea room at once.
"What is this..."
Despite my effort, Ferdinand pressed his temples with a pained expression, as though his headache had somehow gotten worse.
"Huh? Did it... not work?"
"Your refinement is absurdly polished. In just a single season, how did you manage to reach this level..."
"What? What?"
Had I really done something worthy of that kind of reaction? Feeling like I'd just done what I always did, I had no idea what Ferdinand was holding his temples over. He tapped the table with his fingertip, saying "Sit down," and I could see the beginnings of a lecture in his posture.
I dismissed the Flutrene staff, pretended to sit down, and scooted my chair just a little farther from Ferdinand.
"Now then, Rozemyne. Why did you bother bringing out the Flutrene staff to cast healing magic?"
"It's convenient for healing multiple people at once. With a ring, you'd have to heal them one by one, right? But with the Flutrene staff, you can heal a large number of people in a single go."
I added that it had been useful during the dedication ritual at the
"This isn't anything about the duchy's internal affairs or anything like that, Brother Wilfried. Anyone who participated in the dedication ritual already knows about it."
"That may be true, but... you seem like you'd blab anything, and it makes me nervous."
As Wilfried said this, I relayed something that everyone already knew—something that might also help me dodge Ferdinand's lecture.
"While Ferdinand was away, I've grown, you know. I can now make two divine instruments with my stap."
"...It wasn't a mistranscription or a misinterpretation?"
The letter I'd written, using every noble turn of phrase I could think of to pass censorship, apparently hadn't fully conveyed the message to Ferdinand.
"It's the same as how knights make swords and shields. The members of the royal family were convinced of it too. Someday, I'll be able to make multiple shields like Ferdinand does, so please look forward to it."
As I shared my ambitions with a smile, Ferdinand, his eyes squeezed tightly shut, murmured, "That's clearly different."
"What's different?"
"No, never mind. It's pointless to say anything more now. I'm going to become someone from another duchy. Ehrenfest will just have to manage somehow after that."
Ferdinand waved his hands in a shooing gesture, and Wilfried looked surprised.
"Oh, by the way—the magic-power-only recovery medicine that Ferdinand taught me to make at the dedication ritual seems to be quite valuable. The members of the royal family were astonished."
"...What about it?"
Ferdinand looked at me with an expression that said he had no energy left for any more of this.
"I thought it might sell well as a way to avoid collateral punishment if Lady Dietlinde does something to incur displeasure, or as a showcase of Ferdinand's contributions. I'm reporting this so you can keep it as a trump card."
When I said that, Ferdinand fixed me with an intense stare.
"Rozemyne, you think Lady Dietlinde is going to do something, don't you? If it's something that can be prevented in advance, tell me."
"Brother Wilfried, you won't be dragged into the details about the hair ornament and the sparkly dedication dance, right?"
"...Mm, that's correct."
After securing Wilfried's agreement, I explained that there was a high chance Dietlinde would make her hair ornament at tomorrow's graduation ceremony more lavish than those of the royal family, and that she might also perform a dedication dance using magic stones that lit up with electricity.
"We cannot overlook acts of discourtesy toward the royal family. Regarding the hair ornament, we'll force her to hand it over if necessary. But what exactly is this... sparkly dedication dance?"
"After completing the ritual to receive the gods' blessings, Rozemyne hadn't yet gained control of her magic power, and during dedication dance practice she accidentally made the magic stones light up. That's how it all started."
At Wilfried's explanation, I hurriedly jumped in.
"But a blessing didn't come out! It ended with just the magic stones lighting up. This should count as something praiseworthy, shouldn't it?"
Ferdinand gave me only a single glance before dismissing me, while Wilfried shook his head, saying, "I don't understand why you'd think that's praiseworthy," and continued his explanation.
"During dedication dance practice, Rozemyne was very eye-catching, and Lady Dietlinde said she wanted to imitate it at her coming-of-age ceremony during the tea party."
"Rozemyne, you really are..."
"It— It's not entirely my fault! During practice it was unavoidable, but Brother Wilfried suggested that if we lowered the quality of the magic stones, they could be lit up easily."
If Wilfried had prepared magic stones calibrated to his own level and practiced accordingly, then the responsibility was far more his than mine. At my tattling, Ferdinand shot a sharp glare at Wilfried.
"Wilfried. It seems you've been quite helpful in causing trouble."
As Ferdinand began scolding Wilfried,
"My Lady Rozemyne, the seventh bell will ring soon. If you wish to entrust the magical tool for Lady Retizia to Lord Zergus, you should make the request quickly."
Brunhilde murmured that she was worried I'd become completely distracted from the finished recording magical tool. This was a perfect moment to rescue Wilfried from the lecture. I lightly tugged on Ferdinand's sleeve.
"Ferdinand, if we entrust one of these magical tools to Zergus, could we get words of encouragement from Lady Retizia's family?"
I couldn't ask Ferdinand's attendant Zergus directly. Ferdinand stopped his lecture of Wilfried and shifted his gaze to Zergus.
"What do you say, Zergus? Can you contact Lady Retizia's parents?"
