Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Epilogue (2)
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Mages have to be calculating beings, Raniel.
In truth, they have no choice but to be.
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Mages wield mana.
They bargain with the stars.
So they always have to think.
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What to offer, and how much?
How much mana does it take to activate this circuit?
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They calculate, and calculate again.
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Drawing up formulas dozens, hundreds of times a day—that's the life of a mage. If you're not calculating, it's hard to climb to the top.
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Keeping every condition under control.
Moving only under thorough calculations.
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Those are the qualities of a good mage.
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In short, you can't be emotional. No matter who pisses you off, assess the situation objectively.
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...So, like, what I'm saying is?
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Think about the losses you'll suffer if you smash that bastard's head in right now. Put aside thoughts of how satisfying it'd feel to burst his skull open.
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Stay calm.
Please, just live calmly and calculatingly.
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I'm begging you!
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"...".
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Recalling her master's words, Raniel took a slow, deep breath. She steadied her breathing and thought calmly. She viewed the situation objectively.
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'What do I gain by slamming a Heavy Strike into him?'
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Immense satisfaction.
The kind of satisfaction that would wipe away a century's worth of pent-up stress.
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'And the losses from that?'
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Risk of exposing my identity.
The hassle of dealing with the aftermath of touching the Hero.
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'...Huh?'
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No matter how I look at it, the gains outweigh the losses?
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'No, no. Calm down...'
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Exercising superhuman patience, Raniel opened her mouth.
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"Eat shit, you fucker."
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Thick profanity spilled from between her lips.
She didn't swing her fist. She didn't resort to physical or magical violence.
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'But surely I can at least curse him out?'
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Flipping him the bird was just icing on the cake.
With her middle finger raised, Raniel stared at the man before her. She recalled his name.
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'Kyle.'
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Once a friend, once a comrade, but no longer either. Staring at him, Raniel bit her lip hard.
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'Fucking dogshit bastard.'
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To be honest, Raniel had thought she'd be fine even if she ran into Kyle.
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It sucked, but it was all in the past. They wouldn't get tangled up again anyway... They'd just go their separate ways. That's what Raniel had believed.
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'That's what I thought...'
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But now that they were face-to-face, she realized how big a delusion that had been.
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'This fucking sucks.'
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Regrettably, that was her first thought upon seeing his face. The emotions she'd thought sorted out boiled over the moment she saw that shameless mug.
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Kindling tossed onto embers.
The fire she'd thought extinguished roared back to life.
That blazing flame was irritation and rage.
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'Part of me wants to just deck him first...'
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But that would only make things more annoying.
Raniel took another slow deep breath and closed her eyes. Staring at that face any longer might make her swing without thinking.
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'...Wait, something's off when I think about it.'
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Calmly considering it, something felt wrong.
Raniel narrowed her eyes at the sudden doubt.
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'There's no way this bastard doesn't recognize me.'
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As far as Raniel remembered, Kyle had eyes like Kardi's. Eyes that pierced the soul... No reason he couldn't recognize her.
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'Kardi, that elf, recognized me.'
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Raniel glared at Kyle.
Maybe he was pretending not to know as a joke? But that thought faded quickly.
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'At least he's not the type to joke around like that.'
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He didn't even know what joking was to begin with.
As Raniel shot him a suspicious look, Kyle slowly opened his mouth.
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"...That's a very unique name."
"What?"
"I'm talking about the answer you gave when I asked your name. Doesn't suit you at all."
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Has this fucker lost his mind?
Seeing Kyle mutter that with such a serious face, Raniel sighed.
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'Just ignore him.'
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If he really didn't recognize her, all the better.
She could just walk away.
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"So, what's your name?"
"Told you I don't wanna say."
"Fine, then let me change the question."
"Who's gonna answer you?"
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Raniel started walking past him, intending to ignore whatever he said.
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"Raniel."
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But Kyle's next words halted her steps. Raniel slowly turned her head. She met Kyle's eyes.
