Episode 3 - Manifesting Magic

When turning four years old, he heard how he would spent his life from now on from mother Kaina. At that time, the day he became Yoyo’s butler, his road was already formed, but he heard it again from mother.
　四歳になった頃、自分が今後どのような生活を送るのか母親カイナから聞かされた。あの時、ヨヨから執事になれと言われたあの日、自分の道は形作られたようなものだが、改めて母から聞かされた。

Mother was the head maid of this mansion. Following that, her son, Souji’s indicated road of life was to serve Yoyo as her butler.
Although normally it was unpleasant to ride on the rail paved by someone else, Souji already thought that his life-calling was as a butler when he was still in Japan.
　母は屋敷のメイド長。そしてその息子であるソージは、ヨヨに仕える執事として生きていく道を示される。
　本来なら誰かに敷かれたレールの上を走るのは嫌だとか言うのだろうが、ソージは執事という職業が自分の天職ではないかと日本に居た時に思ったことがある。

Cooking, washing, and cleaning, since he was small, was always done by himself because his house was dual-income so his parents always worked . Because of that, his housework skills already reached the top and surpassed the average housewives.
　炊事、洗濯、掃除、幼い頃から両親が共働きのせいで、一人でずっとこなしていた。そのせいか、家事スキルが並みの主婦を凌駕するほどの高見に登りつめてしまっていた。

After all, Souji was originally the type that concentrated on what he did, so with that ability he might be suitable for housework that needed to be done with great detail.
Thanks to that, the person in question was relieved he was able to raise himself as a strong househusband that could do the housework. That was coupled with how he was happy to be able to improve his skill at cooking and cleaning. That’s why, there were times where he was seriously worried that he couldn’t make use of these skills in the future.
　それはひとえに、ソージが元々凝り性であり、細かい作業も得意で要領が良いという非常に家事に向いた能力を宿していたことに既存するのかもしれない。
　本人もそのお蔭か、家事をしていると心底安心するという主夫心を強く育てることができているようだった。それに料理にしろ掃除にしろ、自分の腕が見る見 る向上していくのは楽しくもあった。だからこそ、将来的にこのスキルを活かした職業に就けないかと本気で悩んでいた時期もあったのだ。

But, he couldn’t just simply apply to work as a butler, in addition it wouldn’t work well in current society, so he could only give up on it.
Because of that, for such chance to appear, everything worked as he desired. Even his reason as he answered Yoyo’s demand, was probably also included in these desires.
　だが執事という職業が簡単に募集されているはずもなく、世の中は上手くいかないことばかりなんだなと達観した思いで諦めつつあった。
　そんな矢先に、まさか絶好のチャンスが訪れるとは、願ったり叶ったりだった。ヨヨからの要求を一言で返事した理由も、そんな理由が多分に含まれている。

By the way, the Crowtail mansion called 【Moriath】 was the largest mansion in this town. Yoyo’s father’s job, simply put, was an information broker. His information networks were vast, and a lot of people, from commoners up to nobles, seek the information held by Crowtail. He wasn’t only dealing with information but also put his hands in rare crystals and magic tool businesses. Having obtained high quality information, he sold the materials obtained from it. With his results admitted even by the country, the father quickly climbed to a noble.
　ちなみにクロウテイルの屋敷は【モリアート】と呼ばれる街の中で一番大きな屋敷である。ヨヨの父親が手がけている仕事は簡単に言えば情報屋である。その 情報は幅広く、平民から貴族まで多くの者たちがクロウテイルの持つ情報を求めてやって来る。また情報を売り買いするだけでなく、希少な鉱石や魔法具などの 商売などにも手がけている。高質な情報を得て、それを元に手に入れた素材を売ったりしているのだ。その実績は国にも認められ、父親は成り上がり貴族として 馳せたのだ。

At the day Souji turned five years old, he got a book related to magic as a present from mother Kaina, after he requested it.
From then on, for the sake of not being defeated by the current master’s daughter, he desperately memorized how to read and write. Although everyone in the mansion was surprised because a five year old child was capable of reading and writing, Yoyo only said, “It’s only a natural thing for my butler.” Having seen her relaxed and proud face, Souji felt somewhat happy.
　ソージが五歳になった日、母親であるカイナからは、かねてから頼んでいた魔法関係の本をプレゼントしてもらった。
　当主の娘であるヨヨに負けず、あれから必死で読み書きを覚えた。屋敷の者は五歳なのにもう読み書きができるとはと驚愕していたが、ヨヨは「わたしの執事なのだから当然よ」と言っていた。その顔は誇らしそうに緩んでいたのを見て、ソージも何だか嬉しかった。

