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Episode 65
Farewell and New Encounters (2)
Riley brought a cup of warm coffee and handed it to Olivia, who was sitting on the sofa.
Dalgrak─.
Olivia accepted the mug with steam rising from it, hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth.
“Hey, I hope I didn’t disturb your rest?”
“No, I was already bored.”
“Ah! Well, that’s fortunate!”
Olivia took a sip of her coffee, her expression looking much more relaxed.
Her fingers, visible above the mug, were fidgeting nonstop.
Riley, who had been watching her intently from across the sofa, spoke to me.
‘You seem strangely excited.’
[I know.]
Olivia was unusually excited today.
Should I say that for some reason my tension has risen?
And soon enough we were able to figure out why.
This is because Olivia had a flame-shaped badge symbolizing the “Yadon Gratan Red Tower” on her left chest.
[Oh, I passed the final exam.]
but.
Of course it would be like that since I was given the naming rights.
During the one-on-one interview, it seemed like the conversation went well with Yadon-Grattan’s Matapju.
thank god.
It was nice to see him unable to hold back his laughter and keep giggling.
More than anything, it was a new feeling to see Olivia so proud after always seeing her so depressed.
“Oh, it looks like Ms. Riley has entered the Tower of Irantes… …?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Oh, congratulations, hehe.”
Olivia congratulated Riley after seeing the pattern engraved on the back of her hand.
Well, Olivia continued to talk about miscellaneous things.
Most of the talk was about which applicants entered which tower.
Olivia, who finished her final exam first, was said to have been able to see the results of all the other candidates’ entrance exams.
This was quite useful information for us, who had not heard any news because the interview ended late.
“Mr. Arpel entered the Gaya-Violet Tower. Ms. Dorothy followed him.”
Arpel went to Gaya-Violet Tower.
Well, it suits you well.
Certainly, the “plant liquor” he used fit well with the elegance that Gaya-Violet pursued.
‘It seems that Ms. Dorothy followed Mr. Arpel to continue working together.’
[huh.]
The “Shadow Summoner” linkage that followed Arpel’s “Man-Eating Plant” was a rather difficult magic to deal with.
Of course, during the second test, it was the first time the two of us were working together, so our coordination was a little shaky… … .
If you continue to practice consistently, you will definitely be able to show much better synergy than you do now.
I’m looking forward to it.
I think a fun combo will be born soon.
“Miss Becky and Sir Theobald have entered the Tower of Eukria.”
“… … .”
“Um, and Pamela and Gilbert entered Dwight’s Tower. Unfortunately, Darin was eliminated.”
Becky and Garon Theobald are said to have entered Eucria.
Well, this was something I had already expected, so I wasn’t particularly moved.
Pamela, being an authoritative Pathfinder in Wilhelm, would have naturally passed the final exam.
[… … But how on earth did that scarecrow Gilbert get attached to?]
Last time I saw you sparring with Riley, her fighting sense was completely messed up.
I don’t know how a kid like that caught Dwight Mattop’s eye.
‘I think it was chosen because it’s useful for utility even though its combat ability isn’t that great.’
[Is that so?]
‘Yes. I heard at the last dinner that your ‘Pathfinding’ ability surpasses even Pamela’s.’
Oh, right.
That’s what it was.
Suddenly, I began to vaguely recall Pamela bragging about her disciple.
-This is Gilbert Winifred. She is my beloved disciple.
-This guy also found almost all of the golden golems that were in the ruins. Hahaha!
okay.
Come to think of it, that Gilbert guy was a crazy guy who found the core we threw off the cliff in 10 minutes.
Even though his fighting sense may be miserable, there was no denying that his affinity for mana was outstanding.
Looking at Dwight Matap’s picks for two Pathfinding-specialized wizards, it seems like he’s probably going to use this opportunity to strengthen his utility side.
[Well, not a bad choice.]
I looked at Olivia, muttering to myself like that.
She continued to wiggle her fingers, then opened her trembling mouth in a bright voice.
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“And then I entered the Yadon-Grattan Tower… …!”
“Wow, really?”
We already knew this fact from the badge on Olivia’s chest, but we pretended not to know and congratulated her.
I don’t have anything to give, but I can at least give you a little something to cheer you up.
“Congratulations. The Yadon-Grattan Tower certainly suits you well, Miss Olivia.”
“Heh, heh heh… … .”
Olivia scratched the back of her head with an awkward smile.
An awkward silence began to fall again as she closed her mouth and sipped her coffee.
There was silence for a while.
Olivia’s lips quivered periodically. It seemed as if she wanted to say something more.
We waited quietly until her mouth opened first.
How much time has passed like that?
Dalgrak─.
Finally, Olivia put down her empty mug and looked at Riley. Then she began to speak to him in a firm voice that was unusual for her.
“Thank you so much, Ms. Riley.”
“… … .”
“If it weren’t for Ms. Riley, I would never have passed the screening test.”
She continued speaking slowly.
“No, even if I didn’t pass the selection test, I would have lived my whole life without meaning.”
“… … .”
“As Becky said, I would have lived a life worse than that of a sorcerer in the market place. I would have been ignored by people all the time, desperately pursuing my research into ancient magic that might never be successful.”
Olivia let out a snicker.
“Hehe, even in that time, you must have consoled yourself by saying that you know how to use torture magic with a cooldown of a month.”
