Skit: Trying to learn ANYTHING new
Gathered in the courtyard of the Mathers estate was a large mass of people.
From what Subaru had gathered, Roswaal was holding a live seminar in order to teach basic level magic and mana control. It was so individuals could learn about their gate and mana poisoning so that less people (like him) would end up damaging it.
Apparently, Roswaal also had some personal troubles with his mana in the past. Maybe he really was trying to change for the better after all. What better way than to help the common man.
From his view in the window, he estimated over a hundred people had come to participate. He could even spot some of the villagers from Arlam. Well, it's not everyday the one-and-only Court Magician offers to teach magic.
He needed the tutoring just as much as anyone else down there, so he decided to join the group.
As he made his way outside, he could see that the courtyard was absolutely teeming with folks of many races. Humans and demi-humans alike were invited, and here they were.
Maneuvering his way through the crowd, he took a spot beside Ram, who was handling a sleeping Rem in her wheelchair.
Rem.
She was part of the reason he wanted to get even a little stronger. Her hero couldn't be weak.
[?}: "I'm glad you're out here, Subaru-kyun! You could use the help."
That voice, that playful tone, and that unmistakable feline accent. That was none other than–
[Subaru]: "Ferris! What are you doing here? I would've assumed that your mana control would've been near flawless."
[Felix]: "Well, I don't intend to boast, but I figured I may be ny-able to learn something nyew. The Margrave family is renyowned for their incredible advances of magical knowledge, after all. And it's not everyday such a capable mage offers to teach you personally."
[Subaru]: "Makes sense when you put it like that."
[Ram]: "Of course it does. Roswaal-sama's magnificence and generosity know no bounds. Ha!"
Adding in a huff of smugness at the end, Ram gave her two copper on the matter. She personally didn't think there was much for her to gain since her horn was broken. She was mostly there to support and gloat about Roswaal.
[?}: "Saaaallutations, everyone."
Floating in from the sky, the man of the hour had finally arrived, fashionably late of course. The murmurs of the crowd got louder as he arrived. He sure loved putting on a show; it was like he was speaking out of a megaphone. Was he using magic to amplify his voice? Would he teach them that, too?
Once the ruckus and clamor calmed down enough, Roswaal began the program.
[Roswaal]: "So, in todaaaaayys lesson, we're just going to be doiiiinnng some entry level magic tricks and illusions. Do not worry, for your magicaaa~al affinity will not hinder this lesson. Before we get to more complex spells, we'll start off with something simple, like paaaaaarty tricks to get your gaaaattee accustomed to the sensaaation.
Finally, this may not be high level arcane magic that could bring a kingdom to its knees, but it was a start. Baby steps. Hopefully these lessons would go better than what happened with Puck.
[Roswaal]: "Well, first things first is a caaaard trick. You knew it waaaas coming."
Everyone in the crowd proceeded to take out the personal deck of cards.
[Subaru]: "EH?" He was unprepared! Nobody told him to bring anything.
[Ram]: "You came to a magic lesson and didn't think to bring cards? Useless as always, Barusu."
[Subaru]: "Well, y-you have an extra pack for Rem right there. S-She won't be using them, so if you don't mind–"
[Ram]: "No."
[Subaru]: "B-But…"
[Felix]: "Don't worry Subaru-kyun, I'll split mine with you.
Whew. Ferris was a life saver, with or without healing magic.
[Roswaal]: "Caaaaaards are one of the most commonly used iiiiiittteem for illusions, so I'll demonstraaaaate and explain after. Watch closely now."
Everyone kept their eyes peeled on the man in the sky. It was a 'blink and you'll miss it' type of trick.
Roswaal cleared his throat. And with a flick of his wrist..
They disappeared!
[Roswaal]: "AAaaaaannndd they're gone!"
[Felix]: "Incredible. He truly is a pro."
[Ram]: "That's Roswaal-sama for you. Stunning."
[Subaru]: "Whoa! Hold on."
This was entry level? This was definitely more advanced than a simple shamak. How did his gate make cards vanish? No, it must've been some trick.
[Roswaal]: "Doooonnn't worry. I will repeeaaat the trick."
Roswaal flew around the crowd and did the trick again. It was even more stunning than the last time!
[Roswaal]: "At this point, yooou're probably looking aaaaaround for some metia or device, pretendiiiinnnng you don't know what happened."
[Subaru]: "We all don't know what happened to it," he hissed. What kind of sorcery was this?
[Ram]: "Speak for yourself, Barusu. Even a child could grasp this concept."
[Felix]: "Yeah. You don't even need your gate for this one."
Subaru stopped to look at Felix. So they hadn't gotten to the 'magical' part yet?
[Roswaal]: "Aaaaaafter about five seeeccconds or so, hold your haaaaand out and.."
He slapped his palm with dramatic flair.
The cards sprinkled out like fresh rain over the crowd, garnering hoops and hollers of amazement. Kids and adults alike were picking the cards out of the air as if they were snowflakes. It was like a poker paradise.
[Subaru]: "What the ff–"
[Roswaal]: "Now this is just a simple level one trrriiiiiiick."
[Subaru]: "L-Level one? What's harder than this?"
Blasphemy. This was at least level four. Can all mages do this? He looked over at a demi-human beside him.
To find a stream of cards flowing out of his hands like a fountain.
[Subaru]: "I am so confused."
