The day after the Research Society Information Session, the Research Society has officially started. Starting today, the activities for the Research Society resumes. However, because ours is a newly made group, today is its launch. Because…

“Although it’s such a late hour to ask this, what do we do in a research group?”

“You really asked it at such a late hour… Well, nothing is particularly set in stone. Basically things that aren’t covered in cla.s.s, something you want to learn more details about, or people with the same interest doing research… these are the common ones.”

“I see. If that’s the case, then what will our ‘Ultimate Magic Research Society’ research?”

“Who knows? At that time, I just went with the flow of things. So I don’t have any clue what we should do.”

“Going with the flow, you say…”

Are you really okay with that reason? And so, I looked at the person who proposed the name…

“I was also just going with the flow. But I don’t regret it.”

“In other words, nothing has been decided…”

“Walford-kun seems to know a lot of different kinds of powerful magic. So no matter what, I want to cooperate with you to study it, definitely.”

“…Then, is everyone fine with researching powerful magic?”

“That’s fine.”

It seems like we’ve casually decided on something, well, it’s all good. Everything is all good as long as everyone has fun after school.

When we arrived at the laboratory, the two people who had joined yesterday were already there.

“Ah! Sir, cheers for your hard work!”

“T-thank you very much for your hard work.”

“Thanks for your hard work, you guys got here quickly, did you?”

“Oh, yes, Sir! Because we cannot keep His Highness and the grandson of the Magi waiting, we ran all the way here, Sir!”

“U-umm… Are we causing you any inconveniences?”

“What do you mean by inconveniences?”

“No, umm, that is…”

We’ve only met face to face yesterday, so we probably have to get to know each other first?

“First things first, let’s go inside the laboratory.”

After saying that, I entered the laboratory. Although the structure of the room looked no more than a normal cla.s.sroom with desks, it was good enough.

“Then, s.h.i.+n, as the representative of the research society, why don’t you give a speech.”

“Another speech, huh…”

I murmured and then stepped forward.

“Umm, this time, I, s.h.i.+n Walford, will be the representative of the ‘Ultimate Magic Research Society.’ Because the research society was established on a whim, and I suddenly became the representative, we still have yet to completely decide on what we want to do. Well, don’t worry about it, and let’s do it one step at a time.”

When I finished speaking, Mark and Olivia was it? They looked dumbfounded.

“‘Ultimate Magic Research Society,’ you say…”

“So it was actually named as that?”

It’s like that! You actually joined without knowing!

“Umm… It’s because we heard Walford-kun started his own research society…”

“And so we joined without knowing anything, Sir!”

“…It’s all good. And so, Mark and Olivia, could you two please introduce yourselves?”

“Ye-ye-yes, Sir! Let’s see, my name is Mark Bean, Sir! I’m a freshman in cla.s.s A! My house is a blacksmith shop, and we make weapons, armor. We also make household accessories! If you, Sir, need anything made, please use ‘Bean’s Workshop!’ Because I often help at the blacksmith shop, I’m good with fire magic, Sir! Please take care of me!”

“Oh, speaking of ‘Bean’s Workshop’ it’s that the famous shop with many expert blacksmiths who produce quality products.”

“Is that so? Or rather, you seem quite familiar with it, Tony.”

“Well, yeah… Didn’t I say it before, that my family is filled with Knights? So in the old days, I also wielded a sword. The swords from ‘Bean’s Workshop’ are sharper than those of other workshops; even their knives are small and easy to use.”

How surprising. Tony was talking about weapons! Although it shouldn’t be so strange since his family is a family of Knights, it doesn’t quite match the atmosphere around him. Mark also had a surprised expression.

“Th-thank you very much, Sir… for knowing our shop.”

“Ah, at that time, using items produced by the ‘Bean’s Workshop’ was my goal.”

“It makes me happy when you say that, Sir! If you need something made, please let me know! I’ll provide you with some service!”

“Is that true? That makes me really happy.”

I saw a surprising side of Tony. And next was Olivia.

“Umm… My name is Olivia Stone. I’m also a freshman from A Cla.s.s. My house runs a restaurant, and the name of the shop is ‘Stone Kiln Pavilion.’ Mark is my childhood friend, and we’ve known each other for a long time. Because I often use water to help around the shop, I’m good with water magic. Please take care of me.”

“‘Stone Kiln Pavilion!?’ That’s a very famous store!! The gratin that Stone Kiln makes is unrivaled…”

Alice said while remembering something. Drool, drool is coming out of her mouth.

