Chapter 197: Usage (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 197: Usage (3)
After asking about divinity, Alon immediately moved on to his next question.
It was about the words he had heard from the mysterious man in the mirror within the World Tree.
"…The formula is 'Defying Heaven' (逆天)."
"Do you know anything about it?"
Despite Alon’s question, Kailas remained lost in thought, muttering to himself.
"Contemplate the foreign object."
"Cognize it."
"Look directly at it."
"Do not run away… I see."
He repeated the sentences Alon had relayed, savoring each word slowly. Then, lowering the hand that had been stroking his chin, he looked at Alon.
"This… sounds like a teaching."
"Is this how Magi teach formulas and Heart Images?"
"What are you talking about? Of course not."
"? You just said it was a teaching. Did you not mean a teaching regarding the formula?"
"…Good grief. You possess such power, yet you are still such a greenhorn."
Kailas let out a long sigh.
"I believe I told you before. Fundamentally, while every Magus possesses a Heart Image, they all take different forms. Consequently, the methods of obtaining them and their types are all different."
"I see."
"In other words, it is rare for the types of training required to obtain a Heart Image to overlap."
Kailas continued his explanation.
"The reason I judged this to be a teaching despite that is because I believe those words hold a hidden meaning of their own."
"Then can you tell me what it is?"
"…I am asking just in case, but do you truly believe that if I were to break down and explain those words to you, you would be able to obtain a Heart Image?"
"…Would I not?"
Kailas didn't answer. Instead, Alon was treated to a clear demonstration of what it looked like to curse someone with one's eyes.
After a brief silence, Kailas spoke again.
"I want to ask first whether that formula is even necessary for you—no, before that, whether it is a formula you are even capable of learning."
"What do you mean?"
"Why do you think the man in the mirror left his teachings in such a cryptic manner? Do you think he twisted his words just to mess with whoever tried to learn them?"
"That… probably isn't it."
"Then? Why do you think he conveyed the meaning in such a convoluted way?"
Alon thought for a moment before answering.
"…If it is for the purpose of teaching, as you say, is it because I must realize it for myself?"
"I am relieved to see you aren't a complete novice."
"…."
"However, there is one thing you must keep in mind. What matters in obtaining a Heart Image is not merely the realization itself, but the very process of reaching that realization."
"Are you saying the process of reaching the result is more important than the result itself?"
"Indeed. A Heart Image is something built from the ground up. The goal is not to obtain the result of realization; the process itself is what matters. A Heart Image is ultimately formed through the 'process' of realization, and reaching the realization is merely the natural byproduct of that process."
"So, in the end, I cannot receive your help."
"Correct. However—"
Kailas let out a thoughtful hum and added, "It is a bit strange."
"Which part?"
"The talk of Defying Heaven. That is certainly—"
Kailas agonized over it several times, as if the pieces of a puzzle weren't fitting together.
"Greenhorn, if you truly wish to obtain a Heart Image related to Defying Heaven, go to the North."
"…The North?"
He offered a new piece of advice.
"Yes. To the center of the coldest region in the North. If you go there, you might find help for your process."
"Do you know something about Defying Heaven?"
"I do not know it thoroughly."
I have only heard of it myself, he added inwardly.
"Now then, greenhorn, if your curiosity is satisfied, let us begin the lesson."
He stood up and faced Alon. Alon stood to meet him.
"Understood. But—what format will the lesson take?"
"Combat, without a doubt."
"…Combat?"
"Yes. From now on, you shall spar with me."
"Wait, you haven't taught me anything yet—"
"You shall learn from now on. By seeing it for yourself."
With those words, Kailas suddenly formed a hand seal. Though Alon was quite flustered despite his expressionless face, he formed a seal of his own without delay.
"From this moment on, I intend to kill you. So, come at me with the single-minded intent to kill me as well."
"…And if I actually die?"
"Do not worry. This is a Mental World. Even if you die, you do not truly die. You will simply be ejected."
Kailas then formed the unique hand seal he had shown before.
"So, grit your teeth and face me. To survive, seize what is mine and make it yours."
As he spoke those words, he chanted.
"Shadow Manifestation."
Suddenly, shadows emerged, wriggling and crawling upward to envelop Kailas's body. His physical form was swallowed by the darkness as if being sucked into the shadows.
A moment later, Kailas reappeared, looking completely different.
Wearing a mask made of black shadows that covered only the lower half of his face, Kailas stood before him.
Whoosh—
His white robes were dyed black and fluttered in the air. The fluttering fabric billowed like flames, covering the world as if to shroud a ruined land. Within his inverted eyes, a paradoxical dark light flickered.
"!"
In that instant, Alon felt a sense of mortal peril.
It wasn't that his opponent had made a move. He was simply standing there. Yet, that alone was enough to overwhelm Alon's entire being.
And then.
"…! Shadow Tree—"
Alon, finally snapping out of it, tried to chant a Phrase—
"?"
—but he couldn't.
Because in the next moment, he was back in reality.
What on earth just—
‘Do not worry. This is a Mental World. Even if you die, you do not truly die. You will simply be ejected.’
Kailas's voice echoed in his mind.
"Ha—"
Alon let out a hollow laugh in spite of himself. He looked down at the Feet Running Through the Past, which was slowly losing its light.
He had returned to reality. That meant he had died inside.
The feeling of futility flashed through his mind for only a moment. Alon took a calm breath and reviewed the previous fight—no, the hollow death that couldn't even be called a fight.
‘Clearly, right after Kailas donned that dragon mask covering his lower face, I began my chant—and my memory cut off at that exact moment.’
