Chapter 277: Something is Strange (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 277: Something is Strange (2)
A few weeks had passed since Alon heard the news from Kailas.
“Mmm—it looks like we’ve mostly got it organized.”
“Indeed. This is likely the limit for now.”
As a result of codifying the Primordial Magus’s magic with Penia, they had managed to organize it to a certain extent, even if it wasn't perfect.
“I agree. Still, I think we did this quite quickly, considering it took less than two months. Well—that’s thanks to Mr. Sparrow’s help, of course.”
As Penia spoke while looking at the red gem in Alon’s hand, Sparrow let out a triumphant voice.
[I am glad to have been of assistance.]
Alon watched Sparrow shrug his shoulders and fell into thought.
They called it 'codification,' but to put it bluntly, all Alon and Penia had done over the past few weeks was gather the Phrases and Hand Seals that could be used with the Primordial Magus’s magic.
Someone might think, ‘Did it really take that long just to do that?’
However, the reason Penia said they finished quickly was purely because of the sheer volume.
“Sparrow.”
[What is it?]
“Are these basically all the Phrases a Magus must learn?”
[Yes. You could call it the very foundation.]
“…….”
Alon fell silent as he looked at the compiled book.
It was a volume so thick it put any university textbook to shame.
……This was exactly why Penia said they had organized the Phrases quickly.
“Wow, I didn't realize there would be this many,” Penia marveled anew as she flipped through the Phrases she had organized.
But Sparrow immediately added:
[This isn't even that many.]
“……Is that so?”
[Yes. Most Magi learn all of these basic Phrases to begin with.]
“I’m asking just in case, but is there actually a use for all of these once you learn them?”
Sparrow answered without hesitation.
[Naturally.]
“……All of these?”
[Of course, there are some that won't be used. Ultimately, once a Magus has their Heart Image transmitted, the Phrases they use become fixed.]
“Then isn't it unnecessary to memorize them all?”
[What kind of nonsense is that?]
“……Is it not?”
When Alon asked back, Sparrow let out a long sigh.
[I believe I mentioned this before, but a Magus is fundamentally a seeker, and at the same time, they receive an honorable duty from the predecessor who transmitted the Heart Image.]
“A duty?”
[Yes. To further develop that Heart Image. That is the duty and honor borne by all Magi who receive a Heart Image. And to do that, essential knowledge of the Magic Way must serve as the foundation.]
Sparrow continued.
[As I told you before, the basics of a Magus are divided into four major parts. First are the Phrases. Once you memorize all the Phrases, you move to the Hand Seals. Once you memorize all the Hand Seals, you move to the Principles. And once you finish even that, you enter the realm of Self-Embodiment.]
“Is the Formula after that?”
[No. Strictly speaking, the Formula is both the beginning and the end. Every Magus essentially inherits a Formula the moment they receive a Heart Image. Of course, even if it is inherited, it takes a long time before one can actually use it.]
He added that there were quite a few Magi who, despite advancing their Heart Image to the next level, were never able to use the Formula until the very end.
[Regardless, the conclusion is that knowledge is an indispensable element in growing one's Heart Image.]
“Then in my case, how should I grow?”
[You?]
“Yes. I can use the Formula, but I have no Phrases or Principles to speak of.”
[You will have to create your own Principles.]
“……Is there a need for that when I’ve already learned the Formula?”
Sparrow replied instantly to Alon’s doubt.
[Of course there is. You seem to be under a misconception. A Formula is merely—no, explaining it like this might be difficult for you to grasp. Wait a moment.]
Sparrow pondered seriously, like a teacher trying to instruct a student, before letting out an ‘Ah’ as an explanation came to mind.
[To put it simply, it is correct to view a Formula as a kind of awakened state.]
“An awakened state?”
[Yes. For example, the Thunder God Form you use possesses its inherent effects. However, if you use it while the Formula is active, the effects change entirely.]
“……Change entirely?”
[Regrettably, I don't have a body right now, so I cannot show you…… but yes, if you ask Kailas to show you, you will certainly feel the difference. Well, his Formula is different, but anyway—]
Sparrow cleared his throat.
[No matter how well you can use a Formula, it is not the end, but merely the starting point. You have simply gained the foothold to develop your Heart Image and reach the ‘End.’ Well, you’ll have to reach the stage of ‘Embodiment’ before you reach the End, though.]
“Embodiment?”
[It is not a stage you need to worry about yet.]
Alon nodded at those words.
Setting aside how he would develop his magic, he understood the reason why he had to learn the knowledge of the Magic Way.
Penia, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, suddenly chimed in.
“But I just thought of something while listening. May I ask?”
[What is it?]
“You said it’s about gaining a foothold to reach the ‘End.’ What exactly is that ‘End’?”
It was a question born of pure curiosity.
Sparrow remained silent for a moment before speaking.
[Regrettably, I cannot explain the ‘End’ in detail either. I have heard that the only one to ever reach the ‘End’ that all Magi hold as their utopia was the Primordial Magus.]
“I see.”
[Of course, I know what it is. No, in fact, there isn't a Magus alive who doesn't know what the ‘End’ is. After all, the goal of every Magus is to reach it.]
“What is it?”
Alon grew curious as well.
After a brief pause, Sparrow spoke bluntly.
[Becoming a God.]
“……A God?”
[Yes.]
Alon felt a sense of doubt at his answer.
