Chapter 23

After rescuing Ravia, I realized that the scene where the handcuffs were removed was missing, so I added and revised it. The handcuffs came off when we returned to town.

Using the "Group Concealment," Hikaru and Ravia left the town and walked along the road for a while before veering off into a gentle hill, arriving at a place not directly visible from the road.

The surroundings were a plain covered with low shrubs. There were insects and small birds, but no monsters were in sight for now.

Even if a monster did come, there were many obstacles, making it easy to hide. Once in a blind spot, they could escape using "Group Concealment."

"Hikaru, how far does this grassland extend?"

"It's quite vast. It would take a full day on horseback to reach the end."

"Really... that's amazing..."

The wind blew through the space between Hikaru and Ravia. Previously, it would have made Ravia's silver hair flutter, but now she wore a hunting cap and had short hair, which was a slightly melancholic sight.

"...It's a bit hot."

The sunlight was strong. Hikaru thought he needed some clothes other than his "black" outfit.

"What do you plan to do next? Use magic...?"

"Before that, I'd like to see your Soul Card, if that's okay."

"Of course."

[Soul Card]

[Name] Ravia

[Record] Tsumugielka Shrine, Pawnsonia Kingdom

[Ritual] Sun God Festival (6)

[Occupation] ——

Hikaru thought it was different from an adventurer guild card. His card looked like this:

[Adventurer Guild Card]

[Name] Hikaru

[Record] Pawnsonia Kingdom Pawned Adventurer Guild

[Rank] G

[Occupation] Stealth God: Wearer of Darkness

"Ravia... your name..."

"Oh!"

Ravia's family name, "Morgstadt," was missing.

"..."

Ravia stared at the Soul Card for a while.

"...I am free."

"That's right."

"So, why did you want to see my card, Hikaru?"

She seemed to have moved on from the noble family.

"I wanted to see what's in the 'Occupation' section. ——By the way, what do the numbers in 'Ritual' mean?"

"I think it's the number of times you've donated to the festival."

"Donate?"

"At the temple, if you donate to the annual festival, they record it on your Soul Card. It's said that the Sun God receives your devotion."

Hikaru grunted. Through the "Occupation" on Soul Cards and guild cards, one can indeed gain benefits. However, there is no "middleman" to add bonuses to the "Occupation" just because you donated.

"Hey, that's—"

"Probably just a money-making scheme."

"Do you realize that?"

"Yes, the high-ranking people in the temple all wear nice clothes and are fat."

"..."

It seems the temple is corrupt. But it's not Hikaru's concern.

"Got it. So, what kinds of 'Occupations' are there? It looks like you haven't chosen one yet."

"Um... Hikaru?"

"What is it?"

"Don't be scared, okay?"

Ravia wrote on the exposed ground.

[Common Spirit Mage: Beginner Spirit Mage]

[Wide-Ranging Noble Savior: Noble]

[Magic Theory Creator: Challenger of the Principles of Magic]

[Flame Spirit God: Flame Mage]

"...That's the list."

After looking through it, Hikaru nodded.

"What's 'Principles of Magic'?"

"Huh, that part?"

"I'm curious."

Ravia's Soul Board had 2 points allocated to "Principles of Magic." Hikaru had some knowledge of magic from Roland, but it seemed to be self-taught, with gaps in the knowledge and a lack of systematic understanding. However, the depth of his knowledge in certain areas was impressive.

"Actually... I don't know much about it either. My magic just grew on its own."

"On its own? What do you mean?"

"Before I explain, can you watch my magic?"

Hikaru nodded. This was one of the reasons he came here today.

"...Phew."

Magic—most magic refers to "spirit magic."

The idea is that the "spirits" are the backbone of the natural world in this universe.

The "spirit affinity" on the Soul Board. The types that follow are "fire," "wind," "earth," and "water," and it is believed that these four elemental spirits exist.

By using one's "magic power" as a medium to "interfere with spirits," one can "cause supernatural phenomena," which is what spirit magic is.

There is also healing magic, like what Paula uses. This involves using one's "magic power" as a medium to "interfere with the target" to "amplify their natural healing ability."

The difference between spirit magic and healing magic is just the target of interference, but the magic power used is the same.

"Answer my call, spirits. With the primal light of flame, incinerate all."

To use spirit magic, one needs to chant a spell.

This is a phrase agreed upon by spirits and humans in ancient times, and it is considered absolute and unchanging.

Hikaru, however, thinks it might not be absolute because there is "magic creation" beyond "spirit affinity" on the Soul Board, but that's a different matter.

The content Ravia vocalized was the same spell that East used on Hikaru.

That was just a matter of releasing magic power similar to "fire" from the ring, but—

"!"

The moment Ravia finished chanting, a fireball about three meters in diameter appeared above her.

It hovered in the air, and the heat was so intense that Hikaru's skin felt like it was being scorched.

The fireball flew forward and spread like a water balloon hitting the ground.

Immediately, the heated air rose, creating a vacuum that sucked in the surrounding air.

The flames spiraled upward in a column of fire, reaching a height of about five meters.

Then, the fire disappeared.

