01x04 - Off to The Castle

[bunniefuu]

Well, you just never know what

life has in store for you.

Indeed. Permission to meet him

alone was a surprise to me,

but if things go well,

His Majesty will consider the

request for a magic tutor.

Impressive power of collusion!

That's not what this is.

Apparently, the Royal Sorcerers

took an interest in you.

What kind of magic did you learn recently?

A-ori.

Wow! A cat. It's a cat!

Initially it was transparent,

but now I can even do white or calico.

Is this really water?

Yes.

Magic sure is a wonder.

Some motions are still unnatural,

but I want to study more and am

hoping to reproduce their meows.

Oh, there, there.

You like cats that much?

Well, no.

Why not keep a real cat?

Absolutely not!

If something like this was at home,

I'd never get any work done!

If you leverage the wealth

and power of the Gurions,

I'm sure you can collect cute

cats from all over the world.

We will not keep any

animals in our household.

We can't have them running around

your feet and making you trip.

But you needn't worry about me anymore.

And Tina prefers dogs.

I understand.

You are thinking of our family.

Thank you very much, Father.

No need to thank me.

Then how about keeping cats outside?

Iko told me that keeping cats outside is

a sign of a certain status among nobles,

and apparently bringing them

inside is considered crude.

Did she really mean cats?

Coming from that maid, I wonder

Princess Mirika agreed.

Her Highness?

Yes.

Then maybe it's really about cats.

Cats!

Keeping cats outside

Hmm, may not be a bad idea.

OFF TO THE CASTLE

Hello, Lord Gurion.

Oh, Lady Raysha.

Thank you for coming to greet us.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Kunon Gurion.

I'm honored to meet you, my lady.

Lady Raysha is the second princess,

so greet her properly!

Oh, then you're my future sister-in-law!

I'm so happy to see you!

Nice to meet you, Kunon.

I'm Raysha Hughlia.

Mirika has told me so much about you.

By the way, you brought a cat.

How adorable!

Ah, this is

I had no idea!

It's magic.

I didn't even name him

He's more skilled than I'd heard.

How fleeting it was.

Then I shall take Kunon

to the Black Tower.

Thank you.

I will have an audience with His Majesty.

How will you get home?

I can get home by myself.

I'd like to see Her Highness, too.

Very well.

I'll arrange a carriage for you,

so enjoy your time.

Thank you.

I actually reserved an

auspicious restaurant,

the one where Father managed

to win Mother over.

That's quite enough!

Go and have fun!

Oh, my.

The Black Tower is on the

other side of the castle.

Are you comfortable walking?

Yes, I'm perfectly fine.

Then listen while we walk.

About the essence of sorcerers?

Not quite, since I'm still new.

A new interpretation of

compound magic, then?

Oh, the way to apply the old

interpretation to the new one?!

Wait, could it be the new theory on

three-dimensional and

oblique magic circles?!

Wait, wait, wait!

I can't have such high-level

conversations while walking.

Oh, right.

I trust you've heard from Mirika

that there are seven princes

and ten princesses?

The higher ratio of girls is wonderful.

The throne goes to the first

prince in most countries,

but in Hughlia we lean toward meritocracy.

So, depending on achievement,

birth order can be overturned.

I've heard that it's complicated.

Indeed.

I, however, relinquished my right

to the throne to be a sorcerer.

I sense so many magical powers.

What kind of sorcerers are there?

Mirika is

concerned that you might get dragged

into the issue of royal succession.

Huh?!

What's that?! What is that?!

I created a very thin layer of

water on my shoes and froze it.

Froze a very thin layer of water?

It's like an ice sleigh.

It's faster than walking.

Would you like to try?

Yes!

Hold on! I must tell you

before we do anything else.

If you put your weight on it,

it creates friction and—

Okay, I'll make it quick!

Don't affiliate with a faction carelessly,

and don't sign or say anything

that can be used against you.

Okay, that's it!

Now, let me skate, too!

