Chapter 136: The Big Picture (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 136: The Big Picture (1)
The journey to the Meltador Principality took about a week, using a combination of teleport gates and sea routes.
Even now, it’s hard to believe. Jin thought. To think the mage who cursed me in my past life was Kidad Hall.
Throughout the journey, Jin continuously mulled over Kidad Hall while reviewing the report Casimir had provided.
A 9-star Great Mage not of Zipple descent.
In his past life, Jin had heard a fair amount about him. His name had frequently appeared in the journals and newsletters of the Magic Research Society. He was a single-minded, eccentric Great Mage who had eventually been cast aside by the Zipple family.
Despite his personality, the only reason Kidad had served as the head of education at the Viment Magic Academy and held a high-ranking magic instructor position within the Zipple family was his extraordinary understanding and skill in magic.
He was, without a doubt, a formidable figure.
To Jin, however, he was merely Joshua’s collaborator—the enemy who had placed a curse on him as an infant.
I remember what my master said about Kidad. An arrogant old monster who didn't consider anyone below the level of a genius to be human. She also said he lived in constant fear that his magical achievements would one day be stolen by the Zipples.
His refusal to deal with anyone less than a genius was just another way of saying he craved them. In fact, Kidad had shown a persistent interest in Jin’s own master for years during his past life.
"We've arrived," the boatman said, taking off his straw hat.
The small vessel had reached Romp, a remote town in the Meltador Principality. The tiny, desolate pier revealed the town's small scale at a glance.
After paying the fare and stepping onto land, Jin looked quite shabby. He wore a cheap robe, carried a weathered oak staff, and had on a pair of dust-covered glasses and boots with worn-down heels.
He looked every bit the part of a poor magic student in training.
Yet, his shabby disguise couldn't hide the subtle confidence and spirit shining in his eyes. A timid attitude wasn't part of the act. Not if he wanted to deceive Kidad.
First, I’ll find a place to stay, then head to the restaurant he frequents.
Romp. When Jin first received the report, he had been pleased that Kidad was staying in such a small town. It meant he wouldn't have to waste time searching.
After asking the fishermen at the docks for directions, he walked for about an hour until the shopping district came into view. Along the way, he used fire magic to burn Casimir's report, scattering the ashes in the bushes.
The sun was bright, the breeze was cool, and the streets were peaceful. A few children playing by the roadside stared at Jin with curiosity, whispering among themselves with slightly frightened expressions.
The restaurant Kidad frequented was called the Full Boat. It was a common name in a town where fishing was the main industry. Across from it stood a small inn.
Jin headed to the inn first.
"Welcome—huh? A mage?"
The moment he saw Jin, the innkeeper's face soured.
It’s probably because of Kidad. According to the report, despite being in hiding, he treats everyone here like his servants.
There was no way Kidad, who saw anyone less than a genius as an insect, would respect the common folk of Meltador.
"I’d like a room, please."
"We have plenty of rooms, but... hmm. You wouldn't happen to be related to Lord Amel, would you?"
Amel Ode—Kidad’s alias.
The locals of Romp only knew Kidad as an eccentric and foul-tempered mage; they had no idea he was a 9-star.
"Who is Amel?"
"Ah, I only ask because you look like a fellow mage. He's another one who settled in our village about five years back. A real nasty piece of work."
"He must be a famous mage."
"Everyone in this village knows him. Seems he was someone important once, but I just wish he'd leave. He’s been souring the mood around here for years… Anyway, here’s your key. Five copper coins a day."
Jin handed over the coins, feigning curiosity.
"I’d like to meet this Amel person. I’m not a mage yet, just an aspirant. I’m on my way to the magic school in the capital of Meltador."
"Ah, I suppose you’re passing through because you can't afford the teleport gate. If you want to meet Lord Amel, wait at the restaurant across the street this evening. He'll probably show up for dinner."
"Thank you."
"But if you ask me, you're better off just leaving him alone and going on your way. You're probably hoping to learn something, but that man… he's no good."
"Is his personality that bad?"
"Terrible. Just the other day, he kicked a group of kids who approached him out of curiosity! That sort of thing happens all the time."
"That’s awful."
"He's probably some failure from wherever he came from, settling in a backwater like this to act all high and mighty. If you get to the capital’s magic school, tell them to come and take him away."
*
After resting until evening, Jin headed out to the Full Boat.
It’s been over a week since I last held a sword. It feels strange.
Come to think of it, this was the first time that had happened since he left Storm Castle. Still, the signs of a martial artist were hard to hide. A glance at his calloused palms made the disguise feel a little clumsy.
"One grilled fish and a beer, please."
By the time he was finishing his second beer alone, Kidad made his appearance.
As soon as he entered the restaurant, he stared intently at Jin for a moment before taking a seat in a corner.
As Jin strode toward him, the other customers began to watch warily.
