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Episode 19
City of Wizards (4)
okay.
Something felt strange.
It’s not on the map, and it’s not easy to find the location even with Riley’s “Pathfinding”, and there are as many as ten buildings that are presumed to be management offices.
[… … .]
It turns out this whole thing was just a test.
A secret test that unfolds without the test takers even realizing it.
[… … As expected from the 5 great magic towers.]
Even when you go to register for the exam, you have to prove your qualifications.
A hollow laugh escaped me.
Even after 300 years, the infamous test remains as difficult as ever.
[Well, at least I passed.]
Having successfully completed the first gate, we officially applied for the “selection test.”
Only after providing proof of identity and various documents along with a letter of recommendation from Rethemis, were we able to complete all the procedures.
Woof─.
As Riley left the building, there was a badge engraved on the back of her hand proving that she was a candidate for the screening test.
A blue inverted pentagram.
It was exactly the same shape as the magic circle that had been used as a medium for all of Wilhelm.
According to the explanation from the wizard who took on the role of administrator, if you present this certificate at any designated facility, you can use all services for free.
This was a special privilege for applicants who passed the first stage.
“Here, take this too.”
Swish─.
We were given a list of various inns, restaurants, libraries, etc.
There is one week left until the next screening test.
The manager added that residents should get plenty of rest while using the facilities.
“Oh, right. And Ms. Riley.”
As we were about to leave the screening test management office with Riley, a smiling manager stopped us with a soft voice.
“Please avoid conflicts with other test takers as much as possible until the next test.”
“… … .”
[… … .]
At those words, Riley nodded and left the building.
* * *
‘But somehow you passed the first gate?’
[I know.]
‘It seemed too easy for the first test.’
It was just as Riley said.
Although it might be a hassle to visit each of the ten buildings, it was by no means a difficult task.
But that’s something only Riley, who is good at “Pathfinding”, can say.
For other wizards, this ‘finding a management office’ will feel like absolute hell.
According to the administrator, the “Selection Test Management Office” appears last only after all nine points have been found.
therefore…….
What this means is that the nine buildings we failed to apply for could be the administrative offices of someone else, and conversely, the buildings that were the administrative offices of us could be empty buildings of other applicants.
A magic that transforms the 10th building you visit into the management office.
It was bound to be quite tricky.
There, within the giant magic circle called Wilhelm, you have to overcome all kinds of obstacles, track down nine locations, and only then find the final management office… … .
[… … Phew.]
I can confidently say that if it weren’t for the special “pathfinding” I developed for Riley, we would have had a hard time.
I thought it was fortunate that I had learned this technique in advance.
‘By the way, what was that?’
[what.]
‘I’m telling you to avoid conflicts with other candidates.’
[Oh, that.]
I guess what the manager said to Riley just before she left the building bothered her.
[It’s nothing.]
Occasionally, there are guys like that.
Those who pick fights without thinking to find out the level of other test takers before the test.
Perhaps the management issued the warning to prevent such guys from causing trouble in Wilhelm.
‘I guess it has nothing to do with me.’
[No.]
You never know.
There might be some who ignore the manager’s warning and try to pick a fight with Riley.
as soon as.
Just like now.
Stop─.
“… …Master Magic Book.”
[Yeah. I know.]
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Riley’s body froze.
Her eyes began to wander sharply around her surroundings.
A street where many people pass by.
In the middle of that crowded street, Riley was the only one standing there blankly.
‘Can you feel it?’
[uh.]
I felt it too.
A sharp aura directed at Riley.
The two of us couldn’t help but raise our guard to the max in the face of that murderous, magical feast.
‘It’s a familiar magic. It’s the magic I felt from the corpse I saw while riding in the carriage.’
The corpses I saw on the way to Wilhelm.
The guy who is spewing life into us is definitely the one who created that corpse.
That would be the case, since these two magical powers had very similar energies.
Woof─.
