Chapter 212 - Yet Another Disciple

Inside the laboratory, the four of us had gathered together — me, Zanoba, Cliff, and Nanahoshi.

Nanahoshi and Cliff were updating the curse-weakening device. I was teaching Zanoba magic.

Zanoba is a magic idiot.

Yeah. Confirmed.

This guy's mana flow is just fundamentally wrong compared to a normal person.

Is it the Divine Child's body? Or are there just people built this strangely?

"Master......failed again......"

"Want to give up? Your magic talent......" I paused. "It's honestly the worst I've seen. You could try carving by hand."

It felt even worse than Eris's magic talent, if I'm being honest.

With talent like that, maybe manual work would suit him better.

But Zanoba shook his head.

"Master, for hand-carving, I can only use stone. A figurine this small......I can't control my strength well enough."

"Your strength is hard to control?"

"Yes. I once failed to control it and twisted my own brother's neck. He was just an infant at the time."

This guy.......

Said something outrageous with a completely straight face.

I shouldn't let my daughters anywhere near him. A bit dangerous......

He must have caught something in my expression, because he pushed up his glasses and added,

"But Master, I can control my strength now. It's just that carving objects this small is very difficult......."

Magic was out. Manual work was out too.

I was at a complete loss when Cliff spoke up.

"Lord Zanoba, does the figurine have to be made by your own hands?"

"His Holiness the Pope, there's no need to use honorifics with me."

"Then you do the same. Just call me by my name, Zanoba."

"Yes! Sir Cliff. To answer your question first — I don't care whether the figurine is made by my hands or not, as long as ownership ultimately belongs to me. However......I also want to be part of the creation process."

"That's easy. Recruit someone to make it for you."

"But......."

"I understand how royalty thinks. Find someone with zero foundation and train them from scratch. That should solve the problem, shouldn't it?"

"Yes! But......."

Zanoba turned and looked at me.

"Master......would you be willing to teach whoever I recruit?"

I didn't particularly mind either way.

Teaching Zanoba had just been Nanahoshi's commission as far as I was concerned. But after spending a few days together, I'd come to think he wasn't unpleasant. Just a bit too blunt.

"Honestly, it's a bit of a hassle," I said. "Use my name to recruit. See if you can find someone with actual confidence in their magic talent."

"Alright!"

Zanoba agreed with obvious delight.

Cliff shook his head.

"Rudeus, if you use your name......I doubt many would dare to try."

"Why?"

"Anyone with real talent wouldn't want to display it in front of you. Being rejected by you could haunt them for life."

"Aside from Zanoba, I've never rejected a student. It's just that Zanoba's magic really is......."

"I'm not talking about your teaching quality or your attitude. Never mind."

While we were talking, Nanahoshi called out from across the room.

"Zanoba! Time for the drug trial!"

"Yes!"

I watched Zanoba scramble over to try Nanahoshi's strange potions and let out a quiet sigh.

-------

The recruitment went exactly as poorly as Cliff had predicted.

We'd kept it simple. The notice posted directly under my name read:

[Those with a certain degree of confidence in their magic talent may come directly to the Sharia Magic University for assessment. If successful, you will operate as a disciple of Rudeus, with generous compensation provided.]

No one came to present themselves. The few who showed any interest were the type to hover around the Magic University asking indirect questions rather than showing up at the door.

All I wanted was someone with a solid enough grasp of magic to make teaching easier.

If they didn't even have the confidence to walk in and show what they could do, there was nothing to discuss after that.

Nanahoshi finished organizing her notes and looked up, a faint amusement in her voice.

"Still no one recruited?"

"A few wrote to inquire......but judging by what they described about themselves, their talent really isn't anything special......."

"Rudeus, you can't measure everyone against your own experience and standards."

"Is that so?"

"Mm. In this world, people who can reach the advanced level in magic are very few. Your bar is too high."

"True......."

Zanoba was still at it beside me. No talent to speak of, but he kept practicing anyway.

I didn't dislike that about him.

I was turning over whether to revise the recruitment notice when someone knocked at the laboratory door.

Nanahoshi raised a finger. Magic activated. The door swung open.

The visitor......was someone I didn't recognize.

Eh? Could it be?

"Are you here for the assessment?"

The girl nodded.

She had light blonde hair, or more accurately, brownish-gold, a shade not entirely unlike mine.

She was petite. In my eyes, still a child.

Though in this world, a girl like her would probably be considered a young adult.

Around fifteen, maybe.

"I......my name is Juliette! I......I heard that Lord Rudeus is recruiting students.......I've come to undergo the assessment!"

"Good, no need to delay. Go ahead and show me your magic."

"Ah! Before that.......Lord Rudeus, this......."

She walked toward me, a little shy, and held out a bundle of flowers.

Mm.......

I'm not unaware that I'm popular. But this wasn't quite what I'd imagined.

Child, your uncle here is pushing thirty......

Nanahoshi drove her elbow into my side and made a noise.

"Hoho~"

"What?"

"Treat me to drinks tonight. Or I tell your wives."

"You're making it sound like I actually did something......."

"Are you treating or not?"

"......Fine."

Anyway. I accepted Juliette's flowers.

Then she bowed and said,

"Thank you, Lord Rudeus, for the sponsorship you once gave our family! My mother has always wanted to thank you......."

"Sponsorship?"

"Y......yes! You......you once bought flowers from our stall while walking through the village with Lady Aisha......and you gave us gold coins on top of it! Thank you so much! Our family's life really did improve so much after that!"

Oh.

Now that she mentioned it.

That did happen.

"Mm, I remember."

"You remember!"

"Mm. It's a good memory. You've grown quite a bit."

"I truly can't thank you enough........So, I'll go ahead and demonstrate my magic......."

"Alright."

Juliette stepped back a few paces.

Then she closed her eyes and began to cast.

-------

After watching several spells, I had my answer.

Juliette met the requirements.

Voiceless casting. Strong affinity with earth attribute, too.

"Juliette."

"Y......yes!"

"Have you had a teacher before?"

"N......no......is......is there a problem? Lord Rudeus......."

"No problem. You pass. You should change how you address me now."

Juliette blinked. Then she suddenly started flustering.

"Th......this this......I I I......I need to go back to the village and tell my mother first, and then and then......"

I had to admit.

She was a cute kid.

"No rush," I said. "Come back when you're ready. Let me introduce you — this is Zanoba. He's also my disciple. From now on, your role will be my disciple and his figurine-making assistant."

"Figu......rine?"

"Yes. That's actually why I put out the recruitment. While you learn magic, you'll also learn to make figurines alongside Zanoba."

Juliette studied Zanoba for a moment, then spoke in a small voice.

"Hello......."

"Hello, Miss Juliette!"

"You seem very noble........"

"I am the Third Prince of the Shirone Kingdom! And the one who will be providing your compensation!"

"A prince......."

Zanoba extended his hand, then seemed to catch himself and started to pull it back.

But Juliette had already taken it.

"Please take care of me......Lord Zanoba......."

"Mm! Please take care of me, Miss Juliette!"

➤ Next: Late Night Tavern