39 – Relief
“Hmm… What should I do about this.”
As usual, after dealing with Eriel and the warlock, I start to ponder deeply in my room.
“Venice. Why don’t you release your magic power and instead hold it and use it yourself?”
The reason being. This question from Eriel on our way back to the castle, watching me use the Darkspear like a dagger.
The common method of attack magic is to fire a projectile made of mana.
Even the exceptional Eriel did so, and in this world, it was the standard for all mages to release their magical power in the form of a projectile.
The reason is simple. Wizards, who are mainly responsible for long-range attacks, are overwhelmingly lacking in physical abilities compared to warriors who handle close combat.
Therefore, it is natural that a wizard engaging in close combat is nothing short of a suicidal act.
Of course, there are exceptions. There are those rare few who, despite being wizards, have mastered close combat as well.
They are called “Magic Swordsmen” in terms of game professions, and those who possess talent in both close combat and magic are said to be extremely rare.
Come to think of it, the first son of the Frost family, Jake Frost, was said to be an excellent Magic Swordsman. Anyway.
Ariel seemed unable to understand the dangerous battle she was engaged in, preferring close combat despite using magic.
Of course, if I were an ordinary wizard, I would never engage in close combat… It’s just too dangerous.
“But I have no choice… because I use dark magic, not mana.”
Even now, whenever I engage in battle, I hide the Dark Sphere so that Ariel cannot see it. I was afraid that if she found out that I used dark magic, I would be treated like a dark sorcerer.
I vaguely brushed off Ariel’s questions, saying that it was more comfortable and familiar this way… But this was a matter that needed to be seriously considered.
Recently, the number of encounters with dark sorcerers during battles has increased. It seemed to be getting more and more dangerous. Close combat alone would not be enough.
I also had a creepy feeling that I might be discovered by Ariel soon.
It was only a matter of time before Ariel, who had exceptional concentration, would discover my secret to the point that it sent shivers down my spine. Honestly, I think it’s a miracle that she hasn’t found out until now.
“Hmm… Is there really no way?”
I walked around the room, starting to think of countless possibilities. Of course, I tiptoed so as not to cause any damage downstairs.
Should I just shoot dark magic without thinking? That would obviously be absurd. The moment Ariel judges that the attack I launched is the same as that of a dark sorcerer, I would be dead. Rejected.
Then… should I just continue with close combat like this? That’s not easy either… The battles seemed to be getting more and more difficult, and I felt like Ariel was getting suspicious.
Hmm… Isn’t there a good solution? The best solution would be… to somehow change the black and eerie aura, which is the characteristic of dark magic, into something like ordinary mana…
Ring-
Just as I was pondering over it, a clear notification sound rang out, and in front of my eyes, a status window appeared.
[Name: Venice / Age: 19 / Gender: Male / Status: Good]
[Unique Ability (Mana Sight): Eyes that can see mana. Can perceive the trajectory of mana and use mana more smoothly.]
[Unique Ability (Dark Sorcerer’s Aptitude): Can use a significant level of dark magic. Generates a category for dark magic.]
[Description: A force that denies the world. Dark magic. It is the power to defy the laws of the world and create miracles. Currently classified as forbidden magic, requiring the user’s caution.]
[Dark Magic Category] ★ NEW! ★
[Unique Ability (Talent Perception): Can perceive the talents of others. Can grasp unique abilities and potential at a glance.]
Within the writings of the status window, he entered the sparkling dark magic category, as if asking to be seen.
[Dark Magic Category]
[Mana Eye (Lv:???) : Eyes of the mana user. Can understand the entire structure of dark magic and reverse-engineer it.]
[Dark Sphere (Lv:3) : The most basic attack technique. Fires a spear of darkness imbued with the energy of denying the world.]
[Dark Mana Manipulation (Lv:1): ★ Through manipulation of dark mana, can conceal the morale within dark mana and give the mana a distinct color. ★ (However, it uses 1.5 times the amount of dark mana and does not apply to dark mana beyond the user’s limit.)]
[???: Insufficient proficiency.]
[???: Insufficient proficiency.]
.
.
.
.
Just as skills locked by leveling up are unlocked, I gained the urgently needed skills now.
“Huh… What on earth is this?”
How can luck favor me like this? Obtaining the skill I needed most at just the right time!
Perhaps it’s because I absorbed so much residual dark magic from the air while fighting off the dark wizards, my proficiency must have increased, leading to this phenomenon.
‘Dark Spear.’
With a smile, I summoned the Dark Spear, filling it with the intention to conceal its dark magical energy.
