Level 1 Strongest Sage ~

This is a story about Charles, Halt’s sister’s childhood.

Charles' mind and heart had been in chaos because of her ability to hear their thoughts.

And her salvation was —

“Whoa! As expected of Charles-sama! She can already cast mid-level magic within a month of starting magical training.”

A man with a filthy black beard and a nasty, creepy grin praised me.

This man is a top level magician and my magic teacher.

“... Thanks.”

I replied perfunctorily.

But really, I didn’t want to call this guy over at my house.

It’s not only because he’s disgusting to look at.

(Tsk, what an insufferable lass.)

That’s because I can’t forgive this rude guy who dared to call me, the count’s daughter, a mere lass.

I can hear the thoughts of other people.

It’s a skill called mind reading.

It started when I was three.

I could hear what the people around me were thinking.

(Nobody told me she’s so quick to learn.)

If my progress is fast, then why don’t you praise me sincerely, huh.

(I thought this work will be easy money, and a fortune at that, since I just have to teach a brat magic but… I’m gonna run out of things to teach at this rate. )

Hmm, so that’s what you really think.

(It’s way too early to teach top level magic to a 5-year old brat, right. Her body’s not mature enough, so it’ll be a problem if her mana ran wild.)

…Oh.

So he’s concerned about me.

I changed my view of him, just a tiny bit.

“Charles-sama. Let us first increase the number of mid-level magic spells you can cast.”

(This brat got mana comparable to that of a Bakemono. I’ll be in danger if she goes on a rampage while this close to me. Let’s leave the top-level spell instruction to somebody else. )

I’ll take it back!

I really, really hate this guy!

“Ye~s.”

I will learn all intermediate spells immediately, just as you wanted.

I’ll never ever let my mana run wild.

And I’m gonna make it so you’ll never be able to step here again soon.

──＊＊＊──

“Charles. Good job with today’s magic training, too.”

Father called out to me when the black bearded high-level mage went home after we finished our training.

“Ah, Father! Were you watching me?”

Well, I can read his mind, so I already knew Father was hiding somewhere watching me.

“Earlier, just a peek. So you can use mid-level spells now, huh.”

(Dad’s surprised.)

If I’m not deliberately controlling this ability, I would end up hearing all sorts of things from everyone around me within a 100-meter radius without any filter.

My family wasn’t an exception.

“That’s right!”

“That’s amazing, as expected of my dear daughter.”

(My magic ability isn’t that excellent, so Charles must’ve inherited it more from her mom.)

Father thought so while patting me on the head.

“Ehehe.”

My family’s inward thoughts very rarely differ from what they say. Besides, they don’t even attempt to lie to me.

That’s why I really have fun talking to them.

I love chatting with my family.

However —

“Charles, the Spring Festival will be held next week at the Royal Capital. Do you want to come with us?”

“G-Going out…”

I don’t really like leaving my house, even with my family, my most favorite people in the world.

When I go to crowded places, the inner thoughts of the people around me will hit me in waves, and I end up getting dizzy and sick.

The voices will disappear if I really, really wished for it, but I’m not really good at adjusting it. If I’m careless, I won’t be able to hear normal voices too.

Besides, if there are strong-willed people around, their voices would pierce through my heart.

Strong-willed voices — well, I’m referring to the bad ones, like “I hate insert someone’s name”, or “I wanna kill him/ her” or “Die”, stuff like that.

No matter how much I block my ears, those voices won’t disappear. If we go to major cities like the royal capital, there will definitely be some people with thoughts like that.

That’s why I hated going out.

“Father, I’m sorry. I won’t this time.”

“I see…even though Cain and Leo told me that they’re coming.”

“Ehh, Elder Brothers are coming!?”

Cain and Leo rarely come home, so being able to see them is extremely tempting.

Elder Brothers’ inner thoughts were filled with love and concern for me, and listening to them warmed my heart.

“I thought they wouldn't be coming to our mansion?”

Elder Brother Cain is older than me by four years. He graduated early from the knight training school, and this year, he’s admitted to be part of the knight order.

The knight order of chivalry is just a step below the imperial knight order, but a knight must be proficient with the sword and must come from a good pedigree.

Elder Brother Cain’s sword skills are praised highly, and he’s the youngest knight to enter the knight order at just 9 years old. Moreover, his promotion to the imperial knight order in a few years time is already guaranteed, they said.

He’s very busy nowadays, I heard.

I know Elder Brother Cain is working hard.

That’s because Elder Brother Cain’s dream is to wear the mantle exclusive to the Imperial Knight Order.

By the way, that’s something that Elder Brother Cain never told anyone; I just accidentally heard it from his thoughts.

I already know that Elder Brother Cain is giving it his all, so I don’t want to say that I wanted to see him.

If I told him I wanted to see him, Elder Cain would definitely come right away, no matter how important his current task or mission or work was. I know, because this is also something I heard from his thoughts.

“If my Elder Brothers are coming, then I… will also go to the festival.”

“Oh, is that so! Cain and Leon will definitely be happy.”

I don’t want to go to crowded places, but… If I can meet with my Elder Brothers, I’ll use that to support my mental health and do my best.