Today, I’m updating twice a day. For those visiting for the first time, please start from Chapter 9.
Dawn.
I slipped out of the mansion and headed toward the back mountain. I was going to conduct an experiment with Ancient Magic.
I overslept. I had eaten too many syrup-laden pancakes at dinner, which led to a deep slumber. This body is only thirteen years old, so I need a lot of sleep. Besides, the pancakes made in the main kitchen were just too delicious to resist.
“The back mountain is off-limits starting in the afternoon.”
The sun hadn’t fully risen yet. At this hour, there shouldn’t be any guards around. With Boosted and Flight, I could reach the back mountain in ten minutes.
— Ten minutes later, at the back mountain —
“Dick. Are you awake?”
“…Yes, Master!”
Here at the summit of the back mountain, I called out softly, and my bat companion, Dick, flew over.
“You heard that well.”
“Dick knows everything about this mountain. Everyone has been waiting for your arrival, Master!”
Baza baza baza baza────!!
The dawn sky turned dark. Countless bats danced through the air.
“Thank you. I got the greeting. Send everyone back; it’s too conspicuous.”
“Understood! Everyone, disperse!!”
The bats scattered. I kept three others with me, so they could keep watch for any approaching humans.
“Activating Boosted.”
I drew the Boosted sigil on my left hand. I had already tested this part. Now, I tried drawing the sigil on my right hand as well. Activating double Boosted, I took off running.
Vroom.
The scenery flew by. Whoa! This is fast! It’s terrifying!! My senses couldn’t keep up. It was too quick. With that momentum, I kicked off the ground—
My body soared into the sky. It was on par with the Flight from my past life.
“The duration seems to be around ten minutes.”
The experiment was a success. Drawing two sigils doubled the effect of Ancient Magic.
Brother Zeros had been drawing sigils in mid-air while chanting spells. Magic can only be used one at a time since you only have one mouth.
In my case, I could activate magic just by drawing sigils with Mystel Blood. There’s no limit to the number of sigils I can draw.
“…This is bad; I’m starting to enjoy this.”
I had decided to act like a normal human in this era. I intended to treat magic as just a hobby, but…
“I wonder what would happen if I drew three sigils at once.”
……
…
I decided to try it.
Creeeak!
My body creaked.
“Ughhh!?”
Oh no. This is some serious muscle pain. When I tried to move my limbs, a cramp-like pain shot through me, accompanied by the sensation of pins and needles. This is bad. My body can’t keep up with the magic. I pushed my thirteen-year-old body too hard.
…Ugh.
…Uuuugh.
For a full ten minutes, the intense muscle pain continued… until the effect of the magic finally wore off. As expected, Ancient Magic is dangerous. I should avoid overdoing it. I’m supposed to be a normal human in this era.
“Master—what’s wrong?”
Dick, the bat, perched on my shoulder, looking worried. As I stared at his wings…
“I wonder what would happen if I drew a sigil on Dick’s body.”
“Magic? Please give it a try!”
“Is that okay?”
“It sounds fun!”
“Alright, let’s do it.”
This wasn’t Dean Nosferatu’s decision; it was Yuuki Grossaria’s will. Right now, I’m thirteen years old, filled with curiosity like a child. So, I carelessly drew the Boosted sigil on Dick’s wing. It was like doodling.
“How’s that, Dick? Anything feel off?”
“It feels off.”
“Got it. I’ll erase it right away.”
“No need to erase it! It’s amazing, Master! Dick feels invigorated!”
Dick’s form vanished—only to soar high into the sky.
“Whoa!”
“Whoa!”
Both master and servant shouted in unison. Dick zipped through the air at a speed several times faster than usual. I had to be careful; his movements were so quick that I could barely see them.
“Hey! Don’t come down like that! You’ll crash into a tree!”
“I’m fine! My echolocation is enhanced!”
Dick weaved between the trees. Leaves fell from the branches after he passed. The bat was avoiding obstacles with sounds we couldn’t hear—at least, that’s what he claimed, and it seemed to be enhanced.
“This is amazing! What kind of power do you possess, Master?”
“Kyuuuu! Kyuuuu!”
Before I knew it, the other three bats had flown over to me.
“Do you all want to be enhanced too?”
Nods and more nods.
“…Just this once.”
“Kyuu! Kyuuuu!”
I drew sigils on the bats. I had no choice. I needed to confirm whether this Ancient Magic could be used on beings other than my servant.
The result:
“Kyuuuuuuuu────!!”
“Kyuuuuuuuuuuuu!!”
“Kyukyu, Kyuu────!!”
“This is amazing, Master!”
All four bats entered the Boosted state.
“Ancient Magic is terrifying…”
The guild’s sorcerers wield such power with ease. I really should avoid getting involved with them.
I’ll attend a regular academy and live as an ordinary person. Magic will remain a hobby. I won’t delve any deeper. Overdoing it is dangerous. That’s final.
“Let’s head back. If I’m late for breakfast, Martha will be angry.”
They should be serving the leftover syrup from yesterday for breakfast. It’s delicious when you dip black bread in it. It’s a rare treat even in the Baronial House, so I can’t afford to miss it.
“Master—I’ve spotted someone!”
Dick returned.
“I encountered someone during my search. A human is being chased by a monster!”
“I see. That’s serious.”
“Indeed.”
“What kind of monster?”
“A Dark Bear.”
“That’s a big problem. But well, they entered the mountain without preparation. It can’t be helped.”
“Is that so?”
“They’re probably just reckless travelers. It’s none of my business.”
“Then why are you running at the same speed as the enhanced Dick—wait, you’ve gotten even faster! Amazing, Master!”
I can’t help it. This back mountain is Brother Zeros’s exam site. If there are corpses lying around, it’ll be a hassle. The exam might get postponed, or there could be a retake, and Instructor Kahel would be even more irate than he already is. Just thinking about it is a pain.
“Who is this fool who entered the mountain unprepared?!”
I’ll at least see their face. Whether I help them or not will come after that.
Next time, Chapter 11 is scheduled to be updated tomorrow evening.