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"What's your relationship to Raniel?"
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A platinum glow rose over his black pupils.
Those eyes resembled Kardi's yellowish ones. Having traveled with Kyle, Raniel instantly recognized what that glow meant.
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'Soul-reading eyes.'
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Recognizing that, Raniel felt a sense of wrongness.
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'...Even seeing that, why the hell is he asking?'
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Did he not notice?
Why?
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"You're not Raniel, but you give off a very similar vibe. I think you're connected somehow. What's the relationship?"
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His following words confirmed it for Raniel.
This guy really didn't recognize her.
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"Maybe Raniel's lover?"
"You crazy?"
"Daughter... Nah, not with the age difference."
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Kyle stroked his chin and asked.
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"You strike me as highly suspicious right now. Something's off. You were in the forest where that guy appeared."
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He took another step closer.
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"Why are you here? Why in a place overflowing with demonic energy just moments ago?"
"...Just came to find a student."
"Must be a professor at Aphria. Coming to a forest full of demonic energy to find a student? A model educator."
"You mocking me, fucker?"
"I'm impressed."
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Kyle remained expressionless.
He pointed expressionlessly in one direction of the forest.
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"If it's the student, I checked on the way here. They're over there. I told you one thing, so can I ask one?"
"Who said to tell you?"
"Have you seen the Ashen Mage, Raniel? In this forest?"
"No, haven't seen them."
"I see."
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He nodded readily.
As if he had no more questions. Raniel stared at Kyle for a moment before turning away. Kyle turned away too and started walking.
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The distance between them grew.
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With the clearing as the center, Kyle headed deeper into the forest, Raniel toward the outskirts.
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"Hm."
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Once they were sufficiently far apart.
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"A shame."
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Suddenly, Kyle muttered.
In a voice like he wanted someone to hear.
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"I should have come a bit sooner."
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Raniel kept walking, ignoring the words.
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"Pushing themselves when they're not even in normal condition... Coming to a place like this even after retiring..."
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Raniel's steps faltered for a moment.
But she didn't stop. Even if her pace slowed, she kept going.
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"If I'd known it'd be like this."
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Thud.
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"Maybe."
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Finally, Raniel stopped.
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"It would have been better."
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She turned around.
Her gaze headed toward Kyle.
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"To just keep them with me."
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Kyle finished speaking and turned around as well.
With the clearing between them, their gazes met.
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The setting sun hung behind Kyle.
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Under the glow of dusk, Kyle's shadow stretched long. The tip of that shadow reached Raniel's feet.
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"You."
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Raniel spoke.
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"What did you say?"
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To her question, Kyle replied.
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"Just talking to myself. Did it bother you?"
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His voice was unchanged.
His eyes were unchanged too.
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"Ha, haha."
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Staring at that shameless face, Raniel lowered her head. She let out a laugh with her head down.
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"Ha..."
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The laughter faded. When she lifted her head again, the mirth was gone.
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Crackle.
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Sparks danced over her body.
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2.
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Once the situation had settled, at the outskirts of Aphria Forest.
Where Kalt had left the knights, Kalt and Raniel faced each other.
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"Hm?"
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Looking at the approaching Raniel, Kalt tilted his head. She looked oddly drained.
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"Eh? Are you hurt?"
"I'm not hurt."
"But your complexion looks bad. Are you injured somewhere? The fight must've been intense."
"No, I said I'm not hurt, fucker?"
"...Why are you cursing?"
"You think I'd get hurt by that skull-headed bastard? I'm fine. Didn't take a single hit. Didn't get hit once, and I beat his ass one-sidedly."
"Ah, got it..."
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Seeing Raniel grit her teeth, Kalt swallowed dryly. He trailed off as he swallowed.
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'If I say more...'
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I'll get decked.
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Kalt's instinct told him.
Now was the time to back off. Asking more would definitely earn him a punch.
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Still though.
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'But I'm curious.'
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Curiosity won out a bit.