Except for the initial area where it spread, the grass was not burned.

The lush, green grass of early summer—grass that had absorbed water—was completely charred.

"...This is 'Fire Breath.' It's a beginner-level fire magic."

Ravia said this with a face like a child who had done something wrong and was being scolded.

"Well, this is a problem. I imagined it, but seeing it with my own eyes is surprising."

"Imagined... it?"

"Sort of."

Ravia's "spirit affinity" for "fire" was 5.

She also had the mysterious skill "Principles of Magic" at 2.

Nogusa, a C-rank adventurer, had "sword" at 4 and "earth" at 3. If Unken, the hero of the nation, had "short sword" at 6, then "5" is quite significant.

Of course, "weapon proficiency" and "spirit affinity" are different types of levels.

"So, Hikaru, are you not... afraid of me? Not scared?"

"Of course not."

"..."

Ravia placed her hand on her chest and exhaled deeply.

"...I'm glad. I was really nervous. I was afraid that if you saw this power, you might... leave me."

"That won't happen."

Hikaru's "Stealth" is not a direct attack, but in terms of severity, it's far more dangerous than Ravia's magic.

"Hikaru..."

Ravia held Hikaru's hand and pressed her forehead against his chest, almost dislodging her cap.

"...I'm glad you were the one who saved me. You won't be afraid of me. You won't leave... right?"

"I won't. I promise."

"Hikaru..."

Looking up at Hikaru with teary eyes, he felt like kissing her, but—

"—Someone is coming. They might have seen the magic. Let's go."

Hikaru activated "Group Concealment" and left the scene.

"How many times can you cast that magic?"

Hikaru asked as they walked.

"Well... without rest, about 30 times, I think."

"That's impressive. Can I use magic too?"

"Basically, no one is without magic power, so I think you can if you train..."

With that, Hikaru stopped and chanted the "Fire Breath" spell.

"..."

"..."

"...It doesn't work."

"That's right. You need to deepen your relationship with the spirits and practice releasing magic power. Normally, it's not possible without that."

"Normally? Was it different for you, Ravia?"

"I... yes, it was different."

She seemed reluctant to say it, but she wanted to be honest and told him.

The first time she noticed her magic affinity was when she was six years old.

At that time, she was living in the main house of the Morgstadt estate as the daughter of the second wife.

The incident happened when a horse came near her.

The horse stepped on something like a nail, got excited, and started to rampage. Just as it was about to hurt Ravia, she released the magic power dormant in her body.

It was just a simple release of magic power, which only had the strength to change the surrounding air, like when Hikaru first met Ravia in the dungeon.

However, it was an enormous amount of magic power. The horse fainted, and the coachman and the people accompanying Ravia collapsed.

Only Ravia remained standing.

After that, the earl learned of Ravia's power and decided to make her use magic.

She was brought various bound goblins and large beasts. When she tried several spirit magic spells, "fire" had the best affinity. More than that, she could use fire magic without any study or training, and with great power.

The monsters brought to her were killed in one shot.

The earl and his family were afraid. They isolated Ravia and banned her from going outside. If she went on a rampage, ordinary people couldn't handle it. This was when they assigned knights as guards, but it was to protect the earl from Ravia, not to protect her.

The earl seemed to be planning how to use Ravia while keeping her under house arrest.

Hikaru thought the start of the war in the Pawnsonia Kingdom might have been the earl's idea.

How could someone treat their own daughter, their own flesh and blood, like a tool?

Thinking about Ravia's past made Hikaru feel a heavy heart, but he decided to focus on making her future enjoyable.

"Ravia, how much can you interfere with the 'Fire Breath' spell?"

"Interfere?"

"The spell East used on me was the same, but it wasn't a controlled fireball like yours. It just burned some grass."

"If that's the case... I think I can adjust the appearance position and the direction it flies. However, the amount of magic power used is fixed and cannot be changed."

"Hmm... using the same amount of magic power, your fireball is much larger."

"That's why I think it was expected to be a 'combat force.'"

Hikaru thought, "Fire 5." The higher this number, the larger the fireball—using the same amount of magic power, higher-level fire magic can be used.

Hikaru didn't know what the war in this world was like, but magic was probably a significant combat force. If 30 fireballs came one after another without rest, it would be hopeless for the enemy soldiers.

"Can you change the shape of the fireball? Or compress or disperse it?"

"...I've never thought about that."

"Let's try it next time. Unfortunately, it's too conspicuous here to investigate."

The area was a grassland.

Two small birds chirped and played, flying away.

Hikaru didn't want to burn this place again.

"Testing the abilities of 'Occupations' will have to wait for another time..."

"Hehe"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"Hikaru seems like a scholar. 'Verification' and 'investigation'..."

"Is that so? Don't you feel bad if you don't resolve your doubts?"

"A little, but not as much as Hikaru."

"Right. I had another question—"

"Hehehe"

"...Sorry, should we do it next time?"

"It's fine. Ask. I said I would give everything to Hikaru. My experiences, my knowledge, everything."

Hikaru was taken aback by Ravia's direct affection.

"Then, I