Since When Did You Have The Illusion That You Don't Have Magical Powers?! Chapter 111

Published at 21st of June 2023 12:33:25 PM

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Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield

Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival's mother

Veritas Perfectio, 1st son of the Earl of Aldridge, Sapphiras' former older brother

“It's all right, Sapphiras-sama. As long as they haven't lost their life, I think I can fix them up.”

Indeed. Aurora would probably be able to heal them without a hitch even if they lost an arm or a leg.

“No, it would be a shame to use Miss Aurora's holy magic for a thief who enters someone's room without permission at an academy attended by nobles.”

“……Someone like you, even though you were a disgrace to Perfectio.”

I did not miss Veritas' mutterings, which he spat out in frustration. I have nothing to do with Perfectio now, I'm just Sapphiras. I don't deserve your disdain.

“Damn it…….”

“I'm not going to pursue this any further. As long as you don't get involved with me and don't insult my precious companions.”

The teacher dismissed the students who had gathered, and the knights left with apologetic looks on their faces.

And I, who had worried Percival and Aurora a lot, was not hurt at all. But it must be pretty serious for Veritas. It's gotten to this point. For him, who up until now has been the outstanding legitimate son of a magical Earl family, life at the academy will be quite bitter from now on. But he deserves it. If only he hadn't insulted my precious friends, I would have at least given him the credit for subjugating the magical beast.

Afterwards.

In the corridor in front of my room, I found a student who had fallen on his back and was unable to move. It seems that he was the son of a viscount who had a room in the same 4th dormitory building and is a year above me, and that he was shaking and trembling, even incontinent. When I asked him what had happened to him, he just trembled and couldn't answer.

He must have been trespassing in my room on Veritas' instructions when he bumped into Crawler. Crawler may look a bit odd, but when you touch it, it's smooth as a goose down, and when you hold it in your arms, it has just the right amount of elasticity, which is quite pleasant. If you have them sleep with you when you are camping, they can lull you into a comfortable sleep. It's just a bit of a bad eater.

Well, it didn't eat any limbs. You're lucky it was just incontinence.

“What? A visit for me? Countess Aldridge?”

A few days after the Veritas affair.

Countess Aldridge came to see me.

What in the world could have brought her in out of the blue? In the first place, I hadn't been involved with her at all since we met at a tea party at the Duke's house. I don't understand why she would come to see me without warning. I don't know, but I'm curious, so I decided to meet her for the time being.

When I went to the designated salon, my ex-mother, who had a somewhat emaciated atmosphere, was waiting for me without even sitting down.

“……It's been a long time. Countess Aldridge.”

“You! Why did you corner Veritas like that?!”

Countess Aldridge said this as soon as she saw my face.

Ha? What on earth is she talking about? I was so stunned that I didn't understand what she was talking about, but she started sobbing.

“Because of you, Veritas has completely lost his standing!”

“Umm, I'm sorry. I don't understand a word of what you're saying.”

“How can you not know? Because of you, Veritas was humiliated at the academy! And then husband1she refers to him as 旦那様 (dannsama) which means husband or master reprimanded him so severely that…… poor little thing……has nowhere to go now……!”

Aah, you mean the exposure incident the other day?

There were quite a few students who watched the exchange between me and Veritas. Because of that, the truth and rumours spread around the academy that it wasn't actually Veritas who subjugated the magical beasts in the royal capital, or isn't it Veritas who blew the dragon flute.

“It was his own fault, wasn't it? I didn't do anything wrong.”

“Oh-oh my God……what's more, to call your own older brother 'that guy2あいつ (aitsu), it is derogatory/familiar language, somewhat rude especially when referring to a senior.'……”

No, no, the Earl's family used to call me that. What's the logic behind calling me 'that' is fine and 'that guy' for Veritas is not?

“What on earth are you talking about? You were calling me 'that'. I don't understand why it's okay to call me 'that', but not 'that guy' against Veritas. And Veritas is not my brother. You seem to have forgotten that I'm not a member of the Perfectio family anymore. Besides, it was me, not Veritas, who subjugated the magical beasts in the royal capital. And since he was spouting that as if it was his own achievement, I think I'm the victim rather than him.”

