Chapter 7: The debut of a new foe

After our abrupt return and seeing off Lulu I got into crossfire of questioning from my parents… I had to confess that I used transfer magic I devised to teleport us out of the city. Given that no-one realisied it, father almost fainted, becouse I devised a spell that could pass through void barrier. Personally I think barrier from space magic could be stronger.

The next day was the debut of young children of nobles who turned ten during last year, The New years debut. I was introduced to many people and becouse I didn’t have Kiira with me, who usually took notes of important people near us, I was on my own to remember everyone. But how the hell am I supposed to remember around one thousand kids?! Not even speaking about their parents!!

„You’re doing great Leo, but be on guard now. We are going to meet Duke Glemburg and his family.“

„Understood.“

The crowd moved away from us, as father gave everyone grieve look. From faces of people around us I knew that they were pitying us… wait, Glemburg… that’s the shithead who took half of our former territory!

„Sir Glemburg,“ Father give a short nod.

The man to respond him was short fat and ugly. If he starts to oink he will be no different from pig.

The girl chuckled behind her fan. Did she read my thoughts? I used my King of wisdom's apprisal ability, which is more usefull then regular apprisal. I mean I can get her entire bio, from height, weight to her three sizes. Oh, I can even see her cup size.

Name: Anastasia Nina Glemburg
Age: 10
Level: 7
Titles: Hated child, Cursed child, Duke’s fifth daughter
Skills: Hide skill, Psychic magic (2), Wind magic (3), Dark magic (1), Telepathy (U)

She can read my mind!

I secretly used Solitude field spell on my parents and me as well. I smiled once again, yet the girl seemed terrified.

„Oink, sir Netrose, what a suprise to see you. How’s ministry of labyrinth resources doing oink?“

He oinked! You for real?! I’m dying here! Buhahahahahahahahahahhahaah!

„Really nicely I must say. Even with minimal income, we are making our keep,“ Fathers forced smile seemed a little angry.

„Is that so, oink? Ah! This must me the son you’re so proud off.“

„Yes, my name is Leonard Hirano Netrose, it’s a pleasure,“ I gave a slight bow without any smile. My face was stone hard with no emotion in it.

„Where the smile went oink?“

„Oh, I always smile, good sir. Just sometimes only inside.“

The girl shrugged as if she was scared of me.

After that terrible experience we sit in corner of the room and father brought us something to drink. The opening was scheduled to start soon and we wanted to make ourself little comfortable before going before king one family at time.

„Mom, dad, I have something to tell you.“

„What is it?“ mom asked.

„That girl. She have telepathy skill.“

„„What?““ they both exclaimed.

„Oh, no need to worry. As soon as I found out I casted spell to block it.“

„Silent chant?“ dad pondered.

„I wouldn’t be suprised if Leo didn’t used chant at all,“ mom continued.

„Be it as it may, we have to warn the king. Luckily we go to meet king right before them.“

„LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE KING ENTERED THE ROOM!“

In that moment strong opresive aura washed over everyone in the room. I once again casted Solitude field but it failed. The spell against skills was uneffective. Which meant only one thing. Unique skill of high caliber. Gods, tell me why? Why so many people have unique skills? Aren’t they considered rare? This is second today!

I used my own unique skill, King of wisdom to block it and by doing so a new subskill appeared. It’s name was Skill weaver <allows it’s user to change structure of skills possesed by him and his vassals> Seems like power to combine and deleate. Wait, with King of greed as power to gain skills I’m right now capable of producing new skills. Let’s see… if I combine self-healing and self-recovery I will gain... Auto-heal. Let's test it…

Like everyone else I was kneeling before the king as he was speaking. Yet my mind was in full panic mode in order to create skill to negate unique skill. The Auto-heal skill I just created is level 5, just as it’s sources were. But if I combine skills of different level value, the outcome skill will be directly in middle of the two. I can also combine multiple skills, but more skills combined the more power it takes to create, not just magic, stamina and HP goes down as well. This is really dangerous skill.

The auto-heal skill kicked in after one minute. It seems like the oppresion was form of mental attack. I took a glance at the king… he’s looking at me… he know I blocked his power… oh no.

