240th Episode
“Finally, the Guardian Shrine is in sight!”
A massive tower looms in the distance.
Schugenharz pointed at the tower, the symbol of the magician, feeling thrilled.
I heard that only with that tower can a magician use Warp Magic.
It’s an architectural structure that didn’t exist in the old era, and over time, it vanished.
‘Finally arriving. Was it 3 months and 12 days?’
I let out a small sigh.
Thanks to the unpredictable weather, it took longer than initially planned.
On the bright side, I got to continue researching with Schugenharz for a long while, but honestly, my stamina is running low.
There might be more stages ahead, and I could land ourselves in a tricky situation.
If possible, I plan to reach that Guardian Shrine and take even a little break before moving on.
“Oh, it’s really the Guardian Shrine! We made it!”
“Oh… Big brother, can we finally rest?”
“Zagan. What are you talking about? We decided to become the Magic Instructor’s apprentices! This is where the real training begins! No whining so soon!”
Ami and Zagan, the two little ones, were walking with about 20 kg of supplies strapped to their backs.
If someone from the modern era saw this, they might think it was a case of child abuse—definitely something to misunderstand.
But this was purely a voluntary effort from Ami and Zagan to train their bodies as they aspired to be the apprentices of a magician.
“Y-yeah… Okay! I’ll do my best!”
Despite grunting and groaning, Zagan decided not to complain.
Even if the pain stabbed like a spear in his waist, he realized that doing nothing would hurt more.
Schugenharz encouraged everyone, saying they were almost there, and the people could finally shed tears of relief.
“I-I survived…! We’re alive now!”
“Mom… Dad…!”
“Once we’re at the Guardian Shrine, we won’t have to fear monsters anymore! Those wicked beasts… no more… hiccup!”
The villages or towns they lived in were still non-Guardian areas untouched by a magician’s hand.
Though occasionally the local lords took responsibility for defense, knights who couldn’t handle mana were utterly useless.
Like salt dissolving in water.
‘At this point, the area of the Guardian Shrine was about 1/5 of the entire continent.’
While that sounds vast, it means that 4/5 could catch fire at any moment from a monster invasion.
Moreover, as the land that needs protection expands, the tasks for a magician multiply. Hence, the need for recruiting apprentices.
“Organon…”
Zagan carefully tugged at the end of my robe.
He looked like he wanted to ask something, his little lips moving hesitantly.
“What is it?”
“Even if we reach the Guardian Shrine… you won’t just leave for another place immediately, right…?”
“Well…”
“Are… are you leaving?”
For some reason, Ami and Schugenharz also turned to watch, evidently interested.
Especially Ami’s eyes seemed to plead for me to say no, while Zagan curved in anxiety.
Zagan was twisted with concern.
I clearly replied, “Well, I don’t know,” but why does it feel like they’re treating it as if I said I’m leaving right away?
I would prefer to rest and want to stay for a bit, but how can I give any assurances when I don’t know how the trials will unfold?
“I don’t know. So don’t cling to me and get lost.”
I brushed Zagan off like swatting a fly.
Zagan hung his head in gloom, grabbing the straps of the burden he was carrying. He looked like a child reluctantly heading to kindergarten with a yellow backpack.
Of course, it wasn’t a yellow backpack; the burden was clearly a backpack covered in small thorns.
As Zagan walked a bit further away, Schugenhartz approached and spoke.
“How about staying a while after we arrive at the Guardian City and meeting the Magic Instructor?”
“I’d love to do that if possible.”
The first Magic Instructor… There’s so much I want to talk about.
She’s practically the starting point of the novel’s backdrop.
“That’s wonderful news to hear. Your meeting with the Magic Instructor is sure to bring about a significant transformation in this world, no doubt in a positive direction.”
Schugenhartz was confident that I was a genius beyond himself. He seemed to anticipate the synergy that would come from my meeting with the Magic Instructor.
He even perceived my very existence as equivalent to that of the Magic Instructor as an esteemed figure.
…
So we made our way to the city known as Guardian City, number 107.
It might seem like a haphazard name, but apparently, as the Guardian City expanded, there was a necessity to systematize it.
While maintaining our vigilance, Schugenhartz and I exchanged opinions about spells.
