An Unwelcome Companion

The Security Bureau was bustling during the day.

Desk workers and field agents bustled past one another as Lahar, a security officer, walked down the third-floor hallway. He returned every greeting he received with a warm smile.

There was a certain vitality to the Security Bureau—a wholesome energy driven by the desire to make Eastred a slightly better place. Whether everyone truly wanted that was another story, of course.

He paused on his way to the stairs.

"Ah, Lahar. Just finished your report?"

"Yeah. We keep getting rookies, but the workload never seems to shrink."

"You're working hard. It just means the Director recognizes your worth."

"Haha. Don't flatter me, it doesn't suit you."

He exchanged pleasantries with a colleague who happened to be passing by. He didn't particularly like the guy. The man looked like a simpleton, but he was surprisingly sharp and utterly devoted to the Director.

As Lahar tried to move past, his colleague gestured toward the window with his chin.

"Hey, look over there."

"What is it? Something interesting...?"

Lahar looked down outside and let out an understanding, "Ah."

His colleague chuckled, finding the reaction amusing.

"I don't know if it's interesting, but people have been talking a lot about them lately."

Yen and the rookie were chatting as they walked out of the headquarters. Lahar watched their retreating backs alongside his colleague. There was a stark difference in the warmth of the two men's gazes.

"They say they caught a mage hunter. The people who used to call Yen a piece of junk changed their tune overnight. Now they're all saying, 'As expected of a mage from the upper Lines.' Aren't you jealous, Lahar?"

"Why would I be? What about the rookie?"

"Well, they say he got a slash on his arm, which means he didn't just stand by and watch while Yen fought. That alone puts him in the top ten percent of rookies. He's bound to go far."

Lahar nodded.

"Maybe I should try to get on his good side too?"

"Don't even think about it. You know how much the Director hates political maneuvering among the ranks."

His colleague kept his eyes fixed outside as he changed the subject.

"Still, to think a mage hunter would target the Security Bureau itself. It's worrying that these low-life criminals who used to keep quiet are starting to crawl out. Haven't you noticed anything?"

This is it, Lahar thought. This is exactly why I hate this guy.

He was subtly probing, disguised as a friend sharing his worries. How did a mage hunter find out a security officer's schedule and set up an ambush? Are you involved?

He probably isn't targeting me specifically with his suspicions. He's likely doing this to everyone.

Lahar's response was already prepared.

"Haha. Is this your first day? Eastred has always been like this."

"..."

"Cleaning up a landfill doesn't turn it into a park."

Lahar patted his colleague on the shoulder.

"That's why they need us. Right?"

"...Yeah, I suppose. It's up to us."

"I hope that rookie grows well and does some great work. Ideally, he'll lighten my workload too."

The rookie's back had already faded into the distance.

After burning the image into his memory, Lahar stepped away from the window.

"Keep up the good work. I'm off."

"Yeah. See you around."

Lahar smirked as he walked away at a leisurely pace, feeling the intense gaze boring into the back of his head. Regardless of his dislike, the guy was amusing in his own way.

But after a few steps, his colleague was completely forgotten.

His thoughts were filled instead by the rookie who had killed the mage hunter alongside Yen.

Hmm. I'd love to have a chat with him.

He wondered when an opportunity would present itself.

No matter the field, teaching someone always reveals their distinct traits. Some might struggle with memorization but excel at application, while others are merely clever at cutting corners.

It had been three weeks since Yen began teaching magic before and after work.

Yen summarized her first disciple in a single phrase.

You've got talent.

The absurd phenomenon of a spell instantly engraving itself onto his circuits upon merely looking at a magic formula did not happen again. Yen had written down several common magic formulas, but Muzark failed to learn any of them.

What was the difference between those and the first one?

Regarding that, Muzark mentioned a "hallucination." He explained that when he read Claude Regan's magic book, he had witnessed a certain hallucination, whereas nothing had appeared with the common formulas.

Yen had reached a conclusion.

"You must have seen its origin."

"The history of how a specific spell was created. Some even call it a legend. While some spells are just made by a hollow-eyed mage cackling in his workshop, others have incredibly complex backgrounds."

It was a topic occasionally discussed in academic magic circles.

Stories that began with a mage experiencing a hallucination in a state of extreme concentration, after which their mastery over a specific spell would skyrocket.

"They say the nature of the hallucination varies from person to person. Naturally, since everyone learns different spells. It's a sort of enlightenment achieved when you touch the origin of a spell you previously only understood intellectually..."

Mages who achieved this enlightenment shared a common trait.

They engraved a highly personalized spell that could be called their signature, and they already possessed a high level of mastery over that spell to begin with.

But in Muzark's case, the order was completely reversed.

