The snow is melting, and I feel like it’s getting warmer these days.

  Elna-kaasan is saying 「It’s getting warmer isn’t itー」 lately, but for me who is sensitive to cold, it’s kind of natural for midwinter and I’m not in the same opinion.

  And Sylvio-niisan is also of the same opinion as me isn’t it, I mean these days, he has been spending many days in my room which is warmed by magic.

  That’s okay. Sylvio-niisan is just reading his book and studying quietly. But then, another person which is my sister, maybe she has spare time with the exception of training, come to my room and barge in with the reason being it’s warm.

  Even though the living room is warm and have a big fireplace.

  And when it became like that, I’ll basically just become her opponent, and just when I’m about to make sweets - it’s extremely annoying - so what the heck are you doing here. Recently, she also tries to take me along for training.

  Ever since the day we have that snowball fight, it feels like Eleonora-neesan have been training excessively. I wonder what she is doing, it’s as if danger is approaching me quietly.

  She already knows what happen to the Ice Statue back then were the village kids doing, not my fault, but maybe because she doesn’t like losing to me, now and then she called out to me to have a rematch. But well, I managed to evade it by running away.

  Can you leave me alone for a moment.

  That’s why I’m going to make a little castle of my own, Kotatsu1.

  Now then, thanks to Elman-san making it, I manage to get a table with just the right size.

  He looked awfully tired somehow, as he seems to be busy with repairing houses these days.

  Was it time for the houses in the village to be rebuilt as they’re already old?

  Oh well, I’ll leave those kind of things to Nord-tousan, right now it’s about Kotatsu.

  When I put a blanket in the table, the approximate shape is there, but the problem is how to add the heat source.

  Say if I put a fireball inside a basket, it will be warm temporarily.

  But then, how do I sleep?

  If I lose control of the fireball, then the basket, blanket, and even I will be burnt to nothing.

  That’s not good.

  If that’s the case, how about enclosing it with metal so it won’t burn?　Ah, this is also not a good idea. I would get scalded just by touching it forget about entering the kotatsu comfortably.

  Kotatsu is a holy ground. There should be no blood shed on it.

  That’s right, it should be a safe and comfortable castle for me, and me alone.

  That being the case, what should I do.

  I tried to think of any good idea or magic, but there’s hardly any that comes to mind.

  So that’s why I’m trying to look for some hints by reading a large number of books, but I can’t find anything notable written. Elementary-level magic is just boring.

  When I’m in the middle of browsing, I came across the term ‘magic tool’, described on the explanation part.

  Right, speaking of magic tools, you just write the magic formula and then you only need to put magic power, a convenient item!

  All one has to do is to put some magic power into the magic tool so it will release heat and it’s done.

  Thinking so, I searched all over the study room for books about magic tool, but I couldn’t find them.

  There are so many books about magic in the study, so I thought there would be some books about magic tools but there doesn’t seem to be any.

  Just to be sure, I also ask Elna-kaasan if there is any book about magic tools, but it seems there are none in the study.

  In this case, I have no other choice than to ask Nord-tousan to buy one for me.

  Deciding so, I talk to the sitting Nord-tousan at the table of the living room.

  「Nord-tousan.」


  「No.」


  「But I haven’t said anything yet?」


  It’s too hasty for father to deny me just because I called him with his name.

  Anyhow, I sat down in front of him in order to negotiate.

  「You want books of magic tools, right?」


  Cutting into the conversation, is Elna-kaasan who sits next to Nord-tousan. I see, so that’s why father knows.

  But, why did you turn me down? From cooking recipe to Reversi. With all of the deal with Toriela Firm, the relationship between them and Slowlett family should be something like a bosom friends. And a lot of their gains should be because of my contribution. Could it be that as a child, I can’t ask for something expensive?

  「But why not?」


  「For ordinary people, books about magic tools are something expensive that they can not afford to buy, but thanks to Al and Bartolo, and also Toriela, there is no problem concerning money.」


  「Then why?」


  「Where do you think you can get magic books from?」


  「That is, um, someplace like the Royal Capital Magic Academy isn’t it?」


  When I asnwered so, Nord-tousan calmly nod.

  So, somehow I have a bad feeling about this.

  「Yes, the Royal Capital. And the Royal Capital is far from here. And Toriela Firm, which came regularly to this territory has just arrived the other day. They will not come again for some time.」


  Che. Truly a person who can’t be employed just when you need it the most.

  「If they got contacted by the Slowlett Family, to whom they have a friendly relationship with, they’ll come back right away, right? 」


  When I resolutely answered so, Nord-tousan and Elna-kaasan shows a slight impressed expression.

  「But Al. I’m sorry to say, but that’s impossible.」


  「Even if we contact them using fast horse, is it not possible for them to bring it before spring?」


  Elna-kaasan put her hand on her cheek, making a gesture to think.

  She’s probably calculating the schedule in her mind.

  Even so, before spring, huh. Winter will have passed by that time.

  And the season after that will be for making cooler or electric fan.

