The Winner Takes All
The winner has the right to claim everything. That’s simply how this world of survival of the fittest works.
I extended my hand toward Raven and said, “Hand over your magic.”
“…You want me to teach you magic?”
“No.”
People always misunderstand when I say it like this. That’s not what I mean. I said hand it over.
“Don’t tell me… you can actually steal someone else’s magic?”
“It’s a trade. You promised to grant me one wish, so hand over one of your spells.”
“……”
Raven looked stunned. He was clearly shocked to hear that magic could be transferred. Well, who told you to make such a reckless bet? Now give me the magic.
I led Raven to a secluded spot where no one could see us. With a sigh, he listed out every spell he possessed.
“—And then there’s Black Room.”
“That was magic?”
“It’s not magic, it’s a gift. Why? Can you only trade magic?”
Obviously. Is this guy trying to scam me on the deal?
“I only accept the genuine article.”
“You’re quite picky.”
I picked the most appealing spell from the list Raven had given me. It was a darkness-attribute spell that created a pit. Perfect for me, since I found fast-moving enemies particularly annoying.
Creak.
Something settled into my hand. It happened so suddenly, without any warning, as if someone had cut a piece of the world and pasted it there.
Balance
The Pit spell settled onto the left scale. The scale tipped. Then the promise of the wager rose onto the right scale. The exchange was equal. Balance found equilibrium.
Ding!
A clear chime rang out. I savored the sight of the scales transformed into white flames and nodded. This is it.
I summoned a black wave in my palm, then erased it. Raven, who had been frowning as if the sight left a bad taste in his mouth, slowly opened his mouth.
“See you next time.”
“Next time, bring me an even better spell.”
“Tsk.”
Raven clicked his tongue and vanished. I gleefully played with my new magic. That was when Rizel cut in from the side.
“What the hell was that? You can trade magic?”
“I can.”
Everyone who witnessed Balance had the same reaction. It really was that absurd of a magic.
“What kind of spell is it that it can trade magic?”
“It’s called Balance.”
“What’s the principle behind trading magic?”
“If both parties place what they consider an equal price on the scales, the trade is completed. The magic is transferred to the other person.”
“Only transfer?”
“Sharing works too.”
“That’s fascinating…”
Rizel thought for a moment, then smiled.
“Want me to give you one of mine?”
“You were a mage too, Rizel?”
I hadn’t noticed at all. I could only tell someone was a mage when they released their mana. If they kept it perfectly contained inside their body, it was hard to notice until they actually cast something. So Rizel was a mage. I only just found out.
“Calling me a mage is a bit much. I only learned a little.”
“That still makes you a mage.”
“Giving it away completely would cut into my own lifeline, so how about I just share it?”
“Sounds good. What would you like in return?”
“I’ll just share it for free. We’re family, after all.”
So this is why people say family is nice. It really was good, wasn’t it? For the first time, I truly understood the meaning behind all those clichéd lines I’d read in novels.
“What element are you attuned to, Rizel?”
“Me? Flame.”
“Same as me.”
Creak.
I summoned Balance into the air. Rizel placed the Flame Arrow spell on the left scale and his heart on the right. It was filled with joy. He seemed incredibly happy to be sharing magic with me.
I tested out my newly acquired Flame Arrow spell in various ways. Since it was only first-circle, its power was mediocre, but I was a philanthropic lover of all magic. Any spell was welcome.
“I’ll use it well.”
“You’re always welcome to use anything of mine, Ruina.”
With that, the situation was more or less wrapped up. I turned around, intending to head back to the inn.
“Still, I’m glad it ended well. It felt pretty off to me.”
The sudden comment from Rizel made me pause. Off?
“What felt off to you?”
“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing major. That crow beastman from earlier. He deliberately threw the wolf beastman toward you.”
If he had deliberately thrown the wolf beastman at me, there was only one reason. To pick a fight. But why?
“Are you sure?”
“Well… that’s what my gut told me. Ferant? What about you?”
“Me? Hmm. Now that you mention it, it did seem that way.”
I narrowed my eyes. Was there really a reason for him to pick a fight with me and even go as far as a duel? Maybe they were both just mistaken?
I tapped my forehead as I fell into thought. Suddenly, a famous anecdote about the crow beastmen came to mind. It was the greedy tale of how they had stolen the inheritance magic of the Nemerion School. It reminded me of how crows are obsessed with shiny objects. This is exactly why you can’t trust beasts.
