The Adored Daughter of the Disliked Duke's House: My Magic Power Increases Every Time I'm Praised, So I've Been Perfecting Cuteness Since Infancy! - Episode 9

(…I’m sorry, Father)

I apologize in my heart to my father who is not here.

At the same time, I concentrated my magical power on my forehead.

There, a “magic-restricting spell” cast by my father is in place.

“Just in case, you know.”

Saying that, Professor Caleb was teaching me how to break this spell. In emergencies, he said to lift the restrictions and use the magic.

(Maybe, Professor Caleb had foreseen it.)

The fact that there will be an attack by monsters.

(No. Right now, I need to focus solely on defeating the enemy in front of me!)

The true identity of the monster, its purpose, and how it infiltrated here—none of that matters right now.

We are currently in a life-threatening situation.

I focused my attention on my forehead again.

The way to break this restriction spell is simple and clear.

You just need to break through it with magic power that surpasses the restriction spell.

(Imagine the magic becoming thin, hard, and sharp)

I imagined myself prying open the magic of the forehead with something like a thin needle.

After a while.

The membrane-like thing that was wrapping around the body snapped.

(I did it!)

With this, I can use magic freely.

(I’ve learned the theory… I can do it!)

Mr. Caleb’s classes were mostly lectures, and first, we learned the proper way to handle magic.

It’s hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, I was training intensively relying solely on observation and experience, without knowing any theory.

(First, refine your magical power!)

Enlarge the magic condensed within the gem in your chest in your belly.

This process, which we have been continuously practicing as special training, is apparently called “refining magic.”

You shape your own magical power into a form suitable for the spell you are going to use.

Imagining a hard, sharp blade, I concentrate my magical power.

And then, I unleashed that magical power outside my body.

After breaking my father’s restriction spell, it took about 3 seconds to get here.

Of course, the enemy doesn’t even realize that I’m in attack mode.

That carelessness could cost you your life!

──Vwoooosh!!

The magical power released from my body transformed into the shape of an invisible spear.

Because it’s dark, I can’t see the enemy.

But I know the location.

That’s the most concentrated part of that evil magic.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I threw the spear.

『Guh!』

It’s a hit.

As the monster let out a growl, the sound of shattering glass echoed. Then, the evil magic receded.

In the distance, beyond the garden, there was a thud as something fell. It seems they have successfully pushed it all the way to the rose garden.

“Al, listen carefully.”

“Yeah”

“This mansion is currently under a spell that ‘steals light.'”

While talking, I tightly held Al’s hand.

“Besides, with all this commotion going on, no one is waking up.”

Even at this stage, the mansion remains enveloped in silence.

At first, I thought they either didn’t notice the commotion or couldn’t move because of the darkness.

However, it is strange that despite such a large amount of evil magic being unleashed and the loud noise, no one is reacting at all.

“I think maybe everyone except us has been put to sleep by magic.”

In other words.

“Help won’t come.”

I could tell that Al gulped.

“We have to do something about it.”

After saying that, I stood up while still holding Al’s hand.

Was it too harsh for a three-year-old boy?

If you can’t stand up, let’s leave it here.

Even if he has to face it alone, of course, I can’t blame him. After all, Al is just a child.

However.

“……Understood.”

Al immediately stood up.

His voice is trembling. I can tell his body is tense and stiff.

Even so.

The only thing that holds firmly is the hand.

“What should I do?”

Al is a smart child.

There must be so many things you’re curious about and so many things you want to question me about.

I’m enduring that and properly thinking about what I should do now.

“First, step outside the mansion. …I want you to face the monster.”

While talking, I used my magic to pull the poker from the fireplace.

Let Al hold it.

“A decoy, huh? …Fine. But if I get hurt, you’ll owe me for life.”

I can’t see him in the darkness, but he must be smirking with a cheeky grin.

“Of course!”

I took Al’s hand and started running.

I leap out of the bedroom through the broken window and into the garden.

