CH 101

Whatever the case, they had a tendency of not listening to others very much. In reality, Sevi was growing more stubborn. If anything, I was glad he was obedient to me. But that was because I was his lifesaver and the one who roused his latent mana. He wasn’t a nice and obedient boy in particular. Had the spearman noticed this point?

Vegan took peeks at me for a while before asking in an undertone, “Speaking of him, I heard some say that it’s thanks to you, Vice-captain, that Sevi Ventus awakened as a wind mage… Is it true?”

Instead of answering, I gave a surreptitious smile. The perceptive man he was, Vegan immediately got my silent affirmation and chortled, a mix of lament and mockery echoing in his voice. “Woah… If that rumor’s revealed to be true, I bet the Dark Knights will be turned upside down. Everyone will be fretting to get in your good graces, Vice-captain.”

I thought the same, not that I was in a position to be vocal about it. I answered in a humble fashion, evading the topic. “Haha… Well, I’d say things would be the same as usual.”

“I assure you, that absolutely won’t be the case. They may pretend otherwise on the outside, but I’m certain they’ll try to meet up with you in secret. I wonder how they’ll react, though. The ones who openly criticized you, I mean. Hoo… I sure look forward to it.”

I could only laugh awkwardly at his exaggerated jibes. Belatedly realizing his frivolity, Vegan winked and added, “It’s a bit frivolous, but you come to find a bit of fun in these things as you age.”

“…You don’t seem particularly interested in becoming a mage, Vegan.”

Vegan would’ve discreetly asked whether he had any latent potential in him if he had any desire for magic, but he didn’t speak a word about that. With a wave of his hand, he shook his head. “Gee, I would’ve shown ignorant greed in my youth, but now I know myself. Seeing the way Squad Leader Axion delves into magic made me think that you gotta have the aptitude for it to achieve something. I like the spear.”

“Everyone tends to think of magic as some universal solution. In reality, awakening to magic doesn’t make you suddenly stronger or anything.”

Vegan chortled. “My thoughts exactly. Haha, at least I can say that I’m a marvelous hand at using the spear.”

He really didn’t seem to have any ideas about magic. I felt much more at ease now that I had shaken off my last concern.

The days passed as the unit members received basic advice on dungeons from Vegan. Then, the time for us to enter the action for the first time arrived. Mayer offered to hold a departing ceremony for the special unit, but I rejected straight away. We were merely going to a low-level dungeon; the ceremony would only be cause for insult. Besides, I didn’t want to do anything to jinx us. Still, I couldn’t stop Mayer from following us to the dungeon entrance, where he sent me off with eyes full of reluctance. “In any case… Make sure to return safely,” he said.

“You know that I’m going into a level 20 dungeon, right? And I’m level 25.”

“You are physically weaker than the average level 25. Ask August to heal you, even for the smallest injury. And always stay out of the fray when monsters appear.”

“Okaay, okaay.”

Mayer was right, to be honest, because even a level 20 dungeon was dangerous for me. But since I didn’t know how he would react if I acknowledged that fact, I merely passed his words over with disinterest. I naturally had no intention of following his picky warnings. He seemed to see through my thoughts, though, as he had a word with August and Vegan too. “You never know what the Vice-captain will do if you take your eyes off her, so you must watch her well.”