The Arrogance of Apprentices
—Hilde?
Granbipra could hardly believe the words. Of all the beings in this forest, Hilde had cherished his own kin the most. It was thanks to his protection that their dwindling numbers had grown to over three hundred, and the reason he had cooperated with the Demon King's army was surely to safeguard his own kind.
—Then why?
—…It's because of the crystals embedded in his back!
From the corner of the cave, a youngling that had been hiding behind its mother poked its head out and spoke. The mother tried to push the child back with her foot, but Granbipra's gaze had already found the little one.
—Crystals?
Granbipra had known that the Demon King's army had embedded crystals into Hilde's back. They were meant to restrict his movements and force obedience to their commands. Now that the Demon King's army had vanished, they should have lost all meaning.
—Yes. Whenever those crystals glowed, Lord Hilde would speak into the empty air. Sometimes he sounded afraid, and other times he was pleading.
Granbipra realized the situation was more complicated than he had thought. Given Hilde's nature, he would never have massacred his own kin or species. But if he had been forced by the crystals embedded in his body, then it made a certain amount of sense. The real question was who was behind it.
The Demon King's army had disappeared from this world. Though they had not been completely annihilated, with the death of the Demon King Thanatos, the obligation to follow his orders had also vanished, and the remaining demons had returned to the demon realm. A few stragglers might still remain on the surface, but even within the Demon King's army, few possessed the magical power necessary to control a being as powerful as Hilde through crystals.
Moreover, Granbipra did not know this, but the crystals embedded in Hilde's back were designed to respond only to high-ranking demons—those of a certain rank or higher within the Demon King's army.
—…I understand. For now, everyone should leave this place. Since I have returned, there is no longer any need to hide here.
At the sight of their hesitation, a powerful aura erupted from Granbipra's body and enveloped the surroundings.
—Surely none of you are afraid of someone like Hilde while under my protection?
At his words, the beings in the cave began to follow him outside one by one, spreading the news to the other groups.
—Bring me the survivors of that massacre. I need to hear exactly where it happened and what occurred at the time.
Though we had camped for several days, we finally left the Huinto region and arrived in Penna. We were attacked by Golakworms along the way, but they were wiped out by a single gesture from Bagloros before they could even fully emerge from the ground. Seeing that, we once again felt grateful that we had met Bagloros toward the end of our journey.
These disgusting worms, which swam rapidly underground before suddenly surfacing to swallow their prey whole, were large enough to devour a young goat in one bite and moved in packs. In the early days, Rowell and I had no way to attack them while they were underground, so we had been frequently harassed by them while passing through the Huinto region.
Now, however, they were not even a source of entertainment. It made us realize just how much we had grown.
The journey, after so long, was truly enjoyable. Aside from not being able to visit Lady Rofena, even camping had no real inconveniences. It was a truly carefree trip, filled with reminiscing about old memories and enjoying the various sights we had not been able to fully appreciate last time.
In fact, I had not even bothered to set up any barrier-type spells at the moment.
“It's still huge. And complicated, too.”
Penna was a large city. It was incomparable to Peltecheru, Deshurlang, or Ziamant Hall, and even when compared to the capitals of various nations, it was not lacking.
“Didn't Anak visit here just recently?”
“Ah, yes, that's right.”
In truth, this was my first visit since the great war, but for now, I had to let it pass as if it were not. The only way to reach the border on time was to use the teleportation circle here.
Currently, however, we were all wearing black cloth to cover our faces, including Bagloros. We had to prevent people from swarming once they recognized the hero Rowell and Aegina.
Of course, I did not think I needed to cover my face. Even if I openly announced my name, not a single person would recognize me. That was why situations like someone I had never met claiming to be my fiancée could even occur.
But Rowell and Aegina had strongly insisted that I do so as well, so in the end, we were all dressed like pilgrims from the Pemeka region.
“Let's head to the Mage Guild first. We need to request use of the teleportation circle there.”
Rowell said this while looking at me. He probably meant for me to guide them since I had used it before, but the problem was that I did not know the location of the Mage Guild here. I knew there was a branch of the Sage's Tower, but I did not know its exact location.
“Bagloros, could I ask you? Last time, I just followed the knights, so my memory isn't very clear.”
