Absorption (1)
The thought lingered in my mind like a half-finished question. What now?
A full day had passed. It was Sunday. I'd already secured an outing permit and stepped beyond the academy grounds.
Shahin, huh.
Instead of taking a carriage to Krente, I was headed for the city known as Shahin. This trip was about gathering information too, just a different kind.
Krente would technically be better.
Krente was where rumors flew in every direction. If I went there, I'd pick up all sorts of useful scraps of knowledge. Still, I'd chosen Shahin because I'd heard it was famous for swordsmanship. Its other nickname was the City of Swordsmen.
I'm curious.
It was located near the Gawood family territory in the west, which only heightened my expectations. Or is it actually just part of the Gawood lands? I'd never looked at a proper map, so I couldn't be sure.
I gazed out the carriage window. We've come quite a ways.
The scenery shifted constantly, offering fresh sights with every passing mile. How much farther?
The sun was no longer visible overhead. Having left at dawn, its absence meant far more time had slipped by than I'd realized. If I'd taken the gate, I'd have arrived ages ago.
But I didn't have the money for it. Even the living allowance given to S-class cadets wasn't enough to cover gate travel. I could use it, sure, but a round trip would devour more than half my stipend.
Gotta save what I have.
Without any reliable way to earn money yet, I couldn't afford to be careless. Truthfully, not many people had the luxury of spending on gates for trivial reasons. Among those I knew, only Christina, Siris, Shane, and Darren came to mind.
Wait... pretty much everyone around me can afford it?
I wasn't sure about Vanya, but her refined aura and elegance gave the strong impression that she came from serious wealth. This is hitting me harder than I expected.
I needed to find a way to make money, and soon. I'll think about that later.
To earn money, I first had to figure out how. Until I did, I'd have to survive on my allowance alone.
"We've arrived!"
The driver's call confirmed my feeling that we'd traveled a good distance. I felt the carriage slowing to a stop. Standing up, I pulled out a gold coin and handed it to him.
"Oh my~ Thank you kindly!"
The driver beamed and waved me off with a bright smile.
Thud.
Stepping down from the carriage, I looked straight ahead. So this is Shahin?
Imposing walls like an impenetrable fortress encircled the city. The first thing visible was a small passage where people were being inspected before entry.
Guess I have to line up too.
The queue wasn't long. My turn came in under ten minutes.
"Identification."
"...Here."
The inspector looked at me and spoke gruffly. His dismissive tone, like he was talking down to someone beneath him, killed any desire for conversation.
What choice do I have?
I was the one trying to enter Shahin. If I wanted in, I'd have to follow the rules, no matter how unpleasant the person enforcing them.
I pulled out my temporary Hero Qualification Certificate from my pocket. It doubles as identification anyway.
The certificate served as proof of identity and contained even more detailed information. In situations like this, nothing was more effective.
"Adel Ifrit... twenty years old... S-class cadet?!"
The inspector glanced between my face and the certificate. When his eyes landed on my status, he flinched back a step in surprise.
"Oh my~ Little hero, sir~ Why didn't you say so sooner?"
His attitude flipped in an instant. The grumpy expression he'd worn while looking down on me vanished, replaced by an obsequious smile as he practically begged for favor from a superior.
Tsk.
I clicked my tongue inwardly. I'd seen plenty of people shift their behavior based on someone's power or status, but I still couldn't get used to it.
"...May I enter?"
I responded in the same flat tone despite his change. I didn't want to drag this out.
"Yes! Of course you may, sir!"
The inspector spoke with exaggerated politeness, clearly hoping to score points.
"..."
I watched him for a moment, then walked into Shahin with an indifferent expression.
Completely unaware of the gazes now fixed on me.
There's a reason they call it the City of Swordsmen.
As I walked through Shahin, I didn't see a single person without a sword at their hip. Just about everyone seemed to carry one.
I wonder if there's a training ground.
There probably wouldn't be one in an ordinary city, but here it felt likely.
Gurgle.
I hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. My stomach roared like thunder. Maybe I should eat now.
The sound coming from my own body was so loud I worried that skipping another meal might actually be dangerous.
Ding.
I stepped into what looked like a tavern nearby.
"Welcome!"
It was daytime, so the place was empty. Aside from me and the server, there wasn't another soul.
I sat at a suitable table and called over the woman who appeared to be the server.