"Are you Lord Amel?"
The customers, all locals, had never seen anyone approach Kidad and come out of it well. Whether it was children, adults, the elderly, or even animals—Kidad had never allowed anyone to approach him since arriving in Meltador.
"...And you are?"
However, when Kidad looked up at Jin and spoke, the customers shrugged, watching with interest as if witnessing something extraordinary.
He had actually called him "young man"—the mildest term Kidad had ever used for anyone in their memory.
"My name is Huwell. I am an aspiring mage. I stopped by this village on my way to the Meltador Magic Academy and wanted to meet you after hearing that a distant senior of mine might be here."
Jin spoke while looking Kidad straight in the eye. The customers remained tense, their eyes fixed on the two.
"A senior… How amusing. The Meltador Magic Academy? I have never associated myself with such a trash heap, not even for a moment. That is highly offensive. But since you don't know who I am, I'll forgive you this once."
"Ah, I have been disrespectful. I apolo—"
"What are you all staring at, you vermin? Get out, all of you, before I cripple you."
Wooooom…!
As Kidad muttered lowly and released his mana, the customers fled the restaurant in a panic. Even the owner abandoned the fish he was preparing and ran out, a sight Jin found absurd.
He’s incredibly self-indulgent. He knows perfectly well that it’s useless for commoners to report him.
Crack!
A sharp sound echoed through the room as fragile objects touched by Kidad’s mana began to shatter. Plates burst and fish exploded with grotesque pops, yet Jin continued to watch Kidad, his expression unchanged.
"It seems I have interrupted dinner for both you and the people here, Lord Amel."
In that fleeting moment, Jin did not miss the flash of intrigue in Kidad’s eyes.
"You aren't surprised by my mana release."
"It's just that it’s a power so great I have never experienced it before, so it doesn't feel real. Why are you doing this? I am bewildered."
"A power so great you've never experienced it… The mana I just released was only at the 6-star level. It shouldn't have been enough to threaten someone like you, who is already at the 7-star level."
Kidad had recognized Jin’s mana at a glance. Of course, Jin had intentionally not hidden it.
"I said that because I felt a hidden depth to your mana. I only intended to chat with a retired mage. I never imagined Lord Amel would be a Great Mage in hiding."
"Haha, I was surprised the moment I first saw you. This is getting interesting, young man. Meltador Magic Academy? An aspirant? You have no talent for lying. Why would a genius like you seek out such a third-rate—no, a fifth-rate institution?"
Jin intentionally flinched and widened his eyes.
"It’s not a lie. I really was heading to the Meltador Magic Academy."
"To reach the 7-star level at your age, you must already have a good master. And the reason you encountered me today must be because that master sent you. After all, you aren't a Zipple. Who is it? That fellow, Cold Jo?"
"No."
"And you’ll have to explain that body of yours hidden under those cheap robes. You have the physique of someone who has handled weapons their entire life."
When Jin didn't answer, Kidad continued.
"Confess everything truthfully. Otherwise, you will become a cripple who can never use magic again."
Whew. Jin took a slow breath to compose himself.
I prepared countermeasures in case Kidad attacks, but I’m still a little nervous. But Kidad, you won't be able to resist craving me now. The day you die isn't today.
Soon, Jin shrugged as if he had no choice.
"The reason I have a trained body is because I worked as a mercenary until a year ago. I’ve held a sword since I could walk, but I had no talent for swordsmanship, so I was stuck at the 2-star level."
"I’m starting to get annoyed. I don't have much patience. Are you telling me a man who was a 2-star warrior until a year ago suddenly obtained 7-star mana?"
Jin nodded and frowned.
"I know, right? If I had known the secret of my birth a little sooner, I wouldn't have lived as a mercenary. My name is Huwell… Huwell Hister. I am the last successor of the Hister family."
"Wh-what!"
Thud!
Kidad shot to his feet, stumbling backward. It wasn’t fear of Jin that made him react, but the sheer shock of hearing the name ‘Hister.’
"It seems the Great Mage knows of my family. Now do you understand why I couldn't even register as an official mage despite having 7-star mana, and why I was heading to the Meltador Magic Academy?"
"Is it… truly the truth? Are you really the last successor of the Hister family?"
The Hister family.
The family Jin’s master belonged to—a family that had officially perished hundreds of years ago.
"...Yes. It’s a fact I learned a year ago when the mercenary captain who raised me confessed it on his deathbed. Following his last will, I sought out my family’s heritage site and obtained 7-star mana all at once."
Whoosh—.
Kidad blinked, suppressing the mana that filled the room.
"Am I going to die now? Or will you hand me over to the Zipples? Honestly, this all feels rather unfair. I just wanted to live quietly as an ordinary mage; I didn't come looking for some Great Mage whose name I didn't even know."
"First… let us change locations. It seems I must have a proper conversation with you."
Jin smiled inwardly.