KANNA 79
《short》
100% accuracy and grammatically correct not guaranteed. revisions, corrections and edits are periodically done. only on my site tho. corrections are welcome
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I think that the sight of kyonyuu on the table when you put your elbow there is wonderful
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「It is not like there is anything left to be said by starting anew.」
With that preface, Faima begins her narration.
When she first came to this country, she seemed to have spent many productive days observing the culture of a foreign country and the theory behind the unfamiliar magical formation. She’s just like international students getting excited with the fresh local experience.
And then, one week after coming to Draknil.
Once her initial excitement subsided, she regained her calm and began her [investigation] in earnest but the difficulty was far beyond what she expected.
「I was prepared for a long battle but it is depressing to have little result thus far. Even today, I was going around visiting every antique bookshops I could locate but it was fruitless.」
After her story ends, Faima moisten her parched throat with tea.
「ーーThat is all from me. It is not an interesting topic to share over tea though.」
「First, I understand that it’s not going all that well for you.」
She didn’t go into details about what exactly was she looking into, so I can only reply vaguely.
「Just listening to me is appreciated. Perhaps you are the only one I could converse with casually in this city, except for my three attendants.」
After saying that, Faima…「hmm?」…put a finger on her chin.
「………How should I put this. I wonder if there is anyone other than you who would converse with me in this manner?」
A loner remark suddenly appeared.
「Aren’t there related n.o.bles and other ojou-sama? You didn’t talk with them at tea parties or ballroom parties?」
「Of course I do, to some extent. However, because most of us are carrying our house name, we could not utter much lest we risk imprudence. Words casually spoken may become a weakness that could be taken advantage of by another. As such, having a relation close enough to exchange jokes would not be possible.」
Parties held by n.o.bilities are often a social occasion and they rarely enjoy the party itself. Most busy themselves with information exchange and securing new [connections].
I remember when I attended a buffet party under Ayana’s invitation.
I went all out against the food there together with Misaki who was also invited but Ayana, who invited us, was busy greeting business a.s.sociates. Well actually, when she was done making the rounds, she also joined our all out battle.
Yuuzuki who was also there was surrounded by young ladies of various companies, as per usual. He was about to be taken away to a hotel for a R-rated coming of age ceremony when I stopped it just before they left the venue.
「Besides, a young lady of a n.o.ble household are more troublesome than a commoners’. It is said that the misery of others taste like honey and I’m certain that no one tasted it as much as those particular group of people. If anything were to catch their interest even for a tiny bit, they will pry thoroughly without any consideration to the person involved and spread a rumour around after embellishing it with a mixture of fact and fiction.」
Maybe it reminded her of an unpleasant memory as Faima’s expression is bitter while placing her elbow on the table.
Her appearance -chest resting on the table- paints a very picturesque scene.
「Forming an amiable friendship between n.o.bles is exceedingly difficult. In that context, I envy the commoners but that does not mean that I intend to renounce my position as a n.o.ble.」
「There are various types of commoners, y’know.」
「Exactly the reason why I do not want to give up my position. We of the n.o.bilities subsist through the blood tax derived from the commoners. Although I phrase it as such, I am grateful, you know?」
「ーーBy comparison, I’ve heard worse from you before.」
It was when we were attacked by a group that included Chloe, who was manipulated by the [mysterious voice]. In a conversation we had just before that happened, Faima also made a disparaging statement against commoners.
「In truth, I do not belittle them to such an extent. However, I will take such an att.i.tude towards a commoner I’m meeting face to face for the first time, with no exception. I meant no offense in doing so. I really mean it, you know?」
「…………Your stranger’s anxiety is on the exact opposite vector of your excuse.」
「Not a bad guess, if I might say so. My father’s education policy has a hand in this. [A n.o.ble taken lightly by a commoner cannot maintain their dignity.] Like so. I was taught equality with those I deem worthy and to be clear about the hierarchy with those that I consider otherwise.」
Her experience from the muddy world of the n.o.bility combined with her parents’ education resulted in a strange mixture. It’s highly likely that her overbearing att.i.tude for a first time meeting completely twisted her disposition. That would certainly make it harder to make friends.
