Aftermath of separation (5)
Pierre, a defense mage who was assigned to the ‘Western Team 3’ along with Leonard in the warlock subjugation mission.
He also attended a special lecture for the Imperial Household Guard. How much trouble did you go through to listen to this lecture?
I went to the black market to find tickets that were sold out in an instant, and I was able to buy them with all my savings.
A whopping 2000 per ticket.
The price was equivalent to a month’s salary, but it was not a waste at all. No, it felt like I bought it at a bargain price.
The showdown of the century is about to unfold in the auditorium right now.
On the wide stage of the auditorium.
Geeing-
Terrible magical energy was concentrated in the hands of the two archmage candidates. In an instant, goose bumps all over my body. It was a truly wonderful power.
gulp-
Pierre swallowed dryly. He fixed his gaze and clasped his hands. The reaction of the people around them was similar. Most of them watched with bated breath, and only a few spoke in low voices.
The wizards in the next seat said.
“Who do you think will win…?”
“I don’t know. But what is certain is that Professor Leonard must win.”
“why?”
“This is a seat for the defense class.”
Similar stories were heard from nearby VIP seats. They were high-ranking officials from the offensive line that followed Karios.
“Oh, it turned out to be unexpected.”
“That’s right.”
“What outcome do you expect, Baron? Do you think Karios-sama can pierce Leonar’s defense magic?”
“You have to believe it. Please do.”
There were many opinions floating around in the auditorium, but there was no certainty in them. One side hoped for victory, but no one could guarantee the outcome.
But Pierre was different. He already knew the winner of this confrontation. Because I’ve been through similar situations before.
—A pesky passion, Pierre.
The day we searched for Luca Delos on Mount Hernis.
A night when the soft moonlight illuminated the forest.
Leonard parried the attack from Lucaradelos. The black magic that annihilated the search team C was lightly stopped.
That scene is still vivid in my mind.
The dark magic of Luca Delos that reached him right before his eyes, and the barrier that protected him at the moment of his death.
Even the “excellent quality of magical power” that was vividly felt in it.
I couldn’t forget anything. It was the perfect defensive magic.
So Leonard will block the attack again this time. I will keep my reputation as the best defense mage in the empire.
“Then, let’s begin.”
Temporary Guard Captain Tomahawk said. At the same time, the concentrated mana in both of Karios’ hands was dyed blue.
The aura formed in the form of a sphere swayed like a flame, resonated with the atmosphere, and showed off its power by splashing sparks.
Chijit-! Chijijit-!!
Unique wide range attack magic “Imperium Lightning”.
It was a short-range attack magic that could be said to be a reduced version of that. In a word, it meant that life and death were staked on this demonstration.
“ah······”
A low voice flowed through the auditorium.
The audience was quietly astonished by Karios’ magic, and the officials in the VIP seats smiled in relief.
“I guess we were worried for nothing.”
“Well, it’s none other than Karios-sama.”
On the other hand, Leonard was self-confident. I just lightly snapped my fingers.
widely-!
A dome-shaped magic field enveloped the stage.
Carios asked.
“Are you ready?”
“This is the end.”
Leonard gave a small smile. After that, a quiet silence lingered in the auditorium. An unusual air current flowed.
The moment that everyone is waiting for with bated breath.
“・・・・!!!”
The first to move was Karios.
Karios kicked the floor and ran. His body rushed quickly, drawing a line of blue light across the stage. It was an afterimage of an auror.
Tadadat-!
The distance narrowed in an instant. When Karios, who leapt diagonally, swung his arm at Leonard, a blue afterimage was drawn in the air.
Just before that formidable blow struck Leonard
——–!!
Shield-shaped layers of magical power surged from all sides. Huge shields lined up solidly surrounded Leonar.
It was an intermediate level defense magic [Iberium].
Karios’ “Imperium Lightning” and Leonard’s “Iberium”.
The moment the two great powers collided, a flash of light flashed and a sharp friction sound erupted.
——– system control!!!
The shock wave was blocked by the pre-formed magic field, but light and sound passed through. The audience closed their eyes and covered their ears. The peaceful auditorium turned into mayhem in an instant.
The upheaval was over in an instant.
When the audience opens their eyes again
“…?”
What is reflected in their vivid retinas
Boo-woong
It was Karios, who was thrown into the air, and Leonard, who was still standing there.
Karios was floating. To be precise, it was falling. Carios, who was blown away by the smoke, managed to balance and land on both feet. Even then, it was pushed back several meters.
Only the sound of shuffling feet echoed in the auditorium.
That pole-…
[Iberium] is a magic that deflects opponents away at the same time as defense.
In other words, it meant that Leonard had succeeded in defending.
“·······”
Karios froze in place. I didn’t hear the shuffling of feet anymore.
All noise in the auditorium ceased.
As if time had stopped, the eyes of the audience were all focused on one place in the quiet space.
“·······”
A man who is still selfless despite the transcendent clash.
A defense mage who was born with talent, looks, and family.
Leonard Adonis.
The audience couldn’t keep their mouths shut at his superior figure.
Right now, both the attackers and the defense students all had the same expression.
