The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"Well then, be careful and have a good time."

"Yeah. We're off."

The call from the Central Magic Academy came early the next morning.

It seemed that the meeting with Lord Crowley, the person responsible for Gatlin's prosthetic leg, which Lilith had applied for, had been arranged.

The conditions from Crowley's side were to bring Elen and Saaya. The time was to be as early as possible today.

It was probably due to the incident the two had with Crowley in the courtyard of the grand library yesterday. I had seen it through "Mystic Eye" and heard the report, so I knew the general flow. He seemed to be a researcher with quite biased thinking.

The other party was a high-ranking official of the Central Magic Academy, and there was a possibility of some retaliation. I thought about going with them just in case, but Elen and Saaya refused. They said they wanted to handle the trouble they caused themselves.

As I saw off Elen, Saaya, and Lilith being led by Gatlin to the Central Magic Academy, I placed Punisuke on Nagi's head and said,

"Come to think of it, where's Seori?"

"Still sleeping. What will Ruruk do?"

"Library."

"...I didn't need to ask."

She was exasperated.

There were many novels I hadn't seen before, and I intended to spend as much time as possible in the library today.

"Are you going to the library too, Nagi?"

"No. There was nothing Nagi wanted to read."

Martial arts are essentially a kind of biomechanics.

Perhaps because it's a purely logical field, progress in this world seems quite slow. In this world based on magic, fighting methods that don't rely on magic are rare, and there were few new materials due to the small number.

Nagi had lost interest in the library.

"Then I'll leave Seori and Punisuke to you. Make sure Seori doesn't waste money."

"Understood. Punisuke, is there anything you want to eat? Today you're with us."

"Yay! I want to eat big meat~"

"Leave it to me. If there's a good subjugation request at the guild, we might go hunt it."

"I'll fight too~"

They went back to the room, playing around.

Well, I should set off too.

It's still early morning, so there's time before the library opens, but I haven't had breakfast yet. I could use the inn's restaurant, but there was an interesting cafe near the library that I wanted to check out.

As I was thinking this and started walking, it happened.

I sensed a presence directly above and looked up reflexively.

At that moment, something small like an insect came rushing down with incredible force—it hit my body, was repelled by "Domain Arbitration," and dropped with a plop.

What was that suddenly—I thought, when Mirenia flew in from behind the building.

She landed next to me.

"You there—oh, Ruruk, it's you. Did an insect just fly at you?"

"Yes, it hit me. What's going on?"

"What's going on... oh right, you have an automatic defense skill. It was needless worry."

Mirenia, disguised as Millennium, sighed in relief.

Her height hadn't returned to normal from the five-year-old size, she was still small.

It's a size that makes you want to hug her. It stimulates my paternal instincts.

I confirmed that no one was around and picked up Mirenia, who had bags under her eyes.

"You look quite tired, are you okay? ...Alright, daddy's going to give you a shoulder ride~"

"I just haven't slept much. No need to worry. ...Oh, it's been a while since I've had this eye level."

"Did something happen? I can help. ...Hold on tight to my head, don't fall~"

"Don't worry about it. It's already been taken care of. ...D-Don't shake! Oyoyoyo"

"If that's the case, it's fine, but let me know if anything comes up. ...Look, it's like an amusement park, right~"

"I told you before, I won't rely on a youngster. ...T-This could become addictive...!"

As we were playing with the shoulder ride, I noticed something on the ground.

It was what had collided with my body and been repelled earlier.

What's this... a bee?

"Ah. It's a bee."

Mirenia said solemnly as she got down from my shoulders.

The bee pinched between her fingers looked like an ordinary bee at first glance. But Mirenia's words were dead serious.

"This one's other name is 'Mage Killer'. It's considered a class-one designated dangerous animal by international treaty."

"That's quite a name. Is it that dangerous even though it's not a monster?"

"What's troublesome is its ecology. It lays eggs under the skin of those it stings and raises its larvae. It might be easier to understand if I call it a parasitic wasp."

"Ugh. That's a pretty nasty bug."

"Those who are stung see their magic power rapidly decrease. From the moment the eggs are laid, they start draining the host's magic power. Naturally, they can't control their magic and become unable to use it."

I see, so that's why it's called a mage killer.

"...But then why did it charge at me? I don't have magic power, so even if it laid eggs, they wouldn't grow."

"Probably the smell. These creatures are also attracted to scent besides magic power. It must have smelled you somewhere soon after it was born."

"When did... wait, isn't that dangerous? It means there's a nest somewhere, right?"

"I've secured the nest. The last one escaped, and I was looking for it. It's good that you were the target."

Indeed, it might have been good that it was me. If it had been an ordinary person, there could have been victims.

I stare intently at the bee.

It looks just like an ordinary bee. Not much different from a honeybee.

"...There are troublesome insects in nature, huh."

"This one is special. But if you're saying insects that carry pathogens are more troublesome than monsters, that's certainly true."

"I've heard about that too. They say mosquitoes are the biggest killers of humans."

