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Episode 30
Screening Test (5)
Half a year ago.
When Riley first succeeded in “Pathfinding,” there was one thing I said to her.
-You did really well… …. But it won’t be as easy as it is now in dungeons or magical areas. Keep that in mind.
-why?
-Usually, there is magic distortion in such places. The magic power won’t flow straight like it does now.
‘… So that’s what it meant.’
Riley muttered, looking around with a stern expression.
Historic site.
A dangerous dungeon where even the slightest carelessness can cost you your life.
In this giants’ palace, which took the form of a labyrinth, a truly powerful magical distortion was placed.
In fact, it felt dozens of times more intense than the disturbances surrounding Richie’s hideout.
‘Are all dungeons like this? It’s incredibly difficult to spread magic power.’
[This place is special.]
The ruins are among the most dangerous dungeons among the many.
Accordingly, the difficulty of the strategy is also high.
[… … But even so, this is a bit too much.]
I looked around slowly.
All sorts of magical interference and cognitive impairment were present.
As the name suggests, it is a ‘historic site’, so it is quite old, and it contains a lot of ancient magic that has been forgotten by modern magicians.
All devices are designed to prevent the explorer from finding his way.
There are only a few that are difficult to destroy one by one.
Naturally, in this situation, it was nearly impossible to easily develop pathfinding.
[… … .]
of course.
This only applies to general cases.
And as I’ve said countless times, Riley and I are already way beyond the ‘normal’ category.
[So how much longer do you think it will take to unfold Pathfinding?]
‘If you can’t do it, it takes 5 minutes, if you’re quick, it takes 3 minutes.’
Even if you can’t do it, 5 minutes.
They say it’ll be as quick as 3 minutes.
[… … Amazing?]
I smiled to myself.
Magic interference? Perception impairment? Ancient sorcery?
It doesn’t matter. We can get through them all.
[good.]
So while Riley goes about destroying the ruins’ sabotage, I’ll just watch the other kids?
With that thought in mind, I turned my gaze to the other members of the group.
“Oh, really! Why not… …!”
At that moment, Becky’s irritated voice could be heard from beside me. She was messing with her hair.
“Whoa! Ah, seriously, this is fucking crazy! Why isn’t my magic power expanding like this!”
[… … .]
You must be really pissed.
but.
Having your magical power expansion limited was like losing one of your senses as a wizard.
To put it simply, it’s like covering the eyes of a healthy person.
So, I can’t help but get annoyed.
“Khhhhhh, f*ck! I’m so stressed out!”
[… … .]
It’s not because she’s Becky. If magic power expansion was limited, other wizards would act like that.
Well, even if you don’t go as far as swearing openly, wouldn’t you be more sensitive than usual?
At least that’s what happened to all the disciples I raised.
Except Riley.
“hey.”
“……yes yes?”
Suddenly Becky called Olivia in a quiet voice.
“Can’t you think of a good way? I need to find the golden golem, but I can’t use Pathfinding. So what should I do?”
“Uh, uh uh… … .”
Olivia thought about it for a moment and then answered in a dejected voice.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I don’t know of any ancient magic that would help… … .”
“What? You can’t even use basic pathfinding magic? How about pathfinding? You can’t even do pathfinding?”
“……yes.”
Olivia nodded weakly.
“You said earlier that you have no combat experience at all? Then shouldn’t you be of help in this kind of useful area?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
“Haa, what on earth can you do?”
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“Well, I’m pretty good at ancient magic.”
“No, but I heard that among the ancient magics you are so good at, there is no magic that allows you to find your way.”
“… … .”
Olivia looked as if she was about to burst into tears at the continued questioning, but Becky ignored her and snapped at her.
“So you’re saying you’re useless now? Right?”
“Uh, um… … .”
Olivia’s shoulders slumped.
“……yes.”
Becky glared at Olivia with a pitiful expression.
“Hey. Raise one hand for a second.”
“… … ?”
Olivia raised her hand hesitantly.
“Good job. But you still listen well.”
“Go, thank you. But why are you suddenly asking me to raise my hand… .”
“Yeah. Now hit your head hard with that hand.”
Olivia became even more upset.
She banged her head with slow, slow movements.
[… … He’s asking me to do that again.]
When I look at those two, my eyes go dark.
The team’s future is already worrying as it has been creaking from the beginning.
Still, well… … .
Judging by the fact that the banter continues without a break, it seems like they are secretly in sync with each other.
It’s fortunate that the worst has been avoided. No matter what I do, it’s a hundred times better than that murderous maniac running wild.
“Ah! That’s right, Becky.”
Did any good ideas just come to mind?
Olivia called Becky in a much brighter voice.
“Why? What is it now?”
“Father, can’t I use a clone?”
“……what?”
“Just like Miss Becky did in the first test, you can just scatter the clones around the ruins. If you use the clones to search for the golden golem, you won’t even need to use Pathfinding!”
Becky passed the first test in 4 hours.
This was already a widely spread rumor among the candidates. We also heard it last night through Garon Theobald.
Did you summon 20 clones and wreak havoc throughout Wilhelm?
Anyway, it was very Becky-like behavior.
Who else would do something like that if not him?
I guarantee you that no one has passed the first test in a more unusual way than that guy.
“Oh, what do you think? Why don’t we use the clones to find the golden golem?”
“… … .”
by the way.
Back to Olivia’s words… … .
okay.
That idea also had some merit.
If you use numerous clones to explore the ruins, it will only be a matter of time before you find the Golden Golem.
Pathfinding once again allows for extensive exploration in confined spaces.
It was a perfect plan, at least in theory.
At least in theory.
