When I opened the door to the dining hall, Dad, Mom, and Tiana had already started eating.
Mom looked up from her plate as we entered. "Oh, Philip and Finn. I thought you two weren't coming to breakfast. You were up all night making Magic Tools together again, weren't you?"
Why do mothers just know what their sons are up to? It's a mystery I couldn't solve even in my past life.
"Big brothers, did you pull an all-nighter again? Nah, that's actually mad," Tiana added with a weary look.
Even Tiana was fed up with us.
"We just wanted to finish the Cooling Magic Tool and the Folding-Fan Magic Tool fast," Big Brother Philip explained.
When Big Brother Philip said that, Dad went-
Dad chimed in enthusiastically. "Those things are really amazing! The Knights were saying they want them sold as soon as possible."
"Knowing Uncle Alex, once he has a decent number ready, he'll probably start selling them right away," I replied.
"If that happens, the Knights will be happy too."
"I'll be going to the Lilien Trading Company to buy materials again soon, so I'll ask then when they plan to start selling."
"I'm counting on you. A lot of people in the Knight Order are looking forward to it too."
…Everyone's chasing after a little cool air, center-stage or not.
If you want to live comfortably, a comfortable room temperature matters too….
…I thought about that while taking a sip of soup, savoring how good it tasted.
Philip took a spoonful of stew before speaking. "It's been a while since I ate at the Marquis Household, and it's still delicious. The Magician Corps meals feel a bit bland…. Most people there put research before food."
"I thought you were one of those people too, Big Brother Philip."
Everyone laughed at what I said, but Big Brother Philip just gave a wry smile.
"If you think that, then come home a little more often," Mom interjected.
"…I'll try to work on that."
"Saying the same thing as Finn…"
Mom shot me a quick look, and I got dragged into it because of Big Brother Philip.
"But I really do plan to come home in about a week," Philip offered quickly.
"That's because Mother-in-law1 is coming, right? If I hadn't said anything, you wouldn't even want to come back. …Right?" Mom countered with a sly smile.
"No, that's not…" Philip stammered.
"Philip, your eyes are darting all over the place."
…Yeah, the women in this family are strong.
I choked slightly on my drink. "Wait, Grandma's coming in a week?"
"Yes. She's coming for the summer social season. Finn, you should attend a soirée2 at least once," Mom stated smoothly.
"Uh, I really don't want to. I don't want to go somewhere with that many people. And it's definitely going to be hot!" I protested immediately.
"That's exactly the kind of thing Alexis would happily get ready for," Dad chuckled.
"You've got it easy, Dad. During soirées you just do guard duty with the Knight Order anyway, right?"
"Well, yeah. But as the head of the Marquis Household, I have to show my face at royal-hosted soirées, so I'll be attending at least once. Same as you, Finn."
"Ehhh…. I'm planning to have a fever that day."
"What kind of nonsense are you saying?" Mom scolded.
"Big Brother Philip won't be going either, right?"
"It's a royal-hosted soirée. The Magician Corps will be on guard duty too," Philip pointed out calmly.
…There's a traitor here too, leaving me completely outmaneuvered!
"Finn, if you don't attend a soirée at least once, Prince Wilfried is going to say something again. You'll probably get a direct invitation soon," Mom reminded me.
"Until last year I went just to keep up appearances, but I thought once I graduated from the Academy, I'd be free…."
"That's not how it works. Princess Elusia said she wants to see you again too."
Ahh… Princess Elusia was one year below Tiana. We're in different grades, high school and middle school, but we do end up together in the Academy dining hall sometimes….
"So the only way I get saved is by being a wallflower3…" I muttered under my breath.
"There you go saying weird stuff again. Just standing by the wall at a soirée makes you stand out even more. And you don't seem to realize it, but you're admired by everyone too, Finn," Mom sighed.
"Well…I get it with Emile and Big Brother Philip, but I'm just a Magic Tool maker. And I'm the third son with no real ties to anything. Well, I guess being part of the Marquis Household makes it make some sense…"
"What are you talking about? Even if you're the third son, you're still a son of the Marquis Household. And you're already plenty famous, Finn. You've been making Magic Tools for a long time, but if you bring the Folding-Fan Magic Tool to the Academy today, there's no doubt you'll be the center of attention."
"Ehh…"
"That's why! To spread the Folding-Fan Magic Tool, you absolutely have to attend this royal-hosted soirée! I'm sure Princess Elusia will want one too!" Mom insisted, raising her voice slightly.
"…That's where Uncle Alex comes in and presents it to the royal family. And if we want to spread it, Mom and Tiana just bringing the Folding-Fan Magic Tool to a soirée should be enough."
"Anyway, your attendance is decided! Sigh…Talking with you is exhausting, Finn…"
Ehhhh.
"Finn, that's how it is, so give up. If you keep whining about it, you'll be getting etiquette lessons from Mother-in-law too," Mom warned.
"No, I'm good on that! Fine, I'll attend just once…" I surrendered in defeat.
Sigh…. Just a few months after graduating from the Academy, my peaceful life is about to come to an end.
For now, I should wear the least noticeable clothes I can to the soirée!
Regardless of what I was thinking, breakfast ended peacefully, so I headed straight off to sleep.
Trivia:
- Finn's comment about not solving the mystery of mothers even in his past life confirms his reincarnation memories are intact and he regularly compares both lives.
- Philip's excuse about coming home in a week is directly tied to Mother-in-law's visit, meaning he would have skipped it entirely without her arrival forcing his hand.
- Tiana's mention that Princess Elusia wants to see Finn again hints at a prior connection between them that goes beyond simple academy acquaintance.
Translation Notes:
1 ↩ In Japanese, a married couple's parents are often referred to by the in-law relationship rather than as grandmother, so this term signals the formal family connection rather than casual warmth.
2 ↩ A French loanword used in Japanese to mean an evening social gathering or party, common in noble settings.
3 ↩ An idiom for someone who stays at the edge of a social event to avoid attention, though Tiana points out it ironically draws more attention.
Notes:
• Tiana - Younger sister who returns from the academy. Complains about the cold Workshop and worries about their mother. Curious about her brother's inventions.
• Philip - Big Brother to Finn and knight. Loves magic and learned Magic Tool crafting from Grandpa. Serves in the Knight Order and often moves between his room and the Captain's office.
• Finn - Third son of a marquis family and a magical tool maker. Graduated from an academy and became a full magical tool maker after apprenticing. Currently staying at the family estate during summer. Working on a prototype magical tool that can cool the air, using a fan blower's magical circuit as a base. Has a tendency to forget meals when absorbed in work, though this has improved. Finds the dining room and hallways uncomfortably hot. Wears his shirt with two buttons undone at home. Knows Noah well since childhood. Third son of a marquis family living in the royal capital. Aspiring magical tool maker who retains memories of a past life. Currently working on creating a cooling magical device to deal with an unusually hot summer. Gets absorbed in work and loses track of time.
• Alex - Owner of Lilien Trading Company. Called Uncle Alex by Finn. Experienced merchant with an eye for sellable goods and a close, familiar relationship with Finn's family. Practical about product development and eager to commercialize new magical tools.
• Alexis - Guild master of Lilien Trading Company and uncle to Finn. Reads through documents in the guild master's office while handling business matters. Shows deep pride in Finn's talent for crafting Magic Tools and thinks strategically about production, pricing tiers for nobles versus commoners, and distribution to the royal family.
• Emile - Oldest son and knight who lives at the royal castle dorm. Visits the mansion a few times a month. Wants a Magic tool for the knight dorm.