Chapter 11. Another Asura King (3)
Chapter 11. Another Asura King (3)
"I... well, you see."
Sura's mind races.
'...I have to say I'm good. What should I say...'
The right answer would obviously be to say he is good, but Sura searches for a plausible reason. Meanwhile, Malitern's words continue immediately.
"But actually, that's not important."
"Yes?"
"The content of the trial isn't just to see your strength.
It's to see if you're ready to learn Magic. To see if you're an evil person. That's what I'm looking for.
After inspecting you, even using Magic, you didn't seem like an evil person, and you seemed to have the right attitude to learn."
"...I see."
"Hmm. The other reason I asked is out of curiosity. How did you get such strength...?"
Just as he was feeling relieved, the question comes in again.
At that moment, someone's voice was heard.
[Hey.]
"...This voice, this tone..."
[This child is my champion.]
[Can you understand, even a little?]
"May you reach peace. I greet you, Lunance Abervich-nim."
It wasn't the female voice he always heard, but a male voice.
It was the male voice of Lunance Abervich he had heard for the first time.
"Ah. I understand. If they are Lunance-nim's champion, then that strength makes sense."
[Then that is enough.]
With those words, Lunance's voice did not ring out anymore.
However, it was heard separately only by Sura.
[Was it helpful, even a little?]
The voice of Lunance heard again was a female voice.
"Just a moment. I will speak with Lunance-nim."
Sura asked for understanding and began to speak inwardly.
'Thank you, Lunance-nim. But the voice...'
[I don't really want to reveal my identity.]
[It would only lead to tiresome things.]
[Last time... let's move past that.]
Lunance's voice had changed back to a female voice.
Sura glanced at the chat but didn't bother acknowledging it.
'Whatever it is, thank you. But weren't you sleeping?'
[I was awake watching that battle earlier.]
[It was quite interesting.]
'I'm glad it was a good show.'
[Hahaha! It is truly enjoyable.]
[To think the first champion I welcome would be this great.]
[I'm in a very good mood.]
'You're too kind.'
[I must go back to sleep.]
[It was a fun battle to see in a long while.]
With those words, Lunance's voice was heard no more.
Meanwhile, Malitern prayed for a moment and then opened his mouth.
"I didn't know you were Lunance-nim's champion.
This... I hope it wasn't rude."
"No, it's something you could naturally be curious about. I think Lunance-nim stepped in because she likes me a bit."
"Haha! To receive the favor of Lunance-nim. You were an even more amazing person than I thought.
Since you are Lunance-nim's champion, there is nothing more to consider.
Welcome to the Song of the Sage."
"Welcome!"
Sia, who was next to him, adds to Malitern's words.
Malitern's office.
Sura and Malitern were having a conversation.
"This is..."
"The purpose of my visit here. It is a handwritten letter from His Majesty Vahan Mashas Malius.
He requested an alliance proposal to the Song of the Sage. Please refer to this letter for details."
Malitern carefully tore the seal of the handwritten letter and began to read it slowly.
A moment later, Malitern, having finished reading the letter, opened his mouth.
"Phew. You've consistently requested an alliance, but this is the first time you've sent a handwritten letter.
To start with the conclusion, we at the Song of the Sage are thinking very positively about it."
"Does that mean..."
"I'll have to discuss it with the members of the Association, but personally, I am quite positive.
Could you give us a few days? Would you mind staying at the Association while the results are pending?"
"Ah, that's fine."
Malitern took a sip of the tea on the table.
"The threat of Garuan Mafras continues.
We cannot escape their threat either.
Recently, their threats have been getting stronger.
Sending envoys to pressure us, or showing traces near Maias Mountain, etc.
These situations happen often.
Of course, we have no intention of submitting to Garuan Mafras."
It seems the threat of Garuan Mafras, located in the southeast, is also being conveyed to the Song of the Sage in the north.
"Above all, we have the power to threaten Garuan Mafras.
The power of Magic is that great."
"I agree."
Malitern took another sip of tea.
A question appears on his face.
"Come to think of it, there's a difference from before."
