Chapter 59 - Glenn's Persuasion
"No, it\'s our honor to meet the great magician Glenn-dono! My name is Alabarta Domec, vice-captain of the Maple Leaf Holy Empire\'s Royal Guard! Pleased to meet you!" Alabarta, a beastkin with a voice that echoed from his large frame, bowed his head. His face resembled some kind of protective statue, but his fluffy ears and tail looked very pleasant to touch.
After Alabarta finished his greeting, the man with light green hair sitting next to him, Crown, opened his mouth.
"I am Crown Windsor, a court magician from the Maple Leaf Holy Empire. Although we are here on royal orders, I am eager to thoroughly observe the world-renowned Fiddick Academy. I would also like to discuss magic with you, Glenn-sama," Crown greeted with shining eyes, or rather, gleaming eyes.
Glenn, somewhat taken aback, responded with a wry smile. "Hahahaha… No, no, I have no magic worthy of showing to a court magician from the Maple Leaf Holy Empire, a magical powerhouse. Rather, I would like to see the magic of Crown-dono that I’ve heard about…"
Glenn tried to decline subtly while praising them, a roundabout method that might not be easily understood by someone with Crown\'s personality, but Alabarta\'s reaction would be interesting.
As I stood there watching the three facing each other, Alabarta briefly glanced at me.
"Please don\'t be modest, Glenn-dono. I have heard that our country\'s proud magician, Fore Pern Roses, was defeated in a magical duel by your academy’s Aoi Konominato-dono. Fore is a first-class magician on par with our court magicians, so our country\'s magicians are in an uproar."
Although Alabarta laughed, he had a probing air about him. It was likely both a probe into the future of Fore, who had lost to a newcomer, and my abilities, who had defeated Fore.
Sensing this, Glenn laughs awkwardly. "Haha… No, no, it wasn\'t an official match or anything like that. Fore-kun has solid skills and pride as a senior teacher. He just doubted Aoi-kun\'s abilities since she was suddenly invited as a senior teacher. But after observing her lectures, he naturally came to recognize her abilities. It\'s truly a wonderful story."
"I see. So Aoi-dono has abilities equal to or greater than Fore’s. I definitely want to see those abilities." Alabarta nodded, seemingly convinced by Glenn\'s words. His tone was soft, but there was an unmistakable pressure that he wouldn’t back down.
Glenn must have realized this, as he exaggeratedly nodded and gestured towards me with his palm up. "Yes, I understand how you feel. But Aoi-kun is still new. She must be nervous to perform magic in front of important foreign guests like Alabarta-dono and Crown-dono, so for now, let\'s just have a meal together…"
He began making various excuses, but Alabarta raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. "Hmm? Is that so? When we met earlier, she seemed very composed. When Crown tried to demonstrate ice magic in the street, she splendidly crushed it with her own ice magic."
"I-ice magic…? Aoi-kun\'s ice magic, you say…?" Glenn\'s attention suddenly turned to me.
Sighing at Glenn\'s intense gaze, I reluctantly spoke. "I don\'t mind showing my magic. However, I would like Crown-san to also demonstrate his magic, and I\'d appreciate it if you could share with me the latest magic and ongoing research in the Maple Leaf Holy Empire."
Alabarta frowned. "Please wait. What you just said includes national secrets. To talk about them so easily—"
"Is that okay?! Of course I don\'t mind! I\'ll answer any questions!"
Just as Alabarta was about to give a negative reply, Crown\'s voice eagerly overlapped his.
Alabarta\'s face scrunched up in disapproval. "W-wait, Crown! You can\'t decide such important things so easily—"
"So, where should we demonstrate? There was a good spot earlier, but is there a place inside the academy? I\'d like to see Glenn-dono\'s magic too if possible!"
"W-wait! Both of you, please forget what was just said! I-I\'d like to discuss this between us for now…"
Crown looked at me and Glenn eagerly, while Alabarta stood up in a panic.
Seeing this, I understood why Crown was called the Magic Maniac.
That said, his demeanor reminded me a lot of Owen and Glenn when they saw new magic, so I couldn\'t help feeling a certain affinity towards him.