Riley began to use her magic to track her opponent’s life force. Another application of “Pathfinding.”
She gave up sight through her eyes and looked at the world using only magic.
Riley, who is scattering her surroundings with her keen senses.
Soon she was able to pinpoint the location of the person who had sent her the message.
‘… … There it is.’
Riley turned her head quickly and looked behind her.
As expected.
From a distance, a person could be seen facing Riley.
I couldn’t see his face very well because he was wearing a robe, but it was definitely him.
Because right now, the only people standing still in this crowded street were Riley and that guy.
“… … .”
“… … .”
A street with many people coming and going.
The confrontation between the stranger and Riley began.
‘What should I do?’
[What do you think when you see it? Do you think you can win?]
‘of course.’
[Then wait. Prepare your defenses as best as you can.]
You shouldn’t approach it rashly.
Originally, the most important factor in battle was ‘distance’.
The length of your arm, the length of your weapon, the distance between you and the enemy, etc. You have to measure the distance by taking all of these factors into consideration.
Avoid the opponent’s attacks. Hit your own attacks. In battle, distance is what determines all offense and defense.
But when magic comes into play, the story changes.
In combat between wizards, this concept of ‘distance’ becomes useless.
The weapon of wizards is magic. And this magic is the source of energy that is evenly distributed throughout the world.
What this means is… … .
The magicians’ attack range was virtually indiscriminate, completely ignoring distance restrictions.
Looking at it this way, it seems like there is no distance restriction in the fight between wizards, but that is why you should not move recklessly.
Because you never know when or where your opponent’s attack will strike.
Hwaaaa …
For a moment, I felt a vortex of magical power.
Just to the left of Riley’s head.
About a span away from her ear.
A magic bullet the size of a grain of rice flew towards her at a terrifying speed.
Peeing─!
No matter how good Riley’s kinetic vision was, she wasn’t a superhuman who could instantly spot an attack coming from outside her blind spot.
Riley, who realized the attack too late, racked her brain to figure out a way to deal with it.
‘… Dispel?’
no.
The odds of failure are too great.
Before it could destroy the incoming magic, that magic bullet would first pass through Riley’s brain.
‘If you bow your head and avoid it… … .’
It’s already too late.
The speed of the magic bullet was fast. The tip of the bullet was already touching Riley’s temple.
Even if she bows her head now, the attack will dig into Riley’s head, ripping apart her skull.
‘then…….’
There is only one way left.
‘… … I guess I’ll have to give up my flesh and take my bones.’
A technique that Riley used a lot when she was active in the Thieves’ Guild.
Woof─.
Through a brief calculation in her own world, Riley began casting two spells simultaneously.
Dual-Casting.
The two spells that unfolded simultaneously called forth mana. And these particles of pure energy became magical power, forming two types of magic.
Woof, woof─.
One is defensive magic.
Create a barrier of magical energy around Riley’s left temple.
Of course, it will be torn apart by the magic bullet right away, but that’s okay. It’s just a matter of buying a little bit of time. That’s the purpose of casting the magic in the first place.
During the split second that the magic bullet met the barrier, Riley had enough time to take evasive action.
Now that the urgent fire has been put out, it’s time to deploy offensive magic.
The method is always the same, “Magic Missile”.
Although it was stupidly fast, there was no other attack method that was as effective.
A surprise attack that catches the opponent off guard, assuming Riley will only defend herself.
The opponent, taken aback by this, will either die or clumsily block the attack.
In the former case, the situation ends as is.
In the latter case, you can immediately prepare a follow-up attack.
No matter what happened, it wasn’t a disadvantage for Riley.
So where would be a good place to launch this attack?
With that thought in mind, Riley examined the other person’s body and tried to finish casting “Magic Missile”.
‘uh……?’
But at that very moment.
Her eyes couldn’t help but widen in shock.
‘……doesn’t exist?’
There was no space to attack.
