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Chapter: 291

The word spread quickly throughout Procyon that the mage Encia, who manipulates the weather, had brought a disciple with her from somewhere.

Many mages were curious about who this child was, especially since Encia had turned down numerous applicants citing age as an excuse.

“Isn’t it just an ordinary child? One who can’t even use magic!”

“The magical power inside them… it’s… low…? No, it’s almost nonexistent!”

“Do you really intend to take this child as your disciple? With such little magical power, it seems impossible for them to become a mage.”

“My thoughts remain unchanged.”

Encia said, resting a hand on the shoulder of the black-haired slave girl she had brought, while one of the seven elders ruling Procyon, and the president of the Elemental Research Society, sighed in response.

“Logically, do you really think it’s reasonable to turn such a low-powered child into a mage? The power one is born with is everything for a mage.”

“That could have been true. Until now.”

“Until now? It sounds like you’re suggesting our common sense might be flawed.”

Encia remained silent. It wasn’t the right time to reveal the truth about magic and magical power to them yet.

“I have a method in mind. It needs a bit more verification, but… perhaps even those who are not mages can become mages.”

“Hmm? You mean those who are not mages can become mages? What kind of foolish talk is that? The powers of mages are blessings bestowed upon us by the gods.”

At the old mage’s words, Encia let out a sigh that was barely audible.

The notion that mages are special beings or that they are blessed by the gods was incredibly frustrating for her.

At the same time, she understood why Tia had referred to this as a test for her—because they, who could manage the special powers they were born with, proudly claimed superiority over those who did not.

Yet, they were rigid thinkers who refused to accept different perspectives.

Such mages would likely become a major problem later on.

What would Tia have done about those mages?

Would she have scolded them loudly in anger? Or would she have gently persuaded them with kind words?

The answer was already clear to me.

Encia herself was the answer.

“It might be reckless. But if successful, it could significantly help Procyon. It might even resolve the chronic issue of population shortage.”

“That… might be true, but…”

Other mages, except for Encia, were individuals who instinctively moved magical power from birth and could handle the phenomena known as magic.

Those who manipulated magical power purely out of instinct—gathered in Procyon, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, or even as slaves.

But, of course, their numbers were not abundant.

How many are born with strong magical power and a strong will to manipulate it?

Naturally, it wasn’t many.

Thanks to this, Procyon was forever in a state of lacking mages.

Of course, there were regular people living in Procyon, but the very existence of Procyon depended on the power of mages.

Maintaining the number of those mages was the most important thing in Procyon.

“Of course, I’m speaking hypothetically about success.”

“Hmm… But if we can successfully ensure a steady supply of mages…!”

Despite being composed of individuals with the powerful strength of mages, Procyon remained a city-state confined to its size, originated from the chronic shortage of mages.

Even if they wanted to expand their territory, they couldn’t due to the population issue.

“Indeed, it would definitely help Procyon a lot…!”

“Yes. That’s right. Existing mages might even be able to use stronger magic.”

“What?! Why didn’t you mention something so important sooner!!”

“Because it’s still uncertain. More research is needed.”

“Ahem. I see! I’ll ensure you register your disciple right away! But I want you to keep me updated on your research progress!”

“Yes, understood.”

Thus, the black-haired slave girl, who couldn’t use magic, was registered as a mage of Procyon.

—

“After all the trouble you went through to bring her here, have you forgotten to express your gratitude to your master?”

“That’s a story you’ve repeated countless times. It’s starting to sound like a hallucination.”

The master and disciple continued their meal, chatting about various topics while eating the slightly cold soup and bread.

Talks about research. Progress in gathering and storing magical power. Stories about other mages casting curious glances. Occasionally, stories of wanting to play.

As trivial and significant stories alternated, smiles began to form at both of their lips.

Having been alone, Encia took in the small slave girl, gave her the name Cecil, and slowly began to find stability in her life with her as a disciple.

The void left by Tia began to fill little by little.

—

“By the way, who is that Tia person you keep mentioning?”

“Hmm? Tia?”