"Indeed. I struggle with epidemic countermeasures as well."

Mirenia sighed, looking tired.

She looked visibly fatigued.

"Shouldn't you rest soon?"

"Indeed... but I don't know when there might be movement again... I can't afford to rest too leisurely. Yaaawn..."

Mirenia stretched with a yawn.

No matter how responsible you are, daddy won't allow you to be an overworked little girl. Are you eating properly?

"Then how about having breakfast together? There was a stylish cafe near the library, right?"

"Could it be 'Racine du Café'? That's one of my favorites. If that's the case, I wouldn't mind joining you... Alright, 'Threshold Compilation'."

After confirming no one was watching, Mirenia changed her recognition information from Grand Master back to the little girl form.

Her name also changed to 'Miree'.

"From now on, call me Miree."

"Then please call me Papa."

"Fool. A youngster who hasn't lived even a fraction of my life."

She glares at me with narrowed eyes.

Such a gaze won't deter my paternal instincts.

"It's for a good cause. We need to avoid being mistaken for kidnappers."

"It's true it would prevent trouble... but this isn't some twisted fetish, is it?"

"...Of course not."

"I see. If that's the case, I suppose it can't be helped."

"Yes. Then please call me Papa."

"But aren't you too young to be a papa? Brother would be more—"

"Please call me Papa."

"However—"

"Papa."

"...A-Alright."

I pushed through.

Mirenia, looking slightly embarrassed, said,

"Well then, shall we go... P-Papa?"

"Alright, Papa's getting fired up~! Here we go!"

"Ooooh!? I-Is this how we're going?"

I put Mirenia on my shoulders again and started walking.

"Is this your first time riding on shoulders?"

"Rather, it's my first time being carried at all... By the time I was old enough to remember, my younger siblings were already born, and it was the wet nurse who took care of us."

"I see, then I need to be even more enthusiastic!"

I start running lightly while giving her a shoulder ride. I'm not particularly tall, but the viewpoint must be higher than usual.

Mirenia was holding my head tightly with both hands to avoid falling.

"Oh! It's shaking! It's surprisingly shaky! But it's interesting!"

"Hehehe, this is nothing. My speed is amazing, you know."

"...A-Alright. Let's try it."

"Then first at about half power... Here we go!"

"Ohohooooo!?"

Me running while deliberately swaying exaggeratedly, and Mirenia giggling and enjoying herself on my shoulders.

We raced through the town just like an ordinary parent and child.

By the way, Racine du Café was a shop with incredibly delicious donuts and egg tarts.

 ■　■　■　■　■

Central Magic Academy, Underground Area. Saaya and her companions were guided to the innermost room among several research laboratories.

The ceiling was too high and wide to be called a research lab. It was a large room that looked like it could be used for combat training. The four walls were bare, with no experimental equipment or documents in sight.

It was too austere a room to discuss prosthetic legs.

So the purpose was easy to imagine.

Above all, Crowley, who was waiting for them, didn't even try to hide his hostility.

"You've got guts to come here, little girl. I might just acknowledge that courage of yours."

Around Crowley were researchers glaring at them as well.

Although they didn't know any of them personally, they looked at Saaya and her group as if they were mortal enemies, perhaps influenced by something Crowley had said.

Charlotte, who had guided them, was shut out of the room. It was clear that Crowley was going to do something, but there were things they needed to do first. Both as a courtesy and for appearance's sake.

Lilith stepped forward, not hiding her disappointment.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Crowley. Thank you for granting us this audience. My name is Lilith Muuteru."

"Hmph, so it's you. The impudent woman who tried to meet me using her parent's and the Demon Lord's name. This is why I hate nobles."

"...I apologize for my presumptuous behavior. I wanted to inquire about Gatlin-san's prosthetic leg."

"And what would you do with that information? I don't have time to indulge in nobles' hobbies."

"There was a very interesting calculation formula incorporated in the connection part of the drive formula, so I was curious about which era's paper it was based on."

"Oh?"

Crowley raised one eyebrow and glared at Lilith.

"You're not just an ignorant woman, are you? Where did you learn about drive formulas?"

"Self-taught."

"Construction theory?"

"Self-taught."

"Basic calculation laws?"

"Self-taught."

Well, they probably don't teach magic theory necessary for magical device production at a ladies' academy.

Without studying under anyone, she rose to be called the "Empress" by her own power alone. That's the kind of magician Lilith is.

But Crowley didn't seem inclined to believe her.

"A liar, huh. This is why women are..."

"Would it be possible for you to teach me?"

"Nonsense! There's no benefit in cooperating with you to begin with."

"I see."

Lilith sighed without pressing further.

The result was as expected, if it could be called that.

"So, Crowley-san. You have business with us, right? What do you want to do?"

"I have no business with you. Only with the Demon Lord."

"Mm. I accept your challenge."

Elenora struck her staff on the floor.

At that moment, an overwhelming pressure of magical power was released. Elenora has a skill that can clearly detect hostility and malicious intent, so she doesn't hesitate to prepare for battle when she senses negative emotions.