“……Even so, you didn't have to rob him of his place as well……”

I see. I understand it again.

I guess I've ceased to be a son or anything to this person since I was judged by the Temple to have no magical power when I was five years old. On the contrary, now I am the bad guy who wronged my brother.

Even though she asked me to come back at the tea party at the Duke's house. She's utterly selfish.

……Really, this makes me sick.

“I was even deprived of a place to live, though. I kept my mouth shut in the first place. I didn't even bother to take credit for it. And yet he insulted my companions with his foul language and even tried to frame me as the culprit for the disturbances at the academy. Instead of blaming me, shouldn't you, as a mother, admonish Veritas for trying to bring others down?”

“N-no……because that boy is the heir3嫡男 (chakunan), can also be interpreted as 'eldest son' of the Earl……

What do you mean by that? That kind of thing has nothing to do with me

I met her out of curiosity, but if it was like this, I shouldn't have met her at all.

“I have nothing more to say. Now, if you'll excuse me.'

'Ah……”

I quickly leave the salon.

That person did not call my name even once. Maybe she even forgot my name. Well, even if I was called, I would just be confused.

“……Well, just because she gave birth to me, doesn't mean that she is my mother.”

The pain and sadness smouldering deep in my chest right now is Sapphiras'.

Just because I remembered the memories of my previous life, it doesn't mean that I, who had an unfortunate childhood, am gone. The sadness and resignation I felt when I was in the Earl's family is still with me. I am sure that these feelings will never disappear, no matter how much time passes. Without the me from Fortis, Sapphiras would have given up everything long ago, having been continuously exploited by his ex-family and ex-fiancé. Fortis left home early, but he was certainly loved by his father, mother and brothers. Besides, I'm an adult. I can swallow a bit of unreasonableness.

But just because I look okay doesn't mean I don't have any feelings. What does those from the Earl's household think I am, anyway? If you've kicked me out of the family circle, I'd rather you just leave me alone.

“Ah, Sapphiras-san, just in time. A package has arrived for Sapphiras-san.”

I wanted to get rid of my frustration, so I was thinking about hitting the wall, but the academy clerk called out to me.

If I was seen punching a wall, I would be scolded. That was a close call.

“A package?”

“Yes. It's from the Margravine of Vanderwall.”

When I received the box from the clerk, it was lighter than I expected. I went back to my room and opened the box, which contained a letter and some comfortable cotton underwear wrapped in thin paper.

“……Wow, these are some pretty expensive-looking underwear.”

They are very different from the cheap, stiff underwear I brought from the Earl's house.

When I opened the letter, its contents were concerned about my health and my life. Am I injured or ill? Am I eating well? Am I making progress in my exam studies? I'm told that there was nothing wrong with being thrifty, but that I should not hesitate to buy what is necessary. If you don't have enough money, don't hesitate to contact the Margrave's family. It was like a letter from a real mother, and I couldn't help but laugh.

Madam Adeline is a generous person.

Fortis' mother was not as beautiful as Madam Adeline, but she was a caring mother who looked after the children of other families as if they were her own. The two of them were somewhat alike in their guts.

Thanks to the unexpected delivery, I was completely back to my usual self.

The Countess is a stranger to me, just by blood. I have people who care about me, even if they're not my family.

“Yesterday, I received a parcel from Madam Adeline.”

“Ah, since it was delivered to me, I thought it must have been delivered to Sapphiras as well.”

“I'm sorry you had to go through all that trouble.”

The letter reminded me not to worry about repaying, but instead to be sure to come back to Vanderwall for the long holiday of the Yor Festival.

Of course I'll go to the Yor Festival, but at that time, let's pick up some souvenirs from the royal capital and bring them with us.

“Sapphiras told me that Vanderwall was his home, didn't he? Then the Belisario family is Sapphiras' family home. There's nothing to hold back.”　

“……I see, a family home.”

That somehow makes me feel ticklish. So that means that Madam Adeline is a mother on the frontier to me. And Percival and I wear the same tailored underwear4ummmm……ok .

“……That would mean we're underwear brothers5Omg pls……”

“?”

Percival tilted his head at my unintentional soliloquy.

Chapter end