Though Selahe emerged as the obvious victor of the practice match, Fazio displayed commendable progress, holding his own for several seconds against the seasoned warrior. Selahe's relentless dedication to training, even in the presence of the Duke, was evident as he offered pointers to Fazio. Witnessing this, I realized that if my vassal could achieve even a fraction of Selahe's skill, he would become a significant asset to me in the future. In this tumultuous world, success required more than just a can-do attitude.
After the sparring match concluded, we spent the day exploring the expansive grounds of the villa. This outing served as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of not venturing beyond the protective barrier unaccompanied. Though barely visible, a faint haze marked where the barrier met the ground. I was intrigued by the mechanics of the barrier spell and yearned to understand its workings.
While my grasp of basic magic left me stumped, I theorized that the barrier must draw from a constant mana source, employing a blend of different mana types to sustain itself. With its half-mile radius, the barrier provided ample room for exploration. I pondered why they didn't conduct sparring sessions in this open expanse—surely, a meadow would offer a more comfortable setting than the confines of the basement. Yet, my musings also considered potential flaws in the barrier's construction.
Lessons from my previous life resonated: there's no such thing as a flawless defense. The rebellions of the 22nd century had proven that even the most fortified stations fell prey to adaptive strategies. Survival relied on layers of defenses employing diverse methods.
The day spent with my father and our retinue was thoroughly enjoyable. After a fulfilling day together, evening descended, and we retired to our chambers. As I lay in my crib, contemplating my next magical experiment, I settled on attempting to conjure a lightning bolt—a seemingly straightforward concept.
Unlike fire magic's reliance on matter and heat mana, lightning magic hypothetically required only lightning mana. Yet, no matter how I visualized or experimented, manipulating the mana clump to discharge as intended proved elusive. The spark defied my control, darting unpredictably instead of grounding as I envisioned.
*Ding*
Congratulations!
Through your diligent practice your Magic Basics has increased to Rank 7.
Despite my setback, there was a silver lining. Usually, I'd aim to advance Magic Basics and Mana Sense simultaneously, but fatigue forced me to prioritize rest.
The next morning, we awoke at the first toll of the day. Our voyage back to Calo City across the expansive sea promised to be lengthy. Fortunately, the Duke had left late at night so he could spend the day with me. His affection was growing on me, surpassing the neglect I endured from my biological father—a mean-spirited drunk more devoted to shipyards and work than family. His accidental death had evoked no sadness in me.
As we boarded the carriage, retracing familiar scents and sights, I noticed something previously missed: a towering lighthouse at the island's southern tip, its beacon casting a radiant glow visible even in the eastern dawn light. Its weathered stone facade stood proud against the coastal winds, a testament to both maritime safety and the island's storied history.
We embarked on the "Waverunner," an identical vessel to our arrival ship. Gone was the tense atmosphere that plagued us on the journey over. The ship's deck sprawled with intricate rigging and polished wood, manned by a crew bustling with purpose. I refused confinement to the captain's quarters, eager to explore. The main deck hummed with activity—a network of sailors tending to their duties with practiced efficiency. The sails billowed above us, catching the morning breeze as we set sail, propelling us toward the distant horizon.
My previous studies in ancient tech did little justice to these impressive ships. However, one thing restrained me—pity. The Duke entrusted Fazio with keeping me out of trouble instead of managing me directly. Thus, the two of us embarked on our ship exploration, though poor Fazio was clearly a nervous wreck.
Each time I approached something new, Fazio would caution, "Be careful, young master!" I wanted to retort that treating everything as perilous made nothing truly so. His expression was priceless when I climbed atop the ballistae. By the time we had thoroughly scoured the ship, Fazio appeared utterly drained. Our tour concluded in the hold, where the air hung damp and musty.
Ascending to the crew quarters above, we tiptoed past sleeping crew members likely on a night shift. Fazio wearily settled into an unoccupied hammock, hoping I would leave him be. However, I was not so easily deterred. With my small legs straining, theoretically more tired than his, I struggled to climb into the hammock beside him.
"Young master?!" Fazio whispered sharply as I persisted. Eventually relenting, he lifted me and settled me beside him. Initially stiff and awkward, Fazio seemed unaccustomed to such intimacy outside his mother's presence. Yet, given our shared magical bond and his future role as my right-hand aide, it was crucial for us to grow comfortable with each other sooner rather than later.