Eris and Freddie now acknowledged Jin as the Second Generation Magi Craft Meister, watching him with gazes filled with deep respect.
"So, Jin-san, you really are from Hourai Island?"
"That is correct."
Jin decided to maintain a polite tone with Eris, respecting her status as an elder.
"Oh, how wonderful... Hourai Island. I would love to see it just once. It is our ancestor's point of origin, after all."
As Eris murmured those words, she looked as if she truly, from the bottom of her heart, longed to go.
"Jin-sama, could you find it in your heart to grant my grandmother's wish?" her grandson, Freddie, asked. "I—I apologize profusely for my rude remarks earlier! I was out of line. Please, grant her request!"
In that moment, he truly seemed like a devoted grandson caring for his grandmother.
"Personally, I don't see a problem with it," Jin replied honestly.
"Oh! That makes me so happy. Truly, thank you!" Eris looked genuinely overjoyed.
Now that the threat of the Magic Federation had passed, Jin wanted to do something for these descendants who had been left behind. He intended to provide various forms of assistance, not just financial support. He believed that once he had a better grasp of their character, he could decide on the specific nature of that aid.
"Thank you so much! I don't know what came over me earlier. I've admired the Magi Craft Meister since I was a small child, and I studied magi-craft as hard as I could, but I just couldn't improve... I suppose I ended up venting my frustration on you."
Freddie bowed his head repeatedly. Jin understood the feeling, so he made it clear he held no grudge.
"Don't worry about that anymore."
Just then, someone asked a blunt question. It was Greena.
"Um, Freddie-san... are you just not very good at magi-craft?"
"That's... right..." Freddie replied, his face and voice so miserable that it was obvious even to an outsider.
"Ah, no, I mean..." Greena faltered. The sheer contrast between his current humility and his earlier outbursts was enough to make her recoil in surprise.
Jin stepped in to explain what Greena likely intended to say.
"Actually, I think Freddie has more than enough talent for magi-craft."
"Eh?" Freddie reacted with pure confusion.
"He's right. I mean, Freddie-san, your mana is remarkably similar to Jin-sama's. Really," Greena added.
"M-My mana is what!?"
"I said it's very similar to Jin-sama's."
"How do you... how do you know that?" Freddie started to address her rudely but corrected himself at the last second, realizing it would be a breach of etiquette.
"What do you mean 'how'? Can't you tell?" Rubina chimed in, unable to remain silent any longer.
"It seems that Freddie-dono, unfortunately, never had the chance to meet a suitable master," Marikka said softly, her voice gentle. "It isn't just about a master being good or bad; there is also the matter of compatibility."
"Yeah," Greena agreed. "There are theoretical types, intuitive types, people who are good at teaching and those who aren't... there are all sorts."
"That's true as well," Jin said, "but in my opinion, he would be best served by learning from someone with a deep knowledge of science."
Many magi placed far too much importance on the end result while neglecting the process. However, Jin believed that magi-craft could reach much greater heights when built upon a foundation of scientific principles. Magic did not defy the laws of physics so much as it governed them; therefore, a firm grasp of those laws allowed for far more efficient spellcasting.
However, since the Magic Federation Rebellion, those capable of teaching science had vanished from the world. Whether they had been literally erased or had simply gone into hiding was unknown. Jin expected that the Quinta would investigate the matter in the future.
"So that's how it is..."
Freddie fell into deep thought after hearing Jin's explanation. Jin felt that if the opportunity arose, he might like to teach the young man himself.
"By the way, Jin-san, what brought you all the way to Kaina Village?" Eris asked.
"Well, I'm looking for a special kind of magi-resin. Since the source is supposedly in the northern regions, I decided to start here."
"Oh, I see. And did you find what you were looking for?"
"Yes, I managed to obtain some samples."
"That is wonderful news."
"I intend to conduct verification experiments on Hourai Island as early as tomorrow."
"You are truly dedicated to your research, aren't you?"
Through their conversation, Jin felt a growing sense of goodwill toward Eris. Her quiet nature, her modest gestures, and her refined manner were all quite pleasant. And, of course, there was the appearance that suggested their shared bloodline.
It's actually quite relaxing...
Jin felt a sense of security from Eris, similar to the comfort he felt when talking to Martha, Mine, the Empress, or Milowina. It was perhaps the maternal figure that Jin had always subconsciously sought.
＊ ＊ ＊
As the night grew late, Jin and Eris's respective groups retired to their rooms.
"Jin-sama, Eris-san is such a lovely person," Rubina said; she seemed to have taken a liking to her as well.
"I feel a bit sorry for that Freddie guy," Greena added, her mind still on the young man.
"I agree," Jin said. "The mana he can handle seems substantial, but he lacks the ability to control it properly. I mentioned compatibility, but I suspect the master who taught him was quite careless."
Jin felt it would be a tragedy to let such talent go to waste.
"If possible, I'd like to train him on Hourai Island or Onogoro Island—or perhaps in the Nord Federation."
When Jin said that, Marikka replied with a smile.
"I wouldn't mind taking him in at my workshop, you know."
＊ ＊ ＊
The following morning, April 29, Jin spoke to Eris and Freddie after breakfast.
"Well then, let's use the Warp Gate here to head to Hourai Island."
"My, so we really can go."
"There... isn't any danger, is there?"
Eris was simply delighted, while Freddie remained slightly cautious.
"None at all, I assure you."
With that promise, Jin gestured for them to follow.
"Now, please, this way."
He led the two of them toward the Warp Gate Room inside Jin Castle.