Prologue

[faentasy]

PROLOGUE

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The clink of glasses, the clatter of utensils upon plates and the soft murmur of conversation flows smoothly in the warmly lit dining hall. It's a dinner party, a rather vivacious one at that, with the food flowing freely. Savory and sweet, regional specialties, refined and rustic, there's something for everyone. Omurice, chiffon cake, kimchi, sizzling porterhouse steaks—it might be more apt to call it a buffet than anything else.

Do buffets usually serve such a unique smorgasbord of food? And actually, weren't you doing something else? A free meal is usually a good thing but is anything truly free? Who are these people around you? And where exactly are you?

Whatever thoughts are racing through your mind, they're abruptly cut off by a note, high pitched G-sharp from a woodwind. All your senses return to you, though they won't tell you much. Maybe not all of them actually, if you're used to feats of heroic strength or manipulating reality or numerous other abilities. There is one clue at least, a heavy weighted paper beneath your plate, an embossed note rather than a list of courses.

"Enjoy yourselves. I'll come see you when you've had your fill. And don't try to dine and dash, huh? There's something I have—something I can do for you, after all. Besides, you've already agreed to the terms anyway!"

Welcome to your Fairy Tale.

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[sempiternel]

You went to kindergarten, Sir Bird? How adorable!

[hellochildren]

[An eyebrow raises at the comment, but the parrot made a small smile before speaking.]

Vell, a bird has to learn somehow.

[Maybe playing nice with a fool will be helpful in the future. It had in the past.]

[sempiternel]

May I ask what it was like?

[hellochildren]

Not very difficult, zough I dit have a natural advantage over my peers. While zey were learning basic times tables, I cracked ze code on how to alter genetics and create entirely new types of life.

[Was he having a bit of fun? Perhaps, but it is kind of amusing to see how far he can get before the girl realizes what he's doing.]

[sempiternel]

And you did all this in kindergarten? And not just one new type, but multiple?

[hellochildren]

Indeed, zough in hindsight, it woult have been viser to be patient when doing so. I have former schoolmates zat still can't look me in the eye for creating a piranha-cow hybrid.

It did not end vell, in case you are wondering.

[sempiternel]

But what would have been the point to such a hybrid? I think a penguin-eagle combination would have been more fruitful. You would have an animal that could walk, swim, or fly.

[hellochildren]

To answer ze former question...it was an attempt to make cattle that coult defent itself against predators, only for zem to turn out raser...aggressive.

And the latter...it woult be similar to a human attempting to create a human hybrid zrough experimentation.

Vhich is to say, highly unethical.

[not that that would stop him-

He's not sure how much more of this he can take. If she still doesn't realize it at this point, the parrot is definitely going to laugh in her face.]

[sempiternel]

Well, I was assuming we were talking in the hypothetical sense. After all, who would allow kindergartners to do such experiments.

[ No kindergarten has such funds! ]

[hellochildren]

[For a moment, his eyes widen a bit, before the parrot lets out a chuckle.]

So, you figured out ze ruse in my statements?

[Maybe he should give this girl a little more credit...]

[sempiternel]

It was fun to play along, wasn't it?

[hellochildren]

Indeed, it vas. You are viser zan I first thought.

[He offers a wing like one would offer a hand to shake.]

Professor Pericles.

[sempiternel]

[ She gently takes the tip of his wing and shakes it once. ]

My name is Yuri Elizabeth, Professor Pericles. Thank you for the enjoyable discussion. May I ask what it is you're a professor of?

[hellochildren]

Nosing in particular-it is just part of my name. Zough I am certainly knowledgable on enough academic subjects to qualify for such a title.

[sempiternel]

[ Oh goodness, Professor is his name! It's just too cute. ]

Ah, a learned soul! What is your opinion on spacial magic?

[hellochildren]

I am afrait I can not give my opinion on such sings, as ze only magic I am familiar wis, I have not seen face-to-face, unfortunately.

[He is familiar with and knows the existence of magic. That doesn't mean he's seen enough to be an expert on it though, sadly.]

[sempiternel]

Well, how about the idea of it? Currently, most sorcerers use spacial magic as a tool to store and retrieve items at their convenience. But to be able to do that, you have to cast the spell - and to be able to cast the spell, you are required to, of course, have a decent amount of magic. But there are some with very little innate magic. How would you go about making spacial magic as accessible as possible for everyone?

[hellochildren]

[Well, this is...certainly out of his area of expertise. A challenge, but hey, where would anyone be if they didn't take on a challenge?]

Vell, if one wants everyone to have access to spacial magic, I believe ze best answer woult be to give assistance to zose wis little innate magic. Vhat immediately comes to mind is mass-producing charms-or somesing similar-zat can boost one's magical ability, at least to ze point of making spacial magic possible. Some sacrifices woult likely have to be mate-ze physical quality of ze charms may not be ze best, and creativity on vhat they look like may be stifled-but it is ze most immediate solution to come to.

I am assuming, however, zat zat solution has already been attempted, yes?

[sempiternel]

I'm afraid not. Not everyone wants to share their riches. Unfortunately... Nobles tend to be a selfish and secretive bunch. There hasn't been much progress in spreading our wealth of information and skills.

[ She gives him a small smile. ]

But that's a brilliant idea. I was thinking of something similar, but I think your idea would be more useful in multiple ways. More adaptable!

[hellochildren]

[That's...actually kind of surprising. If it were the parrot or a certain ally of his, that market would've been exploited immediately-especially with his own description, considering people would have to buy a new charm each time their current one wasn't useful anymore.

But hey, if those nobles were too stupid to appeal to a market that Yuri could take advantage of, good on her.]

Well zen, I am glad I coult assist you, Frau Elizabeth.

And if possible, once zese charms are mate, coult I perhaps have one as well? I believe I woult find one quite useful.

[sempiternel]

Oh, of course! Once... I get my magic back, that is. I haven't been able to cast any spells since we arrived here...

[hellochildren]

Zat is fine. I can be patient.

[Wouldn't be the first time...

oh right feelings-]

You are not ze only vone dealing wis zis issue. Ze ozer bird here-Herr Fujishiro-is unable to fly very high off ze ground. It seems zoughs wis notable abilities have hat them taken avay.

[sempiternel]

[ Another bird? That suddenly can't fly? ]

... I see. I wasn't expecting something like that. To take flight away from a bird... isn't that too harsh?

[hellochildren]

Most certainly, zough I believe zere is some reasoning to it. Vhile I am wisout a doubt the shortest among us here, Herr Fujishiro is about the size of a human-over four feet at least.

So vhile flight is necessary for me to go anyvhere, he is able to go places by only valking.

[Sorry Yuri, he is not explaining further about the giant bird.]

[sempiternel]

It sounds like... well. Are you thinking all of this is to... limit us and, what? Even the playing field, Professor?