The Mage's Final Gift
While rifling through the papers at the counter for a moment, the guild clerk picked up a single sheet and spoke.
"Hmm... I happen to have a personal request that came to me directly. It's not for a mage to form a fixed party, but for four reliable explorers."
"Tell me more."
"The client is a magic researcher. He wants to hire explorers capable of ensuring safe adventures to educate his disciple, whom he took in late in life, about the labyrinth and Supernatural Abilities. In my opinion, rather than scraping together four individuals of decent skill, your party seems like the perfect fit. Shall I connect you?"
"Please do."
"Alright, then. I'll give you the location. Visit sometime today or tomorrow."
"Got it."
The clerk at the branch office showed no hint of expecting a referral fee from Dorne's party—perhaps because he'd already received ample commission from the requesting magic researcher. Or maybe he'd gotten word from headquarters...
The client's residence, as directed by the clerk, was located northwest of West Labyrinth City. Dorne's party huddled around one of the tables left in the guild.
Excluding Dorne's party, there were no other groups of explorers gathered like them.
"What should we do? Sightsee a bit in the labyrinth city first, or handle business and then tour?"
"I prefer business first."
"Agreed."
"Uh... me too! But isn't grabbing a annex room from the Oren Labyrinth Merchant Group the priority? It's first-come, first-served, right?"
"Then let's swing by the annex quick and head to the client."
Dorne's party stopped by the annex to book their stay for the night and headed to the client's home. Without Eresa, they'd have left cumbersome luggage there, but it was all in her 【Inventory】, so they could just move.
To others, the party might look odd wandering around with no bags—just weapons and shields dangling.
(Eresa's 【Inventory】 could hold about the volume of a wagonload, as tested.)
The client's home in the northwest was a two-story mansion. Not enormous, but elegantly built and spacious enough for ten people comfortably.
-Creeeeak-
A stone wall enclosed the courtyard, with an iron gate. Dorne pressed what looked like a doorbell.
Eresa perked up her ears, glaring at the doorbell. Lilia's round ears, subtle in their movement, also twitched upright. A change noticeable only to those with close bonds.
Even Lilia, daughter of a sizable merchant group, visiting West Labyrinth City for the first time? Or was this doorbell a rare item even here, in a mage-familiar city?
By contrast, Raon—closest to a country bumpkin—showed little surprise. Constant exposure to wondrous sights and events had flipped his 'enlightenment switch.' Once on, he could let bizarre happenings slide with detached calm.
After the bell rang, a servant emerged from the house shortly after. A neatly dressed maid inquired through the gate.
"What brings you here?"
"We're here for Alterion's request. Looking for four explorers. Referred by the Warrior Guild."
"Yes. Please wait a moment. I'll confirm."
The maid scurried inside, then scurried back to swing open the iron gate.
-Greeeak-
Despite good lubrication, the heavy gate's hinges groaned. Dorne lent a hand with one arm to the straining maid as she opened it, then followed her lead into the mansion.
The maid gulped at the sturdy warrior—rarely seen in West Labyrinth City. His forearm's shadow alone could swallow her whole.
The quick-stepping maid guided them with utmost care.
Instead of the parlor, the maid led Dorne's party to the dining room to wait. She figured the parlor's round table would be too small for that giant man. (There were two more sturdy warriors by normal standards.)
She set four teacups on the rectangular table for Dorne's party, then two more for the incoming employer and disciple, filling them with tea.
Dorne's party sat at the table, eyeing the steaming cups. Moments later, two mages entered the dining room.
The older one was probably the client. Dorne rose, studying their faces.
One was a man in his late twenties. He fit the stereotypical image of a magic researcher—but without the prickly vibe. His inverted robe and glimpsed accessories suggested refined taste beyond mere magic.
Leading him was the epitome of a 'mage.' If taken to Earth, he'd get casting offers for The Lord of the Rings. An ancient wizard with a white beard to his chest, yet radiating vigorous middle-aged energy rather than weary old age. The long staff seemed a mage's tool, not a crutch. Strength gleamed in his eyes, fingertips, and stride.
"Thanks for coming. Sit first. Got a giant here. My neck hurts."
The mage Alterion's joke carried no smile.
"Haha. Master's idea of humor. Don't take it to heart."
The perceptive disciple Lucian added as they sat.
"You probably didn't get details from that clerk, right?"
"No, nothing specific."
