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First of all,
You probably noticed I was absent. Well, I had already mentioned that before, but I still wanted to thank you for your patience and apologize for the delay. However, that doesn't mean I'll be writing this fanfic daily from now on. The truth is, I felt I owed you something, even if this chapter ended up quite condensed. The original draft was much longer, but I think it works better condensed like this... or maybe I overdid it, I don't know.
Regardless, I still want to keep writing this fanfic. I just wanted to let you know.
That is all.
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I have often believed that nothing I do makes sense. I walked this path constantly feeling that way, ignoring my surroundings and driven by the only thing keeping me on my feet. Finding my mother and Rudeus.
They are the reasons I keep walking. To be honest, I never thought I would be capable of doing anything else without those goals.
In every situation, I always let myself be guided by that same reason. First it was the warmth of my new mother's love, then Rudeus. Later, I found it with Eris, and then with Sara.
It is an endless cycle, but what else could I do?
[That is how you are, Daiki. There is no other way]
Ayam has been acting strange lately. She used to push me forward, but now she seems to have absorbed my personality and mood. She has become more pessimistic than usual.
What is wrong with her? Whenever I break down, she breaks down even harder. It is as if she grew tired of my thoughts and decided to just give up. No. That is what I am doing.
I let out a sigh and kept walking.
◇ ◇ ◇
"Hey, Rudeus. Do you think all this walking was worth it?"
"Why do you ask?" he replied.
"Mmmm..." I thought about it for a while. "We have spent about a year going from city to city. I feel like we haven't made any progress at all."
"Now that you mention it, that's true." Rudeus stopped for a moment.
I started working alongside Rudeus, separate from Soldat and his party. We were doing the same things we did in Rosenburg.
I had no way of knowing what happened to the members of Counter Arrow. I hadn't heard from them since that day, and I didn't want to.
"No, that's not true..."
"Hmm?" Rudeus tapped my shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Ah, yes, sorry. Just thinking."
"Right, as always, huh?" He laughed a little.
Meanwhile, just as we hoped, our names became known across the Three Magic Nations. Not as much as in Rosenburg, where even the escorts knew who we were, but we were famous enough for people to know we were searching for someone.
Obsidian and Swamp. We didn't choose those names, but they described us better than I thought.
They also called us by other titles. Emptiness and Confinement.
◇ ◇ ◇
Every morning started the same.
Before dawn, he would pray in front of that strange relic he guarded like a treasure. Then he would go for a run around the city and do his endless training. Push-ups, sit-ups, squats... exactly as I had taught him. Hundreds of them every single day. Afterward, he would stare at his arms like they were old friends and spout nonsense about muscles and betrayal.
Whenever we entered the guild, the chatter would die down.
Swamp had earned a reputation as a monstrously powerful mage. I was dragged into that same fame, but as a swordsman. Many parties wanted to recruit us, especially Soldat Heckler and Stepped Leader.
That day, Soldat brought news of a quest to hunt a Red Dragon up north. He mentioned that the fewer people involved, the bigger the payout for those who participated.
My brother accepted almost immediately. I had no intention of backing down either. After all, the more famous we became, the higher our chances of being found.
◇ ◇ ◇
The twenty-two of us marched across the snowy plains of the Northern Territories. The trees had lost their leaves, their bare branches now heavy with snow. The endless winter would begin soon.
"Swamp, scout the terrain for us."
"Sure."
Following Soldat's orders, Rudeus conjured an earth pillar to lift himself into the air.
"What do you see, Rudeus?" I asked, looking up at him from below.
"I see... massive Red Dragons. There are Shining Brown Bears coming from two o'clock. A huge pack of them. They are kicking up a massive snow cloud!"
"How many?" I asked.
"Eight... no, ten of them! They spotted us! They are heading straight for us, and fast!"
I drew my weapon and instantly rushed toward the Shining Brown Bears. Just as I finished off the last of the bears, I noticed a silhouette hiding in the snow cloud. A deafening roar followed, forcing the entire team to cover their ears.
"Shit! Retreat! Retreat!" Soldat yelled upon seeing the dragon.
Amidst the chaos, Rudeus sprang into action.
I focused, gathering all my strength into a single point. With my mind entirely on the beast, I waited for Rudeus to conjure his swamp and impale it with stone spikes. Then, I launched myself forward using the Longsword of Light.
My blade sliced through the dragon's neck, sending its head flying to the side.
"Uh... I overdid it a bit. I used more energy than necessary..."
I slid across the ground as I landed, sheathing my sword. Behind me, the dragon's massive body collapsed into the mud.
