I was reincarnated into a merciless evil noble and stand at the pinnacle of the magical world, wielding control over magic.~ Just when I had given up on having a heroine, she came to me on her own accord~ - Chapter 17: Walking Towards the Unknown Together

Chapter 17: Walking Towards the Unknown Together.

His perfectly arranged features contradicted the rumors, presenting a charming and doll-like visage.

Different.

His eyes were distinct, resembling the abyss of ominous chaos, drawing one in with their deep, jet-black depths.

Before I knew it, even though I wasn’t enthusiastic about being a teacher, I found myself provocatively engaging Vanitas in conversation, despite his somewhat passive demeanor.

Fascinating, indeed.

Since meeting this child, my emotions have completely reversed.

Continuing in that flow, we began training outside the mansion with a lecture on basic magic and simulated battles.

However, little did I know that this training would take an unexpected turn.

“Ashburn-sensei, how much can transformation magic alter your original form? Can you transform into animals, or even something as small as insects? I’m curious” he inquired.

“Hohoho, it depends, my dear. I’m an old man with a fading memory, you see. I might not recall Ernst’s mentioned control magic without seeing it.”

“…This guy.”

Casting a sidelong glance at Vanitas’s slave girls peering from afar, I was enveloped in an indescribable exhilaration.

An intelligence and creativity beyond his age. An eager thirst for knowledge, even for trivial questions.

Above all else…

“This is control magic. …Though it’s just the most basic foundation. I can only gather mana from around me into my hands. Through training, I’ve managed to apply it slightly, but it won’t be useful in practical combat.”

“Oh, what a feat. The mana manipulated by that legendary sorcerer is right in front of us! …To think you’re gathering atmospheric mana into your hands!”

“That’s too much praise. Probably, not just me, but Ashburn-sensei can also use it if you train, right?”

“Huh?!”

Before I knew it, I was no longer a teacher. I was not in a position to teach but to learn. Yet, if I were to put it in a positive light, we were comrades researching the unknown magic together.

“Here. Start concentrating the mana here. You know the feeling of holding mana, right? That squishy sensation. Now, grip it tightly and compact it into a ball.”

“No, no, isn’t this too difficult?! I can’t even gather the mana, let alone compact it!”

“Is that so? It’s odd. Ashburn-sensei, isn’t your grip weak? Your arms are thinner and paler than those twigs.”

“That’s an exaggeration! I have way more grip strength than those thin branches!”

“Calling them twigs is too much. They are at least like a stick.”

“I know that! It’s a metaphor! A metaphorical expression! Wh-what is a stick anyway?”

“Oh, you don’t know? My apologies. The authority on transformation magic? I thought it was common knowledge for someone of your stature”

“I don’t know! I don’t know at all!!”

I lost track of time, regardless of my age, as I immersed myself in magic. I didn’t even remember a single piece of the bad reputation that surrounded Vanitas.

From morning till evening, until just before the sun set, we were engrossed in magic research.

…Have I ever enjoyed magic to this extent?

The Empire has a history built on the foundation of wars, sometimes starting them, sometimes being dragged into them. In my youth, I focused on honing my magic skills solely to kill enemy soldiers.

That was enjoyable in its own way, but it didn’t offer the excitement of exploring the unknown like now.

On the other hand, what is this now?

  At this age, I’m struggling hard to manipulate mana.

For a long time, I believed I couldn’t do it and had stagnated in my thinking. 

Now, I’m breaking free from those constraints and facing it with a clear mind, approaching it with complete dedication. Moreover, it’s all under the guidance of a much younger leader, experimenting and trying different things.

“Oh, that was splendid, wasn’t it? The mana moved a bit.”

“R-Really?!”

“Oh, my apologies. It was a misunderstanding.”

“What on earth! You’re just playing with my emotions, leaving me with expectations!”

It’s no longer just about whether I can or cannot do it.

It’s about challenging myself and pushing the boundaries.

However…

“Vanitas, what are you planning to do? Throughout the long history of the Empire, no one except Vanitas Armatile has ever mastered control magic, or perhaps, no one on the entire continent. Althou gh there are magic books that talk about it, they are rare, and some even doubt their existence beyond mere stories. I wouldn’t have believed it myself without seeing it firsthand. Besides, isn’t your innate attribute something other than ‘control’?”

===

If you like this novel, Please leave ratings and review in NovelUpdates.>>HERE