Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: No Romance for A-Rank Hunters (4)
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"What do you think is the origin of magic? The source of mana, or its root, perhaps."
Having come from Earth with no knowledge of magic, all I can do is tilt my head in confusion.
"Haha, that's understandable. Even most ordinary citizens of the Empire nowadays have no idea. Magic. It is the sorcery of the demon race, originating from the demons themselves."
At those words, I tilt my head even more vigorously. I'm a little surprised, too. After all, my summoning, their teachings, and the gathering of my companions were all ultimately for the extermination of the demons and the Demon God.
"No need to be so shocked. It's simply a division between the divinity or divine power granted by the gods, and the mana received from demons—more precisely, from the traitorous Demon God."
Lisroom continues with a gentle smile. His calm, flowing voice draws even more focus to his words.
"That's why it was once rejected. Wizards were seen as those who worshipped demons and the Demon God."
"But as they say, time heals all things in the world. As time passes, eras change, generations turn over, and the world advances."
"Buildings grow taller and sturdier, roads become smoother and longer. Technology progresses, life becomes more refined, and weapons are forged sharper."
"In that process, did magic not advance? On the contrary, magic intertwined with countless causes and effects, achieving greater and more diverse developments than anything else."
"Magic schools emerged. Black magic, which leans more toward demon worship; white magic, resisting and rebelling against them; elemental magic, delving into the fundamentals in a different direction; and lifestyle magic, pursuing everyday convenience. And many more besides."
"Magic towers were established for each school. To make people more familiar with it, to draw those with talent in magic, to let our pursuits shine brighter."
"Through that process, it approached people in various forms, developed accordingly, and reached where it is today. That's why I, the Lord of the White Tower, the 10th Lisroom Avaritia, can stand before you, Hero, to offer my teachings."
He finishes with a smile. Draped in a slightly worn robe, yet with neatly combed hair and glasses, he sips his coffee across from me. The grace and leisure in his every gesture reaffirm his esteemed position.
"Impressive. I still know next to nothing about this world, but magic's history has this subtle charm of its own. And you, leading one of those towers."
That's why I respond with respect. I tell him I'm amazed by someone who's claimed the top in such a history.
"Haha, no need to flatter me like that. Magic is ultimately the arrogance of the talented. I simply possessed the most of it among them."
"Talent shines only with effort. That's what makes you remarkable. The Sword Saint earns respect in the same way, of course."
"What, you punk. Praising me now, after all this time?"
The guy's still a jerk even when I'm showing respect.
"You two really get along. Since I'll be joining you from now on, that's probably necessary."
"No. You, just stay as that respectable figure."
"Hey, you little shit."
"What?"
Sio and I bare our teeth at each other, bickering. Unlike before when it was just slaps, the power difference now keeps even Sio from throwing punches—he just spews insults like "bastard" and "ungrateful punk."
"Haha, so, shall we try learning a bit about magic?"
Interrupting our squabble, he asks if I'm ready to learn magic, something still so foreign to me. I can't even sense the mana in my body, but I must learn anyway. Because that's what a Hero is.
"Sure. Guess I should start learning magic quickly too."
"Mm, positive attitude is good. Let's begin right away then."
Lisroom takes position. He stands, planting his long, elegant black staff on the ground, and extends his hand into the air. Mana flows from him, drawing lines.
"Magic begins with circuits. Circuits drawn with mana as the pen on the canvas of the sky. When you create that circuit—mixing fixed shapes and varied patterns—magic manifests."
He draws lines one by one, slowly. Starting with a circle, the circuit soon forms geometric patterns, then inscribes unknown characters. Mana forms light, fixed in midair without dripping. The completed form glows beautifully, scattering around.
"Like this."
「Radiance」
⟨ Radiance ⟩
What emerges is a cluster of bright, beautiful light. It shines brilliantly, as if declaring this is white magic. Like divinity itself, repelling all evil from its place.
"Feels a bit like divine power, right? That's because its attributes developed in that direction. White magic evolved to wield strong power against demons. And things like this are possible too."
The new circuit forms much faster, drawing something different. Slightly varied patterns and incomprehensible characters whirl, shine, and scatter in the air.
