Back in my room, I lay sprawled on the bed.
My mind was racing with thoughts of the Double Casting Magic I had just tested.
"I see, I see... When you activate magic using two different chants, it’s not a simple case of one plus one equals two. It becomes something else entirely..."
Neither Blazing Fireball nor Torrential Waterball possessed any element that should have triggered that kind of flashing explosion.
The overlapping chants had likely birthed an entirely new phenomenon.
I recalled reading about such a thing in the books at the castle. Though, in those records, it was a feat performed by two people rather than one.
I wondered what kind of reactions I'd get from other spells. I really wanted to experiment with everything I could.
"Hey, Grimo. Do you think I could use Spatial Distortion Magic to create a room in another dimension or something?"
"There’s no way I can do that, boss! I mean, what even is that? I’ve never heard of such a thing, ssu!"
I suppose it was too much to ask.
Magic of the Spatial System was high-level even for me; I could only use one or two spells from it.
Controlling a space large enough to conduct experiments was simply impossible at my current level.
"Hmm, I really need a place to practice..."
I couldn't exactly use the Training Grounds, and security on the rooftop had been tightened significantly after the recent incident.
"Couldn't you just head outside the castle, ssu?"
"Outside, huh... True, there’s plenty of open land out there. It would be the perfect spot for test-firing. However, if I’m caught sneaking out of the castle, I’ll likely be in for a lecture."
Even as the seventh son, I was still a prince.
I had been told I could do as I pleased, but that didn't mean I was allowed to wander off on my own.
"Hehehe, you just gotta sneak out, ssu. No one’s gonna notice anyway, ssu."
"Sneaking out is one thing, but staying away for a long period without being discovered is another."
The primary obstacle was my guard and educator, Sylpha.
She invited me to practice-swordsmanship every day, and no matter where I hid to read my books, she always managed to sniff me out with ease.
...Wait, hold on. Now that I thought about it, I had Grimo with me now. If I used that, I might be able to fool her for at least a short while.
"Grimo, there’s something I want to try. Will you help me?"
"Anything for you, boss!"
What I had in mind was a magical body double.
I spread my hands and began to gather mana before me while watching my reflection in the mirror.
A small seed formed in the center of the air, sprouted, and rapidly extended its roots.
Slowly, the roots began to weave themselves into the shape of a person.
"Ooh... What in the world is that, ssu...?"
"It's Tree System Magic—a 'Wooden Effigy'."
The Effigy spells found in specific systems used mana to shape wood or stone into various forms.
The Tree System version was particularly useful; because it involved growing and shaping timber, the result was both elastic and durable, allowing for incredibly detailed modeling.
In no time at all, a doll that looked exactly like me was standing there.
"I’ve never seen such a sophisticated Effigy, ssu. Color me impressed! It’s the spitting image of you, Lloyd-sama."
"I made it that way, after all."
The resemblance went deeper than just the surface.
By incorporating the Earth System, I used stone for bones, mud for flesh, and resin for skin. Roots woven throughout the body served as nerves, and I circulated mana like blood to provide power. Naturally, this meant it could move.
Since it was made of earth and wood, it was quite fragile, but depending on the amount of mana I poured in, it could remain active for several days.
"The appearance is perfect, but controlling it is quite the chore..."
Coordinating the movements of a created object to make it look human required an immense amount of focus.
It was impossible for me to leave the castle for magic experiments while simultaneously piloting a body double.
"Well, yeah. That’d be like trying to control two of your own bodies at once, ssu. That's beyond human limits, ssu."
"Exactly. That’s why I want you to handle the control, Grimo."
"Wha—!?"
I continued as Grimo’s face twisted in shock.
"Your structure is somewhere between a physical entity and a spiritual one, right? In that case, couldn't you leave the physical portion of yourself in my right hand and inhabit this doll with your spirit?"
"I mean, yeah, that’s easy enough, but..."
"I’ll handle the actual conversation, so that's fine. You just need to move the body to match the situation."
Grimo grew strangely fidgety at my request.
"...Um, are you sure about this? I might not be able to act exactly the way you want, Lloyd-sama."
"Why not? I’m the one asking, so I don't mind. Go ahead and get inside it."
"O-Oh... Well then..."
As I nudged him, Grimo entered the doll's body with a look of lingering doubt.
The doll's eyes snapped open. Grimo moved the limbs, checking the range of motion.
Yeah, that looked fine.
Grimo stood up, cracked his neck, and then turned away from me, a smirk spreading across his face.
"...Ghehehe, I can't believe it. To be given this much freedom already... Am I really that trusted? While this brat is away, if I play my cards right with the people around me..."
"Grimo."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Grimo’s shoulders jumped as I spoke, his body quivering.
He turned back to face me with a look of pure terror, and I gave him a gentle smile.
"I'm counting on you."
Grimo stared at me with a dazed expression.
"Is something wrong?"
"N-No, it’s nothing, ssu!"
He waved his hands frantically and looked away.
"...That look on his face... Is he plotting something? Wait! I see! He’s testing me! He’s pretending to give me a long leash just to see if I’ll hang myself! He’s waiting for the slightest hint of betrayal so he can execute me! Heh, I’m glad I caught on. His magic is incomprehensible. It wouldn't be strange if he'd already woven a kill-switch into the Spell Formula...! In that case, it’s not a good move to act recklessly. I should focus on gaining his trust first..."
He started muttering to himself again.
I wondered what was the matter.
"What is it, Grimo? Are you okay?"
"N-No, no, it's nothing at all, ssu! Anyway, I, Grimo, shall work myself to the bone for your sake, Lloyd-sama! Hehe, hehehehe..."
I tilted my head as I watched Grimo laugh awkwardly.
He certainly talked to himself a lot.
Maybe he was just mentally exhausted from his new life in the human world.