Sorry, I was busy with other stuff. I will try to upload in a timely schedule.
I am currently in the central district of the kingdom.
With an invitation in my right hand, I head towards my destination.
“Well then…”
I stop and take another look at the invitation.
Two days ago, I received an invitation from Amelia’s family. It seems to be an official one from the Rose family, which surprised me.
It must have been arranged by Amelia’s mother, but I never expected to be welcomed so warmly.
Does this mean they value me as the Ice Blade to such an extent?
I’ve heard some stories about the world of sorcerers from my master, but that’s only superficial information. Even my master doesn’t have detailed knowledge about the three major noble families.
That’s why I need to dive into the midst of it all by myself.
Normally, I might not have to do something like this. It might be dangerous to throw myself into such a world.
However, I already have connections with the members of the three major noble families.
Each of them possesses a wonderful personality. To continue associating with them in the future, I should be prepared to live as the Ice Blade as well.
“…It’s about time.”
I mutter softly.
As usual, I was heading to Amelia’s family home in my school uniform. I do have a suit, but since I’m a student, I’m dressed the same way I was when I went to the association. Of course, I made sure I looked presentable.
I’m heading to the Rose family, the foremost of the three major noble families.
Since it’s morning, the sunlight isn’t too strong yet. I’m just slightly sweating.
I wipe my sweat lightly with the handkerchief in my pocket and recognize that there is a large mansion ahead.
The noble district.
That’s where I am now.
The residential areas of the kingdom are mainly in the east and west.
However, the nobles reside in the southern district closer to the central area. If you go further back in the southern district, there are mainly farmlands, but everything in front is noble land. They utilize that vast land to create luxurious mansions.
The Rose family is located in the most prominent spot, and I caught sight of it as soon as I entered the southern district. By the way, on the left and right are the Bradley family and the Olgren family.
The mansions of the three major noble families are lined up side by side.
As I continue walking, I see my friend Ariane standing there.
“Ariane, it’s been a while.”
“Ray, is it? I heard you were coming, but you’re early.”
“Yeah. I thought it would be rude to arrive late, so I came a bit early.”
Even during summer vacation, Ariane is dressed impeccably. She’s wearing a white dress, and the embroidery is of such high quality that it stands out.
Her shiny platinum hair is beautifully curled as usual.
“Ariane, it suits you well. You look beautiful today.”
“Eh…? R-Really?”
“Yeah. It’s the first time I’ve seen you in casual clothes, but I can tell you’ve put thought into it.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Ariane twirls a strand of hair around her finger, her cheeks slightly flushed.
When we stand in front of the Rose family’s gate, a maid quickly approaches and lets us enter the premises.
Beyond the gate is a fountain, and further ahead is the mansion. I had heard it was a luxurious mansion, but seeing it in person makes me realize once again that Amelia is truly a noble lady.
Ariane and I follow the maid as she leads us inside.
“Ray, let me give you one piece of advice.”
“What is it?”
“Be careful around Lady Eleonora.”
“Amelia’s mother? Why is that?”
“You’ll understand once you meet her. By the way…”
Ariane is looking up at me with half-closed eyes.
“You really are not an ordinary person, are you? It’s unheard of for a commoner to be invited to the house of one of the three great noble families.”
“…That’s true.”
“Do you admit it?”
“There’s no change in the fact that I come from a common background. But yes, as a sorcerer, it is undeniable that I am an extraordinary and special presence.”
“Hmm. Well, I’ll let you have that for now.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll find an opportunity to talk to you about it someday.”
I think it’s okay to tell Ariane that I am the Ice Blade.
However, the problem lies with the relationships among the three great noble families behind it.
As a student and one of the seven great sorcerers, I have no idea what kind of influence my existence will have on the nobles.
But surely, as my mentor says, it will be a bolt from the blue for the nobles. Furthermore, I am from a common background, which is something that is usually intolerable.
Jealousy, envy. And with those feelings, I do not know what will happen to me. That’s why my mentor has advised me to observe the situation for now.