Kalt cautiously continued.
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"But why do you look so drained?"
"Mentally. I'm mentally drained."
"...Did something happen?"
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Crack, crack.
Raniel stared at Kalt as she cracked her knuckles.
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"If you wanna nitpick, it's kinda your fault."
"...Pardon?"
"But, well..."
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She muttered and twisted her lips upward. A smile mixing irritation and amusement.
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"Feels kinda refreshing."
"Pardon?"
"The itch isn't fully scratched, but... At least I beat him till blood came out."
"...You're talking about Skeval, right?"
"Hey."
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Raniel chuckled.
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"You think a skeleton's gonna bleed?"
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Kalt's face turned pale.
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3.
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"Eh, Kyle? What are you doing here?"
"Why are you standing around like an idiot? Is the incident over?"
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Once the situation settled, Sara and Remia headed into Harmain Forest to assist Kyle. Of course, their support was useless in most incidents.
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In the demon realm, maybe, but in the human world.
Especially incidents in the capital... No need for Sara and Remia to assist.
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Kyle swings his sword once.
Jumps around a few times, and it's done.
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But not this time.
They knew well what the black barrier and altar meant.
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-Listen up. Burn this into your ears.
-That barrier appearing means the altar is about to activate... That coward's shown up.
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They'd heard it endlessly from the party's mage until recently.
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-The ancient lich, Skeval.
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That disaster of a mage had appeared in the heart of the capital. Kyle alone couldn't handle it.
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Especially without the Ashen Mage now.
So Sara and Remia rushed into the forest... And soon encountered Kyle.
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"...Just thinking for a bit."
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Kyle stood with the sunset at his back.
Sara and Remia approached him curiously. No visible injuries. Clothes clean.
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'...Doesn't look like he fought.'
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That's what Sara thought.
Kyle had a bad matchup against the ancient lich Skeval. He could win, but light injuries were expected.
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"...".
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Remia felt the doubt too.
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'More than that, it wouldn't end this quickly and quietly...'
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Remia checked the forest's state.
The vital energy drifting in the air was disrupted, but minimally. If Kyle and Skeval had clashed, it wouldn't have ended quietly.
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They tilted their heads and looked at Kyle.
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"Is it over? Skeval, that skeleton?"
"Dealt with."
"Already? My god, Kyle..."
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Kyle cut Sara off and added.
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"Not me. Someone else."
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Sara and Remia stiffened.
They knew who "someone else" meant.
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'Raniel.'
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The mage who'd left the party recently.
That mage entered the forest and took down Skeval before leaving?
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"...Did you meet?"
"Haven't met yet. Seems they already left the forest."
"...Well, whatever. Isn't that fine? Even better. No need to waste energy. I don't have to use Moonlight Arrow either."
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Remia shrugged.
She didn't show it, but relief seeped from her fingers fiddling with her bowstring.
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It couldn't be helped.
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Fighting Skeval was something they wanted to avoid at all costs. No, fighting Skeval was fine.
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That skeleton was at least fightable.
They knew how to counter him, so it was okay.
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What made Skeval annoying was his meticulously laid plans. Once exposed, he wasn't much of a threat.
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Simply put, Sara and Remia.
Didn't want to face things called "disasters."
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The apostate, Gletus.
The Blade of Death, Ganikalt.
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The terror from facing those two still lingered deep within them. The fear stimulated by confronting the Demon King made the word "disaster" evoke revulsion.
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"So everything's handled? Let's go? Kyle?"
"Yeah, let's head back, Kyle. We're in the capital after so long..."
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Sara and Remia urged him to leave the forest.
Ignoring the urging, Kyle blankly stared down at his own palm.
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"Eh? What? Is Kyle hurt?"
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Sara blinked upon noticing belatedly.
The palm Kyle was looking at had its skin peeled off.
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"How'd that happen?"
"Dunno..."
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To that question, Kyle suddenly chuckled.
