Chapter 90

Facing the main gate.

Following those words, I headed towards the main gate of the academy.

There are no other entrances or exits to this academy. It is surrounded by high walls, and if someone tries to climb over them, an alarm will sound.

I stood in front of the main gate.

This was what the court magician Carlisle had instructed.

He told me to stand here with the ring he gave me—a ring that apparently reacts to the one stolen by the enemy.

I don’t understand what it means, but if the court magician says so, there must be a deeper reason.

I just do what I’m told.

...But there’s nothing to do...

There are hardly any people entering or leaving the academy during the day.

Feeling restless, I thought—

A man in a robe was walking towards me from the school building.

A man? Probably a man. He’s too tall to be a woman, and his body is clearly sturdy under the robe.

I can’t see his face.

He’s wearing his hood deeply over his head.

...I should check if the ring reacts...

I extended my right hand, which had the ring on it.

It probably won’t react—

My prediction was quickly proven wrong.

—!

The ring glowed faintly.

I thought it might be a malfunction, but this is the ring Carlisle handed me. The court magician wouldn’t make such a mistake.

I slowly moved my hand left and right.

The ring’s reaction weakened when I moved away from the man and strengthened when I focused on him.

...It doesn’t seem to be a mistake.

I swallowed hard.

Who is he?

At least it’s not Sares. He’s much sturdier than Sares.

The distance between us is considerable.

Of course, my Magic Arrow can easily reach him—

But should I shoot a Magic Arrow at a stranger?

I hesitated.

But.

But, that’s not the point.

Why am I here? Why am I standing here? To capture the person the ring reacts to.

Then, I should shoot.

I should shoot my Magic Arrow at that man.

I could hear Carlisle’s voice.

—Go on, shoot. Shoot it, Albert!

I took a deep breath.

I aimed my open right hand at the robed man.

The ring’s reaction didn’t change.

I made up my mind.

"Magic Arrow"

A white flash shot from my hand towards the robed man.

I thought it would hit—

The robed man swung something. A jet of blackness collided with my Magic Arrow.

Screech!

At the same time, an unpleasant sound.

My Magic Arrow disappeared, and the man held a large black-bladed sword in his hand.

The hood that covered his head had come loose.

The man, who was looking down, pressed his left hand to his face. When he removed his hand and looked up, his face was finally revealed—

Or so I thought.

The upper half of his face was covered by a mask.

The man gripped the large sword with both hands and pointed it at me as if aiming at an enemy.

...I see. Carlisle’s prediction was correct.

The man kicked off the ground.

I activated my magic.

"Magic Arrow"

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Before Albert fired his first Magic Arrow—

Rugarde felt suffocated.

(Could it be, Albert—!?)

The man standing in front of the main gate, pointing his right hand at Rugarde, was familiar.

His face was well-featured but emotionless, almost expressionless. His mouth was tightly pursed.

Even after ten years, his features were still recognizable.

There was no mistaking him.

Rugarde knew his name.

Ten years ago, a friend who had suddenly disappeared from the academy stood there.

Why is Albert, who disappeared ten years ago, here?

Why is he wearing the academy uniform?

Rugarde was confused. It was an unbelievable situation.

But.

But, it’s happening.

Rugarde took a deep breath to calm himself.

What’s in front of him is reality—there’s no need to waver. He just needed to accept and respond.

(...So, Albert. You’ve come back...)

For the first time in a long while—Rugarde felt a slight sense of pleasure.

He was a slightly eccentric classmate who was unpredictable even during his school days, but he never expected such an entrance.

Rugarde smiled slightly.

(...Isn’t that just like you, Albert?)

With that, Rugarde cut off the warm feeling in his heart.

The one standing in front of him is an enemy.

As long as he’s an enemy, it doesn’t matter if he’s an old friend.

He’s not interested in why he’s here.

If he gets in the way, he will cut him down without mercy. That’s all.

Rugarde gripped the hilt of his magic sword Dainsleif, which was tucked into his belt.

Yes, tucked into his belt.

Dainsleif was not in its sheath. It was bare, inserted into Rugarde’s belt. There was no sheath.

It wasn’t a problem.

Because Dainsleif has no blade. Only the hilt, guard, and a small part of the base of the sword exist.

Rugarde hid the hilt of Dainsleif under his robe, ready to respond at any moment.

Rugarde heard the voice.

"Magic Arrow"

A white arrow of light flew towards Rugarde.

The moment he recognized it—

Rugarde immediately swung Dainsleif.

Instantly, a black blade shot out from Dainsleif’s guard.

Screech!

The Magic Arrow was cut in two with an unpleasant sound.

It was a quick and decisive counterattack, but—Rugarde was surprised inside.

(...What is this heavy impact resonating through my hand...!?)

It was clearly different from a normal Magic Arrow.

If it weren’t for the magic sword Dainsleif, it would have been shattered along with the blade.

(...Albert, could it be—)

A word floated in Rugarde’s mind.

The white arrow mage.

The words the emblem master muttered before he was killed.

And he remembered.

During his school days, Albert could only use Magic Arrow.

(...Have you honed it to this level in the past ten years!?)

It was shocking.

But, it’s possible. A man who put in effort, piled up effort, and in the end, was only loved by Magic Arrow.

That man mastered Magic Arrow.

In a way—it’s a rewarding story.

(...What am I thinking...)

He couldn’t help but remember his younger self. Even though this isn’t the time for that.

Rugarde took out the dark mask he had in his pocket. He couldn’t reveal his face to Albert.

He covered his face with the dark mask—

And also hid his wavering heart.

Rugarde and Albert’s gazes met.

Rugarde pointed Dainsleif at Albert.

"...Shall we begin, Albert?"

He muttered softly and kicked off the ground.

"Magic Arrow"

As if to counter, Albert fired a Magic Arrow.

Rugarde cut it down with Dainsleif.

The battle began.

The distance between them was about fifty meters. If he could close that distance, the warrior Rugarde would win.

Albert fired Magic Arrows one after another. White arrows formed a barrage and pressed towards Rugarde.

Rugarde didn’t flinch. He cut down the incoming Magic Arrows one by one with Dainsleif.

And he gradually closed the distance.

(...I will win, Albert!)

The impact from the Magic Arrows was abnormal. But—

(...It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t hit!)

It didn’t exceed Rugarde’s abilities, amplified by the blessing of darkness.

It would take time, but Rugarde’s blade would eventually reach fifty meters away.

Whether he was a friend or not—

He had no intention of hesitating to cut him down.

That’s when it happened.

"Nice to meet you, Child of Darkness. And how are the other students at the academy?"

An unexpected voice echoed.

"What—!?"

Rugarde couldn’t help but shout and stop in his tracks.

Albert also stopped firing Magic Arrows and turned around.

There—

A massive upper body, comparable to the school building of the magic academy, floated on the other side of the main gate.

Non-framed glasses, golden hair that fell to his shoulders, and a handsome face that perfectly reflected his illustrious career.

The court magician Carlisle.

Carlisle’s illusion continued in a cheerful tone.

"Well—this is where the main event begins. Let’s liven up the climax, shall we?"