Chapter 93
It Must Be Nice to Have Siblings
“I see—so Rick is the same age as your older brother.”
“Yeah, more or less.”
“And yet you’re good at magic and you’re huge, too… that’s amazing!!”
That evening.
We decided to have dinner at a restaurant next to the inn where we were staying. As Armin talked with Rick, he compared him with his own older brother (Yoti), his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Just being big doesn’t mean you’re strong, you know? In fact, I’m better with the sword than Rick.”
“Huh? What are you talking about? You’ve never beaten me.”
“No, no, no! I’ve never lost either! And if I fought you seriously, you’d be dead!!”
“Yeah, yeah, sure.”
“Hey, you don’t believe me!? Want me to prove it!?”
“I’ll take you on anytime.”
“Now, now, both of you…!”
Maybe because they’re the same age, those two start competing almost immediately.
It’s not like they’re on bad terms, but still…
…Come to think of it, I’ve never seen the two of them have a mock battle.
Rick is skilled in fire magic and has great physical strength.
But Yoti is fast and excels in swordsmanship.
So which one is actually stronger, I wonder?
…Ugh, I really want to see it…!!
“Shibel, you’re a Saint, right? That means you’re good at magic?”
“Huh? Y-yes, I should be.”
“Then show us something!”
“Eh? Umm… let’s see…”
Leaving the two men arguing, Armin turned his attention to me.
It’s true that as a Saint, I possess stronger magical power than most, and I suppose you could say I’m good at magic.
But when I really thought about it, I couldn’t think of any magic that would entertain people if I showed it to them.
I’m good at granting blessings and healing injuries, after all…
“Armin. I’ll show you some interesting magic.”
“Huh?”
As I was worrying, Rick said that and drew Armin’s attention back to him.
“Watch closely—here.”
“Whoa…! That’s awesome!!”
When I looked at Rick’s hand along with everyone else, a small mass of flame appeared in his palm, took the shape of a bird in midair, and began to flap its wings.
“I can’t believe you can do something like that… Rick, you really are amazing!”
It’s not just that his magic power is strong—he’s incredibly dexterous.
Magic is delicate and relies heavily on one’s power of imagination.
That’s why I’m better at using my magic when I can clearly see the person I’m blessing, or when my feelings toward them are especially strong.
“There’s more.”
“Ooooh…!”
Rick looked pleased as Armin reacted with delight.
The flaming bird spread its wings wide, then transformed into something like a dragon, opening its mouth and breathing fire.
Of course, it all happened in the palm of Rick’s hand, so no one was in any danger of getting burned.
“That’s amaaazing!!”
“Seriously impressive.”
“Yeah… this is my first time seeing something like that, too.”
Leo and Mirko were impressed, and even Yoti stared wide-eyed in honest amazement.
“So? Pretty interesting, right?”
“It’s incredible…! Fire magic is so cool!! Rick, please take me as your disciple!!”
“Haha, I don’t take apprentices.”
When Rick lowered his hand, the flaming dragon disappeared.
Armin looked at Rick with pure admiration, repeatedly saying how amazing it was and begging to become his student.
But honestly, Rick’s fire magic really is incredible—and so cool.
…Even though I can’t compete with muscles, I’d like to learn at least one fun spell that could make Leo and the others happy.
I can’t create huge flames like Rick, but I can manage basic everyday magic. If I train my imagination, maybe I could do something too.
…I’ll try practicing secretly later.
With that resolution in mind, we finished our meal and returned to the inn for the night.
“Alright then, Shibel, have a good rest. Good night.”
“Yes, Leo. Good night.”
That night, Elga and I were sharing a room.
Leo was rooming with Mirko.
Armin was in a three-person room with Yoti and Rick… I just hope they don’t fight.
With Armin there, they should be fine… right?
After parting with Leo in front of the room, I sat down on my bed and immediately tried imitating Rick, manipulating my magic over my palm.
“…Huh? It’s not working…”
The softly glowing ball of light that appeared in my hand wouldn’t change shape the way Rick’s flames had.
“…Is my imagination not strong enough?”
“Shibel? What are you doing?”
“Elga. I was wondering if I could use some fun magic like Rick does.”
“Huh?”
Seeing me struggle and mutter to myself, Elga asked curiously—but then gently scolded me.
“You shouldn’t waste your magic power on things like that. You are a Saint, after all.”
“…You’re right.”
Using strength on unfamiliar things is tiring.
As Elga said, wasting magic like this would be dangerous if a powerful monster suddenly appeared in the city.
“I think it’s fine if you can’t do things like that, Shibel. You can already use truly wonderful magic that no one else can imitate.”
“…You’re right. Thank you. Shall we go to sleep?”
“Yes, let’s.”
Elga gently guiding me like this really makes her feel like an older sister.
If I had an older sister, I think it would feel just like this.
Watching Yoti and Armin made me think that having siblings must be nice.
Even though we’re not related by blood, I do have sisters of a sort.
My adopted younger sister, Anika.
…I wonder if Anika is doing well.
If we go to Tori, I’ll finally get to see her again after so long.
After saying “good night” to Elga, who turned off the light, I drifted off to sleep while thinking about all that.
