Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Translator : Elizabeth
“This, really, I did this…?” “Yes! By any chance, maybe you are a genius of magic, Mister…!?”
As I let my voice flow as if unbelieving, Haley waved her arms wildly swish swish, making all sorts of fuss. The earth pillar that soared abruptly in the front yard while I closed my eyes. It was just the appearance I wished for in the darkness, but seeing it with my eyes, it didn’t feel real easily. Besides, calling me a genius just for using magic once. Not even a parent praising their own child… the exaggeration is severe.
“There’s no way that’s true….”
Dismissing Haley’s fuss at once, I looked up at the earth pillar that soared abruptly in the darkness. With this height, would it be roughly 5 meters? Watching the dirt falling thud thud from the surface continuously, I felt only precariousness that the pillar might collapse as is. For now, having something like this in the yard is conspicuous too. Thinking to return it to its original state, I spoke toward Haley.
“So, how do I deal with this?” “Yes? What do you mean deal with?” “It stands out, have to return it to original state.” “Then, going further!” “Huh?”
Haley suddenly shouting at the words to return it to original state. I let out a bewildered short word with eyes wide open. Going further? What?
“Now let’s try learning magic manipulation!”
Haley’s few words popping out triumphantly following that. She said let’s try learning magic manipulation this time. It seems she completely immersed herself in the teaching role. That teacher mode hadn’t been turned off yet?
“Not all earth attribute magic is like that, but in the current case, you just have to reverse what you did.”
Anyway, the lecture continued by teacher mode Haley riding the atmosphere.
‘Reverse, huh….’
An explanation seemingly playful yet easy to understand. I traced back the mana scattered inside my body step by step. Having used just that much, I felt like I knew intuitively. Doesn’t one often use the phrase ‘a chill runs down the spine’? Mana feels like such a chill gathering in the heart. Only when using magic is it so, otherwise it’s a wondrous yet mysterious sensation that scatters.
“Would you like to try without closing your eyes this time?” “What? With eyes open?”
As I tried to close my eyes like before, suddenly Haley added one more condition. An instruction to try using magic with eyes open this time. Wouldn’t that be a bit difficult? Confidence dropped significantly at the requirement that still looked overwhelming.
“You can’t fight with your eyes closed when fighting either~”
Soon approaching with quick steps, Haley tapping both my shoulders lightly with her palms tap tap spoke playfully. It is correct words, but why is fighting the premise. In Haley’s head, I must already be fighting a bloody battle with monsters as a full-fledged adventurer.
“You’re telling a kid who just started walking to run….” “Just try it for now! If it doesn’t work, then whatever!”
Despite the appropriate metaphor, Haley pushing in a Spartan style saying just try it for now. Is it because there was a period she spent with Grandpa Gent? It seems Haley was also influenced not a little. Geez, only the tone is polite…. The pushing style is similar between the two.
I decided to be conscious of mana with my eyes open as there was no choice. Recall the previous sensation, and throw a question to myself. What do I intend to do with this pillar? I want to put it into the ground.
—However, the dirt falling bothers me.
How do I intend to move it? Just, into the ground as it soared….
—The expectant expression reflected in the moonlight bothers me.
What range? Just as I did, the circumference of a tree stump….
—The surface of the pillar crumbling in the wind is anxious.
‘This won’t work.’
Eventually, concentration scattered completely, and I end up giving up letting a short resignation flow inwardly. Eyes are open. Just with that alone, to think concentration would be disturbed like this. I understood why one closes eyes when using magic for the first time.
“Think it won’t work, this isn’t easy.” “Is that so? That’s a pity… Then, let’s try again closing eyes.”
As I voiced eventually that it wouldn’t work, only then does Haley relax the condition. Certainly, closing eyes was better than having them open. Even using magic standing still is this much, just what are people who use it in the middle of fighting. Respecting the world of wizards which I thought was natural anew, I placed my hand on the earth pillar and focused my consciousness.
“Try thinking that pillar is Mister’s finger, which can be bent… and extended at my will.”
Haley’s advice is heard again in the darkness. Try thinking this is my finger?
“Now, just like that… good, don’t forget the current sensation.”
Along with the rustling sound of dirt splashing, Haley’s soothing voice lingers in my ears. I feel the earth pillar moving according to my will.
“…Uh, is it going well?”
