The first boss that stood in the way of the hero in the [Ascalon Empire War Chronicles] was more of a swordsman than a mage.
It's a very nasty and formidable enemy that combines sparkling swordsmanship with abnormal status magic debuffs.
No!
The reason why the sword shines is because they used a lot of jewels, and any abnormal status can be cured quickly with health potions.
In the first place, if I seal my magic, my weak attack power is not something that a hero should be afraid of.
"Teacher, can't my magic be something like spewing fire or ice?"
"No, it can't."
"Ugh..."
My teacher, a magician (26 years old), is very straightforward.
He's an elite who entered the Magic Department as the youngest ever in the Imperial Academy and in the empire, yet he doesn't empathize with me? Even though I'm a fairly high-ranking and good noble...
"Come on, Fran-sama, let's do repetition exercises instead of lying around."
I'm having a magic lesson in the garden with soil laid down. With the demon teacher looking down at me from right beside, I squirm and stand up, thrusting both hands forward. I focus on kneading my magical power within my body...
"Nnghh... Ei!"
Poof!
With a silly sound, a smoke puff smaller than a ping-pong ball appears. This is my magic, a smoke that makes you a bit sluggish when touched. And after two seconds, it dissipates into nothing.
"Again."
"Nnngghhh... Ei!"
Poff...
"Again."
"Nnngghhhh... Ei!"
Poof...
"Again."
"Nnnngghhh... Nothing comes out anymore!"
"Again."
"Waaah! This loop is scary!!"
I clenched my fists and lay down on the ground, showing my refusal with my whole body.
This! This is what I hate about this teacher!
He makes me repeat things so monotonously. His expression hardly changes, making him seem like a machine. I feel an immense pressure!
"Haa... Well then, Fran-sama, let's end here for today. You must be out of magic power, so eat well and sleep well. Thank you for today."
Despite me being curled up on the ground, Teacher leaves as usual. Is he a psychopath?
More importantly, now that he's left, I have no idea when to stand up. I was waiting to be comforted... This must be why I'm failing. This kind of thing adds up and turns one into a spoiled noble.
I understand, but still, I want comfort now.
"Young Master, please excuse me."
"..."
Kitty gently lifts me up. She's a maid, but she's strong — that's Kitty. She carries me into the mansion, holding me under her arm. Letting her do as she pleases is the trick. It's less of a burden on both of us. I've honed this skill since I was three.
"Young Master, what would you like for dinner?"
"I'm full, so I don't need any."
"Understood."
After climbing the stairs a bit, we reach my room, and she gently lays me on my bed. As I lie down in my clothes, she takes off my shoes.
I think I'll sleep. I'm full from the apple pie, and if I get hungry at night, Kitty can bring me some food.
"If you dislike the teacher from earlier, Young Master, you can always dismiss him."
Kitty says gently, sitting by my bedside.
Actually, I've already dismissed three teachers. The first one was scary, the next one cried because I couldn't use fire magic as claimed, and the third one just let me do whatever I wanted and didn't teach me anything.
So if we dismiss the current teacher, Father will arrange another one.
If I ask for a kinder teacher, he will surely find one, but it'll bother him...
"No... I'll try my best."
"Understood. I apologize for my presumptuous suggestion."
"Hmm."
I've always been able to speak my mind and have done so often. But I have a goal to be a good child and not become a villain. I'll try just a little harder.
Three days later.
"Well, today we'll focus on the basics of magic, mainly on the refining of magic power."
Here he comes, the demon teacher! He speaks so primly, but today I'm different!
"Now, let's begin."
I stretched my legs out a little, put my hands forward, and pull, pull, pull out my magic power...
"Hhnngghhhh... Ei!"
Poof!
"Yes, once more."
"Praise me."
"...What did you say?"
"Praise me."
I put my hands on my hips and look up at Teacher. His narrow eyes staring at me are scary... I'll do it, I'll practice magic! But you could at least praise me!
"Praise me! It'll make me more motivated!"
"Even without that, your abilities won't change. Now, once more."
"They will change! Don't you know that being praised makes you work harder? Are you stupid?!"
"W-what... Did you just call me stupid?"
"Saying 'it won't change' without ever trying it is stupid."
"I-I have tried—"
"No, you haven't. Teacher has never praised me."
"Guh..."
....
Teacher and I both freeze.
It's a staring contest.
"...Good... job..."
"See!?"
Teacher praised me reluctantly, but still! He did it!
Wow. It feels better than I thought! Is it because of the contrast? I'm so happy that I eagerly take the practice pose and look up at sensei.
"I'll do it again! Watch me! Hhnnngghhh... Ei!"
Poff...
I glance at him.
"...Well done..."
"Yeah!"
The poofs get weaker, and I need to glance up to get him to say it, but being praised really does motivate me.
Teacher isn't used to praising and only says "well done" repeatedly, but his cheeks are a bit red, so I guess... he's not a robot after all.
I've been practicing happily like that, and now my magical power is finally growing.
(Nnggghhh! It might not work, it might not be magic. I can't help but feel like something is wrong...)
"Nggghhh... Teacher, praise me!"
"Huh? What?"
"Hurry! Praise me with all your might before my motivation breaks! With all your might!"
"Wow, amazing! Fran-sama, you've done well! And... um, also... motivated Fran-sama looks cool!"
"Nnngugugugugu... Eiii!"
Poof!
Despite feeling a bit drained, I managed to create something quite large.
Surprised and happy, I turned to Teacher, who had wide eyes in astonishment.
"Teacher!"
"Wow! Fran-sama, you did it!"
I rushed over, and Teacher lifted me up, spinning me around. I thought he were a finely built person, but it turns out he's using wind magic! Truly impressive, Teacher.
"Hehe, it's thanks to Teacher's encouragement!"
"No, it's the result of Fran-sama's hard work. Well done, full marks!"
"Um... Teacher?"
"Yes?"
"Um, you know, I'm sorry for calling you stupid."
I blurted it out in the heat of the moment. Being held like this, I really want to apologize.
Even though I should be an adult, I feel embarrassed, remembering my past life...
Teacher gently lowered me to the ground, bent their knees, and smiled at me, our faces at the same height.
"As Fran-sama said, the power of words is incredible. I was ignorant too."
"So, are we okay now?"
"Of course. Let's keep doing our best."
"Yeah!"
Hehe.
I'll work hard with Teacher and become stronger!