After defeating the giant Sandworm, those two’s reactions towards me changed a lot. I went from complete stranger to very much admired, and I feel the respect in the way they speak.
They’re sitting in front of each other and having fun chatting, but they peek towards me from time to time. I don’t mind them, and keep reading.
“Mars Mars. Loyd really is hiding something.”
“I agree Lela. It’s weird for someone who can use magic that incredible to be riding a wagon with common people like us.”
“But he’s reading, so I can’t find any opportunity to talk.”
“He’s acting like he’s focused, like those anti-social types do. I think at times like these, it’s best if we just talk to him. Antisocial types are good at acting like loners, but deep down, they’re sad creatures that want friends.”
“Hey you damn kids, I can hear everything. Who are you calling antisocial?”
I’m not going to deny that I am, but it annoys me to be treated like that by others.
But my reaction just makes them squint and smile.
“Loyd is finally talking to us. I have a lot of questions. I have the initiative in the conversation.”
Now she’s talking like a supreme ruler of the century’s end or something.
Then, she starts asking questions about magic.
Apparently she liked that Explosion earlier, because it’s mostly about that.
Mages typically like magic, and have stronger spirits of inquiry towards spells they don’t know than anyone else.
As a mage, I know that better than anyone else, so I try to explain it as best I can.
The questions about magic go on for thirty minutes. Lela’s estimation of me goes up a lot in this time, and now her eyes are shining like a kid’s when she looks at me.
I also discover that Lela can’t use high rank magic.
Magic is divided into five ranks, and mages can only learn spells corresponding to their ranks.
Low rank, mid rank, high rank, highest rank, and master rank.
Lela can only use magic up to the second rank, mid rank.
What I used, Explosion, is master rank, so she’s very disappointed that she can’t use it at her level.
That said, she’s young, and has plenty of room to grow. When I tell her that, her expression turns into a very bright one.
The sun is setting, and the light of the setting sun is making her beautiful blonde hair look mystical as it shines on it.
Now it’s Mars’ time.
“Hum, sorry about that rough stuff I said earlier. I really feel how big the world is thanks to you, sensei. You’re like my life coach.”
Mars apologizes, and apparently is treating me like a sensei.
That’s a first for me, so his polite attitude kind of tickles.
“What’s that all of a sudden?”
“Well, you’ve been treating Lela really wonderfully too, so I felt like thanking you properly, sensei.”
Mars might be more serious than he looks. That’s probably part of why Lela took to him.
“Just call me Loyd. I’m not that older than you, so young people like us shouldn’t be so reserved with each other.”
“Yessir!! You’re absolutely right sensei. I’ll throw off reserve with you, sensei! Yessir!”
This guy doesn’t get it. Or he’s making fun of me.
I’m a little soft on them, and this is what I get.
The next time he goes ‘yessir’ in front of me, I’m gonna hit him.
“Sorry, but you’re like a big senpai from the point of view of a mage like me, so I can’t help but treat you this way. Can I continue like this?”
“I guess it can’t be helped with you, Lela. Do as you like.”
I understand how serious she is, so of course I allow it.
“Thank you. By the way, this has been in the back of my mind all this time, but who are you? From my point of view, all I see is a really incredible great mage.”
She’s finally striking at the core. Now I don’t know how to answer.
I think about it for a bit, and in the end, decide to tell the truth.
I think the risk that comes with them knowing who I am is lower than the risk of their confidence in me dropping if they ever find out I was lying.
Also, you need people to do anything important. Right now, they trust me, and are coming closer towards me. I can’t bring myself to repay that with lies.
“Let me ask you some things before I answer. Do you know Ruby the alchemist?”
“Of course I do. She’s the number one great alchemist in this country. An incredible person who has come up with inventions that will leave her name in history, like the Magic Marionette, and Elixir. Miss Ruby’s achievements really make me realize how much of a small existence I lead.”
That’s how people typically see Ruby. Really incredible. Well, she actually is though. It’s just her personality…
I really feel how much Lela looks up to Ruby. It’s like she’s talking about someone way high above her.
“I actually dream of becoming her exclusive mage.”
“Hold on! What about the dream to become A ranked adventurers with me!?”
“Mars, be quiet for a second. We’re in the middle of an important conversation.”
Mars looks down like an abandoned puppy.
I guess she has the initiative in that relationship too.
“Loyd, why did you bring up Miss Ruby?”
“I was wondering if you know the name of her exclusive mage.”
“Of course I do. Loyd, the incompetent mage with a picking rate of only forty percent. I hate that guy. Ten times out of ten, it’s his fault the great Miss Ruby fails to transmute something.
Every time I look at the records of failed transmutations, I wish that Loyd guy would die already.”
“That Loyd you want to die so badly is me.”
Lela is frozen for a bit, unable to keep up with what’s happening.
And then, she finally understands what she said, and collapses while foaming from the mouth.
