NOVEL NEXT WORLD chapter 6
6: A Subject Serving the Incompetent
I’ve realized something belatedly.
It’s about the interpretation of intelligence.
I only realized it after raising my intelligence, but apparently I remember the things I’ve learned so far very well.
The studies that I was told I was bad at and gave up on, the practical skills of magic (color), and the memories of when I handled swords, spears, and bows are all still there, and I can remember each one of them clearly.
Does this mean that intelligence is not only the power to understand things, judgment, and the precision of magic manipulation, but also the power to retrieve one’s own memories? Isn’t the true essence of intelligence the power to freely manipulate accumulated memories?
The power to remember things and intelligence are probably completely unrelated.
I realized this because when I was reading a book on magic theory that I couldn’t understand at all, things I had seen and heard in the past came to mind.
Since I realized it, other things have also surfaced from my memory at the same time as I understand them, and when I tried to use a simple magic, I was able to create it brilliantly.
What came to my mind at that time was, “Is it too late now?”
What I’ve done so far has never been in vain. However, now that I have no place to use it and no motivation, isn’t it just a useless possession?
Well, I guess it’s good to say that it will be useful in my future life, but there was something that didn’t sit well with me.
*
For a while after that, I lived a life without any noticeable events.
Usually, I concentrated on reading as many books as possible, watched the training of the guards when I had time for training, and spent the rest of my time practicing body manipulation in my room.
What makes me happy is that the merchant Jalnaar has been visiting the mansion more often since then.
Apparently, he has recognized me as a customer and has started to bring various goods.
It seemed as if he was embodying the words he had said that he would provide any goods, such as those related to the goods I had mentioned at that time, or even those that were just luxuries.
Of all those, the only things I bought were weapons and food. I thought the pets were cute, but I didn’t want them. I have no intention of paying a lot of money for something I don’t need.
The only thing Jalnaar didn’t bring was slaves. I couldn’t tell if he was trying to figure out if I really wanted it, if he was worried about Zeel’s gaze, or if he was treating it as part of the exchange of that time from the beginning.
Anyway, thanks to him, I was able to swing my sword and spear in my room, and I was able to serve rare food to everyone in the mansion. I didn’t want to eat it myself, and it wouldn’t be bad as a reward for the servants who had been taking care of me.
After all that, my ability values had changed quite a bit after a few days.
————————————————– ————————————————– ———————————————–
Ka=Mine Colorless Ji Garland Lu Carlo=Ziggle Arley
Race: Human Race
Soul Rank: 1
Vitality: 200/200
Mental Power: 500/500
Status: (All ability level values are decreased)
(All ability level values will not increase)
(Individual information is in a hidden state)
Strength: 4-7 (4-7/6-7)
Speed 4-7 (4-7/6-7)
Tenacity 6-7 (6-7/6-7)
Stamina 6-7 (6-7/6-7)
Intelligence 5-7 (5-7/6-7)
Magic 1-1 (1-1/6-7)
Mental Resistance 6-7 (6-7/6-7)
Magic Resistance 6-7 (6-7/6-7)
Magic Attributes
Light 1-7 (1-7/6-7)
Darkness 0 (0/6-7)
Fire 0 (0/6-7)
Wind 0 (0/6-7)
Metal 0 (0/6-7)
Earth 0 (0/6-7)
Water 0 (0/6-7)
Skills
Offensive Skills: [Swordsmanship 4-1] [Spearmanship 4-1] [Hand-to-Hand Combat 4-1]
Defensive Skills:
Support Skills:
Recovery Skills:
Attribute Skills: [Light Magic 1-7] [Let There Be Light 1-7]
Special Skills:
Unique Skills: ([All Abilities Reduction] [Ability Immobilization] [Individual Information Concealment] [Skill Removal])
Race Skills:
Bloodline Skills:
――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――
As for [Swordsmanship 4-1] [Spearmanship 4-1] [Hand-to-Hand Combat 4-1], the skill levels rose relatively easily up to the 3rd level, but from there on, they hardly changed. I stubbornly trained and finally managed to raise them to the 4th level.
Even though I raised my Intelligence to the 5th level and tried to imitate the movements of the guards by burning them into my memory, it seems that I can’t truly master them without experiencing actual combat. However, I was genuinely happy when I noticed that my Vitality had increased.
As for [Light Magic 1-7] [Let There Be Light 1-7], I used the weakest possible spells during the memory check and somehow learned them on my own. However, I have no intention of delving any further into magic. If I don’t have a wide-open space, like the one the guards use, I won’t be able to do anything if something happens indoors.
It’s very unfortunate, but I’ve decided to accept it.
