Variable- 「The truth of the novel」 (1)
that evening.
I lay on the bed and wiggled my fingers. The knuckles, like those of some corn, moved agilely.
Most of the paralyzing ingredients spread throughout the body have been detoxified. As expected, Leonard’s resilience was beyond expectations.
At this rate of recovery, daily life seemed possible tomorrow morning. The body’s reaction rate is getting faster. Did the digestion speed increase at the same time?
As the sun set, it slowly began to fade.
growl-
There was a loud noise from the ship. The empty stomach was exceptionally empty. The dinner at the hospital, which I had refused a little while ago, lingered in my mind.
I refused because Narsha said she would stop by in the evening, but when the hell is she coming?
It was the time when I was lying in a daze waiting for Narsha, no, for dinner.
belt ring-
With a familiar notification sound, a quest window floated in the air.
[Main Quest – Warlock Subjugation Support Mission]
Category: Required
Clear condition: Move to a continent outside the continent and complete the assigned mission.
Reward: 500 points
Status: Incomplete
It was a quest related to the warlock subjugation.
In the end, it was decided to call up immediately as in the original story. If so, the academy seasonal semester will continue as the original.
As expected… I’ll have to buy that attribute.
belt ring-
Invested 2000 points to purchase a trait. It was a necessary characteristic to respond to this handshake.
A subjugation mission that lasted approximately 3 nights and 4 days.
Because I have to prevent the affair that will happen in between.
While I was immersed in this and that, the sliding door to the hospital room opened.
drooling-
Seeing that he didn’t knock, I could tell who he was without even looking at his face. I got up right away. I finished preparing the meal with a little easier body movement.
“Are you feeling better?”
A beautiful but sharp voice.
After all, it was Narsha.
“Do you move first?”
“·······”
I raised my head and looked at her. Narsha’s gaze fell proudly. It was an extremely alluring look, but my nerves were focused on only one thing.
A brown envelope in Narsha’s hand.
Judging from the smell and appearance, it contained bread. How else do you know I like bread?
He said while hiding a smirking smile. I patted my shoulder and groaned for no reason.
“I’m feeling better, but it still hurts a bit.”
Are humans like animals of adaptation? After receiving food once or twice, I got used to it. Food comes in when you open your mouth, so it couldn’t be this comfortable.
So… Now that there is a small amount of paralyzing ingredients left, there is no need to refuse luxury.
“Ehh… what are you doing with the mission? Two days left.”
Narsha asked as she took bread out of the bag.
A mission to subdue the warlock in two days.
Usually it is delivered through the crystal ball, but I, in the hospital, have yet to receive it.
Officially, that is. So I had to pretend I didn’t know.
“What mission?”
“Oh, maybe you don’t know. This time, the mission to subdue the black magician has been dropped. A high-ranking wizard is a must. Depending on your recovery status, you may be absent.”
Somehow, the nuance of wishing for non-participation.
But I must participate unconditionally.
It’s a ‘required’ quest that Leonard participates in in the original work.
“It’s a mission given to me by the imperial family, so of course I have to participate.”
“It’s overworked again. Do it in moderation.”
Narsha shook her head. Then he tore the bread into bite-sized pieces and handed it over.
Still embarrassed, averting his gaze.
“here.”
“yes.”
I took the bread that stopped in front of my mouth and ate it.
The soft bread and the condensed milk sprinkled on it created a fantastic synergy. It was truly a taste of heaven.
gulp-
As soon as I swallowed the bread, Narsha took another piece and handed it to me. The second slice of bread was still fantastic. Where did you get such delicious bread? I looked at Narsha to ask where it came from. However, Narsha’s face felt foreign.
Do you think something is different from daytime?
“…?”
I focused on Narsha’s face. I was immersed in the sensations that lingered in my brain. Then, he felt a slight consumption of mana.
Jiing-
differences perceived at the same time.
Her hair, which had been a bit crooked, was neatly trimmed, her fingernails much neater, and an earring she hadn’t seen before was hanging from her ear visible through her hair.
A ‘new ability’ that bloomed two weeks ago.
It seemed to be influenced by the talent characteristic “aesthetic sense.”
Apparently, art, that is, the senses related to beauty have been strengthened, so I reacted sensitively to visible things. Even the smallest changes were not missed.