Having turned five years old, he was going to be taught the fundamental attitude of how to work as a butler. Even so, Souji was able to choose the one that’d teach him.
Just like an arrow with a white feather, he chose Balmunk. When Balmunk had time to spare, he taught him about the mansion and Yoyo.
　五歳になってからは、本格的に執事としての心構えや仕事などについても教わることになった。というよりも教えてほしいとソージから申し出たのだが。
　そこで白羽の矢が立てられたのはバルムンクである。執事長のバルムンクに、時間が空けば屋敷のことやヨヨのことなどを教えてもらっていた。

Because Yoyo had gone out in formal dress with her father nearly every day, he didn’t have the chance to come in contact with her, but when she had the time to spare, she’d shout, “Please study properly.”
　ヨヨはほぼ毎日礼装して父親とどこかへ出かけていたので、ほとんど触れ合う機会は無かったが、たまに時間が空くと足を延ばしては、「しっかり勉強なさい」と発破をかけてくる。

Although this girl was still six years old, she was great at social intercourse such as having dinner together just like her father, and he heard she spent her days busily. Without even letting out an unpleased look, she kept a firm attitude.
　彼女もまたまだ六歳なのに、父親とともにお偉いさんなどとの会食などの社交で、慌ただしい日々を過ごしていると聞いた。嫌な顔一つもせずに、毅然とした態度を保っている。

However, in front of Souji, she showed her unexpected childish side. Talking about her father, grumbling about people from her previous work, and smiling as she talked about the invention of a new kind of plaything, this might be the real Yoyo or so he thought.
　しかしソージの前だと、意外にも子供らしい一面しか見せなかったりするのだ。父親や、その仕事先の者たちの愚痴や、新しい遊びの発明などを話し笑顔を振りまいている姿は、コッチの方が本当のヨヨなのだろうと思わせた。

Previously, at the time he and Yoyo studied arithmetic, he inadvertently used a formula he learned as a highschool student, and when Yoyo saw that, an awkward atmosphere flowed around Souji. No matter how excellent Yoyo was, as expected it was a calculating formula she never seen before, so Souji tried to think of something as he looked at the unusual sky.
　以前、ヨヨと二人で算術の勉強をしている時、つい高校生で習う計算式を使って答えを導き出してしまい、それを見たヨヨとソージの間にえもいわれぬ空気が 流れた。それはそうだろう。いくら優秀なヨヨでも、さすがに見たことも聞いたこともない計算式を、自分よりも一つ下のソージが編み出したと思ったら変な空 気にもなる。

Having thought of making an excuse, he regretted that shallowness, but Yoyo immediately laughed and said, “That’s nice, teach me more of that method,” as she somehow didn’t pursue how he came to know that formula. Having thought it was strange, Souji was relieved while thinking someone else was reincarnated just like him.
　どう言い訳をしようかと思い、自分の浅はかさを後悔していたが、ヨヨはクスリと笑って「いいわね、その方法もっと詳しく教えなさい」と何故自分がそんな 計算式を知っているのか追求してはこなかった。不思議に思ったが、ソージとしてはまさか転生してきたんですとは言えずホッとしていた。

But, Yoyo didn’t say anything until the studying was finished, and although she said, “Someday… right?,” he could only be stupefied and said, “Eh?,” only to be replied with, “That’s face is a masterpiece, Souji,” as she laughed. It was Souji’s secret to have thought her smile was lovely as he admired her.
　だがヨヨが勉強を終えた時に一言、「いつか……ね」と意味深な言葉を投げかけたので、意味が分からず「え？」と呆然としていると、「その顔傑作よソージ」と言って破顔していた。その笑顔が見惚れるほど可愛かったと思ったのはソージだけの秘密だ。

