The Misfit of Demon King Academy: Volume 2, page 11
“You’re not entering the tournament?” Misha asked once we were alone.
“It seems the Royalists plan on imposing rules to force my defeat. Not that I would lose no matter how unfavorable those rules may be, but I have nothing to gain by participating.”
If this was one of Avos Dilhevia’s plots, then I would willingly go along with it. If things went well, I might even be able to expose his true colors. But if this was the completely unrelated work of the Royalists acting out of disdain, then there would be no point. When it came to a trivial sports tournament like this, I was willing to grant Melheis his request. That meant...
“Come.”
As I spoke the word, an owl flew in through the window. It was a familiar.
“Go.”
After sending instructions through Leaks, the owl flew off again.
“Misha, there’s no school tomorrow, right?”
Misha nodded.
“Do you have any plans?”
She shook her head.
“Then would you like to hang out together?”
Misha stared at me impassively. “Hang out?”
“Yes.”
She fell silent for a moment, thinking to herself. “Just the two of us...?”
“Is that a problem?”
She quickly shook her head. “I’m looking forward to it,” she then said with a smile.
“Is there anywhere you want to go?”
“Anywhere.”
“What about anything you want to do?”
“Anything.”
Hmm. So there was nothing she wanted. But knowing Misha, there was a chance she was holding back.
“What do you want to do, Anos?”
“Let me think. I’m fine with anything, but if I had to pick, then I want to do something you like to do,” I replied.
Misha blinked in surprise. “Something I like?”
“Yes.”
“It might be boring...”
“It’d be nice to do something boring for a change.”
Misha smiled. “You’re kind.”
“Am I?”
She nodded. “I’ll tell you.”
I questioned her with a look, and she continued. “What I like, that is.”
“Go on, what is it?”
“No, not yet. It’s a secret.”
So she was saving it for tomorrow.
Misha stared at me silently. I waited for her to say something, but she remained quiet. However, it looked like she wanted to.
“What’s wrong? If you’ve got something to ask, out with it.”
“Um...” she mumbled somewhat shyly, “what kind of clothes do you like?”
“Clothes? I’m not the type to care about outward appearances, but if I had to pick something, it would be a frock coat.”
“A frock coat?” Misha blinked. “Will I look good in one...?” she asked a little uneasily.
“Hmm?”
“Ah.”
That was when we both realized our conversation had misaligned slightly.
“Were you asking about what you should wear?”
Misha nodded.
“Hmm. But I don’t know much about women’s clothing.”
“What color do you like...?”
If it was the color she would wear, then...
“Let’s see... I think white would be nice. You look good in your school uniform.”
Her eyes widened a fraction. Then she smiled. “Do you like skirts or pants better?”
“I’ve never been asked such a question before...”
Misha took a step closer to me, staring right at my face. “Which do you like more?”
She was being much more assertive than usual. Now, how should I answer?
“I’m not sure I have a preference...”
“Pants?” she asked, staring into my eyes. “Skirts?” Then her questions continued. “Do you prefer more formal clothes?”
Formal clothes as in ceremonial dress? Well, it wasn’t bad, but I wouldn’t call it a preference.
“Or more casual clothes?”
Preferences aside, I’d never really considered these things before. It was difficult to decide which was better whilst being questioned in rapid succession.
“Got it,” she said before I could answer, backing down.
“Anos, Misha! Dinner’s ready!” mom called from the living room.
“Shall we go?” Misha asked.
“Are you done with the questions...?”
At that, Misha giggled.
I headed for the living room alongside Misha, who seemed to be enjoying herself much more than usual.
§ 16. The Legendary Appraiser
In the end, dad didn’t return home that day.
He was a blacksmith by profession, so I wanted to believe he wouldn’t mess up when it came to swords—but I wasn’t completely reassured.
I was confident I’d be able to deal with anything that happened, so there was no reason to worry, and yet...
“What a strange feeling...”
“Anos! Misha’s here for you!” mom yelled from downstairs. I stood up from my chair and left my room to head down to the shop.
Misha and mom were waiting there.
“Morning,” Misha said. She was wearing a white dress and had a ribbon in her hair.
“That’s an outfit I haven’t seen on you before.”
“It’s new...”
I see. No wonder the fabric looked so pristine.
“Is it weird?” she asked, looking up at me.
“No. You look good in it. It’s a lovely dress.”
She blushed faintly. “It’s your preference.”
“Mine? Well, I do think it’s nice, but I never answered any of your questions, did I?”
At that, Misha smiled just like she had the day before. “I can tell by your eyes.”
“Oh? Is that so.”
“Yeah.”
As far as I knew, I hadn’t answered any of her questions, but it seemed she’d seen through me. Her Eyes really could see everything.
“I’m impressed you noticed. Well done, Misha.”
It was quite the talent. If she trained right, her skill had the potential to compete with that of demons of the Mythical Age.
“Thank you.”