“……Why would that be the goal? From what I know, a God is—”
[I know. Every Magus’s Heart Image begins from the birth of a God. But the God I am speaking of is not that kind of God.]
“Then?”
[A Complete God.]
“Complete?”
[Yes. All Magi continue their research with that as their goal. But as I said, I do not know what it means to be a ‘Complete God.’ If I were to think of a comparison—]
Sparrow explained after a moment’s thought.
[They say it is synonymous with being ‘The One Who Stands Above.’]
“……That sounds like a riddle.”
[What does that mean?]
“Just something I thought of.”
“Hmm—it feels very profound.”
Penia muttered, lost in thought beside them.
Alon, looking down at the thick book, eventually steeled his resolve.
“Anyway, the fact remains that I have to learn this.”
[Naturally.]
* * *
After spending a brief holiday.
Reminded that his appointment with Magrina was drawing near, Alon began preparing to depart.
“Are you moving out soon?”
“Yes.”
Penia asked in response to Evan’s words as he entered the office.
“Ah, you said you were going to the East this time, right?”
“Yes. Though I’ll have to see if I can actually get there.”
“First of all, may I come along?”
“I was going to ask you to come anyway.”
He didn't want to stop his training with Kailas.
At that, Penia let out a fufufu laugh and moved closer to his side.
“As I thought, the Marquis needs me.”
“You are helpful in many ways.”
“In that sense, would it be possible to give me one more artifact for research purposes?”
So that was her goal…… Alon thought for a moment.
When Alon nodded, Penia let out a high-pitched squeal like a dolphin and vanished.
“Anyway, get ready soon.”
“Understood. But then, do you not plan on stopping by Laxas? Didn't you say before that you needed to talk to Ladan since you have to take a ship?”
“I did, but…… come to think of it, I wondered if Laxas and the East were a bit far apart.”
“That’s true.”
Nodding, Evan placed a well-wrapped item on the desk.
“This is?”
“A gift. It…… says it was sent by Baron Christo.”
“Baron Christo?”
“He is a noble belonging to Kalpa.”
At Evan’s words, Alon stared at the gift for a moment before his gaze shifted to a corner of the office.
A space that should have been empty was now filled with gifts.
[Kyuu—]
[Zzz—]
Blackie and Basiliora were sleeping peacefully atop the pile of gifts, basking in the sunlight.
Looking at the two, Alon called out to Evan.
“Evan.”
“Yes?”
“Aren't there a lot of gifts lately?”
“I’ve been feeling that way too.”
“……Is it some kind of special day?”
“It’s not your birthday…… that’s still a little ways off.”
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't remember what day it could be.
Furthermore—
‘……If it were a special occasion, there surely would have been letters, but there are none.’
A situation where only gifts were arriving without any letters.
While he was feeling the strangeness of the situation, Evan spoke up.
“Well, I’ll look into it. I haven't been to the Information Guild lately anyway.”
“……Isn't it a bit strange to ask the Information Guild about this?”
“It is, but…… that’s the best place to find out.”
The decision was made, and the next day, he departed for Greinif.
* * *
Hidan had, for once, used his head.
To put it simply, from the moment the rumors began to spread, he had spent several weeks focusing on information gathering instead of going to see Yutia.
Of course, most of the information Hidan gathered this time wasn't particularly necessary.
Hidan knew that as well.
The reason he made such a choice was simply because he was afraid.
He couldn't imagine what kind of reaction Yutia would show the moment he delivered the rumors himself, so he intentionally stalled for time.
He had hoped she would hear the news from others, not through him.
Unfortunately, as if betraying that hope.
“……You’ve been away for a long time.”
“I had some business to attend to.”
Yutia had no idea what had been happening for the past two months and was completely unaware of the rumors.
Hidan had no choice but to deliver the news with his own mouth.
And so.
“……There is a rumor that the Great Moon…… will become the husband of the Elf Queen…….”
“Hmm…….”
The moment he broached the subject while swallowing hard, Hidan—
“I see.”
“……?”
He was taken aback by Yutia’s reaction, which was far more peaceful than he had expected.
“?”
How much had he trembled in fear over the past two months?
“So such a rumor was circulating.”
Hidan nodded awkwardly.
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Well, it’s just a rumor after all, so I don't think there’s any need to pay it much mind.”
Yutia spoke while maintaining her smile.
Hidan let out a sigh of relief, yet blamed himself.
‘Of course, the Red Moon wouldn't be shaken by such baseless rumors.’
His heart instantly relaxed.
He felt foolish for having been so anxious until now.
A smile naturally formed on Hidan’s lips.
Before he knew it, he saw Yutia take a sip of water from a silver cup on the desk, then pull out a pen to write something—
Crrrk—
—Wait, did he just see that?
“Oh dear, the pen bent. The paper too—”
Yutia looked down at the nib of the pen, which had been crushed flat, with a look of regret.
She pulled out a new pen and paper from one side of the desk to write—
Snap!
……She couldn't write.
“The pens are…… a bit…… weak.”
Yutia muttered softly.
At that point, Hidan gained two realizations.
One was the fact that there was absolutely no inflection in Yutia’s voice.
And the other was.
“…….”
The silver cup she had picked up moments ago.
It had been crushed so badly it could no longer function as a cup.
And the moment he realized this.
“Truly, I’m very curious to know who started such a rumor.”
“…….”
“Really.”
Yutia’s ice-cold voice echoed through the room.
“…….”
Hidan squeezed his eyes shut.