A certain day after he spent days as usual, he thought it was the time to practice his magic, and he set his feet towards the mansion’s backyard alone.
Souji had read the book about magic and was taught various things by Kaina, Balmunk, and even Yoyo. So, he began with the basics, sensing magic power.
　そんな日々を過ごしていたある日、そろそろ魔法を使ってみようと思い、一人で屋敷の裏庭に足を踏み入れていた。
　魔法の本を読んだり、カイナやバルムンク、そしてヨヨにもいろいろ教えてもらっていたソージは、まずは基本である魔力を感じることから始めた。

First of all, magic power was the necessary power used to conjured magic, and it seemed magic power was extracted from the《Magic Core》 inside the body.
　まず魔力というのは、魔法を使うために使用する力であり、体内の《魔核(まかく)》から魔力を抽出するらしいのだ。

It seemed to exist on the other side of the heart, and the earthling Souji could sense his internal organs had increased. Well, it was a usual thing for this world.
　ちょうど心臓と隣り合わせに存在しているらしく、地球人だったソージ的には内臓が一個増えているという感覚なのだろう。この世界では普通の事であるようだが。

By the way, those who use magic were called magicians. Because magic was a strong power, the ones who are capable enough to use it received preferential treatment in various ways.
With his eyes closed, Souji concentrated to sense the 《Magic Core》 that surely existed in his right chest. However, he could feel nothing.
　ちなみに魔法を扱う者のことを魔法士と呼ぶ。魔法は強力な力であり、使える者は様々な面で優遇されたりするという。
　目を閉じてソージは右胸に存在しているはずの《魔核》に意識を集中させる。しかし何も感じられなかった。

(Nn~ how odd~ although it was written in the book….)
（ん～おかしいなぁ～本には書いてあるのに……）

First, after sensing the 《Magic Core》 which existed inside his body, magic power was squeezed from there or so it was written.
　まずは自分の中にある《魔核》の存在を意識して、そこから絞り出すように魔力を捻出すると書いてあった。

(... anyway, let’s just try it again)
（……とにかくもう一度してみよう）

Although he had tried it several times, he felt nothing at all. And a certain thought appeared and his face became paled.
　何度か試したが、やはり何も感じなかった。そこである考えに行き渡り顔を青ざめさせてしまう。

(D-Don’t tell me, I do not have talent in magic… something like that?)
（ま、まさかオレには魔法の才能が無い……とか？）

Actually he had heard about people who didn’t carry a 《Magic Core》 inside their bodies. Moreover, there were also those who had a dysfunctionality of that. He was shocked when he thought he was either of the two.
　実は中にはそもそも《魔核》自体を持たない人もいるとのこと。また持っていても機能不全の者もいる。もしかして自分がその枠に当て嵌まっているのではと思いショックを受ける。

(N-no no! That’s still unproven!)
（い、いやいや！　まだ分からないじゃないか！）

After that, Souji repeatedly meditated every day. However, he was in a resigned mood because there was no development at all. Although he kept training because he wanted to surprise everyone by suddenly being capable of using magic, having thought those would end in vain, that created a lump in his throat that was filled by feeling more than just regret.
　それからソージは毎日瞑想を繰り返していた。しかし何の進歩も感じず徐々に諦めムードが漂っていた。いきなり魔法を使って皆を驚かせようとサプライズで訓練しているのだが、それももしかしたら徒労に終わるのかもしれないと思うと、悔しさよりも情けなさが込み上げてくる。







“What happened Souji? Is it that your magic training didn’t go well?”
「どうかしらソージ？　魔法の訓練は上手くいってるの？」

On a certain day, Yoyo asked him that, and immediately he asked back with “I wonder what are you talking about?” Then, the girl laughed, having seen right through him.
　ある日、ヨヨにそう尋ねられ、咄嗟に「何のことでしょうか？」と聞き返した。すると彼女は見透かしたように笑うと、

“If it’s a hidden training, then do it more skillfully. Having trained quietly in the backyard, did you think I, the master wouldn’t have noticed?”
“Uuh….”
「隠れて訓練するなら、もっと上手くやりなさい。あなたが裏庭でこっそりと訓練しているのを、主のわたしが知らないと思って？」
「う……」

Apparently, he was found out by his master. So,he couldn’t do anything except to report his progress.
　どうやらご主人様には筒抜けだったようだ。仕方無く進捗状況を話すと、

