Third-Year Mission Activities (7)
As dawn broke, we grabbed a quick breakfast from some simple rations and left the inn. Then we set off to escape the ancient kingdom.
“So, what do you think happened here to our little cutie?”
My master's question. I immediately grasped her intent. It had been a while since we'd seen each other, so she wanted to check my magic skills. Knowing the core incantation made it no big deal.
“First off, there must've been some kind of external attack.”
“What kind?”
“Who knows. But judging by the state of the kingdom, it wasn't an invasion.”
From what I'd seen yesterday, there were no signs of destruction in the castle or the capital. So the kingdom hadn't frozen over from battle.
“If that's all you've figured out, I'm a little disappointed in our little cutie.”
“...”
Acting all provocative. I might've fallen for it back then, but things were different now. Of course, it still stung my pride a bit.
“I don't know the exact type, but some phenomenon occurred. The kingdom's magic activated to counter it.”
“And that's it?”
“...In the process, the local chill mixed with that phenomenon, creating another one. That fused with the kingdom's magic, resulting in this disaster.”
She smiled as if I'd nailed it.
“Our little cutie's skills haven't dulled, huh?”
“Who'd I learn from?”
I'd suffered so much under her tutelage. No way I could forget.
“But why were you fumbling around yesterday?”
“...Couldn't be helped. Even I don't know every spell.”
She could spot it at a glance since she was a master, but my magical knowledge lagged far behind. I could handle standard spells on sight, but new ones took time.
“Our little cutie, separated from me for so long and already like this. Don't you need to study magic under me again?”
“Not that bad. If I'd had time, I could've solved it myself.”
It was just the circumstances. With enough time, I could've deciphered the ancient kingdom's magic on my own.
“So how do we get out of here?”
“That way.” I pointed toward a spot in the capital. “There should be a way to resolve this. Looks like the magic's core.”
“Good job, my proud disciple!”
Her face lit up with pride as she reached out. I could tell she was going for my cheeks. I dodged back quick.
“Seriously? Hiding from your master's love like this.”
“Please act with some dignity. Fine if it's just us, but there's someone else here—what are you doing?”
She glanced at Ariel and said, “Does our lady mind this?”
“No, I'm fine with it.”
“See? Our lady says it's okay.”
“...”
She could barely string a sentence together yesterday... What happened while she slept? Anyway, we reached the magic's core: a fountain in the plaza. Naturally, nothing was visible amid the frozen scene. This was a kingdom-wide protective spell, so it was hidden even more thoroughly.
“See anything?”
“Roughly, yeah.”
Knowing the basics of ancient kingdom magic made it easy. I waved my hand, lightly interfering with the spell. Large and small magic circles floated up around the fountain, intricately linked in a work of art.
Ariel gasped in admiration. “Wow... it's beautiful.”
“Right? From a certain level, magic prioritizes mana flow and incantation layout for aesthetics. Efficiency's key, so it shows their high skill. Probably two hundred years ahead of this era's magic. Oh, too much explaining?”
“It's fine. I don't know much about magic, but Lady Noah's explanations are interesting.”
“Look at our lady's thoughtfulness!”
Master hugged Ariel with a beaming smile. Ignoring them, I began unraveling the magic enveloping the kingdom, thread by thread, traps and all. Slowly, the circles dismantled.
The moment I returned the final one to natural mana...
“Oh, cutie. You said you didn't know what phenomenon happened here, right?”
“Yeah.”
It was concealed by the kingdom's magic, so I couldn't tell. But now it was over. With the spell gone, I'd uncover the truth. So why bring it up now?
“To help my lacking disciple, your master will explain a bit... There was a spatial distortion here in the past.”
“What?”
Ignoring my shock, she continued. “The kingdom used stabilization magic to counter it. But it wasn't enough. The distortion was huge—enough to swallow this whole area. They probably chose to sacrifice themselves for the world. See how the chill here can freeze space itself? And this is the result.”
“Why tell me now—!”
But my words cut off. Spatial distortions erupted across the capital. Everything in their paths vanished from sight. I'd removed the chill and magic that had been holding them back.
Then master said, “Isn't our little cutie too softened by peace?”
“When did I ever...?”
She shook her head. “Nah, I think so. You've improved in aggression and challenge, but caution and creativity have slipped. You weren't like this under me.”
She pushed Ariel forward. “So this is a master's test for her disciple. Solve it with our lady.”
She sat on the fountain edge, watching us without lifting a finger.
“What should we do?”
Ariel accepted it like it was natural. Something had definitely happened between them. But no time to dwell— the distortions were devouring the capital in real time.
I sighed inwardly and drew a pattern in the air. “There'll be these patterns east, west, south, north from the fountain. Activate them in any order.”
