Chapter 55

#055 Episode

The group spent the night in front of the Spider Queen's cave.

Ian, of course, and Miguel, knew that after defeating a monster, its lair often became the safest place to rest.

The next morning.

While Miguel was preparing, Ian headed back into the spider cave.

He said he wanted to look for loot since they had some time.

Lucy quickly followed him.

Ian tried to dissuade her, saying it would be better if she didn't see, but he couldn't break the resolve of this small, expressionless aspiring mage.

The two returned when Miguel was ready to move and preparing breakfast.

"Did you find anything?"

Ian answered half-heartedly while chewing on some jerky.

Lucy, who came out pale, still had a blank expression but couldn't touch her food.

Miguel asked worriedly.

"What happened that you can't eat?"

The answer was simple.

"I couldn't handle the sight in my right mind."

Only then did Miguel stop pressing.

There was a stream on the other side of the valley.

Very clean and cold water.

Thanks to it, the group could wash up and continue their journey.

They were all in rags, so even this was a blessing.

"We have at least a two-day head start."

Miguel, holding the reins, added.

"Moreover, if we go for another half a day, we'll reach another lord's land. Perhaps our reputation hasn't reached there yet."

"If we're lucky."

Ian muttered, shaking his wet hair.

Fortunately, no pursuers followed them after they left the valley.

The group's tense atmosphere gradually relaxed as they kept watch.

"Will you teach me magic at the Temple of the Flame?"

Lucy suddenly spoke.

Ian shrugged.

"I don't know. Probably not right away."

Priests generally didn't like mages.

Not just because of the prejudice against potential heretics, but because they saw magic as a mimicry of divine miracles.

If the mages' power hadn't been so great, they might have been purged during the Twilight of Magic.

Especially the fanatics of Ru Sol, who believed that the world's miracles were sufficient with the power of the gods alone.

Of course, this was a general sentiment.

There were mage towers that maintained friendly relations with certain sects and even those who continued more extensive exchanges.

"But as you study, eventually, you'll get an opportunity in some form. You have that much talent."

Lucy nodded.

"I've read that a mage's ability is determined by the number of spells they know. When that time comes, I can learn various spells, right?"

"...Where did you read that?"

"In a book."

"That book is nonsense."

Ian stated definitively.

If a mage's ability were determined by the number of spells, he would already be called a High Mage.

"The important thing is how advanced and refined the spells are."

"Ah…."

"I'm particularly bad in that sense."

A bitter smile appeared on Ian's lips.

Becoming a High Mage proficient in one field was an impossible future for him.

"You don't seem that way."

"You'll understand when you grow a bit as a mage."

Thinking about it, it was about time to use some skill points.

While he was thinking, Lucy added.

"Then, will I become your apprentice? I heard that spells are taught under strict discipline."

"Did you read that in the same book?"

"...Yes."

"That's well-written. So, don't ask me to teach you spells. I have no intention of taking on a disciple."

He couldn't teach her anyway.

Ian opened the skill window.

A massive skill tree appeared before his eyes.

"The talent you have doesn't need to be limited to fixed concepts. As you study, you might even create your own spells."

"...Then, can you at least tell me about magic, not just spells?"

"I don't know much myself."

"Even basic knowledge?"

...It's better than begging for sword skills.

While looking at the Red Magic skill tree, Ian spoke.

"Red Magic, as you know, is intuitive and destructive. But it's also dangerous and hard to control."

The higher the spell, the more its strengths and weaknesses were magnified.

It was said that only at the Transcendent level would the weaknesses be offset.

Ian could never reach that level.

That was also why he decided to learn various types of magic to a necessary level.

No matter how much he specialized in one attribute, he couldn't become a High Mage.

It was more practical to learn and use spells that could synergize when combined, to find a breakthrough.

Though, he might end up a terrible mage...

"Blue Magic?"

"Besides Red Magic, you don't need to know right away."

