Chapter 186
Translator: uly
Chapter: 186
Chapter Title: In Their Own Places #2
My brief pond date with Mirna ended just as it was—a brief date.
The reason was simple: Mirna didn’t even have enough time for a short moment of leisure.
“It’s not easy dividing up the tasks Narmi and I have to handle, or the inheritance, in a way that’s perfectly fair and splits it evenly to everyone’s satisfaction—”
She started venting a bit about this and that, then quickly unfurled her fan with a soft rustle.
“No, it’s unseemly to even bring up such talk. So, Theo Gospel. I hear the duel trial is drawing near tomorrow like shifting sands.”
As we exited the pond’s woodland path, Mirna asked me about what lay ahead. It seemed she was growing interested in the fight I was facing.
“Even with all the variables in your magic skills and the various training you’ve undergone, Theo Gospel. From the rumors I’ve heard about that hunter, he doesn’t sound like an ordinary bet.”
Mirna had apparently heard her own share of stories about the villain hunter. As expected, the rumors about him were probably filled with inhuman horrors.
It was only natural she’d worry about me facing such an opponent—like watching a child set adrift in the river.
Then Mirna let out a long hum.
“Well, taking your opponent’s life in a duel trial is forbidden by church law.”
“That’s right.”
It was an edict born from too many deaths in duel trials.
Mirna continued.
“Still, there’s one way you could get seriously hurt. As long as you don’t kill them, anything goes to force a surrender.”
“You’re right about that. But my skills have improved a lot since that day I faced Professor Ballan. You’ll be surprised when you see.”
“I hear you’ve been hanging around Turki’s crown prince Kasim…?”
How did she even know that?
Even as she claimed to be swamped without a moment’s rest, it seemed Mirna had been quietly keeping tabs on me.
“Kasim—that man’s conduct isn’t exactly pious. I worry he might rub off on you badly, Theo Gospel.”
Mirna had heard rumors about Kasim too. Probably tales of his womanizing and love for female company.
To be fair, I wasn’t all that different myself.
It did make that saying about birds of a feather ring true.
Near-ink-near-black, or whatever.
Swish.
At that moment, Mirna held something out to me. It was a square piece of paper with what looked like brush strokes scribbled hastily across it.
“An amulet?”
“Exactly.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
An amulet, huh. People think alike when it comes to caring.
Receiving two in one day was a first. It reminded me of the night before exams.
Back then, the friends with overly devout parents had been decked out in amulets and talismans dangling everywhere.
At the time, I’d looked on with a mix of pity and sour grapes envy—like, “Do they really need to go that far?” But experiencing it myself felt refreshingly novel.
“It’s a luck amulet. Don’t expect miracles, but it should bring a little fortune into Sir Theo’s life.”
“I’ll gratefully accept it.”
“Truth is, I wanted to give it to you. I barely had time, but I squeezed it in bit by bit, so feel free to appreciate it even more.”
Curious just how impressive it was from her words, I examined the amulet closely.
Now I saw the “brush strokes” weren’t ink at all—they were meticulously stitched threads.
“You made it by hand.”
“Of course. You could brag about it anywhere. Especially to Lady Lioness—brag your heart out.”
Mirna puffed out her chest proudly.
Her hand bore a bandage. Now I understood why.
Swish.
Then Mirna looked up at me.
“By the way, Sir Theo. I just noticed—our eye levels don’t quite match anymore. Have you grown taller?”
Mirna pressed close to me.
A fresh apple-mint scent wafted from her. As she measured my height, brushing her fingers against my forehead, I felt oddly embarrassed.
* * *
After parting with Mirna, I returned to the dormitory.
Meeting and wandering with so many people today had left me a bit drained.
Normally, I’d be like an overheated car spewing steam and breaking down. But thanks to the intense training with Elga lately, I was holding up decently.
Good. I’m improving.
Even growing taller.
Name: Theo Gospel Angmar lv. 43
Jobs: Half-Fairy lv. 8
Lustful lv. 7
Performer lv. 9
Beast Tamer lv. 9
Wizard lv. 10
Talents: 《Ten-ri Eye》 《Calm Thinking》 《Ditch Eye》
Disposition: Chaotic-Neutral.
You are the sole survivor of a fallen house.
Restore your house while evading the enemies who desire its destruction.
Fortunately, you brim with zeal for rebuilding your house.
My level was a solid 43—quite high.
At this point, I could stand toe-to-toe with Elga, Mirna, or Aira. Though unlike them, my only combat-related job was Wizard.
Still, I had an ace up my sleeve. A true joker card that could turn the tables depending on the situation.
