EP.157 Coincidence, maybe inevitability (5)
I walked down the road as the evening sun set.
After leaving the shabby store, I walked along the alley. My steps were light. I feel like something is making me feel sick.
‘Because I said what I wanted to say and heard what I wanted to hear.’
In other words, because we had a conversation.
I’ve known Cardi for a long time, but today felt like the first time I spoke to her. What I’ve shared with Cardi so far has been more like a Zen question than a conversation.
We had a conversation for the first time.
For the first time, I saw the inner thoughts of Cardi.
What I felt in that… funny enough, was the same thing as what Cardi said to me.
“It looks similar, La.”
Thinking over what Cardi said, I chuckled. Resembles. I think they look alike. Really.
“Huh.”
I stretched and took a short breath.
As you walk down the alleys covered in the sunset, you will soon arrive at the capital’s square. I looked at the fountain in the middle of the square for a while.
Now that I think about it, it was here.
The place where Cardi and I first met.
Suddenly, the situation at that time came to mind. Although it was an old story, I had no problem remembering it. Probably, it was the time when he lost his hometown and was heading to the capital.
The capital is a land of opportunity.
Where all encounters begin.
A place where we who lost our hometown and lost our parents and became nothing can become something. Following that vague possibility, we arrived at the capital.
‘But, a lot of things were different.’
A beautiful and colorful place that I heard about from the elders in the village.
A place where anyone can become something.
The capital was not that kind of place. No, it might be that kind of place for some people. However, at least not for the two refugees.
The capital was harsh.
No one cared about us.
Every day was a difficult day. It was a day when I had to search through trash cans and beg to make a living.
“They are the children of my store.”
That’s when I met Cardi.
After releasing us who were caught by the guards while begging in the square, Cardi took us to his store.
“One of them is a magician who will reach great heights, and the other is blessed with the blessings of the stars. “These guys are talented enough.”
Cardi muttered that and gave us something to eat. He allowed one night’s rest. That night, Cardi hinted to me.
“The idea of begging in a place where there are a lot of people is a good idea. But, isn’t that all we can do to earn one day and live one day?”
He advised me.
“Unlike your friend, your talent has already blossomed. Someone will recognize your talent. So, don’t bow down to others carelessly. Lift your head up. Straighten your back. “Give strength to your shoulders.”
Be confident.
Cardi smiled as she said that.
“No one is interested in a person with his head bowed in shabby clothes. However, people are interested in a person who lives proudly despite his innate meanness. “Whether it is good or bad.”
He said with a smile.
“Show your talent proudly. “If there is a wizard there, he will definitely recognize your talent.”
I followed that advice.
From the next day, I stood in the square. Kyle no longer stood in the square and ran errands for Cardi… but I continued to go to the square.
I raised my head. She straightened her shoulders.
I raised my mana. Hoping someone will look at me. How many days have passed like that? I met someone in the square who recognized my talent.
my teacher
The elder of the Gray Magic Tower.
I, who was nothing, was taken by my teacher and became a wizard. If you think about it, it was all a coincidence.
I also met Cardi at the square.
I also followed Cardi’s advice.
That’s how I met my teacher.
It was all a coincidence. However, my will was clearly present in that coincidence. I didn’t let coincidence pass by just coincidence. So, I was able to seize the opportunity.
“Accident.”
A chance meeting and a chance opportunity.
“Maybe, inevitably.”
It must have been my job to make that inevitable.
I laughed inadvertently. By coincidence and coincidence, I am standing here. If you think about it, these are truly amazing things.
‘From a mere young child who lost his hometown…’
Now that I have come to know a history that no one else knew about. I smiled bitterly and sat down by the fountain in the square. I picture my life here, where my life as a wizard was decided.
I thought I was walking alone.
I thought it was a road no one had ever walked.
But, no.
In the distant past, there were people who walked the same path as me. There are people who were prouder than anyone else. They reached the end of the road before me, but what awaited them was failure, not success.
At the end of the road they lost everything.
Their journey failed.
However, there is no way that it will necessarily remain a failure.
It is up to those who walk the path they left behind to decide whether their journey will be a simple failure or a great cornerstone for the future.
‘So, I guess it’s up to me to decide.’
I walk the path they left behind.
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However, in a different direction from them.
That was my life…
“I hope our sacrifice was noble.”
These were the lives of those who died for me.
chin.
I stood up and walked away.
To prepare for the coming tomorrow.
2.
The guests who came were gone, and the noisy party was over. Cardi took a quick look around as she cleaned up the scraps of paper scattered everywhere.
“Um, uhm…”
Chloe fell asleep stretched out on the sofa. Belnoa is sleeping with a blanket on the floor. The two curled up in the corner of the narrow store and went to bed, but they didn’t seem particularly uncomfortable.
“Because you are like a parent to them.”
Cardi laughs bitterly at the sound that suddenly rings in her ears. Cardi took out another of her blankets, placed it over Chloe’s body, and returned to her seat.
The night was deep.
It’s late at night, but I can’t sleep.
