Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Half-Baked Mage
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'This must be it.'
I'd come straight to the inn and headed up to the room assigned to Raymond and me. There, in front of the large door, not even a faint sign of life came from beyond the firmly shut entrance.
Has he blocked out all presence with magic?
I gazed down at my hands, a faint smile playing on my lips. The large basket beside me brimmed with fruits gleaming in the light—snacks I'd bought on the way back to share with Raymond.
Setting the basket aside, I stood on tiptoe and turned the doorknob. The door swung open easily with a soft click, revealing an eerily empty interior.
"Master?"
The bed was a mess, scattered papers lay on the floor, and bags were strewn about as if someone had rifled through them in a hurry.
Did burglars break in?
A bit tense, I summoned a breeze, ready to cast a spell at any moment. The warm sensation enveloped my body. As I stepped inside, the papers on the floor fluttered gently upward.
"Master?"
No sign of Raymond. I even checked inside the bags and under the bed, but nothing. Maybe he called me here and then stepped out for a quick errand.
That was my thought when I spotted a Golden Wind School spellbook and a neatly folded sheet of paper on the small table.
'This is...'
I'd seen this paper before—a slightly luxurious kind Raymond used for letters and such.
I stepped closer and unfolded it.
'Hmm...'
What did it say? The elegant, swirling script looked stylish, but for someone like me just starting to learn letters, it was incredibly tough to read.
Still, one thing stood out.
"Lu... mia..."
My name was mentioned in the letter. Given the circumstances, Raymond must have left it for me.
Did he write some chores for me to do while he was out?
Crunch.
Munching on one of the fruits I'd bought, I decided to tidy up the messy room first. I scurried around on my short legs, straightening the bed and carefully packing away the scattered belongings into the bags.
I took a moment to admire the now-spotless room with a proud smile.
But that didn't last. Alone in the empty space, I sat down and began studying my letters.
Quiet returned. The only sound was the rustle of turning pages.
How much time passed like that? Rubbing my stiff neck, I glanced out the window to see darkness had fallen.
Already night. Since Raymond still hadn't returned, it must have been something urgent.
I ate another fruit and went to bed.
Morning came again. Even after breakfast from the inn's offerings, Raymond didn't return.
At this point, worry was setting in. He didn't seem the type to go picking fights, but what if something unexpected happened?
'And I'm curious about that letter...'
It was meant only for me. Asking someone else to read it felt awkward, and studying enough to read it myself would take too long.
After agonizing over it, I went downstairs and asked the innkeeper.
"Mister."
"Oh, hey. What's up? Need something?"
The innkeeper was a pot-bellied man, but he was always kind to his guests.
"Do you know how to read?"
"Reading... Yeah, the basics."
"Could you read this for me, then?"
I pulled the neatly folded letter from my pocket and handed it over. He took it, sat in a nearby chair, and began reading aloud.
"Lumia, behold... Hmm, this part's beyond me... I must leave your side. And... seek the wind at the western edge?"
He handed it back as if that was all. Despite its length, he'd finished quickly.
Did he really read it properly?
I hated doubting someone helping out of kindness, but given the situation, suspicion crept in.
"Thank you..."
"No problem. If you need anything, just say the word. I'll help however I can."
I bowed in gratitude, pocketed the letter, and slipped out of the inn. Raymond, my master and guardian, had vanished. If the innkeeper's reading was accurate, this was a disaster.
I'd be a child alone in a strange world, with no protection.
Biting my lip, I went to find the caravan leader who'd arranged our room.
He was staying in a separate building, not the inn. When I arrived, he greeted me with obvious tension.
A cup of warm tea and a plate of cookies slid across the large table toward me.
Munching on the crumbly cookies, I asked,
"Did my master say anything to you?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just that he was sorry he couldn't stick to the original plan all the way."
As expected, the caravan leader knew Raymond had left the city. From his words, Raymond had come here personally before departing.
How to handle this? Asking him to read the letter felt risky. I'd seen enough on the journey to know he was an opportunist.
If he realized I was a naive child ignorant of the world, he might try to exploit me. That's the kind of man he was.
"Um, are you... leaving too, little mage?"
As I pondered, he asked with an anxious look. He seemed worried I'd vanish like Raymond. From his position, losing another mage would hurt the caravan badly.
I shook my head.
"No. Not for now."
"Phew, that's a relief... Anything you need?"
I shook my head again and hopped down from the chair.
"Safe travels...!"
After bidding him farewell, I wandered along the road. Weaving through the crowds, I stared blankly at the sky.
Suddenly, I felt utterly alone in the world. Our time together was short, but Raymond meant a lot to me. My chest felt hollow, like a gaping hole.
As I walked aimlessly,
At the edge of my vision, atop a low hill, a familiar doll-like figure appeared, eyes wide, charging straight at me. Flanking him were the two burly companions from yesterday.
It was Durel, the mage boy I'd met before. Rushing like this, he must have been looking for me. What could it be?
"Wait! Please wait...!"
"What's wrong?"
I stopped, and as he caught his breath, Durel steadied himself and spoke.
"Thank you so much for your guidance... You bestowed such grace on me, yet I couldn't even offer proper thanks or learn your name..."
I tilted my head at his words. I'd only pointed out a path he could take. I hadn't meant to teach him. But his earnestness suggested it had helped him greatly.
"Didn't I tell you my name?"
"N-no, you didn't!"
"Lumia. That's me."
"Lady Lumia..."
As he murmured my name repeatedly, it hit me—his background. Born into a mage family, he'd had education from childhood, so reading was no issue for him.
I pulled the letter from my bosom.
"Can you read?"
"Y-yes, of course."
"Read this for me?"
"Pardon? The letter?"
Durel looked puzzled at my request. But when I crossed my arms and frowned, he nodded hastily and unfolded it.
"...I'll read it as is."
"Okay."
"Lumia, behold. A scorching hot wind from the north seeks to devour me. It's dangerous, so I'm leaving your side. Once this matter is resolved, seek the western wind. My sister there will look after you..."
"That's all?"
"Y-yes..."
"Do you know where the western wind is?"
"No... I don't..."
"What about the scorching hot wind from the north?"
"I'm not sure either..."
Durel handed back the letter apologetically. I sighed and took it. Questions filled his eyes, but he didn't pry into my situation.
"Are you heading west, then?"
"That's the plan for now."
I nodded. Raymond had said to go west, so that's where I'd head first.
"In that case... could I come with you?"
"You?"
"Yes!"
"I'm still on the caravan escort job... You sure? I was planning to move after that's done."
Traveling together wasn't a problem. A companion beat going alone, and given the leader's nature, he'd welcome another mage.
"It's fine...! If I can just stay by your side... I'll serve you like a master until I've repaid this debt...!"
'That's a bit much...'
I nodded and took a step back.