Chapter 24
Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Ailsnor Expedition Team
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm thrilled you've joined us. Did you bring any cold-weather gear?"
"No."
"Here, take these then. I had some spares set aside for different body types, just in case."
The tall man named Lionel handed over two heavy coats that had been sprawled across the bed. They were thick fur coats made of tough, rugged leather.
This man before me, Lionel, was the one who'd posted the notice at the guild. After confirming we were mages—by having me demonstrate a simple spell—he accepted us on the spot.
And now here we were. He was asking if we'd packed everything we needed and starting to share whatever we were missing.
Glance.
I shifted my gaze to scan the room. The small inn room was a mess. Thick coats, leather boots, fur hats, and the like were scattered everywhere. It was a scene utterly at odds with the still-warm climate here.
Yet it hinted at the harsh environment awaiting this man on his journey.
My eyes dropped to the floor. A heavy leather bag lay tumbled about, its contents spilling out—wax-coated cloth, insulated lining, a thermos flask, all gleaming like new.
And that wasn't all. It looked like he'd been preparing for quite some time; the walls of the inn room were plastered with a large map and notes of all sizes. Red lines snaked across it, likely the route for this expedition.
"Have you gathered the rest of the team?"
"Ah, good question. Sadly, it's just me and you two for now."
Lionel answered Durel's question while bustling about, stuffing items into a large bag and pulling others out, all through our conversation.
"What do you do for a living? Your build... doesn't look like an ordinary person's..."
As Durel said, Lionel's physique was far from average. His upper body was massively developed, matched by sturdy legs. Every movement made his muscles ripple across his frame.
Sensing my gaze, Lionel turned with a grin.
"What do I look like to you?"
"Not an adventurer... the vibe's different."
"Oh..."
Lionel's eyebrows shot up at my response. Every adventurer I'd met so far had that free-spirited air. But not this man. Lionel felt solid, serious.
Like...
'He has a strong soldier vibe...'
And that wasn't all. Traces of mana flow dotted his body here and there—especially on his arms, legs, joints, and muscle-heavy areas. He wasn't a mage. If he were, the mana traces wouldn't be so unevenly distributed.
"Soldier?"
"Not wrong. I was a knight."
"A knight? Not anymore?"
"Retired... Not something I care to go into detail about. Any more questions?"
I shook my head. No point prying when he clearly didn't want to elaborate.
"We'll need to recruit the rest, so stick around the city in the meantime. Once we have a departure date, I'll send someone from the guild. Where are you staying?"
"Moonlight Dancing Down... But are you really a knight? Knights usually hate mages..."
Lionel chuckled lightly at Durel's question, then pulled out a scrap of paper and began jotting something down.
"Knights do despise that lot. Useless tax drains who contribute nothing to the kingdom. But I'm no knight anymore."
Scribble.
The paper he handed over listed various items: waterproof blankets, rations, oil, ice axes, and such. Clearly supplies for the journey.
"So I don't hate mages."
Flutter.
He shook the paper in front of me. I reached out casually, and he grinned again.
"Let me say it once more. You're very welcome here."
It was exactly one week after meeting Lionel that departure was set.
Durel and I headed to the rendezvous early in the morning, laden with large packs. Maybe from all the physical training and bonding time, but the bags felt brutally heavy.
'Body enhancement magic... might be possible.'
Lionel made it seem feasible. Creating Arcana had taught me one thing: mana wasn't some exclusive mage power.
And it wasn't just Lionel. Observing various people closely, I'd spotted mana traces in seasoned adventurers' bodies.
They seemed unaware, using it unconsciously. The traces varied by location, suggesting they lingered based on how the body moved.
Lost in such musings, we arrived at the rendezvous before I knew it.
"Ah, there they are. Long time no see!"
A few others were already there: the familiar Lionel, a muscled dwarf, and a plain-looking woman.
'Dwarf.'
I nodded at Durel's whisper. Figured as much. This world closely mirrored the fantasy realms I knew. Goblins, gnolls, and now dwarves. Elves or orcs next, maybe.
