Please, Just Read It

Please, just read it!

Chapter 9

Purpose and Revenge (2)

The principle of the conventional “Pathfinding” taught by Lutemis was simple.

After firing a mass of magical power in one direction, one would track the afterimage and use the path the magic had passed through to draw a map in their mind.

It’s similar to the principle of sonar used by bats or dolphins, so thinking of it that way makes it easy to understand.

[But let’s try a different method.]

Instead of shooting a single mass of magic in one direction, let’s scatter small magical particles in multiple directions without restraint.

Using this method, Riley would be able to gather more information through “Pathfinding.”

It’s as if we were turning a flat map into a detailed 3D map.

Of course, this method was extremely difficult.

One had to track each magical particle they shot out individually and visualize it.

This meant that while getting more information required more skill and magic handling ability.

If other magicians heard of this method, they would certainly shake their heads.

They would say it was nonsensical, an idea only feasible in theory.

But…

“…I think I can do it.”

If it’s Riley.

If it’s Riley, who has outstanding mana affinity.

[Yeah. Let’s give it a shot.]

There must be potential.

Vwoooosh─.

Swoosh──!

The moment my words finished, the magical power within Riley scattered in all directions.

The intangible particles eagerly began to stretch out in every direction.

“Whew.”

[Focus. This is just the beginning.]

There wasn’t even a moment for deep breaths.

From now on, the true “Pathfinding” was beginning.

[Pour all your nerves into each magical particle.]

“……”

Particles bouncing off objects.

Particles disappearing lifelessly.

And particles stretching forward without hesitation.

Vwoooosh─.

As Riley watched all the particles, her eyes suddenly sparkled.

“Ah.”

Traps, spells, dead ends, and the locations of treasures hidden in storage.

“…I can see them.”

A detailed map unfolded before her eyes.

*

After that, we passed through secret corridors and encountered various forks in the path and traps.

Every time we did, Riley skillfully used the “Pathfinding” she learned from me, and finally, we arrived at the storage where we could find valuable artifacts and potions.

[Well done.]

“Really?”

[Yeah. For a first attempt, it was great.]

Is it because she has outstanding mana affinity?

Riley’s ability to learn is quite fast.

At this rate, she might master “Pathfinding” within a year.

Of course.

There were still points to improve.

[You did really well… But still, in dungeons or magical wastelands, it won’t be as easy as now. Keep that in mind.]

“Why’s that?”

[Usually, such places have mana distortions. The magic won’t flow straight like it is now.]

It was true that, while she did well for a first attempt, it didn’t mean Riley’s “Pathfinding” was perfect.

She still needed to learn and train more.

However, considering her potential, I had no doubt that she could easily achieve it.

[Alright, let’s just grab what we need.]

There were various types of artifacts and potions.

If it were up to me, I would want to take everything, but sadly, we lacked space.

If we took too much, we might get caught.

Therefore, I selected only those items from the storage that Riley could use effectively.

Once we safely collected our goods from Lutemis’s storage, we boarded the ship immediately.

*

Boom─!

A loud ship’s horn sounded. Ahead, the horizon showcased the setting sun.

On the deck of the ship heading towards the mainland, there were not just Riley and me, but several other passengers as well.

“You all look so happy.”

[Yeah.]

The faces of the passengers blossomed with smiles.

They seemed excited, like people returning from a vacation.

There was nothing strange about it.

After all, the island of Lutemis was open to all citizens of the Empire.

Except for the Academy grounds and some restricted areas, citizens were free to come and go from the island of Lutemis.

The island also had been developed well, making it an ideal vacation spot.

Of course, it was no leisure paradise for the students; to them, Lutemis Island likely felt like hell.

[Anyway.]

I tossed aside useless thoughts and muttered to myself.

[Now it’s time to say goodbye to this place.]

To put it narrowly, I had been stuck in the library for 300 years, but when I widened my perspective just a bit, it meant I had essentially been trapped in Lutemis for 300 years.

I felt a mix of emotions at finally escaping this dreadful place.

As I was lost in thought, the sky quickly dimmed.

As the air started to get chilly, Riley and I immediately moved into the cabin.

A cozy bed.

On the bedside sat a small clock.

The hour and minute hands pointed to 11:58.

[……]

Suddenly, I realized that it had only been a day since I met Riley.

Exactly last night.

At precisely this time, I had met Riley.

So much had happened in just one day.

The fact that so many things had unfolded in just a single day was a strange feeling.