"Yes! How can I help you?"
"What's the best thing here?"
"The beer and grilled demonic beast meat are our most popular items."
"Beer?"
That actually sounded pretty tempting.
"Yes! Would you like a beer?"
The server mimed drinking a refreshing glass, smiling at me.
"I'll have the grilled meat with it."
"Coming right up~"
She nodded cheerfully and returned to the counter. The flush on her cheeks made me wonder if she was feeling unwell.
I really want a drink.
I wasn't sure if the meat would taste good, but I craved the pleasant buzz that came with alcohol.
Ding.
A blonde woman wearing a hat pulled low entered the empty tavern.
"...?"
She looked vaguely familiar. I felt a flicker of curiosity, but quickly looked away.
"..."
She scanned the room before sitting at the table right next to mine.
"Here you are~"
The server from earlier returned with a mug of beer in one hand and a plate of grilled meat in the other.
Clack.
I swallowed hard at the sight of the food being set before me.
"..."
But the server didn't leave. She remained standing beside me. When it became clear she wasn't going anywhere, I spoke first.
"...Is there something you need?"
"Um, would you like to—"
"Server. I'd like to order."
Before the woman could finish, the blonde at the next table called her over. The clear, elegant voice sounded strangely familiar. The server had no choice but to approach her.
Whatever. It's probably nothing important.
It couldn't have been anything significant. What important thing could a complete stranger have to say to me?
Gulp.
I reached for the mug, ready to drink, when—
Ding.
The door opened again. This time a red-haired woman entered, her face clearly visible. For some reason, I'd been paying close attention to everyone who came in. I stared at her.
No sword?
That was unusual for someone in this city. Is she drunk?
Her flushed cheeks and unfocused eyes certainly suggested it. She staggered, barely catching herself before falling.
Sitting at the table closest to the door, she called out to the server.
"Seeeerver~"
Her slurred speech confirmed she was intoxicated. No need to get involved.
That's what I told myself, yet an uneasy feeling settled over me. Every time I'd felt this kind of anxiety before, something bad had happened. It felt like something was about to go wrong again.
"..."
I deliberately turned my gaze back to the beer. The golden liquid and white foam somehow made me think of two names.
"...Tina. Siris."
I hadn't seen either of them lately. Unless we happened to share a lecture, I never even caught a glimpse of their distinctive hair.
The blonde woman at the next table suddenly froze at my murmur.
"...?"
It was odd, but the desire to drink won out and I let it go. I gripped the mug again.
Whoosh.
The sound of flames crackling came from nearby.
"...?"
For a split second I thought I'd unconsciously manifested fire out of joy. But there were no flames around me.
Whoosh!
The sound grew fiercer, and I felt a faint wave of heat. When I looked around, I saw it.
Flames had sprung from the red-haired woman's hand and were beginning to consume the tavern.
I knew it.
I'd sensed something was coming.
Scrape.
Despite the situation, I rose calmly from my seat and ushered the server and the other woman toward the exit first.
"Get out. Now."
"Wh-what? What about you?"
The server looked back at the flames devouring the building.
"I'll be fine."
I gave them a reassuring smile and pushed both women out the door.
"Leave this to me."
"..."
The blonde woman with the hat said nothing. But she walked away, seemingly willing to trust me.
Clack.
With the door closed, the tavern now belonged only to me and the flames. I turned to face the red-haired woman who had caused them.
"Helllooo?"
She spoke first.
"My name is Ka... Kali? I dunno~"
"..."
I approached the woman without a word. She was acting strangely. It's not alcohol.
Even at this distance, there was no smell of liquor. She wasn't drunk, but her mind was clearly altered. There was only one explanation I could think of.
Drugs.
And strong ones at that. As that thought crossed my mind, she spoke again.
"Oh! I remember now. My name is Kali~ Nice to meet you~ But..."
Her pupils suddenly focused.
"Why doesn't my fire affect you at all?"
A chill ran down my spine. Goosebumps spread across my body. But only for a moment.
My body felt nothing from Kali's flames. Not affected, huh.
Of course I wasn't. The fire resistance I'd built up by walking the path of flames all this time seemed to be asking if this was truly the best Kali could do.
Whoosh!
Instead of answering, I summoned my own flames. Crimson fire erupted from my body, roaring with the intent to devour Kali's flames completely.