NOVEL WEB Chapter 25 – Althea’s Magic Power Measurement
Two years ago, Althea came to the Principality through the capital city, just like before. This time, she came with her family of four and Laila and Jean, totaling six people.
Althea, just like two years ago, gazed at the statue of the "Maiden and the Prince" with shining eyes, listened to the mysterious voices inside the church, and went to bed early in preparation for the magic power measurement the next day.
And the day of the magic power measurement dawned.
Althea wrapped herself in the designated robe and stood at the front of the line.
When all the children undergoing the magic power measurement entered the cathedral this year, the audience in the cathedral became restless at the sight of Lord Thomas, who followed after the Pope and the priests.
"Why is Lord Monclair here?"
"Could it be that he's subjected to 'magic sealing'...?"
"No way... We've heard about the Crown Prince, but we've never heard of others in the same age group."
"There shouldn't have been any children under 'custody' in the capital city..."
"...If he's Lord Monclair's child, he might have been in the Monclair territory. They have the strongest military power there, so even if they kept it a secret within the territory, we wouldn't know..."
Various voices could be heard.
The commotion around was even more intense than two years ago.
It was a well-known story among the nobles of the island that the Crown Prince was subjected to 'magic sealing,' and if there were other children subjected to 'magic sealing,' rumors would have spread, especially if they were under the custody of the royal castle. However, regarding Althea, not only was the 'magic sealing' performed 'secretly,' but she hadn't left the territory for five years except during Regalus's magic power measurement. Even if it was new information for the nobles, there was nothing they could do about it.
As Althea looked around nervously in response to the commotion, Thomas lightly cleared his throat and called out to her.
"Althea, come over here..."
She stood up and moved towards her father.
"Let's get started then. You don't need to worry about the voices around you... Just trust your father and close your eyes."
"Yes."
After exchanging a few words in a low voice, Althea crossed her arms and closed her eyes, patiently waiting for her father to perform the 'magic release.'
As she closed her eyes, Thomas gently waved his hand over her and began to chant a spell.
...What's this feeling...? It's warm where Father is probably waving his hand...
Thinking so, she was suddenly engulfed in brightness, so intense that she could perceive it even with her eyes closed.
At the same time, she heard someone calling out to her.
"———Al.. The.. A...—――"
Invited by the voice, she gently opened her eyes to see a small humanoid creature with wings in front of her.
"...A fairy?"
Timidly asking, it cheerfully replied, "Fairy, spirit... That's what humans call us."
"We've been trying to talk to you all this time, but when you were little, you couldn't quite hear us, and when you grew up, there were 'obstacles' preventing us from speaking to you... Finally, we can talk to you."
"You've been trying to talk to me...? Ah!"
"Remember?"
"Yeah, before I was sealed with magic, I sometimes heard voices..."
"That's right, that was us... Oh, time's up. Hey, we're all over the place. If you notice, call out to us."
". ...Althea!!"
"Hmm...? Oh, Father...?"
"Are you alright?"
"Ah... yes. Um... me?"
"We finished removing the magic seal, but when you didn't respond, even though your eyes were open, you seemed unconscious. I was worried."
"How long was it?"
"Just about a minute... Are you okay? We're going to measure your magic power now..."
A minute? I feel like we talked a bit longer... Oh, where did the fairy go?
Beside Thomas's face, something sparkled. It was probably there.
Seeing Althea looking around, Thomas called out to her again.
"Althea?"
"Ah... I'm sorry. I'm fine."
"I see... Then go back to your seat."
"Yes."
As she tried to return to her seat, she glanced at where the light had been a moment ago, but it was no longer visible.
"Your Holiness, I apologize for causing you concern. Please commence the 'measurement'."
"Understood."
The Pope began addressing the people in the cathedral.
"We shall commence this year's measurement of the children's magical power, safeguarders of this world, by the power of the children of the sun, the maiden of dawn and dusk. The first child is... Althea Von Monclair, please step forward."
"Yes."
Althea, upon being called, stood before the crystal placed in front of the statue.
"Please place your hand over the crystal."
The bishop standing beside the crystal spoke, and as Althea placed her hand over it, the central part of the transparent crystal remained clear, while the surrounding areas changed into shades of brown and emerald, as if encircling it.
"Earth and wind... isn't it? ...But why isn't there any color in the center... perhaps low magical power?"
As Althea pondered while staring at the crystal, a priest standing nearby whispered something to the Pope, who, with a keen ear, observed the crystal while seeming to contemplate.
"What...? Is something amiss...?"
Feeling uneasy about the Pope and the priest's behavior, Althea met the Pope's gaze. Then, the Pope smiled warmly and made his declaration.
"Althea Monclair. Attributes are earth and wind... Magical power level is... 180%."
"Wow..."
A buzz filled the cathedral.
"So, it's the Monclair, after all?"
"Their son also had high magical power with dual attributes, didn't he?"
"He was sealed due to his high magic power, so it's only natural."
"But still... she resembles Lady Clara... It'll be exciting to see her future... I must introduce her to my son..."
Various voices could be heard. Standing frozen in place, Althea felt the Pope's hand ruffle her hair, and he smiled warmly again.
"...You'll be fine. No need to worry."
With those words, the Pope returned to his original position.
"What could he mean by 'fine'...?"
"Althea, please return to your seat."
The priest's words brought her back to reality, and she hurriedly bowed and returned to her seat. And so, the magical power measurements continued, one child after another.
What did His Holiness mean by 'fine'...? And... was that fairy... a dream?
Lost in thought again, the cathedral buzzed once more.
"Julia Trinton. Attribute... darkness. Magical power level 68%."
As Althea looked towards the announced young lady, named Julia, the girl had a pale face and trembled slightly.
"Darkness, you say...? And with a magical power level of 68%...?"
"Indeed... There was a girl with a darkness attribute about five years ago. Her magical power level was below 40% at the time."
"39%, to be precise... If it were that low, it wouldn't be much of a concern, but at 68%... she might even be able to use intermediate... perhaps even advanced magic?"
"Yes, thinking about it that way, it's quite concerning."
The voices of the unsettled audience in the cathedral could be heard.
"...The darkness magic isn't inherently bad. It's actually a rare magic, on par with light magic. Have confidence in yourself."
The Pope spoke so, ruffling Julia's hair and smiling warmly, just as he did with Althea.
The commotion in the cathedral settled after a while, and the magic power measurements continued smoothly.
Subsequent magical power measurements progressed smoothly, and as a result, this year's magical power holders of the great kingdom were unusually few, only eight in number. Although the number was small, the results were quite remarkable, with one darkness attribute holder, two dual attribute holders, one of whom possessed magical power exceeding 180%. It became a highly discussed magic power measurement.
