CH 4.1

Episode 4 "Assassin in the Void"

04

As I'd been accepted into the Maldegar Academy of Magic without incident, so made preparations to enter.

However, I've always carried little as a wanderer, so there's no actual need to pack anything. The only thing I needed was my magic compression pouch.

Besides, there's another package that's really important.

“Kaja, is there anything wrong with the system?”

“Yes, master. The information from the recent test has been stored in an organized manner and is in perfect order.”

“Good.”

Knowledge and information are the assets of a sorcerer. Kaja was also like the steward, in charge of the sorcerer's fortune.

And since I'm a wanderer who doesn't have my own laboratory or archives, a familiar like Kaja is my best bet. I've even prepared a spare Kaja so that no matter what happens, it won't interfere with my research.

But lately, I haven't seen any sorcerers walking around with familiars at all.

It's probably because familiars are quite difficult to handle. The more advanced their intelligence and willpower, the more likely they are to rebel and run amok.

“Well, I know. How about some salted meat?”

“What's with the wheedling voice all of a sudden? I don't care what it is, as long as it's hot. Even charcoal or oil would do.:

“A black cat chewing on charcoal is creepy…”

It might be best to give this guy a few orders about his own conduct as well.

"When you look like that, mimic the habits of a normal cat. Now, let's go."

The Maldegar Academy of Magic is located deep in the mountains in the middle of nowhere, and was reusing the Maldegar Castle that gave it its name. According to my research, the castle was about 250 years old. 

Basically, castles are the property of nobles and kings, and they serve as military and political bases. Unless the castle is abandoned, it cannot be used without permission.

'So you're saying that there's secular power involved?’

Mariam replied to me through telepathy.

'I thought that brother Zephyr had distanced himself from all of that, what happened to him?’

‘We haven't seen him for the last 30 years... And you and I have been immersed in our own research.’

Oh, well. The basis of everything is observation. If I observe every corner of the campus and examine it, I will understand.

More importantly, right now, it's ‘this guy in front of me that I have to deal with.

"All right, next. Get in the center of the disk. The edge is dangerous."

The main gate of the magic academy is entered by crossing a huge stone bridge, but the middle of the bridge is missing a big chunk. Normally, you would not be able to cross.

And so they float a large ‘Floating Disk’ in order to cross. But to be honest, I didn't like it.

“We’re going on that?”

“How cute.”

I'm not joking.

'That's for cargo. It's a disgrace for a sorcerer to ride in one of those.’

'It can’t be helped. Ordinary freshmen can't use the flying arts.’

That's true, but...

I can't possibly use the ‘Flight’ art here, so I guess I'll just have to ride it quietly.

The last time I used it was when I carried the carcass of a fire dragon to my master's laboratory.

The sorcerer, who seems to be the attendant here, looks at me with a faint smile.

“You, don't be afraid and get on quickly. I'm not sure you're going to be able to make it as a student at the Academy of Magic if you can't ride this by yourself.”

Damn, I'm starting to remember that horrible smell of death.

There had been a flammable gas leaking from the fire dragon's throat, and it mixed with the decomposing gas, it was horrible. And it hurt my eyes.

“I told you to get on. People are waiting.”

“All right, all right.”

“Good. Now, hold the bar here in the middle. If you're still anxious, attach yourself to it with the belt.”

“No, I’m fine…”

I sighed and stood in the center of the floating disk. In the center of the disk stands a stick that resembles a staff, and you are supposed to hold onto it. I'm sure that from a distance, it looks like a sorcerer is flying through the air while carrying a staff.

To the untrained eye, it may be a fantastic sight, but as a professional sorcerer, it seems to be nothing more than a ‘ child’s game.’ It is fiercely embarrassing.

'This is not a sight that I’d want our departed brethren to see...'

I heard Mariam's voice chuckling.

‘That’s not what I'd expect to hear from someone who tried to fly by attaching themself to a sail when they were an apprentice.’

Ah, I had thought that it was such a good idea.

No, wait a minute.

'That was before you were an apprentice. How do you know about that?’

'Master always talked about it, remember? ‘Chevaldin's ingenuity is amazing.’ He said it was your strength that you defy convention and precedent.’

Master. What were you doing, Master?

Stop it.

While reminiscing, I was carried by a floating disk, and flew through the air in a swoosh. It was not necessary to use the staff-like handle...but I held onto it anyway.

The floating saucer is perfect for maintaining the same level and altitude. Though, you could also say that it has no other ability.

But I also had questions.

“Hey, Kaja.”

“What is it, master?”

“What in the world is this thing?”

A sorcerer can easily summon a floating disk, but no one knows what the thing is. What it’s made of, why it floats. Or hot it was able to maintain its altitude and stay level.

My faithful familiar was silent for a moment, and then answered.

''It is not among my accumulated information.”

“Of course, not.”

While it was unknown what this thing was, it was used because it's harmless and useful.

When I was an apprentice, I remember my master teaching me as he tended to my injuries.

‘I have a hypothesis that this disk is a shell that encloses the world. Well, it's a hypothesis of mine.’

‘A shell that encloses the world? Like an eggshell?’

‘Well, it's the eggshell that separates this world from the others. Doesn't that explain its ability to maintain its level and altitude?’

‘I don't understand.’

I understood now, but my master was no longer here.