As I stared, Narsha turned her gaze to the bread.
“why? Doesn’t it taste good?”
“no.”
I calmly shook my head. Afterwards, he recited about Narsha’s change.
“I think you have changed. I got my hair done, my nails done, and new earrings… Ugh!”
In an instant, a huge loaf of bread blocked my mouth. Narsha suddenly stuffed the bread into it.
“Uh, uh…?”
The wide-eyed Narsha belatedly realized her atrocities. But it was already too late to rectify the situation. At least Narsha seemed to have judged that.
“Didn’t you say you like bread?”
Seriously shaking tone.
I nodded while taking a bite of bread.
“·······”
“No, eat a lot. I’m leaving.”
After that, Narsha hurriedly left the hospital room. A look of bewilderment was evident in the farther back. I thought you’d like it if I praised your appearance. Were you the kind of person who was embarrassed by compliments?
drooling-
The sliding door of the tightly closed hospital room.
I let out a soft exclamation.
“ah······”
Now I have to eat alone.
It was convenient to feed him.
Faster than daytime—but still slow—he broke the bread and ate it with hand movements.
Either way, the taste was good.
＊＊＊
The women’s restroom on the first floor of the hospital.
gurg gurg murmur
Narsha washed her face with running water. After wiping off the water, I looked in the mirror in front of the sink. The skin was still flushed red. Heart rate was still fast.
“under······”
I was just getting my hair done because I couldn’t concentrate on my studies, and I was just doing my nails while thinking about what to buy for dinner, but Leonard noticed a change at once.
I knew he was a delicate man, but I never thought he would be like this.
Besides, these earrings…
It was something Leonard had bought for our anniversary. It was not intended. I just casually wore it because I thought it looked good on me. But I wonder if it was the earring.
“I’m sure you won’t misunderstand?”
Narsha brushed her hair under her ears and looked in the mirror. The simple yet luxurious earrings matched Narsha’s image.
Looking at it like this, I think I look pretty today.
It seems like I was just staring at it.
Do you think it’s possible to misunderstand…?
“Aww, that’s it.”
Narsha brushed her hair and left the bathroom. I groaned and headed to the lab.
Now was not the time to cling to such personal feelings.
A mission to subdue the black magician suddenly assigned.
As a result, the study schedule was disrupted.
It was quite embarrassing because I had to work at the Imperial Conference at the same time, but thanks to an unintended biological experiment (Leonar), I found out that there was a paralysis component.
I finished the analysis that would take two weeks at once, so at least the conference schedule shouldn’t be a problem.
“I just keep getting help.”
Feeling sorry and grateful at the same time, Narsha moved on.
＊＊＊
two days later.
For the black mage subjugation mission, 180 high-ranking mages moved to the place of dispatch.
Cantania in the north of the continent, Raspey in the east, and Tyronica in the west. A total of 60 high-ranking wizards were assigned to each of the three regions, and I headed west to Tyronica.
In Tironica, a total of 10 teams were divided according to their affiliates. Three attackers, two defenses, one each for healing and medicine. In addition, three construction and communication experts were attached to assist the high-ranking wizards.
10 teams thus formed. Among them, I was assigned to 3 teams.
Introducing the team members who will be with us for 3 nights and 4 days…
“My name is Jeniel from Pharmacy! Please take good care of me!”
Jeniel smiled broadly and lowered his head. His unique bright energy boosted the morale of his team members.
Next is a healing magician.
“I am Narsha, a healer.”
Narsha ended the introduction as briefly as possible. As befits a setting that lacks sociality, I didn’t want to mix words with strangers. If you show that kind of side from the beginning, even if you’re like me, you won’t want to approach me.
“hello. I’m from the defense class-“
“Attack class currently belonging to the Ferretto Knights-”
The rest of the defense-type wizards and attack-type wizards were new faces.
Dragon tails with high-ranking wizard-level abilities, but no experience.
Young wizards are selected for this kind of mission.
It was a nuisance of the Imperial Law, which selects wizards solely based on their abilities.
After their introduction, when it was my turn, somehow my gaze became burdensome.
“Wow······”
“Professor Leonard…”
The attack-type wizards whispered as if they had seen a celebrity, and the defense-type magicians openly looked at them with envy.
Was your name Pierre?
“Le, Professor Leonard. It is a great honor to work together like this.”
