Chapter 4: Trick of the Gods
A feeling like light overflowing in my head told me I had been bestowed magic.
I could hear whispers from those around me, like “Did he get magic too?” and “Lucky~”.
Did my prayer not reach?
I’ve never heard of prayers to the gods in times of trouble actually working, so I guess it can’t be helped.
Urged by Father, I placed my hand on the Magic Power Measurement Board, but Father’s reaction was strange.
He had glanced nonchalantly at the Magic Power Measurement Board, but now he was tilting his head, peering at it from various angles, and humming thoughtfully.
“What’s this? No letters are appearing. No… there are some patterns, or rather, a lot of lines, but they aren’t letters. But I thought he was bestowed magic… He certainly has 73 Magical Power.”
Father’s muttering piqued my interest, and I peered at the Magic Power Measurement Board.
Hm… Since I’m looking from the opposite side as Father, the characters are upside down, but I can read them: Read, Memorize, Paste, Delete.
What the heck is this? It’s the first time I’ve seen Japanese since coming to this world, and they’re even upside down.
As I tilted my head in confusion, Father spoke to me sympathetically.
“Fernan… This is a first for me too, but I’ve heard that sometimes, scribbles that aren’t letters appear. They say it’s a Trick of the Gods, or that it happens when there’s a mistake in bestowing magic. Don’t lose heart.”
Either way, a string of characters that isn’t magic is useless.
I thanked Father and stepped down from the altar, but I could hear snickers coming from here and there.
This was depressing in its own way, but there was one glimmer of hope.
Father definitely said my Magical Power was 73. If I have Magical Power, maybe I can strengthen my Household Magic.
Even in light novels, there were stories about characters who couldn’t use proper magic but became overpowered using Household Magic.
Until now, even if I could sense Magical Power, trying to manipulate it felt like sticking my hand into a thin mist – indistinct. But if I have 73 Magical Power, maybe I can actually manipulate it.
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“Fernan, was it a Trick of the Gods?”
“Yes… Master. That is what Father said.”
Suddenly, an impact struck my cheek.
It seemed he was quite embarrassed that I had become a laughingstock at the church.
Even though he usually treats me like I don’t exist, he only comes to vent his frustrations when something displeases him.
“Utterly useless! Your mother, too! Claiming she was frail if anyone paid her the slightest attention, she died without doing any proper work! And the child just eats food and is completely useless. I’m raising you according to the Kingdom’s law, but on the day you leave the nest, become an adventurer and earn your keep! That’s how you’ll repay the favor of me raising you! Understand?”
“Yes, Master.”
Along with my reply, I was kicked away.
Seriously! This vain idiot who should have been the useless fifth son, only became a Baron through the Marquis’s authority because he was born into the Marquis’s family! Just you wait!
As I endured the pain from being hit, the young master made his appearance.
“Figures the mistress’s child is trash. A ‘Trick of the Gods,’ huh? Don’t you dare drag the Honnings Barony’s name through the mud.”
“Exactly~ It’s the talk of the town, you know. It’s just so embarrassing.”
“Young Mistress, Young Master… If Madam finds out you came here, you will be scolded. Besides, I am not a member of the Honnings Barony.”
“Hmph! For trash, you’ve got quite the mouth on you.”
“Would’ve been better if you’d just died easily from the epidemic. Seems you really
Cokes and Kilza started clamoring for me to do it for them too, so I cast Refresh on both of them.
“Whoa, this is amazing! It’s even better than Clean, I’m spotless, and my body feels great too!”
“Plus, don’t I look younger?”
“Fernan, you could probably make a living with this.”
“Hey now, this isn’t good! The Lord won’t let you go! Fernan, you’re forbidden from using Refresh for the time being!”
“That’s the plan. I refuse to be kept and controlled by a man like that.”
“Which means, if we go back to town like this, it might start rumors.”
“Should we get ourselves a little dirty before heading back?”
“Aww, but we just got so clean! Look! My hair is so silky smooth!”
“Give it up, Mom. You’re always beautiful, so don’t get any prettier and attract more men.”
“Gah, saying things that could give me hives… How can you say that with a straight face?”
“It’s embarrassing!”
I really need to practice controlling my Household Magic more and get it back down to a normal level.
While thinking about that, I absentmindedly watched Hattie put away the tea things.
Household Magic aside, I thought about the Read, Memorize, Paste, and Delete abilities I received during the Bestowal Ceremony.