Misha seemed satisfied with my response.
“All right. I’ll be off now, mom.”
“Have fun!” chirped mom as cheerily as ever as she sent us on our way.
Once outside, I paused and turned to Misha.
“So, you were going to tell me what you like to do, right?”
Misha nodded. “This way,” she said, starting off down the street.
I walked close beside her, looking forward to our destination.
We eventually reached Midhaze, a shopping district where many stores lined the streets. This street in particular was the busiest in the area, with countless people coming and going.
“Here.”
Misha stopped before a building. The sign read: “Homeland of the Creation Dragon: Magic, Models, and More.” It was a rather large store. Misha opened the door and led us inside, where a woman wearing a hat greeted us.
“Why, if it isn’t Misha. Welcome! Making something new today?”
“Yeah.”
“Excellent! By the way, I’ve already found a buyer for the model castle you made the other day. You’ve been such a help,” the woman said, opening a door to the back. “Who might this young man be?”
Misha glanced at me, then shook her head. “My friend.”
“Anos Voldigoad,” I said, introducing myself to the woman who appeared to be the store owner.
“Melissa Nomad. It’s a pleasure.”
“Likewise. What’s a magic model, may I ask?” I asked.
Melissa looked surprised. “To think there’s someone who doesn’t know in this day and age... You’re not from Dilhade, are you? Where do you hail from?”
From two thousand years ago, to be precise—but she was unlikely to believe that.
“A remote town on the border of Azesion, the human continent.”
“Ooh, I see. So Misha brought you here to show you her magic models.”
Misha nodded wordlessly.
“Well, come right in. You’ve got the workshop all to yourselves.”
I followed Misha and Melissa into the workshop. Drawn on the floor were several magic circles. These were not just any magic circles, but restricted circles—unmovable circles that restricted the type of magic that could be cast in exchange for greatly improved accuracy.
There were several long tables and shelves set up around the room, occupied by glass globes. Within the globes were small scenes of buildings, trees, and flowers. It was almost as if pieces of the world had been cut out and shrunk down to fit the glass.
“Well, what do you think? These are magic models. Amazing, aren’t they? The one Misha made the other day is over here, by the way.” Melissa gestured at a glass orb occupied by a castle in a forest. It was a miniature version of the castle she had created during the team exam. The backdrop was the enchanted forest.
In front of the globe was a label that indicated it had already sold.
“I see, so you’re making these with Iris.”
Misha nodded.
Making huge objects using Iris required quite a lot of magic and knowledge about spell formulae, but making detailed miniatures required even more. That must be why restricted magic circles were employed for the task.
“The smaller and more detailed, the better the magic model,” Melissa explained.
It was a difficult task, after all. The model that Misha had made was small enough to fit into one’s palm, yet was still intricately detailed.
“Is this what you like to do, Misha?”
“I like making detailed things.”
Her usually monotonous voice sounded livelier than usual.
“Watch me.” Misha held her hand over the restricted magic circle and activated it. “Dinner together,” she said.
She cast Iris, and a glass globe formed in her hand. Within that globe, my living room was taking shape. Dishes upon dishes were lined up across a table, around which Misha, Sasha, Lay, Misa, and my parents were seated. It was the spitting image of our dinner together the previous evening.
Misha made it look easy, but recreating the details of a scene from memory alone was challenging. Perhaps she had the ability to instantly memorize what she saw.
At any rate, she seemed to be having fun. Her normally blank expression was ever so slightly softened, but her gaze was serious as she stared intently at the magic model.
Suddenly, she stopped casting and looked up at me. “Is it boring?” she asked a little anxiously.
“No, it’s fascinating. It may just be a hobby craft, but pursuing a smaller and more intricate model will lead you deeper into Iris’s abyss.”
Misha laughed softly. “You really like magic.”
“Not particularly...”
She shook her head. “You like it.”
Hmm. I hadn’t considered that before. Magic came to me as naturally as breathing.
“You really think so?”
Misha nodded.
“Then perhaps you’re right.”
Considering Misha’s words, I realized there were still so many things I had yet to learn about myself.
She then resumed casting Iris. More and more details were worked into the model, and several minutes later, there was a miniature figure of myself beside our dining table inside the globe. The magic model was complete.
“It’s done.”
“That’s quite the work of art.”
Misha looked down at her completed creation. My living room had been recreated within the globe right down to the smallest detail. It would be hard to find anyone better at casting Iris in this era.
“Want to try?”
“If I do, I’ll end up crafting a masterpiece unlike anything else in this world.”
Behind me, the store owner burst out laughing. “That’s quite the claim, mister! But magic models have been around for five hundred years now. It isn’t as simple as it seems.”
“Really? In that case, could you show me the best magic model in existence?”
“Ah... The best one isn’t in this store, but we do have one of the greats. Depending on who you ask, some might even consider it the best. Follow me.”