“Ray! And Ariane too, come on in!”
As I stepped inside from the entrance, what spread out before me was a vast space. I had expected the size of the mansion, but the interior was indeed well-furnished. The walls were primarily red, and the carpet was similar.
In the midst of this, Amelia, who welcomed me at the entrance, was dressed differently than usual.
Her hair was partially braided and blended in with the rest of her hair, and her outfit consisted of a frilly pure white blouse and a bright red skirt.
However, that skirt was rather short, or perhaps this is the current trend.
Amelia’s supple and beautiful legs were almost fully exposed.
“Amelia, you… are you a bit too dressed up? No matter how much Ray—”
“W-wahhhhhh!”
Before Ariane could finish her sentence, Amelia hurriedly covered her mouth. Then the two of them whispered something in the corner before returning to me.
“Is something wrong, you two?”
“Nothing at all!”
“…I’m not convinced, but well, it’s nothing.”
“I see. By the way, it’s been a while since I last saw you in casual clothes, Amelia. It suits you well. Your beautiful legs are very attractive.”
“R-really!?”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t lie.”
“I see~. Hehe…”
With that, Amelia smiled widely, and I really felt she had changed. The current Amelia was truly smiling from her heart. I could sense that.
On the other hand, Ariane sighed and said,
“Hah… Ray, you really are oblivious.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, that’s also a virtue. But I pray that it doesn’t lead to something terrible someday.”
“I don’t really understand, but thank you for the warning.”
As the three of us were chatting, a maid called out to us.
“Lord Ray White.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“The lady is waiting for you. She would like to meet with you first.”
“Understood.”
When I looked at Amelia, she seemed a bit awkward… but I couldn’t refuse here. I straightforwardly agreed.
“Well then, Amelia and Ariane. I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah. Be careful, Ray.”
“Well, do your best.”
Then I was guided deeper into the mansion and arrived in front of a large door. The maid said, “This way, please.”
Since I was about to meet a sorcerer from the Rose family, the head of the three great noble families, I knocked slowly about four times.
Then, from inside, I heard a very beautiful voice say, “Please, come in.”
“Excuse me.”
I bowed respectfully on the spot, and Amelia’s mother greeted me with a graceful smile.
“Ray White. I have been waiting for you.”
“Thank you for inviting me today.”
“Oh, no, no. Please, have a seat.”
“Yes. Excuse me.”
Since it was a reception room, the interior was simple. Just like when I spoke with the president of the Magic Association, there were two sofas facing a long table.
After I sat down on the sofa, several maids placed tea and sweets on the table and then left the room.
The maid’s skill was remarkable, and in no time, the place was set up. As expected of the Rose family’s maid.
“Now, let me formally introduce myself. I am Eleonora Rose, the wife of the current head of the family. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“My name is Ray White. The pleasure is mine.”
“Hehe. Please call me Nora. That’s what my close acquaintances do.”
“Then, may I call you Nora…?”
“Yes, that’s fine. I will also call you Ray.”
“Alright.”
With that, Nora added a lump of sugar to her tea, stirred it, and took a sip.
After elegantly placing her cup back, she smiled and began to converse.
“Amelia has been praising you very much, you know?”
“I’m flattered.”
“This is a bit of a story from the past… that child was quite unfortunate.”
“…”
“When you are the eldest daughter of one of the three great noble families, the expectations placed on you are immense. She possesses extraordinary talent compared to ordinary sorcerers and has worked hard. Amelia is a daughter I take pride in.”
“…”
“However, Ariane from the Olgren family and Rebecca from the Bradley family have always been ahead of Amelia. As she compared herself to others, Amelia began to lose sight of herself.”
“I see…”
“Yes. But should parents intervene? I consulted with my husband, but he simply said that Amelia would surely overcome it. I’ve been worried about her all this time.”
Nora’s tone shifted slightly, as if she were joking, but she continued to speak with a hint of enjoyment.