It's a constitution I've never heard of before.

If it was just a matter of perceiving the origin of a spell, it was barely within the realm of comprehension. It was far more realistic than having 'the talent to learn absolutely any spell just by reading its formula.'

Aside from his unique constitution, Muzark was exceptionally competent by normal standards. Though he initially struggled to memorize specialized magical terminology, his pace had rapidly accelerated.

He's surprisingly smart.

His comprehension in deciphering magical terms and his mathematical ability to apply formulas were outstanding. Curiously, these were traits typically found in highly educated noble young masters.

It was far better than dealing with an idiot who only possessed good instincts.

And there would be plenty of opportunities to apply it in real combat.

"Um, did we really need to tag along too?"

Evan, who was wearing his mask as usual, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠asked. Ever since the mage hunter incident, he had occasionally initiated conversations. Misha offered an awkward smile in agreement.

"What are you talking about? It's important to be prepared for emergencies."

"Even if you say that..."

Evan stared with a weary expression at Muzark, who was walking down from the end of the apartment hallway. Two demons bound in tight bundles were being dragged at his feet, while several demon corpses lay scattered behind him.

He had faced five demons alone and escaped with nothing but minor scratches.

"I'd be lucky if I didn't just drag him down."

His tone was laced with inferiority. Instead of offering empty words of comfort, Yen simply patted Evan on the back. In the Empire, a non-mage had no choice but to envy mages—or utterly loathe them.

Yen approached Muzark and handed him a towel.

"Good work. How's your remaining mana?"

"I'm still not entirely sure, but... about half?"

"As expected, your efficiency is terrible."

Cryptofetica had not yet fully covered his hand. His new spell, which he simply named Chain, was still weak enough to snap easily if an opponent resisted.

Yet, the mana consumption was extreme. While Muzark's total mana pool was small, the consumption rate of both spells was inherently high. This was his greatest concern at the moment.

"I still have a long way to go."

"Look at you, greedy as always. Doing what you're doing now is more than enough."

Muzark was noticeably stronger than he had been three weeks ago. He could feel his own growth. However, whether he was satisfied was a different matter. To his own eyes, his magic was still pathetic.

This was likely because the "completed forms" of both spells were deeply engraved in his mind.

With his standards set so high, every step forward felt painfully small.

As he wiped away the blood with the towel, Yen delivered some welcome news.

"We need to get you to learn Shield quickly. You keep getting these minor cuts."

"Already? Didn't you say it usually takes several months?"

"For ordinary people, yes."

A beginner was already on the verge of mastering a new spell in just three weeks. It was a marvelous rate of progress. Most mages in Redline spent years learning only one or two spells.

"That's because they don't have anyone to teach them properly."

For a mage without a background, finding a mentor was like plucking stars from the sky. Even if they found one, they were rarely decent. Most mentors just used their apprentices for chores, and they themselves were usually third-rate.

But Yen had been a mage of Yellowline before her demotion.

Though her body was ruined, the theories remained perfectly intact in her mind.

"Which means I am a mentor like no other in Redline. Got it?"

"I know, I know. Who else would I learn from if not you?"

"...Hmph, cough. Good, as long as you know."

"Why are you getting embarrassed after bragging about it yourself?"

At his teasing, Yen scowled fiercely.

"Shut up. Keep your mouth closed."

Within the organization, Muzark's stock was rising by the day.

With all eyes already on him due to the incidents involving Harmensales and the mage hunter, his rapid accumulation of demon subjugations forced even those who viewed him with prejudice to change their minds.

"Ah, Mr. Muzark, Ms. Yen. Are you returning from work today as well?"

"Yes. We've been heading out quite often lately. How many days has it been now?"

"Four days, including today."

The woman who had approached them showed a surprised expression.

"The Director is being too harsh. It's not like we're short-handed."

"What can we do? When the boss orders, you obey."

"Oh, come on. We aren't exactly in a position where we have to blindly obey."

"What do you mean by that?"

A subtle smile met Muzark's question.

"You know what I mean, don't you? Not everyone here stands on the same footing."

"Well, because of our ranks, of course."

"Ah... that's slightly off the mark. Though rank isn't entirely wrong either."

She quickly glanced around, checking her surroundings.

"Anyway, sorry for keeping you. Let's work together sometime if the opportunity arises."

The woman lightly brushed against Muzark's arm as she took her leave. It was not a particularly pleasant encounter. It was the classic approach of someone harboring an ulterior motive.

Yen let out a hollow laugh as she watched her walk away.

"What a crazy bitch."

"Who is she?"

"Her name is Jennifer. I don't even remember her last name."

Yen evaluated Jennifer with her usual bluntness.

