Episode 4: Helping People with Dark Magic
One afternoon.
I was waiting near my family’s house.
The Ashcroft Family is famous in the Royal Capital as the foremost authority on Light Magic.
Many people come seeking their power.
However, as the old antique shop owner said, their fees are high.
They have no intention of dealing with commoners from the start.
I’ve seen many times people who are sick or troubled by curses come to the Ashcroft Family with a desperate hope, only to be turned away.
That’s why waiting here means I can encounter a strong curse.
“Hey there. You came out of the Ashcroft Family’s mansion, didn’t you? You look quite disappointed. Did they tell you it’s not a place for poor people?”
“Ah, you can tell…”
“Are you sick? Injured? Or is it a curse?”
“It’s a curse. My body has been sluggish for about a month. When I went to the doctor, they said it wasn’t an illness but a curse. So, I went to the church, but the priest said he couldn’t do anything. I was referred to a magic doctor, but that didn’t work either. So, I came here as a last resort… but they charged me a ridiculous fee. It seems I have no choice but to die in a year.”
The man who came out of the Ashcroft Family’s house dropped his shoulders in self-mockery.
“A curse, you say? That’s perfect. Actually, I’ve just started a curse purification business. How about it? For our grand opening… let’s see, how about this much?”
“Whoa, whoa. That’s way too cheap. Curse purification on the side of the road… it’s not like you’re shining shoes.”
“I know it’s hard to believe. But think of it as a little something to ease your mind.”
“Well, I’ll only lose a few coins. I’m going to die anyway. I guess I can spare some change for a beggar kid.”
Who are you calling a beggar?
My adventurer business is going well, so I have a decent amount of money.
Alright then.
My first attempt at purifying a cursed person.
Even if I fail, they won’t complain, but this person’s life is at stake. If I’m going to do it, I want to succeed.
More focus than when I was using the knife. Recognize the curse. Extract. Absorb!
“Oh? Oh!? My body feels lighter! Can it be purified in an instant like that!?”
“Just in case, please go to the church or somewhere to confirm that the curse has really been dispelled.”
“Yes! Thank you so much! You’re a lifesaver! Here, it’s not much, but please accept this!”
He left ten times the amount I had suggested, walking with light steps.
From that day on, I continued to do similar things every day.
Then, word spread, and more people started asking me for purification from the start, without even knocking on the Ashcroft Family’s door.
Many people paid me more than I asked for.
Everyone came with a dark expression, but left with a smile.
I didn’t start this to help people. It’s for purification practice and to strengthen my magical power. Still, it feels better to be thanked than hated.
“Hey, Akito, that’s enough!”
When I was setting up shop like a shoe shiner as usual, my brother came out of the mansion and started yelling at me.
The people passing by gathered to see what was going on.
“What do you mean, ‘that’s enough’? I was told never to come back, but this is a public road. I’m not on the Ashcroft Family’s property, so I’m following the rules.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Starting a curse purification business in a place like this… it’s interfering with our business!”
“No, it’s just price competition. If you’re frustrated, you could lower your prices, or purify faster than me, there are many ways to compete.”
“T-There’s no way I can do that!”
“Oh? You’ve been calling me trash and a disgrace to the family, but you can’t do better than me. Hmm.”
“S-Shut up!”
As my brother and I were arguing, a neat carriage stopped, and a well-dressed gentleman of about forty years old got out.
“Are you the genius boy who purifies curses? Could you purify this staff for me? It’s a powerful curse that even the former head of the Ashcroft Family gave up on.”
The staff he presented was covered in many curse seals.
Even without magical knowledge, it was obvious at a glance that something dangerous was sealed inside.
“Count Aimers!? That staff was something my father was asked to deal with before… there’s no way someone like him can purify it!”
“You won’t know unless you try. After all, this boy purifies curses much faster than you or your father. I saw it with my own eyes a few days ago. That’s why I’ve come to ask him. Will you do it?”
The gentleman turned his gaze to me.
“I will.”
I’ve done a lot of small curses, but they’ve all been small fry. It’s about time I challenged something big, so this is perfect.
My brother was still babbling beside me, but I ignored him and took the staff. Then, I ripped off the curse seals all at once.
At that moment, the curse spread out in a black aura.
The onlookers screamed. It was a curse so strong that even those without magical knowledge could see it.
“Gather.”
I commanded briefly. Then, the curse that had spread out returned to the staff.
Then, I began the process of removing the curse again.
The method was the same as always.
However, the amount of curse was on a different level.
If I let my guard down, it could invade my body.
Still, if I do it little by little, look.
The curse became a lump the size of a watermelon, separated from the staff, and floated in the air.
I absorbed it from my palm.
Whoa!
I was prepared for it, but the surge in magical power is incredible.
I took a deep breath and suppressed the magical power that was about to leak out.
“…Purification complete.”
“S-Splendid! The curse has indeed disappeared… The head of the Ashcroft Family spent three days on it and then gave up, saying it was impossible. I apologize for the late introduction, but I am Terence Aimers, Count Aimers. I am the chairman of the Royal Capital’s Magic Guild.”
The Magic Guild is an organization whose purpose is to ‘contribute to the development of magic technology, the training and protection of magicians, and the maintenance of order through these means.’ That’s what it said in a book I read at the library before.
It seems that magicians who belong to the guild exchange information and tools with each other, and take on disciples, functioning as a social gathering place.
Even if a magician cannot do something on their own, the Magic Guild can act as an organization to create a place for equal discussion even with the state.
In other words, it’s an amazing organization, and Count Aimers, who is the chairman, is an amazing person.
“I’m Akito. I don’t have a family name.”
“I know. You were the second son of the Ashcroft Family, but you were exiled, weren’t you? To exile such a genius, oh dear. Does that mean that at the Ashcroft Family, you have to be more talented than Akito to be recognized?”
“T-That’s right, Count!”
My brother replied with a snort.
“Then, why couldn’t you purify my staff?”
My brother couldn’t answer anything.
“The Ashcroft Family was certainly wonderful in the past. But now it has lost its former glory. Being exiled from there might be a good thing for you, Akito. Your talent is rare. It’s safe to say that there is nothing comparable to it. I hope you will continue to develop that talent. Is this enough as a reward for purifying the staff?”
Count Aimers placed a seemingly expensive pendant adorned with jewels in my palm.
“Yes, it’s more than enough. Thank you very much.”
“I see. Feel free to come to the Magic Guild anytime. We’ll welcome you.”
Then, Count Aimers got back into his carriage and left.
“T-That pendant! The Gloria Sigil!? It’s only given to those who are recognized by the guild as excellent magicians… even my father doesn’t have one… Count Aimers! Why would you give this to Akito! Count Aimersssss!”
My brother chased after Count Aimers’ carriage, but he couldn’t catch up, fell pathetically, and made the passersby smile.