After the speach the royal family returned to it’s private chambers to recieve audience one on one… I won’t lie, I’m scared.

„Let’s go Leo,“ father urges me.

„Yessss,“ I let out a defeated response.

We were let in the room where the king and his family were sitting and waiting for us. They were sitting at long table on one side and we were seated on the other side. For whatever reason I was sitting across the princes, which was staring at me real hard. Is something on my face?

„So this is your youngest son Flik?“ king started speaking cassually, dispersing the tense atmosphreare.

„That he is. Clever little kid.“

„Yes I saw that,“ the king smiled.

„You did?“ mother asked.

„I used my unique skill earlier and this little kid deflected it right back.“

„„Leo…““ mom and dad sighed as one.

„Kid, do you possess a skill to negate unique skills?“ the king asked.

„N-no your majesty… it’s just that two of my skills combined their power and merged into one.“

„Oh… yes I heard about that happening sometimes. Yet I have a feeling that the two of us are alike…“

„I’m not that impresive your majesty, I can’t be compared to one such as you.“

„Damn, this kid speaks like you Sareen… I can see why you are so proud of him Flik.“

„Yeah, he can do many thing that are suprising us constantly. Like today, he found out about telepathy skill holder.“

„What?!“ the king exclaimed and ordered everyone to leave the room. My family and him were the only ones left.

„Now speak kid,“ the king urged me.

„Yes! The girl I found possesing the skill is Nina Glemburg. Also she have titles such as Hated child and Cursed child, but I belive those are from people of their domain.“

„I see, I would really like to trust you, but the pig is minister of finance so he have a lot of power.“

Even the king calls him pig! Buhahahaha!

„Then, what if I used spell that would reverse the effects of telepathy?“

„„Leo?““ mother and Father said with puzzled faces.

„What do you wish to gain from this, boy?“ the king said.

„Nothing, really,“ I smiled. Well I can’t ask for skill orbs right?

„Well, if you are right, then let me give you my dauhgter as wife,“ the king smiled wolfishly.

„My king, I belive our son is little young for that.“

„Plus we allowed him to marry whoever he wants after he became adult!“ My parents started talking one over the other.

„Your majesty, your offer is really the most generous, but as third son, I won’t be able to get fathers title and I didn’t make any major contribution to society, or kingdom—“

King rised his hand to stop me and said: „If you’re anything like your father then major contribution will came before even enroling in school. But fine, we will not press this any further. But remember this, the time you make major contribution I will bring this again.“

Am I going to live in hiding from now on? Also what did he meant by major contributions will came before enrolling to school, father?!

With that done, I casted [Reverse telepathy barrier], I just finished with spell weaver skill, on the king and his family who returned. When I finnished casting the spell on the princess I saw her blushing a little. Okay, she’s as cute as my sisters and Kiira, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to marry her… no! Get a grip Leo! That’s a trap and you know it!! Those eyes are trying to lure you in! Endure it!

As I shok my head strongly, the princess tilted her head and I could see questionmarks above her head.

We left for other room to wait for king to make his decision. I tried to use my keen hearing to listen in, but all I heard was white noice. Probably some barrier was in place there.

We waited for an hour when princess and queen entered the room. The princess zoomed to me and looked closely to my eyes while holding my hands in tight grip.

„What was that spell? Was it just space magic, or something else? Tell me! Tell me!“

If I imagined Tifaana here, I could see her tail wagging.

„W-well it’s my original spell. I used my knowledge of psychic magic to create it. I can’t use psychic magic so I helped myself this way.“

„Amazing! How many spells did you create? Tell me! Tell me!“

„I’m sorry for my daughter, when she learned that there are only three spells in space magic she started frantically studying magic circles in order to create new spells, but no fruit came from it.“

„Here! See? See?“ the princess pushed some papers from her magic pouch to me. I give a look at it and realised something.

