「Well, well. Quite the small visitor we have here」

The King gazed at me from his chair without changing his position.

「Your Highness? Is there something you need?」

I’ve heard a soldier-like voice from the other side of the door.

While I considered the possibility of combat, the king shook his head.

「Don’t mind. It’s nothing」

「Yes…..!」

An intruder suddenly teleporting into your room is considered nothing?

Huh. This king is a bit weird.

「It seems there is no barrier preventing teleportation, isn’t it rather insecure? King」

「I’m not senile to fail to understand you aren’t here to kill」

He’s quite relaxed.

But he doesn’t seem like the overconfident type.

From his presence alone, I could understand he was a man of considerable ability even without detection magic.

「Instead of that…..you claim to be the person I was looking for. Care to explain?」

「Don’t tell me you aren’t the one who tries to find the sage in the Madison Kingdom?」

「Ho. So a child like you in the Savior?」

The king laughed in amusement and stretched his own hand.

He must be looking at my status, his brows moved ever so slightly.

「…..This magic capacity value. Fuhaha, interesting」

「You believe me now?」

「Who knows? You might be just a kid with abnormally high magic capacity」

「I’m glad you aren’t the king who swallows such kind of stories immediately」

That being said, my magic capacity is beyond abnormal.

I highly doubt there is a second kid like me in this world.

From this number it was plainly obvious I’m special, and the King knew it.

In the king’s keen eyes, there was a hidden spark of curiosity.

「Ah. Is princess Clarisse doing well?」

「She’s under house arrest. She’s probably reflecting now」

Having said so, the king narrowed his eyes full of meaning.

Is she under house arrest because of me?

I’ve done something bad to her.

While inwardly worried about the princess, I didn’t let it show on my face and casually changed the topic.

「I don’t have time for idle chat. There is curfew after all」

「Curfew? I don’t even know how much truth there is to it」

It’s all true, though.

「I’ll say it bluntly. Would you mind leaving me alone?」

Hearing my words, the king laughed.

「It seems you don’t wish to appear on the grand stage just yet. Sealing the princess’ mouth was also your doing?」

「Being eyed by someone like a king is troublesome in a variety of ways」

「No matter how much money an honor we give you? With your power, saving the world would be easy」

「I don’t plan to act for a country’s sake or the world’s sake」

I’m so tired of that.

Instead of money or honor, I’d very much prefer a selfish life.

「Hmm. Whatever. I only thought of showing you our good intention in the first place…….But what are you going to do? The world won’t leave you alone」

「Yes, it won’t. You are the brightest king I’ve ever met」

「Don’t misunderstand. Our country only wants to secure you. I won’t immediately force you to do anything. But, eventually, there will be a time when we’ll need your help. Before anything else, I wish for you to avoid losing the power of the sage」

「Eventually? Are you planning to start a war with some other country?」

My expression hardened.

The king answered me with a daring smile.

「My goal is the world peace」

「World peace……」

That’s quite the dream he has.

「Demon race is strong. If they declare war on us, the world of humans will fall. The sage can act as a deterrent」

「You are saying that not only your country but the world needs me?」

「Do  you think you can find any other king who can utilize your power better than me?」

Is it something you should say about yourself?

He’s even laughing like a kid.

I don’t dislike this king’s character too much.

But my wish lies somewhere else.

「Something like world peace doesn’t interest me」

「You just need to express your support」

「Wait, King. Don’t try to coax me like a kid. To be honest, after my existence became known, it would bothersome to refuse every single offer」

Although we are talking peacefully, the king might use forceful means if I push too hard.

「It’s our country’s fortune to locate you」

「It is indeed」

Can’t help it. The lineage of Meiri’s prophets supposedly produced many excellent prophets.

Meiri itself specializes in magic development. No other nation invaded this small country for the last several hundred years fearing their magical retaliation.

Even though it’s territory is small, Meiri’s hidden power isn’t something you can scoff at.

….Well, despite all its power, Meiri doesn’t try to expand its territory by invading other countries.