"I can. I was raised in
Zergus was a Drewanchel native, and when Retizia had gone to
"Then, let's register it using Zergus's magic power. May I also record words of encouragement from me?"
"Of course. I will be sure to deliver Lady Rozemyne's kindness to Princess Retizia."
Zergus smiled gently, his yellow-green eyes crinkling slightly. I had Ferdinand hand me the magical tool from among those still lined up on the table, then passed it to Zergus and explained how to use it.
I then had him record the words I wanted to send to Retizia. Three messages: "Lady Retizia is doing a wonderful job," "Ferdinand, please don't use such harsh words," and "Please praise her when she does well, once in a while."
"What are you putting in there?"
"When Lady Retizia takes out this magical tool, please make sure to praise her properly. None of that flat reading like you do with me."
I said this without flinching despite Ferdinand's glare, then entrusted the rest to Zergus.
"There isn't time to make a Schummel stuffed animal, so please ask Lady Retizia's attendant to handle that."
"Zergus, why don't you send an ordonnanz to Drewanchel? If possible, tomorrow would be ideal for recording..."
"Forgive me. Then, I'll take my leave for a moment."
After Zergus disappeared behind the partition screen given to the attendants, Ferdinand eyed the three remaining magical tools with a somewhat reluctant expression.
"So, what kind of words are you putting into the tool you're giving me?"
"Words of praise, of course!"
And if possible, I wanted to turn it into a Lesser stuffed animal. But this ambition of mine was crushed by Rizeliera.
"Well, I suppose one with words of praise would be nice, but I believe what's needed are words asking him to stop reading, or words asking him to take a rest—things similar to what Lady Rozemyne would want to send to Ferdinand."
Brunhilde, standing next to Rizeliera, nodded vigorously as well. Not only my own attendants but Wilfried also agreed with their suggestions, saying, "Words of reproof would probably be necessary."
"I don't mind at all if you include scolding words..."
"But I want praise!"
"That's irrelevant. More importantly, what are these words meant for me?"
"Lady Rozemyne prepared this to give to Lord Ferdinand."
Rizeliera swiftly pulled out a navy-blue Schummel stuffed animal and gently placed it in front of me. She must have gone to retrieve it from my room. The attentiveness of attendants could be almost painful.
"That's not it, Rizeliera. This is intended for Justus. If I give it to Ferdinand, it'll just get stuffed in a box and never be used."
I picked up the navy-blue Schummel from the table and held it out toward Justus.
"Justus, please use this whenever Ferdinand works too much and won't listen."
"What kind of words are in it?"
"Justus, later! Check it later!"
Feeling the blood drain from my face, I peeked at Ferdinand's reaction. Ferdinand let out a soft laugh.
"I'd better confirm what's in it to the end. It would be trouble if this turned into a duchy rivalry."
"Ferdinand, the wooden box over there has the Schwartz research documents in it! Let's confirm those instead! Please?"
"I'll do it later. Justus, play it back."
At Ferdinand's instruction, Justus began playing back the magical tool.
"Ferdinand, are you properly resting? Don't overdo the work."
"No matter how busy you are, you can't perform without eating. Don't rely too much on medicine—make sure you eat properly."
"If Ehrenfest's cooking ever runs out, please let me know."
After a few messages played back, Ferdinand pinched my cheek hard.
"Ow!"
"Quite right. Justus, that's enough playback. I'll keep that one."
Ferdinand extended his hand toward Justus with a very beautiful, perfectly crafted smile. If this continued, it would absolutely be sealed away.
"No! No! Justus, if you're going to give it to Ferdinand, just give it back to me!"
"What's all the commotion?"
My adoptive father entered with an exasperated tone of voice. The number of attendants and accompanying knights increased, and the tea room suddenly felt cramped.
"Father! Ferdinand is trying to take the magical tool that was meant for Justus!"
"...Is this the magical tool I've heard about? What kind of words does it contain?"
My adoptive father plucked the navy-blue Schummel stuffed animal from Justus's hands and touched the magic stone. After hearing my nagging play through, he burst out laughing, then tossed it back to Justus.
"Just threatening to play Rozemyne's nagging in Ahrensbach should be enough to make Ferdinand stop working. Take it."
"I'm grateful, Aub Ehrenfest."
Justus laughed cheerfully and carried the navy-blue Schummel over to where the attendants' belongings were stored.
"Speaking of which, from here on it's adults' time. The rest of you, return to your rooms."
The tea set that had been arranged on the table by my adoptive father's attendants, who had prepared alcohol, was quickly cleared away, and sake vessels took their place. As my adoptive father shooed us out with a wave of his hands, Wilfried and I exchanged our goodnight pleasantries and left the tea room.
...In the end, I never got Ferdinand to praise me.
Ferdinand's high-difficulty mixing left the apprentice mediations stunned.
Rozemyne's extraordinary evolution left Ferdinand speechless.
And the recording magical tools were delivered. To Justus.
He'll surely put them to good use.
Next up: the coming-of-age ceremony and the dedication dance.