The elder mage spoke casually, but Dorne—steeped in Confucian thought—accepted it fluidly.
"What I want from you is to explore the West Labyrinth up to Layer 3 with my disciple. After that, you and he can decide and handle as agreed."
Dorne probed the oddly off-kilter phrasing.
"After that? Isn't it just explore to Layer 3 and exit via the portal?"
Lucian gazed at his master Alterion, who elaborated.
"Might sound strange to you. But this is for my disciple Lucian to hear. Lucian, my disciple taken in late in life, is now fully prepared to become an independent magic researcher. From here, pursue your own inquiries! These four seasoned explorers are my final gift for you, who has long been fascinated by the labyrinth. Magic researcher Lucian, strive onward."
Finishing, Alterion left the dining room without touching his tea. His impassive gaze—neither cold nor warm—seemed to linger on Lucian's face in parting.
The perceptive Lucian saw it, offering a wistful smile as he saw his master off. His movements bespoke profound reverence.
He escorted to the door in silence, with utmost poise, then composed himself before returning to sit.
"Well, this is... a bit startling, huh?"
The beastkin, tense and unable to sip their warm tea, finally relaxed.
"Sorry about that, everyone. The request proceeds as planned. The fee is already in my hands. What just happened was merely... a grown disciple parting from his towering master."
"...It's fine. Let us know when you're ready."
"Thank you. One moment..."
Though given time by Dorne, Lucian couldn't freely roam his master's home on the eve of independence. He sat, eyes closed, steadying his heart.
Instead of burying the churning emotions, he examined, embraced, and let them settle. Miraculously, his mind calmed.
When only faint tremors remained, Lucian opened his eyes and explained.
"I invited you because of my deep interest in the labyrinth. As Master said, his final gift. Explore to Layer 3. I'm thinking about a fortnight."
Dorne replied to Lucian.
"What are your plans after the exploration, Lucian?"
No questions on the fee amount, advance payment, or who covers preserved rations during the stay. Lucian's gaze turned to the explorer indifferent to money. It was like a delicate fingertip.
The giant armored warrior sat on the dining chair without looking ridiculous. Even simply seated, an innate nobility seemed to emanate from within.
It wasn't that Dorne lacked interest in money. He'd spotted an opportunity.
While the old master and grown disciple were swept in their emotional torrent.
Dorne illuminated Lucian's unclear future plans.
Lucian was disciple to Alterion, a mage looking about 200 years old. (Those with ample mana or stamina outlive normals.)
Thus, Lucian likely viewed his mage career similarly long-term. Perhaps investing 60 years wandering labyrinths as an explorer.
200 years was time for an ordinary person to have three careers. Such longevity warped time perception.
And Lucian himself showed keen labyrinth interest...
This could be the perfect chance to recruit him for a fixed party.
A masterful stroke born of such calculations.
Like asking someone who bought bread in melancholy: milk or coffee?
"My plans aren't related to this request. No worries."
Lucian's reply bristled subtly.
"Ah, yes. I overstepped. My apologies."
Ah, not easy...
A few days later, Dorne's party arrived at the labyrinth entrance on schedule. Unlike others, their shoulders were light.
All gear was in Eresa's 【Inventory】. Even the excellent value meals from the Oren Labyrinth Merchant Group.
The 【Inventory】 supernaturally preserved items' states. (Paid with Lucian's advance.)
What if Eresa died, spilling everything? Don't even think such horror!
How could cute, pitiful Eresa die—such cruel thoughts...!
(Dorne knew beforehand that the owner's death ejects contents, so he'd had her store sturdy large bags inside.)
Arriving early like proper hires, Dorne pondered the priestess they'd meet today. An old acquaintance of Lucian's, same age. Invited to aid his first labyrinth dive.
With plans to woo Lucian into a fixed party, Dorne coveted his priestess connection too.
If I snag Lucian, that priestess might join too? With both, we just dungeon-crawl endlessly.
Recruiting had been easy so far—party members had intrinsic motivation for labyrinths.
But typical research mages and priests lacked reason to enter. Labyrinth-born Supernatural Ability 'magic users' differed from warrior explorers, but researchers and priests had none.
Lucian's curiosity was the hook. Bind him with a contract before it wanes.
As he mulled, someone tapped Dorne's elbow.
Turning, he saw a woman in leather armor.
"You're Dorne, right?"
"Inoi?"