The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"Black hair, black eyes, and the king of mystical arts. Could you possibly be the legendary...?"

Saaya held her breath.

Roze nodded, maintaining her stern gaze.

"The Mystic King Roze. That's how I'm known among mystical artists and some humans."

"You actually exist... No wonder Ruruk is so amazing..."

As if all her strength had left her, Saaya plopped down on the floor.

With slumped shoulders and a weak expression, she smiled at me.

"Geez, what's this about? I thought you were someone sent to bring me back. You should have said if that wasn't the case."

"You were the one who jumped to conclusions, Saaya-san."

"Well, I guess so. Sorry, Ruruk. ...So, Roze-san, what do you mean by coming to evaluate me?"

"It means exactly that. Your potential, your talent."

"What do you mean? What are you planning to make me do?"

"Nothing. It's already over."

"Huh?"

Of course.

Roze has eyes that can discern all abilities with just a glance.

"Saaya Schreine. As reported, you possess tremendous talent. A vessel comparable to Ruruk and Elenora... but still very immature."

Something felt a bit off.

I had never seen Roze direct such a glaring look at anyone before. I thought Roze was incapable of holding malice or hostility. But right now, it felt like she was directing such negative emotions towards the young Saaya.

Glared at by the Mystic King, Saaya shrank like a mouse cornered by a cat. But she quickly glared back firmly.

"So, did I meet the great Mystic King-sama's standards?"

"Whether to make you my disciple is on hold. But leaving you alone is also questionable..."

She's unusually troubled.

Hearing the word "disciple," Saaya suddenly stood up with a start.

"Hey, Roze-san! I want to be your disciple. And you know, I want to leave the Schreine family!"

"Why is that?"

"It's because--"

Saaya explained her circumstances once again.

She said she hated being bound by her position as a noble, that she had someone she had given her heart to. Above all, she was moved by Ruruk's mystical arts and wanted to be taught as well.

"And you know, I have a dream I want to fulfill. It's a dream I absolutely, absolutely, ab-so-lutely won't give up on."

"Hmm. What kind of dream is it?"

"To become famous! I want to become super famous in any way possible, to become a great person who will be talked about for generations! That's why I'm practicing magic and mystical arts, I want to become the most amazing person ever!"

"I see."

Roze seemed to listen without much interest, but her eyes changed a bit at the mention of mystical arts.

"Saaya, how much control do you have over ethereal elements?"

"Um... I'm currently learning the substitution method, and I can perfectly increase the existence strength of substances. I haven't succeeded in transcription yet though."

"Can you sense ley lines? And what about position correction in summoning?"

"Yes. I can do both of those easily."

"I see. Then I'll make you my disciple. However, there are two conditions."

"Really? Yay!"

Saaya jumped for joy.

She grabbed both my hands and shook them vigorously.

It was a childlike reaction, completely different from before.

Roze cleared her throat with a "Ahem," calming Saaya down.

"Before that, what you need most is emotional control. Keep that in mind."

"Emotions? Are emotions related to mystical arts?"

"In your case, it might become a major problem."

Roze spoke meaningfully, but no one, including Saaya herself, understood what she meant.

In any case, hearing that she could become the Mystic King's disciple, Saaya looked happy.

However, Roze dampened her spirits again... or rather, presented the reality.

"As for the conditions, if you become a disciple, your status will be shared among everyone. Level, ability values, what you can and can't do, skills you possess. If there's anything you want to hide, say so before sharing. If I judge it necessary to hide, I'll let you keep it hidden."

"Of course that's fine. But I don't even know my own status, you know?"

Saaya had a puzzled expression.

"I think I was appraised once a long time ago, and based on those skills and such, Papa and Uncle had me learn various things... But quite some time has passed, and I was actually supposed to go for another appraisal today. But I ran away before that."

"I see. Well, if you become my disciple, I'll teach you. And the second condition is that to become my disciple, you need your guardian's consent. We won't be staying in this town, and we're not kidnappers, so we can't just take you away. The condition is to first explain the situation to your parents and get their consent."

"Ugh."

Knowing this would be difficult, Saaya held her head in her hands.

In my case, the Muuteru family itself was already associated with Roze, so this was cleared smoothly. But for someone who isn't, it's questionable whether they'd believe even if you claim to be the Mystic King.

Since Saaya is said to be the only heir, it will probably be quite difficult to get permission as a noble.

