The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent Vol. 2 Read online

  Table of Contents

  Color Inserts

  Table of Contents Page

  Title Page

  Copyrights and Credits

  Act 1: The Appraisal

  Behind the Scenes I

  Act 2: Special Training

  Act 3: Lady

  Behind the Scenes II

  Act 4: Herb Enhancement

  Act 5: Expedition

  Act 6: The Saint

  Afterword

  Newsletter

  Act 1:

  The Appraisal

  I SIGHED FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME as I gazed disconsolately out the window of the carriage making its way to the Royal Magi Assembly.

  Johan Valdec, the head researcher at my institute, chuckled. “You don’t look too happy about this. Though I can’t say I don’t understand how you must be feeling.”

  “Yeah…” I responded with my own chuckle. Johan shrugged apologetically.

  My attention drifted back outside the carriage as I reflected upon the events of the day prior.

  Just as we were wrapping up for the day, a message arrived from the Royal Magi Assembly. They wanted me to visit them so they could perform the Appraisal tomorrow—you know, the day that was now today.

  Appraise what, you ask? Me.

  After the mass magical healing I cast the other day at the hospital, every person in every corner of the Kingdom of Salutania was now calling me the Saint. Meanwhile, about a week ago, the grand magus, who had fallen into a coma after the Saint Summoning Ritual, finally woke up.

  This grand magus was the only person in the whole kingdom who could Appraise human beings. His lengthy coma had thus far protected me from being subjected to the process. Though he had yet to fully recover, the kingdom considered confirming the Saint’s identity of highest priority, so he would push through to get it done.

  Considering the events at the hospital, I couldn’t be surprised it had come to this. Of course people had started rumors I was the Saint after I used such powerful healing magic.

  So, I had prepared myself for what was to come…but I was still agitated. From what I understood, Appraisal verified a person’s Stats, which meant there would be no hiding it anymore—my Stats clearly indicated I was the Saint.

  “Are you really so upset about this?”

  I must have made a bitter expression because when I turned, I found Johan frowning worriedly.

  “Mm. I’d say I’m feeling pretty depressed.”

  “I know you don’t want to hear it, but that’s what you get for going on a rampage like that.”

  “‘Rampage’? That’s slander if I ever heard it. All I did was cure them a little bit,” I pouted.

  “You call that ‘a little bit’?” Johan said, exasperated.

  We exchanged a humorless chuckle. Johan had taken good care of me ever since I had moved into my room on the third floor of the research institute. He usually tried to shrug off even serious topics as no big deal so I wouldn’t fret, but once in a while, the matter was too obvious to defer.

  He probably only tended my feelings because I worked for him, but I was grateful. Our spot of banter did cheer me up a little.

  “Even so, I doubt they’ll act right away even after you’ve been Appraised,” he said slowly, suddenly wearing a grave expression.

  The change had been gradual at first, but the palace was now certain that the number of monsters had decreased since the summoning ritual, meaning the Saint had definitely been summoned. However, the monsters had only decreased in the vicinity of the capital. They were still far too common once you ranged farther afield.

  In the distant past, the Saints had accompanied the Knightly Orders to any territory suffering from a monster invasion. There, she used powers only she could wield to wipe out the monsters and purify the land. The kingdom hoped to do the same now.

  “Does eliminating monsters…mean having to fight them?” I asked.

  “It does. However, mages cast spells at range while protected by knights, so optimally, you wouldn’t be in as much danger.”

  “But what if the monsters used magic, too? They’d be able to hit us then, right?”

  “True enough. I can’t say you’d be completely safe.”

  “I’ve never seen real battle. Neither has Aira.”

  Sure, globally speaking, some places in my old world were embroiled in war. However, for as long as I’d been alive, Japan had always been at peace. Neither I nor Aira, the girl who had been summoned with me, had ever been in life-threatening situations—I assumed. I doubted either of us would be especially useful getting dragged along on one of the knights’ expeditions.

  Although, I suppose I do have a ton of experience slaying monsters in games.

  “Well, I expect she’s done some kind of training by now,” said Johan. “That girl who was summoned with you—Aira, was it? This is just the sort of thing she’s been studying at the Academy.”

  “Really?”

  “The students go to the eastern forest to slay monsters, after all. I’m sure she’s been as well.”

  I was a bit dismayed to be reminded of this. I couldn’t help worrying about whether she’d be okay, though I also recalled one of the Knightly Orders had been assigned to guard her—along with the crown prince and the crown prince’s entourage—on just such an excursion. I hadn’t heard about Aira being injured or anything, so she was probably fine, I hoped. They’d gone to the eastern forest, hadn’t they? I understood that was largely populated by weaker monsters.

  A thought popped into my head. “What if…today’s Appraisal doesn’t indicate I’m the Saint?”

  Johan’s eyes widened a little, but he smiled and chuckled. “Then the work of the Saint would fall to Aira. But…”

  “But what?”

  “You’ll probably be asked to provide support.”

  “Support how?”

  “They’d primarily want you to employ your Healing Magic.”