「Dark Blossom」
⟨ Dark Blossom ⟩
Unlike before, a darkly sunken flower stains the ground. The touched earth discolors black, corroding the surroundings. It feels like a filthy sewer, reeking of stench.
"That... doesn't seem like white magic."
That's why I ask. It's too grim for something shown by the White Tower Lord.
"As you see, this is black magic. Besides this, I can use elemental magic, lifestyle magic, ancient spells—everything I mentioned. Schools may divide, but wizards are ultimately beings who endlessly pursue, crave, and desire. The infinite, the extreme, beyond what they can imagine."
"That's why we've advanced this far. Using black magic doesn't make one inherently evil. If I asked if all white magic users are good... well, that's ambiguous and binary thinking. They could purely love demons, or hate and torment even innocent ones.
"Nor are those who delve only into fundamentals stubborn, or lifestyle mages weak.
"That's why we pursue it all. I seek and chase everything I can obtain. As long as it doesn't cross the line, it must all become mine."
That's what a true wizard is.
Magic is something filled with mad pursuit and desire.
"Welcome to the world of magic, Hero."
I meet the desire gleaming in Lisroom's eyes as he thumps his pitch-black staff on the ground. Wizards are subtler and more greed-filled than I thought.
That's what I thought.
A-rank gate. Guarding its dark, dingy caves and damp floors are merely massive trolls. Mythical supernatural beings have transformed into gate guardians, facing us.
- Roooar!
The trolls simply charge. Thrusting their massive bulks forward, dragging man-sized clubs, they rush toward us.
"Need support...? With little gate experience, perhaps I should..."
"No. I think we're good."
Interrupting her, I meet the approaching ones. Like them, I drag my sword on the ground, extending one hand. Controlling mana from my fingertips, I draw a circuit. Feeling awkward with the patterns and characters after so long, but the process takes less than a second, so I scatter it quickly.
「Binding」
Restrains targets in place
Thus activated, it binds before my eyes. No matter how massive, my spell fulfills its role perfectly. It ties their huge bodies, immobilizing them.
"Wha, what's this...? Mr. Ansiu, aren't you a swordsman...?"
Her eyes, staring blankly from behind, shine with wonder. Like a child seeing a new toy, sparkling so much it makes me question if it's the same person from earlier. Her curt tone alone proves it.
"Swordsmen can use magic too."
Saying that, I sever the necks of the immobilized ones. Heads fly, rolling with cross-sections exposed; only headless corpses and warm-spilling blood remain.
"You do have experience...? A fresh Awakener using magic and wielding a sword so skillfully..."
"Ah, you must not have seen all my info. I went to another world. Had some monsters there, so I hunted."
For 10 years, probably enough to wipe out the world.
"Oh...?"
Her dazed reaction upon hearing that was pretty cute. Mouth agape wider than before entering, eyes full of questions contrasting her mature look. I chuckle and approach the corpses.
"Mm, shall we keep going then?"
I neatly extract the magic stones and loot valuables, speaking up.
"..."
No reply comes. Turning, I see only her wondrous gaze and slack jaw, like beholding something amazing.
"Hey? Ms. Yuna?"
"So fascinating... First time seeing your type."
She mutters that, lost in her own thoughts again. Standing still. She finds me fascinating, but this is my first time seeing someone like her too—blunt, emotionally distant yet brimming with curiosity, often spacing out.
Definitely a new type.
I grab her wrist as she stares at me in wonder and press forward. Telling her to go wouldn't help; she'd just mutter about the fascinating person again.
She's saying exactly that right now.
I advance, dealing with trolls as they come. Sometimes with magic, sometimes sword alone, occasionally sweeping with infused divinity. These are just mob trash, so reaching the end doesn't take long. Considering the A-rank gate's 1-day limit, arriving in under 2 hours is quick.
Only then, facing the boss at the gate's end, does she snap out of it and nock her bow. The golden-glowing arrow looks impressive. Sorry for leaving you out, but her boss-slaying, agile movements, and skilled cleanup are cool too.
Despite her still-dazed face.
And later I learned A-rank gates prohibit parties under 10. They allowed it only because of her, top-tier domestic Hunter. She apologized with her usual blank expression.