Secrets of the Silent Witch (サイレント・ウィッチ 沈黙の魔女の隠しごと)

I'm different to my brother.

I have talent.

I can still make a path for myself in this world,

even if I am the second son.

No matter what it takes,

I'll carve out a place for myself among the Seven Sages.

Someone force her mouth open.

Huh?

If we ram this down her throat, I bet she'll let out a shriek.

We were just getting to the good bit. Quit interfering, you teacher's pet.

Picking on the weak?

You're clearly not the same type of noble as I am.

Foi. Roowa = Meruze.

You think you can beat me, when I'm number one in practical skills?

Shit.

Can you get up?

I only have a little money.

I belong to the noble House of Count Ambard.

I would never ask you for money.

You really are a troublesome one.

I'm sorry.

What you mean is, "Thank you."

Bernie! Bernie!

What is it today?

I don't understand the Kingdom History assignment.

Again?

You may be brilliant at magecraft formulas and math,

but you're a total disaster when it comes to general studies.

For this assignment…

I've taken care of her since the day I saved her,

and she's come to rely on me.

Bernie, this is amazing.

It's just basic common knowledge.

Bernie!

What happened in the Practical Magecraft class just now?

Your theory was flawless, but…

I get scared speaking in front of people…

If you keep making excuses like that, you'll never master magecraft.

Wait, I know.

If you're no good at speaking in front of others,

maybe you can shorten your chants.

Huh?

B-But quick-chanting is for experts…

Not someone like me…

I think you can do it.

I know how well you've studied the fundamentals.

You'll definitely be able to grasp quick-chanting in no time.

Okay. I'll do my best. You're such a big help, Bernie.

Well, of course.

I'm going to be one of the Seven Sages, after all.

I just know you can become one of the Seven Sages.

Because you're incredible!

A… representative?

I have high expectations.

It's an honor to be chosen as a representative,

but Monica doesn't have happy memories of this type of thing.

Rewinding two years ago,

Monica belonged to the Rutherford lab at the Minerva's Mage Training Institution.

Hey, Miss Everett.

I want you to pop off and join the Seven Sages selection meeting for a bit.

PROFESSOR AT MINERVA GIDEON RUTHERFORD

W-Why me?

I-I-I can't!

So, Rutherford took Monica along, still wrapped up in the curtain.

He pretty much tossed her into the Seven Sages selection meeting.

Monica made such a blunder by fainting during the interview,

but she was still chosen to be one of the Seven Sages,

and there were two people she wanted to tell about it.

The first was her foster mother. The second was her one and only friend.

I haven't seen him for a while,

but I wonder if he'll praise me if I tell him I became

one of the Seven Sages.

Hey… Hey!

You're gonna walk into the wall.

I'm delighted that once again this year,

two representatives have been chosen from the student council

for the chess tournament.

I'll just take my work back to the dorm and do it there…

The tournament will be held at Serendia Academy.

Focus on chess so you don't disgrace His Highness.

Exactly, exactly.

If you work that hard, Miss Norton,

I'll end up having to take my work home too.

But…

Miss Norton…

I participated in the chess tournament last year too.

Even Your Highness…

Yep.

And when I did, everyone helped me out with the student council work.

So, won't you let me help you out this year?

Thank you very much.

You're very welcome.

Chess is music!

The game scoresheet is basically the same as a score of music!

If you look at the scoresheet or play one game,

you can understand your opponent's musical style in chess!

Sometimes the chess is played with fierce attacks,

like "Forte! Forte! Sforzando!"

Some chess games have a dignified, classical feel,

played with calm and steady confidence!

3RD-YEAR STUDENT BENJAMIN MORDING

Elliott's chess is like a march.

The disciplined, military-march-like rhythm carries

a beauty and strength within its strict form!

Yes, if you listen carefully, you can hear it.

The resounding trumpet that signals the start of battle!

The sound of horse hooves bravely pounding the ground!

He's a bit of an arty type.

I'd take what he says with a pinch of salt.

Right…

Let me say again, Miss Norton,

your chess is like a suite performed by an orchestra.

From the overture to the final movement,

each note is crafted with meticulous calculation.

A score without waste.

Indeed, it's no exaggeration to say this is a miraculous score

granted to us by the god of music!

In other words…

what I'm trying to say is…

you should be captain. You got this!

I think so too.

I-I-I can't!

Look at the results of the game I just played with you!

I'm the worst, so it only makes sense that I should play first.

I-I'm the biggest amateur here!

Amateur or pro, the best player should be captain.

I'm not lying or being modest!

Our family motto is:

"Even if you lie to debt collectors and your lover,

never lie to music or chess."

Listen, my chess is infinite music.

I can reproduce and perform every kind of musicality through chess.

But that doesn't mean I'm ridiculously good at chess!

But you're plenty good enough…

Certainly, I'm pretty okay, not half bad. But I'm by no means exceptional.

But you're the real deal! If you don't take the lead, who will?

G-Going first is scary enough, but being team captain would be…

Well, I suppose it'd be hard to change the order now…

Huh?

Perhaps I'd better stick to being captain then…

I'm sure we'll do just fine with you in charge.

You know, there are high expectations for us this year.

After all, we crushed it last year.

Who was on the team?

From the student council,

it was Your Highness and General Affairs Officer Maywood.

Oh, and Your Highness was the second player,

while Maywood was captain.

Huh?

General Affairs Officer Maywood is very thoughtful, right?

Y-Yes.

He uses his attentiveness as an advantage in chess.

He attacks your weak spots relentlessly.

His chess is like an improvisation.

His responses are perfectly tailored to his opponent. Truly remarkable.

Um, and how about His Highness's chess?

It's very difficult to discern any musicality from His Highness's chess.

But, well, if I had to say anything…

I might say it's similar to your chess, Miss Norton.

Efficient and precise.

It's a chess style that uses all kinds of tactics

to slaughter the king by any means necessary.

Chess that slaughters the king…