Chapter 29
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: The Magic Tower Genius Descends into the Labyrinth
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Darkness had fallen over the city.
In one upscale restaurant within Termina.
Clink...
With the careful sound of plates being set down, luxurious dishes that screamed extravagance began filling the table one by one.
Even as I watched these expensive foods being placed before me, a hollow laugh escaped my lips for no particular reason.
To think I'd get this lucky.
When I first saw Kran, the guy who'd dismissed me outright, I hadn't felt great about it.
I wasn't hiding my status as an Exile, but this was the first time someone had looked at me with such outright contempt.
Yet that had turned into unexpected fortune.
"S-Sylbian. Even so, aren't you going overboard!?"
Cherentia, sitting across from me, gulped nervously as she asked.
With all these mouthwatering dishes piling up right in front of her eyes, she looked like she was struggling to hold back.
"It's fine. I saved a ton of money today."
I replied casually.
No matter how pricey the restaurant or the orders, it was pocket change compared to the two gold coins I'd squeezed out of Kran today.
That was part of why we were enjoying this feast to welcome our first evening in Termina.
"Go ahead and dig in."
"Th-thank you!"
As Cherentia dove in ravenously, I started eating at a leisurely pace in contrast.
I sliced into the premium meat with my knife, then forked up the soft delicacy—something I couldn't have dreamed of during our camping days—and brought it to my mouth.
Chomp.
As it melted away the moment it touched my tongue, the flavor was beyond heavenly.
Knowing it's not my money makes it taste even better.
Normally, I never could have afforded this kind of extravagance.
I'd have blown most of my savings on that outrageously expensive magic tool.
Kran's arrogance suddenly felt like a blessing in disguise.
"Hic... This is pure bliss, Sylbian... Human food is weirdly delicious..."
Cherentia's teary-eyed bliss as she ate made me burst out laughing.
"Eat as much as you want today. Oh, but make sure you don't overdo it so you're not weighed down when we head into the labyrinth tomorrow."
"Got it! I'll eat even more to take good care of my body, Sylbian!"
Her cheerful response made me take a fresh look at her.
How does that tiny body pack away so much food?
Our long trek to Termina had involved plenty of camping, and every time, Cherentia had out-eaten everyone else by multiples.
She'd even polished off the Camel Mercenary Corps' spare rations.
Her digestive prowess was downright mysterious.
As our meal continued in high spirits, my eyes fell on the wine glass beside me.
"Wine, huh..."
How decadent was this dinner?
I savored the view of Termina's nightscape through the window, tilting the glass gently.
It was dazzling.
Bright lights filled the city endlessly.
As if boasting greater prosperity than most major cities, Termina brimmed with abundance and vitality.
This is the labyrinth city...
I let my mind settle slowly while tasting the wine's bitter edge.
In a way, this was just the beginning.
Stepping into the labyrinth meant facing all sorts of dangers.
And in its deeper levels—places few could reach—I'd chase even greater mysteries.
Mysteries that would shatter my Stigma, or elixirs to lift its curse.
Clink.
The moment I set my wine glass down gently.
"Urk...! It's so bitter! Why do humans drink something this bitter!?"
Cherentia, who'd mimicked me with the wine, scowled deeply as she stared at me.
"It starts tasting good after a sip or two."
"I just don't get it!"
Thud!
She shoved her glass aside carelessly, which struck me as so absurd that I laughed again.
"Cherentia."
"...Why are you calling me?"
She'd been devouring her food with gusto, but she cleared her mouth and answered belatedly.
I continued slowly, looking at her.
"Even when we go into the labyrinth for a while, we won't dive too deep at first. I plan to take time adapting to the environment and atmosphere."
"I see. I think that's a sound approach too."
Munch munch.
As she stuffed her mouth again, I organized my thoughts.
We absolutely can't rush things.
We'd already arrived at our destination: the labyrinth city of Termina.
"And we'll run into plenty of adventurers and mercenaries inside the labyrinth too."
"Is there a reason you're bringing that up?"
As Cherentia blinked curiously, I examined her appearance slowly.
-Wolf beastkin.
Cherentia's looks weren't that different from a human's, really.
Perky black ears.
A black tail that swished with her emotions.
Aside from those, she was just a human girl.
One who could communicate like this, form trustworthy bonds as a companion.
"In the labyrinth, there'll probably be even more unfriendly stares aimed at you."
That's why right now mattered.
