Leap 1
He was leaving El Sion. It was something he'd been considering for quite some time.
Staying in one place for over a month was rare for Licht. With the matter of Cherbito resolved, there was no reason to linger any longer.
Alder Duchy.
And Archbishop Sernos.
The Alder Duchy lay a considerable distance from El Sion. If Simon's final words were true, the answers he sought were there.
Before departing El Sion, Licht moved from the mid-tier mansion to a residence in the central district.
The contract that had bound him there ended without issue—likely thanks to the count's influence.
The new house was a modest standalone villa near the lord's castle in the central district. It followed an older architectural style, distinct from the mid-tier area's designs, suggesting it had stood for many years.
Sebrik and Lena showed some regret—perhaps because their previous home had been so comfortable—but they voiced no complaints.
The new place was just as livable, if not more so. Warm sunlight poured through the windows each morning, and they had a front yard to use freely.
Every night, Licht honed his swordsmanship and magic, preparing to cut down any who dared block his path.
His blade grew sharper with each swing, and his magic had advanced far beyond its initial state.
Still not enough.
Yet satisfaction eluded him. Reaching the 5th Circle had noticeably slowed his growth compared to before.
Part of it was the process of reclaiming his former power based on insights he already possessed, rather than gaining entirely new ones.
How many Executors can still move freely?
Even so, he felt no sense of defeat.
On the morning of his final day, Licht rose earlier than usual. The sky was still dim and hazy.
He washed briefly and changed into comfortable clothes prioritizing mobility. Only after draping his cloak and fastening the Ascension Sword at his waist did he consider himself ready.
Sebrik and Lena were already waiting in the living room.
"Young master, are you leaving now?"
Sebrik's question stirred a faint sense of déjà vu in Licht. He'd heard those words once before. Though barely more than a month had passed, it felt like ages ago.
This time, his heart felt lighter. He had the count's promise.
As long as he remained in the central district, no threats would come.
Licht gave a short reply.
"Yeah."
"I see."
"It'd be nice if you stayed longer."
Lena pouted regretfully but said no more.
"How long will it take?"
"A while... it'll be long."
It could take a year, three years, even five.
No, not that long.
He would return. Of that, he was certain. He'd vowed to live differently from his past life.
"We'll wait. Come back whenever you're ready."
"Don't take too long!"
"...Got it."
Before stepping out the front door, Licht took one last look at Sebrik and Lena.
"I'll be back."
His footsteps felt lighter than before.
***
"So, you're finally leaving?"
The count's voice was calm and steady. He'd known Licht planned to leave El Sion.
The slum affair had long been settled. With all the information secured, it was time to act.
"I'm heading to the Alder Duchy."
"Alder Duchy... even by carriage, that's a week away. As I said before, let me ask one last time. Why not stay in El Sion? You don't have to join my faction. There's no need for you to take such risks."
The negotiations had failed. The delegation's messenger bird had arrived the day before, bearing the Holy Kingdom's desire for amicable talks.
Even with justification on El Sion's side, their low posture suggested future conflicts were likely.
There was no mention of the missing mages. They were distancing themselves entirely since former Executor Bryce's excommunication.
Suspicion existed, but without hard evidence, the count couldn't press aggressively. The delegation was returning with substantial compensation, too.
"...You've already decided, then."
"I planned to leave from the start."
Licht's expression was resolute. Seeing it, the count abandoned further persuasion and offered advice instead.
"The Pope of Palenia, from what I know... is a very cunning man. Just look at how he garnered overwhelming support during the conclave to be elected."
"You're saying he pursues his goals without regard for means or methods?"
"Caution never hurts. That's all I wanted to say. Once you leave El Sion, I won't be able to help directly."
"I recall you promising support."
"Ah, right."
The count chuckled at Licht's question. Their brief interactions had shown him it was the boy's dry humor.
"Don't worry about material aid. Military support, however, is difficult."
"I know."
"Good. This is all I can offer, but..."
The count placed a small ring on the table. Platinum, etched with intricate runes across its surface.
"A 7th-level mana shield."
"7th-level?"
"It'll block a direct hit from a 7th Circle large-scale spell once. It was a gift from Elder Jervin of the council, but... I think you'd make better use of it."
Licht turned the ring over in his hands. Incredibly fine lines formed impossibly dense patterns—seemingly random scribbles at a glance, but precisely woven spells.
"It's rechargeable, so you'll need to infuse your own mana. But it'll give you a spare life. It absorbs not just mana, but aura and physical impacts too."
He spoke casually, but Licht knew how absurd this item was.
A 7th Circle large-scale spell...
It could protect against a grand spell cast by a great archmage after prolonged preparation. Calling it a spare life was no exaggeration.
Embedding such power in a ring rather than a bracelet doubled the difficulty.
Rechargeable, and absorbs aura and physical shocks too.
Mana capacity wasn't an issue for Licht. Absorbing close-range aura and impacts gave it immense value in melee.
He was mildly surprised the count parted with it so readily.
Three of them.
From the sixth ring onward, even three Executors might fall.
"And one more thing."
