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Episode 9
Purpose and Revenge (2)
The principle of “pathfinding” taught by Letemis was simple.
It involves shooting a mass of magical power in one direction, tracing its afterimage, and drawing a map in your head based on the path the magical power took.
It is easy to think of it as being similar to the principle of ultrasound commonly used by bats and dolphins.
[But let’s try a different method.]
Unlike the method of shooting a mass of magical power in one direction, it randomly disperses the magical power into small particles in various directions.
Using this method, Riley will be able to obtain more information through “Pathfinding”.
Could it be said that it is changing a map that was just a flat drawing into a specific 3D map?
Of course, this method was very difficult.
He had to track each and every particle of magical power he had shot out and even visualize it.
This means that in exchange for gaining more information, you need more technical skills and horsepower.
If other wizards heard this method, they would surely shake their heads.
He criticized it as a ridiculous method, saying it was only theoretically possible.
but…….
“… … I think I can do it.”
If it’s Riley.
If it’s Riley, who has the greatest affinity for mana than anyone else.
[Okay. Let’s give it a try.]
Sure, it might be possible.
Woohoo─.
Hwaak──!
As soon as I finished speaking, the magical powers within Riley’s body dispersed in all directions.
Formless particles began to spread out in all directions, competing with each other.
“Phew.”
[Focus. It’s just getting started.]
There was no time to take a deep breath.
Because from now on, the true “pathfinding” begins.
[Pour all your nerves into each and every particle of magic power.]
“… … .”
A particle that bounces off an object.
A particle that disappears without power.
And even the particles that extend forward without hesitation.
Woohoo─.
Riley, who had been watching all those particles, suddenly had her eyes wide open.
“ah.”
Traps, tricks, dead ends, and even the location of the warehouse where the treasures lie dormant.
“… … I can see it.”
A detailed map unfolded before her eyes.
* * *
After that, we passed through secret passages and encountered many forks in the road and traps.
Every time that happened, Riley used the “Pathfinding” she had learned from me, and when we finally arrived at the warehouse, we were able to find valuable artifacts and reagents.
[Well done.]
“is it so?”
[Yeah. It was really good for a first try.]
Is it because the affinity for mana is so great?
Riley’s learning ability was quite fast.
At this rate, it seemed like I could perfectly master “Pathfinding” within a year.
of course.
There were still some areas that needed improvement.
[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.]
It was a good first attempt, but it doesn’t mean that Riley’s “Pathfinding” was perfect.
She still needed more learning and training.
But even taking that into account, it seemed like Riley’s potential was something she could easily pull off.
[Okay, let’s just pack what we need.]
The types of artifacts and reagents were truly diverse.
I would have loved to have packed all of these, but unfortunately we just didn’t have the space.
I was afraid that if I took too much, I would get my tail stepped on.
So I picked out only the items in the warehouse that Riley could find useful.
After safely collecting our belongings from Retemis’ warehouse, we immediately boarded the ship.
* * *
Phew!
I could hear the roar of a ship’s horn. Ahead, I could see the sun setting across the horizon.
On the deck of a ship heading off the island to the archipelago.
There were several other passengers here, along with me and Riley.
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“You look happy.”
[huh.]
All the passengers had smiles on their faces.
They are extremely excited, as if they have just returned from a vacation.
There was nothing strange.
In the first place, the island of Retemis was open to all the people of the empire.
Except for the grounds of the Academy and some restricted areas, the people of the Empire were free to come and go from the island of Rethemis.
The island was also a great place for a vacation because its environment was so well developed.
Of course, from the cadets’ perspective, this island of Retemis would feel like hell, even though it is a vacation spot or something.
[anyway.]
I shook off my useless thoughts and muttered to myself.
[Now it’s time to say goodbye to this place.]
If we look at it narrowly, it was like I was stuck in the library for 300 years, but if we broaden the perspective a little, it was like I was actually stuck in this Rethemis for 300 years.
It was a new feeling to finally be free from this horrible place.
As I was lost in my own thoughts, the sky quickly darkened.
As the air grew colder, Riley and I went straight into the cabin.
A cozy bed.
There was a clock the size of a palm on the bedside table.
The hour and minute hands of the clock pointed to 11:58.
[… … .]
Suddenly, it occurred to me that it had only been a day since Riley and I had met.
Exactly last night.
At this exact time, Riley and I met.
Wow, so much has happened in one day.
So much has happened, yet only one day has passed.
It felt strange.
[by the way…….]
There was one thing I had to do.
I missed it because I was so absent-minded.
[Let’s just point out one thing.]
“yes.”
[What do you think is most important when learning magic?]
A very basic question.
Riley pondered my question for a moment and then answered in a calm voice.