“When I pa.s.sed the entrance examination, I went to Stone Kiln Pavilion to celebrate. It really was suuuupppperrrrr~ delicious!”

“I’m so jealous, my house wasn’t able to get a reservation.”

“U-umm, everyone, if you’d like, please do come when you’re free. I will provide hospitality.”

“Really! You did it, s.h.i.+n-kun! What a great find of human resource!”

“Don’t make such a rude compliment!”

However, both of them turned out to be children of famous shops. I knew nothing of any of the shops.

Mark has brown hair, black eyes, and some freckles. Probably because he’s been trained to become a blacksmith, he has a muscular body physique. He also has an atmosphere of an athlete.

Olivia is a beautiful girl with medium black hair and blue eyes. She’s cute and has a lovely atmosphere. She’s probably the poster girl for the restaurant.

“Since Mark is a blacksmith’s son and also helps out at the shop, does that mean you’ve already made something?”

“Ye-ye-yes, Sir! Bu-but, you see! It’s not that much of a big deal, Sir!”

“Hey, Mark. This research society only consist of freshmen, so you don’t have to speak so formally.”

“That’s right, Olivia as well!”

“Eh, but…”

“But the Prince and the grandson of the Hero are here, right?”

“Ah, you don’t have to worry about that. Even s.h.i.+n talks to me without reservation from time to time.”

“Umm, Your Highness… It’s because it’s s.h.i.+n…”

Because it’s Gus.

“Well, it’s probably impossible for Gus. However, even though my grandpa and grandma are famous, I’m just part of the general public. I’m the same as the rest of you guys.”

“…General public?”

“I wonder if my ears are hearing things?”

“However, s.h.i.+n will become a celebrity starting next week.”

Hey! Everyone is so cruel! I’m part of the general public, not a n.o.ble, alright? And then Gus suddenly said something.

“Gus, what do you mean by next week?”

“Hmm? Ah, well, you’ll probably receive the notification once you get home. It has been determined that the ceremony will take part next week. With this, s.h.i.+n will become a celebrity.”

“Is that so… It has already been decided…”

“But be at ease. As promised yesterday, you will not be used for any political means. Father has decided to officially declare it during the ceremony. However, it’s impossible for your name not to be well-known. Even now, your name is already being spread.”

“Is that so…”

Because of this, it’ll probably be impossible to walk around outside normally… Ah, that’s right!

“I could just disguise myself or make myself invisible!”

Ah, c.r.a.p. I said it out loud. Huh? The gazes of the people around me hurts…

“Aside from disguising yourself, what does make yourself invisible mean?”

“Eh? It means exactly as it sounds. Like this, if I make myself invisible, n.o.body will recognize me or feel my presence!”

After I finished speaking, I used optical camouflage magic, and everyone was dumbfounded. This kind of reaction again.

“Eh? s.h.i.+n-kun? Where did you go?”

“No way… He suddenly disappeared…”

“Wh-wh-what the h.e.l.l? Is this!?”

“No, you guys don’t have to be that surprised…”

After that, I released the optical camouflage magic, and everyone started to ask questions.

“s.h.i.+n! What was that earlier? I completely lost sight of you!”

“It’s certainly strange. Even though you didn’t leave this place, we couldn’t see where you were at all.”

“The fact that you reappeared at the same place means you didn’t move at all? Then, how did you do it?”

“Wait a minute! We’ve completely neglected Mark and Olivia!”

And so I said, but when everyone turned to look at them, both of them looked astonished.

“Your Highness, sir, you said…”

“Walford-kun is being decorated?”

The topic of the conversation has changed!

“Let’s divert back to the original topic, or else it’ll become a mess.”

“It’s because of you.”

“Shut up! Wait a minute, Umm, Mark, I heard you are able to create something? And also, didn’t we say to please stop with the honorifics?”

“It is as you have said, Sir.”

“Well, first things first, please stop with the honorifics. There’s no need for honorifics when we’re all the same age.”

“It’s impossible to do so when addressing His Highness and Walford-kun! And also, when I’m helping in the workshop, my position is the lowest, so this is the way I usually talk, Sir!”

“It’s the same for me as well, since it’s necessary when I’m helping with the shop… Although I feel like I can drop the honorifics when I talk to His Highness and Walford-kun, it’s not possible to do so immediately.”

I’m being labelled at the same cla.s.s as Gus…

“It looks like you want to say something?”