The naive-looking young man got down on one knee and bowed. Excessive formality for the same high-ranking wizards to get drunk. But in front of Leonard, it was enough.
Because he is the hope and envy of the lesser class.
I laughed lightly and lifted Pierre up.
“Since we are on the same team, we don’t have to do this. Because we are equal.”
“Ah… Yep! All right!”
Pierre rose gallantly. Afterwards, I exchanged greetings with construction and communication experts.
Tironica in the west is a wasteland where not a single plant grows. It was a kind of rocky desert.
Since it is impossible to live here for 4 days and 3 nights with bare body, construction experts accompany them to make temporary accommodations. Completion time is approximately 4 hours.
Since both the academy dormitory and the Adonis Hall had magical skills that could be completed in a week, this was not a job.
After a short greeting, they started construction right away. said Jeniel.
“Shall we start too?”
“Let’s do that.”
Attack mage Edelin looked around. All I see is an empty field. After thinking about it for a while, she pointed at a stone mountain that looked suspicious.
“Isn’t that fine over there… Professor Leonard?”
“Nothing.”
I nodded softly.
It was customary for attack mages to command the subjugation, but they lacked the experience for that.
That is, I had to take the lead.
“Let’s go.”
“Nem!”
I took the lead, and the rest of the team followed. Soon after, I arrived at the stone mountain and found a small gap connected to the cave.
The team members stared at the interior in dismay.
“I’ve arrived, but… it’s more dreary than I thought.”
“Iknow, right.”
“Now what? Shall we go in?”
“I have to go in.”
To Jeniel’s question, I answered firmly. Then, boldly entered the cave.
“I-I was going to go in too!”
Jeniel hurriedly followed. All the rest of the team came in, and Narsha, who came in last, lit up the inside with an ‘orb’ – luminous magic in the form of a sphere.
The entrance was narrow, but the inside was infinitely wide.
“Five······”
“Is it wider than I thought?”
“It’s completely different from the entrance.”
The team members looked inside the cave like children at the zoo. Excluding Narsha, it was my first subjugation mission, so I wasn’t very professional. That’s why I felt like I was tied to a team. At least if you’re by my side, you won’t die.
“I don’t feel any dark magic, but let’s move.”
I pointed inside the cave. The team members nodded their heads and followed me.
A lot of nervousness at the unexpected surprise.
jerk- jerk-
Echoing footsteps.
Of course, there are no warlocks in the west. Because the northern land where the main character Karios was assigned is their base.
That said, I couldn’t say, ‘There’s no warlock here, so let’s pass the time.’ So I had to pretend to be as absorbed as possible.
jerk- jerk-
The cave was not open, but a maze. The road is divided into many branches, and the deeper you go, the harder it is to get out.
The characteristic of this maze-type cave is that demonic beasts suddenly pop out.
just as expected.
Queueek–!
Seeing the light, the frenzied Bat Demons charged in groups. Those disguised as darkness narrowed the distance in the blink of an eye.
A truly fleeting attack!
However, I, who had anticipated it to some extent, immediately unleashed a magic field.
👌🏼Koo-Goo-Gung!!
Bat demons collided with the transparent magic field and fell to the ground. At the same time, a large spider monster rushed in from behind. This time I manifested [Iberium] and threw him away. With a flash of light, it disappeared into darkness.
Woowook-!
Blocked the fleeting attack.
The Empire’s best defense magic.
The team members were dumbfounded by that quick expression. The young attack wizards clapped and admired.
“Wow······”
“You’re really amazing, Professor Leonard…”
The attitude of forgetting one’s duty.
I looked around and said.
“Are you just going to watch?”
“yes? Ah yes!”
Only then did the attack mages and Pierre prepare for defense.
Even among the private knights, new recruits have been sent… This mission is daunting.
······
30 minutes to wander through the cave.
Literally we got lost in a maze of caves. Originally, the guide was in charge of the pharmacy department, but there was no way that Jeniel, who was only in charge of rear support missions, could do it properly.
“It’s strange…”
I stopped at another fork in the road. It had already been three times on the way.
After thinking for a while, Jeniel pointed to the right.
“I think it’s over there.”
“·······”
······Wrong. It’s left, not right.