「ah Do excuse me. Before I knew it, complain is already streaming out. I’m sure it was not a very pleasant story.」
「Not at all. It was quite interesting actually.」
I’m pretty satisfied to know a little bit more about the true nature of the person named Faima.
「Is that so? Then as thanks for listening to my grumbling, I would like to hear your story. I know not what I can do but at least I could provide consultation for you.」
「………Can it be that you knew about my worries?」
「No, not in the least.」
Please don’t answer that immediately, wouldja. I have as much worries as anyone else y’know. Have you ever seen someone enjoying a life without any worries?
「However, I might be able to provide an insight. I know not if I can resolve it but why don’t we talk about it first? It would lighten your burden considerably just by having someone listen to you, like I had.」
Certainly, her expression is brighter than before after she let out all those complain. I guess it must’ve been refreshing to spit out all the frustration from the lack of result in her research and even all the frustration she had acc.u.mulated long before that.
Her words are a G.o.dsend to me since Faima has a deep understanding of magic. Additionally, she is also the owner of a flexible mind that can a.n.a.lyze magic scientifically. Spirit Art and magic are fundamentally different. Still, she might be be able to impart some wisdom.
「Then, I’ll take you up on that. Faima, lend me your help.」
I told her about my current stagnating situation. It’s a poor subst.i.tute for an excuse but I rephrase (or rather, dodge the topic) the Ice Spirit Art as a special magic taught by an old woman living deep in the mountains. From there, I asked if there was any way to overcome my bottleneck.
ーーーAside from excluding the word Spirit Art, most of what I told her is the truth. As soon as she heard about my [magic (tentative)], Faima’s eyes glitters brightly.
Same old Faima. When it comes to her subject of interest, her usual rational self undergoes a complete change.
「I’m very curious about this old woman and theory behind your magic and it is heartrending holding it back. Heartrending, I say!」
Saying it twice to express her grief, Faima then cross her arms to brood about it. She’s thinking seriously.
「ーーーThe issue at present is what to do with the [cold air] that diffuses quickly in regular s.p.a.ce, correct?」
「I can only deal physical damage using ice as I am currently. I want a skill that can give me a little more edge against a highly durable opponent.」
I don’t believe that simply increasing the number of attack methods at my disposal would work for rank adventurer level of opponent like that Answerer but I also don’t believe that an effective techniques can be produced all of a sudden. Reaching that result gradually within our capacity would be more reasonable.
「………I would like to enquire something. Let me know if there is a spell befitting your criteria from what I am listing from now.」
Faima says so. Did she come up with something?
「ーーShow me a technique, would it be possible?」
「Easy. If it’s only that much.」
I remove an ice crystal from the interior of my tekkou, and put it on the table.
「At first glance, this looks just like ice but when it’s. .h.i.t with a strong impact, it will deploy an ice barrier to protect the area where it’s installed.」
Upon receiving my brief explanation, Faima releases a sigh with a mixture of astonishment and exasperation.
「………You are still surprising as ever. With a few exceptions, objects created by magic will disappear quickly if the object runs out of mana. Moreover, even an accomplished magician would find it next to impossible to impart a certain effect without a catalyst, you know? And here we have you taking it for granted…………」
It’s not magic after all. I won’t say it though.
Spirit Art manifests a phenomenon as a reality to the world through the presiding spirits whereas magic creates a pseudo-phenomenon using spells. A picture drawn in a sandbox will disappear quickly if the wind blows, but a character engraved on a rock won’t disappear as easily. Would it be easy to understand if the former correspond with magic and the latter with Spirit Art?
「But with this, a method I thought of might be able to be of use.」
And then, she starts to speak about a method based on the existence of ice crystals that made the scales fall from my eyes.
「ーーHow is it? Through this method, at the very least it would clear the criteria of [practical use of cold wave], wouldn’t it?」
「What can I say. I’m speechless.」
She solved the problem I’ve been worrying about for the last few days in a matter of minutes after hearing about it.
「Thanks, Faima. Meeting you today is without a doubt a stroke of good luck for me.」
「It is fortunate that I’m able to help.」
ーーーLater on. Good luck and bad luck are separated only by a paper-thin difference. The good luck I’m going through this time is a sign of the troubles waiting ahead.
incoming trouble?
《ch80 is longer, so next week might be only two》