Dark Fantasy Normalized – Chapter 42

Meltas and Marina said that Gadena was an extreme discriminator.

In fact, it’s not that Gadena is particularly unusual.

Gadena was an elf, and most elves naturally looked down on other races as easily as breathing.

Many people looked down on such behaviors of elves, but they couldn’t outright deny it.

The lifespan of elves that stretched several times that of ordinary races, coupled with a correspondingly slow aging process.

Above all, their very nature was such that they attracted the love of spirits.

The elements that elves asserted as the basis of their superiority had considerable persuasive power.

…For such reasons, Gadena was feeling quite flustered.

Magic books. Those books, imbued with mana and formed with will, were also a type of spirit.

Most magic books preferred elves over humans.

When the comparison was between Gadena, an expert in ancient knowledge, and a human who responded to simple proverbs with crude jokes, it was even more so.

So why was it, then?

The magic books seemed to favor Ricir more than Gadena.

“…”

“?”

One of the uninvited guests.

The elf Gadena finally showed interest in the young human man for the first time.

The conclusion drawn from a moment of observation.

“It seems like a capricious magic book.”

While the fact that he was a late-stage rank 4 at his age was certainly noteworthy, that was all it was.

There appeared no particular reason for the magic book to favor the man.

Just look at the lady next to him—Heinya—for comparison.

Gadena had rare interest in humans, but she had certainly heard about Heinya through the grapevine.

One of the figures drawing significant attention from the Gray Mage Tower, a genius magician endowed with natural talent.

I heard it took just a year of formal magic training to reach this level.

Such talent was notable even among elves.

That Heinya had said that the knowledge granted through conversations with the magic book was limited to a maximum of one page.

Gadena wasn’t sure how long the man’s magic career had been, but—

One thing she could be certain of.

At the very least, his experience had to be longer than Heinya’s one year.

Which was only natural.

In all of Bondales, there were hardly any who were born with magical potential equivalent to Heinya’s.

Thus—

It seemed reasonable to view the magic book’s reaction towards the man as whimsy rather than favoritism.

Gadena promptly shared her findings with the others.

“Who knows why, but the magic book likes humans more than elves!?” Similar to, to prevent anyone from having a mistaken insult.

It was a story they all knew about Heinya’s talent, so they would surely understand right away.

“…”

“…”

“?”

But for some reason, the reactions from the three of them were quite underwhelming.

They exchanged glances, wearing sullen expressions.

“It seems like favoritism after all…”

“Meltas. What are you talking about?”

“…It’s nothing, just continue the story I was going to tell.”

“…?”

Gadena was concerned about the trio’s reaction, but didn’t give it much thought.

After all, what could humans possibly know about spirits?

And what could they know about magic books?

The noble elf was simply walking her own path.

“I can’t say for sure, but it seems to be a magic book created by Dalazhan.”

“Dalazhan?”

“Yes. They were a magical group that flourished in an ancient era.”

“How could you tell just by looking?”

“It’s the method of allowing the knowledge of the book through conversation. Dalazhan placed such magic books in public libraries to scout for the wizards who would be their successors.”

“They scout for successors in that manner?”

“They were a magical group purely defined in various meanings.”

Gadena received the magic book back from Ricir.

And then she opened the magic book and spoke to it.

“Was I wrong?”

<No. That’s correct. I never expected anyone in this era to know of Dalazhan. Truly, one must call you an elf for your depth of knowledge.>

A satisfied smile formed on the elf’s expressionless face.

What Gadena felt was that the magic book possessed a power and ego comparable to at least a mid-level spirit.

Even though it didn’t seem like that power and ego were fully awakened yet.

Being acknowledged by a magic book of that level?

It was quite an encouraging event even for someone of Gadena’s caliber.

Gadena decided to take the initiative.

“Magic book. Ask me a question once more.”

<You said you knew of Dalazhan? Then let’s see, do you know about Ra-Diman as well?>

“Ra-Diman… Ra-Diman…”

Gadena pondered over that word for a moment before handing the magic book back to Ricir.

Then, as if entranced, she started flipping through the pages of the bookshelf.

“Now, what is Ra-Diman…?”

Without asking for permission or giving a reason.

In a state of neglect, Ricir murmured faintly.

“Ricir. Do you know? By Gadena’s standards, this level is considered VIP treatment.”

“If it were just me, I’d accept it, but given that there are two masters and the daughter of a high noble, Heinya, this is just blatant human discrimination. I can’t help but respect it.”

“Hey.”

At that moment, Heinya suddenly asked Ricir as if she had thought of something.

“About that just now, why did you answer like that?”

“That just now?”

“Usually, don’t horses have two legs when seen from afar?”

From a distance, horses are said to have two legs.

Ricir didn’t know, but it was a famous proverb and riddle among magicians that no one was unaware of.

“Why two legs…?”

“What are you talking about? Of course, it has two. How about you? Why did you answer five legs?”

Heinya asked, containing both indignation and curiosity.

The magic book’s unusually good response led Ricir to think that hidden within her answer was immense wisdom she hadn’t thought of, igniting her competitive spirit.

Ricir, however, remained unaware.

After the duel, just how much Heinya’s evaluation of her had risen.

“…”

Ricir averted her eyes from Heinya.

How could she tell her the truth now?

The hidden meaning in the answer that she was curious about was a rather vulgar joke that noble ladies should never utter.

‘The only answer that came to mind…’

Ricir was chastising herself for her actions.

Heinya’s innocent reaction was more discomforting than the straightforward disdain.

