Runaway Black Mage (2): What is a Mage?
Mages are born, fully formed. That means they're gifted from birth with the ability to sense and wield mana. In a way, you could lump them in with saintesses or black mages—both groups are blessed with innate talents for holy power or black magic, after all.
But mages are on a whole different level. The difference? Money.
Saintesses get dragged kicking and screaming to the Holy Academy the moment their powers manifest, forcibly ordained, and turned into clerics. Then they're worked to the bone "in service to God and humanity," paid peanuts for their troubles.
Black mages? The corrupting black magic flowing through their bodies makes it impossible to blend into human society. They scrape by doing shady jobs on the fringes.
Mages, though? No side effects, endless practical applications—mages are priceless. There's a saying: "Under the Goddess, the mage." Nothing in this world a mage can't solve. If there is, you need the Goddess herself.
Okay, maybe a bit exaggerated, judging by those mages who failed against the Golruk horde... But magic's uses are endless. Problem is, there are so few mages that they can name their price.
That's why I hired Idi—a black mage—despite the risks. A real mage's salary? Way beyond my budget.
Mages know it, too. Their egos are sky-fucking-high. Every one I've met has been arrogant, looking down on everyone as default.
But Brione, the brown bob-haired mage? She's a cut above the rest. Sure, she's cocky as hell compared to normals, but she doesn't have that mage specialty of being a total asshole. It's just overflowing pride and self-love exploding out—no stomping others underfoot.
Of course, that's relative to other mages. To regular folk? She's still a rude bitch. Most people never even meet a mage in their lives, so no frame of reference. Me? After dealing with personality-wrecked mages, Brione feels like an angel.
Mage Brione trudged over to me.
"What the hell are you doing here? Still wandering like a bum? Thought you retired."
"Bum? Still no manners, huh. I'm the innkeeper here."
"Eww? Don't bullshit me, idiot."
"Wanna bet on it, like old times? Loser pays up."
She stared me down, then burst out laughing and pulled me into a hug. I chuckled, patting her back.
"How've you been, has-been hero?"
"Feels like I've gained ten years without you dragging me around."
Running into an old comrade like this? Shocking and fun as hell.
Brione was one of my crew for a few years. Back then, she'd just gotten her mage license and was an apprentice at the royal palace. She wheedled her way in, begging to join me, and the palace had no choice but to hand her over. A precious mage wants in? And it's the hero's responsibility, not theirs? Sweet deal.
An apprentice? What the hell? But they begged, so I took her. We adventured together for years until she returned to the palace. And now, reunion at my inn.
"Friend of the boss?"
Brione eyed Della playfully.
"She's gorgeous. You finally doing that, Bertrand?"
"Th-that...?"
Della flushed crimson—Brione's intent was obvious. Brione just laughed at how cute she was.
"Huh...? And what's that? A demon?"
She spotted Pelle bustling around. I grabbed Brione's shoulder before she did something stupid.
"Don't wreck someone else's business. Sit down first."
"Fine."
She plopped onto a backless bar stool instead of a table. Dropped her bag and grinned.
"You talked about opening an inn the whole adventure, force-fed me your cooking... and now you actually did it?"
"When have I ever said I'd do something and backed out?"
"True. You're a crazy bastard. If you say it, you do it."
Her rough talk dripped with affection. I didn't mind it. Rude to outsiders, but she's not bad at heart.
"Aigoo. Walked all day—my feet are killing me."
She kicked off her sturdy, boot-like heels with a groan. I eyed the heels closely.
"Why walk all day? And why are you even here? Thought you were palace-bound."
"Palace? Quit ages ago."
What the fuck?! She ditched that cushy job? Palace mages make bank—people would faint hearing her salary.
"You lost your mind...? Quitting that?"
"All your fault, asshole."
"What kinda nonsense is that?"
Rubbing her ankles on her knee, she smirked.
