Volume 1 - CH 12

“This is troublesome, Seika-sama.”

In my room at night.

I was cutting out a hitogata under the moonlight coming in through the window when Yuki, in the form of a long, thin fox, peeked out from between my hair and said to me.

“A little.”

“Are you still going to …… take care of it?”

“――――Seika, can I have a minute?”

My eldest brother’s voice, along with the sound of knocking.

Yuki quickly hides in my hair. I also hurriedly stuffed the paper and scissors under the bed.

“Yeah, what? Luft nii-san.”

“I’m coming in. …… I knew you were still up.”

Saying so, Luft hung a light on the ceiling and sat down next to me sitting on the bed.

A moment of silence passed.

What does he want?

“Um, Luft nii-san…?”

“Seika. I know I’m a bit late, but happy birthday.”

“eh”

“This is a present”

He hands me a small wooden box.

“Open it.”

I took the fine-looking leather strap and opened the lid.

Inside was a transparent white pen and an inkwell.

“Is this …… glass?”

“Yeah. It’s a glass pen. It’s said to be made by a craftsman who has mastered high-level earth magic. It was popular in the Imperial Capital, and I bought it when I followed father.”

“How do you use this?”

“Just like a quill pen. You just dip it in a jar of ink and write with it. But unlike the quill, you can use it forever.”

“Really…”

“Since you’re so diligent about your studies, you’ll quickly ruin your quill, right?So I thought it was just the right …… timing. The best way to get the most out of your time at the school is to write. Also, you’ll be writing home once in a while.”

“Uh… yeah. Thank you, Luft nii-san.”

Unable to think of any further words, I remain silent.

After a while, Luft opens his mouth.

“I’m sorry, Seika.”

“eh……”

“I’ve been distant.”

「……」

“I don’t know how to say it… I didn’t know how to treat you.”

“…Because I’m a concubine’s child?”

“Rather than that, it’s about my surroundings. Father, mother, and the maids have always been like that, so I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. You see, I don’t have much initiative, do I?”

“I don’t think so.”

“I’m just acting like that. To be like the eldest son of the feudal lord. Actually, I’m a coward. I used to be afraid of Seika.”

“Eh… is that so? Why?”

“Hmm… come to think of it, why? I remember something like that, but I’ve forgotten. It was when I was a kid.”

Luft laughs.

“But now I’m happy that Seika has grown up. I’m proud of you as a brother.”

“Hmm……”

I kept my mouth shut.

I never thought of the people in this house as family.

The only family I have is my sister, who died in a previous life when I was a child.

Therefore, I thought my position as a concubine’s child and treated as a tumour was, in a sense, convenient for me.

That’s why it was a little surprising.

I had no idea that there were people who were worried about their relationship with me.

“Go easy on him, Seika.”

“Eh……”

“It’s about tomorrow. You should have had no magic power, but you showed it by defeating the monster. You can’t lose to Grey. So, be moderate. That will teach him a lesson.”

“……Okay, I understand.”

“It’s still early,  but you’ve got to make sure you do well when you get to the academy.”

“Yeah. You too Luft nii-san, do your best and become a splendid lord.”

“A splendid lord? I’m not so confident.”

“Then, shall I or Grey nii-san take over instead?”

“Well, I’m not sure about that either. I’ll do my best after all. —- Then, good night. Seika.”

As Luft left the room, Yuki peeked her head out again.

“Is it a gift, Seika-sama? Hmm, he seems to be somewhat considerate. I don’t think it’s worth much anyway.”

“Hey, don’t say that. Besides–this is pretty good.”

I dipped it in a nearby inkwell and tried writing spells on the hitogata, and it felt pretty good.

No wonder it is so popular in the imperial capital. It was probably expensive.

“It’s fine if you like it, but please be careful as it may contain poisonous needles.”

“It’s okay”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing much”

It’s not my previous life, so I don’t have to worry about that.

Even if there was a poisoned needle in it, it would be fine.

“I’m more concerned about that one right now.”

“Over there?”

“Yuki, go back to hiding.”

“Eh, Seika-sama?”

When I push Yuki back between my hair, I lower my head.

The next moment.

A blade of wind flies in through the window, passes over my head, and slashes the door.

Pieces of wood fell to the floor.

“Oh, I can’t fix this…”

When I moved my gaze from the pathetic door to outside of the window, there was a single figure.

Illuminated by two moonlights, I saw Grey pointing his staff at me with an angry expression.

I have to go if it’s like this.

It seems that the duel will be held half a day earlier.