Return of the Back Alley Wizard Chapter 539

Episode 539. What more do you need?

……parting.

It leaves a mark on the human mind in one form or another. And that mark remains there forever, resurfacing whenever we forget, leaving a lasting impression on the mind.

Myselin knew how painful the process was.

That's why.

“Take this.”

“This is…….”

What Myselin gave to Chenvi was a round jewel the size of a child's fist.

"It's a spirit stone. If you steadily infuse it with magical power, you might be able to awaken Gaius someday."

“If you can wake me up, then….”

“I guess we can have a conversation.”

“……!”

You can have a conversation. So… … .

As Chenbi thought about that, Mycelin's voice rang in his ears.

"We have to wake Gaius before he completely falls into a deep sleep. Once he's gone, even the spirit stone won't be able to wake him."

“Oh, thank you…….”

"and."

“……?”

Chenbi tilted his head. Maiselin stared at him intently. Her gaze was so clear, as if it pierced through his very soul, but it wasn't long before her mouth opened.

“Think about whether waking Gaius up would be in your best interest.”

"yes?"

"If the spirit chose eternal rest rather than terminating the contract, there must be a reason. And I think I know why the child made that choice…"

“Why?”

“Right. Are you curious?”

It was a gentle voice. Chenbi gulped at the sound. Somehow, it felt like a box containing unpleasant truths. It felt like it was right before his eyes.

When you hear it, you feel like you're hoping Gaius won't wake up.

However, Chenbi did not turn away from uncomfortable stories that might be true.

“Can you tell me?”

"It's not hard to explain. But know this: What I'm about to tell you is nothing more than speculation. If you want the real reason, you'll have to wake Gaius."

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

"Yes. I'm guessing the reason Gaius wanted to go to eternal sleep was because of you."

“……Me?”

Myselin nodded.

“Yes, you.”

“What did I do wrong….”

"If I had done something wrong, I wouldn't have chosen eternal rest. I would have terminated the contract or… whatever. That's not it. Rather, I should say it was a choice for your own good."

“If it were my choice?”

"I heard you joined the Balfukaert Society. I heard the news. But, didn't you find it strange? It's not that your talents are lacking compared to theirs, or that you lack effort… but somehow, your results exceeded expectations."

"that……."

Chenbi went back in time. That is, when he had just joined the Balfukaert Society and was working as a research assistant.

At first, it was incredibly broken. My classmates were the same, but Chenbi was especially broken.

Of course, I wasn't discouraged. The scolding from my seniors wasn't as terrifying as Baharmut's Infernal. I just kept trying.

But, what should I say?

surely…….

‘… …It was easier than at the academy.’

Memorize formulas, memorize research.

To be honest, I think it's understandable that he's rated better than his peers. While they were friends from a prestigious academy on the continent, Chenbi's academy was the best on the eastern continent.

But, now that I think about it, it was strange that the achievements were so prominent in the magical and magical aspects.

Looking back, it was an accomplishment I could have easily dismissed as nothing significant. It was just… well, I guess I was just thinking, "I'm in good shape these days."

But, looking back, that is, thinking back on those coincidences, it was definitely strange.

“I guess so.”

“Yes, but how…….”

Maiselin looked at Chenbi and then flicked her hand. Thump… Two teacups floated from a corner of the room and were sucked into her hands.

“Look.”

Myselin poured water into a teacup. Soon, it was full.

“Can you hold more water?”

"no."

"It'll overflow. So, I ask you: Is it pointless to keep pouring water into it?"

"that……."

"It's not meaningless. The amount of water in the glass doesn't change, but the water inside circulates into new water. If you keep pouring, pouring, pouring, the existing water will disappear and completely new water will fill it."

"hmm."

Chenbi was convinced. The act of pouring water into a cup might seem meaningless, but considering the contents inside, it was a meaningful act.

Isn't this cycle the reason why the well doesn't rot?

But, there was a question.

"this……."

"What does it matter? Look. This vessel is you. It represents the extent of your talent. And the water is knowledge. Pouring water is pouring knowledge into it."

"……ah."

“But, look.”

Myselin picked up the glass next to her. An empty one in her left hand, a full one in her right.

Mycelin poured two glasses.

That was the moment.

Tsu, tsuzuzu―

Perhaps it was the application of psychic powers. The two cups, made of clay, were joined together. The water inside did not overflow.

So, Mycelin combined the two glasses to make another glass, and holding it out to Chenbi, she asked.

“What do you think?”

“……It’s gotten bigger.”

“It can now hold a little more water.”

"yes."

"It won't be a huge change. But even that small change is enough to change a person. Think about it. A person who used to run with a 100kg weight suddenly starts running with an 80kg weight. Wouldn't that be exciting? Running would become fun. Do you understand? What am I expecting? What am I trying to say?"

"……yes."

At this point, I couldn't help but understand.

So, this was Mycelium's prediction.

Is Gaius sacrificing himself to nurture Chenvi's talents? Is his eternal sleep intended to enrich Chenvi's life with his own power?