With a spring in her step, Melissa started walking. We followed her into what appeared to be an exhibition space bustling with other people. It seemed that Dilhade’s magic model scene was more popular than I’d thought.
“Back here we keep a real treasure: one of the top ten magic models in the world. The creator is unknown, but it’s believed that a prominent demon spent several decades crafting it.”
Melissa showed us to the back of the store, where the magic models on display were much more elaborate. These must have been their pricier assets.
We proceeded further until we reached the back corner, which featured the most extravagant display yet. A gentleman in a monocle was standing over the piece, accompanied by what appeared to be a store attendant.
“Oh, oops,” Melissa said, groaning. “I didn’t think this through. You’ll have to wait a bit, sorry.”
There was only one person looking at the model. There was really no need to wait.
“That’s the one we’re looking for, right?” I asked. “There’s plenty of room around it.”
“Apologies. That’s the famous appraiser, Demil Graha. He’s known as the legendary appraiser around these parts—everyone in this industry knows his name. You can only be considered a top-class magic modeler if he approves of your work. That’s why it’s a little rude to look alongside him.”
So he got special treatment, huh? Oh well. I could see it well enough from where I stood.
“Hmm... I can see why it’s referred to as a treasure,” Demil said as he peered closely at the magic model. “It’s the size of one’s pinky, yet the contents have been faithfully reproduced down to the last detail. The appearance of this Delsgade has me inclined to agree with the rumors that the model was created hundreds of years ago. It’s splendid. There are probably fewer than five demons throughout all of history capable of this level of Iris.”
Curious as to how good it was, I used my Magic Eyes to look from afar.
“That’s what you consider one of the top ten magic models?”
“You can see it from here, mister? That’s right. Isn’t it amazing? I bet you regret your earlier statement,” Melissa said teasingly.
“Regret? Ha ha ha! Don’t be silly. I can make something like that with ease.”
At that, Demil, who had been staring intently at the magic model, looked up and turned towards us. He cast his piercing gaze on us disapprovingly.
“Who was that? Who uttered such blasphemy against this magnificent work just now?”
Jolted by his scolding tone, the bustling store fell silent.
“Heavens. If you don’t have the courage to name yourself, don’t make such thoughtless comments. As a magic model enthusiast, it pains me greatly to hear you speak with such disrespect about such magnificent works. How shameful.”
I spoke up as he turned back to the model. “I was the one who spoke just now.”
Demil’s angry glare fixed on me.
“It wasn’t my intention to diminish the work. I was merely speaking the truth.”
He frowned at my words.
Beside me, a panicked Melissa chimed in urgently. “U-Um, mister...? How about you leave it at that...?”
“It’s fine,” Misha assured her.
“F-Fine? M-Misha, please say something to your friend.”
Misha stared back at Melissa. “It’s fine.”
“U-Um... Is it really...?”
Demil took one step towards me. “Are you a magic modeler?”
“No. But this level of Iris is a breeze to me.”
Demil snickered. “Dear me, this is why amateurs can be such a handful. Listen, young man, miniature models are much harder to make than you think. If you need proof to believe it, we can head to the workshop right now. What do you say?”
“There’s no need for that.”
Demil burst into laughter. “See? Show some discretion before you speak next time. I believe superior models and their creators deserve due respect.”
“What are you misunderstanding? I’m saying I don’t need to go to the workshop to make such a thing. I can make it right here.”
I held out my hand and drew a magic circle. The next moment, a pebble the size of a grain of sand appeared.
“This is...!” Demil trembled on the spot, staring with disbelief at the pebble.
Just then, Melissa stepped between us in a panic, bowing her head. “I...I’m so sorry! This young man knows nothing about magic models. Please find it in your heart to forgive hi—”
She must have thought Demil was trembling in fury. But instead, he turned to her and said, “What are you saying?”
“Huh...?” Melissa looked bewildered.
“You own a magic model store, yet you know nothing. If you cannot see the splendor of this work, keep your mouth shut.”
The extreme change in Demil’s attitude left Melissa dumbfounded. Demil ignored her as he returned to staring at my minuscule pebble. He sent magic into his monocle and strained his Eyes.
“Oh my... This is even better than I expected... I cannot believe my eyes—no one would believe such a thing without seeing it in person. What?! Forming within this tiny grain is none other than the Demon Castle Delsgade! N-No, that isn’t just Delsgade... That’s... That’s a replica of the entire town! How?! I wouldn’t be able to see such detail even if I magnified my vision by ten thousand—no, by a million times!”
“If you want to see the details, you’d need one billion times the strength of vision.”
“O-One billion?! Are you saying you can create a magic model at one billionth scale?!”
“I told you it was a breeze.”
Demil was trembling from head to toe, his face frozen in astonishment. “H-How can this be...? You made a magic model at one billionth scale in a single instant, without the use of a restricted magic circle...”
The expert stared desperately at the minuscule model, exerting all his magic power. His monocle was probably a magic item fitted to magnify his vision.
