Chapter 41: CH 41

“That was terrible, wasn’t it?” Henblitz asked.

“Yeah, but well, there was no harm done in the end. I managed to give her the slip,” I said.

It was the next day.

While we were practicing as usual in the training ground, I was talking about last night’s events with Henblitz Drought, the Vice-Captain.

Almost every day, he goes to these training grounds and devotes himself to exercise. He may be even more muscular than when we first met.

We’re also conducting mock battles but it seems that recently he’s trying other forms of attack other than brute force assaults, and it’s very good to feel the progress Henblitz is making.

But, I can’t lose just yet!

Even though my opponent is the Vice-Captain of the Knights of Revelio, once he’s won against me, this old man will look and feel like nothing but an old man.

“On a different note…” Henblitz said. “It seems Kuruni’s taken the plunge to two-handed swords, hasn’t she?”

As we observed the other knights hard at work, we shift our focus to the petite knight wielding a large wooden sword in the corner, so as to not bother the others.

“For now, but I think it suits her,” I said.

Kuruni’s movements are stiff.

She hasn’t yet reached the level of fluid, confident sword swings. It seems she understands that as well since she’s repeating basic stances, moves, and opening hits.

There are no negative emotions like hesitation or anxiety on her face.

She may have found potential in zweihanders. If I ask her if she was only excited because it was a recommendation, I would have to wonder about her answer.

“She may be transformed in the future,” I said.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Henblitz said with a nice smile. “I’m always happy to see the knights grow. I can’t afford to get left behind, either.”

His brownish skin and long eyes double his reliable aura.

He’s a good person. He’s obedient to authority and although he’s got a strong will before admitting defeat, he’ll also readily admit it once he faces it. He’s also good at taking care of others.

Alexia was hugely popular with both the public and the Knights, but so far as I can see, Henblitz is second to none. No, was that an overstatement? I feel like I’m the one losing the popularity contest.

But, in terms of how the Knights look up to him as an officer, he’s as good as any one of them.

While Alexia has a bit of an unapproachable air, Henblitz is friendly to everyone. Of course, I’m not saying that Alexia is too blunt.

From my perspective, Henblitz is also a valuable guy to talk to.

I don’t hate women or anything like that but if I can only take to women, it’s suffocating. It’s not like I don’t want to be with them or anything.

I’m an old man, so just talking to someone of the same sex makes me feel at ease.

“But that pickpocket that just missed you, Sir Beryl…” Henblitz said. “Were they too strong?”

“They used magic,” I said. “I inadvertently let go of her arm.”

The topic returns from Kuruni to the pickpocket last night.

Well, I didn’t mean to let go of her. I couldn’t help but be surprised to see that hidden magic blast.

“Magic… you said…?” Henblitz said.

Magic.

After that, Henblitz shuts up as if he’s thinking about something.

“… Is there any problem?” I asked.

“Oh, no, not at all, Sir Beryl…” Henblitz said.

I wonder if he was concerned about my letting the pickpocket go, so I relaxed a bit. He seems to not blame me, that’s a relief.

No, I’m not relieved. The fact that there were suspicious people who could use magic were lurking around the capital is not something to dismiss.

“… Usually, most people that can use magic in Rebelis enroll at the Magician’s Academy,” Henblitz said. “From that point, they can either join the Magic Division or become Adventurers… but it’s strange that a mage who can scare you, Sir Beryl, would become a pickpocket. It all feels rather strange.”

“Hmm…”

Well, that would be the case. I was thinking the same.

In this world, there are few talented people who can handle magic. The country can’t just leave them alone because they’re so rare.

Missing one mage will directly affect a nation’s strength and influence. That’s why Rebelis has the Magic Division directly under their control and built the Magician’s Academy.

I don’t know what the other states are doing. However, from all manner of perspectives, they wouldn’t be treating them coldly.

I hear that Rebelis makes a point of frequently announcing that such talented people should not be overlooked and that the tuition fees are quite reasonable.

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And, if you excelled, it would have been free. It wouldn’t have made sense that you couldn’t attend the Magician’s Academy because you didn’t have the money, but did have the talent.

On that note, it seems that it’s unknown when and where your magical talents will manifest.

It seems that there’s been all manner of research done on bloodlines, birth, circumstances, etc., but no causal relationship has been determined. If we had figured that out, we could increase the number of mages more efficiently. So far, the state is working hard to scout and recruit people with magical capabilities.

So, if you know how to use magic, just head to the Magician’s Academy to sell your talents and everything would work out. It’s all set out for you, your Royal Road is waiting for you. And no one in the kingdom of Rebelis doesn’t know that.

I really envy mages, you know?

Now then, let’s get back to the pickpocket in question.

If she could use magic, it’s quick and easy to just walk to the Magician’s Academy. Rather, she’s got no reason not to do it. She didn’t have to bother stealing from people at night.

But the fact was, the pickpocket I ran into last night continued to do so. It wasn’t her first offense, there would have been much more waste and hesitation in her movements. It seems she’s been at this for a significant amount of time.

“Is it possible… that she wasn’t a magician?” Henblitz offered.

“She’s not a mage?” I asked.

She could use magic but was not a magician.

“She may have been using a magical device,” Henblitz continued. “Maybe it was kept in case she needed to make a quick getaway.”

“Ah… I see.”

Is this why Henblitz is the Vice-Captain of the Knight Order of Revelio? This line of thinking instantly opens up all manner of possibilities.

Now that I’ve heard the word magical device, I’ve started to consider that.

A serial pickpocket could have a magical device in the unlikely event they fail. It’s not impossible. It’s much more realistic than a magician falling to crime.

“Then, I think that they’re just a small-time crook,” I said.

“Right?” Henblitz said. “There’s no reason for someone with a magical aptitude to be a pickpocket.

Hmm, it looks like I was thinking too much.

A small-time crook with an offensive magical device. This situation fits best. I regret that I overlooked it.

Well, that raises another question as to how small-time crooks have access to magical devices, but I can’t think about that now.

Let’s end the matter here. It doesn’t matter to me, anyway.

“Ah, man, the city really is different, huh?” I said.

“It doesn’t sound like much of a compliment, but… well, when you put a lot of people together, you can see all manner of things,” Henblitz said.

Forgive me, I wasn’t being sarcastic. I just honestly had that kind of feeling, I’m not trying to be malicious.

“Oh, that’s right. Speaking of pickpockets,” I said as I showed off the pendant I picked up.

“That’s… an accessory, isn’t it?” Henblitz asked.

“Yes, I picked it up last night,” I said. “I don’t know where to report it.”

This pendant may not be directly related to the pickpocket, but considering the time, it fits, so I remembered it.

Henblitz stared at the pendant in my hand.

Judging from his reaction, he seems to not have much expertise in this. That would be the case if he was working out all day. I can’t speak for others, either, because you know what?

I have no eye for appraisal.

I’m not sure if this pendant is really worth it.

But at least I know if something was treated with great care. From that point of view, this pendant was certainly cherished. This is why I’d like to at least return it to its owner.

“In that case,” Henblitz said, “we’ve got a lost and found in HQ, so I’ll show you there later.”

“Thank you, that’s a relief,” I said.

Well then, that’s it for this pendant.

It’s impossible for me to find the owner on my own, anyway. It’s more likely that the Knights will ask around, established as they are in the local area.

“Well then, Sir Beryl,” Henblitz said. “Up for more sparring?”

“Yeah, I don’t mind,” I said. “Let’s do it.”

Now that the conversation was over, Henblitz was back to business.

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It’s good to see him so keen on training, despite what we just talked about. I’ll put aside the topic of pickpockets and pendants for now and get back to my job.

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