On this day, Lisha was called to her father Joshua's first office in the house of Raytheft.
This room has been used by the head of the Raytheft family for generations for business work.
Behind the desk, the military flag of the House of Raytheft flew crosswise over the desk.
The carpets and curtains are in muted colors.
A leather sofa and a glass table are also placed in the room, making it a reception room as well.
Since the rise of the aristocracy, the interior of the Raytheft family has been based on the principle of quality and solidity.
This is because it has been the creed since the first generation of the family that if you want to spend money on luxuries such as furniture and furnishings that do not need to be spent, you should spend it on war and serve the royal family.
There are other ways to show the family's economic power, so the only new things we've introduced are lights and tables made of [glittering glass] and frosted glass impostors.
But now, he is sitting with his father Joshua on the sofa in front of his office desk.
Sitting across the glass table from them is Joshua's brother, Clive Arbent.
He is the pride of the kingdom, one of the national mages, and a kind uncle who takes care of him like a daughter.
"Thank you, brother, for accepting my call.
"Yes. But what the hell is going on with you today? Why so formal?
It was Joshua's demeanor that caused Crabbe to look at him strangely.
Joshua's usual manner with Crabbe was not as formal as this.
There is a certain amount of coiled tension between them, but they still have the closeness of brothers.
But today, Joshua was a little different.
Is he angry?
Or maybe he's frustrated.
He seemed to be in a bad mood.
Joshua doesn't answer Crabbe's question, but pulls something out of a package he has at his side.
It is a glass tube in a wooden frame.
At the bottom of the clear glass tube is a pool of what looks like red liquid.
The wooden frame is marked with scales with nervous precision.
At first glance, Joshua had no idea what it was for.
But then Joshua put it on the table.
I'd like to ask you something straightforward.
When Joshua asked in a stern tone, Crabbe first exhaled the smoke from the cigar he was smoking toward the ceiling.
And then.
"But first, as a national mage, I have to ask. How did you get this into my house?
Crabbe's tone and demeanor were even harsher than Joshua's.
It was as if he was strongly condemning Joshua for violating a strict rule.
I know you have strict control over this. I was given this as a special loan.
"So you've used some of your leverage, huh? You're an a**h*le.
That's what you're supposed to do.
That's what I have to do.
I could tell from their conversation that the tools on the table were quite important.
But then...
"Father, what is it?
It's a tool to measure the amount of ...... magic power.
You mean, measure the amount of magic?
Yes. When you release your magic in this way, ......
When Joshua releases his magic power out of his body, the red liquid at the bottom of the glass tube grows upward.
The crate has a scale on it, so it probably corresponds to that.
I know this because I have studied magic.
This is a tremendous invention.
I'm surprised, too.
I'm a mage myself.
I'm tempted to try it right away, but I'm too afraid to reach for it.
Then, in a rather stern voice, Crabbe said.
"Lisha, this is a national secret that has yet to be officially released. You are not to tell anyone what you've just seen or what is being said here. Do you understand?
"Yes, sir. ......
As a military officer, Crabbe's words had been met with approval.
"And my brother?
...... Yes.
Well, ......
It's a shame.
If I had told him about the existence of this place, I'm sure he would have loved it.
Every time I visit him, he tells me many things, but I can't tell him such an important thing.
It's frustrating.
When I asked about my brother, I thought I got a stern look from my father Joshua.
I think Joshua was more concerned about this tool that measures the amount of magic power.
He calls out to Crabbe to encourage him to answer the question.
"Brother.
Why are you asking me about this in the first place?
"I've eliminated the possibilities one by one. My search for the source led me to you, brother.
Huh?
Did you make this?
No. No, I didn't.
You're not going to tell me?
It's true. Because I can't make that shit up.
"Then where the hell did they come from?
Joshua's tone grew stronger.
Joshua's voice is strong, and his shoulders cower for a moment at the sudden outcry.
Crabbe, on the other hand, has the presence of mind to even smile thinly.
"Where did you come from? What's with that tone? You're making it sound as if there's another source.
"Don't try to smoke me out! That's who you are!
All right, all right. I'm sorry about that.
Crabbe shushes Joshua and starts smoking again.
As an awkward silence prevails, he suddenly summons up the courage to hold the tool in his hand.
The tool to measure the amount of magic power is small enough to hold in your hand, and not too heavy.
When you release magic power, the liquid in the bottom of the tool expands to show the change in the amount of magic power.
The scale is well-defined.
In order to show the amount of magic power at a glance, the part of the number that is well-defined is made to stand out.
In some places, there are letters that are neither the letters of the kingdom nor [arts glyphs].