“... I see, you are thinking you have no talent, right?”
“Y-Yes….”
「……なるほど、自分には才能が無いと思っているわけね？」
「は、はい……」

Having seen the depressed Souji, Yoyo, fuh, was full of smile.
　落ち込むソージを見たヨヨは、フッと笑みを溢すと、

“It’s okay Souji”
“Eh?”
“You’re the man I chose. Have more confidence.”
“Ojou-sama….”
“You have talent. Surely it’ll come soon… … that’s why you shouldn’t show that resigned look”
「安心なさいソージ」
「え？」
「あなたはわたしが選んだ男よ。自信を持ちなさい」
「お嬢様……」
「あなたには才能があるわ。きっともうすぐ……だから諦めずに前だけ向いてなさい」

The shock made him doubted if she was truly a six years old. And he could see halo behind her. Her words was as if she could foreseen what ahead. Souji held his breath, and just like the girl had said, he thought to struggling just a little more.
　これが本当に六歳児かと思うほどの衝撃。彼女の背後に後光が見えていた。まるで彼女にはこの先のことが見えているような気さえしてくる。ソージは息を飲むと、彼女の言う通り、もう少し踏ん張ってみようかと思った。

Several months had passed since he began the training, and finally he could felt the change inside his body. When he concentrated to sensed the inside of his right chest, heat was generated.
　訓練を初めて数か月、ようやく身体に変化を感じた。瞑想して右胸に意識を集中させていると、じんわりと熱がこもるようになった。

Following that, he continued to practice every day, and although he was not burned, he could felt it became considerably hotter. And that’s the point. At the moment his feeling became a passion, he could sensed something raging from the inside of his body.
　そしてそれを毎日続けることで、火傷まではいかないが、かなりの熱さを感じるようになった。それからだ。熱さを感じている間、自分の体内で何かが暴れているような感覚が生まれる。

Having thought of releasing this from the inside of his body, he made a thrusting motion out of curiosity, but he felt somewhat uneasy about it.
　これを体内から解き放ったらどうなるのだろうと好奇心に突き動かされるが、若干の不安もある。

Actually magic was different depending on the person. There were no elements just like the ones inside light novels.
If there was a person who could manipulate the wind, then there was also someone who only could do magic that’s used to talk with animals. Although many magic resembled each other, the varieties were infinite.
　実は魔法というものは、人それぞれによって異なる。よくライトノベルにあるように属性などがあるわけではない。
　風を操ったりする魔法を持つ者がいれば、動物と話せるだけの魔法しか使えない者だっている。似た魔法は幾つも存在するが、それでも本当に千差万別なのだ。

That’s why, just what kind of magic Souji could do wouldn’t be known until it actually appeared. He had heard the method to investigated that seemed to existed inside the royal palace, and there was nothing in this town.
　だからソージの魔法がどんなものかは実際に発現してみないと分からないのだ。それを調べる方法は、王宮などには存在するらしいが、ここには無いと聞いた。

Therefore Souji wished.
　だからソージは願っていた。

Somehow, please pardon me from any strange magic!
　どうか、変な魔法だけは勘弁を！

That was followed by him wishing for it not to became a magic that wouldn’t be able to put into practical use, then he concentrated to sensed the thing which raging inside his body.
When he gripped the sensation that he could moved that something with his will, he slowly moved the sense towards his opened right palm. And in the middle of doing that, his stomach grumbled.
　そして実用性も全く見出せない魔法だけは止めてくれと願い、体内に暴れる何かに意識を集束させる。
　その何かを自分の意思で動かせる感覚を掴むと、ゆっくりと右手の平に感覚を宿していく。その最中に、お腹がぐ～っとなった。

(... … yesterday stew, is there any remain of that?)
（……昨日のシチュー、まだ残ってるとか言ってたっけ？）

Having recalled the taste of yesterday stew, he thought of eating it again later. But at that moment, something suddenly appeared.
　昨日食べたシチューの味を思い出して、後で食べさせてもらおうと思った。だがその時、突然それは出現した。

“... … … … … eh?”
「…………え？」

What appeared on his opened right palm was――――――――――――――――――pure white flame.
　右手の平に現れたのは――――――――――――――――――真っ白な炎だった。