'They hate being stared at. Short stature's a racial complex...'
'Really? He doesn't look offended.'
From the moment I spotted him, I'd been staring, but the dwarf's expression didn't seem upset. Maybe the bushy beard covering half his face hid it.
Or maybe our eye levels matched.
Either way, staring was rude, so I looked away.
"Lumi."
"Durel."
No need to explain who we were, our ages, or skills. Lionel had surely briefed everyone. We'd gotten brief info on the other two as well.
Though no mention of a dwarf.
"Daker of the Steel Rock Clan."
Daker. A warrior who wielded a massive hammer, skilled and handy—supposed to handle camp setup. Mana traces on his body too.
'Whole right arm and waist... main body parts he uses...?'
Not many showed mana traces. Sample size too small for firm conclusions, but a solid guess.
"Rachel. I specialize in herbology."
The woman stood slightly hunched, flashing an awkward smile and wave. Not just herbs—she knew monsters well too, a scholar. Even basic swordsmanship for self-defense, so no worries there.
"Team's all here. Shall we head out? Any objections?"
No one spoke up at Lionel's words. He nodded, turning.
"Alright. Let's go."
A new beginning at last. Not riding in a carriage, but our first long trek on foot. Exhausting as it promised to be, a strange thrill stirred in my chest.
Who knew how many sunrises and sunsets had passed. We kept walking, Ailsnor still far off.
But things had changed. The landscape grew barren. Lush green fields vanished; dense forests reduced to skeletal branches swaying in the wind.
Cracked earth showed beneath my leather boots—like a land untouched by rain for ages, split wide open everywhere.
As I prodded the fissures with my boot toe, Lionel ahead placed a hand on the greatsword on his back.
"Get ready. Monsters."
Unlike his words, no monsters appeared. But from an ex-knight? No ignoring that. We all drew weapons in awkward stances.
Minutes passed uneventfully. Durel spoke up.
"Hey, where are these monste—"
Before he finished, odd movement caught my peripheral vision. Spreading wide, then snapping back together. Approaching haltingly, drawing nearer—a pack of dull gray-furred wolves.
"Don't scatter. Smart ones..."
Lionel stepped forward before finishing. Hostile and closing in—no need to wait.
"Mages... what are you—"
Crackle!
My heart's mana circle spun up. Blue lightning sparked over my right hand. More familiar now than Golden Wind School's Reaping Wind—this was Chain Lightning's prelude.
"Lightning...? You're from Remnant Light of Creation School...?"
Rumble!!
The bolt shot from my hand engulfed the wolves. The pack scattered wildly. Only two or three hit, staggering and collapsing.
The rest bolted toward us.
'Dodged...?'
"Everyone, prepare!"
Comrades' urgent shouts mixed with nearing wolf howls. My head burned hot as they charged. Mere beasts, monsters not human, evaded my spell.
Panic from this first faded quick. Calm settled; calculations raced.
'One not enough? Twice. Twice short? Thrice. Extend chain reaction, boost output...'
If lacking, amplify. Head feverish, I infused new laws into Chain Lightning. Trigger chains sans direct hit—wider range, higher power. Total laws grew; mana drain spiked.
Gentle Wind's barrier faded from my body; Arcana's glow vanished from my eyes. Familiar ordinary sight returned. Beyond it, blue light roared fiercely.
I swung my right hand outward like scattering seeds. Vast light surged forth.
Grroooar!!
-Kyaaang!
Quick ones escaped the range again. Mana sense? Not crucial now.
Crack!
Chain Lightning raged on. From the impact, blue flashed anew, leaping everywhere to devour the charging pack.
Grrumble!
Blue lightning faded; harsh wind filled the void. Fixing my fluttering cloak and hat, intense stares hit my back.
Steady breaths restored mana via the slowing circle. Seconds later, light returned to my eyes; Gentle Wind reactivated.
Back to full strength.
"No more, right?"
Lionel nodded at my question, countering.
"So, how old are you?"
How old was I? No exact count. Probably around ten.
"Who knows."