The only thing he could remember from the final moment was the fact that the shadow beneath Kailas's feet had spread out wide.
"Ha."
Alon chuckled hollowly once more.
‘I expected I wouldn't last long, but still.’
From the moment Kailas mentioned training through sparring, Alon had more or less foreseen this situation. He was clearly weaker than Kailas.
But even so, he hadn't expected to be killed so pointlessly. He hadn't exactly been idling away the last ten years, after all.
"Whew—"
Alon exhaled deeply. It was time to shake off these idle thoughts. He filled his mind with motivation instead of futility.
This was training, not a real battle. In other words, victory or defeat didn't matter. What mattered now was...
‘To use the same magic Kailas used. If I can just absorb all of Kailas's methods of utilizing the Shadow Spirit Dragon—’
The image of Kailas in the Mental World was vivid. Standing arrogantly in his black half-mask, radiating a pressure that sent shivers down Alon's spine just by existing.
‘—then I can become like that.’
Alon quietly clenched his fist.
* * *
One week later.
Alon left the Count Palatio estate to keep his promise to Penia.
‘Hmm, first to the Magic Society, then to the Luxible Grand Duchy to meet the Thunder Snake Tribe, and after that, the North?’
As he organized the itinerary for this trip, feeling the weather grow noticeably colder, he heard Penia’s cheerful voice from ahead.
"♬—♪"
Penia was even humming, seemingly in high spirits. Sitting beside her, Pellin looked at his sister with an expression that was half-understanding and half-discomfort at having to witness such a reaction firsthand.
Just then, Evan spoke up.
"My Lord, it seems the schedule will be quite long this time. Is that correct?"
"Yes. Even if we move quickly, it will take at least four months."
"…Eh? Four months? I thought three months would be plenty."
Alon elaborated.
"There are one or two additional places I need to stop by."
"Where?"
"There is something I need to find."
Alon thought of the Feet Running Through the Past tucked inside his coat.
‘It takes too long to recharge.’
The recharge time had always been long, but it hadn't been particularly inconvenient until now. Being able to enter the Mental World once a month had been sufficient.
But now that he had begun his training, it was incredibly bothersome. It meant that for every single session of training, he had to wait a month.
Therefore, he needed an artifact that could shorten that time. Ideally, something that would allow him to use the Feet Running Through the Past at least once a day.
‘I'm not sure if it will work as intended, but...’
He had to try, so Alon continued to ponder the matter for a while.
Exactly one week after their departure, they arrived at the Magic Society. Alon headed straight for the library without even having time to properly greet the other mages.
In truth, he had wanted to greet them and look into a few strange rumors he’d heard, but...
"Hehe—"
Penia’s eyes were sparkling like a puppy presented with a treat.
Under the curious gazes of the mages, Alon went up to the library with Penia.
[Oh? It’s been a while.]
He encountered Heinkel, who, after a brief flinch, naturally asked how he had been.
"H-Hello—!"
Penia’s body went stiff with tension as she bowed deeply.
Noticing the eyes that were dripping with admiration—quite unlike the way she looked at him—Alon got straight to the point.
"I have a favor to ask."
[Is it a request to teach you magic again, like last time?]
"Yes. And this time, could you perhaps teach someone else as well?"
[Someone else—ah.]
Heinkel tilted her head and pointed at Penia.
[You mean your lover?]
At those words, Penia’s face, which had been full of excitement until a moment ago, froze. She began to steal glances at Alon.
Of course, since Penia had already confessed everything to him, Alon wasn't flustered by Heinkel's misunderstanding(?). Nevertheless, Penia rolled her eyes and looked at Alon, clearly feeling guilty.
Alon gave a light shrug.
"Ahem—first, let me correct you. She is not my lover."
[……Eh?]
After correcting the situation, he explained the circumstances. A moment later.
[Hmm, so that’s how it was?]
"Yes. So, if you grant this favor, I will also share my magic with you as you wish."
Heinkel then looked at Penia.
"……."
Penia subtly avoided her gaze, her mouth working silently.
"Ack—"
She seemed to have accidentally bitten her tongue, as tears welled up in her eyes. Yet, her gaze still held unmistakable expectation.
However.
[I think I’ll pass.]
"…Pardon?"
[I said no. If the story had started like this from the beginning, it might be different, but I don't particularly like liars.]
The answer was unexpected.
"Eh……?"
Penia was devastated.
* * *
Penia turned pale, looking as if her soul had left her body. Watching her, Heinkel suppressed a secret smile.
In truth, this was a situation Heinkel had been hoping for. Her goal, of course, was to investigate Alon's magic.
The reason she had played hard to get despite Alon's offer was because Penia had lied to her. She truly did dislike liars.
But in reality, the "lie" was merely an excuse. In her heart, she was acting out of a purely materialistic desire to squeeze out one more thing or gain the upper hand in this deal.
‘…Besides, that "eye" attached to his back doesn't seem to intend any great harm. It doesn't even move unless I ask directly about his magic.’
When she had taught Alon magic last time, Heinkel had realized something. As long as she wasn't hostile toward Alon, that 'eye' wasn't particularly threatening.
Therefore.
‘Now then, what else should I demand—’
As she was pondering how to reasonably extort a bit more, her gaze fell upon Alon's brooch.
[……?]
A brooch set with a red gem. Normally, she wouldn't have paid it any mind. It wasn't even particularly ornate, yet Heinkel’s eyes were 'instinctively' drawn to it.
In that instant.
Shiver!
She met it. A pair of 'red eyes' staring intently back at her.
And then.
[Specter—]
She heard it.
[It would be best if you didn't overdo it, wouldn't it?]
A voice that was both alluring and chilling.