Sign of Unrest
Tigarokent Noros, also known as Tigaro, buried his body deep in the bushes behind the school's elementary school building.
There was a clearing at the back of the bushes, and there was a girl with long, indigo hair.
When the girl recognized Tigaro, she let out a dissatisfied snort.
However, the corner of her mouth lifted into a happy smile.
"Tigaro, you're finally here! You're late!"
"Haha, I'm sorry, Aifie. I was taking a little detour and it ended up being like this."
"You better get it together!!"
That girl―― Aifietouka Asur scolded Tigaro who bowed his head.
Then, she invited Tigaro into the square and stood a little distance away from him.
"Please take a look at my progress in magic!"
Saying that, Aifie puts her hands in front of her and takes a deep breath.
Tigaro decided to do as he was told and quietly kept an eye on her.
Aifie tightens her arms as if she's putting something in them.
The mana flowing through her body changed direction and gradually concentrated into her arms according to her will.
Tigaro, who was watching Aifie, could faintly sense the flow of mana that was accumulating in Aifie's hands.
"[Water Ball]!!!"
When Aifie speaks the chant, the accumulated mana changes its shape and goes wild in her hands. Aifie's pretty face became slightly distorted.
However, it was momentary, and Aifie's mana quickly returned to its calm flow.
"Fuu...!"
Aifie took a deep breath to calm herself down.
The mana that was accumulating in her hands rapidly transformed into a substance, changing its form into a transparent liquid.
Thus, a liquid was produced on Aifie's hand, which shimmered and distorted on the surface.
The liquid was definitely pure water.
"Ooh...!"
A way to make wonders come true in this world in accordance with the laws of magic in exchange for the energy source called mana―― Tigaro, who witnessed the magic, lets out a voice of admiration.
At Tigaro's age, it wouldn't be strange for him to be able to use some magic.
However, it is by no means easy to handle magic on your own. Even the knights of the kingdom often receive assistance from others or magic tools when using magic.
There are only a few people like Aifie who are able to perform the entire process of converting and controlling mana by themselves.
However, even if Aifie has magic talent, her skills and experience are still immature.
"O-oops."
"Oh"
Tigaro quickly supported Aifie as she stumbled, and looked into her face.
"Are you okay? You look fine, but... have you run out of mana?"
"No"
Aifie probably stumbled because she felt weak as the mana was drained from her body and because she was too focused on activating the magic.
Aifie blushed in embarrassment and walked away from Tigaro.
Her long hair tied with a cute ribbon was swaying, and Tigaro's eyes were drawn to it.
When Aifie calmed down, her shy expression changed and she smiled confidently.
"What do you think? Isn't it amazing!?"
"Yes, now you are truly a member of the ranks of mages."
Tigaro, who had been watching Aifie's growth since she had always said that she wanted to be able to use magic, honestly praised her.
Tigaro himself couldn't help but relax as he saw Aifie grow and look happy.
"Aifie is amazing."
When he saw Aifie looking so proud, he ended up loving her, as if he were looking at his younger sister.
Tigaro gently extended his hand, thinking of praising Aifie who was happy.
"W-wait."
Aifie complained, but Tigaro, who had known her for a long time, knew that it was just her trying to hide her embarrassment.
Just like that, he stroked Aifie's long hair as if combing it.
Her proud hair was so smooth that it felt so good to the touch that he wanted to touch it forever.
The person in question, Aifie, blushed a little, and hugged her long hair tied with a ribbon.
However, she did not put up any particular resistance towards Tigaro, and just continued to be patted on the head.
"Hehe."
Perhaps because she was so different from her usual self, Tigaro couldn't help but burst into laughter.
When Aifie noticed this, her cheeks turned red, perhaps feeling embarrassed by Tigaro's laugh.
"J-jeez!!"
Aifie, whose face was a mixture of embarrassment and anger, hurriedly slipped out of Tigaro.
Then, expressing dissatisfaction, she glared at Tigaro with slightly tearful eyes.
"Haha, sorry. I was getting a little happy too."
Aifie was still a little displeased that Tigaro was looking at her with such kind eyes, but seeing him sincerely apologize, she decided to forgive him.
Pulling herself together, Aifie threw a question at Tigaro, who still had a good smile on his face, in return
"So, are you still practicing your magic?"
"Yeah. It's still not as perfect as Aifie though."
Now that Aifie has shown him some magic, it's Tigaro's turn to show her some magic.
Tigaro reflects the image in his head into the palm of his head, and silently chants.
"[Spirit Tail]"
Something bulges out from Tigaro's palm. It was as thick as a fist and as long as Tigaro's index finger, and it was wriggling and moving with Tigaro's will.
Aifie, who had seen it before, was not surprised by the tentacle that Tigaro released, but was observing it with interest.
"That's a strange magic every time I see it. How do you do it?"
"Hmm. I don't know much about it either, but it seems like it's a magic unique to my family. I saw my brothers using it and tried to imitate it, and I was able to do it."
"Hmm."
The color is black, almost purple, and it's so translucent that you can barely see what's on the other side.
Aifie has seen this magic several times now, but she felt like it was much thinner before.
Apparently, Aifie isn't the only one practicing magic and improving.
Aifie flicked it lightly with her finger, the tentacle fell down with a slight elasticity.
"Fufu."
For some reason, it looked so cute, and Aifie's mouth loosened a little.
"I don't know what kind of magic it is, but... that's still not enough to catch up with me!!"
Tigaro lowered the corner of his eyes and smiled bitterly at the adorable look of Aifie as she proudly crossed her arms.
