Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: The Mad Light Magic Savant
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Barus's pupils trembled as if he'd heard a name he shouldn't have.
Looking at him, I casually asked,
"Ani Person... do you know him?"
Barus flapped his mouth like he didn't know how to respond, then said,
"...Of course I do. You might not know, but Ani Person is quite famous in District 3."
"Famous how, exactly?"
"If I had to pick one reason, it'd be his magical knowledge."
Magical knowledge.
That was an unexpected answer.
"Is he that impressive?"
"Impressive? Asteron through and through, no one knows more about magic than him. Even I, with my limited knowledge of it, know that much."
"I see."
Ani Person clearly possessed exceptional magical knowledge.
But at the same time, a question arose.
Could he really become this famous just from having magical knowledge?
He wasn't even casting spells—just theoretical expertise.
Even if that were possible, it didn't explain the fear Barus had shown earlier.
There had to be another reason.
When I asked about that,
"You're right. Ani Person's fame isn't just from that. But..."
"Please tell me. I beg you."
I bowed politely, and Barus, looking reluctant, continued his explanation.
"There was an incident."
"An incident?"
"Yes. A massive one that shook all of Asteron at the time."
"Could you explain what happened?"
Barus seemed to hesitate for a moment, then turned the question on me.
"Before that, mind if I ask why you're so curious about him? This is important."
It wasn't a hard question to answer.
"I've heard Ani Person spent over twenty years researching light magic. And light is my specialty."
"So?"
"I plan to seek him out and learn light magic from him."
The motion of Barus reaching for his teacup froze solid.
His eyes trembled again.
"...You want to learn light magic from him?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"No, you can't!"
Thwack!
Barus suddenly slammed the table.
I flinched for a moment, steadying my surprise, and asked,
"What's wrong?"
"You must never learn magic from him!"
Barus repeated himself with a resolute expression.
"Tell me why. Then I can decide whether to learn from him or not."
"Sigh... how do I even..."
Whatever was troubling him so much, Barus mulled it over for a long time before finally speaking.
"Fine, I'll tell you—but promise me one thing. You won't breathe a word of this to anyone."
"Yes, I promise."
Keeping a secret like that was no big deal.
I nodded, and only then did Barus begin recounting the incident.
"It was about five years ago. Right around when rumors of Ani Person's brilliant magical knowledge were at their peak. The story spread not just through District 3, but all of Asteron."
"And then?"
"One day, a mage came looking for Ani Person. For the same reason as you."
"To learn light magic?"
"Exactly. His name was Lordbeni Asitan. A 7th-circle mage working for the royal family."
"A royal court mage?"
"That's right."
"Huh."
I was honestly a bit surprised.
A mage who'd reached the 7th circle seeking lessons from Ani Person.
And not just any mage—a royal one at that.
It meant Ani Person's knowledge was even more extraordinary than I'd thought.
"Word was, Lordbeni wanted to learn light magic from him and recruit him to the royal court."
"Learning from him would also confirm his abilities, I suppose."
"Probably. At first, anyway."
"At first?"
Barus stroked his beard and said,
"Lordbeni's purpose changed. After he visited Ani Person, he didn't return to the palace for a long time. Even though orders to report back must have come down."
"Why was that?"
"I can tell you that part exactly. I ran into Lordbeni a few times back then. And..."
Barus grew deadly serious as he continued.
"His eyes... they looked utterly mad. No, definitely! They were the same as the fanatics I'd captured before."
"...Fanatic."
In life, you occasionally run into people obsessed with something.
Those types always have a distinct look in their eyes, and Barus had seen it in Lordbeni.
The question was, what had obsessed him?
And that was undoubtedly
"Related to Ani Person."
"Yes. That's the most likely explanation."
"Hmm."
A brief silence followed, then Barus picked up where he'd left off.
"Anyway, that's when the incident happened. Very sudden. Lordbeni just vanished."
"Vanished?"
"In broad daylight, right in the middle of District 3's square! Plenty of witnesses—dozens of people saw him disappear out of nowhere in the center of the plaza. After that, no trace of him anywhere."
A 7th-circle royal mage vanishing without a trace?
Right in front of a crowd?
What on earth had happened?
