Please, Just Read It

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Chapter 19

City of Magicians (4)

Yeah.

It felt strange.

It wasn’t on the map, and I couldn’t easily locate it with Riley’s “Pathfinding” either, plus there were as many as ten buildings that seemed to be the management office.

[…….]

So this was all just a test.

A secret trial unfolding without the participants’ awareness.

[……As expected from the Five Great Towers.]

Even during the process of registering for the test, we had to prove our qualifications.

A chuckle escaped me.

Even after 300 years, the difficulty of this infamous exam remained unchanged.

[Well, at least we got through.]

Having successfully passed the first gate, we officially applied for the “Selection Test.”

Only after providing the recommendation letter from Lutemis along with accurate identification and various documents could we complete all the procedures.

Woong─.

As we exited the building, a token proving our status as Selection Test applicants was engraved on the back of Riley’s hand.

An inverted pentagram of blue.

It was identical to the magic circle that connected all of Wilhelm.

According to the explanation from the magician acting as the administrator, if we presented this token at designated facilities, we could use all services for free.

This was a privilege for applicants who had passed the first gate.

“Here, take this too.”

Swish─.

We were given a list of various inns, restaurants, libraries, and so on.

With a week left until the next Selection Test, the administrator added to take full advantage of these facilities for sufficient rest.

“Oh, by the way, Miss Riley.”

Just as we were about to exit the Selection Test Management Office, the administrator, grinning, paused us with a gentle voice.

“Please do your best to avoid clashes with other applicants until the next test.”

“…….”

[…….]

At those words, Riley nodded and left the building.

*

‘Still, I inadvertently passed the first gate, huh?’

[Yeah.]

‘It felt way too easy for a first exam.’

It was just as Riley said.

While it was cumbersome to search through ten buildings, it wasn’t particularly challenging.

But that was only thanks to Riley’s exceptional skill in “Pathfinding.”

For other magicians, this “finding the management office” would surely feel like hell.

According to the administrator, the “Selection Test Management Office” only appears after finding all nine points.

So……

The nine buildings we struck out on could appear as the management office for someone else, and conversely, the building that was the management office for us could be an empty building for other applicants.

The final tenth building magically transforming into the management office.

It had to be rather tricky.

Especially since within the vast magic circle of Wilhelm, we had to shake off various interferences and pinpoint the nine locations before finally discovering the ultimate management office…….

[……Hoo.]

I can confidently say that had I not developed my special “Pathfinding” for Riley, we would have had quite the struggle.

It felt reassuring to have mastered this skill in advance.

‘By the way, what did that mean.’

[What do you mean?]

‘The part about avoiding clashes with other applicants.’

[Ah, that.]

It seems Riley was bothered by what the administrator said just before we left the building.

[It’s nothing.]

Sometimes, there are people like that.

Just for the sake of sizing up the competition, some fools pick fights before the exam.

The administrator probably issued that warning to prevent those types from causing trouble in Wilhelm.

‘That’s not something I need to worry about.’

[Not really.]

It’s uncertain.

Some might choose to ignore the administrator’s warning and pick a fight with Riley.

Right now.

Stopping suddenly─.

“……Magician.”

[Yeah, I know.]

Riley’s body stiffened.

Her eyes began to sharply scan the surroundings.

On the bustling main street swarming with people, only Riley stood frozen in place.

‘Do you feel it?’

[Yeah.]

I felt it too.

The sharp aura aimed at Riley.

Both of us couldn’t help but raise our guards at the dense killer intent swirling around.

‘It’s a familiar magic. The magic I sensed from those corpses we saw riding the carriage.’

The corpses we encountered on the road to Wilhelm.

The one radiating this killing intent was undoubtedly the culprit behind those deaths.

It made sense; the two magical energies bore striking similarities.

Woong─.

Riley began to trace the opponent’s killing intent using her magic. Another application of “Pathfinding.”

She abandoned her normal vision and perceived the world solely through magic.

With her keen senses, Riley sifted through her surroundings.

Before long, she locked onto the location of the person targeting her.

‘……Over there.’

Swiftly turning her head, Riley looked behind her.

Sure enough.

From a distance, a figure met Riley’s gaze.

Though their face was obscured by a robe, it was clear they were the one.

In this crowded street, the only person standing still was Riley and that mysterious figure.

“…….”

“…….”

Amidst the throngs of people, a standoff began between Riley and the stranger.

‘What should we do?’

[What do you think? Do you think you can win?]

‘Of course!’

[Then wait. Get into a defensive stance as much as possible.]

