Chapter 184 Outsourcing the Training

The women staying in the territory had a nice side effect.

My image among the people improved even more.

"I thought the great witch would be scary, but she’s so refined and kind~"

"Lady Medea handles everything with that cool expression."

"Lady Morgan spends money like water! When she comes, the shop and merchants are all smiles."

"Haa! Haa! Lady Diana looked down at my bow and called it trash—it was thrilling! The best!"

...Something weird in that last one, but anyway.

All my women received great reviews.

Naturally that translated into favor toward me.

They were all women I brought, after all.

’The fact that the people already liked me helps a lot.’

My public sentiment keeps rising.

Gaining the people’s hearts doesn’t directly make me lord, but it’s not meaningless either.

The vassals value that loyalty too.

Reasons for me to become lord (or proxy) are steadily piling up.

’Thanks to that, I can just focus on revenge now~’

Thinking that while wondering what training to do with Creusa today,

an unexpected big fish approached me.

"U-um... little uncle?"

Only one person in this territory calls me little uncle.

Creusa’s daughter, Leda.

Short hair unlike her mother, but the features are similar.

Blood really doesn’t lie.

Leda was also a considerable beauty.

Freshly adult, she had that youthful vibe.

More like ripe and young than innocent.

If anything, a different charm from the pure-type Creusa.

"Oh, hey. Leda. Sleep well?"

"Y-yes! Did you sleep well too, little uncle?"

"I always sleep easy. Nothing inconvenient because of us, right?"

"N-no way! The territory feels so lively—it’s great!"

Truthfully, I’d barely spoken with my niece Leda.

Mainly because I’d never gotten along with her father Dale.

More like he one-sidedly envied me.

As rivals, genuine bonding was impossible anyway.

Naturally we didn’t meet often.

I was busy with magic studies and trips too.

’The environment didn’t help, and we never had chances to get close.’

So Leda and I were relatively awkward.

Not hostile, just not talkative.

Even after returning we only exchanged light greetings.

I worried approaching suddenly would make her wary.

’So I was wondering how to approach Leda...’

I never expected her to come to me first like this.

"So what’s up? Need something?"

"W-well... it’s a bit... no, very shameless, but..."

Leda cautiously opened her mouth, glancing at me.

"Could you... teach me magic?"

"Magic?"

"After seeing the witches’ magic, I can’t get it out of my head. I want to learn even a little."

"Hmm..."

Yeah, those two’s magic would be that shocking.

It was literally a revolution beyond existing magic.

Leda is the lord’s daughter and a noble—most noble ladies stay far from academics or martial arts.

But she’s still a Mars family member.

That means a mage who trains and advances magic.

Moreover, she’s the current lord’s only daughter.

Magic will be essential to lead the territory in the future.

’She must be starting to feel that ordinary mage level isn’t enough.’

Freshly adult is when thirst for magic peaks.

Seeing witch magic in that state would ignite fierce desire.

Enough to ask even an uncle she barely knows.

"Hmm, you know it’s extremely rude to try learning someone else’s magic, right?"

"Y-yes, of course I know..."

Asking a mage about spell principles or secrets is beyond bad manners—it’s outright rude.

Mages live off those secrets and power.

Researching one spell costs immense time and money.

Asking to be taught for free? Pure thief mindset.

Naturally, asking to be taught magic is forbidden unless you’re a direct disciple.

That’s why vassals don’t openly ask me to teach them.

A mage doing that is basically announcing "I have no morals."

Yet Leda boldly came and asked to be taught.

"And if it’s witch magic, the secrecy and importance are beyond words."

"..."

Leda didn’t just want ordinary magic—she wanted witch magic.

Its value to a mage is astronomical.

You can’t just learn or teach it because you want to.

Even among witches it’s semi-taboo.

"S-sorry. I was thoughtless."

Realizing her mistake, Leda’s face turned red.

Excitement got ahead of her, but she now understood how rude it was to ask family for this.

Seeing that face made me chuckle.

I actually don’t hate passionate young mages like this.

As a fellow mage, I understand the curiosity and desire to learn.

’Well... unlike her dad, she has some shame.’

She apologizes immediately upon realizing her mistake and feels ashamed.

Seems obvious, but many can’t do even that.

In that sense, Leda’s attitude was quite likable.

I could help her a little.

’Of course... with a bit of "training" in return.’

Her father and the territory are going to fall anyway.

Gaining magic skill instead is a profit for Leda.

"Normally I’d have to refuse, but it’s hard to say no to my cute niece."

"R-really...?"

"I can’t teach details or do it myself, but I can ask my secretary Medeia to give you some private lessons. That okay?"

"Yes! Of course! Thank you so much!"

Leda bowed deeply in gratitude.

Completely unaware what kind of "lessons" awaited her.

---

I went with Leda to find Medea.

Medeia, casually admiring the garden, tilted her head.

"You want me to teach her magic?"

"Sorry to ask during vacation. My niece really wants to learn."

"I’ve been bored with nothing to do, so it’s fine..."

Leda, watching nervously, bowed deeply.

"H-hello! I’m Leda of the Mars family."

Even as the Mars family lady, she couldn’t raise her head before Medea.

The other was the great witch’s adopted daughter and personal secretary.

In pure authority and power, a rural territory noble like Leda was no match.

Plus Medea had an indescribable charisma.

Always expressionless and cold—that’s probably why.

Even most nobles and knights tense up around her for some reason.

’Thanks to that we can relax here.’

Even in human territory, Medea never forgot her role as the great witch’s secretary.

With her maid experience, she was thorough—demanding precision from the servants.

They were reportedly impressed by her superior intellect and knowledge compared to lifelong professionals.

Separately, Medea herself could burn this territory alone.

And as a mage she’s far senior to Leda.

"I-if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to touch even a tiny bit of witch magic!"

"Sure, that’s fine."

Medea nodded without much thought.

We’re only here a month at most.

There’s a limit to what can be taught in that time.

Just a tiny fraction of witch magic.

Sharing that much isn’t a problem.

"...This is unexpected."

Medea glanced at me.

She already knows my entire plan and goal.

She instantly figured out why I brought Leda.

"...Sigh, fine. Understood."

Medea stepped forward.

Leda looked up at her nervously.

"I’ll teach you magic at set times from now on. In return, you obey my instructions without question. That acceptable?"

"Yes! Of course! I’ll treat you as my master even if only briefly!"

"No need for that."

Medea turned to me.

"...You’ve been slacking on Circe lately. Focus on her instead of pointless stuff."

"Y-yes ma’am."

Meaning: I’ll handle Leda’s training, so do your night duties properly.

This is why I love Medea—she’s smart and gets things done.

"Follow me. We’ll start with a light test."

"Y-yes! Thank you!"

Leda excitedly followed Medea.

A body that barely knows men about to receive Medea’s thorough training.

For Leda, maybe me doing it directly would’ve been the better future.