All things considered, his desire for world peace might have some weight to it.

「The princess said. Other countries might eventually notice me」

「There are other countries employing prophets. As long as you stay away from them, the possibility of them noticing your awakening is rather low. However, that’s true only for our present circumstances」

「Thought so……I’ve decided. But I have conditions」

I stretched my index finger.

「First, I’ll only be helping you after school or on holidays. Only in a way that doesn’t obstruct my homework. Don’t interfere with my school life. I’m still level 10, so my endurance and magic power is shallow, I won’t be able to do a lot anyway」

「……Fumu」

「Also, you are required to interfere when another country tries to contact me」

「This is a matter of course. If we can monopolize the sage that is」

「And the most important! Don’t disturb my peaceful life!」

That’s a pretty important point.

「I want to spend my time in peace, without attracting too much attention」

「…….You have so much power, yet you want to have an ordinary life?」

A moment after the king asked that he burst into laughter.

「Fuhaha! Interesting. As expected of the chosen sage. Very well. I accept your conditions. I only want you to become even stronger. Don’t fall back on your studies, young sage」

「Of course. I’ll fulfill my part as an ordinary child」

……That being said, I’m not going to learn about the sage’s power, but about normal school life instead.

「However, young sage. You are a child with a great deal of courage. Even though it’s small, Meiri is a prominent country in the world of magic, yet you talk to its king so casually. Even the kings of other countries don’t allow themselves to talk like you do. That being said, you’re not being reckless because of your age. Are you trying to provoke me on purpose?」

「What are you talking about? I have no idea」

「Fu. What a brazen child」

「Back at you. To seriously negotiate with a kid, you must be a weirdo yourself」

「Haha, you aren’t wrong」

The king and I looked at each other and laughed.

「I have a personal question for you」

「What?」

「Why are you so intelligent despite your age?」

That’s a very good question.

A shrugged my shoulders as I answered.

「Who knows? Perhaps because I’m the sage?」

A few days after the admission meeting.

Somehow passing through the aptitude examination, I spend my days at leisure while waiting for the school to begin.

The day when the Demon King attacked almost seemed like a dream.

However, the calm didn’t last.

There are rumors about suspicious people looking for the sage in the city.

I’ve heard these rumors from the mayor of the neighboring city.

「They wear robes to conceal their identities…..But some people saw the emblem of Meiri on their swords」

「Meiri……I see…….」

「Those people are investigating the city.『Were there any disasters or a big magical phenomenon around here?』they ask」

Said the mayor and looked at my father with a confused face.

Father silently nodded, but I could more or less guess what he was thinking about.

Because I’m thinking the same thing.

As promised, princess Clarisse kept my identity hidden.

However, the King probably knew about the Demon King’s death and launched his own investigation.

That was bound to happen eventually, so I’m not particularly surprised.

As I fell in thought while eavesdropping from the other side of the door………

「Young master? What is it?」

When I hurriedly turned around towards the voice, I saw our maid with a tea-tray amusingly looking at me.

「Wawa! N-nothing!」

That’s bad.

I was too engrossed in their conversation.

I ran away from the room in a hurry

I breathed out once I climbed the stairs.

My my.

So it did happen.

At the moment, the knights of Meiri are secretly searching for me.

However, eventually, they might approach our king to request cooperation.

As long as you don’t tell anyone about the sage’s awakening, you can come up with as many reasons as you want to.

This would gradually turn the situation unfavorable.

My father is a count of the frontier territory.

If I leave this problem unattended, my father would be put in a precarious position.

I want to avoid dragging father into my problems.

……Can’t help it.

….Let’s have a proper conversation.

Even though I predicted it, it still weighs on me.

I don’t want to make my parents worry, I’ll go alone. How should I reach Meiri then………let’s do it this way.

I had a plan ready specifically for this purpose.

I’ve acquired Teleportation Magic (self) upon defeating the Demon King.

However, my magical power is too shallow to actually use it.

