Chapter 5

“Patience, come in.”

The study had a calm, settled atmosphere, and I could understand why one would want to hole up here. It felt like a man’s sanctuary—or rather, a perfect space for escaping reality.

“Father, did you require something of me?”

The thought was automatically converted into “Patience-speech,” resulting in a refined question.

“Sit there. I was thinking it is nearly time for you to have your aptitude tested at the church.”

Gulp… Did he realize I’m a possessor? Am I going to be exorcised? I turned pale.

“There is no need to be so nervous. Checking for magical aptitude is a simple matter. I am certain you will be able to use Common Magic. Julianne was quite talented with it, after all. It is best to have you checked before school starts.”

I felt a wave of relief seeing my father’s gentle smile, but… Common Magic? Patience! Tell me about it.

“What is Common Magic?”

I meant to “Google” Patience’s memories, but the question slipped out loud.

“Oh? Common Magic is magic used for daily life. Many people can use it, but Julianne was exceptionally skilled.”

My father’s explanation was a bit vague, but Patience’s memories were more helpful. Common Magic seemed to be a very practical set of spells for things like lighting fires, producing water, creating light, cleaning, and keeping one’s body hygienic.

So, the standard utility spells!

Reincarnated into a world of swords and magic! It sounds like an exciting adventure story, but even though we’re aristocrats, we’re poor, and it seems many commoners can use Common Magic too. In fact, it’s a very convenient magic for maids and the like.

“We shall have you checked at the church tomorrow. Inform Mary.”

It seemed Father would tell the butler himself. Why was I the one to tell Mary? I “Googled” and figured it out.

First, I had to prepare my “going-out” clothes. Also, as a lady’s maid, Mary would have to accompany me, so she needed to prepare as well. Since Mary is the only maid in the house, if she goes out, she has to finish all her other chores in advance.

“Mary, I am going to the church with Father tomorrow. It seems they are going to check my magical aptitude.”

Mary, who was cleaning, started bustling about in a panic.

“My Lady, the coat… Let us try it on.”

I tried on the coat that was hanging in the wardrobe. It was a bit tight, but somehow I managed to squeeze into it.

“We must have a new coat made before school starts,” Mary said with a deep sigh. We don’t seem to have the money for that. What are we going to do?

She brought out a blue outfit from somewhere. The fabric was sturdier than what I was wearing now, and it looked warmer.

“Please try this on. It may be a bit large. I believe it will be fine if we tighten it with the sash…”

Apparently, it was a hand-me-down from a girl in our extended family. It’s warmer than my current clothes, so I have no complaints.

“I shall take in the shoulders a bit.”

Mary pinned a few spots with needles and helped me take it off carefully. She would likely fix it by tomorrow.

It was a bit last-minute, but I decided not to rely solely on Patience’s memories and look up Common Magic myself. And the church as well.

Even when I searched Patience’s memories, not much came up regarding the church. Only the sad memory of her mother Julianne’s funeral.

It seems the Granger family isn’t particularly devout. I don’t know if everyone in the Lawrence Kingdom is like that, but personally, I can’t handle being a fanatical believer, so I think that’s a good thing.

Even if one isn’t devout, aptitude checks are performed at the church.

In light novels, reincarnators often cause an uproar during aptitude checks when they’re found to have “cheat” abilities like being able to use all types of magic…

Becoming a prince’s bride because of that sounds exhausting, so I’d rather pass on that, but I found myself hoping for at least some “cheat” ability if it could improve our current situation. Otherwise, we might actually starve to death. No, maybe that’s an exaggeration…

I want my brothers to have better meals. Of course, I want that for myself too, and it’s necessary for my skin-and-bones father. Thinking of these things, I arrived at the library, which was magnificent despite our poverty.

“If we sold the books here…” The moment the thought crossed my mind, I got a splitting headache and a mental scream of “NO!”

“It was just a joke,” I said, soothing Patience’s memories. This is truly a hassle. Am I going to be stopped every time I try to do something “un-ladylike” for the sake of House Granger?

Well, when that happens, I’ll just have to persuade Patience by telling her it’s for the sake of the Angels.

It seems Patience was quite the doting sister—or rather, she had looked after them with great affection since their mother passed away. Even though Patience herself was only ten.

I felt like complaining a bit to my father for his lack of survival skills, but it seems she made a vow when her mother died.

“I shall take proper care of Nasius and Henry.”

The sad memory made my chest tighten. Even without such a vow, I intend to look after those cute brothers.

“Common Magic… Church…”

Except for the wall with the window, the room was packed with books up to the ceiling. Reading the spines, I selected a few that looked like they might contain information on Common Magic and the church.