"She's a third-rate mage. Though her attitude seems grand enough to slap an archmage. It's actually impressive how someone who can only cast one or two low-grade spells can possess such a massive sense of entitlement."

"Ah. I get it now. I didn't realize she was a mage."

A mage who looked down on non-mages.

She was exactly the kind of person commonly found throughout the Empire.

"She seems very interested in you."

"Not you?"

"No, definitely you. Most of the mages in the Security Bureau dislike me."

"They probably got triggered because you keep calling them third-rate."

"No, it goes deeper than that."

The two resumed their pace, continuing their conversation as they walked.

"As I mentioned before, my condition isn't great. My Magic Circuit is damaged. That's usually what happens to mages demoted after a disgraceful incident."

"Is it a measure to prevent you from causing trouble in the lower regions?"

"As expected, you catch on quick."

Yen spoke nonchalantly, as if she had nothing to hide.

"Someone spread a rumor that I was demoted because I couldn't pay off my gambling debts. It was pretty absurd, but I didn't feel like explaining myself. Going into detail just ruins your dignity, you know?"

"You certainly don't look like the type to ruin yourself over gambling."

"Right? Despite how I look, I'm actually quite wholesome."

Muzark wasn't sure about "wholesome," but if she did gamble, she would probably manage her risks meticulously. At the very least, she wasn't the type to ruin her life out of stubbornness. Even if she was terribly bad at games.

Instead of voicing his thoughts, he asked a different question.

"If it wasn't gambling, then what happened?"

"Hmm? It's a long story."

"I see. Next time, then."

For now, they had business in the Director's office.

While handing over the demons to the staff managing the basement, they had received a message to stop by the Director's office. Communication in a society without mobile phones was always a hassle.

On a side note, he had heard that long-distance communication devices were widely used in the Empire. The development of magic engineering had yielded countless modern conveniences. It was just that Redline was exceptionally underdeveloped.

Following the summons, the two entered the Director's office.

After brief, formal greetings, Shadia got straight to the point.

"I apologize for assigning you a task right after your return, but I have a mission for the two of you."

"What kind of mission is it?"

"You must have sensed it as well. The city has been in an uproar lately. Criminals slipping in from other cities, like the mage hunter from before, are becoming increasingly active."

"So it wasn't just an isolated incident after all."

As Yen chimed in, Shadia nodded.

"We have also received multiple reports of explosions of unknown origin outside the city. They might seem like separate incidents, but the timing is far too coincidental."

"We have to assume they're connected. Well, it was about time for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trouble to brew anyway."

Although Shadia chose a polite tone out of consideration for Muzark, there was an air of familiarity between her and Yen as they discussed the work. Perhaps they had performed similar duties in similar positions back in Yellowline.

Shadia then issued her orders ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with her usual poised demeanor.

"I will provide you with a vehicle. Investigate the outskirts of the city and report back."

"How far out should we expand our search?"

"Southred. It is the closest city to us, and also the hometown of the mage hunter. Observe the movements of the vagrants, the demon population, and other various aspects."

Muzark felt a mixture of tension and anticipation. What would the outside world be like? Having been confined to the city ever since his escape from the mine, this would be a brand-new experience.

"Since this is a dangerous mission, Evan and Misha will be excluded. I will assign another person to join you. I do not know if he will be to your liking, but he is one of the finest veterans in the Security Bureau."

"Pardon? An extra member? Who...?"

Knock, knock.

At the sound of the knock, Muzark and Yen turned toward the door.

"Come in."

Once Shadia granted permission, a man poked his head into the office. Upon seeing Muzark and Yen, he blinked in surprise before his lips curled upward.

"Ah, you already had guests."

In that moment, Muzark saw a look of pure disgust on Yen's face. He had never seen her look so utterly repulsed. Unwilling to even acknowledge the man, Yen whipped her head back toward Shadia.

"Director. Please tell me it's not him."

"Tsk. Look at the way you talk to your superior."

"The moment I saw your ugly mug, Lahar, the Director stopped looking like my superior and started looking like a saint for putting up with you."

"No matter how much you hate it, when the boss orders, you obey. Or did they teach you differently in Yellowline?"

Lahar, replying with a sly grin, turned his gaze to Muzark. He stared intently, almost uncomfortably so, before suddenly flashing a smirk. It was not a pleasant smile to look at.

Not because of his physical appearance, but because of his sheer physiognomy.

"Yen will be the leader. Muzark and Lahar, refrain from acting independently and follow Yen's instructions. I will be waiting for your safe return with results."

Shadia spoke with a firm tone that brooked no refusal.

"Depart ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as soon as your preparations are complete."

As if her final words were a starting signal—

Tring!

The message announced the beginning of a new chapter.