“Yes. You seem to talk about her often… but I don’t know much about her.”

Encia nodded slightly. Her name had come up several times in conversation with Cecil. It was understandable to be curious.

“Well… she was both like an older sister and a master to me. Honestly, I’ve never seen her, just heard her voice… but without her, I would never have become a mage.”

“Is that so? A terrific mage like you, Master?”

“Yes. Because of the things I learned from Tia, I can attempt to turn you, who are not a mage, into a mage.”

Cecil nodded slightly at Encia’s words.

The wonder she felt the first time she saw magic.

The overwhelming joy when she was told she could become a mage.

Every word from her, every action, every lesson.

All of it was a source of light and salvation for Cecil.

That longing was… shattered by the chaotic reality of Encia’s life.

Yet, concerning magic, she remained an object of admiration.

“So you’re saying she would be your master?”

“That’s right. I owe my current self to her teachings.”

Cecil beamed at Encia’s bright smile when Tia’s name came up, feeling a bit of jealousy, but that feeling quickly faded away.

Just as Cecil valued her master, Tia was precious to Encia too. So of course it was natural for Encia to smile like that.

Still, a little jealousy couldn’t be helped.

“Alright. Meal’s over. So what’s on today’s schedule?”

“In the morning, someone from the Procyon Elder Council is supposed to come. They probably want to check on our progress.”

“Progress, huh… Cecil. How’s the magical power storage coming along?”

Cecil placed a hand above her solar plexus and opened her mouth.

“Most of the natural magical power you provide me with drains away before becoming my magical power, but I can still convert a little bit. I think I can use a spell even bigger than the last one.”

“Well, that’s a relief. But the efficiency of natural magical power isn’t great… Should we use mana stones?”

“No. I still managed to gather some. I prefer the one you provide. It feels like the more I gather, the more I can convert.”

“Just make sure not to overexert yourself. It’s important to keep within the amount you can control.”

The rampage caused by an uncontrollable amount of magical power could lead to disastrous outcomes for a mage.

Thus, Cecil began to walk the path of a mage little by little, following Encia’s teachings.

—

Six years since Cecil became Encia’s disciple. Now at 16, she proved her magic by conjuring a light shower before many mages.

The young girl who had lost her name as a slave, who was said to have too little magical power to ever hope to become a mage, was now a proper mage, carrying on her master’s magic.

Though her magic was weaker than her master’s, the fact that an ordinary girl who had no knowledge of magic could become a mage delivered a huge shock to Procyon.

Thus, Encia organized all the teachings she received from Tia and the knowledge gained from teaching Cecil into one book.

—

“What do you intend to title it?”

“Umm… Basic Theory of Magic? This theory will lay the foundation for all mages going forward.”

“Well… it does sound fitting since it’s a book that will lay down fundamental knowledge for mages, but it still feels somehow lacking.”

“Lacking? In what way?”

“I think it should include your name. You wrote this amazing book, so your name should be in it!”

At Cecil’s words, Encia hesitated for a moment.

While it was her book, over half of the content was a compilation of knowledge she learned from Tia.

It didn’t feel complete enough to claim it as entirely her own.

“Should I just call it ‘Basic Theory of Magic by Tia’?”

“What about your name?”

“But for the content I’ve created, I’ve only tested, reproduced, and verified it. The rest is all Tia’s knowledge.”

“Still, it’s your work and your verified content. Without including your name, it wouldn’t be acceptable!”

At Cecil’s insistence, Encia gently nodded. Hmm. Certainly, since she had written it, it would be alright for her name to be included.

So then,

“How about… combining both our names? Encia-Tia? No, that feels off. Umm… slightly adjusting mine, Cientia? Basic Theory of Magic by Cientia?”

“Oh. That sounds good!”

“R-Really?”

Encia smiled subtly at Cecil’s comment.

How would Tia react to this name? Would she smile? Would she grumble that it didn’t suit her? Or would she praise Encia for her effort?

Whatever the answer, she wanted to hear it.

Encia longed to hear Tia’s voice once more.

 

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