I can know that I have the talent characteristic 「Understanding of space」. The exit to the outside is on the left. Furthermore, since I have memorized the subtle differences of the street corners as an “aesthetic sense,” my judgment must be correct.
“On the other side.”
I said it in the least irritating way possible.
Wandering on the road is a kind of experience, and it will be helpful later, so I tried not to interfere as much as possible. I can’t even find this, I can’t find it.
It was clear that Jeniel’s traits had “guilt”.
“is it······? Can I hear the reason?”
Jeniel tilted his head and asked. If you are a guide, it is a question that you should have. However, this was the aftermath of the characteristic, so there was no way to explain it.
Reluctantly, I picked up a stone that was scattered randomly.
“This is the result of constant observation of the surroundings. I realized that I was hovering in the same place over and over again. And in preparation for such a situation, we have marked each street corner.”
There were cracks in the stones diagonally.
It was a good element to lie.
“The diagonal gold is the proof.”
He handed over the stone with a very serious expression, making it look as close as possible. The team members who confirmed the gold in the stone were astonished.
“Gee, is it real?”
“Wow… after all, Professor Leonard…”
Pierre was on the verge of bursting into tears of emotion.
“Oh oh! I was believing Our only hope…!!”
Admiration spreads quietly in the cave.
It seemed that they were cursed with forgetting their duty.
I shook my head.
“This is not the time to be in awe. Let’s get out of here.”
＊＊＊
That night.
While visiting the cave, construction experts completed the accommodation. There were two men’s and women’s dorms, and it was a kind of share house where the bathroom, living room, and kitchen were shared except for the room.
“Ahh… it was hard.”
After taking a shower, Pierre sat down at the kitchen table and opened his journal. A diary that has been consistently written since the Royal Academy.
For Pierre, who did not go to the Imperial Academy, this journal was his only teacher and learning ground. I put everything I felt while training so far.
I’ve been through a lot today, so it’s time to write what I felt.
Pierre wrote down his journal. It contains a lot of information about what happened in the cave.
Suss- Susss-
It was a day full of unique experiences.
In particular, it was an infinite honor to be entrusted with the mission with Leonard, who was his idol.
Moreover, I got some tips from watching him. Pierre recorded it in his journal.
[ 1. Quickness is also important for defensive wizards. ]
I stopped the magic beasts that suddenly appeared from the cave at once. It was an amazing quickness that he himself had not even reacted to.
I heard that only his talent and appearance are outstanding, but his quickness was also excellent.
[ 2. Observe the surroundings constantly. ]
It was something I felt when I was wandering through the cave.
When everyone was in chaos, Leonard saw through the situation alone. After entering the cave, I constantly observed the surroundings, and as a result, I found out that it was hovering in the same place.
Besides, even though it’s not his responsibility, he’s even marked it in preparation for an unexpected situation.
Indeed, the best defense wizard in the empire had a different mindset.
All the rumors that he believed in talent and was indolent were all lies.
“Big-!”
Pierre frowned in admiration.
A wizard who is perfect in everything from one to ten.
Can I grow like that? Can I wear the title of the best in the empire like Leonard?
“Could I, too, in 10 years…?”
It was a time when I was wandering around with such delusions.
Ki-Ik-·······
The bathroom door was open. Dense steam rose and obscured his vision. After a while, I saw Leonard’s figure. Wearing a gown, he was looking at the towel with a serious face.
“Hmm······”
An expression that lingers even a bit of spleen.
The depth of that agony was immeasurable.
Why are you doing that? Is there a trap magic on the towel?
Pierre looked at her carefully.
“…?”
But couldn’t figure it out. In the first place, he did not even know that it was impossible for a small person like himself to understand a large person like Leonard.
I just got one realization.
He does his best in everything. You don’t care about small things.
That’s the secret to becoming the best defense wizard in the empire.
“It wasn’t that I was able to get out of the cave for nothing.”
How can you look closely at a single towel like that?
Also my idol!
“Ku—!!”
Pierre gazed at Leonard in admiration. It was a look full of envy.
Meanwhile, Leonard looked at the towel and thought.
‘······Which way did you wipe your butthole?’
Is it this way? Is it over there?
I couldn’t remember at all. It could not be distinguished even by “aesthetic sense”.
But it’s a waste to use another towel…
‘······I just have to wipe it.’
Reluctantly, Leonard wiped his face and hair carelessly.