Staring blankly, only blinking his eyes.
But Leonard was the same.
In the aftermath of the shock wave, I tidied up the messy clothes. Then he said carelessly.
“Above, it was the intermediate defense magic [Iberium].”
Applause broke out as I silently ignored it. It all came from the hands of the defense system.
Tomahawk, who was dumbfounded for a while, belatedly took care of the situation.
“Yes Yes. So far, it has been a demonstration of 「Iberium」 by Professor Leonard and Professor Carios. Because the two of you are so good at magic, I don’t think the auditorium will be left if you ask for a demonstration twice. So, I will try to get support from other casters.”
＊＊＊
After the lecture, I headed to the parking lot with Karios. Since I told him in advance that an after party was scheduled, Karios quietly boarded the sedan.
Boo Woo-
A sedan that starts off smoothly.
Karios looked out the window and murmured.
“What a delicious house it is that we moved for two hours…”
It was a very disgruntled voice. The good news is that there is no doubt about it. The lack of notice was the only useful moment.
“It’s because it tastes amazing…”
I said looking out the window on the other side. Carios didn’t answer. After the demonstration of [Iberium], it seemed that he was in great shock.
I was proud of my reputation for offensive magic, but I couldn’t help but be saddened that I couldn’t make a small crack in my defensive magic.
Besides, I was watching even the high-ranking officials in the attack line.
My pride must have been cracked.
Of course, this was also intentional.
After the breakup with Jeniel, he only showed lethargy, and the aftermath affected the original story as well, so he openly shamed him in the sense of coming to his senses.
I deliberately consumed more mana than necessary and threw him far away.
Shall I say my own advice?
The effect was… not bad. Karios showed an uncharacteristically silent appearance. As much as he was shocked, he must have been motivated.
As a side effect, it seemed that the relationship between them was a little awkward.
“·······”
I glanced at Karios. How much her mouth protruded, her lips were visible even from the back. I asked the guy on the back of his head.
“Are you mad?”
“······Not at all.”
Aha.
I’m not angry, I’m upset
I quietly turned my head. I passed the time watching the passing scenery.
Had it been like that for an hour?
said Carios, still looking out the window.
“It wasn’t that I was attacking with all my might.”
It was a kind of self-justification. It was the last excuse for pride. It was just a demonstration, and even the [Imperium Lightning], which could be called a special move, was manifested and then escaped.
Childish excuses must be accepted equally.
I said with a snort.
“It’s me. It wasn’t even half full.”
“is it? I wasn’t even half of half.”
Karios did not lose and responded. After all, he was a formidable fellow.
“What? In fact, I was half of half of half.”
“Don’t worry. Because I was also half of half of half of half.”
Thus, fierce battles unfolded.
A petty pride fight between men.
“I am half of half of half of half of half of half…”
“I am also half of half of half of half of half of half…”
If someone shouted ‘carrot carrot’ here, it would be a ‘bunny bunny game’.
When I thought about that, I laughed without knowing it. At the same time, Karios also raised an eyebrow. Laughter was contagious.
“Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”
“Then you.”
“I laughed because you laughed first.”
Karios barely held back a laugh. To lower the corners of the mouth and the cheekbones, I put a lot of effort into the middle of the forehead and the philtrum. I tried to do that too. But it failed.
It’s because the thought itself that I shouldn’t laugh is too funny.
A laugh that finally exploded.
Carios followed suit and burst into laughter.
“Chahahaha!”
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the car brightened. As with any other friendship, the conflict was resolved with a small smile. Karios, who had been laughing for a while, asked while wiping the tears from his eyes.
“So why are you laughing, Leonard?”
“Why? Because your face is funny.”
“It’s okay to flatter yourself that you’re a bit handsome. Stop talking.”
······
The sedan arrived at its destination after 4 hours of driving.
Carios, who got out of the car, stared blankly at the surrounding scenery. It was an awkward look.
“Didn’t I say it was an after party…?”
It was definitely a place far from an after party.
The surroundings were covered with stone mountains, and strangely shaped rocks towered high as if piercing the sky, and at the end of them, a huge temple was built precariously.
It was a superb view that could only be seen in Chinese martial arts.
In the original work, this is ‘Kataracha’ where Karios trains offensive magic.
Of course, it was a back-and-forth lie.
Is it my trick to drag him out of the office?
However, my concept today was shamelessness, so I gnashed my teeth and pretended not to know. He pointed to a temple half-obscured by clouds.
“I heard that the rice over there is so delicious, so let’s go.”
“······Leonard. I think I know someone as an idiot- Ugh!”
Before Karios could say anything, he brought him with [Infernal movement]. I walked aimlessly down the endless stone steps.
After going up for a while, the gate came out. Red letters were written on the huge wooden sign.
[ คาทาราชา ]
Kataracha in Thai.
It doesn’t mean anything, it’s translated into Thai just to make it seem there. Carios asked.
“What does that mean? It doesn’t sound like a rune.”
“・・・・・Welcome, same thing.”
“Right.”
By the way, Karios doesn’t know what kind of place Kataracha is. Not only that, most wizards live without knowing its existence itself.
