The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 54: What Magic Power?

Episode 54: What Magic Power?

――“What?”

(This is… “Telepathy” huh!)

Suddenly, I felt as if this thing was speaking directly into my head. This sensation was the “Telepathy” skill. Since I had played games before, I immediately recalled it.

But I couldn’t grasp the actual content. Having “ice magic power” inside me… I had no recollection of such a thing.

Among my skills, there was nothing related to ice. At most, I had “Frost Resistance” But judging from the flow of the conversation, it couldn’t be that.

“I don’t know. In the first place, what is ‘ice magic power’?”

Still, instead of acting timidly, I asked back firmly.

Yet, the ice monster didn’t respond. It just stared at me.

Is it doubting me? Confirming something? Or perhaps expecting something?

“Then… I shall visit again someday.”

It sent that message through “Telepathy”. And with a sudden surge of cold air flowing from somewhere, it disappeared.

…It just says what it wants to say, then vanishes. Is that what’s called the “dignity of existence”?

I felt irritation well up.

Leaving behind cryptic words and even seizing control of the situation—that was how it was. If that’s the way it is, then I will—

“…Confirm my own path by myself.”

Ice magic power inside me? It could be bluffing. But considering we once cooperated in that underground place, and that it took the risk of luring me out just to say that, the possibility it was lying seemed low.

Still, I knew nothing about it.

So—do I truly have that so-called ice magic power? If so, I need a way to verify it.

“Magic Power Vision”—in games, it was the ability to see the attribute of an enemy’s magic power. But in this world, it was still unknown to me.

“…If necessary, I’ll just obtain it. For the sake of knowing this world as well.”

A cold wind brushed against my cheek. Dawn was about to break.

◆

Footsteps echoed against the stone pavement. They blended into the pre-dawn city. Shops with lights out, quiet streets, a single cat’s cry in the distance. It was carried away by the wind.

On the way back to the inn, I had been frowning the whole time.

That monster earlier. The “ice magic power” it claimed existed within me.

I sighed. Did the wind just feel colder, or was it just my imagination? Or maybe—

“You’re late, aren’t you?”

A sudden voice broke my thoughts.

Looking up, I saw the innkeeper woman holding a broom in front of the inn. It was still an hour where no one should be awake. Apparently, she had been out cleaning.

Lost in thought, I hadn’t noticed I had already reached the inn.

“…Sorry. My errand took longer than expected.”

“An ‘errand’, huh. Well, if you say so, then it must be. …Now, go eat dinner quickly and rest.”

I was a bit surprised. By now, meals should have long been cleared away. I hadn’t informed her beforehand, yet she still had food prepared—

“What’s with that face? In my inn, it’s natural to serve meals to guests who pay money.”

“…Thank you.”

I bowed my head honestly. And she chuckled with a shrug.

“Don’t thank me, just fill your stomach. …Also, this morning it’s bread and soup. I had prepared a little for those who eat before dawn.”

After a short silence, I nodded deeply.

“I’ll gratefully take it.”

◆

The steam from the soup wavered softly.

I tore the bread and brought it to my mouth. But my thoughts remained unsettled.

Ice magic power—do I really have something like that inside me?

Was that monster’s statement just speculation based on observation? Or was it something more fundamental, a kind of deeper “realization”?

The bread in my mouth felt unusually heavy.

“Ice magic power.” If I truly possessed such a thing, why had I never once noticed it?

In the first place, magic power has “attributes.” Fire, water, wind… classifications that naturally existed in games.

If that applied in this world too, then my magic power should also lean toward something.

Recalling my memories as a noble, I probably possessed magic power leaning toward “fire.”

Still, my tutor had once told me: “Though it leans a little toward fire, it is basically flat magic power.”

But since I mostly trained everyday skills and swordsmanship skills, I had never really paid attention. No—perhaps I never needed to.

As long as I could use skills, that was enough. As long as I could get stronger, that was enough. That was my reasoning until now.

──But perhaps, there are places I can’t reach with only that.

After emptying the dish, I thanked the innkeeper for preparing the meal and returned to my room.

Dropping my luggage, I sat down on the edge of the bed and slowly closed my eyes. Silence filled the room.

To know the “principles” of this world. To dig deeper into my own existence. A necessary question surfaced.

──What is magic power?

Is it merely energy? Or is it something more essential—a “color” that reflects the way a person is?

Still with eyes closed, I looked at my palm.

Focusing, I felt a faint pulse of magic power there. Like a heartbeat, flowing under my skin.

Indeed, magic power was flowing within me. Thanks to my noble education and “Magic: Lv.1,” it was easy for me to recognize my own magic power.

But—how should I “see” it?

In games, there was a skill called “Magic Power Vision.” It let you visually perceive the attribute and flow of magic power in a target.

According to the game, you acquired it by deepening your perception of magic flow and understanding of magic power.

In reality though, it was a lenient system—just pressing a button at the right time in a training command.

But of course, this world had no UI, no buttons.

Still, I remembered where the training command would appear and when.

(…If I know the method, I can reach it.)

I don’t need someone to teach me. Even if there’s no precedent, no form, it’s enough if I can step forward myself.

What’s needed is to know—and to deepen.

──Magic power. Magic flow. “Magic Power Vision” skill.

Even fragments are fine. If I gather them, the “structure” will appear.

I opened my eyes quietly. Having sunk into the depths of thought, I realized the outside was already nearing morning.

(…I’ll confirm it myself. That’s all there is to it.)

Always, battles, choices, and thoughts—I’ve carved my own path.

Then this time too, it’s the same. I won’t cling to someone’s words.

Whether I make that monster’s words true or not—everything depends on me.

A cold wind slipped through the window’s crack. As if “something” was pushing me forward.

The touch brushing my cheek reminded me for a moment of the ice monster’s presence.

“Tomorrow, I’ll grasp it.”

What will be reflected ahead of my gaze? What principles await there?

To know that, I will move forward—dawn was breaking.

Original Author’s Comment:

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Thank you very much for reading until the end!!

Also, thank you for the gifts…!! They motivate me even more!!!

The strengthening phase continues next time!!

(Here’s the link if you want to support the Author: https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176303375188.)