Why? Can't You Do It?
Why? Can't you do it yourself? Splash. Amid the sloshing water, someone shifts their steps. Precise eleven o'clock footwork. The one parting the current is an old man whose face is covered in scars. It was Colton Clay.
The Empire's guardian and the Emperor's sword. The old man, who stood among the continent's strongest, gazed indifferently ahead. Corpses littered the surroundings. All of them slumped with throats slit. Amid them, Colton stared straight forward in silence.
[Ahh.]
Ahead. At the far end of the cathedral. Beneath the shattered statue of the goddess, someone seated quietly in silence spoke.
[What a curious thing. Your short span of time shines brilliantly. But if I ask whether it's truly worth that much... no, it isn't.]
Ssssh. The splashing water was all blood. This was a situation Colton had created. All the blood flowing from those he'd slain.
The being observing it chuckles and speaks.
[How could you climb this far? Truly curious.]
Schwick. With a gruesome sound, the being's wing is severed. A pair of black wings spread behind its back. One of them is cut off.
Ssssh. The severed wing melts into black ink and flows across the floor.
[Still so impatient, Colton Clay.]
"I don't chat with bugs."
[Bugs? How hurtful.]
Kukukuk. Laughter echoes through the space.
[Twenty years. It's been that long already. For a human, that's plenty old and frail. Yet how are you still so sturdy?]
"Does that mean your time flows differently?"
[Different. Vastly so. To a long-lived race, twenty years is but a fleeting moment.]
Flap. The remaining wing slowly unfurls. Its size was grotesque, large enough to fill half the cathedral.
"What brings you back?"
[For what? For us, of course.]
"Us?"
At those words, Colton glances around. They were the non-humans he'd slain.
"You mean these pitiful fools flailing in your vain delusions?"
[Pitiful?]
The being shakes its head.
[Wrong. They made a beautiful sacrifice. Out of necessity.]
"..."
Further conversation was pointless. Colton resolved not to listen to it anymore.
But.
[How's Rachel doing?]
"..."
At the being's words, Colton's body freezes for a moment.
[She must be doing well. That bug of a woman...]
"What are you trying to say?"
[Nothing in particular. My goal's already achieved. Holding you here this long? That's victory enough.]
"..."
Held back. Hearing that, Colton's breathing grows slightly ragged.
'The train.'
The aged knight instantly grasps their aim. The train. That's what they targeted.
What's inside it? He couldn't figure that far.
Sssshhh. Then. The being begins melting away.
[Colton Clay. Remember this. The fragile barrier humans built won't last much longer.]
[The ground you stand on will crumble, and that flimsy peace you've forged will prove utterly futile.]
Shlurp. Fully melted into ink, the being seeps into the blood pooling on the floor.
[You'll realize it soon enough.]
"..."
With those final words, the being vanishes. Colton watches it intently.
'The train.' Only those words it left behind echo in his mind.
No trifling words would shake his convictions. Right now, the train was all that mattered to him. Something must have gone down. He turns to head back upon hearing it.
"..."
Something. What is it?
'Why.'
Why wasn't he worried?
Because no one worth worrying about was aboard? No.
'Ridiculous.'
A black-haired young punk flashes in his mind. A mere 2-circle mage, nothing special. Adopted son of that witch Elise.
Even a genius would be done for if they'd schemed against him.
But.
"..."
Strangely, Colton felt like it'd be fine.
-Hates the kid who rejected apprenticeship in one second? Doesn't care what happens? No.
'Something.'
He's not worried. An absurd faith bubbles up that the kid will handle it somehow.
Incredibly so.
My knees hurt from kneeling. There's gravel on the floor. What shitty luck. Of all places to kneel, it had to be here.
'Fuck, that hurts.'
I wanna stand up right now, but no dice. Just looking at Iris's face tells me everything.
'Stand up and I'm fucked?'
Means the one in front ain't a pushover.
Who is it? I rack my brain briefly while meeting her gaze.
'Who else?'
No need to think. Her face rings a bell instantly.
'Banheil...'
The crown prince. Crazy bastard, but seems decent. Handsome iron-wall type character. She looks a lot like him. Hell, with that platinum hair and golden eyes, no mistaking it.