The researchers who were clearly confronted with Elenora's combat stance turned pale and flinched.

Except for Crowley.

"As expected of the Demon Lord, an overwhelming amount of magic power despite being refined. I'm known as a researcher, and to be honest, I'm not good at fighting... But I'm not foolish either."

Crowley took out some kind of device and pressed it.

At that moment, the air in the area seemed to ripple.

It wasn't a physical ripple. It was a disturbance in magical power.

Even the magic power naturally leaking from Elenora was no exception, dissipating along with the disturbance.

Saaya held her breath.

"Could it be an anti-magic barrier!?"

"That's right. Even a Demon Lord can't prevent this. The moment you stepped into this underground, you had no future."

As Crowley sneered, Elenora slowly lowered her staff and narrowed her eyes.

She's burning with fighting spirit, but it seems she can't talk back since she can't use magic.

Saaya calmly asks.

"So, what are you going to do after sealing our magic?"

"One of my research topics is the analysis of the magical aptitude of racial factors."

Crowley began to speak while signaling to his subordinates with his fingers.

The researchers slowly spread out, surrounding Saaya and the others.

"I've been curious for a long time. Why can someone with the qualities of a Demon Lord use all attributes? Which part of the racial factor is it attributed to, is there a way to replicate that factor, can other individuals inherit that factor?"

"So you want to examine Elenora? You want a strand of her hair or something?"

"...Hmph, amateur. Racial factors lose their freshness suddenly after a certain time has passed since losing their biological response. Only the shell of the formalized factor remains, and the living part necessary for research is lost. A few strands of hair are useless."

"Then, are you planning to detain Elenora? Do you think you can beat us just by sealing our magic?"

"Of course, I'm not foolish. That's why I'm going to use this."

What Crowley took out was a small bottle.

Inside was an insect.

It was a small bee.

Lilith next to her narrowed her eyes.

"The 'Mage Killer'? I see, you plan to continuously drain magic power with that bee?"

"You knew about it? By regularly having this bee lay eggs, we can maintain a constant state of magic depletion. It's truly the natural enemy of magicians. Even a Demon Lord can be kept under control."

"That's certainly a dangerous insect. But you don't think we're going to just sit back and watch, do you?"

Saaya drew her short sword.

Lilith was also subtly preparing for battle.

But Crowley was laughing.

"Now, can you defend against it in a state where you can't use magic?"

"One bee is nothing."

"Who said it was just one?"

In an instant, all the surrounding researchers took out bottles.

Moreover, there were several bees in each bottle. In total, there must be no less than several dozen.

"No matter how strong you are, can you defend against this number simultaneously?"

The bottles were opened all at once.

The bees that flew out were all heading towards Elenora, as if attracted by her scent.

"Saaya-oneesama, let Lili—"

"It's okay. Leave it to me."

Saaya concentrates.

Indeed, against small bees, she probably can't protect everyone with just a short sword.

She has "Probability Manipulation" which can be used for area defense, but it can't directly interfere with living beings. And unlike Ruruk, it's impossible to attack flying targets with mystic arts.

There seems to be no move to make—but Saaya remained calm.

In the first place, the anti-magic barrier disrupts the magic in the air to seal magic.

Once magic is disrupted, any magic disappears. Even a Demon Lord can't defy this principle.

Then.

"Information Enhancement"

For mystic arts, it's Ruruk.

For magic, it's Elenora.

Saaya has always been watching their backs.

The talents of these geniuses.

However, Saaya didn't intend to lose. No matter how much talent they showed her, Saaya was the one who steadily and stubbornly practiced the basics without haste or impatience.

That's why when using these two simultaneously, Saaya can produce results better than anyone—and outside common sense.

Saaya activated the formula.

"'Flare Storm'"

A storm of flames was born, enveloping the surroundings.

All the approaching bees were burned up.

"What!? Impossible! Magic should be sealed!"

Crowley and the researchers were speechless.

Indeed, magic is sealed.

However, that's only if it's just magic.

Saaya simply enhanced magic power with magical elements.

Information Enhancement, the basis of the substitution method, is a means to raise the intensity of existence information by one level. She can't master it to the extent of turning air into a weapon like Ruruk, but she can raise it to a level where magic power isn't disrupted.

In other words, this is a hidden magic.

Lilith and Crowley were surprised with completely opposite expressions.

"As expected of Saaya-oneesama!"

"W-Why? Why can you use magic!?"

If one can't see magical elements, they wouldn't notice what Saaya did.

Of course, Crowley couldn't understand Saaya's technique, and was just shouting inelegantly.

"...Well, Crowley-san. You've been looking down on us all this time, but do you have anything to say? Unilateral violence, attempted confinement. Even with your authority, you don't think you can get away with doing this much to adventurers, do you?"

Saaya smiled brightly.

[TL Notes: We will take a break for around a 1-2 months before continuing . If you like the story and want us to continue it please rate it on novelupdates (https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-mysterious-child-an-adventure-tale-beginning-with-numerology/)]