Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Lumi
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Raymond was the man who had completely upended my life, which should have ended mundanely in a mountain village. Even if he hadn't intended it, he was essentially my benefactor.
I explained about the Mana Circle I had created and suggested he try learning it.
"Magic isn't something you can just whip up like that. Telling me to learn that weird thing you made... Are you telling me to die?"
"Uh... no... I just thought there might be a better way..."
"Stop talking nonsense and learn more spells from the Golden Wind School. The Golden Wind is the most perfect form of magic, and it doesn't need any new changes. By the way... are you studying your letters properly?"
The result was rejection.
It was an unexpected reaction. I had anticipated some refusal, but I never imagined I'd be dismissed so thoroughly. Raymond, who had taken me as his disciple and been so kind, now seemed arrogant, haughty, and overly defensive—it felt utterly unfamiliar.
'He won't even listen properly... Are all mages like this...?'
Maybe Raymond wasn't special. Magic is a practice of building one's own firm world. Perhaps he thought my words were denying his magic, the Golden Wind.
'I need to watch my mouth.'
Raymond looked extremely upset. The only reason he stopped there was probably because I was his disciple. I naturally shut my mouth.
Time flew by quickly. Another week passed, but my daily routine hadn't changed much.
I would wake up early in the morning, study letters, and when Raymond left, practice magic—that was my whole day.
It was during that time. An opportunity to experience a new world came to me.
"You're coming with me today."
"Me? Too?"
Nodding at my question, Raymond packed his things. He must be planning to go quite far today. Normally, he would say he'd be back by evening and leave abruptly, but now he was telling me to come along.
I had been feeling cooped up in this forest. Without even thinking of refusing, I quickly packed my things. A leather pouch with some food and a bag containing the Golden Wind School's magic book—that was all.
"Let's go."
Just like when we arrived, we rode the mule-drawn cart to leave. I hung onto the rattling cart, looking around freely.
Then, it suddenly hit me that I didn't know what Raymond usually did outside of magic training at home—his actual activities.
I'd been focused on my own magic and hadn't paid much attention, but in this situation, I couldn't hold back the question.
Sweeping back my light brown hair that swayed softly, I asked him.
"Master. What do you usually do?"
"I do various things."
"Can't I know the specifics?"
"I fulfill other people's requests and get appropriate compensation."
"Ah... Oh, Master. How many other mages are there in our Golden Wind School?"
"..."
Raymond fell silent at my question. I looked up at him and tilted my head. Since he clammed up like that, there must be some circumstance. I turned my head without asking more.
The heavy atmosphere continued until we reached our destination.
"Wow..."
After exiting the forest and traveling along a well-paved road for a while, a new landscape appeared: a fairly large city. Tall buildings in an old-fashioned style lined the streets, and ivy clung to the wide walls on both sides.
Raymond led the mule cart toward the city. A soldier who seemed to be guarding the entrance stood there, but he didn't stop Raymond.
They seemed to have met several times before, exchanging only a light nod of recognition.
The scenery inside the city was a continuous wonder. For Lumi, who had lived her whole life in a mountain village, or for the spirit of an adult man who had lived in a concrete jungle, everything around was bound to feel new.
Midday in the city. A well-groomed dirt road stretched long under the warmly shining sunlight. Raymond's mule walked naturally along it.
'Is this the market...'
The central area of the city, it seemed. The place we arrived at looked like a small market. Stalls displaying goods here and there, and buildings were common sights.
"What are you here to buy?"
"To buy clothes for her."
Blinking at Raymond's answer, I looked down at my own clothes. Compared to Raymond, who always wore fine clothes, my attire was just shabby mountain village garb. It must have been bothering him all along.
Raymond and I stopped the cart in a suitable place and headed to a building.
"Welcome! What are you looking for!"
Maybe because we were rare customers. The shopkeeper greeted us very warmly. Ignoring him, I busily looked around.
The interior of the shop was quite unique. It didn't seem limited to just clothes; there were quite a few miscellaneous items.
What’s that for? As I moved toward something intriguing, a large hand reached out and grabbed my nape.
"Ugh..."
"Bring clothes suitable for this kid. Do you have shoes?"
"Of course! Please wait a moment!"
The merchant said that and soon brought out what Raymond requested.
Navy blue top and bottoms, slightly large leather shoes, and a gray cloak that could be flipped over like a hood. The merchant set them down and licked his lips.
"How much."
I reached out and touched the clothes. Beyond the rough texture, they felt quite sturdy. Quality clothes I couldn't even dream of in the mountain village. While I was examining them, Raymond finished haggling with the merchant and took out a few coins from his leather pouch.
"Thank you!"
And so, I got new clothes.
Raymond, having dressed me in new clothes, nodded in satisfaction and left the shop.
The next place we arrived at together was a fairly large tavern. A place where the pungent smell of alcohol and delicious food aromas wafted even in the daytime. People stood around round tables, gulping down drinks, all mixed together.
Raymond headed to a corner of the tavern.
There, a man was leaning against the wall, tilting his glass. He looked up and met eyes, as if he'd been waiting for Raymond all along.
Raymond naturally approached him.
"That job you mentioned back then. Still available?"
"Of course."
"I'll take it."
"The client will be pleased... Oh, by the way. Another job came in. Interested?"
At the man's question, Raymond turned to look down at me. Our eyes met, and he turned back to ask.
"I'll hear it out and decide."
"It's a proxy duel request."
"I'll take it."
"Without even hearing who the opponent is?"
"No problem."
"Even if the opponent is a mage like you?"
"That doesn't matter either."
The opponent made an astonished face at Raymond's response. He set down his glass on the next table and shrugged.
"Mages are all the same... Anyway, what's with the kid next to you?"
Raymond didn't answer. He just extended his hand toward him.
The man, watching that, pulled out a neatly folded dull-colored paper from his bosom.
"It's the proxy duel appointment letter. Time and place are on there, so find your way... For the other job, come back in three days. If I'm not here, go to the Lebram Merchant Group."
As if that was the end, he lifted his glass again. Raymond pocketed the paper and turned around.
After leaving the tavern, I asked him.
"Um... what’s a proxy duel?"
"When there's a matter where you have to fight with your life on the line... mostly nobles pay to hire someone to fight in their stead. It's buying your life with money."
"Y-you could die?"
"I won't die."
Raymond's proxy duel was the next day, late evening. A time when the whole city was asleep. Five people including me gathered at a wide open space behind the city.
The moon was bright, allowing clear visibility without extra lighting.
Raymond entered the duel wearing a mask covering his face. Notably, he brought a heavy-looking iron sword.
His opponent was a swordsman also wearing a mask. He stood ready, handling his sword familiarly. Raymond stared at him silently, then shifted his gaze to the city guards.
They seemed to be there to witness and certify the duel results.
"Both sides. If you're ready, begin."
The moment the guard spoke, the opponent kicked off the ground and charged at Raymond.
And the next moment.
A hazy wind spread widely.
Shaaa—
At the same time, the charging swordsman's body collapsed. His head fell late, rolling on the dirt ground.
It was different in scale from the magic Raymond had shown so far. The wind that severed not grass leaves but a person's head was exceedingly cruel and cold.