The Magician Kunon Sees Everything

Chapter 31: Forgotten Ambition

Kunon, we can start now.

Yes?

It was the second winter since they had known each other.

He had been far too busy since he met his teacher.

The passing of the months had somehow become as much a part of Kunons life as the seasons he felt on his skin.

In the early summer of this year, he turned eleven years old.

Other than that, there was nothing special about it.

Every few days, he would write up a report or something from Zeonly, and when they met, they would conduct experiments and verifications.

Ive spent my days just repeating that.

Today was the day that Zeonly was coming.

Milica and Dario were with him, as usual.

And I thought that today would be another day of the usual experiments and verifications with Zeonly.

But

Its been two whole years since you became my apprentice. At the end of the next spring, youll be twelve years old.

Im telling you that you can start preparing to go to the magic school. The school starts in autumn, so you should be ready to go by then.

What?

Kunon didnt realize for a moment what he had said.

Well, what about verification? Have you developed the box that attracts insects?

Thats not cool. Call it Insect Box.

It is a magical tool that attracts certain insects. The main purpose of the box was to collect wild bees and beneficial insects, and it was also supposed to be used for pest control.

It should be almost finished by now.

Or rather, Kunon had been thinking of various ways to experiment with it, with the intention of completing it today.

And yet.

How do I complete the Insect Box?

Dont mix in anything else. I can do the rest on my own. Youve got work to do.

As he said this, Zeonly picked up a bundle of documents that Kunon had prepared on the table outside, and which he had written down.

Apparently, he was already planning to pull out, even though he had just arrived.

What do you mean I should prepare for the magic school?

Kunon had completely forgotten about the magic school.

He had been too busy for the past two years.

It was both busy and fulfilling.

There was no time to think about anything else.

Its been a lot of work, but I dont have much to complain about.

Its been really fulfilling, and its been fun to learn new things.

Making magic tools is interesting.

Ive contributed to the completion of some of them, but I think theres more I can do.

If I would be honest now, I would rather continue working as Zeonlys apprentice than go to a magic school.

But at the same time, I somehow know that this is not going to happen.

Ive gotten to know Zeonly over the past two years, and I know his personality.

Zeonly is flexible in his thinking and open to the opinions of his students, but he has never changed his orders to his students.

And it is always an order that is given for the sake of the apprentice.

Zeonly told Kunon to go to a magic school.

Its for Kunons own good.

Thats what he thinks.

Kunon, who doesnt know what a magic school is like, has no words of objection.

Master, Im

Dont tell me youre not going. I cant teach you water magic, I can only help you develop the fundamentals of it. But I made sure to stretch it out.

So go to school to learn proper water magic.

Im not sure I could find the words to disagree.

For the past two years, I have not been taught anything about water magic.

The range of magic that I can use has expanded, but the variety has not.

As always, there are only two types of magic I can use.

Surely, he cant just leave it at that. As for Kunon, there is no inconvenience in not having more magic to use.

I dont want to leave Her Highness at.

The magic school is not in the Kingdom of Huglia.

Its in another country, so youll have to travel a bit further.

And if you enroll, you will have to attend for a few years until you pass the graduation exam or get expelled.

Its a place you cant come back to.

In other words, you will not be able to see Milica.

Kunon, go ahead. And as soon as youve done what you have to do, you can come back.

Milicas voice, now almost fourteen years old, had become that of a woman, not a girl.

Compared to the voice he remembered from the distant past, it sounded similar, yet different. I guess shes getting closer to adulthood.

Are you okay with not seeing me anymore, Her Highness?

No, Im not.

It was a quick answer.

But please go.

The words she added were also immediate.

Ill send out lots of letters, so please reply them, Kunon.

It seemed that Milica had already prepared herself for this.

Kunon?

I dont think Im showing it on my face, but Im sure shes getting the vibe.

Milica took Kunons reluctant left hand in both of hers.

Milicas hands are small.

But her palms are hard.

Her training in martial arts is still going on.

I will definitely become a woman who is not ashamed of you. So please become a sorcerer who is not ashamed of me.

I dont want to see you stuck on the butt of a selfish master forever.

Hey!

Oh, well. I love my master. He takes good care of me after all.

Huh? I dont like that about you, though!

Oh, thats awful. Next time Ill add a good scent ingredient to the water bed to make you sleep a little better.

Just kidding. So dont ever do that again.

Its also known as the magical bed that will surely ruin half a day, according to Zeonly.

Its a no-good bed that does more harm than good by being too comfortable to sleep on.

Well, the bed, anyway.

Okay, Master. Im going to the magic school.

Zeonly said it, and Milica agreed to it.

I cant resist anymore. Its useless to try.

And if I say Im not interested, Im lying.

This is an opportunity to touch the depths of new magic that I have never learned before.

How could I not be interested?

So what do I need to prepare? A change of clothes?

A change of clothes is nothing to worry about.

But I cant sleep without a certain loungewear. I also need underwear.

Then take them with you. Why dont you just take everything in the closet? You have more important things to do than that.

What?

Kunon tilted his head.

The first thing that came to my mind when I was told what was most important was Milica herself, and the maidservants lesson about being a gentleman who always keeps a sense of humor.

You didnt even remember it, did you? I thought my students were relatively easygoing, but theyre more easygoing than I imagined. Dont let it fool you.

Dont be rude. I always hope to be a gentleman with a sense of humor. I will never forget this most important lesson.

I dont want to mess with you too much, but the most important lesson of all should be the one I taught you.

Zeonly let out a sigh.

The master may have been a little hurt by his students comments.

Its your eyes, kid.

The moment he said that, unexpectedly, Kunons heart jumped.

Thats right.

Thats right.

Thats right!

Why did I forget?

How could I have been so busy with my daily life that I forgot my most important ambition, my desire, my reason for living!

It must be because there were so many things I could do without being able to see.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought it was okay to remain invisible.

I was indeed carefree.

I was so naive that it surprised me.

The word dumb is more appropriate.

I dont have to say anything else, do I? I think its time for you to go

Fifty-five stages of overlapping, three-dimensional magic circle, cylindrical fixed magic circle, imaginary circuit imaginary code, fluid desert pattern I taught you everything I could.

Youre used to make magic tools, arent you?

Kunon gulped.

The mixed elements, like fragments he hadnt thought of, came together to form a picture that just fits perfectly.

A magic tool.

A magician.

The encounter with Zeonly.

This was all at the request of Commissioner Rondimond, a royal sorcerer who had met him only once in the castle.

That person knew Kunons purpose.

On the day we first met, he asked me what I wanted to do, and I sort of answered him, that I wanted to gain visibility through magic.

Rondimonds answer to that question was to meet Zeonly.

And Zeonly was the person who was necessary to lead Kunon to his goal of making eyeballs.

Master I need some time off.

I just forgot about it.

In the back of Kunons mind, the flame of ambition is still burning. Its burning brightly.

Ive just pulled it out again.

It was as if he had forgotten about it, but it was raging hot and burning in his chest.

Oh. Call me when you can. Ill consult with you and make sure you succeed Its going to be okay, isnt it?

Zeonly stroked Kunons head, who had a strong will in his lightless silver eyes as a replacement.

If youre my proud apprentice, theres absolutely no chance of failing.

The past two years have not been a waste.

My knowledge is enormous.

Ive gained skills in magic.

In the past, everything was too much, too little, and I could never reach it.

But now, I can.