That means I have to ask someone else to do it.

In our family, only father and eldest brother have teleportation magic.

While my father was busy talking with the mayor…..

I made haste to Logan’s room.

◇◇◇

「You forgot something in school?」

My older brother put his pen on the desk and turned towards me.

I approached him and looked up with an embarrassed face.

「Yes, big bro. A treasured coin I received from our late grandpa. I took it with me to an examination but dropped it somewhere」

「Good grief, Eddie. You can’t bring valuable things to school」

「Un, sorry」

He didn’t lose his calm even while rebuking me.

Like my parents, this eldest son is weak when it comes to his youngest brother.

「Can’t help it, I’ll go with you on a carriage」

「You can’t…..When papa and mama learn about the coin, they’ll definitely scold me. That’s why I wanted you to quietly teleport me there」

「Teleport, but that’s……」

「With your teleportation magic, I’ll be there in a moment. Then I’ll return with Max on the carriage」

Max takes a carriage to the school every day.

Logan has『Teleportation Magic (others)』 allowing him to teleport other people.

I was lucky that he didn’t have 『Teleportation Magic (self)』.

Thanks to that, Logan couldn’t go with me.

「Still, I’m too worried to let you go alone. After all, that thing happened a few days ago……..」

「Mou, big brother. I’m almost a 1st grader in the royal academy. I can pick the lost thing by myself」

When I started sulking, Logan smiled in defeat.

「……I see. You’re already at this age. I suppose it’s the big brother’s duty to let his little brother experience the world……..I’ll prepare the teleportation magic」

「Thanks, big bro! I’m excited!」

「Hahaha. Don’t be in such a hurry」

Teleportation magic activates via a magic circle drawn below your feet.

He picked up chalk from the desk as well as a big piece of parchment and a map.

「Eddie, stand to the side. Don’t touch the magic circle. I would be a problem if you accidentally rewrite something.」

「Yees」

Logan confirmed the longitude and latitude using the map and incorporated them in the magic circle.

I looked at it from a distance.

I was my first time seeing him drawing a magic circle since my memories came back, but his speed was quite impressive.

There aren’t many who can draw a magic circle with such precision and swiftness.

「Alright, it’s done」

At that moment, I suddenly shouted.

「Wa! I saw a mouse behind the curtains!」

「M!? What did you say? What here a minute!」

「Big bro, it’s under the desk now!」

「A-Alright! Here!?」

While my elder brother was busy crawling under the table, I picked up the chalk and rewrote the magic circle.

I adjusted longitude and latitude.

……In other words, a destination.

…..Might as well fix some questionable lines.

Brother’s magic circle is correct, but it puts too much of a burden on someone like me.

Just when I finished my revisions and put the chalk back, brother stood up.

「How is it, big bro?」

「Umu….sorry. It got away. I’ll tell the maids later」

「Un, sorry for startling you, big bro」

「No. I’ve made you wait. Stand inside the magic circle」

「Un!」

When I stepped inside the magic circle, it was immediately activated.

I closed my eyes and relaxed feeling the flow of wind around me.

I felt as if I was floating.

The inside of my body felt ticklish.

After a brief moment, I opened my eyes and found myself in a different place.

The wind surrounding me died down soon after.

It was a certain office.

「And who are you supposed to be?」

A bearded man seating on chair asked of me with a raised brow.

He didn’t even flinch at my sudden appearance.

Seeing his dignified demeanor, I understood he wasn’t a fool.

I’ve met too many kings in my previous life, it’s easy to distinguish between an outstanding kind and an absolute idiot.

Right now, only the King and I were present in the room.

There sensed guards on the other side of the door but none inside.

If my first impression of him is correct, it would be of great help.

While thinking along those lines, I spoke to the King.

「Weren’t you searching for me?」

「…….What?」

I gave him a carefree smile and stretched my hand.

「Didn’t you want to talk with me? So here I am, King. Let’s have a proper conversation」

Revised the previous chapter from the middle ¹

10 days after I defeated the Demon King.

