It has been a little over a month since the duel incident.
Nothing particularly problematic has happened since then.
At the academy, I attend classes, and on weekends, I train in martial arts and study with Sharl.
Basically, I’ve been living life with this rhythm, enjoying a peaceful school life.
Even Toko and Sharl, who were once described as being at odds like dogs and monkeys, haven’t clashed.
I saw them pass each other from a distance the other day, but they didn’t glare at each other. In fact, they avoided eye contact while passing by.
Of course, the reason is that the discord between Toko and Sharl has disappeared.
To be more precise, Sharl and I have been holding study sessions every other week, either at my place or at a family restaurant, and whenever she comes over, Toko and I have started talking normally.
So, there’s no chance for glaring, and since we have our home matters to attend to, there’s no chance for friendly chatter either.
The result is that they pass by each other as if the other doesn’t exist.
It’s quite amusing to watch.
Enjoying my school life in this manner, on a certain Sunday, I visited the academy with my mother and met with the principal in his office.
“Hmmmm…”
The principal was examining my left arm, touching the bracelet while deeply concentrating.
“Principal, what do you think?”
When my mother asked, the principal looked up.
“First, I’d like to ask—why has the bracelet turned black?”
The golden bracelet on my left arm had turned black.
“I painted it with magic. It was too flashy.”
The other day, Yuika said it didn’t suit me, so I decided to take Grandfather’s advice.
Kind classmates like Giselle and Sharl never even touched on this topic…
“So, that’s how it is…”
“I’m in my rebellious phase.”
I hate gold bracelets.
“I’m sorry…”
My mother apologized.
“No, no, I understand, I understand…”
Truly, the head of education knows well.
“So, what’s the situation now? Can it be removed?”
If it could be removed, then the issue of it being tacky would be irrelevant.
“Since then, I’ve investigated various texts, but we haven’t found any leads. What about Ms. Giselle?”
When the principal shook his head and asked my mother…
“At the La Folle household, we’ve been searching for a wizard who can perform the counter-spell, but it hasn’t been going well.”
“There are few sorcerers, and they’re very busy as well…”
It seems like a popular job, doesn’t it?
“Principal, how is Tsukasa’s magic power?”
“It feels like it has decreased slightly, but to be honest, Tsukasa’s magic power is so great that it might just be a margin of error… However, for now, it seems there’s no problem.”
“To be safe, I’ve been giving him potions to replenish his magic power…
That awful stuff Grandma sent…
I’m forced to drink it every night before bed, and it’s unpleasant. Sharl should improve it like she does.
“Umm… So, what do you think? Tsukasa isn’t the type of wizard who releases magic power, right? Actually, I investigated a bit more, and this bracelet seems to steal not just magic power but also the source of Tsukasa’s magic power itself.”
What does “source” even mean…
“Teacher, I don’t understand.”
“Indeed… Magic power is often compared to a watering can. Basically, using magic is like pouring water from the watering can into a glass. Naturally, the water in the watering can decreases when you pour it. However, it recovers over time. In Tsukasa’s case, his watering can is larger than others, and he isn’t the type of wizard who pours water into a glass. Rather, he’s the type that changes the water in the watering can. Therefore, the water in the watering can doesn’t usually decrease.”
I guess if I were in a game, I would be a magic user with a lot of MP who doesn’t even use said MP.
Alone, that seems absolutely useless baggage, but I can increase my attack and defense power using this MP.
Yeah, I’m definitely strong!
“But, teacher, isn’t this fine? The bracelet may steal magic power, but it does recover over time, right?”
“That goes back to the discussion about the source being stolen. The bracelet doesn’t just steal the water from the watering can, it also makes the watering can itself smaller.”
Huh!?
So my maximum MP is decreasing!?
That’s my only strong point…
“That’s not good, is it?”
“It’s only a tiny bit at a time. Tsukasa’s watering can is really big, so for now, there’s no problem at all. However, this will become critical over the years. About five years…”
Within five years, we must either remove the curse or lose the arm.
“Five years…”
“It sounds long but is quite short. I thought hard about whether to tell you this, but I decided to do so. The bracelet is making Tsukasa’s watering can smaller. It will continue to shrink over time. Tsukasa’s greatest strength as a wizard is the size of his watering can. Sooner or later, we need to find a compromise.”
Hm?
“What do you mean?”
“Even if the curse on the bracelet is lifted, there’s no guarantee the lost magic power will return. In other words, there’s a possibility that Tsukasa is losing the talent of magic power. Sooner or later, you will have to choose: talent or arm.”
“Of course the arm. Are you an idiot?”
“Are you?”
“No, wouldn’t most people choose the arm?”
As I said that, the principal shook his head.
“Most wizards would choose talent.”
“Huh?”
Seriously?
“Truthfully, even I would consider losing my arm if it meant gaining Tsukasa’s magic power.”
No way…
“I’ll definitely choose the arm though…”
“Maybe because you’ve always had it, or because you have limited experience as a wizard, or maybe it’s just your personality… We don’t know which one. But the fact is, most wizards choose talent.”
After hearing that, I looked at my mother.
“I am Makoto’s wife and your parent. I chose family over magic when I married. So I would choose the arm. But when I was younger, I would have definitively chosen talent.”
Seriously…
“Hmm… But, I think I’d still choose the arm. I wouldn’t be able to fight without my left arm, right?”
“True, Tsukasa is better suited to that aspect of wizardry. That’s a valid way of thinking. But please keep this in mind. It feels inappropriate to impose such thoughts on a young person like you.”
No way, it’s the arm all the way.
Doesn’t even require consideration.
Thank you for reading.
If you thought this was ‘funny!’ or are ‘curious about the continuation!’, I’d deeply appreciate it if you’d bookmark the story or upgrade the rating from ‘☆☆☆☆☆’ to ‘★★★★★’. It would be a great motivation for me to continue writing.
Thank you!