As Licht pondered, the count produced a heavy bundle.
"100 platinum coins and some gems for exchange. You won't run short on funds during your travels."
Each platinum coin equaled 100 gold. With the gems, it neared 20,000 gold—immense, considering the mid-tier multi-family mansion had sold for 1,800 gold.
Platinum was standard southern continent currency, and gems were universally valued.
"...I don't need this much."
"Take it anyway, just in case. I'm sorry it's not more."
The central district villa they now occupied was worth hundreds of thousands of gold, mostly due to the land.
Still, the count insisted. After several refusals, Licht pocketed the bundle—his resolve was too firm to deny further.
"A shame. I wanted to test your skills."
The silent man behind the count spoke. Roman, a 6th Circle mage.
"If you'd joined His Excellency, we could've been great allies..."
"Enough of what-ifs. So, you're off now?"
Licht was already rising.
"Yes."
"Be careful. And... forgive me for so little."
"You've given more than enough."
"I'm grateful you say that."
Licht bowed slightly and headed for the door.
As he reached for the handle—
"I don't know what you're thinking or what goals you pursue."
The count's voice came from behind.
"But I support you. You can do it. And don't worry about your two servants. On my honor, I'll ensure their safety."
The quiet words rang clear. Licht stood frozen, hand on the knob. They lingered in his mind.
"That's enough."
His response was formal, as before. Steeling himself, he stepped out.
"...May blessings fill your path."
The door closed. The count stared at it silently for a long while.
When they met again, the boy would be a full-fledged adult.
***
Licht left the lord's castle and headed straight for Barte's Mage Tower headquarters—not rushing, but to say farewell.
"Why so late?"
"Stopped by the lord's castle."
"You didn't have to leave. You even moved to a standalone house in the central district."
"Yeah."
"Master said he'd take you as a direct disciple anytime."
"I know."
"That arrogance will bite you one day. You could've trained more before going."
"That wouldn't be bad."
"Then..."
"But I have to go."
Aila's expression shifted through their endless back-and-forth.
"You're really leaving?"
"Yeah."
"You're so stubborn."
"Nothing more to learn here."
"That's what makes you arrogant."
"Not wrong."
"...Annoying."
Grumbling, Aila unclasped the pendant from her neck and tossed it over. An artifact with a large blue gem at its center: Miracle of the Sky.
Licht eyed it curiously. She said,
"Take it."
"Sorry, don't need it."
"I don't either."
"......"
Licht rolled Miracle of the Sky across his palm. The gem sparkled with her mana, shifting hues with the angle.
"Huh?"
"Yeah, better for you to have it."
But Licht tossed it back.
Aila stared at her returned artifact, then asked,
"...Then can I come with you?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Too weak to help."
Executors might already be tracking him. Uncertain, but he didn't want her dragged in.
"...If you were 6th Circle, maybe."
"......?"
She glared, offended.
"6th Circle? Did you just say 6th Circle?"
"If you're not confident, give up. Talk of 7th Circle and becoming a grand mage."
"Never said I was giving up."
"Oh?"
"It won't take long. I'll surpass you—get ready."
Aila puffed out her chest proudly. Her usual self made Licht smirk.
He handed her a scrap of paper.
"What's this?"
"Our house address. Visit sometimes. It'll be lonely with just us two."
"If it's that..."
She nodded after checking it.
"Next time, I'll be 6th Circle and beat you."
"I'll be 7th by then."
"......"
"Got a problem? Come at me ready to die."
"Waiting long? Got held up fetching this from below."
A magic circle flared, and an elderly mage appeared—Shult, handing over a pouch.
"What's this?"
"Subspace pouch. Know what's most annoying on a trip?"
Baggage. Wandering the continent alone meant carrying food and supplies. Resupplying in villages had limits, and longer journeys amplified the hassle.
"Is it okay to give me this?"
It was invaluable. Depending on grade, this small pouch held unimaginable loads. Space magic runes made crafting hellishly difficult, yet demand was insane—practically priceless.
"No issue. I made it myself."
Even so, Shult gave it freely. Considering all prior favors, it was immense grace—hard to repay fully.
"Thank you."
Licht bowed sincerely.
"...Never thought I'd hear thanks from you."
"I know a favor when I see one."
"Good. After all I've done, you'd be a beast not to."
"......"
"Hah! Joke, joke. Still a shame. With more time, I'd have taught you space magic myself."
"Space magic?"
Licht's eyes gleamed.
"Yeah, space magic. Was ready to teach you anytime... tsk, too bad."
Shult chuckled. The boy's reaction matched his expectations.
"Were you serious just now?"
"Hm? Changed your mind?"
Hooked.
Shult's smile deepened. Learning directly from a 7th Circle grand mage and space expert—irresistible to anyone.
But the response shattered his prediction.
"You said before you wanted to see my sword properly."
Licht reminded him. Shult looked puzzled.
Space magic. If I can grasp it fully...
"Mind a spar before I go?"
Once would suffice. Licht tapped the Ascension Sword at his waist.
Shult let out a hollow laugh at the obvious ploy.