"Damn it! Swamp and Obsidian are incredibly strong!"
"It seems those rumors about them crossing the Demon Continent weren't just fairy tales..."
Truth be told, I never crossed the Demon Continent, but that was the rumor going around. My own adventure was nothing compared to my brother's. If I had gone with him, things would have been very different. In a way, Rudeus needed to learn those lessons on his own.
"I always thought you two were monsters, but I can't believe you took that thing down so fast!"
"It was already injured..." I said, trying to deflect the attention. "And it was a team effort."
"True enough. Anyway, help me carve this thing up. Everyone take whatever parts you can," Rudeus said.
It happened one night while we were eating at the tavern.
As always, we sat away from the rest.
Eating was a private matter for us. Besides, we had money and no obligation to share a table with strangers. We simply hated crowds. It was one of the things we had in common.
Three bards were singing a song about the Red Dragon hunt.
Swamp and Obsidian were already becoming tavern legends. That was the whole point.
I recognized them right away. They were the C-rank adventurers who had pestered us for days about the quest so they could turn it into a song. I never understood much about music, but I could appreciate their effort.
"Boring! Play something else!" Even with their effort, the crowd didn't seem to care.
Rudeus kept eating like nothing was happening, though I caught him grimacing in annoyance.
Suddenly, the tavern doors burst open, letting an icy gust of wind sweep through the room.
"I finally found you... Rudeus of the Swamp and Daiki the Obsidian!!"
The woman was an elf with long hair tied in thick braids. She carried a backpack, a sword, and a shield at her hip like an adventurer, yet she wore what looked like a dress. She had large, sharp eyes, pointed ears, and radiant blonde hair.
"So you finally found us, huh..." Rudeus replied in a monotone voice.
Who was this woman? I didn't recall seeing her anywhere, but... she was looking at me as if she knew me. Did she?
"It can't be... you look exactly like him." She stepped closer. Maybe a little too close.
"Like him?"
"Yes, well, never mind..." She stepped back. "Honestly, I thought you were further east. But seeing you now, it is clearly you two. The descriptions match perfectly! My name is Elinalise. Elinalise Dragonroad. I used to be in your father Paul's party, and I am also Roxy's friend."
"What?! My master?! Where is she?" Rudeus practically jumped out of his chair. I expected that reaction.
But my mind was stuck on a single phrase.
"You look exactly like him."
"More importantly!" Elinalise shouted, completely ignoring Rudeus's question. "I heard you killed a Red Dragon. Is that true?"
We both nodded.
"Now I understand why Roxy was so proud of you."
...Roxy was proud?
"It thrills me to hear my master has been bragging about me...!" Rudeus said. He looked genuinely happy, even if he tried to hide it behind a calm expression and a hand shoved deep into his pocket. He was probably holding onto that garment of hers in there.
Suddenly, Elinalise started running her hands over my chest.
"Oh, incredible... you are so strong... such a fine man. Better than I expected. I am surprised. It is wonderfuuul... and you are nothing like him..."
I pushed her hands away once I processed what was happening.
"...I would appreciate it if you didn't toy with me like that."
"I don't toy with men. But I have no intention of becoming Paul's daughter, and I want to remain Roxy's friend. I see you are a difficult boy..."
Rudeus clapped his hands loudly.
"Well then, what brings you here, Elinalise-san?!"
"Oh, right! I bring good news."
"Good news?"
Elinalise smiled at me.
"We found your mother."
I stood up abruptly. The table couldn't withstand the force.
"Where is she!? Is she alright?"
"Calm down, calm down." Elinalise tried to soothe me, though my reaction clearly caught her off guard. "She is fine. She is having a wonderful time exploring labyrinths."
"Elinalise..."
"Alright... alright. But believe me, she really is fine. Don't rush off. Besides, Paul and Roxy are already heading there."
That didn't calm me down at all.
◇ ◇ ◇
A week after discovering Zenith's location, I was still at the inn in Basherant. Apparently, she was in the Labyrinth City of Rapan, somewhere in the middle of the Begaritt Continent. As much as I wanted to leave immediately, that place was absurdly far away.
Winter is approaching, and it is a brutal season in the Northern Territories. The snow can pile up to five meters high.
At this point, I am caught between a rock and a hard place. Literally.
◇ ◇ ◇
Both Rudeus and I received letters from the Ranoa University of Magic. They praised our field performance and how we had made a name for ourselves. They also offered us the chance to enroll as special students, though we didn't consider it particularly relevant at the time.