Magic, huh. No one knew exactly how the Nemerion School had lost the ability to use their inheritance magic. From a third party’s perspective, all anyone could tell was that after their big clash with the crow beastmen, the Nemerion School’s inheritance magic had changed.
…Did they have a gift that could steal magic? Or maybe one that placed restrictions on it? But the gift I had experienced was Black Room, which reversed ranks. Beastmen gifts were incredibly varied, so it wouldn’t be strange for others to exist, but something about it still felt wrong.
I don’t know. Since it’s already over, is there any point in thinking about it more?
I shook off the thoughts and spoke.
“I guess he just took a liking to me. After all, I am quite the beauty.”
“You burned most of it off.”
“Maybe the crow beastman has eyes that can see the true essence of things. Birds have good eyesight, don’t they?”
After giving a suitable reply, I returned to the inn.
The moment I arrived, Chris, who had been sprawled out lazily, waved at me.
“Ruina? You’re back?”
“You always seem so relaxed, Chris. Not busy, I see.”
“Is that code for ‘you’re just playing around instead of making my investment money work’?”
“As expected of Chris.”
“I’m not playing. I’m brainstorming.”
“As expected of Chris.”
I sat down and put a pipe in my mouth. Maybe it was because I’d just been in a fight, but I was craving nicotine. Once the tobacco was lit, I asked Jerry a question.
“How did the investigation go?”
“It’s wrapped up adequately.”
After a short meeting, we had decided Leon would investigate the other factions while Jerry looked into Barzet. In response to my question, Jerry sat down and answered.
“I dug a little deeper into the strange rumors about Barzet, and an interesting testimony came up.”
“What kind of testimony?”
“Apparently Barzet had a fondness for unusual mages.”
Unusual mages?
“You don’t mean he liked mages with unusual sexual preferences, do you?”
“Ruina. Why are you looking at me while saying that? I don’t have unusual sexual preferences, nor am I a mage.”
“Leon just happened to be sitting directly in front of me. Anyway, Jerry?”
“Of course that’s not what it means. It means he liked mages with unusual magic.”
Unusual magic, huh. Magic is inherently unusual. After all, every spell is created based on unique traits its caster discovered. Magic that reflects each person’s life may vary in power, but its rarity is always unique. The fact that he emphasized it like that probably meant he had a particular fondness for especially strange spells among them.
“Correct. I couldn’t get any specific examples, but it’s certain that he showed special favor to mages with rare magic.”
“But why does that matter?”
Giving special treatment to mages with rare magic wasn’t particularly strange in itself. Every group related to magic did the same. Being special earned you better treatment no matter the field. Magic was no exception. However, Jerry shook his head at my words.
“There are also spells in this world that are unusual in a useless way, aren’t there?”
“You mean rare but practically worthless magic?”
“He welcomed those kinds of mages too. Doesn’t that seem strange? A mercenary whose every moment is a real battle, welcoming useless mages?”
“Hmm.”
It was certainly odd, but it was still ambiguous. Barzet was a mercenary, but he was also a romantic chasing after Toltpier. Even if others saw no use for them, it wouldn’t be unnatural for Barzet to decide they were useful. For now, let’s move on.
“Is that all?”
“That’s everything I’ve gathered.”
“I see. Leon?”
“Right now, every other faction has their eyes blazing as they try to undo the barrier. There were no other notable details.”
“Leon.”
“Yes?”
“You haven’t really been doing much lately, have you?”
At my words, Chris burst into loud laughter.
“Leon really hasn’t done anything lately except drink milk.”
“Be quiet, you investment thief.”
“No, Ruina. I really am working hard on my plans! Please believe me!”
“Be quiet, you time thief.”
Well, whatever. Both Barzet and the crow beastman were suspicious, but this place was right in the middle of the Vortex of Desire. With everyone obsessed with Toltpier’s legacy right now, anyone could look suspicious. Even we probably looked like a shady group to outsiders.
In the end, the important thing was this: even if someone stabbed us in the back, we just had to be well-prepared enough to respond immediately. That was enough.
“Ruina.”
I tilted my head back at the familiar male voice. It was Barzet. He had approached us at some point and spoke in a low voice.
“It’s tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
Barzet left. I blew smoke toward the ceiling and muttered to myself.
So for now, I’ll trust Barzet and work with him. After all, that gave us the highest chance of obtaining the Holy Grail.