My mother took me to the Royal Academy for an examination.

Today I’m here to buy the necessary books and clothes as well as to pass the physical examination.

And as the most important event, have my magic aptitude measured.

「I wonder what would happen on your examination. Mama is worried. They will raise a commotion the moment they see your genius!」

「Haha…..」

I gave it a dry laugh.

A special measuring tool is used in the aptitude examination.

The resulting value determines the possibility of a person learning various types of magic.

They use this value to measure the talent and further divide everyone according to their class.

In the Royal Academy, students are divided in A, B, C, D, E, F classes according to their ability.

My goal is, of course, F-class.

However, I have the power of the strongest sage within me.

An outrageous number would come out if they examine me normally……

Of course, I have countermeasures prepared.

I confirmed the existence of a piece of paper in my pocket, in a way my mother wouldn’t notice.

This should solve everything.

「Good luck, Eddie. Mama is off to handle all the paperwork」

「Un. I’ll do my best」

I waved with a smile.

「Mama? Hikk, mama……」

「Wa! What kind of tool is this? Seems fun! Give it to me!」

「Kya! Mou, boys are really rough!!」

While other children were having fun causing a commotion, I passed the physical examination and wrote some tests in peace and quiet.

My below average height bugged me but……..I’m still growing, I suppose.

It’s within a reasonable margin. Yep.

And finally……

「Attention, please. Those who are about to undergo an aptitude examination should line up here」

I headed towards the place with a number of children lining up.

In an aptitude examination, one should put his hand in a dome-like magic tool.

After a few seconds, the tool will spit a piece of paper with a characteristic sound.

I decided to peek at the value of a child next in line.

Thank’s god.

The papers didn’t change at all.

My plan should work without a hitch.

It was my turn next.

「E. Radcliff-kun. Please proceed」

「Yes」

As instructed by the female teacher in a white robe, I put my hand inside the magic tool.

A feeling of neither warmth nor cold transmitted to my palm.

A few seconds later…….

The magic began producing a document of unimaginable length.

「Eh!? What is happening!? It doesn’t stop!」

The teacher rushed towards the magic tool in surprise.

「W-What the…..!?」

「Royce-sensei, what has happened!?」

Abnormally agitated, the teachers gathered together.

Waa, this quickly got out of hand.

「Eddie-kun’s examination result doesn’t stop!! How could…….how could this happen!?」

「Calm down!! But still…….there is every single registered kind of magic written here!!」

「This is the most prodigious talent since the foundation of the academy……no, a genius!! Put him in A-class……no, it’s enough to make a special S-class with individual lessons!!」

All the stares gathered on me.

The other children gathered around me too because of their curiosity.

「What’s about this kid? Does he have some amazing magic?」

「This is much more than I have…..」

It’s about time.

I took a deep breath and said in the most innocent voice possible.

「Wa! This magic tool is broken!」

「B-Broken…..? But that didn’t happen even once before….」

「What else it can possibly be!? Such numbers are totally unprecedented!!」

While the teachers were busy quarreling, I put my hand in another magic tool…..or so I pretended to do.

Instead, I took out a paper from my pocket.

「Told you! Look! That’s what I got from this machine」

The teachers looked at each other before glancing at my paper.

「Uwaa, this is…..」

「Amazing…..I haven’t seen such a low number since the second son of Radcliff’s!」

Yes.

This is a legit status of a person with F-class aptitude.

As you might have guessed from the name, it belongs to my second brother, Max.

A brother whose specialty lies with the sword, not magic.

When he was 6 years old, he went through the same examination and was assigned to F-class.

At the paper from that time landed in my hands.

I hid it away before the teachers noticed anything.

It was worth waiting for the commotion to happen, to divert their attention from the wrong number and name.

「Perhaps it did break」

「That’s bad. We have to move these children from this line to the other!」

Having said so, the teachers scattered to do their work.

「Sorry, Eddie-kun. You can go. The paper stays with you」

The kind female teacher said apologetically before recording my number.