"To Daiki Greyrat-sama,
Greetings. My name is Jinas, and I am the vice principal of the Ranoa University of Magic.
Recently, the names of both your brother, Rudeus of the Swamp, and yourself, Darian the Obsidian, have gained notoriety in the Kingdom of Ranoa. I hear you are both exceptionally skilled and powerful adventurers, capable of casting spells without incantations. Upon looking into the matter further, I discovered that you both appear to be disciples of Roxy, a King-tier Water Mage.
Would you be interested in perfecting your extraordinary magical and swordsmanship skills? I have already made the necessary arrangements to welcome you as a special student at Ranoa University. As a special student, you would be exempt from tuition fees and attendance requirements. Furthermore, you would have unrestricted access to the main library and all academy facilities to aid in your own research.
If you complete a research project within the seven-year academic period and yield the rights to your discoveries to the University or the Magic Guild, you will be registered in the Guild as a C-rank member. Naturally, even if your research does not yield significant results, you will still be registered as a D-rank member alongside the rest of the graduates.
I would deeply appreciate the opportunity to meet you in person. I apologize for the suddenness of this invitation, but I humbly request that you consider my proposal.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Jinas Halfas
Vice Principal of the Ranoa University of Magic"
This gives me a bad feeling. Why now of all times?
Besides, I don't feel like I've lost my edge with the sword. If anything, I have improved thanks to constant training. On the other hand, I have always neglected my magic. Even though I've reached a level not just anyone can achieve, I still don't consider myself truly competent with healing magic. I feel I could get much more out of it. In the end, my pseudo-Saint rank is still incomplete. Even so, it is my understanding that learning Saint-tier healing magic is forbidden... though I don't know how that works in other kingdoms.
Thinking about it calmly, this all seems too good to be true. And besides... seven years? No. As soon as the snow melts, I am leaving. I am so tired of all this.
◇ ◇ ◇
It happened in a dream. I found myself in that white void once again, standing face to face with my former self. The one who was incapable of smiling. Even a simple grimace seemed to cause him physical pain.
"Well... it has been a while."
...What do you want now? To bother me again? It won't work. My mother has been found, and Roxy and Paul are already going after her. When this is all over, we will reunite. And then you will have been completely useless.
"So cold to me, young Darian."
...Don't call me that.
"Hmm? But it is your name. Or well... one of them, I suppose."
...Stop talking like you know me.
Hitogami let out a small laugh.
"I am glad about your mother, by the way. Truly."
...I suppose I should thank you. Even though you completely vanished while we traveled the north.
"Ah, yes. Sorry about that. I was quite busy."
...Busy?
"You know how it is. So many people, so many dreams... a popular god has his hands full."
...Hmph.
"But it worked out in the end, right? You found clues. That is what matters."
Nothing else mattered to me. I sighed and glared at him in annoyance.
...Just spit out whatever you came here to say.
"How cruel. I only want to help."
...You help me more by staying quiet.
"Ouch. That hurt."
Hitogami exaggeratedly placed a hand over his chest before dropping down to sit in the middle of the white void.
"Jokes aside... I think you should go to the University of Magic."
...The University?
"Yes. I have a feeling you will find something interesting there."
...I don't care about their research.
"Oh, really? I thought you'd be interested in finding out who 'Darian Stonehold' truly was."
...I don't need answers.
"Mmm... then maybe this won't interest you either... What was it called? Ah, right... Temphestalis."
...What did you say?
"Nothing important. I just remembered a curious little detail."
...Hitogami.
"I think you might find something related to it at the university. But oh well... I am probably wrong."
...Is it there?
Hitogami smiled. Or at least, I felt like he did.
"Who knows."
...What is that supposed to mean?
"Well, I figured you might be interested. After all, swords never last very long in your hands, do they?"
...
"They break, they wear out, or they end up rejecting you sooner or later. But Temphestalis was different."
His voice kept that light, friendly tone, which only made me more on edge.
"It was fully compatible with you."
I didn't answer. Hitogami tilted his head.
"That is why I thought you might want to see it again. So you can protect them, right?"
For the first time, I decided to actually follow Hitogami's advice. Not because I had magically started trusting him, but because it cost me nothing to check if Temphestalis was really there. Besides, the sword I picked up on that last quest wouldn't last forever. The fight against the dragon had worn it down significantly.
Swords always ended up the same way with me. Breaking or giving out over time. But Temphestalis was different. It did not reject me. It regenerated using my mana, and it felt as if it had been forged specifically for me. If there was a chance to get it back, then going to Ranoa didn't sound so bad after all.
To protect the weak, right?
I clung solely to that thought.