The topic of spells that had frequently come up recently was related to the unique spell I was developing, which turned out to be quite useful.
“I definitely want to see the completion of the spell you’re researching,” Schugenhartz suddenly said during our academic exchange.
While he didn’t know the precise structure of my unique spell or its effects, he had grasped its general outline through our conversations so far.
Of course, just because he understood the outline didn’t mean he could replicate it, but he could imagine its power.
He continued speaking.
With a hint of anxious concern from some time ago.
“Please, use that power for good.”
“Good? That’s a quite ambiguous standard.”
“Organon. I know you are not an evil person. Rather, you’re more of a slightly twisted good person.”
He smiled gently as he looked at me.
It was as if he was saying that being cold to Ami and Zagan was only because it would be hard to part ways once affection had developed.
Ami and Zagan’s eyes sparkled at this remark.
I couldn’t help but let out a sarcastic laugh.
“That’s just absurd. And how much do you really know about me?”
“Three months is not a short time, after all.”
Schugenhartz touched his eyes as if recalling nightmares of the past.
Indeed, many things had happened.
Meeting swarms of monsters was just another day, the pursuit by Frikkanrisk’s forces, food shortages, and various diseases circulating in between…
They say a person’s true nature comes out when both mentally and physically stressed.
Schugenhartz was stating that fact.
“Organon, even in the toughest times, you never complained. You even carved out time from your nonexistent schedule to devote yourself to training and research.”
“I don’t welcome those empty praises.”
“Haha. I apologize for that. I’d have to have something of value to give or withhold. As you know, I’m just a broke guy with not a penny to my name.”
Schugenhartz gave an awkward smile that seemed genuinely apologetic. This guy could rival Alicia for being quite the character.
With that talent, he could have easily become rich yet chooses not to.
To think that the descendants of such a selfless person would accumulate wealth in the Troa Empire as a family next to the royal family.
In the Roa Empire, accumulating wealth as a family next in line to the royal family is quite something.
You really never know how things will unfold in this world.
“Honestly, I’m worried, you know. The spell you’re going to complete… it’s incredibly dangerous. To be honest, I kind of hope it doesn’t get finished.”
“That’s a terrible thing to say.”
So who’s going to compensate me for all the time I’ve poured into this?
In response to my reaction, Schugenharz maintained that it was just “that thought” he had.
“…If the one using that spell is you, I think it’ll be fine.”
“And what’s the basis for that judgment?”
“I pride myself on having a pretty good eye for people.”
He shrugged playfully. It was clearly insufficient as evidence, but I didn’t dwell on it.
Then Schugenharz cut off his sentence. The corners of his mouth, which had been slightly raised, began to fall.
His eyes showed undeniable agitation, and I said it first.
“It seems like we won’t be able to go in quietly.”
A force charging in with intense momentum from afar.
They bring a howling winter storm; it’s Frikkanrisk and her monstrous subordinates.
“Schugenharz. Approximately how close do monsters need to get for a magician to spring into action?”
“Th-that’s strange…! The monsters have reached this point, yet there’s no response from the tower…!”
Realizing something was amiss, Schugenharz hastily alerted people to the crisis and helped them evacuate, while the trailing Lafez prepared for combat.
‘If I were alone, I might manage. But… I have to fight while protecting this many people?’
A bitter smile crept across my face.
Yeah, I’ve spent over three months on this stage; it would be unfair if it simply ended like this.
It looks like the Trial God is specially trying to help me refine the Unique Spell completely.
“Ha….”
The monsters swirling in the thick snowstorm are like the massive waves of a midnight sea.
I stepped forward towards that midnight sea.
If I have to fight anyway, I might as well engage thoroughly and perfect the spell, right?
*
‘Hmm… let’s see….’
In the dormitory of Vargan located in the Academia.
In one corner of the room, Erica checked the same thing at the same time every day.
“Good. No problems.”
A monster egg was centrally placed, apparently rented for an entire room.
Next to the carefully preserved egg, like it was on display, something unnoticed by Erica floated nearby.
It was the Supplier, Vargan’s familiar.
In the form of a ghost, the Supplier continuously supplied Vargan’s mana to the Twelve Divine Beasts’ egg while Vargan was trapped in the Trial.