  「Well, I guess it can’t be helped that they will be late considering the time and distance. It’s not a particularly bad thing.」


  「There’s a letter here.」


  With a smile, Elna-kaasan took out a stylish and carefully wrapped letter from her pocket

  Let me see, I wonder what’s wrong with the letter.

  Placing the letter on the table, I opened and read it carefully.

  「Umm, let’s see, what is it?　Invitation for a party?　Heeー, Nord-tousan, we’re going to a party.」


  When I look up to tell them that, the two of them urging me to continue reading with their eyes.

  「On this occasion, I would like to invite you to participate in the Noble’s New Year Party that will be held in the Royal Capital along with your son, Alfried-sama……Hey-, let go of me. What’s the meaning of this?」


  When I notice, my arm was gripped tightly by Nord-tousan and Elna-kaasan. Nord-tousan aside, I don’t think I can shake Elna-kaasan’s arm off. What a grip strength.

  「If Al sits down on the chair, I’ll let go of my hand.」


  Nord-tousan smiles and said that to me.

  Be that as it may, the two of them still lean forward and grasping my arms. It’s as if they already know from the beginning that I will run away.

  Oh well, can’t be helped. I’ll just sit first for now.

  「So to sum it up, you have no choice but to participate in the noble’s opening party being held at the Royal Capital.」


  「Eehー, I don’t want to go.」


  With my immediate reply, Nord-tousan sighs.

  Next to him, Elna-kaasan’s appearance feels like saying 「Good grief, this child」.

  Why. Am I a kid who is also a problem child? I don’t think I’m a child whose behaviour go expressly that far as to be called a problem child, I mean, I’m a child who doesn’t make things difficult for my parents.

  「It’s a party for those who were born and has already come of age, so you have to show yourself and participate in Royal Capital’s party. And if you’re the first child, you have to participate in the party when you’re four years old.

  「That’s early!　What do you want the kids do to take your child to such places?」


  「Well, putting it simply, it is for the sake of introducing the successor and the children of the noble house and to deepen the connection between us. 」


  「There are all sorts of other ways to search your partner2 right? 」


  In short, when your child have become of age, the family head have to send them to show their face to the Capital at least once. Something like that I guess.

  「Did Sylvio-niisan and Eleonora-neesan also participate in it?」


  When I ask to truly make sure whether they’re forced to participate or not, Nord-tousan face turns pale.

  「……aah, they participated. It’s been difficult.」


  「It’s been hard when it comes to the two of them once talks about marriage popped out unexpectedly.」


  Indeed. Considering both of their appearance, I guess it surely is tough since there are already a lot of offer for marriage talks.

  Geh, does it mean that I’m obliged to have the same kind of appearance like those two?

  Uwaa, I don’t want to go. They definitely will be disappointed. Especially when you compare me with Sylvio-niisan, there’s no comparison.

  「………don’t want to go.」


  「………father also don’t want to go.」


  Why not? I don’t think that Nord-tousan will hate it that much, even if the Royal Capital is far away. After all, I’m not an ikemen3.

  「You’re very popular in the Capital rightー」


  Elna-kaasan laugh as she make fun of Nord-tousan.

  ……aah, Dragon Slayer, huh.

  That’s right, I surely don’t want to get surrounded by parties anywhere I go.

  With good looks, and good personality, if Nord-tousan went to a party, then he must be very popular with the younger generation. I can easily imagine Nord-tousan getting surrounded by those people, having absolutely no idea of what to do.

  Which reminds me, I heard that there’s play about Nord-tousan in the Royal Capital.

  I’m a bit interested to go to the Royal Capital just to see those.

  「I don’t want to stand out too much. Even at the best of times, there are some places where people hate the very sight of an upstart.」


  Certainly, Nord-tousan is the unusual type of noble who went up the ladder of society by way of achievement from being an adventurer. And the inflexible nobles supporting the country since its founding are keeping an eye on him.

  Perhaps, in contrast with having an ancient and honorable lineage, the Slowlett rose up and appear in the noble society with us having a humble origin - so we don’t get carried away. Or I should say, there are people being jealous of us.

  But for me who want to live my life leisurely in the countryside, I’d like to refrain from such complicated things.

  「Even if you order the book for magic tools, you have to immediately participate in the Royal Capital party anyway. In that case, it would be cheaper to buy the book by yourself and you will be able to do some sightseeing right? 」


  Elna-kaasan comment so. Though I feel that the word ‘cheap’ is awfully emphasized.

  「Either way, you absolutely have to go to the Royal Capital in spring alright?」


  「Ehー, alright.」


  When I agree to go unwillingly, both of them heaved a sigh of relief.

  I wonder if they thought of me as a rebellious child. How vexing.

  Even though there is no other child as honest as me.

  But, the Royal Capital, huh.

  The center of Misfrit Kingdom, also one of the world-leading cities in the world.

  A place centered around the royalty - and also a place where nobles, mechant, adventurer, commoner, and many other people lived.

  There must be seasonings, ingredients, magic tools, and other useful things can not be found here.

  And in order to Teleport, I actually have to go there myself, oh well, there’s advantage in me going there.

  And I absolutely have to watch the play.