The two then enjoyed their time alone for a while, practicing magic on the spot and chatting during breaks.
---
Tigarokent Noros' family home―― The Noros family is one of the three major noble families of the Shirsodi Kingdom.
The main families of the three major aristocratic families, which are the most powerful after the royal family, naturally own large mansions in the royal capital.
The only entrance to the Noros family compound is a large gate.
Other areas are surrounded by stone walls, blocking visibility from the outside.
When Tigaro returned from school, he waved to the female soldier in armor who was guarding the gate, and she opened the large gate and invited him in.
Stepping through the gate reveals a large garden that extends all the way to the main residence.
When Tigaro had reached the middle of the garden, he took a step outside the garden, intending to deviate from the path and pass to the side of the garden.
Then, from the edge of Tigaro's vision, he saw his older brother get into the carriage in the direction of the main house
His brother was about to board the carriage with two maids following behind him.
"Brother Skrios"
Skrios is the second son of the Noros' main family, and from Tigaro's perspective, he is five years older than him.
"Hey, Tigaro. Where are you going as soon as you get back?"
His older brother―― Skrios asked Tigaro, who had an amused smile on his face, as he tried to leave the path in the garden and go somewhere.
Whether he was aware of his brother's thinking or not, Tigaro kept an innocent expression and answered with a smile, without feeling offended.
"The house where Mother is. I'm at school a while ago."
When Tigaro answered honestly, the older brother snorted as if looking at his pitiful younger brother.
"Ha, you should just live in the main residence. You're one weird dude to live in that Niku stable."
"...? Mother is in a normal house, not a stable, right?"
Unaware of Skrios's derogatory meaning, Tigaro tilted his head with innocent eyes.
Skrios, his malice clearly washed away, scratched his head.
Then, perhaps losing interest, he took his gaze away from Tigaro and stepped into the carriage.
"Well, if Father is leaving you alone, I don't care."
After saying that, his brother got into the carriage with two maids and left the Noros family mansion.
The house where his mother is located is located some distance from the main residence. It was a very small house compared to the main residence―― it wasn't that different from a commoner's house, but Tigaro never felt particularly bad about it.
In fact, he felt like it was just the right size for his mother and Tigaro to live together.
When he opened the door to the detached house, his mother Tesia appeared from inside the house, perhaps realizing that Tigaro had returned from the sound.
"Welcome back, Tigaro!"
"I’m home, Mother."
When Tigaro smiles, Tesia's mouth lifts as if in response, and he quickly closes the distance.
His mother's hands reached out and cupped Tigaro's face.
"Fugu-―― hehe"
The pressure on his cheek causes a breath to escape from Tigaro's nose.
However, Tigaro accepted his mother's actions without blaming her and continued to smile as usual.
Seeing Tigaro's happy expression, Tesia also smiled.
"Hehe, Tigaro's smile is wonderful after all. It's Mother's favorite face."
"I love your smile, too."
"Oh no, Tigaro is good at it."
Tesia's mother's smiling face spread across Tigaro's face.
Seeing this, Tigaro also looked happy and his mouth hung up even more.
For Tigaro, who has lived in the house with his mother ever since he was a child, this was the place where he felt the most at ease.
A big reason for this is probably Tesia saying that she likes Tigaro's smile.
For Tigaro, this was the kind of place where he could be his true self because she praised his natural appearance.
"What have you been up to today?"
"Well, I studied at school, and I also practiced magic with Aifie!"
"Oh, magic!! In the future, you'll be a fine knight of the kingdom!!"
Tigaro couldn't hide his proud expression as his mother's voice made him feel better.
While reporting what happened today to his mother Tesia, Tigaro remembers the time he showed Aifie magic, and comes up with an idea.
"Yes, Mom. Little by little, I'm starting to be able to use magic like Father."
Tesia must not have known yet that Tigaro could use magic.
If he suddenly showed his mother, who doesn't know anything about magic, he was sure she would be surprised.
Feeling a bit of mischief, Tigaro opened his palm.
"[Spirit Tail]"
Magic comes out from the palm of his hand. Tigaro's magic undulated like a tentacle, and each movement followed Tigaro's will.
Tigaro lets out a breath, relieved of his tension as he is relieved that it is in perfect control.
Then, Tigaro glanced at his mother.
He was sure his mother would be surprised, but at the same time, she'd praise Tigaro.
After all, this was the greatest magic nation on the continent―― Shirsodi Kingdom.
He was sure there's no parent who doesn't feel proud that their child can use magic.
With such faint expectations, Tigaro looked at his mother.
"...Isn't it amazing?"
To his surprise, his mother's voice was trembling, and she seemed frightened.
Tigaro was a little surprised to see his mother's behavior, which he had not expected, and had a worried expression on his face.
"……Mother?"
"...No, it's nothing."
Shaking her head and regaining her composure, Tesia hugged Tigaro as if to make amends for her actions.
"As long as you grow up honest, that's fine with Mother."
"...?"
Tigaro couldn't grasp the intent of his mother, Tesia's words, and stared at his own mother's face with a mysterious gaze.
As if Tesia noticed this, she loosened up and spoke in a cheerful voice to disguise it.
"Look, aren't you hungry? The food is already ready, so let's eat together. Today, I made Tigaro's favorite soup with lots of vegetables."
"――Yeah!"
Relieved to be back to his usual mother, Tigaro instantly forgot the expression on his mother’s face from earlier.
Then, the two of them walked to the back of the house, holding hands as usual.
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