A fool who chases illusions, a fool who indulges in myths, a dreamer who is lost in romanticism.
That was the label that had followed Olivia through her life so far.
Having been pointed at by others her entire life, it would have been natural for her to feel intimidated.
Am I really on the right path? Is ancient magic really real? Have I been chasing an illusion like others say?
These questions must have plagued Olivia endlessly.
At that moment.
Riley taught her the last verse of ancient magic, the “Initiating Words”, and this changed Olivia’s life 180 degrees.
-So the Great Mother of Magic commands… … .
-Burn, flame.
Just one demonstration.
But that alone was enough.
Just knowing that the path she had walked was not in vain allowed Olivia to find meaning in life again.
“I won’t ask you any more questions about how you knew the ‘starter word,’ Miss Riley. We made a promise.”
“… … .”
“Just remember one thing.”
Swish.
Olivia looked up.
“I will continue to steadily research ancient magic in the future.”
“… … .”
“I’m going to unlock more spells based on the ‘starting words’ that Mr. Riley taught me.”
Her expression showed a strong determination.
“As I gain access to more magic, my reputation will continue to grow. The status of my school of Blaze Arcane and the Yadon-Grattan Tower will also increase.”
Of course.
Ancient magic lost to the storms of time.
If Olivia succeeds in restoring the legend that was once considered a myth, she will certainly gain much fame.
“So that someday, when I can proudly function as a wizard… … .”
“… … .”
“I, I will definitely help you, Ms. Riley.”
After saying that, Olivia closed her mouth tightly and slowly lowered her head.
She began to cough in vain, perhaps feeling belatedly embarrassed at having said such things.
But despite Olivia’s embarrassed appearance, her sincerity was clearly conveyed.
“Thank you, Olivia.”
It was a short answer, but it was enough.
Olivia also nodded at Riley with a bright expression.
“yes!”
A kid who is always timid can make that kind of expression.
I felt a sense of satisfaction.
After quietly staring at Olivia’s face, I turned to Riley and spoke.
[Riley.]
‘yes?’
[Remember what Olivia just said.]
That kid will definitely be a great help to us.
My intuition was telling me so.
And as I always say, my intuition is almost never wrong.
“… … .”
Dalgrak─.
Riley took a sip of her coffee after hearing what I said.
A faint smile hung on her lips, hidden behind the mug.
‘Yes, I will definitely remember that.’
* * *
The next morning.
We left our hotel room as soon as the sun rose.
Since it took a long time to reach the destination, we had no choice but to hurry as much as possible.
‘Should I also pack some beef jerky?’
[Yeah. And the dry crackers there too.]
I bought some dry food for the long trip at the shop inside the hotel.
I didn’t forget to stop by the general store to pick up some essential items.
“Yes, Riley. You have completed the checkout. As a benefit for those who are taking the screening test, all expenses have been waived. Thank you.”
Check-out was also completed quickly.
‘That’s too bad. The room service ice cream here was really delicious.’
[You can come again next time, okay?]
Riley seemed to regret not being able to stay longer at the hotel.
But I didn’t really complain about it anymore.
That’s understandable, since we only had two weeks left.
[Come on, let’s hurry up and hurry.]
‘yes.’
At that moment, Riley and I were about to leave the Stingwood Grand Hotel after completing all the preparations.
“Oh, Riley.”
Right then.
A familiar voice comes from the hotel lobby.
Swish─.
As we turned our gaze behind us, we could see two wizards sitting amicably in the lounge.
It was Garon Theobald and Becky.
“I see you finished your exam safely.”
“Oh, yes.”
“I was worried because the test didn’t end until late at night, but fortunately, nothing happened.”
Becky, who was standing next to him, immediately chimed in.
“Don’t feel too bad, Riley. I was going to wait for you until the end. I would have kept waiting if that damned general manager hadn’t forced us out.”
“… … The general manager forced Becky out?”
“huh.”
Becky nodded and continued.
“I thought your exam would be late, so I was just going to send you away. But I stuck with it until the end. I had to make sure you got out safely.”
“… … .”
“But when she snapped her fingers… … . I was suddenly in the middle of Wilhelm Alley? The management building was gone.”
The other candidates were said to have gone home because they were tired of waiting, but in fact, it seemed that Isabella had sent them all out.
I don’t know why.
Did you just want to talk to Riley alone?
I’ll have to ask him why later when we meet at the rooftop.
“But what are you doing just standing there blankly?”
“……yes?”
“Come quickly and sit with me.”
Becky said, tapping the seat next to her.
It seems like he wants to talk to us more.
But Riley had no choice but to shake her head and decline her offer.
“I’m sorry. Something urgent has come up.”
“Oh my, tsk.”
Becky clicked her tongue and got up from her seat.
“What’s the rush? The final exams are over, so I can rest for a day or so.”
“… … .”
“Okay, come on, follow me… … .”
That was when.
“……uh?”
Becky stopped talking as she grabbed Riley’s hand.
Her expression distorted momentarily as she witnessed something.
“You, you… … .”
Swish─.
Becky glares at Riley with a shocked expression.
She slowly raised the hand she was holding.
Then, the “Pledge of Allegiance” tattooed on the back of Riley’s left hand was clearly revealed.
“You, you, you, now… … .”
Becky, who had been unable to speak for a while, muttered in a voice full of betrayal.
“… … How are you still okay after signing the “Oath of Loyalty”?”