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"Met a rather unique mage."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"Nothing much. I'm going to search the rest of the forest before heading back. What about you two?"
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Sara and Remia exchanged glances, then nodded. When Kyle changed the subject like this, he never answered questions.
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Remia answered, gauging Kyle's mood.
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"...Well, then, I'll head back with Sara first. Gotta check on the students too."
"Sure. I'll be back soon."
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Remia and Sara moved away.
Kyle stood there a while longer, then headed deeper into the forest.
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His palm throbbed.
With the stinging, skinned palm, Kyle lightly patted the back of his head a couple times.
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Drip.
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Pooled blood trickled from his nose. Feeling slight dizziness, Kyle wrapped his body in starlight. The injury healed in an instant.
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'...I was willing to take one hit.'
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He'd definitely blocked with his palm.
Yet the following shock rattled his head beyond his palm. If not for the starlight on his body... The skin peeled.
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The impact right after the girl's fist connected was some kind of magic. Kyle was ignorant of magic, but he recognized that spell.
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He'd seen it nauseatingly often for the past five years.
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'Heavy Strike, or Crush.'
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A striking spell by that name.
A powerful spell strong enough to shake the skull even through a blocked palm. It was the spell that guy favored.
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At this point, it was absurd.
The distinctive appearance, speech, sharp aura, even the spell system—all identical.
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'Only difference is gender.'
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Gender, meaning the body.
A girl who looked just like him, except for that. Honestly, Kyle thought she was Raniel.
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'Disguised body and soul?'
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No other explanation.
Whether such disguise methods even existed was questionable to begin with... But even if used, Kyle was confident he'd see through it.
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'The moment she casts a spell, the form would waver.'
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Polymorph-type spells.
Using mana would cause the form to shake, even slightly. Kyle had found countless demons that way. So he provoked the girl. Made her cast a spell.
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-Maybe it would have been better to just keep them with me.
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Saying something Raniel could never ignore.
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-You, what did you say?
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And the provocation worked.
The girl charged and used a spell instantly.
Kyle read all her movements.
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But there was no wavering in form.
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Meaning, it was her real body.
Not a disguise—a genuine body and soul.
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'Really not him, then.'
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Then why react to those words? Did she hear directly from him?
Only questions swirled in Kyle's mind.
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'Can't know.'
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In the end, nothing could be known. Only questions remained.
As one connected to the stars, Kyle knew well how impossible it was for body or soul to change.
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'That's impossible.'
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In deals with the stars where anything was possible, the sole exception was altering the body and soul received at birth.
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The stars asserted.
Such a thing was absolutely impossible.
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'...Then, really a different person?'
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Just someone connected to Raniel?
Kyle narrowed his eyes. He recalled the girl he'd faced moments ago.
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Ashen hair, blue eyes.
The fiercely glaring eyes lingered before him.
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A person too similar to Raniel.
Kyle's intuition pointed to her being the same person. But the stars said she wasn't Raniel.
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Which to believe.
Kyle's intuition had been wrong many times. But the stars had never once been wrong.
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"...".
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But this time, doubt crept in.
Even the prophecy from the stars was ambiguous.
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'You will encounter the Ashen one, in some form.'
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No matter how he searched the forest, that guy wasn't there.
Meaning the "Ashen" in the prophecy wasn't him. And... The only Ashen Kyle had seen in the forest was that girl.
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'...Which side am I supposed to believe?'
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Kyle frowned and gripped his holy sword's hilt. Starlight bloomed over his hand. The connection to the stars felt hazier than before.
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"Is the time coming?"
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Or.
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"Just a mistake."
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It was still unknown.
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Author's Note (Afterword)
This episode will probably wrap up tomorrow or the day after!
And before moving to the next episode, I was thinking of writing a short side story about the Hero Party facing the Four Heavenly Kings on the battlefield.
I think it'll make it easier to understand the Hero Party's level that way.
Blade of Death, Ganikalt.
Apostate, Gletus.
Which one do you want to see?