„This spell… looks like my dimension cut, but… how to put it… it’s kinda sloppy. This formulation is good, but this symbol is upside down, and this part must be written specularly. You can remove this part here and here, that will reduce the mana consumption. Aaaand done.“

„Whoa– you’re amazing! Please tell me more!“

„I can share some reaserch with you, but sadly I left all of it back home.“

„Then deffinitely write me a letter when you do. Mother! I’m going to test the spell right now!“

„Victina! You still have to meet all the nobles who came here!“

„That’s not important right now! Tell father that I’m ill or something!“ she said in doors as she dissapered behind them.

„Urgh, there she goes again… everything is secondary to her when someone mentions magic… Please send her some of your spells, I’m affraid that if she can’t get her hands on them, then she will march to Roseburg even on foot.“

„I understand, I will copy some of my original spells and send them here.“

„Please do. Although I must say it would be easier for you if you accepted her hand in marriage.“

Et tu?    <Latin: You too?>

I stared dumbfoundly at the queen but quickly fixed my posture and played it out of this topic.

„So what happened there?“ mom asked.

„Just as you said, the girl used telepathy there and was found out. Her father, Duke Glemburg, tried to play it as her being difficult. Right now they are with questioner.“

Questioner is job which only selected few people can use. Their power allows them to find truth no matter how deep it’s hidden. No-one can get away with a lie before someone with powers of a questioner.

I want those powers.

„Seems they are for some hard time right now,“ father gave a rather smug smile.

After this we returned to big hall and resume our talks with nobles. I was luckily released from it and took shelter near buffet style food table.

„Lord Leo~“ a voice called me out.

I turned around and saw Lulu in one piece dress of light blue color with few petal shape frills at the end. Her long wavy hairs were freely waving behind her as she was walking fastly towards me.

„Miss Lulu, you are as stunning as always,“ I gave a little polite bow.

„Stop it Leo, you’re making me blush~“ she said with a little twirl.

„So your meeting with king was rather short I see.“

„Yes, we came across some noble who offended the king and was moved out of the palace. He spoke weirdly, oinking after every sentence…“

That’s duke Pighead all right.

„So now we will be socilizing with nobles our ages huh?“

„Father said that this is usually good place to pick spouse if you don’t have any.“

What’s with that look Lulu? You brought it up you know? Why are you looking at me like I would take all of them?

„Yes, I heard that as well, honestly speaking, some of the lower ranked nobles already tried to set me up with their daughters, but thanks to father and mother they were hushed away.“

„I see,“ Lulu showed a relieved look as she said that.

But in that moment, a music started to play and adults, with their kids following their example, entered the dance floor.

„Lulu, can I have this dance?“ I asked with my hand out streatched and little bow.

„Y-yesh,“ Lulu turned bright red and accepted my hand. We tried to dance, but Lulu kept stepping on my feets.

„I–I’m sorry… I can’t dance like other noble girls here…“

„Lulu, try imagining we are at training grounds in middle of fight. Remember foot work in swordsmanship lessons are like footwork at dancing.“

„Oh? Well, okay…“

I’m not sure if it helped, but Lulu started stepping on my feets less and less.

„Wow… I’m dancing!“ Lulu’s smile warmed my heart. I reluctantly remembered how I was learning how to dance in my past life, that time it was Kiira who helped me the most.

After those few amazing and unforgetable minutes the music stopped and with a little bow we returned from parket.

„E-excuse me, could I asky ou something?“ a young boy approached us.

„Yes? What is it?“ I answered with smile.

„I–I’m second son of Count Kilten, my name is William. I wanted to ask you something.“

„Oh, sure, ask me what ever. And sorry for my late inroduction, my name is Leonard Hirano Netrose, third son of Duke Netrose.“

„Sir Leonard, I wanted to ask for your secret about dancing.“

„There is no secret really. I only let the music go through my body and I followed with memorized steps.“

„Oh, I see. Thank you very much,“ with little bow the boy left.

After that I went to pick some drinks for me and Lulu and when I returned I saw her on verge of tears. Some noble girls were picking on her. Honestly, what is this? A wild introduction of third class villans who are forgoten after two minutes?

