Chapter 160 - Episode 155: A New Mage ①
Anyone born in the Kingdom of Lordberg, from royalty to slaves, undergoes a ritual called the "Rite of Blessing."
Upon turning ten, the Rite of Blessing is performed either at a church of the Milleon Holy Religion Mission or by inviting a priest or bishop to one's home. The purpose of the rite is to search for the magical talent dwelling within a person and make them aware of that talent, thereby enabling them to use magic.
If one possesses vast magical power and superior magical talent, their life changes completely. They are respected by the people, who call them "Mage-sama," and depending on their ability, they may be hired by nobles or the royal family under favorable conditions. Furthermore, depending on their performance, it is even possible for the person themselves to be granted the status of an honorary noble.
"—Now, please come to the center of the magic crest on the floor. Please sit on both knees within this circle."
"Y-yes."
On an autumn day, at the church in the capital city of Noeina, children who had turned ten within the last six months were gathered, and they were receiving the Rite of Blessing one by one according to Priest Hasel's instructions.
It is considered best to perform the Rite of Blessing during a mild season; for commoners and slaves, it is common to receive the ritual collectively at the church twice a year, in spring and autumn.
"Next, please drink this. It is magic stone powder dissolved in thin wine."
As told by Priest Hasel, the boy who was about to receive the Rite of Blessing drank the contents of the cup handed to him. Perhaps it was his first time tasting alcohol, as he coughed slightly midway through, but he managed to drink it all.
"You've finished? Then, please fold your hands in front of your chest and take a posture of prayer... Now, let us begin."
Priest Hasel held a staff, a magic tool for the ritual, above the boy's head. When he infused his own magical power into it to activate it, the magic crest carved into the staff glowed.
"O God. Only and absolute God, Father of the great sky and Mother of the earth. Under Your protection and mercy, rivers murmur as blood circulates, and winds blow as breath circulates—"
A long scripture was recited by Priest Hasel.
"—Place Your great hand upon this young child and reveal the blessing hidden within."
As the scripture ended, the staff held by the priest emitted one final, large flash of light, filling the vision of everyone present—the other children waiting their turn and their parents—with a dazzling white.
When this light faded, if the body of the child who received the Rite of Blessing emitted a glow, it meant that child possessed magical talent. The stronger the glow, the greater the magical talent.
"...Oh, this is!"
Seeing the boy whose body glowed as if the light of the staff had transferred directly to him, Priest Hasel let out an involuntary exclamation.
It was undeniable to anyone watching; the boy possessed magical talent, and a great talent that would be worthy of being called a "mage."
The boy's father, watching from behind, widened his eyes, and other parents and children were also surprised, as a stir spread through the area. The boy himself remained motionless with his hands folded and eyes closed. Inside the boy's head, the words of God meant to make him aware of what his talent was should have been flowing in.
Eventually, the glow of the boy's body subsided.
"Everyone, please be quiet... Konrad-kun. Can you explain what kind of magical talent you were granted?"
Only the person who received the ritual knows what kind of talent they were granted. Priest Hasel asked the boy—Konrad.
"Y-yes, um... should I call it a talent for conversation? A magical talent that lets me converse even with people far away, or people with different languages... it seems."
"...I see, a talent for Dialogue Magic."
Dialogue Magic is magic that achieves conversation beyond the limits of ordinary people through "Far-talk" and "Translation." Looking at Konrad's glow from earlier, he likely possesses enough ability to work under a king or noble while being called a "Dialogue Mage." The ability to exchange words with someone dozens of kilometers away and communicate with the people of distant foreign lands.
"Congratulations, Konrad-kun. You are a being who hides great potential. And... congratulations to you as well, Father. On this day, your son's future has opened up."
Saying so, Priest Hasel looked at the boy before him, and then at his father standing behind him—Rick.
.....
Having witnessed his son Konrad's Rite of Blessing, Rick left the church with him.
"...Hahaha, I'm surprised. I never imagined you had such amazing magical talent."
"...Y-yeah. I guess so, Father."
While walking the path home, Rick exchanged words with Konrad, who was still somewhat in a dreamlike state.
Shortly after becoming an adult, he married, and this eldest son was born the following year. When the pioneer village of his birth was caught up in a conflict, he fled with his wife and the still-young Konrad, wandered the western part of the kingdom, and eventually reached the Arqvist territory.
In the rich new land, Konrad grew up freely, and today, he became a mage.
The boy himself likely felt both joy and confusion, but it was the same for his father, Rick. The possibilities that had suddenly opened before his son were too great, and he didn't know what to do or how to do it.
"...For now!"
"?"
Rick suddenly spoke in a bright voice, and Konrad, who was walking beside him, looked up at his father in slight surprise.
"Today is a celebration! Let's have Mother make something delicious. I'll pay, so you can ask for any ingredients that can be bought in this capital!"
"...R-really?"
"Yeah, really! Because it's a happy day!"
Perhaps relieved to see Rick striving to speak brightly, Konrad showed his usual smile.
He didn't know what path his son would take from here, or how he should support him, but he figured he could get help if he consulted Chief Retainer Yuri or the Lord, Noein.
First, for now, he should simply rejoice and celebrate that his son's future had opened up. Rick thought so.
.....
The day after the Rite of Blessing. Regarding his eldest son Konrad's magical talent, Rick decided to first consult his superior, Chief Retainer Yuri, who possessed a talent for Dialogue Magic, albeit an incomplete one.
"I see, a talent for Dialogue Magic... and not a half-baked one like mine, but a complete talent was granted. That's wonderful."
"Thank you. So, regarding the future... I can't teach my son anything, and moreover, I don't even know what I should do. I'm ashamed to admit it."
"Hahaha, it's only natural. There's no need to worry about it."
To Rick, who spoke seriously, Yuri replied with a deliberately light voice.
For Rick, who was originally a rural farmer, it was only natural that he wouldn't know how to guide a son who suddenly became a mage one day. He was not at fault.
"Well, I've used Dialogue Magic conveniently myself. I can teach him training methods and precautions when using magic... but the rest is a matter of where and how your son wants to live."
"...That's... true."
Dialogue Mages are rare and extremely useful existences. Since they can converse with someone a day's journey by horse using "Far-talk."
The royal family hires and gathers Dialogue Mages with exceptional treatment, building a communication network that reaches from the royal capital to each region. Many Dialogue Mages thus become royal court mages, so there are few examples of nobles keeping them personally.
Rick's son Konrad might also end up going to the King.
If that happened, the opportunities to meet in his subsequent life would be few and far between. As a parent, it was both joyful and lonely.
"Either way, first we have to report to Lord Noein. I'll have him meet your son once, and let Lord Noein speak to him directly about the future."
"...Yes."