  That made sense. I had shocked a whole ton of people when I healed every single one of the injured members of the Second and Third Orders without breaking a sweat. I could very well picture them asking for round two of that treatment.

  “If they request my assistance, am I going to have to transfer to the Royal Magi Assembly?” I asked.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “I’d rather not…if possible.”

  The research institute was my favorite workplace ever. I didn’t mind saying “yes” to the odd request for support on the battlefield, but I kinda wasn’t looking for a career shift. When I told Johan as much, he promised he would handle it.

  As we debated what was to come, we arrived at the barracks of the Royal Magi Assembly. One of their mages came out to greet us, and we followed him through the barracks.

  Wherever we went, the other mages sneaked furtive glances at us. People had started doing the same at the royal palace, too. I was used to it, to an extent, but it still bothered me. Not that feeling bothered could change the situation.

  “Head Researcher Valdec of the Research Institute of Medicinal Flora and Lady Sei are here to see you,” the mage announced as he knocked on the door to the grand magus’s office.

  We were promptly told to enter, so the mage ushered us in. Inside, we found Lord Smarty-Glasses and a young man with navy-blue hair whose facial features were so perfectly beautiful that you’d think he’d been artificially crafted.

  What in the world? How can there be so many gorgeous men assembled in one room like this?! I seriously feel out of place here!

  Our mage guide left as soon as he saw us in, which left us at four: Johan, Lord Smarty-Glasses, the young man, and me.

  “Welcome to the Royal Magi Assembly. I am Grand Magus Yuri Drewes.” The young man smiled sweetly as he introduced himself.

  “My name is Sei.” Despite being overwhelmed by his beauty—I was frozen in place!—I somehow managed to introduce myself.

  This was the grand magus? He looked even younger than Lord Smarty-Glasses, who stood right next to him. Or maybe Lord Smarty-Glasses came off as older because he was so handsome and put together.

  Actually, this Yuri might be about the same age as Jude. It was probably impolite to guess, so I did my best not to show my surprise.

  In any case, we were invited to sit on a couch. As we did so, Yuri also introduced Lord Smarty-Glasses, though he seemed to add it as an afterthought. “Oh, and this is Magus Erhart Hawke. I believe you two are already acquainted.”

  “Uh, yes.”

  Oh nooo. We had never formally introduced ourselves to one other, so I hadn’t had any idea who he was. Given the way the other mages got all stiff and flinchy around him sometimes, I had assumed he was high-ranking, but I hadn’t realized he was their magus, i.e., their second-in-command. I could totally see it, too.

  However, it was his last name that really gave me pause. “Hawke”—did that mean…

  Johan, who was sitting next to me, must have picked up on my surprise, because he whispered, “That’s Al’s older brother.”

  Introductions out of the way, Yuri immediately jumped to the main reason for our meeting. “Now then, as I believe you are already aware, I wish to Appraise you.”

  “So I heard.”

  It was time.

  Yuri began with an explanation of the magic, which proved similar to the one Jude had once given me. Appraisal Magic could be used on people, but without the subject’s consent, it
got repelled. Furthermore, if the appraisee’s base level exceeded the Appraiser’s, it simply wouldn’t work.

  “So, please, just relax,” Yuri said with a smile.

  I’ll do my best… I nodded.

  “Appraise.”

  I wasn’t an entirely willing subject, but more than anything, I hoped the spell wouldn’t just bounce off. The implications of that… At any rate, I obediently let him cast it on me.

  For a moment, an indescribable sensation washed over me—followed by the sensation of something…glancing away? The strange discomfort vanished more or less immediately.

  Huh? Wait, did it work?

  I blinked in surprise. Everyone, including the grand magus, looked shocked as well. Then Johan sent me a suspicious glance.

  Wait, wait, I’ve been falsely accused! I swear I cooperated!

  “Sei,” Johan scolded.

  I was positive I hadn’t fought the spell, so I shot him an annoyed look.

  At this, Yuri smoothed over his own startlement with a smile. “I take it that means you didn’t refuse the Appraisal on purpose?”

  “Of course not!”

  Yuri touched his chin and looked down, only looking back up after a moment of thought. “In that case, I can only conclude that your base level exceeds mine.”

  “I see.”

  “Would you care to share that level?”

  He had figured me out. This had to be the problem, since it was the only other reason Appraisal could fail. And, well, I was nearly sure my base level surpassed his. You see, the knights of the Third Order were all lower than me, and the majority were in the thirties. I had long since realized that meant people of higher ranks in the knightly and magical orders had to be Level 40-something, or thereabouts.

  But since my base level was Level 55, even someone at Level 49 would be six levels lower than me.

  He wants the truth, huh? Hm… Jude and the knights were all so casual when I asked for theirs. I guess it shouldn’t be too big a deal to share mine.

  “Fifty-five,” I answered honestly.

  All three of them made a different face: Yuri’s smile froze. Lord Smarty-Glasses’ eyes opened wide. Johan gaped.

  That’s quite the once-in-a-lifetime expression for you, Johan.

  “Fifty-five…you say…” Yuri was the first to regain his composure, and he murmured as if trying to register what I had said.

  I confirmed aloud. For some reason, he started laughing.