“…Wow. This actually works.”
The Dark Spear, originally characterized by its distinctive and dark magic, now appeared merely as a small spear made of magic, devoid of its former darkness.
With this… there’s no longer any need for close combat! It’s as if the need to confront greater threats has disappeared!
And, I no longer need to worry about being caught by Ariel, thinking about angles in battle, or being overly anxious.
‘Still, I do feel a bit of the 1.5 times increase.’
I felt the dark magic within me deplete faster than when I usually used the Dark Spear, but… this is manageable.
Good… With this, I can fight more smoothly without worry of being discovered!
Feeling as if I had lifted a weight off my shoulders, I headed to bed and happily succumbed to sleep.
***
Just another day. A bitterly cold morning dawned. Today, I’m helping the maids with their work again.
“Phew… There seems to be more to do than usual today.”
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“It does seem like it. Thanks for the help today too, Venice.”
“hahahaha, no need to thank me. I’ll be on my way then.”
“Wait, just a…”
“Venice.”
There was a hesitation, as if deciding something, and just as a maid was about to speak to me, Ariel suddenly appeared from somewhere.
“Uh… Miss Ariel…?”
“If there’s nothing else, you should go.”
“But… that’s…”
“Is there something else?”
When Eriel looked at the maid with an even colder, expressionless gaze than usual, the maid hurriedly left.
“Miss Eriel, good morning. Is something the matter?”
“….No. But you… you seem in a good mood today.”
“Me? Ha ha… That’s not it.”
“Is it because of that woman?”
“….What?”
Eriel steps closer to me, squinting her eyes chillingly. From those lifeless pupils, only an endless void can be felt.
“Did that woman make you feel good?”
“….What? No… Why are you acting like this all of a sudden.”
She takes another step towards me. As she moves, the space itself seems to weigh down on me, making my body feel heavier.
….And a distant sense of terror begins to surface, cold sweat starting to form.
“I’ll ask one more time. Did that woman make you feel good? More than when we ate pancakes?”
Now Eriel is so close that if I toppled over, our noses would touch. She quietly looks up at me. I’m supposed to be looking down at her… but why do I feel such pressure?
Thump-Thump-Thump-
My heart starts to pound wildly with the cloaked fear, and my body begins to tremble.
“………….”
As I hesitate, Eriel’s pupils begin to darken even more. Turning from purple to black, they become as terrifying as the eyes of a dead person.
“That… That can’t be. Miss Ariel, how can I even compare with that happiness… Ha ha..”
“Look me in the eyes when you speak.”
“Ha ha… I am being sincere…?”
“…………..”
Struggling desperately to steady my trembling eyes, I met Ariel’s gaze. Shaking like a rabbit in front of a tiger, as if about to be devoured at any moment.
“….Really? Okay. I see.”
“Ha… ha ha…”
The oppressive weight dominating the space vanishes, and light begins to return to Ariel’s lifeless, violet eyes. Trying not to reveal my shaking legs, I forced a smile.
“That… Then, I should be going…”
“Really? Okay. Be well-prepared for tomorrow.”
“….Tomorrow?”
Before my question could fully reach her, Ariel had disappeared like the wind, far away.
…What exactly is happening tomorrow? I haven’t heard anything about it.
Looks like I need to find the butler.
***
I watch Venice, who seems to be happily, blissfully conversing with that maid.
Why does he look so happy today? Did that maid make you feel good?
Throb-
Again, I feel an inexplicable emotion. My heart races, and my mind doesn’t seem to function properly.
‘….Irritation?’
Why. The fact that your words, denying it, could be a lie, and the possibility that the maid might have pleased you.
…Why is it so irritating?
Unconsciously, I approached Venice slowly, trying to relieve the suddenly rising annoyance.
“Look into my eyes and talk.”
Eyes. Eyes are the windows to a person’s soul. In Venice’s frightened eyes, sincerity was felt.
As soon as I discovered that sincerity, the burning emotions vanished in an instant. The irritation, the pounding heart—all gone.
Instead, it seemed like new emotions were emerging. The heart was warming… not a bad feeling.
Relief.
Yes. Your improved mood wasn’t because of that maid. Then what made you feel good?
Could it be another maid who made you feel good? Lately, it seems like you’ve been talking to the maids a lot.
Perhaps, I need to continue my observations. I still haven’t fully understood you.
“I should meet the maids at least once.”
Without realizing, with a cold expression again, Eriel returned to her room. Without knowing what her emotions were.
To prepare for tomorrow’s Academy.