「Un! Then I’ll take it home. Goodbye, teacher」

I patted my chest to relax and put the paper back in my pocket.

I owe you one, Max.

I gave sincere gratitude to my older brother.

Thanks to him, I’m saved from all the trouble.

With this, I’ve successfully passed the examination, just as I planned.

All’s good that ends good.

Finished adjusting the content!¹

Together with princess Clarisse in the room.

I wonder how long I’m here.

I’m still being hugged……

When her sobs finally died down, I tried calling out to her.

「…..Calmed down yet? Princess-sama」

「Y-You’ve seen something embarrassing……」

Clarisse released me in a fluster before wiping her tears and taking a deep breath.

Her nose was still red, but I’m glad she calmed down.

「I won’t tell anyone, be at ease」

「…..Fufu. Thank you very much」

With an impish laugh, the princess narrowed her eyes.

She looks pretty young when she does that.

Just when I was busy thinking about things 6-year old doesn’t think of…..

「You are so young but already a gentleman. You’re also the prophesied Savior. I shall pay you due regard. Eddie-kun……..No, Eddie-sama」

I was surprised at the sudden change in honorifics.

The youthful expression vanished from her face replaced with a serious air.

It’s not a face one would use to speak with a child.

An equal, no, she saw me as someone she looked up to.

Isn’t it pretty bad…….?

When I increased my vigilance, parents came to check on us.

Nice, I’m lucky today.

Let’s be a kid and hide behind my parents’ back.

Or so I thought and tried to rush out……..

「Eddie-sama」

「Wa」

Princess Clarisse grasped my right hand and prevented me from escaping.

「Eddie-sama, I have an important question」

「…….What? Princess」

「You don’t desire status and fame as the Savior. Am I right?」

I nodded in response.

「Un. I want to live as I always did! The school starts next month too」

Hearing my answer, princess Clarisse closed her eyes as if to solidify her resolve.

「I understand your feelings. However, please be careful, Eddie-sama. There is no guarantee our country was the only one to learn about the Savior’s existence」

……Well, I expected as much.

「It is very possible another country will approach you to get your power. Eddie-sama’s power can change the destiny of a country, no, a whole world」

「It can’t be…….Eddie is still 6-year old…….」

Parents came to my side in a panic.

「Even the most excellent of prophets can’t possibly know that Eddie-sama is the Savior. However, they can still approximate the location. Like my country did. I Eddie-sama so desires, our country is always ready to protect you」

Being the center of everyone’s attention I…..

「Thank you, princess-sama. But I’m fine as it is」

「Eddie-sama…….」

I don’t want to request a country’s protection.

Even if my status is low, I don’t feel like losing to most of the enemies.

I don’t want to owe a favor to a country.

I’m going to live free and in peace.

For me, this was even more important than my own life.

「If I go to the princess-sama’s country, I won’t be able to go to school. Besides, people in the castle will be surprised by my sudden appearance. Why is this kid here, or something like that」

「…..Yes. You’re right. I’ll do as you say」

I was honestly surprised when princess Clarisse gave up so easily.

She supposedly came all the way here to secure me.

As a result, she even lost her knights.

「Is it okay not going?」

「How can I possible decline the request of my savior?」

「But didn’t you come here because of me……」

「I’ll convince father myself……But Eddie-sama. About your location…..」

I grinned in response.

「It’s alright! Because I’m going to school!」

「…..I see! If you enter the academy’s dormitory….」

Hearing my father’s words, I nodded.

「If they only know the place, we can just move somewhere else」

My family looked at each other.

Would that work? They must have thought.

However, they didn’t think too deeply.

Their son said「I want to keep it secret」and they are fine with that, I also don’t want to hide too much from my family.

Well, that is fine in its own way.

Because I love this side of my family.

• Chapter 9 The World is Aiming For Me, Maybe
• Chapter 10 Magic Aptitude S-Class
• Chapter 11 I'll Talk to the King
• Chapter 12 Negotiating with the King