  “Level 55 would indeed fend off my Appraisal, yes.”

  “Your base level’s how high?” Johan stared at me, still shocked.

  Please, don’t look at me like that. I’ve been the same level this whole time!

  “I see. That is quite perplexing.” Yuri didn’t look especially perplexed to me, though. When I tilted my head in question, Yuri furrowed his brow in a somewhat perplexed manner. “If we can’t Appraise you, then I suppose we must resort to the traditional method.”

  “Traditional method?”

  “Indeed.”

  Upon hearing this, Lord Smarty-Glasses smoothly rose from his seat, went to gather a pen and paper from the grand magus’s desk, and placed them in front of me. Yuri explained himself as I frowned at these two thoroughly mundane objects: If no mage was available to Appraise someone, it was up to the person in question to report their Stats themselves.

  The grand magus simply didn’t have the time to check every single person’s Stats, so the majority of the populace reported their abilities using this method.

  For example, everyone who worked at the palace self-reported their Stats prior to employment. However, a person’s skills and level partially determined their career path and potential for promotion, which tempted some to exaggerate their numbers. As such, palace employees were subjected to random tests to see if they could back up their claims. Previously, these tests had required the individual to use magic appropriate to the level they reported themselves to be. Now, however, if the need arose, the current grand magus could wander over and Appraise someone himself.

  “Will you be able to see my Stats if I cast the test spell?” I asked out of curiosity.

  “No. Stats are naturally confidential, and we treat them as such.”

  It sounded a bit like how personal information was treated in Japan. Nevertheless, despite Yuri’s assurances, given how offhandedly Jude and the knights had told me their levels, it didn’t seem like most people were inclined to keep this information all that big of a secret. Since useful skills could lead to quick promotions, a number of people thought it beneficial to freely share theirs.

  “I see.” I looked back down at the paper. Hmm, what to do? Maybe I should just write it down…

  I stared unmoving at the paper. I was so still that the other three didn’t say a word. The room sank into silence.

  On the way to the Assembly, Johan and I had talked a lot about the future, but I still felt uncertain. If I wrote my true Stats now, I would be compelled to take up the mantle of the Saint.

  So…what if I lied? Slight problem there. Although I had asked Jude and everyone about their levels and such, I didn’t really know what average Salutanian Stats looked like. And if I didn’t concoct a convincing lie, it would be as good as not lying at all.

  “Are you unwilling?” Yuri asked while I mulled. I frowned up at him, and he smiled kindly at me. “You don’t have to report anything you don’t want to.”

  At those words, Lord Smarty-Glasses eyes widened again. I looked to my side to find Johan with the same expression.

  “Really?” I asked.

  “I don’t mind.”

  “Grand Magus.” Lord Smarty-Glasses sounded flustered, but Yuri didn’t take back his words.

  Rather, he laughed again. “Listen, if you don’t want to do it, how can we believe anything you write? No, this won’t do.”

  Be that as it may, were they really okay with no report at all? Lord Smarty-Glasses and Johan didn’t seem to be.

  I know they have ways to assess my Magic skills in a roundabout fashion, but are they not going to do that either? I didn’t ask that out loud, but I peered at Yuri dubiously.

  His smile deepened, just slightly. “Instead, I ask only that you cast a spell or two.”

  Ah, so that was his plan. But seeing as so many people had already witnessed me casting unusual magic at the hospital, I couldn’t really protest against casting the same thing in front of them—that skill was already on the record.

  I nodded, and Yuri explained what he wanted me to do. I was to cast Heal, which I had used numerous times during that whole “rampage,” as Johan called it. I pointed out that no one here was injured—I hoped—but Yuri assured me the spell could be used on healthy people, too.

  Was that really all he was after, though? Heal was the most basic of Holy Magic spells. Although, I suppose its power increased depending on an individual’s Holy Magic level. Additionally, when cast on healthy people, it was difficult, if not impossible, to quantitatively describe its effect, so I couldn’t see how this was going to help them determine my Stats.

  “Just what is this going to tell you?” I asked curiously.

  “There’s just something I’d like to confirm.”

  Yuri explained that he wanted to see if magic cast by those summoned from another world was qualitatively different from magic cast by people of this world.

  Hey, wait a minute… Was it? I had seen Jude cast magic before, but Water Magic and Holy Magic just looked too different for me to make any assumptions. Unfortunately, I had never seen anyone else use Holy Magic. Oof. I wanted to ask for a visual demonstration from a native, but that would make it sound like I expected there to be a damning difference. After all, I had been reluctant to report my Stats. They had ample reason to suspect my true nature—they just lacked confirmation.

  I thought it over, but I couldn’t come up with a deflection.

  At worst, if there is a remarkable difference, I can just hand-wave it by speculating that it’s, you know, like he says—I’m from another world! Guess my magic’s weird! Or, you know, it’s just odd because my base level is high, right? Right.

  Okay. I could do this.

  I concentrated on casting Heal. Yuri didn’t direct me to cast it on any specific person, so I just cast it on myself. The spell covered my whole body in a faint but bright white mist. Gold sparkles twinkled through the white, just like always, looking very pretty.