Chapter 21

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Translator: 8uhl

Chapter: 21

Chapter Title: The Tower Genius Descends the Labyrinth

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마탑 천재는 미궁을 내려간다 21화.

As the promised date approached, Sylbian and Cherentia made one final visit to the blacksmith before leaving Soren.

Clank!

Cherentia, now wearing black shoulder guards and hand protectors, examined herself in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wonder.

"It's incredibly light. And it feels far sturdier than I expected!"

It was a simple impression, but Sylbian felt a wave of relief.

"It suits you pretty well."

"Really? I think it looks cool too!"

He let out a soft chuckle at Cherentia's delighted reaction to the praise.

Truth be told, he'd been worried when they first commissioned the armor. But those concerns had been unfounded.

"Haha! I guarantee the quality! It's made with three layers of Ghetia steel!"

The blacksmith's clerk boasted proudly at just the right moment, and Cherentia chimed in enthusiastically.

"I can definitely trust that!"

"If you come back next time, we'll promise even better quality!"

With a polite bow from the clerk, they stepped out of the smithy. Sylbian took another look at her.

Leather armor overlaid with iron guards on her shoulders and the backs of her hands.

Strictly speaking, it wasn't full armament.

'Still.'

This would be enough to mitigate serious damage in emergencies.

Cherentia had the physical prowess to make good use of even this much protection in a crisis.

"Sylbian, does it look a bit strange on me after all?"

Aware of his gaze, Cherentia asked cautiously. Sylbian shook his head lightly.

"No, the more I look, the better it suits you."

"Really!?"

As Cherentia's smile brightened even more, he suddenly thought about their remaining funds.

'Just two gold coins left now.'

They'd spent quite a bit preparing everything. The journey to their destination, Termina, was a long one.

"Sylbian. On second thought, is it okay for just me to get new gear?"

"I don't need any. Armor just gets in a mage's way."

Unless it was custom magitech from the Magic Tower, mediocre armor was worse than none at all.

"Still, it feels bad having such good equipment just for me."

She seemed to love the new armor so much that Cherentia visibly felt guilty about it.

Her innocent expression made him smile again.

"Don't think like that. To me, this is an investment too."

"An investment?"

"Yeah. An investment in my companion."

Sylbian gave a casual smile as he stepped forward.

"Then when the chance comes, I'll invest in you too, Sylbian!"

Cherentia, walking beside him, declared it with resolve.

"Invest in me?"

"Yes! Mages are vital assets, aren't they?"

"Well, if that time comes, I'll look forward to it."

Sylbian didn't mind her spirited tone.

No, he might even feel a little pleased.

Whiiiiiish...!

A biting gale tore through the air.

The barren landscape's sparse vegetation swayed in the wind, emitting eerie sounds. The two pressed on endlessly along the long, straight road.

"The wind's pretty chilly."

Like when they'd left Helsen, Cherentia shouldered a large backpack and gently rubbed her protected shoulder.

Her ears flattened against her head, showing even she found the wind harsh.

"We haven't even entered the north yet, and it's already this cold."

Sylbian pulled his robe's collar tighter.

It had been nearly ten days since leaving Soren.

They'd stopped briefly at a small village midway for rest, but otherwise opted for camping to keep moving quickly.

It was no easy journey.

They'd encountered bandits twice, and magical beasts visited them every night as if it were routine.

Above all, they couldn't sleep as much as they wanted, so their condition suffered day after day.

'We're falling behind more than I thought.'

And now, as they neared the northern border, things didn't feel right.

Cold slowed your steps.

And considering the beasts, they'd need to be even more cautious than expected.

Thud.

"Cherentia, how about we camp here today?"

Sylbian halted and eyed a hollowed-out space nearby.

"Sounds good! With beasts around, we couldn't go much farther anyway."

Thump!

Cherentia set down her large pack and began preparing camp as naturally as ever. Sylbian carefully lowered his hand.

Grab.

Then Cherentia suddenly took his hand.

"I can handle the setup alone."

She stated it matter-of-factly, and Sylbian just gave an awkward smile.

"...Still, asking you every time feels off."

Accepting her kindness once or twice was one thing.

But relying on it constantly would inevitably strain their relationship over time.

Having seen such bonds fray in the Magic Tower, he was now consciously drawing lines.

"I'm fine, so don't worry. It's better if you fully recover your mana."

Sylbian pondered briefly before accepting her offer.

"Then you can take two extra pieces of my jerky for dinner."

"Thanks so much, Sylbian!"

As if that had been her goal all along, Cherentia prepared camp with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠renewed vigor.

Sylbian chuckled softly at the sight and leaned against a nearby dead tree.

'Even Hesente has its limits.'

Fatigue had built up in his body—enough that they'd detoured to that village for rest.

Maybe that's why her consideration felt extra appreciated.

Crackle! Snap!

Soon, a campfire blazed in the clearing, its embers chasing away some of the chill with warmth.

Sylbian settled in, gazing into the flames fueled by kindling.

"Cherentia, I'll handle dinner tomorrow."

"Got it!"

With that curt reply, he murmured soundlessly.

'Status Window.'

It had been quite a while since he'd last checked his status window, and there weren't any dramatic changes.

Even so, the shifts were clear.

'All stats except Intelligence went up by 1.'

With daily camping and long marches, his body was gradually adapting.

He could feel the subtle muscle gain and slight weight increase.

And now, he felt the need for more vitality than ever.

Glance.

His eyes fell on Cherentia, busy with dinner prep.

She looked energetic, and though the northern cold affected her, it didn't seem to hinder her much.

"Cherentia, mind if I ask a favor?"

"A favor? What is it all of a sudden?"

Sizzle!

Cherentia blinked as she added jerky to the boiling water.

In all their travels, Sylbian had rarely asked her for anything.

"I want to train my vitality. I think you'd be the best to help. If you're okay with it, of course..."

"I'd be happy to help with that."

Before he finished, Cherentia nodded vigorously.

Though he'd half-expected it, Sylbian was surprised again by her ready agreement.

"Thanks. If you ever want something from me later, just say the word."

"I think it's weird to even ask for something like this. Vitality training's no big deal."

"Even small teachings can be profound."

Learning from someone else's greatest ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠strength warranted a request.

And her casual favor was actually a huge one.

"I see."

"Cherentia, if there's anything you want from me, I'll make it happen."

"I'll hold you to that."

The night deepened amid their light banter.

During dinner, Cherentia's ears perked up repeatedly.

Her tail swished freely, betraying her good mood after the hearty meal.

Just as another night seemed to pass peacefully...

-Grrraaah!!

-Damn it! Beasts here of all places...!!

-Stay calm! We need to break through first!

Whoosh!

Both turned toward the sound simultaneously.

Screams and combat noises rode the wind, chillingly clear.

"......"

Sylbian held his breath first.

"Sylbian, what should we do?"

Cherentia tensed to leap but urgently sought his input.

Throughout their journey,

They hadn't helped everyone they passed.

Sylbian especially wanted to set firm boundaries.

'Can't save them all.'

His own situation left little room for leisure.

He couldn't keep detouring to aid others.

But the word "beast" amid the screams tugged at him.

The creatures that came nightly,

He suspected his mana drew them.

And if,

Someone was suffering because of him...

His decision came swiftly.

"Cherentia, let's go check it out first."

"Got it!"

They dashed toward the source in unison.