As for me, I welcome Saaya becoming a disciple. She seems a bit prone to jumping to conclusions, but she's fun to talk to and above all, she's cute... Ah, no, I'm not a lolicon. It's just nice to look at... It's not a lie, I prefer older women. Please believe me, Mererosu-san!

"That being the case, let's go get permission right away."

"Y-Yeah... I'll try my best..."

Her mood has clearly dropped.

I'd like to support her if possible, but... hmm.

There's not much we can do about noble society issues.

For now, let's see how her parents react.

□ □ □ □ □

The mansion of the Schreine family, Viscounts, was located at the edge of the town.

The size of the house seemed to be of a decent scale. It was about the size of a medium-sized merchant family's mansion. It's probably large for a viscount, but it couldn't be called a beautiful mansion by any stretch of the imagination. The garden wasn't well-maintained either, with weeds growing in various spots.

"Uncle! It's me! It's Saaya!"

Saaya raised her voice in front of the deserted gate.

The one who came out hurriedly from inside the house was a plump man.

"Ugh, Papa came out first."

Saaya visibly frowned.

Apparently, the obese man wasn't Viscount Schreine, but his younger brother -- Saaya's father. The man covered in excess fat, looking nothing like Saaya, came running with a bright red face.

"Saaya! Where have you been!"

"It doesn't matter where I've been! More importantly, call Uncle! I have something to talk about!"

"You! How dare you speak to your father like that!"

As soon as he opened the gate, Saaya's father raised his hand towards her.

Before the hand could come down on Saaya, who was cowering,

"Excuse me. This is the residence of Viscount Schreine, correct?"

Roze intervened.

At that point, the father finally seemed to realize that the people behind Saaya were not private soldiers hired to bring her back, but complete strangers. He hurriedly hid the hand he had raised behind his back.

He replied with a forced smile.

"Y-Yes, that's right. And you are...?"

"I have something to discuss with the viscount. Could you announce us?"

The same arrogant attitude as always, regardless of whether the other party is nobility.

However, since she looked like an 18-year-old girl, even the father's fake smile was twitching.

Nevertheless, he was still related to a viscount.

He didn't let his attitude falter just based on the other party's appearance.

"I-Is that so? May I ask for your name then?"

"It's Roze."

"...And your family name would be?"

"I don't have one."

She said curtly.

Well, she's not a noble after all. Though she's more amazing than nobles... she doesn't have a high political position.

At this, Saaya's father dropped his thick-skinned facade and glared at Roze.

"What, a commoner! It's absurd to think you can meet the viscount without a letter of introduction! Leave at once!"

"N-No, that's wrong! I called for her! That's why I want to see Uncle--"

"I don't care! I've had enough of being dragged around by your selfishness!"

Saying that, he grabbed Saaya's arm and started dragging her towards the house.

However, Saaya isn't just an ordinary girl. She resists, making use of her high status.

"Let go! You ignorant fool!"

"Ouch ouch ouch! How dare you do this to your father!"

"What father? I've never once thought of you as a father!"

"Don't be ridiculous! You are my daughter and the heir to the Schreine family!"

"I don't care! I don't want to be your daughter or inherit the Schreine family!"

They're really having a full-on parent-child fight...

But we can't just leave it like this.

I want to somehow settle this, but the atmosphere suggests it's impossible today. No matter how reasonable we try to be, it doesn't seem like they'll listen.

Thinking that, I looked at Roze, and she quietly answered, "3 days."

If that's the case.

"Saaya!"

When I called out, Saaya turned around while her hair was being grabbed.

She had a frustrated face and was crying a little.

It's certainly pitiful, but this is as far as we can go today.

"We'll come back in 3 days! If you can persuade them by then, we'll take you with us!"

"O-Okay, Ruruk! I'll do my best!"

Nodding, Saaya was dragged into the house.

"I'll do my best, okay!"

Shouting that last bit, she disappeared behind the door.

Silence returned to the front of the mansion.

"...Well then."

Things took a bit of an unexpected turn, but this means we'll be staying in this town for three days.

To be honest, I don't think Saaya can persuade that stubborn-looking father of hers, but I also can't imagine Roze going out of her way to put in a good word for her. She's already turned her back on the mansion and started walking away with an attitude that shows no lingering attachment.

Elen is passive as always, and considering the earlier clash with Saaya, she's unlikely to take any active steps.

Looks like I'll need to lend a hand.

I followed Roze back to the inn, brainstorming ideas along the way.