Combat Maid Harem

"Do you want to try it? We can try it on the testing grounds."

The receptionist looked at Lawrend hopefully. She was but a mere True Mage. She always found it inspiring to watch stronger mages use their spells.

"Can I take this back with me? If it's not as good as I thought, I will come back and choose another one," Lawrend said.

"That's okay. You are a High Mage. It is one of your benefits," the receptionist replied with a smile on her face.

"Alright. Thank you."

Lawrend nodded at her and turned around to leave.

"Master, were there really that many spells?" Aezel asked with disbelief evident in her face.

"Yes, but they're just Beginner Mage Spells. Naturally, there are many that could make one," Lawrend replied.

"Maybe we should do the same in the demon world," Aezel muttered in thought.

…

"Thank you for bringing me with you, Master. Even though it was short, I enjoyed it," Grape said and smiled at him once they were back at the inn.

"No problem."

Lawrend smiled at her.

It was hard for him to accept her before. Thus, he would shower her with love since he had already decided so.

"What is this, Master?" Nao asked when she saw the spellbook in Lawrend's hand.

"This is for you. Learn it and become a mage," Lawrend replied.

"But I don't know if I have an affinity for the fire element," Nao replied.

She didn't have any confidence in herself that she was capable of practicing magic. Her grandfather would have told her about it if he had checked that she had an affinity for any element.

"Just try it. It doesn't matter if you can't use it," Lawrend replied.

He didn't really mind if she couldn't practice it. He was more interested in being able to try if he could actually use it himself.

"Okay." Nao nodded her head unconfidently.

She opened the spellbook and started reading the chant. After that, she read the relevant information in the book. It contained the details as to how and why the spell works.

Nao sat on her bed cross-legged with her eyes closed.

"O' Ifrit, give my hand warmth in this winter, Glowing Fire Hand!"

Nao extended her right hand out, and…

*Fwoom*

Nao's right hand started glowing red, and a small flame rose from it.

"I-I did it??" Nao exclaimed in shock.

She looked at the flame in her hand in disbelief.

"Congratulations, Nao!" Lawrend shouted and smiled at her.

He could relate to the current expression on her face. Knowing that you could practice magic is amazing. After all, almost everything in this world revolves around magic.

"Congratulations, Nao!" Amene, Grape, and Aezel said together.

"Thank you, Master, for giving me this opportunity!" Nao said to him happily.

"I will teach you more about it later. For now, you should learn how to use the spell more efficiently. I'm guessing that your spell won't last for a few more minutes," Lawrend replied to her.

This spell of hers was actually very efficient. Compared to the Shock Arc Spell, this spell only uses a small amount of mana to be used.

Lawrend immediately understood that when he saw how long she was using it. The spell was made to produce warmth and not to attack. That's why it's not weird that it can last for such a long time.

"H-How do I stop it?" Nao asked worriedly.

"Stop thinking about the spell."

Nao closed her eyes again and the spell dissipated in her hand.

"Wow… Mother, Father, wherever the two of you are… I'm now a mage," Nao said as droplets of tears started falling down from her eyes.

"Come here," Grape said and took Nao into her embrace.

"Nyaa. Let me hug you too," Amene said.

The two of them embraced Nao and provided her with the warmth she needed.

Lawrend walked towards them and patted Nao on her head.

"Master…" Nao looked at him and smiled forcefully.

"I believe that they are still alive," Lawrend consoled her.

"Mm… I believe so too…" Nao replied.

Deep in her mind, she doesn't actually do. Her hopes had long been lost. She wasn't stupid. She knew that going missing while hunting could only mean one thing, and that was that her parents were already dead.

But with Lawrend's words, a small flicker of hope was ignited inside her heart. She wanted to do well and become a good potion brewer and mage. She wanted to show her parents that she could become someone they could be proud of.

"The two of you, take care of her. I will go return to my room to study the spell further," Lawrend said and stood up straight.

"Yes, Nyaa!" Amene nodded her head solemnly.

"Fufufufu. They don't have to do that, Master," Aezel said.

Lawrend turned back and looked at Nao. She had already wiped her tears. She looked strong and independent.

"Alright. Forget what I just said."

Lawrend smiled at her and left the room with Aezel.

…

Lawrend sat cross-legged on their bed and closed his eyes.

He already memorized the chant.

He opened his right hand and chanted the spell.

"O' Ifrit, give my hand warmth in this winter, Glowing Fire Hand!"

He felt the mana in the surroundings move, but nothing happened to his hand. He opened his eyes and looked at his normal hand in disappointment.

"One more time," Lawrend said.

He closed his eyes again and chanted the spell one more time.

But… It was the same. The mana in the air moved, but the spell didn't work.

"There's no hope," Lawrend said and shook his head in disappointment.

If it was possible, he would have gone back in time to learn the other elements. How amazing would it be if he wielded a lot of elements? He will be the prodigy of the prodigies.

"You have two elemental affinities?" Aezel asked in surprise.

"No. I was just trying out something.. *Sigh*" Lawrend replied with a sigh.