"According to witnesses, right before he disappeared, Lordbeni said he was going to prove Ani Person's final teaching."
One thing was clear: Ani Person knew the reason.
"...How did the royals respond?"
"Naturally, they investigated the prime suspect, Ani Person. But even the royals couldn't find Lordbeni. The weird part? They didn't punish him—instead, they hushed the whole thing up."
"What?"
"They issued a gag order to everyone in District 3, punishing anyone who spoke of it."
"Huh."
Now I understood why I'd never heard of this.
If the royals clamped down directly, even the intel network wouldn't know.
"I've heard rumors of some deal between Ani Person and the royals... but only he knows if it's true."
A direct deal with the royals.
That seemed plausible.
If so, it explained why they covered it up and why Ani Person walked free without punishment.
At this point, one thought came to mind.
"Is it okay for you to tell me all this?"
Why was Barus sharing this with me?
He didn't strike me as the type to care out of worry—he saw people as tools.
To my question, Barus replied,
"If you disappear, I'm the one in trouble. What kind of contract would that be?"
To uphold his deal with Asion Gail.
Classic Barus thinking.
"Anyway, never go see that guy. He erases royal mages like it's nothing—dealing with you would be child's play."
"But Ani Person has no reason to be hostile toward me."
"Who knows? Same could be said for Lordbeni."
Fair point.
Ani Person, living in District 3, would have no reason to antagonize the royals—only reasons to get cozy.
"So please, be careful. At least until the war ends."
Barus implored me earnestly.
His eyes held a hint of warning.
Don't go see Ani Person.
I nodded without resistance.
"Yes, understood. Can't risk the contract."
"Good thinking."
How much time passed after that?
We discussed the timing of the rest of my reward payment, then I left the war command post.
I stopped a short distance away.
My mind was a whirlwind right now.
"...What to do."
I'd told Barus I wouldn't go see Ani Person, but...
I didn't have to keep that promise.
It was my choice whether to go or not.
I reviewed everything he'd said, weighing the risks.
The biggest risk was, of course,
'Ending up like Lordbeni.'
Vanishing without a trace, just like him.
Of course, it didn't seem all that likely.
As I'd said, Ani Person had no reason to do that to me.
Even if he did, I doubted he could pull it off without me noticing.
I could handle it.
What actually concerned me more was what Barus had said about Lordbeni's state.
'He said he was mad.'
Something that could captivate a 7th-circle royal court mage.
Ani Person had it.
Something tied to 'light.'
Knowing that, my deliberation didn't take long.
"I'll go see him."
It might even lead to a breakthrough in my light magic.
***
"Here it is."
Ani Person's residence, from the intel network.
I stood before it.
I'd come to a rational conclusion, but maybe because of that bizarre story from Barus...
I felt a bit tense.
"...If it seems dangerous, bolt immediately."
With that resolve, I knocked.
Knock knock knock.
How long did I wait?
The door creaked open, and a medicinal smell wafted out.
At the same time.
"...Who might you be?"
A middle-aged man peeked through the gap.
Disheveled gray hair, flowing white robe.
Exhausted, glassy eyes.
Less like a magic researcher, more like a burned-out scientist.
At least he looked more normal than I'd imagined.
I put on my brightest smile and said,
"Are you Ani Person?"
"Yes, that's me."
"I have a request."
"...A request?"
"If it's not too rude, I'd like to learn light magic from you."
The moment I said it,
I felt a sudden chill.
"Ahahaha, light magic?"
His eyes curved into crescents at my words.
The glassy look vanished completely.
Now they were sharp and vivid, like he'd spotted prime material.
"If that's it, you're very welcome! Come in!"
Ani Person flung the door wide open, grinning ear to ear.
Now that it was happening, I hesitated.
'...Is it safe to go in?'
I'd come here fully intending to.
But what was this uneasy feeling?
Like stepping into a place I absolutely shouldn't.
I cautiously placed a hand on my left chest.
Thump, thump, thump...
My heartbeat wasn't racing.
Not dangerous yet.
"Come on in! Hehehehe!"
Watching Ani Person laugh openly now, I finally stepped forward.
Better than visiting a black mage or royal mage, right?