Chapter 25
"By the way, what is your plan for school?" (Camilla)
Camilla suddenly asked Soma so when half of his lesson became a self study of magic. It was when he finished reading the result of magical research.
However, Soma lifted his face and tilted his neck. He wasn't wondering about the abruptness, nor he replied anything.
It was because he didn't understand why he would hear such a question.
"Hmm… even if you ask me what would I do, I am actually having trouble with it. Because I don't have choices." (Soma)
"Haa? What do you mean by that? Well, it is true that you want to do one thing only, but there are various schools, you know?" (Camilla)
"Hmm…? Well, I am also thinking that it is possible to go to school, but I have a feeling that I can't go anywhere even if I say I want to go somewhere in the first place." (Soma)
"Aah… I see. Because of that, huh? There is difference in perception at that time." (Camilla)
"When you say that there is a difference… what is the difference?" (Soma)
"Well." (Camilla)
To be honest, she was surprised.
As for perception on Soma, she felt like she said it herself now.
Even if he could go to school, he would go to a designated place.
However, somehow it wouldn't be like that.
By the way…
"Do you think that it will be convenient if you tell your hope? No… not only that, I have a good feeling you can greatly express your hope." (Camilla)
"Hmmm… It is fine to say hope, but…" (Soma)
"What? Is there any problem?" (Camilla)
"How am I suppose to tell my hope in the first place?" (Soma)
What Soma meant was of course, it was his mother, Sophia.
Unfortunately, Soma hadn't see Sophia for more than a year.
Anyhow, it was doubtful whether the opportunity would come or not in the future even since Soma's birthday at that time.
However, he wasn't unhappy.
It was because Soma firmly understood the situation.
According to Camilla's explanation, that wasn't probably her real intention.
However, apart from that, Soma had no opportunity to convey his hope.
Because of that, Soma had no convenience to feel trouble about getting to school.
"Well, there is that. If you are going to murmur it to yourself, or somehow you say it, won't that be alright? For example, like now, I think." (Camilla)
"Somehow… is it?" (Soma)
"Yeah. Somehow, it is." (Camilla)
"In other words, on my previous birthday, there was a gift arrived from an unknown Onee-chan who had always been watching over me, is it that?" (Soma)
"…Well. Yes, it is." (Camilla)
"…I see." (Soma)
Well, it was true. It was possible to communicate with each other without meeting them.
For example, if there was someone who could convey Soma's intention…
As a matter of fact, the content of the present received from an unknown Onee-chan was a pocket watch.
In other words, it was the first time Soma knew about her at that time, but apparently, pocket watches were sometimes handed as a proof of a person.
Among n.o.bles in particular, it happened at six years old. It was often pa.s.sed after receiving a skill appraisal. Soma was originally planned to be delivered with that watch after that.
Well, that didn't really matter to Soma.
"Hmm… but I had never thought that I could go anywhere on my own will. To be honest, I also want to go to school… well, if it is possible, I would like to go to magic school…" (Soma)
In regards to schools, there were several categories that one could study over there.
It was also a place where students could learn general affairs broadly and shallowly, but there were many people who intensively learned specific matters, and most of them decided their future in that way.
And if one wanted to learn about magic, there was no mistake that it was probably best to go to magic school.
But of course, they couldn't unconditionally go to each of these schools.
To put it simply, one need to look whether they had talent or not in order to study there.
In other words, if it was magic school, it would be about talent in magic.
"Well, that's how it is. Normally, you can't enter magic school because you are not able to use magic.
"Is there such a way?" (Soma)
"Yeah. You just need a lot of luck though." (Camilla)
"Luck…?" (Soma)
"Basically, to enter a magic school, you need recommendation from a major premise. That is a matter of course by considering the nature of magic." (Camilla)
It was said that magic was dependent on talent, so basically, there were only few capable candidates.
On top of that, there were fewer people who could teach.
In short, the number of magic school was a corresponding number, and there was a huge threshold even just taking the exam.
"Nonetheless, it is enough if you have Sofia's recommendation. When considering the matter in the future, the reasons will be properly conceived." (Camilla)
"Hmm… as far as I am concerned, the problem is the test, right?" (Soma)
"Yes. Which is why a luck will come into play." (Camilla)
"Hmm…?" (Soma)
Even though it was a exam, it wasn't the same every time.
