On the Ship 2

It's probably best not to linger too long on the deck where the sea breeze is blowing hard.

"Mr. Taro, you're known as a magician, aren't you?"

I haven't actually claimed that name, but I'm often called that. Yes, that's indeed me.

Is that so? There's something I'd like to discuss with you regarding yesterday's matter. Could you come with me?

The attendants glare menacingly.

There doesn't seem to be any right of veto.

Understood.

It's been a while since I last came to a somewhat luxurious room.

"Annie, please wait here."

"But, Master William, that's dangerous. At least let us assign guards to accompany you."

"No! Wait here."

Despite being a boy, his voice was firm and resolute.

The maid's name was apparently Annie. She looked clearly disheartened.

Following behind the noble child, I entered the room. As I passed the maid, I was threatened with being hidden if I did anything. W-what?... I took a step back, startled.

Once inside the room, the noble boy turned around and said,

"Thank you so much for yesterday. You saved my life."

He spoke with wide eyes, his voice slightly higher than usual as he offered his gratitude.

The nobleman, named William, suddenly changed—he was now the young William who had stepped out.

"Taro-san, I really appreciate it! Thank you so much! That's amazing—you even have a healing stone! How exactly do you use magic and magic stones? What’s your legendary lightning magic like, the one everyone’s been talking about?"

"Wait a moment—asking me all that at once isn’t something I can answer right away. Honestly, are you really like this now?"

He felt like he’d experienced something similar before. It seemed that flashy techniques were always popular with young people.

"I'm not really myself when I'm in noble mode. But I have to do it, so I do. Who cares about something like that? That's why I even kicked out the maid. Anyway, how did you learn to use magic?"

Even though he acted like a noble, his inner self was childish—maybe more like a reaction to being forced into things?

"Alright, alright. I'll answer your questions one by one, as best I can."

My tone naturally shifted from how I usually speak to nobles to a more childish, gentle way of addressing a child.

Then William bombarded me with questions. To my surprise, he seemed capable of using fire magic—but couldn't control it at all.

"That's amazing, Taro-san! Would you mind becoming my magic teacher?"

...What a troublesome, awkward request this was. I'd have to find a way to get out of it somehow.

"If you get the chance, but first, get home safely. You're still recovering, so let's call it a day for now."

Saying that, I forcibly end the conversation. Tucking Sebiri in (she's not asleep at all, but whatever), I leave the room.

When I open the door, I find Alex and the maid fighting each other. Seriously, can't you two just stop...?

"What are you two even doing?"

I exclaim, exasperated. They're evenly matched, both breathing heavily through their shoulders.

"Master, it seems these fellows are just common thugs. I'll rescue you now."

The maid says something utterly absurd. She raises her longsword and charges toward me at incredible speed.

"Get out of the way, Taro!"

Alex shouts, but since I'm inexperienced in combat, I have no idea what to do. So, as usual, I activate my usual move.

I touch the light gem hidden in my pocket and unleash a lightning spell.

Multiple bluish-white electric arcs surge before me, forming a complex pattern. Lately, I've been relying heavily on this electric barrier—it surprisingly works well in close combat.

The maid's longsword touches the electricity at the same moment, and the maid is shocked.

"Ugh..."

Letting out a small groan, the maid collapsed. She was still breathing—seemed to have managed to preserve only her consciousness. Even with a spontaneous activation, I'd become quite capable of controlling it precisely.

Yet, avoiding it was still the better choice; using magic wasn't necessary. From behind, a sparkling gaze shot toward me.

After that, we were in William's room.

The maid quickly got up, and instead of retaliating, she was scolded mercilessly by William.

When I asked Alex what had happened, he said I'd been taken away by a nobleman, so I questioned the crew members and tried to visit the noble's room, only to end up arguing fiercely with the unusually bold maid Anne, which escalated into a fight.

What a hassle.

The maid, for her part, seemed increasingly agitated, worried that the two of them wouldn't come out of the room no matter how much time passed.

This latest quarrel. Normally, such disputes would be judged in favor of the noble side, but thanks to the nurse's intervention, it ended in mutual blame.

"Then we'll take our leave now."

As he turned to stride out of the room with a confident air,

"Wait! We haven't finished talking yet!"

William shouted.

"What is it?"

Alex turned back.

"I've heard you were involved with the mysterious illness linked to water magic. And also about your magic master..."

"Master, that's not appropriate. What else were you going to say about the magic master?"

"It's fine. If I let you go now, your sister might not survive."

Something heavy hangs in the air.

"Taro-san! I'm offering an additional request. Will you listen to what I have to say?"

"Taro..."

Alex seems to be leaving the decision up to him.

Ah, honestly...

"I don't know what you expect from me, but I can't do much. I'm not sure I can solve whatever trouble you're in. Still, if that's alright with you, may I hear what you have to say?"

William's serious expression, unbecoming of a child, softened into a childlike smile.