"Yes?"
"Usually, His Majesty Vahan Mashas Malius-nim sent envoys.
The envoys changed sometimes, but they were mostly familiar faces.
But Sura-nim is someone I'm seeing for the first time.
Is there a reason His Majesty chose to send Sura-nim..."
'Ah.'
Sura, who remembered only then, revealed his secret.
"Actually... I am a True Magician."
Malitern's body flinches. And soon, his mouth slowly opens.
"I... is that true?"
"His Majesty is the witness. He even acknowledged me as a True Magician.
As proof, I can learn Magic as soon as I read a Magic Book."
"My god."
Malitern leaned back and grabbed his forehead.
"We have been searching for a True Magician until now.
But we couldn't find one. To have one appear like this, I can't believe it."
Malitern stood up from his seat and went somewhere to bring something back.
It was a book with metaphysical patterns engraved on the cover.
[Read! Vitality shall surge throughout your body!]
"...Vitality?"
"...Oh my. My god. By any chance, did you hear the book's voice?"
"Yes. If I tell you exactly what it said, it said, 'Read. Vitality shall surge throughout your body.'"
While the Tusu were surprised, Malitern continued.
"That is the characteristic of a True Magician. They understand Magic more instinctively than anyone else, and they can hear the voices of the books. Their power is being able to commune with Magic Books and Magic more than anyone."
Malitern handed the book to Sura.
"I'm sorry, but could I ask you a favor?
This book was brought by a member of our Association recently.
Could you read this book?"
"That's not difficult."
Sura received the book and began to read.
Although they were metaphysical words, they began to be read strangely.
It was an educational story about spreading positive influence to people around you by receiving vitality.
When he finally finished reading the book, the book's voice was heard again.
[Can you receive vitality and spread positive influence?]
"I will."
Then the book began to float with bright light, and the words contained within it rose up and were absorbed into Sura.
A moment later, Sura acquired another Magic.
[You have acquired the Magic 'Energy of Vitality'!]
When Sura went into the skill window, he could confirm that one more had been added besides 'Slayer of Demons'.
[As you execute good with greater power.]
[Vitality, Stamina, and Mana stats increase by 10%!]
Sura turned off the in-game microphone for a moment and asked.
"Is this good?"
"Ah, I understand."
Sura, who recalled Mar Svius, finished understanding.
Sura, who unpaused, looked at the surprised Malitern and said.
"Is this proof enough now?"
Malitern prayed for a moment, muttered something, and then opened his mouth.
"Of course! Oh, Neonis-nim."
Neonis Viar.
He was the God of Knowledge among the Eight Divine Seats.
"We have really, really waited for this. By any chance, are there other True Magicians..."
"Unfortunately, I don't know. When I came to my senses, I was in the middle of a battlefield, and I have no memories from before."
"Haha. That's a pity. I wanted to know more about them."
Malitern agreed with Sura's words.
"I'll say it again. We are very positive about the alliance.
We will make sure you leave with good news."
"Thank you."
The two drank a cup of tea together.
Sura decided to say what he had been thinking about until now.
"I have something I want to ask."
"What is it?"
A question appears on Malitern's face.
"About Sia."
"Ah, you came with that child. I understand. She is such a unique child."
"She seemed to have a great aptitude for martial arts."
Sura talked about what he had noticed.
Malitern makes an unexpected expression at Sura's words.
"That's unexpected. Usually, when people see Sia, they ask about her talent for Magic."
"I, on the other hand, noticed Sia's physique. She is a talent who can definitely achieve greatness."
"Haha! Since I am practically Sia's stepfather, I am just grateful."
"And... Sia seemed to really want to go on a journey."
Sura slowly brings up the main point.
Then, Malitern's happy face becomes filled with worry.
"This conversation requires Sia to be here."
Malitern muttered something in his seat.
Then, blue energy rippled and was shot somewhere.
A moment later, someone opened the door. It was Sia.
"Chief!"
"Yes, Sia. Come here and sit."
[Hmm. I was receiving various tours.]