It depended on the nature of the school and the examiner, but it would be similar when it came to practical skill.
Therefore, the problem was the content of the exam.
"If it is impossible to use magic, then it will be impossible. At that time, just accept the fact and give up." (Camilla)
"By the way, is it normal to feel like that?" (Soma)
"No, it's not limited to that. In short, this is about a content that need to do something related to the magic usage." (Camilla)
For example, one could use magic to defend against the examiner's magic, and that was an 'Out'. (TLN: I’m not sure the ‘Out’ here mean pa.s.s or fail.)
However, one could use any method to defend against the examiner's magic.
"You are highly likely to pa.s.s even if you can use a sword to prevent it." (Camilla)
"…Eh, is that really alright?" (Soma)
"There is nothing wrong in doing that, isn't it?" (Camilla)
"Aah… I see. The only problem is whether the examiner will accept it or not." (Soma)
"That's why I said it depended on luck." (Camilla)
That was a considerably overwhelming, but Soma understood it was possible to enter a magic school.
Apparently, Soma seemed to be given the right to choose.
As to whether he could do prevent magic with sword or not.
"Well, you don't have to decide today. Take your time." (Camilla)
"…Of course." (Soma)
He didn't had too much of feelings when this matter suddenly came out, but it would be worth considering it seriously.
The reason why he hadn't decided about magic school was because he had some hesitation.
It wasn't about whether he could pa.s.s the exam.
Because if it was impossible, it would be fine if he was accepted at other place.
However, there was no reason to be hesitated.
Actually, he was hesitated whether he would do fine in a magic school.
Soma had tried various things with the help of Aina for over a month, but it seemed there was no result so far.
Perhaps the result wouldn't change for a long time.
For some reason, he had such a belief.
Hence, it was necessary to change the way of approach, but… there was a slight doubt whether it would be enough with the magic school.
Of course, there were also other possibilities.
It would be worth enough just by reading books held in the magic school.
In addition, the surrounding would be full with magicians, and there were also possibilities getting in touch with magic all day long.
That alone was already good enough.
However, if it was still impossible for him to use magic with existing methods, he needed to find knowledge from other places.
Although this was unrelated to swordsmans.h.i.+p, Soma got hints how to progress forward.
Given the same thing could happen with magic, it might be possible to use magic in other schools.
Or possibly–
"Hmmm… won't it be fun to go on a trip…?" (Soma)
"Haa…? Aren’t you going to school?" (Camilla)
"No, I was just thinking about it, but… it may not be bad at all…" (Soma)
"Aah–… well, if I have to be honest, you don't really need to go to school. If you seriously considering it, I guess it is possible, you know?" (Camilla)
"Hmm… I will consider it." (Soma)
If that happened, he would be separated from Aina and Lina, but… it was the same thing if he went to school.
Fortunately, he had nothing left to regret.
It was Lina and Aina.
Soma had a feeling that Lina would have made it extremely impossible, but perhaps if it was the present Lina, it would probably fine.
She probably said 'Don't do the impossible.'
As for Aina, he would have her in mind if it was until yesterday, but that was no longer necessary.
Because when she disappeared… she had nothing to say. She had a clearly refreshed expression when he met her this morning.
Soma didn't intentionally ask the reason, but he wasn't sure whether she got over something or solve that problem because it was certainly not his problem.
Although Aina still seemed to have problems, but… Soma had a feeling that Aina would be alright.
Well, he regretted just a little that he couldn't do anything for her after all.
Anyway, she should be fine.
Soma really had no regret.
Nevertheless, it didn't mean that he would go on a journey at this moment.
If he really wanted to go on a trip, even if it was an alternative from going to a school, that time would be another year from now.
For the moment, the same kind of days would continue.
"…Well, that also another matter to consider." (Soma)
He didn't really dislike his current life.
He was happy enough except for one thing only.
That one problem was the fact that he couldn't use magic, but for Soma, he could stand on par in everything else.
After all, Soma's nature didn't change even though he died once.
However, that was a story in the past.
In order not to regret at that time, Soma was seriously thinking about what he should do.
—