“Will you still wake me up?”

“…….”

"A single candle in broad daylight may be meaningless, but a single candle lit in the dark of night holds immense significance. And once you've tasted that light, it's hard to go back."

Gaius's help was like a candle lit in the pitch-black night for Chenvi. It was small, but it was by no means small help to Chenvi.

But, are you willing to give it up?

As she spoke, Myselin looked at Chenbi. It wasn't long before Chenbi's mouth opened.

"however……."

“Speak.”

“If I just wake him up with the spirit stone, will I be able to prevent Gaius from falling into eternal sleep?”

"……huh?"

Myselin tilted her head.

"You're saying that waking him up obviously prevents Gaius from entering eternal sleep. I'm wondering if simply waking him up will prevent him from entering eternal sleep."

"that……."

Mycelin was speechless.

One, that too is temporary.

Soon the mouth opened.

“That would be Gaius’s choice after he awakens.”

"ah……."

A disappointed sigh escaped.

To this, Myselin added calmly.

"You must have a breakup that you can understand. If you can't understand, then just don't break up."

"ah?"

"No spirit dislikes being with a spirit master. Unlike humans, these children find happiness simply by being with us. If they knew that, perhaps they could change Gaius's mind."

"ah!"

Chenbi smiled brightly and let out a gasp.

Talent? That doesn't mean anything.

When did you ever have talent?

What Chenbi needed was not a candle to light up the pitch-black darkness of the night, but a friend to walk through that darkness with.

“I hope you make a choice you won’t regret.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Chenbi bowed and expressed his gratitude. However, that was only temporary.

Drumroll―

Snoring coming from somewhere.

Myselin sighed deeply as she looked at Aster, who was sprawled out on one of the sofas.

“You have to take that kid with you.”

“Ah, ah, ah, yes.”

… … That was the moment when all preparations were complete.

What's left?

When everyone was ready and gathered at the entrance to the nest, Damian smiled brightly and shouted a slogan.

“Time to Trouble.”

Twinkle.

The moon shone.

* * *

Travel needs a purpose.

Tourism, recreation, gambling, smuggling, illegal immigration, and other miscellaneous purposes.

Naturally, this trip to Lortel had its own purpose, and broadly speaking, there were two purposes.

"First, why does Lortel want to join forces with Dekulan? We need to figure that out first. If there was a deal, what were the terms? If there was a mutual interest, what was the alignment?"

Aster's voice drifted softly against the crackling, blazing campfire. The faces of the people sitting before him resembled a reunion of Zenion Academy alumni.

Damian, Chenbi, Hickster… … The Zenion Academy trio and the non-human Shine and Wyvern.

For your information, Yongyong is recovering somewhere on the continent due to the shock he suffered from being hit by the Guardian during the Hamerun Forest.

To borrow the words of the Wyvern… … .

[Go, phew.]

It's a vacation.

anyway.

“Anyone have questions?”

Damian was the first to raise his hand.

"say."

“When are you going to prepare dinner?”

"……hungry?"

"little?"

“……Now that we’re done talking.”

"okay."

The next one to raise his hand was Chenbi.

“……Yeah, tell me.”

"No, I have something to tell Damian. I'll prepare dinner tonight. I've been eating nothing but stew for three days now."

“…….”

Aster was silent.

Damian smiled brightly.

“Then do you want to do it?”

“Yeah, I said I would do it?”

“Then, I want to eat meat.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

"good."

By the time meal duty was decided, it was Hickster who raised his hand next.

Aster glared at Hickster with a sharp gaze and asked a question.

“Are you hungry too?”

"no."

“Then what is it?”

If you ask me about food again, I'll drive a wrench into your brain. With that in mind, I waited for an answer, but thankfully, it wasn't about food.

But it wasn't a story that fit the topic.

“I heard you’re a great wizard. Is that true?”

“……f*ck.”

“I guess it’s true. Then, I… hmm, I… hmm, I heard that Damien also transcends. Is that true?”

"after."

“I see. But it looks like Chenbi is no pushover either.”

“Ahaha, that’s how it turned out.”

“I see.”

Hickster clenched his fist at Chenbi's laughter. It seemed to fuel his competitive spirit, but Aster sighed deeply at the sight.

What is this… … .

There's an important event coming up, and no one is interested in traveling.

Well then, I guess you could say that older people are different.

Shine raised her hand slightly.

“So, what are you going to do now that you know that?”

Of course, Shine. I wanted to ask this question.

Aster smiled with satisfaction, which in a way was the main point.

So, what do you do after you find out?

“I will catch the cow and put it on the head of the household.”

“……?”

Shine tilted her head.

“So, from the beginning, the terms of the transaction and the interests involved had nothing to do with it?”

"of course."

The reason for blowing up the Lortelle is actually simple.

First of all, because I touched the small tower.

and…….

Because I tried to join hands with Dekulan.

Besides, what other reason do you need?