| Author: Tensei Mikami | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2269 characters |
| Translator: Jiro | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 913 words |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
Elesta was a small town situated in the southern part of the Holy Kingdom of Elhaim.
The endless wheat fields and the colorful flower gardens that adorned the town’s center had a peaceful and relaxing aura when observed. The windmills spun slowly, conveying the tranquility of the town.
The occasional warm sea breeze that blew in from the shore invited one to easily take a nap.
The single church in the small town stood modestly, despite the deteriorated and somewhat unreliable state of its piled brick walls.
Nonetheless, the interior remained remarkably clean due to the priests and sisters diligently cleaning it day after day.
The gray-haired girl, Imitia, was praying. She appeared to be a devout believer, her knees bent as she prayed with her eyelids lowered in front of the statue of the goddess.
The light streaming through the stained glass seemed to cascade down as if bestowing blessings upon the worshiper. If only that portion were isolated, it would resemble a singular holy painting.
Imitia prayed earnestly.
Far behind her, the members of the group gazed at her with expressions akin to those observing a rare animal.
“Say, have you ever seen the boss pray before?”
“Course I haven’t…”
“You know; she was playing chess in front of that statue the other day.”
“You’re annoying!”
Imitia’s voice held a low tone, tinged with a hint of irritation.
“Oh no! She heard us…”
“Damn those sharp ears of hers…”
“And just why is the boss that hung up on Orthus?”
“You don’t know? That’s beca-”
All of a sudden, Imitia rose to her feet. Her slightly contented or proud expression left a strong impression.
“Boys, we’re leaving.”
“O-Okay…”
With a faint smile gracing her profile, she resembled a girl in love, devoid of her usual crudeness.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Outin’s studio was constructed in an even more diminutive corner of the small town of Elesta.
The distinct aroma of painting materials wafted outward from the studio, blending with the sea breeze, creating an ambiance akin to being in a foreign land.
Despite this, Outin wasn’t that renowned of a painter. He was but a modest painter trying to make a modest living in this rural area.
“Is there truth to the rumor that your love will be returned if you get a portrait of your significant other drawn here and set it in a locket you carry with you?”
With a bit of excitement in her voice, Imitia asked upon opening the door.
The gray-haired young man named Outin let out a slightly delayed chuckle in response to Imitia’s query.
“What’s so funny?” As Imitia’s lips formed an annoyed expression, Outin offered his apologies and remained composed.
Wearing a pair of roomy overalls, he found a suitable chair and presented it to Imitia.
“It’s nothing. You see, customers requesting that kind of service have been on the rise lately.”
“Is the rumor false?”
Outin shrugged his shoulders, opened the window, and narrowed his eyes. The scent of art supplies dissipated from the room, replaced by the aroma of the sea.
“Let’s relax for now. Regarding the rumor, you can say that it can either be true or false.”
“What do you mean?”
“The lockets I make don’t have that kind of effect.”
“I see…”
“Are you disappointed?”
“I am.”
“However, it does appear that if you carry my lockets you’ll end up forming a tie with the one you’re fond of.”
“Really?!”
A sunflower-like smile blossomed across Imitia’s face.
“Really, really. I’ve had six people come in so far, and all of them have formed connections.”
“M-Make me one!”
“Sure thing… But, do you genuinely love that person?”
“I-I-I do…”
“I see…”
With a satisfied smile, Outin showed Imitia to a room in back, gesturing, “This way.”
The inside of the hemispherical room was quite cramped. Surrounding them in a circular fashion were bookshelves, all of which emitted the scent of aged books.
On the room’s floor, several sets of geometric magic circles had been sketched out using chalk. In the midst of these circles stood a canvas, appearing somewhat lonely.
“I’ve never seen a magic circle like this before.”
Imitia muttered. Outin offered a smile in response to Imitia’s comment.
“It’s a type of Illusion Magic. If you’re acquainted with magic, you might have a basic understanding of what I’m referring to.”
“I do admit that the arrangement is similar, but wait… By Illusion Magic you can’t mean-”
Having noticed something, Imitia took a step back. Having observed this, Outin waved his hand and chuckled. No, it might be more accurate to say that he laughed.
“A Love Locket huh… Unfortunately, my paintings are not something that practical, nor do they hold that kind of power.”
“What? Then what is this Illusion Magic?”
“I’m turning off the lights.”
“Wh-”
Outin clapped his hands.
Simultaneously, all the windows in the small spherical room shut, the curtains drew themselves closed, and every bit of illumination from the candles was absorbed into the magic circle on the floor.
As one’s vision was abruptly veiled in darkness, the room regained its semblance of luminosity, now cast in a pale blue-white radiance emitted by the magic circle.
Tiny, luminescent lights resembling fireflies danced in and out of the confined space.
Outin nodded and settled himself in front of the canvas.
“I’m a Magical Painter. My job is to glimpse at a client’s vision and present it, in a realistic way, on this canvas1.”