“It’s the mindset to learn magic.”
That was the correct answer.
As expected of an academy student, it seemed like he had definitely learned the basic theories of magic.
[Yeah. That’s right.]
The mindset to learn magic.
It was a cliché, but absolutely unmissable story.
Those who dream of becoming a magician must have their own firm goal.
And it wasn’t just for reasons like improved achievement.
The devil in the heart.
Those without goals are destined to wander at some point.
Why on earth am I learning magic?
Do I really have a talent for magic?
If this period of wandering continues for a long time, the wizard will be consumed by the “spirit of the mind” and gradually become a useless person.
And finally… … .
Magicians who are completely swallowed up in the swamp of “Sim-ma” are unable to use any magic.
[To prevent such possible dangers, wizards must set their own firm goals.]
That is why, no matter how artificial the process may be, magicians always set their own goals to avoid being affected by “spiritual magic”.
[however.]
I paused for a moment and looked at Riley.
The venom I had seen last night was still in her eyes.
[Don’t you already have a solid goal?]
I’m guessing Riley already has a solid goal of her own.
The vicious venom in her eyes, and the fact that she came to find me last night, even at the risk of her life, while I was locked up in the library.
All of this, probably to achieve some kind of goal she has.
“… … .”
As expected, Riley flinched slightly at my question.
She moved her lips for a moment, then answered in a quiet voice.
“If I were to gain power through magic, there’s something I would like to accomplish.”
[hmm.]
Her voice was strangely trembling as she spoke.
I thought I knew why that trembled.
Anger.
A burning hostility towards something.
Since ancient times, those who sought to gain power through magic usually wanted only one thing.
[Revenge?]
“yes.”
Riley replied curtly.
She bit her lips tightly at the end of that dry answer.
“… … .”
[… … .]
A gesture that implies that further in-depth discussion is awkward.
I completely understand her behavior.
Telling others about the tragedy you’ve experienced isn’t a very pleasant thing.
Especially if it’s someone who had a dark childhood like Riley.
I took a deep breath and exhaled.
I wish I could ask more specifically about Riley’s revenge.
But if you think about it, it hasn’t even been a day since we met.
So now… … .
Perhaps, a line like this would be just right.
As I was thinking that, Riley, who had been keeping her mouth shut, spoke.
“wait a minute.”
[Huh? Why?]
“Will the Magic Book Master not tell you anything?”
[What?]
When I didn’t understand the point of the question at all, Riley explained it step by step.
“There must be a magician too. The purpose of raising a magician like me.”
[… … .]
It was an unexpected counter-question.
purpose.
My purpose is to raise a wizard.
There is no way it can’t exist.
The reason I raise a wizard.
The reason I teach them my magical knowledge without reserve.
There was a superficial reason that it was simply for fun, but I had a bigger purpose.
but…….
[What’s the big deal? I’m just doing it for fun.]
I had no intention of revealing the details of that complicated case here and now.
“… … Really?”
[huh.]
Riley still looked suspicious.
I continued speaking further.
[Think about it. What fun would there be in living off of a magic book? You’d just be living off the pleasure of raising a wizard.]
“Oh, right… … .”
Riley nodded, her expression somewhat convinced.
* * *
“Anyway, what are you going to do now?”
Riley asked.
Future plans.
As I said, we had many different ways and routes.
But right now, there was only one optimal path that came to my mind.
[Do you have the letter of recommendation the professor gave you back then?]
“Oh, yes.”
[Can you take it out for me?]
After hearing what I said, Riley opened her carrier and took out a letter from inside.
It was the letter of recommendation that the professor in charge had given Riley this morning.
Riley picked up the envelope and read the professor’s message written on it to me.
“It says ‘Recommendation from the Lantes Tower’.”
[… … .]
I was silent for a moment.
The Tower of Irantes.
It was a place I had never heard of or seen before.
If so, then this must mean that it is a new magic tower that was created during the 300 years that I was locked in the library.
[ha.]
I already had a bad feeling.
I wish you had recommended one of the five great magic towers of the empire, or at least one with a good reputation.
I really don’t understand why the professor in charge wrote a letter of recommendation for this rising star.
“Why are you like that?”
At that moment, Riley, who had discovered my true feelings through the power of bonding, asked me a question.
I tried to suppress my complicated feelings and answered her.
[Okay. Just don’t worry about the magic tower.]
“Huh? Why?”
[Why, why? Because there’s nothing to gain by going to a place like that.]
The reason we originally wanted to go to Matap was to build connections.
In order to ascend to the position of Grand Mage in the future, these connections were essential.
The rank of Grand Mage is not something you can reach through skill alone.
There had to be a political background too.