Perhaps because Gabras was looking around the Song of the Sage through Sia's guidance, he came along sitting on Sia's shoulder.
Sia sat next to Malitern.
Then Gabras naturally flew up and sat on Sura's shoulder.
Disappointment dwells in Sia's eyes.
"Sia. May I tell this person a little about your story?"
"It's okay!"
"Haha."
Malitern laughs heartily at Sia's immediate answer.
The story began from when Sia and Malitern first met.
A baby found by chance in a village while traveling on the Salas Continent.
Malitern could not bear to turn away from this child and ended up bringing her to the Song of the Sage.
Malitern began to teach Sia how to read Magic Books when she was around 10 years old, as she grew up steadily with the help of other members.
It was knowledge from a Magic Book he taught her just in case, but seeing her learn the characters of the Magic Book at a young age and decipher them little by little, Malitern felt that her talent for Magic was extraordinary.
A magician's talent varies from person to person, but if one has talent, they can master and use level 1 Magic within 1 year.
And the number of months it took Sia was exactly 11 months.
She was a genius.
While the Tusu were admiring, Malitern's words continued.
"...I am not Sia's biological father, but I pride myself on having played the role of a father.
Sending such a Sia on a journey... my heart hesitated."
"I understand fully."
"Besides, with Garuan Mafras's activities becoming more frequent lately, I've been wrapping Sia in cotton wool even more."
"I want to go on a journey..."
"Haha."
Malitern stroked Sia's hair, who was pouting.
At that moment, Sura opened his mouth.
"Still, I think we should respect Sia's opinion."
"...."
Malitern's face stiffens.
"It is Sia's life, isn't it?"
Malitern's face shows no signs of relaxing.
Just when his silence continues and Sia feels slightly anxious.
"...You are right."
Malitern nodded his head greatly.
"I couldn't see ahead because of my anxiety.
You are right. It is the right thing to say. Even if I played the role of a father, there is no reason for even a biological parent to block a child's path.
My worry and anxiety clouded my judgment."
Malitern laughed heartily soon after.
"Hahaha! I feel like I've had an awakening. Thank you, Sura-nim. Thanks to you, I've escaped my stubbornness."
"You're welcome."
Suddenly, Malitern's gaze is unusual.
"...And. Did you think I wouldn't know?"
"Yes?"
"It seems there is someone in front of me who wants to accompany Sia and help her..."
"...Haha..."
"In a situation where the threat of Garuan Mafras is rampant.
Urging Sia to go on a journey in this situation... it must be because there is a sure safety device.
Isn't that device Sura-nim?"
"...I've been found out."
"Besides, seeing as you discussed Sia's martial arts physique, you were interested in Sia's talent. Considering Sura-nim's skills, this answer can also be inferred."
Malitern's face leans forward slightly.
"You want to take her with you and make her your disciple, don't you?"
Certainly, his intuition was above average.
"I've been found out."
"Haha! I thought so. Sia."
Sia turns her head and looks at Malitern.
"If you become this person's disciple, you will be able to go on the journey you've wanted so much. How is it? Will you do it?"
"...Yes!"
Sia nodded her head boldly.
Sura cheered internally.
Teaching a talented newbie is natural for the World's Best!
While Sura was expressing his joy inwardly, Malitern's words continued.
"However."
"...Yes?"
Malitern's demeanor is unusual.
"I'm saying this before my stubbornness disappears. I want to properly see the skills of the person who is trying to take my stepdaughter."
"Uh...?"
"How about we have a match?"
His eyes are smiling, but flames are flickering inside.
The Tusu's deductions were correct.
In an instant, Sura became a scoundrel trying to take a 20-year-old girl.
Sura, who saw the chat, realized his situation only then.
"N-no, that's..."
Even though he saw Sura's skills in the trial, Malitern's judgment was clouded in this aspect.
"Haha! I'm excited to fight properly for the first time in a while! Let's do it!"
Malitern, who stood up from his seat, grabs a red iron club from the corner of his room.
It was too big to be called a club.
[...What kind of mess is this.]
Gabras's monologue represented the Tusu's feelings.