"It's interesting. I'm curious. ...Can't you tell me?"

"...Blue Magic is solid and sharp. It can transform in various ways, but it requires delicacy. It's not very strong until you master it."

The questions and answers continued.

Gray Magic is fast or lethal but can't coexist; Brown Magic is unconventional and destructive but has many constraints.

Lucy listened with sparkling eyes.

Ian was surprised by himself.

He didn't expect to explain so smoothly.

Perhaps the information from the guide and the knowledge he gained from using the skills had merged within him.

...I should have known this when it was a game.

"I understand now."

Lucy finally nodded.

"Even if I had a choice, I would have learned Red Magic."

Ian chuckled and nodded.

"Having what you want and what you're good at align is a blessing."

"But I don't mind learning other magics. It's impossible, but like the old White Mages."

"White Mages...?"

"You don't know? In ancient times, when magic first emerged, mages weren't divided as they are now. They shared knowledge and studied various attributes of magic."

Lucy's eyes sparkled.

"Eventually, a High Mage who mastered all magic appeared. Everyone called him the White Mage, the White Mage, because all light mixed becomes white."

The floodgates were open.

Looking at Ian, who nodded, Lucy added.

"The White Mage taught the magic he learned to other mages. But after he ascended, his disciples split into different colors. Naturally, the White Mage's legacy was divided and lost, so it no longer exists intact anywhere."

"...Did you read that in a book?"

"In a history book."

"Oh, I see."

"Is that not just a legend?"

Miguel suddenly interjected.

He seemed to have been listening to Ian and Lucy's conversation.

"You know this story?"

"It's a famous legend. I didn't know you, a mage, didn't know it."

The guide doesn't mention such things.

Ian just shrugged.

To understand the setting of history or legends, you had to read books or piece together information from conversations with NPCs.

Unless you were a veteran, Ian, who was busy following the main scenarios, didn't pay much attention to such areas.

"The legend says that all the knowledge and spells of today's mages are inherited from one ancient High Mage. It's a great story. The ancestor of mages and the human who reached closest to the gods. I thought it was unrealistic, but since it's recorded in history books, it seems there's some truth to it."

"White Mage…."

Muttering, Ian looked at the skill tree before him.

He suddenly remembered the old man who tried to open his mind.

Perhaps the old man wanted his knowledge because of this legend.

'You might think differently when you see it in person.'

To Ian, mastering all these skills was impossible.

Miguel asked casually at that moment.

"Is there anything else you want to say?"

"What else?"

"You said before that there are various types of dark magic."

You're really persistent.

Ian clicked his tongue and said.

"What good would it do you to know?"

"I'm just curious. Where else would I ask such things if not from you?"

"You're not a mage…."

"Knowing everything helps you live longer. Just now, I got a sense of how to dodge a spellcaster, or a mage."

"How to kill them, you mean."

"Well, I did think about that…."

Miguel muttered sheepishly.

Ian's voice continued.

"Later. Not today."

"…! Got it. I'll wait for a good day."

"Right. Shut up for now."

Miguel quickly closed his mouth.

Finally able to focus, Ian carefully examined the skills.

He invested a few skill points a few hours later.

'With this, I'm a budget White Mage, I guess…'

Ian chuckled, closed the skill window, and closed his eyes.

He would know if his judgment was right in time.

***

"Phew…."

With a long sigh, Ian awoke from his meditation.

The sun was setting in the west.

A gentle, desolate hill.

The wind blowing up the hill was cool.

Evidence that they were getting closer to the north.

"Are you awake?"

Miguel said in a lazy voice.

Ian, checking the sleeping Lucy, spoke.

"How far have we come?"

"Today, or overall?"

"Both."

"Once we get over this hill, we'll soon reach a fork. If we turn north, we'll reach the land of the new lord. That's our goal for today. Overall…."

He scratched his bearded chin and added.

