It took Macro several seconds to answer Archiego's question, as he was far too busy processing the fact that this was truly happening—that his idol was really standing in his room and asking him about one of his inventions.
But once he accepted that this was indeed reality, he gathered all the courage he could and replied, "Y-yes, that's the Auto-Pen t-that I i-invented," his voice trembling as the words left his mouth.
After Macro's answer, a few more seconds of silence followed. Archiego stared into the boy's eyes with a completely neutral expression, studying him without saying a word.
A nervous, audible gulp escaped from Macro's tightly closed mouth. That brief moment of tension felt unbearable, almost enough to crush the young elf's heart.
Suddenly, Archiego's expression shifted, and a broad smile spread across his face.
"Fantastic. You're really fantastic, kid. This pen is incredibly useful. It's a bit cumbersome, sure, but with the limited materials available to a simple student it is understandable, you're truly a genius," he said. His voice overflowed with joy, respect, and genuine wonder.
A couple of seconds passed after the minister's praise, in which Macro did not move an millimeter.
Then he felt something warm and wet slide down from one of his eyes and touch his cheek.
"What…?" the boy murmured, lifting a hand to his face and touching the damp skin.
Macro was crying.
And it was a cry of joy.
Yes, those tears were born entirely from Archiego's compliments.
Yet, Macro found the situation deeply strange. It was true that he admired Archiego immensely, and hearing such words from him made his heart feel like it might burst. Still, even by his own admission, though he considered himself a coward, he had never been someone who cried easily. Above all, he was not the type to express happiness through tears.
This was, without a doubt, the first time in his life that he had ever cried from joy.
He didn't fully understand why it was happening, but he was certain it was connected to that anger he had discovered within himself a month earlier.
"…I-I'm sorry, M-Mr. Archiego. I-I don't know what's h-happening to me…" Macro apologized in a trembling voice, doing his best to wipe the tears from his eyes with his hands.
The minister's joyful gaze immediately softened, turning serious yet filled with kindness.
"Young man, what is your name?" he asked, looking Macro straight in the eye.
That simple question managed to calm Macro slightly, and he replied, "M-Macro Basento."
"Well then, Macro, it seems that there is a problem that has been troubling you recently—or more precisely, a problem that you have only just begun to notice," the minister said calmly. "So, as a way to thank you for creating this pen, which saved me a great deal of time and effort while signing documents the other night, I will do my best to help you with that problem. I want you to tell me everything you know about it, and how you've felt since you became aware of it…"
Then, before the boy could begin speaking, Archiego added, "But first, let me introduce myself. I'm quite sure you already know who I am, but I believe introductions are important regardless. My name is Archiego Piano, and I am the Minister of Technology of the Kingdom of Yggdora. Come now, young man, tell me everything you know. I may not be one of those psychologists who have appeared recently, but as a former merchant, I can assure you that I am very good at understanding what people truly need!" he said confidently.
Macro paused for a moment to reflect.
If it had been anyone else, he would have been far more cautious. But Archiego was not only the person he admired the most and the reason he had begun inventing and creating objects in the first place—he also possessed an aura that made Macro feel certain that he could truly help him.
And so, Macro told Archiego everything: his mental state over the past month, his continued inability to use his Derived Magic, the way his classmates at the academy treated him, his encounter with Vala, and how he had felt when he was defeated.
After hearing all of this, the minister smiled.
"Well, young man, I think I have a pretty good idea why you're feeling this 'mysterious' anger. But first, I want to make sure of one thing…" He paused briefly, then asked, "Has this boy named Vala, or any of your classmates, ever complimented you for your inventions?"
Without thinking too deeply about it, Macro replied, "Yes, Vala almost always compliments my inventions."
Archiego's expression darkened slightly.
"Young man, I don't think you understood the question, so I'll repeat it as clearly as possible," he said seriously. "When was the last time someone complimented YOU, and not just your inventions?"
Macro's eyes widened.
He immediately began to recall all the times his classmates had asked him to build something for them, or had used something he had created. They often said things like, "Wow, Macro, this object is so useful," or "Your invention is amazing," or even, "Who would have thought that a failure like you could make something so useful?" But now that he thought about it more carefully, none of them had ever truly complimented him as a person, the way they praised Vala and his magical abilities.
"Before you… a few minutes ago… it would have been my parents, before they enrolled me at the Frassino Academy…" Macro replied, shocked by his own realization.
The minister smiled again.
"Well, it seems you already understand," he said. "But since I promised to help you, it only seems fair that I say it out loud. I wouldn't want you to later think there was some misunderstanding. The reason you are angry is actually very simple, and also very common: you don't feel appreciated enough."
He continued calmly, "Compliments directed only at your inventions aren't enough for you. And I'm fairly certain you convinced yourself that, for an inventor, it should be enough that his creations are loved, even if the inventor himself is not. And I'm not saying that such a way of thinking is impossible. I'm sure that in this world, just like in the worlds heroes come from, there have been many scientists and inventors who lived exactly that way without any real problems."
Archiego's gaze sharpened slightly.
"But unfortunately for you—especially given your situation at this academy—you seem to be the same type of person as me. The kind of inventor who wants the world to know who created the object they rely on, who wants to be recognized as a genius for their brilliant inventions," he explained.
Hearing this, Macro felt something like guilt rise to his face. Before the young elf could sink into a vicious spiral of self-blame, however, Archiego raised a hand slightly.