Feeling like touching a giant rough earthworm. I asked toward Haley with eyes closed tightly for no reason.
“Yees, now…? Don’t be surprised, and open your eyes slowly.”
Haley speaking with a soft voice as if to reassure. At the following voice, I tried opening my eyes drowsily. The earth pillar visibly bowing its waist. And the sensation that I am connected to it through mana remained vividly inside the body. Left, right. The pillar bending slowly as imagined, though slow. Along with the thought that it’s fascinating, I could properly realize what it felt like to handle magic.
“Look at this, I told you you’re doing well?!” “Ah, um… is that so?”
Bewildered feeling even while feeling such sensation with the whole body. Getting used to Haley’s fuss gradually, it was to the point of even getting the illusion ‘Is it really so?’. Remembering this sensation clearly, just when I was trying to close my eyes again to put the earth pillar into the ground.
“Is anyone there?”
A stranger young man’s voice heading this way out of nowhere. That was almost a reflexive reaction.
‘Uh-oh.’
A bewildered short word flowed inside. I just turned my head to where the voice was heard. Just with that alone, the consciousness directed at the magic broke toward the direction where the voice was heard.
“Uwaaat-!”
A stranger young man’s scream bursting out shortly. The earth pillar ended up covering the young man just like that. A situation that led to a major accident literally in an instant.
“Oh my, big trouble!” “Wh, who is it? There’s no one to come…?” “Is that important right now!”
At the thought of big trouble, Haley and I, bodies jumping out first, moved hands busily as if excavating the young man buried in fine dirt.
“Pfft-heh! Ugh, what kind of bolt from the blue is this….”
After digging out dirt for several seconds, the young man lamenting while shaking his head or spitting out dirt that entered his mouth. Dark brown hair closely resembling the color of dirt, and silver-white armor that likely sparkled before being buried. Those were elements informing indirectly that the young man is a person with a quite sturdy job.
“Ah, he’s fine.” “Sorry, are you hurt?”
Compared to Haley relieved for now that he’s fine, I offered an apology first to the man who took a dirt bath out of nowhere. Just looking at the color of the armor, a feeling looking somewhat different from ordinary guards or soldiers. Just when I was restless wondering if he came because he had business with Haley but I committed a great rudeness.
“Yes, not to that extent….”
The young man who raised his body from the dirt while shaking his head vigorously with his palms opened his eyes that were almost closed. Red eyes to the extent that blood drops are associated. Dark brown hair, and if you say red eyes…. I tilted my head at the somewhat familiar combination.
“By any chance here… Ah, ohhh?”
Then the young man also stopped talking something, and burst out an exclamation with short realization…. Probably thinking the same thing at the same time. At that time when I was moving my mouth, the young man showing a bright look first and parting his lips.
“It is Mister! Right? Have you been well all this while?” “Shane, it’s Shane right?” “That’s right! Wow, you really became a middle-aged man!” “Because I am a middle-aged man….”
A mischievous boy once dumped on a guard. That guy who poked my side with a toy sword if bored. The little knight who was excessively active, Shane. Come to think of it, did the guard called Huton say he would send a letter to Shane. I ended up forgetting in the shock of training and magic. Of course, Grandpa Gent’s fist also played a part.
“You came after receiving the letter?” “Yes, it took some time to come because I was in another city.”
Reunion between men feeling not awkward even though seeing after a long time. While holding hands and shaking hands smoothly, I apologized again saying sorry and took a low posture.
“Sorry as soon as you came, I was in the middle of practicing magic.” “Ah, aha… but, is it okay to practice recklessly inside the city?” “Huh?” “There is a recommendation to refrain from using magic inside the city if possible….” “That, I haven’t heard….”
A few meaningful words heard from Shane soon. Recommendation to refrain from using magic inside the city? Well, I don’t remember hearing that from Haley. Immediately after hearing that story from Shane…. I tried turning my gaze toward Haley stealthily. Then, Haley avoiding gaze with hands behind her back. Raising one toe tip and twisting round and round, digging dirt and fidgeting, looking at the sight, I could know at least that the series of actions were not honorable acts.
“Haley.” “It, It’s okay you know? Being a little unreasonable is….”
As I called her name firmly, Haley started making excuses with momentum to say even things not asked fluently. This guy. She learned the taste of power while I didn't see her.