“What’s wrong? Why are you ignoring me?!”

“…Heinya.”

At that moment, Marina, unable to endure it anymore, told her disciple the truth.

While Heinya displayed the ability to understand ten things upon learning one regarding magic—

In the current subject, she seemed to require the revelation of ten to understand one.

Heinya’s graceful face turned bright red in an instant as she took a while to comprehend.

“…I didn’t know it could be thought of that way!? Interesting. Clever!”

She was fidgeting with embarrassment, yet tried to act proud.

She didn’t want the rival to know that she was ignorant of such matters.

Of course, it was already far too late for that.

An awkward atmosphere dominated the space for a while.

“By the way—”

The root cause of it all, Ricir, took responsibility and opened a new conversation.

“Why did the magic book respond so favorably to me? Is it simple whim as the expert said? Heinya? Does it usually act like that?”

“Do you call it whim? For one thing, I’ve never seen a magic book in such a pleasant condition.”

“Ricir. If you’re so curious, just ask it directly, right? After all, you’re holding it now.”

“Uh… Can I really just open it as I please?”

“It’s your possession now, so what’s to hesitate about?”

“That’s not it—”

Ricir felt more of a strange sensation in the hand holding the magic book.

What had once felt faintly ominous was now unmistakably strong.

‘Crazy. Was this thing so dangerous?’

This line of thought compelled Ricir to share what she was seeing and feeling with her companions.

“What?! An ominous aura—so you’re saying that magic book could be related to black magic?”

Black magic.

When that term was mentioned, Marina’s demeanor instantly turned serious.

“Why would such a thing be in our family’s library…”

Heinya could also not hide her shock.

“Black magic? Then wouldn’t that be okay?”

Thus, the calm demeanor of Meltas could only leave them stunned.

Marina doubted her ears and looked at Meltas.

“Meltas—what are you saying? Just because it’s black magic, it’s okay?”

If it weren’t for the long-standing relationship with Meltas, Marina would have immediately chastised him and launched into a discussion about his beliefs.

Meltas’s nonchalant reaction seemed like the kind of reaction black magicians would have who didn’t fear black magic at all.

“Hmm? Ah.”

Meltas only then understood Marina’s reaction and wore a strange smile.

“Come to think of it, you still don’t know.”

“What do you mean I don’t know? Is it that you were originally a black magician?”

“Don’t spout nonsense.”

Meltas spoke like an artist presenting a masterpiece, gesturing towards Ricir.

“You don’t have to worry about black magic. At least when you’re with this young man.”

“…?”

“…?”

Marina and Heinya could only look confused as they alternated glances between Meltas and Ricir.

Black magic.

It was the most dangerous, evil, and mysterious power in this world.

Understanding black magic in its entirety was nearly impossible unless one totally surrendered to its evil power, thus, countering it was almost impossible too.

They said one sees as much as one knows.

The more knowledgeable and wise a magician is, the less they will shy away from and fear black magic.

Marina and Heinya could not comprehend how a magician of Meltas’s caliber could react so lightly to black magic.

And even less could they fathom that the basis of his confidence was Ricir?

Certainly, his natural talent was undeniable, but as it stood, he was only at rank 4.

Marina believed she could handle him with just one hand, and clearly, Meltas felt the same.

“Meltas. Unless you’re finally losing your mind, I’d appreciate a reasonable explanation.”

“Ha ha. I’ll do just that. I’m warning you that you’ll be surprised. So prepare your mind so it doesn’t shock you too much.”

Meltas began speaking with an air of pride as if boasting about his own child.

His demeanor was so flippant it seemed to dissolve all the expectations even more—

“…You defeated a necromancer?”

Even so, Marina and Heinya were left aghast.

A necromancer, a harbinger of death that beckons forth death itself.

Such transcendent beings, who held the concept of death beneath their feet, could not even be spoken of lightly in jest.

Would all masters of the mage tower be able to join forces to face such a being?

Marina couldn’t say for certain.

That young and innocent wizard stood before her had defeated a necromancer.

“Are you telling me to believe that?”

“I know, I know. It’s hard to believe unless you see it with your own eyes. That’s why I’m telling you as someone who has seen it with their own eyes.”

“…”

“Ricir possesses a special ability.”

“A special ability…?”

“It’s a power that exerts absolute influence over negative energy. Ricir used that power to send the necromancer who had manifested in this realm back to the spirit realm, and uncovered the black magician Tulan, who had been toying with the mage tower and the masters. I think this mysterious power might be Ricir’s unique color.”

“…”

Leaving the two extremely bewildered behind—

Ricir cautiously whispered to Meltas.

—Master Meltas, wasn’t it said that we were not to disclose what happened there?

That ‘someone’ referred to none other than Salana, the master of the Assassin Guild.

A promise made with a being as feared as a necromancer.

Meltas wouldn’t forget that.

—More precisely, it was a matter concerning yourself that we were told not to disclose.

-…

Ricir couldn’t help but sigh at Meltas, who was willing to risk his life for the sake of boasting about someone else’s accomplishments.

“…”

Marina was also taken aback by Meltas’s demeanor.

How had the once strict-minded, principled Meltas turned into this doting grandfather?

‘Now that I think about it, wasn’t he the one who solved the Tulan incident too?’

Eventually, Marina was persuaded by Meltas.

With her arms crossed and a pale complexion, she said.

“Well then. What should we do? Should we cleanse the magic book using Ricir’s talent?”

“Ricir, will that be possible?”

“…”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Ricir nodded.

He opened the magic book again.