Good. That sounded natural.
“Yeah. Got it.”
We followed Bagloros and arrived at a white tower surrounded by red Belk trees on the western side of the city. All the branches of the Sage's Tower were built in this style. They were modeled after their headquarters, the Ivory Tower, reduced in size but with an almost perfectly replicated exterior. They also planted Belk trees around it, which symbolized purification and protection, because Belk trees served as mediums for powerful protective spells.
Some of these trees were probably inscribed with very powerful protective spells in secret.
“What brings you here?”
Two young mages holding large staffs blocked our way as we tried to enter. They looked as though they had only recently graduated from the academy, and their oversized staffs seemed more for show than actual magical assistance. They appeared to be apprentice mages who had just joined the guild and were helping with odd jobs.
“We would like to use the teleportation circle.”
The two young mages looked us up and down with displeased eyes, then smirked mockingly. They spoke as if chatting with each other, but raised their voices loud enough for us to hear clearly.
“You want to use the teleportation circle without a reservation? Do you think we're some cheap exchange or transport station?”
“Or maybe they think they're some kind of important people. I heard that in Pemeka, they treat pilgrims like priests.”
Only then did we remember that some mages harbored resentment toward the Pemeka region and its culture.
The people of Pemeka followed the Red Rock God Jinatonak and the Fire God Agno, which led them to prohibit mages—except for priests and clergy—from freely manipulating rocks or fire. Some mages found this tradition disagreeable, and that resentment sometimes manifested as discrimination.
However, this reaction was generally limited to a very small portion of older, conservative mages. It was hard to believe that these young—rather, these practically children—mages genuinely thought that way.
“So we need a reservation. Then where do we make one…?”
“Reception hours are already over.”
This was nothing more than petty spite. Whether they were relieving boredom during work hours with mischievous entertainment or if their nature was simply like that, they were taking out their stress on us.
“Come back early tomorrow morning.”
“If you run over before morning prayers, that should work.”
They said this and openly snickered. I genuinely wondered if they would treat us the same way even if they knew we had shared life-and-death experiences with Lord Medrup, the head of the Sage's Tower.
“When exactly are the reception hours…?”
“Ah, I'm telling you to come early.”
Despite their rude attitude, Rowell asked politely and respectfully. This was despite knowing our true identities and their ages. But seeing the expression on the one who spoke as if chasing us away before Rowell had even finished, I felt my fingers and mouth itch.
I wanted to see if they could maintain that attitude even after Rowell removed the cloth. Or what kind of faces they would make if I contacted Lord Medrup right now through a communication crystal in front of them.
“Yes. Understood.”
But Rowell simply nodded without the slightest sign of discomfort and turned away. Even though revealing our identities could have easily gotten us special treatment, he chose not to. He was probably worried about causing trouble for those who had already made reservations or the mages in charge of the teleportation circle, and also because we did not need to rush at the moment.
Spending a day in Penna sightseeing would not be so bad. Moreover, he probably did not want to cause unnecessary problems. Perhaps he was even concerned about the punishment these young mages would face within the guild if our identities were revealed.
I turned my head to look at Aegina. She seemed somewhat troubled. If they truly held such unjust resentment toward the people of Pemeka, she would have scolded them immediately given her personality. But if this was just a bit of mischief for fun, and considering they were relatively young apprentice mages, she seemed unable to easily decide whether it was wise to reveal our identities and make a big deal out of it.
“Then if we make a reservation tomorrow, when can we use it?”
My case was a little different. I did not worry about their future circumstances like Rowell or Aegina did. I simply respected their decision and intended to give them a few chances.
“You'll find out when you come tomorrow.”
Yes, I had spoken informally. So I would tolerate them responding in kind.
“We need to leave a bit earlier, so if it takes too long, in advance…”
But before I could finish, one of them raised his voice in irritation.
“Ah, if you're in such a hurry, why don't you just buy a portal scroll? If you don't have the money, then just do as you're told.”
Kid. Any one of the three of us could buy this entire branch if we felt like it.
“Hoo.”
I took a deep breath first. Rowell approached me worriedly, but before he could say anything, I asked again.
“Could you tell me the exact reception hours, from when to when?”
They glanced at each other for a moment at my question, then let out a sigh while mimicking me, but with far more irritation, and answered curtly.