If I had to add an explanation, Kataracha was a small independent kingdom that did not belong to the Empire.
A country modeled after the Vatican City, it is a kind of monastery that completely severes ties with the secular world and only practices pure sorcery.
This gigantic temple is the country, Kataracha itself.
elaborate
Karios doesn’t know what kind of place Kataracha is.
The reason why he came here for training in the first place was because of his father Terios’ recommendation, not because of his own will.
A typical idiot cliché that comes and goes without knowing it.
They try to escape to the world over and over again, but in the end they all fail. The reason is simple. This is because of the special rules here for outsiders.
smart-
Upon knocking on the door, a monk in uniform opened the door. He spoke in a low, calm tone.
“You are later than expected, Karios-sama.”
His gaze turned to me.
“Who is the person next to you?”
It was a curious look. Presumably he doesn’t know who I am. Karios, too, was only told that he was a ‘sharp-looking customer’, but he did not know where he was or what he was doing.
Again, because Kataracha is a place where you completely cut off ties to the world.
I nodded lightly.
“It’s like an attendant.”
“All right. Come in.”
Only then did the monk open the door wide.
We followed him into the temple. The inside was much larger than expected. It was on a scale as if entering a palace.
Upon entering the room with the faint scent of tea, the monk handed me a uniform and two wen scrolls.
“After signing the oath, you can change into a uniform. The same goes for the attendants.”
Karios immediately opened the scroll. Inside it, runes were written like a poem, and a palm pattern was drawn on the left end.
Interpreted, the outsider had to ‘absolutely obey’ the order of the top manager, Bosco.
“Is it an oath?”
“I see.”
I placed my palm in line with the pattern. As magic was applied, the border of the oath turned blue. The pact had been signed.
“what are you doing? Don’t do it right away.”
“Something’s a little uncomfortable…”
Karios, who was tilting his head, made an oath with a confused face.
That’s it.
As long as the oath of absolute obedience was signed, Karios cannot voluntarily leave Kataracha. I will probably be forced to devote myself to training until the vacation is over.
“The dressing room is over there.”
The monk retrieved the oath.
I said without hesitation.
“Rejoice, let’s come.”
“okay.”
After changing into a uniform, we moved according to the guide. I opened the sliding door painted with bamboo.
drooling-
An elegant room decorated in oriental style.
Karios and I knelt down as soon as we entered. He put his hands together and sat neatly. It was not voluntary, it was forced by oath.
Only then did Karios realize that something was wrong.
“Mo, my body can’t move at will.”
“don’t worry. Because of the oath.”
After a while, a white-haired old man in a black uniform entered the room. It was Bosco, the chief manager of Kataracha.
Bosco smiled benevolently.
“I heard that a special guest from the empire has come-”
It found me and stopped abruptly.
I looked at him for about two seconds and then sat down.
“Heh heh… they came in twos.”
Karios was supposed to come by himself, but when I came along, he looked very flustered.
I gave an example.
“I stopped by for a while as an attendant.”
“I see.”
Bosco played with his long beard. He looked at me with a blank expression on his face. It was the eyes with eyes closed.
“This is where it gets interesting.”
“What do you mean…?”
“No.”
Bosco shook his head, this time staring at Karios.
“Welcome to Kataracha. Do you know the rules here? You have to take care of all the cleanup from training, living, eating, etc. Even if your status is noble.”
Strictly speaking, Kataracha is a country outside the Empire.
Therefore, the status of the Empire has no influence here. Whether he was the lord of a great family or a child of a prestigious family, he was of the same status as a monk here.
Karios asked in surprise.
“yes? uh, what do you mean by that?”
“Did you not know? It was written in the oath.”
Bosco turned his gaze back to me.
“Are you?”
“I already knew. Because it was clearly written in the oath.”
“Ohhh… you must be able to speak rune. All right then, you can go back now.”
“All right. Then I’m fine.”
I bowed my head deeply.
After the ceremony, I tried to get myself up. But the body did not move. I couldn’t even move like a mangbuseok.
“…?”
I slowly raised my head.
Bosco was still looking at me. The incomprehensible smile was also the same.
“Didn’t you just tell me to go back?”
“Yeah, I told you to go back.”
Bosco turned his head. Karios’s face was reflected in his retinas.
“Not to you, but to you, Karios.”
“Yes!?”
I asked reflexively. I tried to look at Karios, but now I couldn’t even turn my head.
Something… something was terribly wrong.
“The guy who tells you to go won’t go, and someone else is answering.”
“Can I really go?”
“okay. What are you teaching a guy who doesn’t even know the rules? Come next time.”
Bosco waved his hand in annoyance. The benevolent appearance in the beginning disappeared and gradually revealed its true color.
I barely got my words out.
“Then I…?”
“you? You should stay here.”
Bosco raised an eyebrow.
In an instant, my mind went blank.
His determined voice lingered in my ears like stretched tape.
should remain-······ should remain-······ should remain ·····
It shouldn’t be like this, but it’s Karios who has to stay, not me.
This was not in the plan…
what. send me too