"Adventuring with you showed me: I'm more adventurer than mage. So I bailed."
"Lemme sum up: You tagged along with a powerhouse, realized 'adventure's a breeze—just vacationing!' and got hooked."
She threw her head back, roaring with laughter.
"I'm a mage. I can handle most stuff solo. But yeah, needed you for insane quests like 'fetch great demon horn' or 'sink the dimensional rift island.'"
"Under the Goddess, the mage." Step out penniless, return in a luxury carriage. Mages are savvy—never starve, anywhere.
With us chatting at the bar, Idi shuffled over to take a drink order. No head chef yet, so unified menu for meals—drinks only.
"C-customer...? Order...?"
Brione turned, blinked at her.
"Huh...? You're...?"
Eye contact hit, and Idi was already panicking. Sweat beaded on her forehead, darkening her pits.
"You... the... black mage, right?"
"H-hi... Brione..."
Idi forced a trembling smile—painfully fake.
"Long time! You working here? Damn, your tits got even bigger!"
Brione poked Idi's chest. Idi shrank, speechless. Sweat soaked her neck to underbust, steam practically rising from her hefty frame.
"Your hair's still a mess. Told you short like mine would suit you."
"This is comfy..."
"Short height, huge rack—you look sluggish. Lighten the hair at least."
"R-really...? Hehe..."
Idi giggled dumbly, scratching her head. Same old—Brione nags, Idi laughs it off.
"Hey. Quit bullying my girl and order something."
"Your girl? How long you two been together?"
"Ugh, just order. Idi, other tables."
Idi nodded frantically and fled. Her back was drenched.
"How'd she end up here? Thought we only had her for a month on black magic gigs."
"Complicated."
Brione narrowed her eyes, smirking.
"Big tits are the best, huh? Felt 'em up? Nice?"
"What'll you drink?!"
"Jeez! Anything! Why snap?!"
She slammed the bar, defiant. Same old shitty temper.
"Sigh... Never deal with mages..."
"I heard that."
Today's menu: j Jambalaya. Throw in everything, stir-fry with rice, finish with seafood and broth. Might look like dog food, but foolproof ingredients guarantee flavor.
Brione hummed happily, scarfing jambalaya and chugging whiskey straight—no mix. High-proof stuff, but she's a pro. Matches Hildeva's booze tolerance. Whiskey's just an appetizer for her.
"So, where you wandering? Registered at the guild?"
"Mages don't slum it at adventurer guilds. Just going where fancy takes me."
"Bullshit. Playing pretend adventurer."
"What?!"
She barked, but no real comeback. Truth hurts. Even quit, she did palace time—years, easy. Mage pay? She could buy this inn ten times over.
No job worries—nobles line up. Bored or danger? Teleport home. Adventurers' poverty and death risks? Not her problem. Hence, "pretend."
Palace would take her back anytime. She's just vacationing fancy.
I didn't buy it all. Brione's ambitious as hell. Followed me for career boost to chief mage.
Something she's not saying. But I don't care enough to pry. I'm Rosens' innkeeper now; she's old news. Her life, her choices.
"Staying long?"
"Dunno. Planned one night, but maybe longer."
"Stick to plan and bounce."
Glad to see her, but not for long. Blame Idi. She hates Brione—timid, antisocial black mage vs. brash, fun mage? Terrifying.
Plus their first meeting sucked. From Idi's side. Might explain why she always felt like an outsider.
Idi slipped out the kitchen back door to the yard, leaning against the wall. Kali bounded over from the grass, tail wagging.
"Hehe... Kali... Food later, after guests..."
Squatting, chest on knees, she scritched his back with her nails. Kali thumped his tail, flopping flat.
Brione here? Weird. Thought I'd never see her again...
She's the star mage, welcome everywhere. I'm the broke black mage hiding from people. Worlds apart—forgot her after that short stint.
But face-to-face? Past floods back, unwanted.
So, what happened back then...