Episode 8: The Mage II
The next dungeon town was relatively close, about a week away. Compared to the previous three-week journey, there were fewer complaints from Ryuguin.
However, there was something particularly tough about traveling by carriage. We were to split into two carriages to reach our destination.
“Ah, I see,” you might be thinking. Yes, your assumption is probably correct.
In one carriage were Ryuguin and Mika. In the other were myself and Angelica.
Despite my insistence that four of us could travel together, the two of them dismissed my suggestion outright.
“I am the Saintess. My duty is to save the world alongside the Hero. The Saintess must be the Hero’s shield and remain by his side at all times.”
Her way of speaking reminded me of Mika when we first met. And from her expression, I felt an unprecedented distance between Mika and myself.
“That’s right, Yamada. Protecting the nation and saving the world—this is the true calling of the Hero. It’s only natural for the Saintess to be by my side to accomplish this.”
Saving the world? Protecting the nation? What have you done until now?!
My vision turned red with anger. I was about to lash out at Ryuguin, but that was not to be.
“Yamada-sama, you mustn’t raise your hand against the Hero.”
I was repelled and blocked by the barrier she had erected. Her expression, devoid of warmth, made it hard for me to believe she was the same Mika I once knew.
At that moment, I finally realized just how deep the chasm was between Mika and me.
The journey by carriage continued even after we arrived in town, mirroring our earlier arrangements. Ryuguin was with Mika, while I was with Angelica.
After reflecting on how I had overexerted myself during our previous challenge in the Mirror Labyrinth, I decided to take a month off.
I had no idea how they spent their time. Angelica and I focused primarily on magic research.
We often brought sweets to Angelica’s room and discussed magical theories, making for a fruitful period.
“So, about that light magic you showed me the other day, can’t you produce a lot of basic fire magic like that?” I asked.
“I can do that, but even if I produce a lot, it’s still just basic fire magic,” she replied.
Even if I threw ten basic fire spells, they would be easily extinguished by a single intermediate one.
“Then, can’t we use the basic fire magic like sparks?” I suggested.
“Sparks? I can do that, but what do you want to do with them…?”
“What if we spread the sparks out and then make them explode all at once?”
“─────!”
Angelica looked at me in surprise.
“Also, we could alternate between sparks and basic magic to create a chain explosion.”
“Wait! Wait a minute! I need to write this down!”
“And what if we could combine all those steps into one spell?”
Listening to my casual suggestions (if they could even be called that), Angelica rested her chin on her hand and began muttering to herself.
When it was just the two of us, we would share my ideas and the knowledge I had from reading manga back in Japan, testing them out together.
The spell that exploded all the scattered sparks at once was called Flare. The spell that triggered infinite chain explosions using sparks and basic magic was named Chain Flare.
The water ball, a mere basic magic, was super-compressed by Angelica’s incredible control into a water cutter that could even slice through mithril, known as Aqua Divide.
The spell that created a powerful physical barrier by alternating ultra-thin layers of ice and air was called Mille-Feuille.
Together, we developed numerous powerful spells with devastating effects.
I named these original spells of hers The One.
Of course, we also created many original light magic spells together. Here are a few examples.
A laser that tightly focused converged light was called Condenser.
This laser could be further refined to cover a wide area, known as Rain.
A massive amount of light magic compressed and infused into the Holy Sword was called Cyalume.
The spell that launched targets into a different dimension of light space, existing between prisms, was named Oblivion.
With Angelica, a backline mage, joining forces, I gained a plethora of powerful magical attacks.
Having created many spells together, Angelica and I spent our time in her room under the guise of research, engaging in our usual lighthearted banter. By the end of our sessions, I would sip fruit juice while Angelica enjoyed her mead.
“You know, I’ve really been having fun lately,” she said.
“What’s brought this on all of a sudden?”
“Well, I actually don’t have many friends.”
She laughed lightly as she spoke.
“And you, Ichiro, listen to me without mocking me, right? You talk to me on the same level.”
“That’s what I should be saying. You’re the only one I can have fun conversations with now.”
“Even in magic research, you’re as passionate as if it were your own.”
“Well, I enjoyed it too, so it’s mutual.”
“No, really. I haven’t felt this happy being with someone since I was ten.”
Her sincere voice made me hesitate over what I should say next.
“Thank you, Ichiro. Honestly, I didn’t care much about saving the world… I thought if I could break free from my stagnant situation by being with you, I could show my family and the academy who have looked down on me a thing or two…”
Her voice trailed off, almost breaking.
“You felt contempt for me, didn’t you?”
With a pleading, tearful expression, she looked at me.
“No! I would never feel contempt for you!”
I firmly denied it.
“I feel the same way.”
If Angelica weren’t in my life right now… Could I have overcome this life filled with jealousy all on my own?
“I was saved by you too.”
Angelica embraced me as tears streamed down my face.
“Tell me everything that’s happened.”
We vowed to learn more about each other than ever before, becoming not just trustworthy companions, but irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind existences for one another.
The month of rest came to an end. As we prepared to resume our dungeon exploration, a problem arose.