In my past life, I thought so, and that's why I failed.
That's why in this world, I try to avoid thinking that I'm special.
I haven't forgotten that.
"Rudeus-sama excels in many areas, but... more than anything else, your magic power."
"Magic power."
Indeed, in that area, I might be special.
All thanks to my Laplace Factor, my magic potential are higher than most.
It's at a level most people can't possibly reach, regardless of how much effort they put in.
Of course, that's also because of what I had done with my life.
But that alone can't solve everything.
Whether it can solve my problems is a different story.
"Indeed, if all my worries can be solved with magic power, I might have thought of myself as powerful as well."
"Your worries?"
"I worry daily. Particularly, there are so many thoughts of [How do I explain this to my family...] that it's suffocating."
Fear of Hitogami.
Used as Orsted's bait. [4]
I tell my family nothing but lies and deceit.
I'm powerful?
Quit joking around.
"Perugius-sama may be different but... at least, I am not powerful. Your best friend Sylphy's husband might have a bit more magic power than usual, a bit more esoteric knowledge than usual, but he's just another average magician with his own private worries."
Even I feel embarrassed for saying this.
But that was my honest thoughts.
I grab Ariel's hand from the table.
A soft hand.
So small, her fingers feel like they would snap at any moment.
From the corner of my eyes, I can see Sylphy burning up.
"Ariel-sama, actually today, I came not to chit-chat."
"Oh, have you come to court me?"
Ariel's mood didn't change when I suddenly grabbed her.
A gentle smile.
A weary smile, but.
This is her neutral face.
"Court... it's an interesting proposition, but no. The ones who asked me were Sylphy and Luke."
Ariel looks around behind her in rare panic.
Sylphy looks calm, Luke slightly droops his head.
"I want to help Ariel-sama."
As I said that, I felt her grip suddenly tighten.[5]
An unbelievable strength from those delicate fingers. It almost hurt.
"How could you two, do such a thing...?"[6]
"Asking help from this Rudeus Greyrat? I do not intend to look down on you. What I want to say is different."
Suddenly grabbing her hand, talking about that.
How would the normal Ariel react?
"Can I be your support?"
Honest tears flowed from Ariel's eyes when she heard those words, moved.
A beautiful tear.
This surprised me, that it would make Ariel cry.
Why?
Ariel, with her free hand, wiped away her tears and forced a smile.
"It's the first time in my life I was told a pick-up line that touched my heart this much." [7]
She jokes, but her face is honest.
She isn't blushing, nor crying.
The face of a princess.
"Indeed, that's an incredible proposition... but."
Ariel did not agree right away.
Holding her chin, looking towards me with slightly upturned eyes, her eyes narrow.
As if to search my true feelings.
"I heard that Rudeus-sama became Orsted-sama's subordinate, would he allow it?"
"I already informed Orsted-sama of my intentions."
"Perhaps Orsted-sama ordered Rudeus-sama to do this?"