„I’m back Lulu, here's your drink. Ladies, I don’t belive we have been introduced yet. My name is Leonard Hirano Netrose.“

„Ah, sir Leo, we were just talking about you. The music just started playing, would you like to dance with someone who is more polished? You don’t have to do the hard work of lectors yourself right? By the way, I’m Suzuka Tinita Glintell, first daughter of marquis Glintell.“

„It’s a pleasure. Miss Suzuka, if I may, could you give me your opinion? I’m at a hard decision, which of these two do you think is more valuable?“

I took two stones out of my item box. One was a sapphire in size of a golf ball and the second looked like ordinary rock with ten centimiters in diameter.

„Well the sapphire of course,“ Suzuka said puffing her cheeks.

„That is very noble-like thinking,“ I smiled and put the sapphire back into the item box. Then I crushed the stone and let the crumbles fell inside the item box.

As I showed everyone the gem in my hand I said: „But if you stay on surface, you will never find anything valuable. So, let’s dance Lulu!“

I lead the suprised Lulu by hand before the other noble girls could say anything. After all, seing a diamond appear out of an ordinary rock was too suprising for them to even react and I could spend some sweet time dancing with Lulu.

I may made Suzuka angry with me, but who cares. Her only sklil was Hereditary, a skill that anyone can pick up after two days of studying family crests. I had Kiira test that. Unlike her, I got skill Etique alongside it, but that must’ve been becouse of my noble etique classes I was taking simultaniously, which Kiira did not.

The evening ended on nice tone for me. I got to dance with Lulu and some other noble girls, mostly of Count and Viscount rank and even one duke ranked girl.

Princess was brought here by her mother to socialize, but she left after one dance with me.

Speaking of ranks, when we go from lowest to highest we have: Hereditary knight, Baronet, Baron, Viscount, Count, Earl, Frontier Count, Marquis­/Margrave, Duke and lastly Grand duke.

Reason for Frontier count being higher status then Earl is that they are selected by king to protect the borders of nation from monster steampades and they are also first to act when a war breaks out. From father I learned that his younger brother formed a branch family of Frontier count Gal Netrose. The Gal is name of town he governs.

Branch families are something common in this world. They recieve funds from main family and in return they protect the main family from danger. Frederic, the younger brother, used to be official officer in army and Father’s second in command. After last war he was granted the title of his own, the Frontier count. And the city granted to him by King, the Gal city, is in outskirts of our teritory. The city face Beast kingdom Lituha, which is ruled by beastmen like Tifaana is. Although it is a vassal state of Ostilian kingdom, which I call my home.

The next day I woke up early to welcome new day. Kiira was in bed as she said when she welcomed me: „Come dear, your lovely wife is waiting to give you a lap pillow!“

She was curled around a pillow I used as substitude during the nights when she got little too touchy feely.

I moved to corner of the room and used spell called [Silence]. This spell creates barrier which makes it imposible for sounds to escape. What I wanted to do was a test of my [Mold] spell. With some lumps of pure mithril in my hands I activated the spell and started making parts of my new weapon. I got so into it that I forgot about anything else and fully dived into it.

„What are you making?“ Kiira broke me from my concentration.

„See for yourself,“ I handed her one piece I just finished.

„A barrel? Wait are you making a gun?“

„Yep, I got the idea from manga of our old world. Plus with my King of wisdom I found out that something like rifle was introduced to this world before so I decided to make a hand gun.“

„Aren’t you getting out off it a little? What about bullets?“

„Remember drops from that moth? The glass-looking balls? With mold spell I can make bullets out of them.“

„Aren’t you really something? How are you going to get them then?“

„I was planning to put up a request through grandpa to get them collected for some special offer. The guild takes them for one copper coin each so I thought that I would offer one silver for fifty balls.“

„So you practically want to give two coppers per ball right?“

„That will motivate people to hunt them don’t you think?“

„Yeah, that’s right. So why are you making bullets out of them?“

„Becouse of their magic conductivity. I can make them with, let’s say fire magic to make flame bullets, or enchant them with [Ice prison shot] to make them freeze oponent with single scratch.“

„Wow, that’s something.“

We chated for a while and after that we went to get breakfast. I went to my family and Kiira to servants quarters. Our days once again returned to normal.