I Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble and Want to Enjoy a Laid-Back Harem Life – I Have No Intention of Getting Involved in the Main Story, Just Want to Live Comfortably with My Female Slaves, but Everyone Around Me Keeps Treating Me Like a Hero - Chapter 2.9

What exactly is magic?

It remains an unexplained phenomenon, a mystery that has yet to be fully understood through rigorous theory.

The only widely accepted explanation is that infusing mana into an incantation allows one’s voice to reach the world, altering reality.

Sure, those who study magic in-depth likely understand it better, but most people just use magic without thinking too hard about it.

*”The difference between ordinary magic and spirit magic… It’s something that has long puzzled me.

If spirits amplify our voices and convey them to the world, then why is it that regular magic can sometimes be more powerful than spirit magic? That doesn’t make sense, does it?”*

“Well, one possible explanation is that a particularly skilled mage can generate a voice that is louder than the combined voices of the spirit and the caster using spirit magic.”

“Does such a thing seem likely? If we were talking about an exceptionally powerful mage, I might accept that reasoning… but even ordinary mages can sometimes achieve similar effects.”

“*…Hmm. You have a point. That is something I find puzzling as well.

I suspect the answer lies in elements.”*

“Elements…? You mean the fundamental forces through which the world perceives incantations?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“…And what of it? Are you implying there’s something unique about them?”

*”I don’t know for sure yet… but let’s assume for a moment that spirits themselves contain elemental power.

Wouldn’t that mean spirit magic isn’t actually about sending a voice to the world?

Rather, wouldn’t it mean that spirit magic is simply a means of communicating with spirits, allowing them to cast magic on our behalf?”*

*”No, that can’t be.

Magic only manifests when one’s voice reaches the world.

Even spirits wouldn’t have the ability to bend the world to their will on their own.”*

“……Hmm.”

I could come up with hypotheses.

But the one that made the most sense to me was also the one that seemed far too extreme.

It felt like I was overcomplicating things.

I needed a more realistic theory.

But… ugh, this was frustrating.

“This is difficult. There’s still so much we don’t understand.”

*”Indeed. Even with our long lifespans, we elves have yet to uncover the true nature of magic.

I myself have lived for several centuries, and I have spent much of that time contemplating magic…

Yet I still have found no true answer.”*

“I hope we can solve it before we die.”

“If you ever do find the answer, share it with me.”

“Of course.”

I nodded at my conversation partner—the Elven Queen, my favorite character—as we continued our discussion on magic.

*”Fufu… It is rare to find someone with whom I can converse like this.

Magic research is not exactly a common pursuit.”*

*”Well, it is incredibly convenient, after all.

But by studying it, we can figure out how to make our magic even stronger.

How do we make the world respond more effectively?

That’s what magic research is truly about.”*

*”Indeed.

But… in a way, I would prefer if such knowledge remained limited.”*

*”Haha! Spoken like a ruler who needs to maintain order.

Well, as for me, curiosity takes priority over caution.”*

Fwooooohh!

I’m talking about magic with my favorite character!!

She loves magic.

I love magic.

We’re geeking out together.

This is an otaku discussion.

I felt my excitement skyrocketing as we continued exchanging ideas.

*”Oh, I seem to have gotten carried away.

I must return to my duties.”*

“Ah… I see.”

*”Fufu. Do not look so disheartened.

We can speak again anytime.

Until next time, then.”*

“Y-Yes…!”

I had just… scheduled another conversation with my favorite character.

Unbelievable.

With my heart filled with excitement, I watched as the Elven Queen gracefully left the library.

“……”

For a while, I simply sat there, basking in the afterglow of my encounter.

“Phew…”

Then, carefully locking away the excitement, I turned back to the magic tomes before me.

Talking with my favorite character was great—

But she had also placed her expectations on me.

I had to rise to meet them.

Meeting your favorite character in real life really does motivate you in a different way.

It made me feel like I had to push myself even harder.

“Alright.”

Still…

Magic in this world was so strange.

You infuse mana, recite an incantation, and state the desired effect.

And just like that, the world responds and performs a miracle.

It felt…

Way too easy.