My current goal is to raise all my abilities, except for Magic, to the 6th level. I’ve also given up on learning any more skills.
“Your Highness, the merchant has arrived.”
“I understand.”
Zeal’s words made me smile slightly.
I’m planning to ask him a small favor today.
*
“My, oh my, as expected of the Crown Prince’s chambers, everything is so magnificent.”
“Even flattery can be pleasant.”
“Flattery, indeed.”
After concluding the business as usual, I invited Jalnaar into my private chambers, saying, “I’d like to change some things in my room. I’d like your opinion.”
Having the maids prepare tea and sweets, we sat across from each other at the round table.
“Truly, you use fine tea leaves.”
“Indeed, it is to my liking.”
After enjoying the taste of the tea for a while, I spoke with a laugh.
“Well then, I was able to buy some good things today as well. I am grateful to you.”
“Not at all. I would do anything for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
“That is the most kind of you.”
I set down my teacup.
“Now then, I would like to ask you something. What did you think when you saw my room?”
“A splendid room, I believe.”
“Indeed. That is true. It is a room adorned with luxurious items that leave nothing to be desired, to the point of being excessive. This mansion is the same. It is His Majesty the King’s secondary residence. It is spacious, grand, and beautiful. The servants and guards, everything that surrounds me is beyond my station.”
At that point, I looked straight into Jarnall’s eyes. I could tell that Jarnall’s body and expression stiffened slightly.
It is said that when one’s level rises, one can feel the pressure of a strong person. It is something that is emitted by the magical power within one’s body, and people call this the soul’s wave.
In my case, although my level is the lowest, my ability values alone have already reached the level of those who are considered heroes at this stage. That is why my gaze has power.
“Tell me, Jarnall. What do you think of me? Speak frankly. What, there is no one here but you and I. Speak your mind honestly.”
Jarnall, who was slightly taken aback by my words, closed his eyelids as if in hesitation for a while. A moment of silence passed, and finally he opened his mouth.
“A newborn spirit beast that has been captured?”
“Oh?”
A spirit beast is a powerful beast with exceptional intelligence, born from nature, among the spirit race.
It is also the very essence of the attributes and phenomena that exist in the world, and when it takes on a physical form, it is an existence that rivals even the ancient dragons, which are said to be synonymous with natural disasters.
Its body is beautiful, and every part of its body is valuable, and there are rare cases where foolish adventurers who aim to strike it rich are defeated.
However, in the past, there was a time when a creature that was said to be a young spirit beast was actually captured, and the price that was put on it was said to be enough to buy a country.
Jarnall had compared me to such a young spirit beast.
I relaxed my pressure and leaned back against the back of the chair.
“That is a good analogy. You understand well. As expected of the branch manager of the royal purveyor’s shop?”
“I am honored.”
“Then you understand, don’t you? I know nothing but this place. Since I left the royal castle when I was young, I have lost all information about the outside world.”
I looked out the window.
“I have nothing. I will neither succeed to the throne nor take up an important position in the country. I will not acquire a territory, and I will simply end my life here.”
However, I turned my gaze back.
“Even so, I want to know. Even if I am to end my life here. Do you think it is foolish?”
“With all due respect. We merchants have several maxims.”
“Oh? Tell me.”
“Yes. If that is the case,”
“Ignorance is a sin with no salvation. Not knowing what you don’t know is worthless. There is no future for those who close their eyes, and there is no future for those who stop walking. To forge ahead is the path of the unknown. The path ahead is your own path.”
Jarnall’s words, spoken while closing his eyes, felt as if they applied to everything.
Jarnall, who was looking straight at me, exhaled and opened his mouth.
“There is no future for those who stop seeking knowledge. Even if the future is not visible, there is still a future for those who do not stop walking. I believe that there is not a single error in what Your Royal Highness has said. “
Upon hearing those words, I looked at Jarnall again, intently. Jarnall’s body stiffened again, but he did not avert his gaze.
“I have no power. No talent. No status, honor, or money. All I have is a foolish wish. There is nothing I can offer in return. Even so――will you lend me your strength?”
Upon hearing my words, Jarnal stood up, knelt down, and raised his clasped hands above his head as if offering them to me.
“Your Highness, Crown Prince, Jarnal has received your words. I will become your hands, eyes, and feet, and serve you with all my heart. Please use me as you see fit.”
“Very well.”
“Yes, sir.”
I had Jarnal sit down in a chair and rang the bell at hand. I had the maid who came in bring fresh tea and leave, and then I asked him a question while drinking my tea.
It was the first order I had ever given to my first subordinate.
“First, I want to know about the current situation in the royal palace.”