The magic I'd disrupted needed reactivation and reset.
“That's all I have to do?”
“Yes.”
I added, “Be careful. No telling what happens if you get caught in that.”
Your body could vanish or shift dimensions. That's what spatial distortion meant.
Ariel smiled. “Don't worry. You know my abilities well.”
She kicked off south. Behind me, master cooed, “Our lady's so bold~.”
Damn it. If you're testing, test me alone. She knew how vital Ariel was, yet threw her into danger. But this was to instill urgency in me. Master understood how crucial the protagonist and leads were to me.
So... I'd have to step up.
I unleashed my unique magic, Domain Declaration, at full power. Spatial distortion was overlapping dimensions. Just separate the spaces.
Kwagak—!!
I first sealed the live distortions with mana, halting further merging. Explosions of mana followed from all directions—Ariel had fully activated the stabilization.
I fixed our space's coordinates as she approached, isolating it. Now just stabilize in this state. I deployed the reset ancient kingdom magic.
Master, watching, said, “Doubt it'll be that easy.”
“What do you—?”
“You'll see.”
Kwagagang!!!
The fixed space burst, distortions intensifying. They fused, forming massive holes.
“Someone forced that distortion. Get it?”
Not all distortions are equal—collisions or forced twists. The latter breaks world laws, with consequences.
“Just tell me the key fact quick...”
“Haha, isn't this a master's love for her disciple?”
“Bullshit.”
I cursed inwardly, dropping all mana. Things had changed. The distortions were fully deployed. Stabilization wouldn't cut it now. There were blocking spells, but they'd take too long.
I needed a new spell perfect for this. But no time—even I couldn't invent one instantly while fending them off.
“Can I help?” Ariel asked.
Swallowing my frustration, I said, “That distortion—how long can you hold it?”
“Maybe one to two minutes...”
“That's enough.”
I left defense to her. The distortions surged. She activated her magic eyes to block them. In the gap, I spread a blank magic circle, filling it step by step: spatial seal and ancient stabilization basics, infused with northern continent chill.
That chill could freeze space. But fusing them was tough—their natures clashed. Endless mental calculations, but completion was elusive.
Then master chimed in. “Our little cutie. What did I say magic is?”
Some call it miracles unfolding in the world, others the power to comprehend laws. But the unified definition...
“...The power to defy the world's principles.”
“Right.”
Ultimately, bending principles via mana.
“Even the first created world was born that way. We call it primordial magic. Magic had no form at first. So why's my disciple so obsessed with calculations?”
“...You know why.”
“Yeah, you know I do. But it's time to break free. And...”
She grinned. “You grow in crises. That's you, right?”
Her words etched my forgotten essence. Bitter yet amusing.
“You're right. That's me.”
Mulling her implied word, I manipulated mana. She was spot on. Adept mages used magic unbound by formulas. But it wasn't easy for me—I differed from her other disciples. Formulas were my crutch.
Yet I had experience to bridge that gap. Mana infused with will flowed over the circle. Recalling spells from countless battles, I filled the blanks—stronger, more efficient, optimal for now.
Finally, not perfect, but ideal for this space and moment: complete.
“Step back.”
I pulled Ariel away and unleashed the newborn spell. Space twisted back to normal. The ancient stabilization filled every gap seamlessly.
Pajijijik—!!
The resistance was fierce, warping my mana to revert. But I pressed on, punching a hole in the ice ceiling to draw northern chill. It invaded, merging with the seal to freeze the world.
Distortions quieted. My body froze in the dropping cold. I endured, timing it.
As vibrations hit zero, I yanked my widespread mana from the air. Under Domain Declaration, this was my turf. Distortions, chill, magic—all converged in my grasp. I compressed it into a bead.
The phenomenon vanished from the world.
I collapsed on the spot, drained and sweating.
“Good work.”
“No, you too, Princess.”
Ariel approached, exchanging words. She sat beside me, looking spent.
“Well done, our little cutie!”
Master patted my shoulder happily at the success.
“Oh, that bead's unstable—want help?”
“Gladly.”
I handed it over and rested more.
“So how do we get out now?”
“The ceiling'll break soon.”
Having sucked in the ceiling's energy too, the sky would open shortly. As I spoke, the ice began melting, sunlight piercing through—revealing something red.
“Kyle!!!”
Rana descending on phoenix Nene.
“Rana's still got eyes only for you.”
“What can I say, it's Rana.”
Master cut in. “That's our little cutie's girlfriend?”
“Yes.”
Why confirm for her? I corrected Ariel. “No.”
“Sure seems like it.”
“...No.”
Not yet. After that, we reunited with the expedition team.