Souen no Historia Vol 1 Chapter 3

When he was almost four years old, he learned from his mother Kaina how he would spend his life from then on. From the day he became Yoyo’s butler, his road had already been formed, but he heard it again from his mother.   Kaina was the head maid of this mansion. It follows that her son’s indicated road of life was to serve Yoyo as her butler. Although normally it was unpleasant walk the road paved by someone else, Souji already believed that his life-calling was to be a butler even when he was still in j.a.pan.   Cooking, was.h.i.+ng, and cleaning. From when he was small, they were always done by him because his parents were both working. Because of that, his housework skills already were above and beyond the average housewife.   After all, Souji was the type that concentrated on what he did. So with that ability he might be suitable for housework that needed to be done down to the small details. Thanks to that, the person in question was relieved he was able to raise himself as a strong househusband that could do the housework. That was coupled with how he was happy to be able to improve his skill in cooking and cleaning. There were times when he was seriously worried that he couldn’t make use of these skills in the future.   However, he was unable to just simply apply for a position like a butler. In addition it wouldn’t work well in the j.a.pan’s current society, so he could only give up on it. Because of that, for such a chance to have appeared, everything worked out perfectly. The reason he answered Yoyo’s demand probably also included these desires.   By the way, the Crowtail mansion “Moriath” was the biggest mansion in this town. Yoyo’s father’s job simply put was an information dealer. His wealth of information was vast. Numerous people, from the commoners to the n.o.bles, all seek the information held by Crowtail. He not only was dealing with information but he also had his hand in the rare crystals and magic tools business. With his high quality information, he sold the materials obtained from it. With his results approved even by the country, he quickly climbed into the position of a n.o.ble.   At the day Souji turned five years old, he was given a book related to magic as a present from mother Kaina, after he had requested for it. From then on, for the sake of not losing to the current master’s daughter, he desperately memorized how to read and write. Although everyone in the mansion was surprised because a five years old child was capable of reading and writing, Yoyo only said, “It’s a natural thing for my butler.” Having seen her relaxed and proud face, Souji felt somewhat happy.   Having reached five years old, he was going to be taught the fundamental att.i.tude and way to work as a butler. Even so, Souji was able to choose his teacher. Just like an arrow with a white feather, he chose Balmunk. When Balmunk had time to spare, he taught him about the mansion and Yoyo.   Because Yoyo goes out in formal dress with her father nearly every day, he didn’t have the chance to come in contact with her. But when she has free time, she’d shout, “Please study properly.”   Although this girl was still six years old, she was great at social interactions such as dining manners, just like her father. Souji heard she spent her days busily. Without even letting out an unpleased look, she kept a firm att.i.tude.   However, in front of Souji, she showed her unexpectedly childish side. About father, grumbling about people from her previous work, and smiling as she talked about the invention of new kind of playing, this might be the real Yoyo, or so he thought.   Previously, when he and Yoyo studied arithmetic, he inadvertently used the formula he learned as a high school student, and when Yoyo saw that, an awkward atmosphere flowed around Souji. No matter how excellent Yoyo was, it was expected that it was a formula she never seen before, so Souji tried to think of something as he looked at the unusual sky.   Having thought of making an excuse, he regrets his shallowness, but Yoyo immediately laughed and said, “That’s nice. teach me more of that method.” She, for some reason, didn’t pursue on how he came to know that formula. Thinking it strange, Souji was relieved and thought someone else was reincarnated just like him.   But, Yoyo didn’t say anything until the study session was finished, and although she said, “Someday… … right?” he was confused and said, “Eh?” only to be replied with, “That face is a masterpiece, Souji,” as she laughed. It was Souji’s secret that he thought her smile was lovely as he admired her.   One day, after he had spent many days business as usual, he thought it was time to practice his magic. He set his feet towards the mansion’s backyard. Souji had read the book about magic and was taught various things by Kaina, Balmunk, and even Yoyo. So, he began from the basics: sensing magic power.   First of all, magic power was the necessary power used to conjured magic, and it seemed magic power was extracted from a “Magic Core” inside the body.   It seemed to exist opposite of the heart, and the human Souji could sense that he had additional internal organs. Well, it was a normal thing for this world.   By the way, those who used magic were called magicians. Because magic was a strong power, the ones who are capable of using it receive preferential treatment in various ways. With his eyes closed, Souji concentrated to sense the “Magic Core” that surely existed in his right chest. However, he felt nothing.   (Nn~ how odd~ even though it was written in the book….)   After sensing the “Magic Core” which exists inside one’s body, magic power was squeezed from there. Or so it was written.   (... … anyway, let’s just try it again)   Although he had tried it for several times, he felt nothing at all. He had a certain thought and his face became pale.   (D-Don’t tell me, I do not have talent in magic… … something like that?)   Actually he had heard about people who don’t carry a Magic Core inside their bodies. Moreover, there were also those who had a dysfunction that lacked it. He was shocked when he thought he was either of the two.   (N-no, no! That’s still unproven!)   After that, Souji repeatedly meditated every day. However, he was in a resigned mood because there was absolutely no development. Although he kept training because he wanted to surprise everyone by suddenly being capable of using magic, having thought that it might end in vain, that created a lump in his throat that filled with a feeling of more than just regret.
“What happened, Souji? Is your magic training not going well?”   One day, Yoyo asked him that, and immediately he asked back with “I wonder what you are talking about?” The girl then laughed, having seen through him.   “If it’s a hidden training, then do it more skillfully. Training quietly in the backyard, did you think I, the master, wouldn’t notice?” “U….”   Apparently, he was found out by his master. So he couldn’t do anything except to report his progress.   “... … I see, you are thinking you have no talent, right?” “Y-Yes….”   Having seen the depressed Souji, Yoyo, fuh, was full of smile.   “It’s okay Souji” “Eh?” “You’re the man I chose. Have more confidence.” “Ojou-sama….” “You have talent. Surely it’ll come to you soon… … that’s why you shouldn’t look so resigned”   The shock of that statement made him doubt if she was truly a six year old. He could see halo behind her. Her words were as if she could foresee what’s ahead. Souji held his breath, and just like the girl had said, he thought to struggle just a little more.   Several months had pa.s.sed since he began the training, and finally he could felt the change inside his body. When he concentrated to sense the inside of his right chest, heat was generated.   After that, he continued to practice every day, and although he was not burned, he could feel it become considerably hotter. And that’s the point. At the moment his feeling became a pa.s.sion, he could sense something raging inside of his body.   Having thought of releasing it out from inside his body, he made a thrusting motion out of curiosity, but he felt somewhat uneasy about it.   Actually magic was different depending on the person. There were no elements like the ones inside light novels. If there was a person who could manipulate the wind, then there was also someone who could do magic that’s used to talk with animals. Although many magic resembled each other, the varieties were infinite.   That’s why what kind of magic Souji could do wouldn’t be known until it actually appeared. He had heard about a method to investigate that seemed to exist inside the royal palace, but there was no method in this town.   Therefore Souji wished.   Somehow, please don’t let me have any strange magic!   That was followed by him wis.h.i.+ng for it not to be a type of magic that doesn’t have any practical use. Then he concentrated to sense this something raging inside his body. When he grasped the sensation that he could move that something with his will, he slowly moved it towards his opened right palm. And in the middle of doing that, his stomach grumbled.   (... … yesterday stew, is there any leftovers?)   Having recalled the taste of yesterday stew, he thought of eating it again later. But at that moment, something suddenly appeared.   “... … … … … eh?”   What appeared on his opened right palm was――――――――――――――――――pure white flame.