[Speaking of which…]

There was something I needed to address.

I had been so mentally occupied that I had let it slip by.

[Let’s touch on just one thing.]

“Sure.”

[What do you think is the most important thing when learning magic?]

A very basic question.

Riley pondered my question for a moment, then calmly answered.

“The mindset for learning magic.”

That was a precise answer.

As expected from an Academy student, it seemed she had a solid understanding of the basic theories behind magic.

[That’s right.]

The mindset for learning magic.

It was a cliché, but one that could never be overlooked.

Those who dream of being magicians must have a firm goal of their own.

And this wasn’t just for the sake of achieving progress.

“Heart Demon.”

Those without a goal would inevitably wander at some point.

What in the world was I learning magic for?

Do I really have talent in magic?

If this period of confusion were to last too long, a magician would be ensnared by the “Heart Demon” and gradually become a wreck.

And ultimately…

Those magicians who were completely consumed by the “Heart Demon” could no longer use any magic.

[To prevent such potential dangers, magicians must set a firm goal for themselves.]

That was why, even if the process might seem arbitrary, magicians would always set their own objectives to avoid being caught by the “Heart Demon.”

[But.]

I paused my words and looked at Riley.

In her eyes lingered the poison I had seen last night.

[You already have a firm goal, don’t you?]

I suspected that Riley must have her own clear objective.

The determination behind her eyes, the way she came to find me in the library despite the risks…

It all must be for some kind of goal she had.

“……”

As expected, Riley flinched slightly at my question.

After a moment of hesitating lips, she quietly spoke.

“If I gain power through magic, there’s something I want to achieve.”

[Hmm.]

Her voice trembled oddly as she spoke.

I felt I understood the reason for that tremor.

Wrath.

A burning animosity toward a certain target.

Those who sought power through magic usually wanted only one thing.

[Revenge, huh?]

“Yes.”

Riley responded briefly.

With that dry answer, she bit her lip in silence.

“……”

[……]

Further deep conversation was awkward, as indicated by her gestures.

I completely understood her actions.

It isn’t pleasant to talk about one’s own tragedies to someone else.

Especially for someone like Riley, who had an agonizing childhood.

I sighed deeply.

I wanted to ask her more specifically about her revenge.

But upon reflection, it hadn’t even been a full day since we met.

So now…

I thought this level of conversation was just right.

As I was thinking this, Riley, who had been quietly pondering, spoke up.

“Wait a moment.”

[Huh? Why?]

“Don’t you want to share your purpose as a Magician?”

[What for?]

Not fully grasping the essence of her question, Riley stepped up to clarify.

“Surely, you also have a purpose for nurturing a magician like me.”

[……]

It was an unexpected reverse question.

Purpose.

Could I even say I had no purpose?

The reason I was nurturing magicians.

The reason I share my magical knowledge with them abundantly.

While there was a superficial reason of amusement, I had a bigger purpose besides that.

But…

[Isn’t it just for fun?]

I had no desire to unveil the complexities of such matters right here and now.

“…Really?”

[Yeah.]

Riley still wore a skeptical expression.

I continued.

[Think about it. What’s fun about living as a Magician? I’m just enjoying raising magicians.]

“Ah, that’s true…”

Riley nodded, looking reasonably convinced.

*

“By the way, what are your plans now?”

Riley asked.

Future plans.

As I mentioned, we had numerous methods and routes available.

But the optimal path that popped into my mind right now was just one.

[You have that letter of recommendation the professor gave you, right?]

“Ah, yes.”

[Could you take it out?]

Hearing my words, Riley opened her carry bag and pulled out a letter.

The recommendation letter the professor had given to Riley earlier that morning.

Riley held up the envelope and read the professor’s message written on it.

“It says it’s a recommendation to Irantes Magic Tower.”

[……]

I briefly went silent.

Irantes Magic Tower.

An unfamiliar name to me.

This meant it was a newly established magic tower formed within the 300 years I had been stuck in the library.

[Ugh.]

I already had a bad feeling about it.

I wished the professor had perhaps given me a recommendation to one of the Empire’s five major towers, or at least a traditional one.

Why in the world did the professor write a recommendation for such a new and obscure tower?

“What’s wrong?”

Just then, Riley, who sensed my inner thoughts through our bond, asked me a question.

I suppressed my complicated feelings as I answered her.

[Never mind. Just forget about the tower.]

“Huh? Why?”

[Why else? It’s obvious there’s nothing to gain from going to such a place.]

