Chapter 96
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Fate (2)
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"Why have you changed so much?"
"I started training that I never did before, so maybe I lost some weight..."
A lame excuse that no one would buy.
Oz didn't even pretend to listen, scanning my body up and down.
"No... you even seem a bit taller."
At nearly thirty years old, bringing up growth spurts would be ridiculous.
"No way. Must be your imagination."
"Did you get a girlfriend by any chance?"
"Huh? No."
I lacked excuses for the physical changes, but pinning it on a girlfriend was too far.
Far from a girlfriend... my recent routine consisted only of brawling with burly beastkin or creepy old men.
The more I thought about it, the more my expression soured.
Oz noticed and cautiously continued.
"Usually, when people start dating and caring about their looks, that's how it goes. At our age, marriage talks might start popping up too."
It made sense.
My own sister was about to have her engagement ceremony soon.
But for a 7th Circle mage, "normal age" meant nothing.
Someone at that level was already preparing to transcend worldly affairs.
Especially reaching 7th Circle before thirty.
No matter how strict the family rules, they wouldn't force marriage on such a person.
"Absolutely not."
I almost unconsciously muttered that it might be nice if I did... but stopped myself.
Could I even have a normal relationship?
In my current situation?
I could, but it would be incredibly stressful.
If an enemy discovered someone close to me, it would be like handing them my weakness.
And that wouldn't end after one or two incidents. Days of constant worry would stretch on endlessly.
Oz seemed convinced after my firm double denial. Her tense expression softened, and she even twitched her eyebrows slightly before hiding that too.
Well, she'd figure it out once she became a Transcendent. Why my body had changed like that.
Of course, Oz was a mage. For her to undergo physical changes, she'd need to ascend to Dragon Rank and achieve integration.
By then, she'd naturally understand why I had to hide it now.
I was already certain Oz would become a Transcendent someday. If she hit a wall, I even intended to help.
...No, I should ask her will first.
Reaching 7th Circle was practically guaranteed, but wanting to become a Transcendent was another matter.
Becoming one meant stepping into another world.
There, she wouldn't be a noble family's lady anymore—just a bottom-tier Probe Rank Transcendent.
"By the way, why didn't you tell me you reached 7th Circle...?"
"Things just happened, no time to mention it."
"I get you were busy, but you weren't around every time I visited. You vanished without a word. I was shocked to hear you lectured at the Academy out of nowhere."
I scratched my brow and replied.
"That was Professor Palrez asking me urgently."
Of course, it wasn't urgent. He just asked if I could.
Oz pursed her lips briefly, then sighed.
"The last time I saw you, you were with that Transcendent mage. Do you know how worried I was?"
She meant Merlin.
Fair enough. Disappearing after being seen with a Transcendent would worry anyone.
I explained why I'd vanished for so long—a prepared excuse.
"I just reached 7th Circle and was training outside. 7th Circle spells... can't handle them recklessly in a training hall."
Their power was too immense for ordinary facilities.
"Ah."
Oz let out a light exclamation.
I first thought she bought it, but it felt too natural, changing my mind.
...No way, had Oz already reached 7th Circle too?
"I could've helped if you'd told me. Could've lent you our family training hall."
Her prestigious family apparently had facilities that could handle 7th Circle magic.
"I came to tell you first that I'd reached 7th Circle, multiple times."
As expected.
She was already at 7th Circle.
She said in a deflated tone.
"But you'd already figured it out."
"Better late than never. Congrats, Oz."
As I offered my congratulations, she pouted and looked away.
"I wanted to say that first. Ended up babbling nonsense instead."
I figured she felt a bit miffed.
She finally smiled faintly and said.
"Thanks. What you told me really helped."
Probably referring to how I'd hinted at applying traits before.
"Congrats to you too. You beat me to 7th Circle."
She beamed as she said it.
"But hey."
She looked at me, her eyes crinkling playfully.
"In our age group, the only ones who could become Transcendents are us, right?"
I pondered her words.
There might be a few if I looked.
But I kept it to myself.
"Oz, do you want to become a Transcendent?"
"Yeah. You?"
She answered matter-of-factly.
As I thought.
I'd worried needlessly.
Maybe doubting it was the odd thing.
Anyone who handled mana dreamed of transcendence.
Transcendents were objects of envy.
I knew that dynamic too well—having experienced it firsthand—which sparked my worries first.
So I said.
"Me too."
"...Hearing you say you'll do it makes it sound real."
Maybe because I was already a Transcendent, I answered unconsciously.
Oz chuckled softly and added.
"You've always been like that."
"..."
I wanted to ask something, but words wouldn't come.
Because Oz was staring at me with sparkling eyes.
...Wait, weren't we too close?
The mood grew strange.
I was silent, and so was she, lips sealed tight.
Yet her deep gaze never wavered.
Had she gotten bolder somehow? Talking like we were the only two our age fit for Transcendence...
Was there some trigger?
The awkward silence dragged until it got embarrassing.
Oz looked away first.
She turned her head with a fake cough.
"Ahem, hmm... Anyway!"
She covered her mouth, but from the side, her face was flushed red.
"Oh, right, I should mention this too."
"What?"
"His Majesty has been looking for you for a while."
"Me?"
"Yeah. He's hosting a celebration banquet personally."
Any 7th Circle mage born in the Empire received such honors.
Nothing odd there.
'When was the last time I saw the Emperor...?'
Probably during the standoff with Joart.
The Emperor had stood between us like a mediator—more suffering than mediating.
I caught on quick and offered to settle it directly with Joart.
Impressed, he granted me a Relic-grade artifact, ignoring Joart's pressure.
That led me to primal mana... he'd influenced me greatly.
Grateful, I'd revealed destroying the Relic to shut Joart up.
"You, me... and one more person's coming."
Oz's voice snapped me back.
"An Academy student. Not a mage... a super promising swordsman?"
I raised an eyebrow.
'No way... Rosellin?'
The banquet seemed meant to celebrate all newly ascended 7th Circle talents.
The imperial side naturally wanted good ties.
But... wait.
Then Oz already knew about another 7th Circle figure.
Why say just us two?
Getting brazen now?
Attending the imperial banquet had clear benefits.
I could wrap up all my loose ends at once.
Before that, I decided to visit home after ages.
Spend about two weeks there, then head to the venue together.
In the carriage to my hometown, I picked up the manaphone.
Finally.
Rosellin had entered the chat room.
[Anonymous (5) has entered the chat room.]
Shows up right when we're about to forget.
I'd wondered if someone else entered before Rosellin at first, but the tone made it obvious it wasn't.
What is this?
Kya.
Reaction's exactly the same as always.
No clue.
Who are you?
Anonymous 5 showed guarded reactions.
Having endured assassination attempts since childhood, her wariness was understandable.
Adapting like the others wouldn't be easy.
Shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking who I am?
Knock it off.
Everyone's confused at first.
And since when did we do introductions?
At least Anonymous 2 lightened the mood.
Thus, I'd face Rosellin at the banquet as Cedric, Anonymous 4, and soon Ivan too.
Almost every identity, each confronting her separately.
'0' aside, as an exception.
When she'd realize they were all one person, even I couldn't be sure.
What is this place for?
What it's for...