"We're past the halfway point. If we keep going like this, we might arrive sooner than expected."

Halfway, even after moving for so long.

Ian leaned back and smacked his lips.

It was a terribly long journey.

If there were a spell to travel long distances instantly, it would be great.

But this damn world didn't have such a thing.

The carriage reached the top of the hill.

"Huh…? Bro, you should take a look."

Miguel's voice continued.

Ian's eyes narrowed as he looked ahead.

Beyond the gentle downhill slope.

At the point where the road split into two, two riders stood.

Black-armored warhorses.

"Really coming this way, huh."

"See? I was right. We didn't take the wrong path; we just got ahead."

And when he saw the black-armored men casually conversing while leaning on their horses, Ian's eyes turned cold.

'Here they come.'

"Is that what you think…?"

Miguel asked, unable to take his eyes off them.

Ian said.

"When I get out, move the carriage back. Far enough that I'm not visible. Got it?"

While Miguel nodded.

"Anyway, I won this bet. Stay back."

The blonde, who had thrown the reins to the brown-haired man, moved forward leisurely.

He put on his helmet and waved his arms at the carriage.

"Nice to meet you! Finally!"

"Damn…."

Miguel's expression turned sour.

A hostile person being friendly meant they were confident.

The blonde's voice continued.

"So, which of you is the Sword Master? I have something to discuss with that person first."

"…."

Ian's brow furrowed.

To hear this again.

Then, he thought it was for the best.

"I am. Not a Sword Master, but."

By playing along, he could gather the necessary information.

Given the blonde's arrogant attitude, he would surely spill the beans.

Ian, who had taken off his robe and covered the now-awake Lucy, nodded and stood up.

"Oh… Impressive."

The blonde exclaimed exaggeratedly.

He turned back and added.

"You're different from what I imagined. I thought you'd be more burly. What do you think, Kenneth?"

"Well, you can't judge a person by their appearance."

Kenneth, holding the reins, shrugged.

Very confident.

Ian, who had jumped out of the carriage, moved toward the blonde and spoke.

"Since you answered, I'll ask one thing."

"Sure."

"How did you get ahead of us?"

"Surprised? I thought you'd ask about our identity first."

"I already know. You're the lackeys of the Scales Caravan."

"Ooh…."

Unlike his exclamation, the blonde's eyes gleamed.

Indeed, a proud one.

While Ian was thinking, the blonde shrugged.

"The panther rumor was true. You were watching us. Unfortunately, not lackeys."

"So, the answer?"

"Simple. We can cover in a day what others take four. Every day."

The blonde pointed to the warhorses and looked at the supply cart turning around.

"So, running away is pointless."

Their current ease and confidence came from the certainty that they wouldn't let them escape once they met.

A justified confidence, even to Ian.

Since they were from the Empire.

Enemies he only encountered in Chapter 3 of the game.

While not the Empire's best, they were certainly better than the villagers he had faced so far.

Of course, that didn't mean he would lose.

"Running away isn't the plan. Just moving the carriage back to avoid damage."

Ian said, stopping at a suitable distance.

"If the carriage is damaged, the rest of the journey will be tiring."

"Don't worry about that. Your journey ends here."

The smiling blonde drew his sword from his waist.

A sword that looked like scales were attached.

Ian added.

"What's your name?"

"Kyle."

"Kyle, if you're serious, it's better to attack together with your friend there."

"…?"

"Because we're about to fight. You alone won't be enough to handle me."

"…Ha!"

Kyle, who had stiffened, burst into laughter.

He turned to Kenneth.

"Looks like you're a master of words, not a sword-"

Crack!

Before he could finish, his head was jerked to the side.

The impact dislodged his helmet, and the thrown dagger spun and embedded itself in the ground.

Kyle slowly lifted his head.

"Y... You... Bastard...?"

Meeting his bloodshot eyes, Ian smiled calmly.

"I'm giving you one last chance. Attack together. If you want to win."