There was no better place to grow such a board than Matap.
But Irantes… …?
Even if I went to that baseless place, I would obviously be ignored by other people, let alone build connections.
And from the beginning, these new magic towers treated assistant positions quite poorly.
It is no exaggeration to say that they treat their assistants like unpaid slaves.
In other words, even if Riley went to a place like that, there was nothing to be gained.
[Let’s just think about starting from the beginning.]
I didn’t need a letter of recommendation or anything.
It seemed better for us to just build up our own track record and apply for a membership test at a suitable tier.
I guess I just received some pocket money from the professor in charge.
“Ugh, Master Magus.”
[huh?]
But Riley seemed to have different ideas than I did.
She continued with a puzzled expression.
“Isn’t the Lantes Tower one of the five great towers of the Empire?”
[… … ?]
What the hell is this?
* * *
It was dark outside.
Outside the window, I could see the calm night sea flowing gently.
Riley used the lamp as light to read a book about wizardry.
“Oh, here it is.”
Then she said, running her finger over one side of the book.
“To know about the Irantes Tower, you must first know the tower’s owner and founder, Jan Irantes.”
I looked at where Riley’s finger was pointing.
There was a black and white photo of an old man there.
Hunchback.
Wrinkles and dark spots underneath.
Cloudy, grayish eyes.
It may be a bit rude to say this, but he looked like he wouldn’t be at all surprised if he died of old age tomorrow.
It doesn’t look any different from a real corpse, no exaggeration.
[Why does this book include a portrait taken just before death? Why not include a portrait taken when it was slightly corrected?]
“That’s when it got fixed.”
[… … ?]
“Jan Lantes was 40 years old when that portrait was painted.”
[uh…….]
He’s 40 years old, but he looks like he’s 90.
You’re quite old.
[Did you pass away early?]
“You are still alive.”
[… … ?]
That doesn’t make sense.
[It says that this is a portrait painted 300 years ago.]
“Yes. But he is still alive.”
[… … .]
No, crazy.
So how many years is the lifespan?
Any half-elf would do.
“Of course not half-elf.”
[Well, there’s no way a half-elf could be that ugly.]
“… … Well, anyway, although he was only a high-ranking wizard, Jan Irantes is considered to have accomplished more than just being a great wizard.”
Riley continued.
“In fact, the academic society is still debating whether or not to give the title of Archmage to Jan Irantes. In fact, you can see that he has single-handedly raised the status of the Irantes Tower.”
[Hmm.]
I looked at the text written under Jan Irantes’ photo.
The achievements he left behind as a wizard. The circumstances and intentions behind his establishment of the Irantes Tower, etc.
After reading on and on for several minutes, I had no choice but to admit it.
I get the gist.
Jan Irantes, I think you know what a great wizard he is… … .
[… … But it still doesn’t make sense.]
“why?”
[No, that’s right.]
300 years.
It was exactly 300 years.
Of course, it was a time that could be said to be long.
To me, who was actually stuck on the bookshelf of the library, those years felt like an eternity.
But you know what?
This 300-year period was definitely not long enough to change the map of the Imperial Tower.
It was clear that something had happened that I didn’t know about.
Moreover, if Jan Lantes, who was only human, had continued to live during that long period of time… … .
[for a moment.]
At that very moment.
After reading the contents of the book that followed, I couldn’t help but freeze.
My mind went blank.
“Master Magic Book?”
[… … .]
I heard Riley’s voice, but I didn’t respond.
I tried to suppress my trembling heart and read the book again.
Thus, Jan Irantes was finally able to achieve the state of immortality that all mortals dream of.
A spell that allows you to continue living without becoming a lich or undead.
This is the lifelong dream of Martha Pargerich, one of the Empire’s great magicians and Jan Irantes’ teacher—
[… … .]
Jan Lantes.
The realm of immortality.
And his teacher, Marta Pargerich.
[… … Martha Pargerich.]
He left his mark on the history of magic and influenced the era in which he lived.
Even the children of ordinary nobles who do not walk the path of magic learn about achievements through history classes.
For hundreds of years, the great archmage whose mere presence elevated the status of the empire.
Marta Pargerich.
[Oh, just a moment… … .]
It was a name so familiar to me.
It was a name I knew very well.
That would be the case, because it was I, and no one else, who directly led her to the realm of the great wizard.
Because she was the last disciple I raised 300 years ago.
[… … .]
That’s why I knew Marta Pargerich so well.
I could honestly say that I knew her better than anyone else.
Martha Pargerich, Jan Lantes’ teacher and one of the Empire’s great magicians…
By the way,
As far as I remember.
Martha Pargerich never took on a disciple in her entire life.
[… … .]
Not even once.
