Chapter 7: The Mage①
Mika and Ryuguin’s embrace dealt me a crushing blow. I forgot all about my mission, feeling like an insect that had lost a territorial battle, as strange hormones flooded my brain. Perhaps because of that, I felt a sense of helplessness akin to despair, and I withdrew into my room, miserable and alone.
At that time, I was curled up in my bed in the dark room, letting out a cry like a gambler forced into underground living, “Why is this happening to me?!”
There was no way to change the situation. Some things simply have no answers, and I was trapped in a mental dead end, unable to grasp even that simple truth.
With no catalyst for recovery, I convinced myself it was time to rest. In the end, I spent nearly two weeks holed up in my inn after conquering the Mirror Labyrinth.
This story takes place right around that time. The Guild Master visited the inn where I was staying.
The Guild Master (an Elf!) had come to hear my report on dungeon exploration and was worried about the worst possible outcomes.
The Crystal Humanoid was a monster with magic reflection properties. That was why I had been able to conquer it alone with sheer physical strength.
Thus, the Guild Master began to think.
As I continued to explore other dungeons, wouldn’t there be bosses that were immune to physical attacks?
Indeed, that possibility couldn’t be ignored. Considering the risks, I asked the Guild Master to introduce me to a capable Mage.
Two days after my consultation with the Guild Master, she brought me the Mage named Angelica.
When I first met her, brought by the Elf Guild Master, I gasped at the sight of her eyes. I felt as if I could be drawn into them.
Her sparkling almond-shaped eyes reflected her strong will. Her striking red hair was beautiful and luxurious, topped with a large Witch Hat, a symbol of her craft. Dressed in a black robe made from a rare material renowned for its magical properties, she—Angelica—fixed her gaze on me.
Angelica Honest. That was her full name. Anyone from the Arcana Kingdom would know the name Honest. It was a prestigious family that had produced many outstanding Mages, particularly known for their exceptional talents.
However, Angelica was regarded as a failure within such a distinguished family. Yet, in her childhood, she had been seen as a promising talent, possessing a mana capacity comparable to that of a Saintess.
The tide turned when she reached the age of ten, the age at which she was allowed to use magic (breaking this rule would result in punishment). It was then revealed that, despite her immense mana capacity, she had a significant flaw.
She was born with a small Mana Emission Aperture, and no matter how hard she tried, she could only cast Basic Magic.
But—she declared before me.
“I will not lose to anyone in this world when it comes to mana capacity and mana manipulation.”
It seemed as if a flame ignited in her crimson eyes.
However, I couldn’t help but wonder why the Guild Master had brought such a seemingly powerless person to me at this stage. But she had her reasons.
Regarded as a failure by her family, Angelica worked to pay her own tuition at the National Arcana Academy while infusing magic stones provided by the Guild with mana. Despite being looked down upon, she persevered and graduated with determination.
Having witnessed her struggle up close, the Guild Master felt a strong desire to help her.
“Why me, though?” I asked.
“Please. With your unique perspective as someone from another world, you might be able to help her reach new heights.”
The Guild Master lowered her beautiful face and continued, “I couldn’t help her realize her potential. But perhaps you can—”
“And if she can harness her vast mana capacity, she will undoubtedly leave her mark on history! My instincts tell me so!”
Until that point, she had maintained a cool demeanor, but her voice rose with passion. No one could refuse such a plea.
“Alright. But she will accompany me into the dungeon. Have you obtained her consent?”
From the side, she replied, “Of course! I understand the dangers! I will definitely be of help to you all!”
Well, she was quite confident. I thought to myself, let’s see what she can do, but then I recalled she could only use Basic Magic.
It seemed the Guild Master read my expression, as she gestured to Angelica with her chin.
Angelica murmured something (it was called chant shortening, I learned), and countless light sources, dimmed to their limits, floated throughout the room.
“Okay, okay! Turn it off! It’s too bright; I can’t see anything!”
In essence, while she could only use Basic Magic, she possessed an immense mana capacity and extraordinarily precise mana control. This was a demonstration for me.
I had heard that mana control was more about training than innate talent, unlike the natural mana capacity one is born with. How much effort had she put into honing that overwhelming control?
According to the Guild Master, many looked down on her as merely a Basic Mage. She had witnessed many, including her own family, belittle her efforts, claiming that training was futile and foolish, mocking her and trampling on her hard work.
Yet, undeterred by all that, she had pushed herself to this point. It must have been a painful and arduous path.
I no longer viewed her as just a Basic Mage. She was an egg—an egg of a hero.
I felt a near certainty and extended my hand to her.
“Well, it seems we might have a long journey ahead. I hope you will fight alongside me.”
She gripped my hand firmly and replied, “With pleasure! I will be in your care! But I won’t let you regret this! Right, Holy Knight?”
She looked into my eyes and answered. I thought she was beautiful.