“In the end, despite being her mother… I couldn’t do anything for that child. It sounds good to say I was watching over her, but… I think I was just running away from her. But Amelia has changed. Thanks to you, of all people.”
“…No, I believe Amelia changed on her own. I was merely a catalyst.”
“You are humble. However, the reason Amelia has acquired such unique sorcery is surely due to your teachings, right?”
“…”
It seems she has done her research, likely referring to the ranger training. And It appears I can’t hide anything from her.
Her sharp gaze pierced through me like a predator hunting its prey.
“I only did it because I wanted to help her.”
“Yes. You are a wonderful friend who cares for her. But that’s why I find it strange. There are few people in this world who can guide Amelia. It’s undeniable that she has extraordinary talent. So, when I looked into it, what came up was… the Ice Blade Sorcerer.”
Her words began to heat up. Nora seemed to immerse herself in her thoughts as she continued to speak.
“I heard that Lydia Ainsworth was injured during the Far East War. However, while she was ostensibly focused on treatment, it was said she continued with the Ice Blade… That’s how it was. Other nobles likely still think that she is the strongest Ice Blade Sorcerer. But upon deeper investigation—well, this is my own method—it seems the Ice Blade was passed down to a certain boy.”
I immediately responded without hesitation.
“That would be me. There’s no mistake.”
“At such a young age, to be one of the Seven Great Sorcerers and to have reached the Ice Blade… I haven’t looked into your past, but it must be quite extraordinary. The position of Seven Great Sorcerer is not a place one can reach casually. I understand well, as someone who aimed for that position more than anyone else. That’s why your existence is so extraordinary. I really don’t know what to say…”
“I’m flattered.”
Then, after a light cough, Nora took on a more serious expression.
“Now, I have a proposal for you, Ray.”
“What is it?”
I calmly replied.
This must be the main topic.
What on earth is she going to say?
“I would like you to guide Amelia.”
“…Do you mean as a sorcerer?”
“Yes. That child’s unique sorcery is too powerful. I may be biased, but she has the potential to become a sorcerer on par with Origin.”
“I agree with you. Sorcery that interferes with causality is far too powerful and dangerous.”
“Exactly. If misused, it could lead to… a magical realm rampage, turning one into a vegetable. You understand well, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
It seems she knows about the magic realm rampage as well. She is certainly not someone to be underestimated.
“Can I ask this of you?”
“I had already intended to do so.”
“I see. No, I knew that, but just to be sure… or rather, it’s a mother’s concern. I feel sorry for leaving it to you like this. But in return, if you ever find yourself in trouble, please let me know. While it may be difficult for the Rose family, I will personally help if I can.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed my head at that moment. At the same time, I felt the tension begin to ease.
It seems Nora’s main topic was concluded with that.
She truly seems to care for her daughter. I felt genuinely relieved, as I had various concerns that now seemed unfounded.
“Oh, and this is just a little side note, but…”
“What is it?”
“What do you think of Amelia?”
“I think she is a good friend. I learn a lot from her, and I hope we can continue to uplift each other.”
“Today, she is dressed quite nicely, but… what do you think about that?”
“She is a wonderful woman who can be considerate, especially since she knows guests are coming to her home.”
Nora seemed somewhat disappointed and let out a deliberately exaggerated sigh.
“Ah… I see. I understand, I understand. It seems you aren’t lying. That child has it tough.”
“？ What do you mean by that?”
“No, it doesn’t have a particular meaning. Just my musings.”
Though I felt somewhat puzzled, it seemed the conversation was coming to an end here.
“Well then, please make yourself comfortable in my house. I will leave the rest to Amelia and the maid.”
“Yes. Then, I will take my leave.”
As I stood up smoothly from the sofa, I bowed once more in that spot.
Thus, I successfully concluded my conversation with Nora-san.
However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a lingering gaze following me from behind, but it was probably just my imagination.
“Now, the question is how to… get Amelia to do that…”
Nora-san’s voice faded away.
I continued to walk through the mansion without paying much attention to the voice.
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