Chapter 12

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Chloe voiced something she had been wondering about.

“Um, what exactly is the difference between a witch and a magician?”

When she asked if both were beings that used magic, Erich nodded.

“Right. First, in this world, there are people who possess magical power and those who don’t. The majority overwhelmingly don’t have it.”

Erich explained in detail for Chloe, who knew nothing.

“So there aren’t many people who can use magic?”

“Not many. But even those without magic can use simple spells by using magic stones. That’s why magic stones are extremely valuable.”

Those who used magic through magic stones were called sorcerers.

Magic stones were made by infusing crystals with magical power.

Since people with magical power were rare to begin with, they were highly valuable and expensive.

And even with such costly magic stones, it seemed one could only use basic offensive magic.

“Hmm, that’s pretty inefficient…”

“Even so, there are monsters in the world that can only be defeated with magic. Many people want them, no matter the cost.”

Those who could use magic without relying on such stones were called magicians.

In this country, there were only about five, though in the north there were said to be several hundred.

(Even then, that’s still not many when you think about the entire continent…)

And as Erich had said earlier, magicians mostly used magic for combat.

That’s why those with magical power were often recruited by the state.

“So there are only five magicians in this country?”

“Yeah. And all of them serve the country.”

“Is five considered few?”

“On this continent, it’s quite few. That’s why many nobles take wives from the north.”

“Come to think of it, I heard my half-brother’s mother is from there too. Though I’ve never met either of them.”

Her older brother had apparently viewed that half-brother as a rival, but since the younger one had been born with even a small amount of magical power, he might actually have the advantage.

(Well, it doesn’t matter to me anymore.)

Whoever inherited her father’s position no longer concerned Chloe.

“So then, does being a witch just mean a woman who can use magic?”

“No. A witch is something entirely different. First of all, their magical power is on a completely different scale from magicians.”

“More? Even me?”

“Most likely. A witch’s magical power is so vast that only another witch can truly perceive it.”

“I see…”

She looked at her palm curiously, but she still couldn’t sense anything herself.

(Do I really have that much power?)

If it was that great, it was almost frightening.

“Also, witches don’t need incantations or formulas. They can make things happen just by wishing.”

“Just by wishing?”

That really did sound like magic.

“Can they grant anything?”

“Witches have limits too, so they can’t grant absolutely everything. But I think your power is quite strong, Chloe. Even though you just awakened, you blew away the princess’s magic.”

Of course, there were limits.

Even so, in a world where only offensive and healing magic existed, a witch who could achieve things just by wishing was practically overpowered.

“Granting things just by wishing… that’s a little scary.”

“Normally, it seems they have to put magical power into words for it to happen. So just thinking something won’t trigger it. But since you’ve only just awakened, you might not have control yet.”

“I see. That’s a relief. But for now, I shouldn’t casually wish for anything. Hmm, I need to figure out how to control my magic.”

The item box was convenient and exciting, but if she made a careless wish, something terrible might happen.

“You don’t have to worry that much. But during unstable periods, it seems that wishing for someone’s misfortune is easier to come true. The princess was quite extreme.”

I think you’ll be fine, though.

Erich said that with a smile.

Apparently, his knowledge of witches came from desperately searching for ways to counter the princess’s magic.

It seemed he had gone through quite a lot.

(I won’t let him fall into that princess’s hands again. Erich is my partner.)

As she resolved that, something suddenly came to mind.

That moment—when she had been told the engagement was broken and was trying to flee the estate.

Back then, she had felt negative emotions toward her father and her former fiancé.

“What should I do? I think I might have wished for misfortune on Father and Prince Kirif…”

“Both of them?”

“Maybe my brother too. I wished they’d all go bald… and spend their lives worrying about thinning hair…”

As she said that, Erich froze for a moment—then burst out laughing.

“Th-that’s…”

“Do you think it actually came true?”

For her father, perhaps—but for her brother and Kirif, it would have been a rather cruel punishment.

While Chloe panicked, Erich continued laughing beside her.

“T-the Marquess Mertigal and Prince Kirif… going bald…”

“What should I do? Isn’t that a bit too harsh?”

“…No. Considering what those two did to you, I’d say it’s mild. Let them suffer from thinning hair for life.”

Erich said that, adding that it was the first time he had laughed like this.

If she could bring even a little comfort to someone who had lived such a harsh life, perhaps the lost hair was a small price to pay.

“Right. If my magical power is greater than others, could I make magic stones?”

If she could make many magic stones and store them in her item box, they wouldn’t have to worry about money.

With that idea, she made the suggestion.

“You might be able to. I’ll buy some crystals tomorrow.”

“Okay, please do.”

According to Erich, many female magicians made a living by creating and selling magic stones rather than fighting.

Though the magicians of this country served the state, there were also foreign magicians who lived quite comfortably selling magic stones.

They might not even need to become adventurers to make a living.

(I do want to try adventuring, but if it’s revealed I’m a witch, that could be troublesome. Maybe I could carry magic stones I made myself and fight as a sorcerer?)

In any case, they would try making magic stones tomorrow first.

(I also want to test the item box more…)

There were many things she wanted to try.

She also needed to study how to control her magic.

It seemed like things would get busy starting tomorrow.