Estimated reading time: 6–8 minutes
Chapter 7
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The embrace between Mika and Ryūgūin dealt a powerful blow to me.
Forgetting my mission and everything else, like an insect defeated in a territorial dispute, strange neurohormones gushed forth in my brain.
Because of this, I felt a sense of helplessness akin to powerlessness, and I miserably secluded myself in my own room.
At that time, I wrapped myself in a blanket on the bed in a dark room, crying out like a gambler forced to live underground, 「Why, oh why?!」
There’s no rhyme or reason to it.
There are things that no amount of thinking will provide an answer to.
I was so deeply stuck in a dead end of thought that I couldn’t even understand such a simple thing.
And without any chance to recover, I convinced myself it was for rest, and ended up holing up in the inn for nearly two weeks straight since conquering the Mirror Dungeon.
This is a story of just such a time.
The Guildmaster visited the inn where I was staying.
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The Guildmaster (an elf!) – after hearing my report on the dungeon conquest, she feared the worst-case scenario.
The Crystal Doll was a monster with magic reflection properties.
That’s precisely why a physical brute force approach with just me was possible this time.
So the Guildmaster thought:
As we conquer other dungeons going forward, might bosses with physical immunity also appear?
Indeed, that possibility can’t be ignored.
So, in light of the risks, I asked the Guildmaster to introduce me to a capable magic-user.
Two days after I consulted with the Guildmaster, the one she brought was the mage Angelica.
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When I first met her, brought by the elven Guildmaster, I gasped upon seeing her eyes.
I had the illusion of being sucked in.
Her sparkling almond eyes expressed the strength of her will.
Her strikingly beautiful and luxurious red hair, with a large witch hat – the epitome of a witch – sitting atop her head. Wearing a black robe made of rare materials, clearly superior in magic with just a glance, she – Angelica – looked straight at me.
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Angelica Honest.
That’s her full name.
When it comes to her family name Honest, there’s no one in the Arcana Kingdom who hasn’t heard of it.
Even among the Arcana Kingdom, known for its many excellent mages, it’s a renowned family that has consistently produced outstanding mages for generations.
Angelica was scorned as a failure in that renowned family.
However, when she was a child, she was originally considered a promising prospect for the future, possessing a magical capacity rivaling that of a Saint.
The tide turned when she reached the age of ten (breaking it is punishable), the age at which magic use is permitted. By gaining the opportunity to use magic, it became clear that she, boasting an immense magical capacity, had a critical flaw.
She had innately small mana emission pores, and no matter how many times she tried, she could only use beginner-level magic.
But – the her standing before me declared:
「I won’t lose to anyone in this world when it comes to magical capacity and mana control.」
A flame seemed to light in her crimson eyes.
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However, the question arose as to why the Guildmaster brought her to me at this stage when she’s nearly powerless, but there was a reason on her part.
Angelica, scorned as a failure even by her own family, took on work imbuing mana into magic stones arranged by the guild while paying her tuition to the National Arcana Academy on her own, desperately graduating despite being looked down upon by those around her as a failure.
The Guildmaster, who closely watched over her, said she wanted to do something for Angelica as her guardian.
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「But why me of all people?」
「Please. With your unique perspective as someone from another world, you might be able to help her make a breakthrough.」
The Guildmaster lowered her beautiful eyes and pleaded,
「I’m begging you. I couldn’t be the strength she needed. That’s why if it’s you, maybe—」
Moreover, she continued,
「If she can make use of her immense magical capacity, she’ll definitely become an extraordinary figure in history! My intuition built over many years tells me so!」
The Guildmaster, who up until then had a somewhat cool image, raised her voice.
No one could refuse after being told this much.
「I understand. However, I’ll have her accompany me in the dungeons, but have you gotten her consent?」
Angelica answered from the side.
「Of course! I’m well aware of the dangers! I’ll definitely be of use to you!」
Hmm, she seems quite confident. Well then, let’s see what she’s got—is what I thought, but on further reflection, she can only use beginner magic.
Perhaps reading my feelings from my expression, the Guildmaster urged Angelica with her chin to do something.
Angelica muttered something (apparently called chanting abbreviation), and countless light sources narrowed to the limit floated up throughout the room.
「Okay, okay. Turn it off, turn it off! It’s so bright I can’t see a thing!」
In other words, while she can only use beginner magic, she possesses an immense magical capacity and overwhelmingly precise mana control.
This was a demonstration for me.
I had heard that, unlike innate magical capacity, mana control relies more on training than talent.
Just how much training did she undergo to attain that overwhelming control?
According to the Guildmaster, there are quite a few who scorn her as a mere beginner-level mage.
Many, including Angelica’s family, mocked her, saying it’s pointless to train, that she’s foolish, trampling on her efforts with abusive words – the Guildmaster witnessed this firsthand.
Undaunted by all of it, she honed herself this far, elevating herself to this level.
It must have been a painful and arduous thorny path.
I no longer thought of her as a mere beginner-level mage.
She is an egg – that of a hero no less.
Feeling something close to conviction, I extended my hand to her.
「Well, you know, this might be the start of a long relationship. I look forward to working with you. Fight alongside me.」
Gripping my hand with vigor, she replied,
「Gladly! I’m the one who’ll be in your care! But I definitely won’t let you regret it! Right, Holy Knight?」
She answered, looking into my eyes.
I thought she was beautiful.
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