'Imperial blood.'
Imperial family. The Emperor's kin living in the Lehart capital. Gotta be one of 'em.
The problem is.
'Why's she here?'
Why's an imperial showing up out of nowhere like this, and.
'...Why are we kneeling?'
Why'd we drop to our knees on sight? Wasn't like this with the crown prince. No special etiquette back then.
'This is nuts.'
The prince might just be weird. Which means.
'This one's the real deal?'
Someone who could fuck you up for skipping protocol. That's the princess right in front of me.
What to do? Lower my eyes now? Nah. She lifted her chin first.
I meet that burdensome gaze. And just from her eyes, I get it.
'This bitch is a villain type?'
Her eyes scream arrogance. The prince has sharp eyes too, but seems kinda pure. This one's.
'Pure fucking arrogance oozing out.'
The vibe hits hard. Total pain-in-the-ass. The primal instinct from all those shitty part-time jobs in my past life: steer clear of this cunt. It wraps my whole body.
But.
"You're Ruin, right?"
The princess already knows my name. Oh fuck.
Am I screwed?
"Is that correct?"
"Uh, yes... it is."
"Hmm."
Her gaze sweeps over me. That's when my eyes lock on her heart area.
'...Four circles.'
Four bound ones. From the faint mana aura.
'Mage.'
The princess is a mage too. Looks like 4 circles from the count.
A princess who's a mage? At 4 circles? Is that a big deal? Not sure on that.
"Why, I wonder? What on earth made Elise choose you...? You look utterly worthless. Not even that good-looking..."
This bitch? Straight-up rating my looks and making me feel like shit?
"Ahaha. Yeah, guess I'm pretty lacking."
But she's the princess, can't mouth off. Even as a hotshot mage someday, I ain't that clueless about reality. Gotta swallow my pride.
"And."
The princess glances around at my response.
"Looks like something fun happened. Right?"
The train's a wreck, full of corpses. Blood's pooling everywhere.
"Your Highness. The smell of blood might draw monsters. Please move to a safer location first."
A knight approaches and speaks to the princess. She narrows her eyes at that.
"Indeed. Hard to talk here. Hop in."
"...Where?"
"The carriage."
The princess crosses her sleek legs as she speaks. Bitch, but hot. Can't deny prettiness excuses bitchiness. Big sis material? Lost in that thought, I start heading to the carriage like hypnotized.
"...Your Highness."
Iris beside me speaks up. The princess's gaze shifts to her.
"Iris Hailron. Long time no see. How many years?"
"...A bit over three years."
"Right, time flies. So, what do you want to say?"
"I apologize for presuming to speak, but the civilians here can't protect themselves..."
Her expression changes at Iris's continued words. Irritation creeps up visibly. Knowing that, Iris presses on.
"There's blood and bodies on and around the train. With night falling, monsters might swarm..."
"So."
"If possible, could you station knights to protect them until the next train arrives...?"
"Hmm..."
A smile forms. Oh shit? Her smile sends chills down my spine. People can smile that ominously?
"Iris."
"Yes, Your Highness..."
"You're the same as ever. Still so unpleasant... and unlikable."
"...My apologies."
"Insolent thing."
Her sharp tone alone screams she hates Iris. That's when.
"...Hmm... yeah, this could be fun too."
The princess seems to think of something and laughs.
"Fine."
"...!"
Iris's eyes widen at the princess's reply. I'm shocked too. Whoa, surprisingly princess-like—protecting the commoners after all.
"But on one condition. If this kid scares me and convinces me, I'll do it."
"Me?"
The princess points at me. Me? Suddenly?
"Your Highness... that's."
"Fail, and our knights might play the monsters?"
"...!"
"Holy shit, insane."
I jolt at her words. Knights as monsters? What the fuck is this crazy bitch saying? Actually nuts?
"I don't wanna be emperor. Don't value commoners that highly. I just want fun. How 'bout it? Can you pull it off?"
Definitely nuts. No doubt now.
'Bitch confirmed.'
She's a mage too.
'Total thug mage...'
"Thug? What's that?"
The princess reacts to my mutter.
"...A blessing in our land. Your Highness looks so refined."