[He’s surprisingly clueless.]
Unfortunately, there was one thing Olivia overlooked.
Perhaps it was a mistake that occurred because she didn’t know much about the magic system called “Clone.”
“hey.”
“yes?”
“Ha, no. Now, look.”
Becky, unable to stand watching, started a simple demonstration for Olivia.
Woof─.
A stream of flashing magic power.
At the same time, there were two Beckies.
Clone.
A perfect clone was formed that was completely indistinguishable from the main body.
“So, this guy is my clone?”
Becky on the right continued, pointing to Becky on the left.
“Let’s say we send these guys to various places in the ruins like you said.”
“… … .”
“Yes. I’m sure I’ll be able to get a lot of information. Since they share the same vision and senses as me, it’s basically like having my own “surveillance crystals” placed all over the ruins.”
Becky took a moment to catch her breath and continued speaking.
“But there is something.”
Crunch─!
It happened in an instant.
Becky’s magically charged fingertips stabbed the neck of the clone next to her.
pop!
As soon as the sword struck the vital point, the clone disappeared without a trace with a ‘bang!’ sound.
“That’s only if my clone is still alive and well.”
“… … .”
“If they die, it’ll all be for nothing. My precious magic power will just be wasted.”
It takes a tremendous amount of magical power to operate a clone.
And when the clone is destroyed, even more magical power is lost.
This meant that every time one of her clones died, Becky would lose a tremendous amount of magical power.
“Now, let’s say all of my clones die and my magic power runs out.”
“… … .”
“But what if you encounter enemies in that situation? What if you encounter monsters? What if you encounter other candidates?”
Becky continued talking.
“Besides, the only people on our team who can fight are me and Riley. But in this situation, is there really a reason to use clones while taking on so many risks? Even if it’s just to find the golden golem?”
“… … .”
“If you act carelessly, you’ll die?”
Yes, that’s right.
The first test was held in Wilhelm.
It was a safe place for Becky to operate her clone without any risk.
It wasn’t a place where traps would pop up at any moment, there were no monsters eyeing human flesh, and there were no guardians protecting the ruins.
Even if Becky’s 20 clones were to run around in all directions at will, there was no entity that could destroy them.
But this historic site is different.
“There are traps everywhere. Can I destroy them all while operating dozens of clones? No. I can’t.”
“… … .”
“Some clones will encounter monsters. Can I deal with them all? No. I can’t. What about other dangers? Same thing. I can’t.”
“… … .”
A place where all sorts of dangers lurk. A place where it is too risky to operate a clone with confidence.
“Do you understand now? Why can’t I use my clones for reconnaissance?”
“……yes yes.”
That’s why Olivia’s idea can’t be put into action.
“ha…….”
After finishing her explanation, Becky let out a deep sigh as if she was tired.
She turned her gaze towards us.
“Hey, Riley. Don’t you have a good idea? I’m already sick and tired of that idiot, and what are you doing there…?”
“It’s all done.”
Becky frowned when she heard that.
“……what?”
“It’s all done.”
“What are you talking about… … .”
Woof─.
“… … Huh, huh?”
As soon as Riley finished speaking, a flash of pure white magic occurred.
At the same time, Becky’s mouth dropped open.
Hwaaaaak─!
Riley’s magical power stretched out in front of the ruins. At the same time, a detailed topographical map began to slowly be drawn in the air using the magical power as a brush.
It felt as if I was seeing through the overall blueprint of the site.
Just like a mini-map in a game, detailed information about each terrain feature began to appear visually.
[oh…….]
‘It’s developed a lot, hasn’t it?’
[Yeah. How did your skills improve so much in just a few days?]
Compared to last time, it was a considerably advanced pathfinding.
I couldn’t help but be amazed at the impressive growth.
Of course, I wasn’t the only one who was surprised.
Becky, who was standing next to me, muttered with a blank expression.
“What, what is this… … ?”
“This is pathfinding.”
Becky looked at Riley with bewildered eyes.
“This isn’t the Pathfinding I knew?”
“Anyway, it’s Pathfinding.”
“… … .”
what.
That’s what they say.
* * *
Becky, who was walking along Pathfinder’s guidance, let out a soft exclamation of admiration.
“… … This is really a scam.”
okay.
This magic is not just simple pathfinding.
This is a spell we have been constantly revising for the past six months.
Pathfinding’s technique has been torn down and modified so many times that it is now difficult to recognize its original form.
At this point, wouldn’t it be more correct to call it a completely different magic?
Hmm.
Okay, then I guess it would be a good idea to give this spell a new name or something.
[Hey, Riley.]
‘yes?’
[Are you good at naming?]
‘No need to say more.’
Riley said confidently.
‘When I was in the Thieves Guild, I named all the skills. The guild members all liked it.’
[okay?]
It seems like you’re quite good at naming things.
Should I ask him to name a spell for me?
[Would you like to give it a try?]
‘All right.’
Riley’s eyes turned serious.
‘Isn’t this spell essentially a higher-level version of Pathfinding?’
[yes.]
‘So, I think we should keep the existing name “Pathfinding” and just make some changes to it.’
[oh.]
It’s quite professional.
[So, do you have a name in mind?]
‘of course.’
[What is it?]
Riley took a deep breath and began to spout a long list of names.
‘Riley Ryu Ultra Super Mega Arc Pathfinder… … .’
[No, that’s not true.]
I cut Riley off, appalled.
Then she immediately asked back.
‘Yes? Why? It’s a cool name.’
[ha…….]
It’s my fault for trusting him.
‘That’s strange. Everyone in the Thieves Guild used to like names like that.’
[… … .]
That’s because they are fools.