In the first place, our intent to go to a magic tower was to build connections.

Because to step into the position of a Grand Sorcerer in the future, such connections were essential.

A Grand Sorcerer couldn’t climb to such a position solely through skill.

A political background was necessary as well.

For fostering those connections, there was no place better than a magic tower.

But Irantes…?

Going to a tower with no foundation like that would surely lead to nothing but being sneered at by others.

Moreover, new magic towers often treated their apprentices quite poorly.

It would not be an exaggeration to say they were treated like unpaid slaves.

In other words, if Riley went somewhere like that, she wouldn’t gain anything at all.

[Let’s just think of it as starting fresh from the beginning.]

Recommendations didn’t matter.

It seemed better for us to build a record ourselves and apply for an entrance exam to a suitable magic tower.

I’d treat it as if we had only received pocket money from the professor or something.

“W-wait, Magician.”

[Huh?]

However, it seemed Riley had a different opinion.

With a puzzled expression, she continued.

“Irantes Magic Tower is one of the Empire’s five major towers, isn’t it?”

[……?]

What on earth was she talking about?

*

The outside was dim.

Through the window, the tranquil night sea was gently flowing.

Riley was reading about the history of magicians with a lamp as her light.

“Ah, here it is.”

She pointed at one page in the book.

“To understand Irantes Magic Tower, you first need to know its master and founder, Jan Irantes.”

I looked at where Riley was pointing.

There was an old man’s black-and-white photo.

A hunched back.

Wrinkles and age spots dotted his face.

Grayish, murky eyes.

To be blunt, he didn’t seem like he would be alive after tomorrow.

Not exaggerating, he looked no different from a genuine corpse.

[Why does this book include a portrait of him at death’s door? They could have put in one of him at a younger age.]

“That was actually his younger portrait.”

[……?]

“That portrait was drawn when Jan Irantes was 40 years old.”

[Uh….]

He looked like a 90-year-old man at just 40.

He was aging remarkably.

[Did he pass away early?]

“Still very much alive.”

[……?]

That doesn’t make any sense.

[It says that portrait was drawn 300 years ago.]

“Yes. But he’s still alive.”

[……]

What the hell.

Then what is his lifespan supposed to be?

Is he some kind of half-elf?

“Definitely not a half-elf.”

[Well, a half-elf wouldn’t look that ugly.]

“…Anyway, even if he was just a high-ranking sorcerer, Jan Irantes is considered someone who achieved feats beyond that of a Grand Sorcerer.”

Riley continued.

“In fact, even today, debates are ongoing in academia about whether to grant him the title of Grand Sorcerer. You could say he singlehandedly raised the status of the Irantes Magic Tower.”

[Hmm.]

I examined the contents beneath Jan Irantes’s photo.

The achievements he left within the world of magic, the circumstances under which he founded the Irantes Magic Tower, his motives, and so on.

After reading for a few minutes, I couldn’t help but acknowledge it.

I had a rough understanding.

I grasped how phenomenal a sorcerer Jan Irantes was… but…

[……It still doesn’t add up.]

“Why not?”

[No, think about it.]

300 years.

Exactly 300 years.

Sure, that’s a long time.

It would feel like an eternity to me, who had been trapped in the library.

However,

This time span of 300 years could never have been enough to shift the dynamics of the Empire’s towers.

Something must have happened that I wasn’t aware of.

Moreover, if Jan Irantes had managed to stay alive all this time as just a human…

[Hold on.]

At that moment, as I continued reading the book, I froze in place.

My mind went blank.

“Magician?”

[……]

I heard Riley’s voice but didn’t respond.

I pressed down on my trembling heart and read the book’s content once more.

[……]

Jan Irantes.

The state of immortality.

And his master, Marta Parherichi.

[…Marta Parherichi.]

She drew a line in the history of magic and influenced an entire era.

Even the ordinary sons and daughters of nobles who do not walk the path of magic learn of her achievements through history classes.

For centuries, simply by existing, she elevated the status of the Empire.

The great Grand Sorcerer.

Marta Parherichi.

[Ah, wait a moment…]

That name was too familiar to me.

It was a name I knew all too well.

No wonder, as I was the one who led her to the realm of Grand Sorcerers.

She was the last apprentice I raised 300 years ago.

[……]

That was why I was so well acquainted with Marta Parherichi.

I could proudly say that I knew her better than anyone.

But you see…

As far as I can remember,

Marta Parherichi had never once accepted an apprentice in her entire life.

[……]

Not even once.