“I don’t really have anything to say… Haa~ Then let’s just end it with that. It’s not good to force them to do it.”

“I’m really very sorry.”

“I’m very sorry.”

“You guys don’t have to apologize every single time. And so? What did you make, Mark?”

“Well, Sir, as I’ve said earlier, I’m still an apprentice. However, just recently, I was finally able to make a knife… Nevertheless, because I cannot disregard magic practice, I haven’t improved much, I’m still far from it. It can’t be helped.”

“I see. If you can make a weapon, I thought that you could maybe make a weapon for me.”

“No, no! Walford-kun’s sword was able to slay a devil, right? There’s no way anything I make can be equal to it, sir!”

Hmm? I see, I didn’t explain it earlier.

“No, that sword is just a normal iron sword enchanted with magic, you know? Because it’s made to be thin and light, it doesn’t have much durability.”

“Eh? An ordinary sword?”

“That’s right.”

After I said that, I took out the Vibration Sword from the extra-dimensional s.p.a.ce. And then I showed it to Mark.

“So that is the sword that subdued the devil…”

“Would you like to look at it?”

Mark then began to appraise the Vibration Sword from all sorts of angles.

“…I cannot believe it… Is this really the sword that exterminated the devil, Sir?”

“That’s right.”

“Certainly this sword, Sir… is thin and light, and it’s also easy to wield. But that’s all there is to it. If it is used to cut something slightly hard, it would break easily, Sir.”

“What? Is that how it is?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Would you like to see it as well?”

And so, he handed it over to Gus.

…He used such normal honorifics to address Gus…

“This is really… It certainly looks like it’ll break easily…”

“Didn’t I say it’s enhanced by enchantment magic? Try applying your magic to activate it.”

“Eh! This is? The blade seems to be vibrating?”

“Now then, why don’t you try and cut something? It’s okay if you don’t use much power.”

And so, I retrieved some wooden logs from the extra-dimensional s.p.a.ce. These are, why did I have them in the first place? Was I going to use them for something?

I don’t remember why I have a log. While I was thinking why I had it, I heard Gus letting out a surprised voice.

“What the! What in the world is this!?”

The Vibration Sword cut the log in half as if it were b.u.t.ter. Everyone had their eyes wide open at the sight. And then he swung the sword at the log once more.

“What the world is this…”

“Vibration Sword. Thanks to the super high-speed vibrations that it creates, it can make such clean cuts.”

I explained the details about the Vibration Sword as it was being returned to me.

“Like I said, the sword isn’t all that great. After modifying it for easy handling, the overall durability was compromised. That’s why I want something thin as a spare.”

While saying so, I returned the Vibration Sword inside the extra-dimensional s.p.a.ce. Mark looked like he was thinking of something, and then he said.

“…If the only condition you have is for it to be thin, then I can make it myself. However, I’ll need to consult with Walford-kun more about it later…”

“Really!? That’s great. Up until now, I’ve been doing all the adjustments myself since I didn’t have anyone to ask, so you’re a big help!”

“No, Sir, if it’s just this much, it’s an easy request.”

Ah, this is really lucky. With this, I can experiment with various things.

“However, for you to be able to make something like that…”

“How amazing. Although I also specialize in enchantment magic, after looking at that thing…”

“Yuri, it is also possible for you to make something like that. If you’d like, I could ask grandma to teach you.”

“Eh!? Really! Please do! I’m super happy!”

It’s the first time I’ve seen Yuri being so hyperactive. It seems that she really looks up to grandma.

“But you know, I’ve already given Uncle Dis, Chris-neechan, and Sieg-oniichan a knife version of it?”

“…I’ve never seen those before.”

“I see, I guess they kept them as a secret?”

“Now that you mentioned it, a few years ago, when Siegfried got himself a new weapon, he was really proud of it… But no matter how much I asked him to show it to me, he didn’t let me see it.”

Siegfried? Who is that person… who has such a cool name?

“s.h.i.+n-kun, you’re acquainted with Siegfried-sama!?”

“I don’t know anyone named Siegfried-sama, but Uncle Dis is this Kingdom’s King, and Sieg-niichan is one of the King’s escorts. A silver-haired guy.”

“That’s him! All female Magicians! No, all the females in the Royal Capital yearn for him. Siegfried Marquez-sama!”

“To actually have people yearning for him…”

“I want to be able to talk to him at least once.”

“Back in middle school, there was a fanclub for him.”