In the dark, vision is unreliable.

The only things I can rely on are my ears, nose, and sense of touch.

Concentrating magical power on them, relying on memory, I imagine the shape of the garden in my mind.

If that’s the case, even if I can’t see, I can run freely!

I rushed towards the direction where I sensed the presence of that monster.

“Ah, you came running through this darkness, did you?”

The monster let out a voice that seemed impressed.

“Indeed, it seems that Lord Noctifilis’s thoughts are correct.”

A smile involuntarily breaks out at the hoarse voice.

(…This monster is a small fry.)

They are calling out the name of another monster along with Lord Noctifilis. In other words, this monster came here under someone’s orders.

Considering the situation, it is highly likely that the one using the “light-stealing magic” is your monster.

In other words.

(This monster can’t see us either!)

Then, there is a good chance of winning.

“Al, move when I give the signal. Three steps to the right, three steps forward, then burst out.”

When I whispered softly, I could sense Al nodding slightly.

I once again gathered magic power within my abdomen.

This time, I envision cold, pure water and the freezing northern land.

The monster also began to gather its magic, but my ice arrow was released faster.

“……!”

The monster lets out a growl.

This also hit the mark.

(As I thought, they can’t see me!)

It seems like they can sense magical power just like me, but my magic was much faster than expected, and they couldn’t avoid it.

“At that age, that speed…”

Moreover, it’s not just “Direct Magic.”

To think you can even use [Transformation Magic]. I’m impressed.

There are various types of magic.

Magic that directly uses the magical power cultivated within the body—such as moving objects or directly striking enemies with magical power—is called 【Direct Magic】.

As long as you have magical power and imagination, it’s a relatively simple spell that anyone can handle.

“Transformation Magic” is a type of magic that uses magical power to change the properties of various things and utilize them.

Right now, I transformed the moisture in the air into ice arrows using my magic and attacked.

“Identify yourself.”

The monster said arrogantly. Even in this situation, it seems that this monster still looks down on me.

“After you.”

When I said it, the monster let out a croaking sound.

“Very well.”

My name is Graulus.

The name of the one who will kill you, engrave it in your soul.

“Lilietta Rosenford.”

You don’t have to remember, because you will die here.

At the same time as introducing myself, I once again concentrated my magical power.

This time, Graulus won’t let his guard down either.

The magical powers of both sides are swelling at almost the same speed.

“Die!”

Graulus is faster.

However, that’s within expectations.

I instantly transformed my magical power and deployed a shield before me.

“Ridiculous! Do you think such things can stop my darkness?”

Graulus’ magic hits the shield.

It’s direct magic.

(They hit me directly with dark magic!)

The dark magic possessed by some higher-ranking monsters is a threat to humans in itself.

Just touching that magic causes the skin to burn and the flesh to rot.

That magical power is gradually eroding my magical shield. Bit by bit, my body is being pushed back.

“Die!”

Graulus’ magical power swells even further.

But this is also within expectations.

“Al!”

Until now, I must have been forgotten.

Al, who was such a small presence, slipped past my shield.

I jumped out in front of the enemy!

『！』

I can sense that Graulus is surprised.

I won’t let that opening slip away.

I concentrated the magic power I had been focusing on the shield into my legs this time and jumped straight up like a vertical leap.

Below, Al is confronting a monster with a fire poker in hand. I visualize the scene in my mind, relying on magical energy and presence.

(What a beautiful stance…)

With his back straightened, the tip of the poker is aimed directly at Graulus’ throat.

Even he shouldn’t be able to see anything.

Above all.

He believed in me and took the leap.

A mere three-year-old boy, you know.

Words like “brave” are too clichéd to fully capture it.

He surely will.

(Absolutely, you’re going to become a big shot)

Thinking about such things, this time I pour all my strength into refining my magical power.

That day, I remember the magic I saw for the first time.

──Crackle.

The sky rumbled.

The next moment.

A lightning bolt struck Graulus on the head.