「Job level has reached its limit, unlocking the opportunity to advance to a higher job.」
「Higher Job Available - 《Archmage》.」
「Archmage: A job attainable only by seekers of the magical path who have opened the door to truth. As level increases, spell power, effects, and success rate improve.」
「Restricted Job Available - 《Demon King》.」
「Demon King: A restricted job selectable only by those who have unlocked specific conditions. However, there can only ever be one Demon King of the era. As level increases, numerous bonuses apply, and special privileges are granted. However, it incurs negative karma and penalties due to its coercive nature.」
I’d been unable to choose when the class change opportunity arrived recently. Was it better to go for the safe, reliable 《Archmage》?
Or the one that seemed to offer massive gains but with corresponding risks—the 《Demon King》?
It wasn’t easy to decide.
Meeting Elga and Mirna this morning and talking it over had probably been my way of firming up my resolve.
Whichever I picked, I had a bad feeling regret would linger. If only I’d chosen differently—something like that.
「Calm situational judgment!
Gained experience via Talent 《Calm Thinking》.
+5 to all job experience.」
A calmly regrettable situation.
Whichever path I took, it was a life-changing moment that would alter many things. More time to deliberate calmly would’ve been nice, but the deadline was approaching.
Time wasn’t on my side.
As my resolve began to wane in one corner of my mind, I rose from my seat as if compelled.
I wanted to face head-on what I needed to surpass.
“Theo, perfect timing. I was just needing your help.”
Aira greeted me from her chair in her ornate, immaculate room. On the table before her sat two lavish outfits.
“Which do you think suits me better? For the upcoming duel trial, I want to shine as the queen of queens—which should I wear?”
Aira seemed lost in her own dilemma.
She wavered between a black uniform-style school outfit and a pure white one. She lifted the black garment from its hanger.
“Sticking with the usual black Nymph Black might be good. But that sly wench Serazade will surely wear black too. Black is auspicious in Turki.”
“You’re right. Empress Serazade will definitely show up in black.”
“Matching her and putting her in her place with coordination could work. Or overwhelming her with a completely different color to steal all attention—that’s not bad either.”
Aira picked up the hanger with the white outfit. It was an elaborate white ensemble adorned with gold accents.
It almost resembled a bride’s dress, suiting Aira perfectly. With her model-like figure, what wouldn’t suit her?
“Theo, what do you think of this Nymph White? I really want your opinion as my loyal retainer. This is an honor denied to all others, so think seriously.”
“Hmm—”
Black or white.
Both had their own charms. Whichever she chose, she’d regret passing on the other.
“I think… this one…”
I chose black. I couldn’t quite picture Aira in white, so sticking with the reliable Nymph Black as always seemed best.
“I see. So black is the way to go?”
“It suits you perfectly, Lady Aira.”
“Hehe, that’s not quite right. Every color suits me. Then I’ll go with this one.”
Aira picked up the white outfit.
“Nymph White. A color used since ancient times for the brides of goddesses—pure white infused with the tears of nymphs—”
“Then why ask me?”
When I voiced my puzzlement, Aira replied with the gravity of a great sage instructing a young disciple seeking wisdom.
“Choices aren’t truly one’s own, are they? I am a queen. I have the right to decide every choice myself.”
Indeed.
Aira had always made her own choices and decisions. Even the color of her stockings or the decision to head to Arco—she’d heard my input but deliberated and chose herself.
As a queen, her life must have been filled with an overwhelming array of options.
The discarded opportunities probably piled up like mountains. Unable to suppress my sprouting curiosity, I asked.
“Have you ever regretted a decision?”
“No.”
“Really?”
“Believing your choice was the best—that is the path of a sovereign. You have no choice but to give your all to what you’ve chosen.”
A sovereign.
Aira seemed to glow. In the goddess-like Nymph White uniform, she’d shine even more beautifully.
Even those who whispered malice and plotted against her would pause, breathless, to gaze at her splendor.
Then Aira asked.
“So, no separate contact from Serazade?”
Aira had been subtly wary of Serazade lately. It was new to me, seeing her like this.
“Nothing in particular.”
“I see. Then what brings you here?”
“Just checking on you since the trial’s so close. Now that I’ve confirmed you’re well, I’ll take my leave.”
I backed out of Aira’s room.
Back in my own, I pulled up my status window, then—with hesitation finally gone—selected the class change prompt.
Truth be told, my heart had already leaned one way. I’d only been cautious about the risks.
But now, having accurately gauged my true opponent, further hesitation was a luxury.
Realizing my ultimate foe wasn’t the arena hunter but Queen Aira filled me with a strange surge of confidence and fervor.
My queen. My greatest rival and goal.
Aira von Tarantara.
If you sit upon the throne, radiating pure white nobility, then I—