Chapter 55

“Fortunately, no one was seriously injured because other magicians stepped in, but I felt like I had changed since that day. I was recognized for my talent to create massive flames, passed the test, and became my master’s direct disciple, but because of that incident everyone whispered about, I became completely hated and feared by other magicians.”

It was a really long story.

Riana buried her face in Abelin’s embrace and didn’t speak.

“I know too. I shouldn’t be happy seeing others get hurt and suffer. But what can I do if I felt momentarily good seeing those who tormented and hated me in pain?”

“……”

Abelin was holding Riana warmly in her arms, but while Riana’s face was buried and couldn’t see her expression, Abelin was stuck in a rather confused expression.

Of course, I was just as confused.

‘Would that have happened in my past life too? If so, my perspective on others has been wrong for a long time. Riana started becoming colder than ice long ago.’

The disgust felt towards others and the resulting loneliness must have deepened.

But what particularly caught my attention was one part of the story Riana told.

‘Longing.’

The longing to not be a loser, to crush the pride of those who tormented her.

While I understood the background of that longing, the goal was closer to a twisted, evil desire rather than a good one.

Since Riana had always been so kind, that twist must have been even more bizarre and severe.

And I knew someone else who had a twisted longing and also harbored the Power of Demon within them.

‘……Commander Balthazar.’

The saying “like father, like daughter” didn’t quite fit this situation.

If Commander Balthazar, her father, made a direct contract with a demon to gain that power, then in Riana’s case……

A headache-inducing pain throbbed throughout my body.

No matter how much I thought about Riana’s story, Riana hadn’t done anything wrong.

At most, she had unintentionally caused flames that injured others.

It didn’t seem like she had intended it either.

Then, the one who belittled and cornered Riana, driving her into twisted longing and loneliness, was none other than……

Ronos.

‘I expected it, but to be that ruthless……!’

Without realizing it, my fists clenched.

Riana had unknowingly manifested her talent out of anger and anxiety, and that talent was recognized, making her Ronos’s direct disciple.

But in my eyes, that wasn’t talent.

From the start, it made no sense for a trainee who had just started practicing small firebolt spells to create massive flames.

It was clear that Ronos, who was actually a demon hiding his identity, had done something sinister to Riana, pretending to be a great magician taking in a disciple.

“Riana. What’s the magic you’re best at?”

“Best at……?”

“It’s common knowledge that when using magic, the stronger the will, the more precise and powerful the magic becomes. So, the magic you’re best at would depend on what kind of will and imagination you have when casting it. That’s why I’m asking.”

“I……”

Riana didn’t think for long.

After leaving Abelin’s embrace, she lightly extended her hand, and a small but very hot flame bloomed on her palm.

I quietly stared at the flame on Riana’s palm.

And as I kept staring, I noticed something.

“That flame. What is that flame used for?”

“……? What do you mean, what is a flame-summoning spell used for? Other than burning things, what other use is there?”

“That’s what I’m asking. Fire can warm people, or it can burn them to ashes. But if used appropriately, it can also prevent wounds from worsening by cauterizing them. Fire is dangerous, but we can’t live without it. Right?”

“……That’s true.”

“What you just said bothers me. You asked if there was any other use besides burning things. What kind of magic have you been practicing until now?”

“Huh……?”

As Riana listened to me and started recalling her memories, her expression became strange.

“Moreover, as far as I know, the Rostia Magic Tower is famous for pursuing practical magic that helps in daily life. In that regard, you must have learned such magic from your master, right?”

“……!”

Riana’s expression stiffened slightly.

Soon, Riana shook her head vigorously at my question.

“You’re a member and a promising talent of the Rostia Magic Tower, but you didn’t learn the practical magic the tower pursues?”

“Yeah. Because what I learned was……”

***

“Kuhuhu, you did very well. Excellent!”

“Thank you……”

After the test ended and Riana passed, Ronos congratulated her with a bright expression, patting her shoulder firmly.

Riana, however, was still unable to snap out of the confusing mix of hatred and joy she felt for the first time.

“Now, tell me, your master. What is your reason for learning magic?”

“……As you know, my father is the commander of the Vanguard. He’s suffering more than anyone on the front lines of the world, and it’s the same for the people around me. So, I want to be a strength to everyone. I’ve never seen a demon directly, but I want to help those who have to face them.”

“Demons, demons.”

Riana’s words about wanting to help those who face demons.

Ronos’s expression twisted momentarily at those words, but then he smiled pleasantly again.

“You want to help your people who have to face demons? That means you have to eliminate demons with magic, right?”

“Probably. It seems like communication with them isn’t going well.”

“Then it’s very good. Do you remember the massive flames you created?”

“……Yes.”

Honestly, Riana wanted to forget that incident.

It was a flame she created unknowingly, and no matter how much those people had tormented her, she didn’t want to admit that she felt pleasure seeing them burn and scream in pain.

But Ronos, now her master, thought differently.

“You must remember that sensation.”

“That sensation?”

“Yes. What do you think is the most important thing when casting an attack spell on an enemy?”

“The enemy’s…… right.”

“Exactly. You know very well. To unleash a more powerful, more lethal attack spell, the will and mindset to absolutely destroy the enemy are crucial. Is a roughly sharpened blade good for killing an enemy, or is a finely sharpened blade better?”

“I understand what you’re saying. But,”

Riana spoke up firmly.

“Isn’t it possible to help my people without just using attack magic?”

“What do you mean?”

“The seniors at the Rostia Magic Tower created magic to help the Vanguard, right? Like magic to warm accommodations and rooms, or magic to produce water at the push of a button. I think I can help my people with those kinds of things too, not just attack magic. I heard that’s the specialty of the Rostia Magic Tower.”

“……So.”

Ronos asked without blinking an eye at Riana’s suggestion.

“If you help the Vanguard live comfortably, what about the demons?”

“That, that’s……”

“A comfortable life is only possible after eliminating the root evil. Pursuing a comfortable and peaceful life comes after survival. Do you understand what’s more important?”

“Yes.”

“Call me master firmly. Just follow me well. Then I will make you one of the strongest magicians in the world, and the Vanguard you lend your hand to will become an organization no one can ignore. Just trust me, your master!”

“Yes, Master. I’ll follow as you say.”

“Kuhuhu…… Good, trust and follow me. I’ll show you the flame you should pursue. Now, look! Feel the heat and dignity directly!”

As Ronos shouted, purple flames rose around his body, engulfing him.

“Kyaah……!”

Riana flinched back at the terrifying heat.

Purple, a color of flame she had never seen before.

That flame wasn’t just the hottest she had ever seen.

Riana felt an indescribable fear and discomfort, her whole body breaking out in goosebumps.

“Purple…… What is that flame, Master?”

“What do you think?”

Ronos said with a satisfied voice.

“It’s the peak of the flame path you should pursue. Aim for this flame.”

***

“Huh?”

Riana, who had been talking, realized something.

“I, I wanted to learn practical magic at first, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But at some point, I was only training in threatening attack magic to burn enemies to ashes, just as Master said. At some point, without realizing it……”

It became even clearer, so I nodded quietly to keep Riana from wavering.

Riana’s past of going down the wrong path.

It was Ronos, that bastard, who was the problem……!