Alice started talking pa.s.sionately. Maria, Rin, and Yuri all agreed.

“Ehhh… He’s nothing but a playboy-niichan, you know?”

“And, you also seem to be acquainted with Christina-sama.”

“Again, I don’t know anyone named Christina-sama? Chris-neechan is the same as Sieg-niichan, one of the King’s escorts.”

“Christina Hayden, a young, beautiful Knight, and mysterious woman chosen to be one of the King’s escorts for her swordsmans.h.i.+p. And because of her beautiful looks and mysterious atmosphere, there are a lot of boys who admire her.”

Thos, Julius, and Mark nodded their heads like crazy.

“What mysterious atmosphere… she’s just a blunt woman…”

I didn’t know those two are so popular. What’s this strange feeling as if it’s my own brother and sister who are getting praised. That aside, the reality is completely different from what they think… they might get disillusioned when they meet them…

“Putting that aside, s.h.i.+n, how did you make yourself disappear earlier?”

“That’s right, s.h.i.+n-kun! What was that earlier?”

“Ah, you mean the optical camouflage?”

“Optical… What is that?”

“Optical camouflage. When humans look around, you understand that they use their eyes to see, right?”

“What are you saying… it’s only natural, right?”

“Why can you see things?”

“Why, you ask… I don’t know the reason why.”

“The eyes of a human can see, because light is being reflected off of it.”

“Reflection?”

“That’s right. That’s why you cannot see wherever light is not reflected. Take for example, a gla.s.s? A gla.s.s, because it is not contaminated with much impurities, results in being almost transparent, which allows light to pa.s.s through.”

“You’re right…”

“With that, you can see things that are reflected by light, so if I distort the reflected light…”

“Ah! Then s.h.i.+n-kun will disappear!”

“It’s not as if I will really disappear. All I did is use magic to distort and interfere with the light in the surroundings. Therefore, when I use magic to reflect the light to my surroundings and bypa.s.s me, people won’t see me even when I’m front of their eyes. As a result, it will look like I disappeared. But it does not mean I really did disappear.”

When I explained the foundation of optical camouflage magic, it looked there were question marks above everyone’s heads.

“…Sicily, do you understand it?”

“Not at all…”

“Even after you explained it, I still don’t understand it at all!”

“Although I don’t understand it, it’s an amazing magic.”

“As I thought…”

“It defies the common sense of magic degozaru.”

Everyone declared unanimously but…

“This group is called ‘Ultimate Magic Research Society,’ you know? What will you do if you’re already this surprised?”

“It’s too ‘ultimate’ all of a sudden!”

“This is amazing. Ultimate concealment magic.”

“No, the magic didn’t block any sound, and it doesn’t hide magic power, so it can’t really be considered as an ultimate, right?”

“No, it’s sufficient enough. If possible, this magic is not something that we should spread around.”

“Why is that?”

“Ability to freely a.s.sa.s.sinate people, steal all the confidential doc.u.ments as you like, tailing others, eavesdropping; there are too many application when it comes to criminal activities.”

“If you put it that way, then magic itself should be prohibited. In the end, isn’t it a matter of the person’s morals?”

“It’s certainly as you say… but this magic brings about too much temptation…”

“It’s alright, Your Highness! Because during the explanation earlier, n.o.body understood the foundation of it, right?”

“…That is also true.”

“Was my explanation too hard to understand?”

“That’s not it… In the first place, I didn’t understand the concept.”

However, I explained the reflection of lights as easy as I possibly could. Maybe there isn’t any concept of capturing light in the first place?

“I see… you don’t understand the concept.”

“I think it’s going to be like this. We all have to gather and watch s.h.i.+n attentively while he develops original, ultimate magic.”

“Please don’t say it like that. Even if it’s just a little, I want to be of some help to Walford-kun.”

“This is what His Majesty was saying during the entrance ceremony. s.h.i.+n-kun will break all the stereotypes of magic.”

“But I feel that it broke too much…”

“Thor, just give up degozaru.”

“As I thought, it was a good thing to join this research society. It might even help me advance to S Cla.s.s.”

“As for me, I want to learn more about enchantment magic.”

“Well, let’s do it in moderation.”

Although some look like they’ve given up, there are others who look even more motivated. Well, I wonder if this much is alright since it’s the first gathering of our research society?

Now that I think about it, what about those two people?

“No chants needed…”

“As expected of S Cla.s.s…”

Like I said! The conversation has deviated!