Originally, the elf race sleeps a lot. They do not die even if they do not sleep, but for those who live an eternal life, life is excessively boring. However, Cardi has been different from other elves since ancient times.
I lived eternal life as if it were a fleeting life.
I studied while sleeping less and learned magic. That is why he was able to obtain the title of Grand Wizard. Likewise, Cardi was originally sleepless… but since that day hundreds of years ago, Cardi has stopped sleeping.
Because when I close my eyes, they come to mind.
Because I think back on the memories of such a brilliant time.
Because you will fall in love without even realizing it.
To him, sleep is poisoned wine. It’s sweet, but you can’t get out of it once you get drunk. That’s why Cardi didn’t sleep. She spent the night with her eyes open. From hundreds of years ago.
“······.”
Cardi wordlessly reached for the shelf.
This is a shelf where dust has not accumulated. There is a picture frame deep inside. It may seem like a blank photo to others, but not in Cardi’s eyes.
widely.
Cardi placed the picture frame on the table.
And then, I closed my eyes for a moment. Cardi recalls memories of her most beautiful days.
“You know, Cardi.”
A magic tower that will engrave all records.
Just before leaving for the Demon King’s domain, Cardi stopped by there with his colleagues. He recorded everything about his journey so far in the Magic Tower.
“How about we leave a picture?”
Just before leaving the Magic Tower, Gleria made such a suggestion. Like Gleria always, it was a rather unexpected suggestion. What did she say then?
“I already recorded everything, so is there really a need to take pictures? “I don’t think it’s necessary.”
I think it was said that way.
Then Gleria puffed out her cheeks and tapped Cardi’s chest with her fingers.
“That damn efficiency, efficiency! Regardless of whether you need it or not, just do it if you have to! Photos have their own emotions. Do I really need to explain this?”
Cardi didn’t understand that.
However, the remaining two seemed to understand Gleria’s words and tapped Cardi’s shoulder.
“Hahaha! okay. It would be a good idea to leave at least one photo. If I completely turn into a dragon, I won’t be able to enter this magic tower. Because the building will collapse. So, it would be nice if you could at least leave a picture for me to see.”
Belial, who was standing next to him, burst into cheerful laughter.
Ganicalt said as he cleaned his armor.
“One piece would be fine. I think it’s not a bad suggestion. “Let’s polish the armor a bit and then come back.”
Looking at them, Cardi shook his head and said, “This is why humans are.”
“Now, here’s Ganikalt! Belial here!”
A magic tower that resembles a church.
They stand one after another in the warm sunlight. He changes out of his tattered clothes, polishes his armor, and stands on stage looking his best. Cardi saw them from afar.
「Big, big. Hey, Ganichalt. Isn’t my face strange? “The dragon’s scales keep rising, so it looks a bit ugly.”
Belial asks, putting his arm on Ganicalt’s shoulder.
Ganicalt shrugs his shoulders and answers the question.
“You look tough. It’s not too bad because it emphasizes masculinity. So, look ahead carefully. “You and I both look like orcs in front of Cardi anyway.”
“You’re speaking harshly…”
“It’s not wrong.”
Ganicalt takes off his helmet and holds it in his hand. He smiled slightly as he looked at the shining recording circuit in front of him.
“Come on, Cardi.”
And Gleria.
“I’ll come quickly and wait for you.”
He grabs Cardi’s arm and goes up to the podium.
Then, she whispered in Cardi’s ear.
“Smile, Cardi.”
My past self.
At that time, I reluctantly smiled, thinking that humans really couldn’t understand. I think it was a clumsy laugh. Cardi opens her eyes, remembering the past.
“···is it.”
He looks at the photo in front of him.
Looking at photos of his most brilliant days, Cardi smiled bitterly. He was making a strange expression, wondering if he really was in the photo.
Although I didn’t understand it at the time.
Only now do I understand.
“That’s why I decided to take a picture.”
A time when I was more faithful to life than ever before.
The most brilliant era.
This is a photo I left without thinking it would be the last. Even after a long time, the photo did not fade.
Cardi looked at the photo for a while.
Sometimes, when I look at this photo, I feel lonely. Everyone left me. He was left alone. Left alone, he had to endure for hundreds of years. It was an extremely lonely time.
‘···but.’
I’m not as lonely now as I used to be.
Cardi sees children sleeping in the corner of the store. She sees Chloe, who resembles Gleria, and Belnoa, who is gifted with the same talent as Belial.
And, finally, I think of a wizard who stayed at this store during the day. Thinking of the wizard with whom he had shared a secret he had kept for hundreds of years… Cardi smiled faintly.
“He looks like me.”
Cardi muttered as she looked at the picture frame.
“They really looked alike.”
Is it a coincidence or is it inevitable?
That was probably good. Just, if it can get you to a place you couldn’t reach…what does it matter whether it’s coincidence or necessity?
It was a long, long night.
But that too comes to an end.
The sun rises, and tomorrow comes. Time continues to pass. It flows endlessly towards the next thing. Elves who have lived for thousands of years see the sunrise several times.
I miss you.
Cardi muttered and closed the picture frame.