"Hmm? Really?"
"Yes. Thug Highness."
Hated her instantly. Felt way better than the crown prince. Click.
Contrary to my feelings, the princess steps down from the carriage toward us. Taller than expected. A bit taller than Iris. Over 170cm for sure.
"I hate not having what I want. But... you took the one thing I desired most. Can't stand it."
"...Me? I didn't take anything."
We're strangers, bitch. An orphan like me tangling with royals? She's dropping bombs casually.
"Didn't take anything? You took the most important thing. So I need to check."
"Check what...?"
"If you can even handle it... something like that."
"..."
Why the hell should I? What'd I even take, you psycho bitch. The words rise to my throat, but no way I'd spit 'em at a princess. Maybe at the prince, but not her.
'Gotta pick your spots to act big.'
She reeks of someone who'd abuse power perfectly. Shitty bitch.
"So show me. Lots of lives hang on your hands?"
"...What should I show?"
What the fuck does she want from me? She tilts her head.
"Well, anything proving your worth... Heard you're 2 circles?"
"Yes."
My voice shrinks a bit. Kinda embarrassing to flex in front of 4 circles.
Then.
Whoosh. Suddenly, something ripples around the princess's body.
What the? Flames, water droplets, dirt clumps? They're swirling around her.
"...Three attributes."
Iris says.
Three attributes?
'Means she has three, huh.'
Saw it in studies. Heard from the crown prince too. Mages awaken attributes at 2 circles. Usually one of five, but sometimes multiples.
Guess she's one.
"Lady Iris, is that impressive?"
Is it? She answers.
"...Very. Mages with three attributes? Fewer than five on the continent."
"...Whoa."
Fewer than five? Huge deal.
As Iris explains, the princess asks me.
"Shall I see yours? How many? At least two, right?"
"..."
"Come on, show me."
Hmm. How many do I have? Can't answer. Mine's weird anyway. Just black energy rises.
Where even is it?
"Well..."
"What? You don't know yours or something?"
Bingo. I scratch my cheek awkwardly.
Attributes...
'Anyway.'
Dunno how many. But I know one.
How to show? I look at the princess. Her attributes floating around.
'Flows from the heart.'
Circles spinning visible. I focus on mine.
Giiiing—!!! Circles rotate. And.
'Layer mana on top...'
Something odd on the mana. That's the attribute? Recall using wind magic. That crow's spell. The flow inside.
Gently summon it.
Shiiiish. Something rises around me.
"...Wind? But the color..."
Wind attribute, huh.
"Why that color? Never seen it..."
Ignoring her reaction, I scrutinize hers. Especially the fire clump. Intense rippling mana form, tangles inside. If that's fire's structure—.
Giiiing! Spin circles, mimic the mana form.
"Color aside, still just one attribute—."
Fwoosh.
"Huh?"
Hot flames appear around me.
The princess who saw the fire says.
"Right, knew you had two. Fire and wind. Good synergy..."
Plop.
"...Huh?"
Water droplets form next. She freezes.
"Wha...?"
Iris's eyes bulge.
"No way. Ruin! Three attributes!"
"...Ha."
The princess's smile turns eerie.
"Yes... you're one too. Now it's fun. Two would've been boring."
I don't wait. No need.
Crack.
"...?"
Don't care about her reaction anymore. My eyes devour her attributes. Float dirt clumps. Four. Saw the mana frames, make four.
By then, reactions around fade.
'But.'
One short. Lightning, right?
'Never seen it.'
No lightning on her. Crow only used wind.
So, lightning? No clue. But.
'Lightning's gotta be sparky.'
Right? Imagine that, tweak mana slightly.
Pzzt—!!! Mana weaves itself into lightning.
"Oh. Nailed it."
Tingly. Guessed and hit?
Five attributes floating around me. I tell Iris.
"Lady Iris, whaddya think? Pretty badass, right?"
Five whole ones. Stars everywhere. Pumped, but.
"Lady Iris?"
"..."
"..."
Weirdly quiet. Iris covers her mouth staring, others frozen like statues.
And.
"..."
The princess drops her smile. Heavy silence descends.
One day? Nah, 30-min cut.