Chapter 57

I saw off the evacuees and helped transport the injured to the hospital.

For the few citizens who had lost their homes, rooms were prepared at the fortress. As for the couple from the “Flower Mole Pavilion,” it was decided that they would open a diner there. Apparently, there had already been a plan to establish an eatery for the officials who were often too busy to eat lunch, and they had been looking for cooks.

Once my work at the shelter reached a stopping point, I released Sir Henry from his “confinement” and headed to Lord Nazel’s room.

There was no answer when I knocked, so I tentatively pushed the door open.

“Lord Nazel~?”

I called his name as I stepped into the refined, elegant room. I found Lord Nazel sleeping face-down on the bed. He looked as though he had barely reached his destination before losing consciousness right then and there.

“You really are exhausted. I should just let you sleep.”

I approached the bed and gently reached for a blanket to cover him, but…

Lord Nazel’s hand suddenly shot out and dragged me onto the bed with him.

“Lord Nazel?! Wait, were you awake?”

I heard a soft chuckle.

“I just woke up. I heard your cute voice, Agnes.”

“Did you actually sleep? If you were just lying here awake, I’m going to tie you to the bed!”

“I’m fine, I really did sleep.”

Remaining lying down, I looked at Lord Nazel. His complexion looked better, and there were no signs that he had tried to sneak in any work in the room. Good!

“Um, Lord Nazel, about our promised talk…”

“There was something I wanted to tell you. Regarding your magic, Agnes.”

“My ‘Material Reinforcement’?”

“I’ve been thinking… perhaps that magic isn’t just simple reinforcement. When exactly was your magic identified?”

“When I was still very small, I was taken to the local church. There was someone there who possessed ‘Appraisal’ magic.”

Appraisal magic is one of those special abilities that allows a person to see another’s profession, magic type, and mana capacity.

The accuracy and the number of items that can be identified depend on the individual.

“Those with Appraisal magic, regardless of how strong their ability is, are assigned to work for the Church as appraisers as soon as they are discovered. At least one is stationed in every territory.”

It’s a bit pitiful, but apparently, they are guaranteed a life of above-average comfort and freedom, aside from their choice of occupation.

Usually, nobles have their magical aptitudes checked in the Royal Capital. This is because the Capital hosts appraisers with higher abilities.

However, the Eventail family didn’t go all the way to the Royal Capital for that. Because, after all, they are the Eventails!

“The power to discern magical aptitude is important, you see. The person at our local church was a very old grandpa appraiser, so the appraisal was a bit… vague. I was told my power was ‘something that… strengthens things.’ I was too small to remember, but that’s what my mother told me.”

“…So it was a vague appraisal on top of being secondhand information?”

“Ehehe. The Eventail family isn’t really interested in magic. They only had me appraised because they thought it would be a problem if I caused trouble with some outrageous power.”

“Yeah, I can pretty much imagine that.”

Lord Nazel has already had a run-in with my former family, after all. It makes things easy when he understands the Eventail way of thinking.

“So, my magic is ‘Material Reinforcement’.”

“I’ve been thinking, Agnes—doesn’t your magic work on humans, too? I was attacked by that magical beast last night, but I was completely fine. I think that’s thanks to your ‘charm,’ isn’t it?”

“Come to think of it, you were trampled by the beast while protecting Tony, weren’t you?”

The previous Lord died from being trampled by a magical beast. Even though he took the same hit, Lord Nazel is perfectly healthy.

“I felt the impact, but my body was fine. I think your magic is an unknown quantity—something precious and rare. It even makes plants grow, after all.”

“…Should I have it appraised again?”

“No, there’s no need. If word gets out, it’ll be a hassle in its own way. Everyone would want a piece of your ability. They’d have you reinforcing walls, reinforcing crops, reinforcing soldiers… you’d be taken from the frontier and forced to use your magic as property of the state. Every single day.”

“I don’t want that!”

I flatly refuse to throw away my current happy life or be separated from Lord Nazel!

“Right. So, why don’t we just keep calling it ‘a slightly unusual Material Reinforcement’ like we have been?”

“Let’s do that.”

“By the way, when does the ‘Material Reinforcement’ cast on a human wear off?”

“Hmm… until I dispel it? Unlike your magic, Lord Nazel, mine doesn’t create matter from nothing, so there’s no issue with mana consumption even if I leave it active.”

In Lord Nazel’s case, if he summons a plant that doesn’t exist, he continues to consume mana as long as it’s there. If he grants power to improve a plant, the mana is only consumed at that moment. My magic is the same as the latter.

“That’s amazing. You’re practically invincible, Agnes. From now on, be careful with magic used on humans.”

“Understood. I’d hate to be taken away from the frontier.”

A life of being forced to use magic constantly is the last thing I want.

“By the way, how much mana capacity do you have?”

“I haven’t measured it. Since my magic type is ‘Material Reinforcement,’ they figured it didn’t matter whether I had much mana or not.”

“Confound that Eventail family. Agnes, let’s check your mana capacity. I’ll arrange for an appraiser and handle it discreetly.”

I nodded repeatedly. I felt a sense of security knowing that if I left it to Lord Nazel, everything would be fine.

“Now then, isn’t it about time for the reports on the town’s damage to come in?”

“…I suppose so.”

Lord Nazel stood up, looking a little disappointed.

“Let’s go, Agnes.”

“Yes! I’ll help with the repair work for the damaged areas!”

Having finished our talk, the two of us set out from the manor together to face the future.