Kunon the Sorcerer Can See (魔術師クノンは見えている)

Well, you just never know what life has in store for you.

Indeed. Permission to meet him alone was a surprise to me,

but if things go well,

His Majesty will consider the request for a magic tutor.

Impressive power of collusion!

That's not what this is.

Apparently, the Royal Sorcerers took an interest in you.

What kind of magic did you learn recently?

A-ori.

Wow! A cat. It's a cat!

Initially it was transparent,

but now I can even do white or calico.

Is this really water?

Yes.

Magic sure is a wonder.

Some motions are still unnatural,

but I want to study more and am hoping to reproduce their meows.

Oh, there, there.

You like cats that much?

Well, no.

Why not keep a real cat?

Absolutely not!

If something like this was at home, I'd never get any work done!

If you leverage the wealth and power of the Gurions,

I'm sure you can collect cute cats from all over the world.

We will not keep any animals in our household.

We can't have them running around your feet and making you trip.

But you needn't worry about me anymore.

And Tina prefers dogs.

I understand.

You are thinking of our family.

Thank you very much, Father.

No need to thank me.

Then how about keeping cats outside?

Iko told me that keeping cats outside is a sign of a certain status among nobles,

and apparently bringing them inside is considered crude.

Did she really mean cats?

Coming from that maid, I wonder...

Princess Mirika agreed.

Her Highness?

Yes.

Then maybe it's really about cats.

Cats!

Keeping cats outside...

Hmm, may not be a bad idea.

OFF TO THE CASTLE

Hello, Lord Gurion.

Oh, Lady Raysha.

Thank you for coming to greet us.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Kunon Gurion.

I'm honored to meet you, my lady.

Lady Raysha is the second princess,

so greet her properly!

Oh, then you're my future sister-in-law!

I'm so happy to see you!

Nice to meet you, Kunon.

I'm Raysha Hughlia.

Mirika has told me so much about you.

By the way, you brought a cat.

How adorable!

Ah, this is...

I had no idea!

It's magic.

I didn't even name him...

He's more skilled than I'd heard.

How fleeting it was.

Then I shall take Kunon to the Black Tower.

Thank you.

I will have an audience with His Majesty.

How will you get home?

I can get home by myself.

I'd like to see Her Highness, too.

Very well.

I'll arrange a carriage for you, so enjoy your time.

Thank you.

I actually reserved an auspicious restaurant,

the one where Father managed to win Mother over.

That's quite enough!

Go and have fun!

Oh, my.

The Black Tower is on the other side of the castle.

Are you comfortable walking?

Yes, I'm perfectly fine.

Then listen while we walk.

About the essence of sorcerers?

Not quite, since I'm still new.

A new interpretation of compound magic, then?

Oh, the way to apply the old interpretation to the new one?!

Wait, could it be the new theory on

three-dimensional and oblique magic circles?!

Wait, wait, wait!

I can't have such high-level conversations while walking.

Oh, right.

I trust you've heard from Mirika

that there are seven princes and ten princesses?

The higher ratio of girls is wonderful.

The throne goes to the first prince in most countries,

but in Hughlia we lean toward meritocracy.

So, depending on achievement, birth order can be overturned.

I've heard that it's complicated.

Indeed.

I, however, relinquished my right to the throne to be a sorcerer.

I sense so many magical powers.

What kind of sorcerers are there?

Mirika is

concerned that you might get dragged into the issue of royal succession.

Huh?!

What's that?! What is that?!

I created a very thin layer of water on my shoes and froze it.

Froze a very thin layer of water?

It's like an ice sleigh.

It's faster than walking.

Would you like to try?

Yes!

Hold on! I must tell you before we do anything else.

If you put your weight on it, it creates friction and—

Okay, I'll make it quick!

Don't affiliate with a faction carelessly,

and don't sign or say anything that can be used against you.

Okay, that's it!

Now, let me skate, too!

Very well. I'd like to skate with a beautiful lady like you.

Oh, my gosh!

Watch out!

This is amazing!

The trick is to float just a little.

Wh-What the?!

Please stop, Lady Raysha!

It's dangerous!

N-No good. They're too fast.

What in the world is going on?

Sir Dario!

You there!

Stop at once!

He's telling us to stop.

No way.

Go faster! Faster!

Stop... right now!

We're very sorry.

What's the commotion?

A child sorcerer made mischief and got caught by a knight.

Welcome, Kunon Gurion.

I'm Londimonde Achthard, the Grand Master of the Royal Sorcerers.

I'm Kunon Gurion.

Incredible.

I thought Lady Raysha's magic was impressive,

but his is on a whole different level.

I hear you have a water crest.

Yes, on my left shoulder.

A two-star, huh?

A two-star?

FIRE, WATER, EARTH, WIND, LIGHT, DARKNESS, FOUL

There are seven types of crests borne by sorcerers:

fire, water, earth, wind, light, darkness, and foul.

Each crest has five ranks.

Five... Then I assume mine is water, second from the bottom?

Yes. Statistically, two-stars are the most common.

I'm also a two-star, of the wind.

Is that so?

But you're not, correct?

What makes you think that?

The density of your magical power is completely different.

An interesting description.

Right. If the magical powers of Lady Raysha and I are regular cheese,

yours is like premium blue cheese.

That sounds stinky.

Not that I mind, since it goes well with wine.

Grand Master Blue Cheese is a three-star, perhaps?

I'll be mad if you call me that again.

I am... this.

A four-star.

You're not surprised?

This is my first time hearing about crests, so it's not really sinking in.

Right. You'll get it eventually.

Grand Master.

Yes?

Does the difference in ranks influence the magic one can wield?

There's no clear categorization.

The only clear distinction we know of is the total amount of magical power.

What matters is what you'll learn from now and how devoted you are.

I understand.

Well, then, can we move on?

Yes. Thank you for your time.

Then let the fun time begin!

Huh?