Very well. I'd like to skate

with a beautiful lady like you.

Oh, my gosh!

Watch out!

This is amazing!

The trick is to float just a little.

Wh-What the?!

Please stop, Lady Raysha!

It's dangerous!

N-No good. They're too fast.

What in the world is going on?

Sir Dario!

You there!

Stop at once!

He's telling us to stop.

No way.

Go faster! Faster!

Stop right now!

We're very sorry.

What's the commotion?

A child sorcerer made mischief

and got caught by a knight.

Welcome, Kunon Gurion.

I'm Londimonde Achthard, the Grand

Master of the Royal Sorcerers.

I'm Kunon Gurion.

Incredible.

I thought Lady Raysha's

magic was impressive,

but his is on a whole different level.

I hear you have a water crest.

Yes, on my left shoulder.

A two-star, huh?

A two-star?

FIRE, WATER, EARTH, WIND,

LIGHT, DARKNESS, FOUL

There are seven types of

crests borne by sorcerers:

fire, water, earth, wind,

light, darkness, and foul.

Each crest has five ranks.

Five Then I assume mine is water,

second from the bottom?

Yes. Statistically, two-stars

are the most common.

I'm also a two-star, of the wind.

Is that so?

But you're not, correct?

What makes you think that?

The density of your magical

power is completely different.

An interesting description.

Right. If the magical powers of Lady

Raysha and I are regular cheese,

yours is like premium blue cheese.

That sounds stinky.

Not that I mind,

since it goes well with wine.

Grand Master Blue Cheese

is a three-star, perhaps?

I'll be mad if you call me that again.

I am this.

A four-star.

You're not surprised?

This is my first time hearing about

crests, so it's not really sinking in.

Right. You'll get it eventually.

Grand Master.

Yes?

Does the difference in ranks

influence the magic one can wield?

There's no clear categorization.

The only clear distinction we know of

is the total amount of magical power.

What matters is what you'll learn

from now and how devoted you are.

I understand.

Well, then, can we move on?

Yes. Thank you for your time.

Then let the fun time begin!

Huh?

I am fascinated by you.

Let me give you a test.

He's amazing! Already amazing!

That's not fair. You've already seen it?

Seen it? I've experienced it!

Oh, I am very jealous!

Wait, is that the Hero's

Scar by any chance?

He's still a child.

He gave none other than

Sir Dario a hard time.

I'm interested to see what

kind of magic he uses.

Does this mean a Royal Sorcerer can

come be my teacher if I pass the test?

Please begin.

Victo.

Yes, sir.

A-ori.

Now, Kunon.

Can you conquer these with your A-ori?

Conquer magic with magic?

A-ori.

Listen to me, Master Kunon.

This is magic to produce and

manipulate water. But

A-ori.

It can also control water

that's already there.

Control water that's already there.

I've controlled water many times before.

But manipulating the water

another sorcerer created

Is something the matter, Kunon?

He nonchalantly gave me an

assignment neither Miss Jenié

nor I could come up with!

A-ori!

I've never experienced water that resists!

Come to me.

Come!

That's enough!

Only two.

So this is a Royal Sorcerer.

Nicely done, Kunon.

You're very good, indeed!

I didn't expect him to

take any, Grand Master.

May I have this child?

What? Don't be silly.

Seriously, don't be silly.

Didn't you just get dumped

by your girlfriend?

Don't be silly.

What does that have to do with this?

You can't even look after yourself.

Don't be silly, please.

Everyone seems to want you.

Does that mean I passed the test?

Hmm.

Why don't we try a few more things?

I'd love to experience your magic, too.

Very well!

This is fun!

And this is the Grand Master of the

Royal Sorcerers with a four-star crest.

Let us try it, too!

Please switch with us!

That's right! Hurry and

let us do it, old man!

I feel like I'm looking at

something I'm not supposed to.

Kunon!

What's this? What is this?!

It's Supersoft-Body A-ori.

