Chapter 3

And the next morning──

"Sorry!! Really sorry, Jade!!"

I explained yesterday's events to Alk, whose memory was still hazy. When he finished listening, he prostrated himself on the floor. But there was nothing to be done about what had already happened, and it was my own choice. I didn't blame Alk at all.

"No, it's fine. As I said, it was bound to happen sooner or later. The nobles can't stand a commoner from the countryside being among the court mages. Besides, if I think about it calmly, it's just too strange. It's abnormal for Algrand to go out of his way to catch you at that time. He probably came to put me in this situation."

"But even so, if you had abandoned me, the outcome would have been different!"

"I'm not interested in the title of court mage to the point of leaving a friend to die."

"You... Even someone like me, you still call a friend?"

"Of course. You've put up with my complaints about the Magic Bureau plenty of times."

"Thanks. Thanks a lot."

At that, Alk finally shed a tear. That's what Alk is like. He talks big when he's drunk, but he's a serious and good person at heart. That's why I can't hate him, and we've remained friends.

"But, what are you going to do now, Jade?"

"Well, I was thinking of going back to the countryside. The capital is heavily influenced by the nobles, so I won't be able to get a decent job."

"I see... When are you leaving?"

"Probably soon, once the notice comes──"

Just then, there was a knock on the door. It was Darvitz, the head of the court mages.

"Darvitz... I'm really sorry about this."

"No, I should be the one to apologize. I'm sorry, Jade. I couldn't protect you."

"No, I owe it to you that I was able to stay as a court mage. You've done more than enough to protect me."

Indeed, it was Darvitz who had promoted me to court mage. In a Magic Bureau dominated by nobles, he had gone to great lengths to keep me in place. Darvitz himself is a noble, but he has endured a lot of harassment and insults.

"I'm sorry!! It's all my fault for saying those things!!"

Before I knew it, Alk was next to me, prostrating himself on the floor.

"You were indeed careless, but this was orchestrated. Jade, your punishment is being stripped of your court mage status and banished from the capital. The decision was delivered to me so quickly, as if it had been prepared in advance. It came even before the details of the incident. Algrand was probably just a pawn. The mastermind is──"

"No, Darvitz, it's fine. I don't care who the mastermind is. To be honest, I was tired of this environment. Look, Alk, get up. The only thing I'll regret is not being able to help you anymore, Darvitz, and not being able to visit Mallet's tavern anymore."

"Ah, that tavern... I remember going there with you once. It was a really enjoyable and comfortable place."

"Yes, so, Darvitz, here."

I handed over the badge that symbolized my status as a court mage. Darvitz took it with a bitter expression.

"Where are you going next?"

"Purge Village – my hometown."

"I see, the border baron is──"

"Baron Bent, right? He's not a man of the people, so it should be fine."

"Yes. Baron Bent is a very fair and righteous man. That's why he's a border baron, I suppose."

"Hehe, Darvitz, your dissatisfaction with the capital's system is punishable, you know."

"Yes, indeed. I'm thoroughly fed up. Jade, you're not a man to languish in a backwater. Come back someday."

"Thank you. Yes, I'll definitely see you again."

I shook hands firmly with Darvitz and saw him off.

"Well, the notice came just as I said. ...Let's go."

Fortunately, I didn't have much luggage, just a backpack. While I was packing, Alk stood silently, looking apologetic.

"...I'll see you off."

"Thanks."

The walk from my house to the carriage stop was silent for both of us. It felt strangely quick, even though we walked slowly.

"See you, Alk."

"Yep, take care, Jade."

We exchanged brief goodbyes, and I boarded the carriage. It seemed like good timing, as we didn't have to wait long before it was time to leave. There was one other passenger. I sat back in the spacious carriage, reflecting on my various memories of the capital.

(Not that there are many memorable memories, really.)

Looking back, I mostly worked or studied magic, and I never had a day off. I didn't have a lover, and my only friend was Alk. It was a rather gray life in the capital, and I couldn't help but laugh at myself.

"Ah, sorry, nothing."

The only other passenger looked at me curiously. I suppose it was understandable, given that I was changing expressions and suddenly laughing to myself. I took one last look back, reminding myself that I had no regrets over the past sixteen years.

"Here we go. Be careful, it might be bumpy. Hey, watch out, sir!"

The carriage started moving, but there seemed to be some trouble. I looked around, and the cause was immediately clear. Or rather, it was someone I knew.

"Jade!! I'm giving up alcohol from today!! I'll only drink again when I meet you again!! And I'll become a real hero, so I can proudly say I'm a hero when we meet!!"

That someone was shouting something embarrassingly earnest despite his age.

Not that it was because of that, but I felt like saying something equally earnest for the last time.

"Sure, Alk, I'm looking forward to it. I'll work hard to be able to say I have a better life than a court mage. See you, friend."

And so, I lost my title as a court mage and returned to my hometown after sixteen years.