“Ah, I'm telling you to come before morning prayers.”
In the Pemeka region, morning prayers began at sunrise and ended before breakfast. There was no way reception would be available at that time.
“Then what about afternoon reception hours?”
“We don't handle teleportation circle reservations in the afternoon.”
“That's a lie.”
Bagloros, who had been silent, spoke up.
“I know too. Their pupils shook.”
Their expressions stiffened slightly. Of course, I understood. Even if they accepted reservations, they would just end up stacking paperwork and handing out number tickets. And that kind of menial task was probably their responsibility. They put off troublesome work. If someone was in a hurry, they would probably resort to some underhanded method and beg to get registered while slipping them money.
Moreover, at such a young age, even as apprentices, becoming part of the Sage's Tower meant they either had considerable talent or came from families of some status. Being young and having a sense of privilege, it was understandable that they would treat visitors this way as a form of entertainment and stress relief. I had seen plenty of such people at the academy.
The only problem was that their current target was us.
“How pathetic.”
I felt Rowell and Aegina trying to stop me, but that only made me continue speaking faster. I had given them more than enough chances.
“You were praised for having some talent, worked hard to become part of the Mage Guild's Sage's Tower, but all you do is menial tasks, so you got annoyed? You thought you'd glimpse the essence of magic under a famous master and leave your name in history, but you can't accept that you're just an ordinary apprentice mage?”
Rowell lightly grabbed my sleeve. Yes, there was no need to get overly excited. Clearly, under normal circumstances, and if I were alone, I would not have gotten this angry. I would have just used a more subtle method.
But I could not simply overlook these people treating Rowell so rudely.
“It's fine. There's no way I'd get worked up over third-rate apprentice mages like them. I'm just curious. Do they even realize how pathetic their actions are? Tormenting visitors who come here— they're not mages, just doormen.”
“You…!”
One of the mages raised his staff. He was not trying to cast magic, just threatening, but that was exactly the reaction I wanted. I extended my hand toward him, and a white light from my fingertips struck his chest.
“……!”
He could not even let out a groan from the sudden shock and fell backward. Magic Arrow. It was the most basic offensive spell, and its power was not particularly strong, but that would only make it more humiliating for his pride.
While the fallen one tried to pick up his dropped staff and stand, the remaining one hurriedly gathered mana into his staff. He could not yet cast offensive spells, but he seemed capable of deploying a light shield. Of course, this was also as expected.
I extended my other hand toward him, and for a moment, his expression twisted with confusion.
“Why? Is your mana not moving properly?”
Mana Disruption. With my magical skill, I could not disrupt a large area or a large amount of mana at once, but in a one-on-one situation, this was enough to fluster the opponent without any incantation.
With my gesture, runes appeared in the air around them and around me. Faced with the countless runes floating before their eyes, the two froze completely, and I could clearly see shock and fear rising in their pupils.
They were clearly just apprentices. Even though their momentum had been taken, the summoning was not yet complete. They had time to cast one or two light attack spells, but they simply stood there unable to do anything.
“Anak, that's enough now.”
Aegina spoke carefully but firmly, and I erased the runes floating in the air. I had no intention of doing anything more either. In fact, most of these countless runes had not even designated a summoning target.
“Yeah. We should discipline children in moderation.”
Rowell approached the fallen mage and extended his hand. But the mage was too flustered to take it, so Rowell ended up supporting him and helping him up.
“I'm sorry. My friend was a bit harsh with his words. Anyway, it's true that using the teleportation circle is impossible right now, right?”
“Y-yes. Th-that's correct.”
His voice trembled slightly with fear. He looked like nothing more than a child. Aegina tugged lightly at my sleeve reproachfully at the pitiful sight, but I felt not the slightest bit of remorse.
No matter how ignorant they were, who did they think they were showing such an attitude to? But Rowell brushed the dirt off their clothes, patted their backs to reassure them, and then spoke gently.
“Understood. Then we'll come back tomorrow morning. That should be fine, right?”
“Y-yes.”
“Ah, understood.”
Rowell returned to us, leaving them behind, and spoke naturally as if nothing had happened.
“Well then, let's go. There was a restaurant and inn over there that looked good.”