Cherentia wouldn't go picking fights, but from here on, we might get dragged into bigger conflicts than before.
"Hmm... So you're saying I need to be more careful, Sylbian?"
She slowed her eating pace slightly, meeting my eyes.
"No, the opposite."
I let a small smile slip.
Especially early on, we needed to establish our stance clearly.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I'll be traveling openly with you—a mage and a beastkin descending the labyrinth together. Word will spread through the city fast."
It was a fact we couldn't hide even if we tried, much like my Stigma.
People would take interest in us anyway, and incidents like today's would crop up.
Because of me.
Or because she was a beastkin.
"Sylbian. That... sounds a bit complicated to me."
Cherentia had stopped eating entirely, looking at me in confusion.
"Don't overthink it. I just mean we should act so no one can dismiss or underestimate us easily."
"So I don't have to hold back?"
"No. I'll take the lead."
Blink blink.
Cherentia stared at me like she couldn't grasp it.
"Even as an Exile, I still have my public status as a mage. If I show my power first, they won't dare ignore us."
I'd felt it today.
Exile or not, the strength I wielded could surpass most adventurers or mercenaries, depending on how I used it.
And that held true even against other mages.
If we clashed head-on in a magic duel, I'd lose in raw mana reserves.
But considering my unique traits, there was no real need to fear other mages.
I could always find a way to win, no matter the method.
And I had the confidence for it.
"Hmm... I kinda get it. So, I only step in if even you can't resolve it after trying?"
"You nailed it."
And if things didn't settle even after I stepped up, I could rely on Cherentia's brute force then.
Slide.
I portioned some of my meat straight onto her plate.
"So, let's keep getting along great, Cherentia."
"...Ah, no. I should be the one saying that to you, Sylbian."
She eyed the meat I'd given her greedily as she spoke.
Her straightforwardness only endeared her to me more.
She doesn't hide her feelings, just expresses them directly.
That didn't mean she was simple-minded, either.
Her insights sometimes ran deeper than mine.
Could I find another companion like her?
Chomp!
Laughter bubbled up again as she devoured the meat I'd given her and flashed a beaming smile.
Step.
Step...
The next day, early morning.
Cherentia and I stood in Termina's central square.
Slip!
I'd also slipped on the black gloves I'd picked up from the magic tool shop.
The fit was surprisingly comfortable, putting me in a good mood.
And in the central square stood a space that looked utterly alien to anyone watching.
A massive circular area.
Filling that circle was a brilliant glow.
That was the "labyrinth entrance."
"Is that the labyrinth entrance?"
Cherentia asked, gazing at it. I nodded.
"Yeah. And the moment you step in, you're teleported to some unknown space."
"Teleportation... I have no idea how that's even possible."
She wasn't wrong; I felt the same bafflement.
It's a space that defies common sense from the start.
Space teleportation alone was a grand spell, one only the most elite high mages could cast.
Yet this labyrinth performed massive-scale teleports endlessly from the very entrance.
Mages had studied it for decades, but even they threw up their hands. No one truly understood it.
Step.
As those ahead of us vanished into the labyrinth one by one, our turn approached.
"I'll need to check your identification briefly."
"Sure."
I complied naturally as the guard at the entrance approached cautiously.
"You're clear to enter."
With the guard's permission, Cherentia and I finally stood before the labyrinth entrance.
I'd already seen countless people ahead disappear upon contact.
Only those touching each other transfer to the same space.
Mindful of that, I took Cherentia's hand gently.
"Alright, let's go."
"I'm excited since it's my first time!"
With her slightly thrilled tone as the finale, we stepped into the radiant light.
Whoosh...!
Light enveloped us instantly. I focused my senses in that split-second.
A sensation like my body being sucked away made me lose track of time.
It's exactly the same.
I couldn't hide my shock.
The space teleportation grand spell I'd experienced through my master long ago.
This labyrinth entrance felt identical, down to the nuance.
As the light faded in a flash, thick darkness filled my vision. I twisted my body desperately to regain balance.
"Urk."
Even so, I couldn't land properly.
Thud!
"You definitely need more physical training, Sylbian."
Unlike me, Cherentia landed gracefully. I nodded as I steadied myself.
"Yeah..."
I'd trained during our journey, but nothing extreme.
I scanned our surroundings carefully first.
Faint light pierced the deep gloom, illuminating the area dimly.
The space we'd entered screamed "labyrinth" in every way.