[Roswaal]: "So, let me show you how I diiiiid it. It's just siiiiiimmple misdirection. As I waaaaas tossing it up, I actually ended up hiding it in mmyyyy sleeeeeve. It's reeeaally simple."
The Court Magician showed off the sleeves of his outfit to prove his point, failing to see how little it explained. How did the cards multiply like that though?
[Roswaal]: "Those of yoooouu with astute vision probably noticed, if you looked closely, thaaaat you can see a little bit of the caaaaards in my sleeve."
[Subaru]: "Huh? No, I can't. I can't see the deck."
[Felix]: "Yep. I can confirm. The cards are there alright."
No matter how much he squinted he couldn't see any imprint of a card deck. Roswaal being fifty feet (15m) in the air didn't help much either.
[Roswaal]: "So theeeerrre you have it. That was a level one trick. A very baaaassic illusion. Something say, a kiiiiiiid could do."
[Subaru]: "Who would expect any kid to be able to do this?!"
Around a few meters away, a certain orange-haired maid hid a pile of cards behind her back.
[Roswaal]: "Alriiiight, settle down. For the next trick, it's a little bit more tricky, but juuuuust as simple: the shirt trick. I'll show you all and explaaaaiin afterwards, okay?"
[Subaru]: "W-We're switching already? Okay, okay. I'm prepared this time. Expecting the unexpected."
Subaru put on his game-face. He wouldn't miss it this time. All five of his senses were on high alert.
The clown began to tug at his usual clown attire.
[Roswaal]: "El Munda!"
And with a flick of his wrist…
His clothes had changed!
The Court Magician was now adorned in a very professional business suit. The navy of the fabric matched his hair, and the golden lapel chain and pocket square really complimented the hue of his left eye.
The audience went wild. All around him, people were shouting "munda" and changing outfits out of the blue. Suits, dresses, hats, casual-wear, everyone was dressing their best.
[Subaru]: "Eh? Oh, uhh, munda! El Munda!"
His tracksuit failed to change. He kept going at it but the results spoke for themselves. This was easier than a shamak?
[Subaru]: "Yo! How could this possibly be considered simple? Ram, can you believe this?"
However, Ram wasn't listening to him; she was too captivated by Roswaal's everlasting charm. Her cheeks were flushed and she made no attempt to hide it. He did look mighty fine in that suit.
Dammit! He wanted to be cool like that!
[Roswaal]: "Noooww, it looks complicated, but it's really simple. Moooost of you seem to have gotten it, but for those who haaaven't I'll explain. Basically, the pop of the shirt is what grabs everybody's attention. Everybody's looking at whaaaatt you're doing with your shirt that they don't notice what you're doing with yooouur gate."
[Subaru]: "What do I do with my gate? You aren't explaining, Ros-chi."
[Garfiel]: "Hey Cap'n, check this out!"
Subaru turned around to find Garfiel tugging at his clothes.
And poof! They changed into a tiger onesie.
[Garfiel]: "Who knew basic magic could be so cool. Try it cap'n, i's great!"
The raven-haired knight pulled at the collar of his tracksuit. Maybe he was doing it at the wrong angle. Did he need to visualize what he was changing into? What did he need to do with his gate? How was everyone else doing it so flawlessly? It wasn't fair!
[Roswaal]: "I can see that you are all having fuuuun, but it is tiiiiiime for the final trick. As per usual, I will perfooorrm it and explain it after."
[Subaru]: "Wait, I'm not ready!"
Roswaal snaps his fingers.
And in the blink of an eye, he's gone. Unable to be seen by the naked eye.
The crowd went silent.
[Roswaal]: "So as you can seeeee, this isn't some metia or doodad. It probably appears thaaaat I am invisible right now."
[Subaru]: "It would appear that way to me, yes."
[Roswaal]: "I can assuuuure you that I am still here. In order to activate it you just need to–"
The next minute was a blur to him. It was one technical term after another and he hadn't understood half of what he was talking about. Was this how other people felt when he made references to his home world? He swore to apologize later.
[Roswaal]: "Aaaand there you go. That's aaaalll you need."
He heard what sounded like the snapping of fingers, and all of a sudden, Roswaal was back.
[Roswaal]: "Okay. Try it out yourseeelves."
Subaru was so mentally fatigued, he wasn't even sure he could attempt it. He looked down at his feet. Would he ever be able to become stronger?
A cacophony of snapping bombarded his ears. Realizing the meaning of the noises, he brought his head up.
People were disappearing before his very eyes! The number of people in the courtyard was seemingly decreasing, but he was no fool.
Well, even if everyone else disappeared from his view, at least he had Rem.
He looked to his left.
Hold up…
[Subaru]: "WHERE THE HELL IS REM?"
Subaru was beginning to lose it. No matter where he looked he couldn't see her, which should've been easy if everyone else was transparent.
What the hell? How did she even snap?! He could very clearly see the wheelchair but with no one in it.
This had to be a dream. Some nightmare he would wake up from any minute now.
Any minute now.
…
He sighed. That was enough magic for one day.
[Subaru]: "I'm… I'm gonna go hug Beako for a bit."
[Roswaal]: "Since you aaaaaalll did soooo well, we will be moving onto intermediate lessons tomorrow."
Of course they were.
Barely keeping himself from crying, Subaru made his way back to the mansion, bumping into several people he couldn't see along the way.