I encased water in a super soft

and super stretchy membrane.

Imagine how well you'll sleep

if you make a bed out of this!

It might help absorb the shock of a fall.

I haven't had this much fun

with a magic test in years.

If I increase the elasticity,

you can jump so high

that you can easily reach the

second floor of the castle.

Is that true?!

I'd love to try it!

No, you shouldn't, Kunon!

Show us any more magic, and you

won't be able to go home tonight.

We wouldn't want to let you go!

I'm sorry, but I have dinner with my fiancée.

Oh, that's a shame.

Kunon, you can make other

animals than cats, right?

Can you make humans as well?

Yes, I can. A-ori.

A water doll, huh?

Yes. But just like animals, their

movements are still imperfect.

Does that mean, if your magic allows,

it's possible to have humanlike motion

or make it move in ways humans can't?

Yes. I tried letting it fly

as an experiment, but

It's not very pleasant to watch, is it?

It wasn't well received.

I'd like to see it!

Yes! Please show us, Kunon.

Yes, sir!

No!

I-Is that a person?!

Oh no!

We're very sorry

It was Victo who started it.

Don't be silly.

That's why you got dumped.

Don't be silly.

But you were all excited about it, too.

I got scolded twice today alone.

Feeling down isn't going

to change anything.

Next time, why don't we

discuss magic over lunch?

Next time? Does that mean I passed?

You saw how much fun I had,

so no need to ask.

I'll personally take care of assigning

a sorcerer to be your teacher.

Yes! Yes!

Will this imply I support a

specific royal faction?

No, don't worry.

Power and status mean

nothing to Royal Sorcerers.

Is that so? That's great!

For my information, I'd like to

ask if you have a future goal.

My goal is to create eyeballs with magic.

Oh yeah? That's impressive.

How intriguing.

That's nice. Very nice.

I've heard about my son's

bad reputation twice today.

What's the meaning of this?

I'm sorry, Father.

Kunon is not to blame.

We all got carried away.

I must disagree.

Regardless of the situation,

those who use magic should always be

held accountable for their actions.

Hurting someone because

they're told to do so.

k*lling people because

they're ordered to do so.

Things like that should never be allowed.

Magic is power.

No matter who commands you,

refuse if it can bring harm to others.

As long as you wield power,

you are responsible.

Yes. I am very sorry.

But I'm surprised he stayed

this late in that tower.

Take care!

It seems you're in their

good books, Kunon.

Kunon, don't you have to go get Mirika?

Don't you have dinner?

What? Is it that late?

Yes, it's starting to get dark.

Oh, no!

It'd be so ungentlemanly of

me to greet Her Highness

all sweaty and out of breath!

True, then

Let's combine our magic!

Huh?

A-ori.

Here we go.

I told you I had a wind crest.

If we fly this with my wind,

we can get to Mirika's in no time.

An interesting experiment,

but this is not good.

Huh?

I promised myself that

the first time I fly or float

alone with someone,

it'd be with Princess Mirika.

And I'm sure your fiancé

could misunderstand as well.

He'll blame you for

flying alone with a man.

Who cares?

Come on, get on!

I don't have a fiancé!

I've got no choice.

Let it float.

Yes, ma'am.

Ready to fly?

Isn't it too fast?!

So far, so good!

Let's go even faster!

Y-Yes, ma'am!

We're here, Kunon.

Thank you very much.

We made i—

Whoa?!

I'm grateful this is soft.

I am grateful this is soft.

I'm sorry. I should have gradually

decreased speed and altitude.

But now we know it can fly.

We need to experiment more.

You've done something dangerous again.

This is your third time.

We're very sorry.

Do you think Kunon will like this color?

It's Your Highness's favorite color.

I'm sure he'll be pleased.

Y-You think so?

To make Her Highness head

over heels like this

What kind of a gentleman is Kunon Gurion?

First of all, Lady Raysha.

I must say that you lack awareness that

you are a part of the royal family.

You should be the one to respect rules