"But don't misunderstand me, kid. I don't think that's a bad thing at all. A little selfishness can be useful in life, and there's nothing wrong with wanting recognition for your efforts," the minister said reassuringly. "That said, I don't believe this academy is the right environment for you. Both the teachers and, above all, the students are far too focused on magic, and it's extremely difficult for anyone here to give you the attention you unconsciously seek. At best, they see you as a useful tool."
Then, in a calmer and more sympathetic tone, he added, "Still, I think I understand why you chose to enroll. Learning more about magic is incredibly useful when creating new tools, and I imagine you hoped that this academy might help you discover your Derived Magic more quickly."
Macro nodded slowly, astonished by how much this man had managed to understand about him from so little information. It frightened him slightly, but at the same time, it gave him even more confidence in Archiego's words.
"A-are you saying that I s-should leave the a-academy?" Macro asked in a trembling voice.
With a serious expression, Archiego looked him straight in the eye.
"That's something only you can decide," he said firmly. "Your assumptions aren't wrong. Knowledge—especially theoretical knowledge of magic—is undoubtedly useful when creating tools, and if your goal is to improve your use of magic, there's no better place in this country than this academy. However, there's also a strong possibility that the situation with your classmates won't change."
He continued, "Of course, as I promised, I'll do everything in my power to improve it. But leaving the academy remains an option. And if I'm being completely honest, the moment I saw that pen, I had already considered taking you under my wing as my assistant and student. Your choice will only determine whenever you take on that role, now or in two years" the minister concluded, clearly confident that Macro would accept his proposal.
Macro immediately began to reflect. As Archiego had expected, it didn't even take the boy a second to decide that he would accept the minister's offer to become his assistant and student. After all, it was literally a dream come true. However, the matter regarding the academy was a completely different issue.
Macro spent several long minutes thinking carefully about what the best course of action would be, while the minister waited patiently and silently for the boy's answer.
"Mr. Archiego, I have decided…" Macro finally said, without stuttering even once, looking the minister straight in the eye. A gentle smile formed on his face. "I intend to finish these last two years at this academy."
Then the young elf continued, his voice steady, "I can't leave this place yet. I still want to learn as much as I can about magic, and I want to do my best to see whether, sooner or later during these two years, I'll be able to use my Derived Magic. And besides, I made a pact with Vala, and if I leave the academy now, I wouldn't be able to honor it," the boy concluded.
"Are you absolutely sure?" the minister asked one last time, his expression solemn. "It won't be easy at all. Even with my help, that doesn't mean all of your problems will simply disappear."
Macro trembled slightly, but then nodded with complete confidence.
The Minister of Technology smiled once more.
"Well then, your role as my assistant and student will officially begin in two years," he said. "So I'd say it's time I taught you a few tricks to make these next two years a little more bearable. Listen carefully!" Archiego said in a thunderous, energetic voice.
Macro nodded rapidly several times, ready to listen and permanently engrave every word his idol was about to say into his memory.
"First of all," Archiego began, "start writing your name on all your work. It's a very simple thing, but also an extremely effective one. I understand that for someone like you it may feel a little embarrassing, but it's incredibly important. It helps blur the line between the creator and his creations, making you known, not just your inventions, and greatly increasing the chances that your efforts will be properly noticed."
Meanwhile, Macro had already taken out a notebook and was hurriedly writing down everything his idol said.
The Minister of Technology smiled in amusement and continued.
"Second, from now on, sell your inventions to your classmates. This academy has no rules preventing students from selling things within the school grounds. A little extra money is always useful, and even if some people don't like it, it will give you an aura of professionalism that makes it easier for others to respect you."
He then added calmly, "And don't worry about your agreement with your 'friend' Vala. There's no need to charge him. From what I understand, he holds a lot of influence over the other students, so upsetting him would be a very bad idea. It could interfere with your business. Let him be the only one who doesn't pay—he'll be able to maintain his dearly beloved sense of superiority and stay satisfied."
Macro continued taking notes in silence, astonished that Archiego had already anticipated his concerns about selling inventions without him ever voicing them.
"Third," the minister said vehemently, "ignore what Vala told you and build whatever you want. Just be careful not to get caught when you know it's something he doesn't want you to invent. Don't limit your imagination just because a child is afraid that what you create might surpass him!"
Then Archiego paused.
"And finally, listen very carefully, kid, because this is the most important thing of all…" His voice was stern at first, but then a warm smile spread across his face. "Have more confidence in yourself and in your inventions. They are your strength and your pride. There's no reason to feel inferior if you need to rely on them to win a few fights or defend yourself."
He continued, his voice full of warmth and conviction, "There's no doubt that the tools you create are the direct result of your intelligence and your dedication. Who cares if you haven't mastered your Derived Magic yet? You are a genius, and you will undoubtedly become one of the greatest inventors this kingdom—no, this entire continent—has ever seen. Archiego Piano, the greatest inventor of this century, personally assures you of that!"
He ended his speech with a loud, hearty, and beautiful laugh.
At that moment, Macro's heart had been beating so fast that it felt as if it were sweeping away every doubt inside him, filling him instead with hope and confidence.
And now, in the present, the same thing was happening as he recalled those words.
The trembling left his body, and the only thing that remained was the resolve that those words, spoken four years ago, had given him.
Macro placed one hand into the small bag attached to his belt—far too small to hold what he was about to pull out—and withdrew a crossbow that his opponent had only ever seen in draft form.