Erica couldn’t see the Supplier clearly, but she could definitely feel the mana it sent out.
Confirming that the predetermined amount of mana set by Vargan was being properly supplied, Erica nodded in satisfaction.
She closed the door and moved to the adjacent room.
Her steps were lighter today, probably because it was the day Vargan’s Unique Spell would finally conclude.
Erica entered the room with the large black egg.
Then, Kry, the Chimera familiar, briefly approached, rubbed against her, and returned to his spot.
Erica examined the black egg that Vargan was residing in.
Rechecking that there was still no reaction, she looked at the ambient mana to check the time.
‘3 PM…. Since Vargan entered the final trial at midnight, there’s still quite a bit of time left.’
She sat on a nearby chair and gazed at the egg.
She gently stroked it from the top and even pressed her ear against it to see if she could hear anything.
‘He will come out safely, right?’
Excited about seeing Vargan after such a long time, but worry lingered uneasily within her.
She fully trusted Vargan’s plans and actions, but there was unavoidable trembling in her heart.
Tick-tock—.
The second hand of the clock on the wall moved.
No matter how much Erica gazed, the lazy minute hand refused to hurry up.
And perhaps the hour hand, feeling the stares, seemed to completely stop as if it were frozen.
So Erica tried not to look at the time.
Hoping the stubborn hour hand would eventually move, she silently waited, skipping her meal.
The room, filled with bright yellow light from the window, slowly turned red and began to darken as colors shifted.
Finally, when it had completely turned black,
All the clock hands converged at one place.
With a racing heart, Erica jumped up and stood in front of the black egg.
“If Vargan appears, what will be most needed? Water? Food? Where should I stand to not be surprised…?”
Clutching her thumping heart, she waited anxiously.
But.
…Tick-tock.
Even if the hour hand started moving forward,
Following it were the minute and second hands leisurely taking their steps.
The egg showed no signs of change. She tentatively tried to connect with her mana, but nothing felt different.
“Uh, what… what is happening?”
Three hours had passed since the scheduled time.
Erica grew impatient.
“Is something wrong? Should I ask for help?”
Even now, she wanted to rush out and seek assistance from the professors. However, she remembered Vargan’s warning and held herself back.
—Erica. No matter what happens to me, do not bring outsiders into the room.
Trusting Vargan, Erica decided to endure.
Sitting in the chair, she suppressed her restless mind and kept vigil.
…Tick-tock.
A day passed.
It was the second day without a meal for Erica.
Sitting still like a statue, she fervently prayed for Vargan to come out.
…Tick-tock.
Three days passed.
Kry, who had been guarding the black egg alongside Erica, seemed anxious and started to circle around the egg.
He made whimpering sounds, and seeing Kry’s reaction only amplified Erica’s unease.
“Endure… I must hold on. I promised to show Vargan a better version of myself.”
One of the reasons Erica wanted to see Vargan was to let him know that her anxiety had improved since a month ago.
She even started exchanging letters with her mother, Lilian, occasionally.
Though it was rare… it was definitely a significant change.
Wishing to reassure Vargan and, if possible, receive some praise, she now only hoped for him to safely emerge.
…Tick-tock.
Five days passed.
Erica only touched the minimal amount of water needed for survival.
Trying to eat was futile.
She hadn’t slept at all, and her head kept drooping as her focus blurred.
Whenever her eyelids began to close, a deep-seated anxiety bubbled up from within, forcing her to open her eyes.
Unable to move.
Unable to sleep.
Unable to eat.
Erica gradually grew weaker and more emaciated.
The mental agony was unbearable.
At least it was fortunate that her anxiety symptoms had improved and no mana surges occurred.
“……”
Sitting on the floor, Erica gently brushed her fingers over the black egg.
Her long eyelashes fluttered like a butterfly unable to find a flower.
After flitting about for a while, the butterfly finally landed on a fragrant flower and spread its black wings.
“Erica.”
Her eyes flew wide open.
She immediately lifted her upper body and leaned towards the man in front of her.
The black egg she had so desperately fawned over was already gone.
Instead, standing before Erica was the man she had awaited so long.
“Sorry for making you wait so long.”
It was Vargan, who had triumphed over all his trials.