The opponent’s entire body was surrounded by a barrier made of magical power.
Riley’s hastily constructed “Magic Missile” would be useless against that solid defense.
‘this……!’
Realizing this fact, Riley immediately canceled the casting of the attack magic and lowered her head.
An attack that won’t work anyway.
Riley boldly gave up on the “Magic Missile” and focused solely on her evasion.
But the evasive maneuver was a beat slower.
Crunch──!
A fingernail-sized piece of flesh fell from Riley’s temple. A bullet made of magical energy pierced through the tiny hole and burrowed into Riley’s skull.
‘……uh?’
Blood bursting out.
And the terrible pain.
That was the end of it.
Riley’s vision darkened.
dump!
death.
Eternal rest.
Riley’s body, which had become a cold corpse in an instant, was left rolling around on the street─
“─Ugh!”
Riley, back in reality, looked around in confusion.
“Kekeke, gulp…!”
A peaceful street.
There was no trace of battle anywhere.
People were walking down Wilhelm Street as if nothing had happened.
Only Riley was left frantically scanning her surroundings with shocked eyes.
“Wh, what… … .”
Riley looks confused.
She muttered in a trembling voice.
Then one person answered her monologue.
“Oh, that?”
“… … .”
“It’s a battle that took place in your mind.”
Battle of the mind.
A simulation that occurs in an extremely immersive state.
A delusion that is formed in the process of sensing the other person’s life force, pursuing it, discovering the other person, and thinking about how to respond.
“By the way, you… … .”
“… … .”
A thin, ticklish voice.
The stranger who had walked up to Riley before she knew it took off the hood he was wearing.
Jet-black hair that reaches down to his waist.
And dreamy purple eyes.
She, who boasted a beautiful appearance that immediately caught the attention of people passing by, slowly opened her mouth towards Riley.
With a very bright smile.
“… … You just saw death?”
“… … .”
I looked closely at the wizard who said that.
On the back of her hand was a tattoo of an inverted pentagram, just like Riley’s.
[… … .]
Oh, yeah.
He’s also a candidate for the selection test.
This guy has already passed the first test.
[Riley.]
“… … .”
[be careful.]
I warned Riley.
Why was that wizard blatantly spewing murderous intent at Riley?
It’s simple.
It was clear that he had just met another candidate for the same selection test as himself and was trying to gauge his skills for fun.
[… … It seems like the administrator’s warning to avoid collisions fell on deaf ears.]
If another wizard had done that… .
well.
Just think of it as rudeness out of curiosity and let it go.
But that person is different.
Because he’s a murderous maniac who committed terrible massacres.
Even if the bandits attacked first, the scene is not justified.
Corpses mutilated in all sorts of disgusting ways. If self-defense was the goal, there would have been cleaner ways to deal with the bandits.
The gruesome scene could only be explained as the traces left behind by a madman who enjoyed killing.
Since ancient times, there has never been a sane person among those who have used magic as a tool of murder.
This is especially true for wizards who exude a murderous aura at first sight.
So I can guarantee you that.
We have to stay away from that guy.
[Riley, watch out for that kid.]
“… … .”
[Because he seems like a truly vicious, murderous maniac.]
* * *
“Is it delicious? Is it delicious?”
“Mmm, yes, it’s delicious.”
“I knew it. This is the best restaurant in Wilhelm. Even the tower lords of the five great towers eat here after they finish supervising the selection test.”
“Um, um, ugh… … .”
“Ah, you don’t have to answer. Just enjoy your meal. I’ll buy everything.”
Riley answered, swallowing her food.
“… … Really? You’re saying you’re going to buy everything?”
“Of course. I was rude, so shouldn’t I repay you for it? Eat as much as you want.”
Riley smiled happily.
‘I like this person.’
[… … .]
‘There are no bad people among those who buy delicious food.’
no.
a little.
I told you not to be friendly with me.