We couldn’t rush in recklessly.

In battle, distance plays a crucial role.

Arm length, weapon length, the gap between us and the opponent… All of these factors had to be evaluated and considered strategically to measure distance.

Dodge the enemy’s attacks while landing my own. Managing that offenses and defenses hinges upon distance.

But if magic comes into play, this story changes.

In battles between magicians, the concept of distance becomes useless.

The weapon of magicians is magic. Magic is a source of energy evenly distributed throughout the world.

In simple terms…

The attack range of magicians completely disregards distance.

From that perspective, distance seems irrelevant in fights among magicians, but precisely because of that, one should tread carefully.

One never knows when or where an enemy’s attack may come from.

Woosh─.

In an instant, I felt a whirlwind of magic.

To Riley’s left.

A tiny magic bullet hurtled toward her at breakneck speed, barely a hand’s width from her ear.

Ping─!

No matter how remarkable Riley’s reflexes were, she was not an ultra-human who could perceive attacks coming from blind spots.

Realizing the attack too late, Riley scrambled to devise a countermeasure.

‘……Dispel?’

No.

The chances of failure were too high.

Before she could nullify the incoming magic, that magic bullet would pierce through her skull.

‘If I duck to avoid it…’

Already too late.

The magic bullet was fast. The tip of it was already touching Riley’s temple.

Even if she ducked now, that attack would burrow into her head, wreaking havoc inside her skull.

‘Then…’

There was only one solution left.

‘……I must give flesh and take bone.’

A strategy Riley had often employed during her time with the Thieves’ Guild.

Woong─.

In a short calculation unfolding within her own world, Riley began casting two spells simultaneously.

Dual-Casting.

The two simultaneous spells amassed mana, and those pure particles of energy formed two magics.

Woong, woong─.

One was a defensive spell.

A barrier of magic was erected at the side of Riley’s temple.

Of course, it would be shattered quickly by the magic bullet, but that was okay. She just needed to buy a brief moment of time. That was the very purpose for casting the spell.

In the brief moment when the magic bullet collided with the barrier, Riley could sufficiently execute an evasive maneuver.

Having doused the urgent flames, it was time to unleash her offensive magic.

The method was always the same: “Magic Missile.”

While it was a blunt yet incredibly effective means of attack, it was unmatched in efficiency.

Catching her opponent off guard, thinking Riley would only defend.

In that moment of panic, the opponent would either be in for a quick end or flounder to block it.

If it was the former, that would be the end of it.

If it was the latter, she would just have to prepare a follow-up at once.

Regardless of which way it turns out, it wouldn’t be disadvantageous for Riley.

So where should she launch this attack?

Riley contemplated while observing the opponent, finishing the casting of “Magic Missile.”

‘Huh…?’

But at that very moment.

Her eyes clouded with shock.

‘……None?’

There was no space to execute an attack.

The opponent’s whole body was enveloped in a strong barrier of magic.

Against that solid defense, Riley’s hastily prepared “Magic Missile” would be worthless.

‘This is…!’

Realizing that fact, Riley immediately canceled the casting of her offensive magic and ducked her head.

If the attack wouldn’t work anyway, she boldly gave up “Magic Missile” and focused entirely on her evasion.

However, that evasive action was just a beat too slow.

Kwadak──!

A chunk of flesh the size of a fingernail fell from Riley’s temple. The magic bullet, made of energy, penetrated Riley’s skull.

‘……Huh?’

Blood poured out.

And excruciating pain.

That was the end.

Riley’s vision darkened.

Thud!

Death.

Eternal rest.

In an instant, Riley’s body became a cold corpse, rolling over onto the street─

“─Huh!”

Riley returned to reality, looking around in a panic.

“Cough, cough…!”

A peaceful street.

There was no trace of battle anywhere.

People strolled through the streets of Wilhelm as if nothing had happened just moments ago.

Only Riley, with shock in her wide eyes, scanned her surroundings frantically.

“What, what is….”

Riley muttered in disbelief, trembling.

Then someone answered her murmurs.

“Oh, that?”

“…….”

“It’s a battle that happened in your mental simulation.”

Mental Simulation Battle.

A simulation that manifests in a state of extreme immersion.

It involves perceiving the opponent’s killing intent, sustaining the pursuit, identifying them, and thinking through responses, all part of a delusion.

“By the way, you…”

“…….”

A thin, playful voice.

The stranger who had walked right up to Riley pulled down their hood.

Long, flowing black hair down to the waist.

And dreamy violet eyes.

This strikingly beautiful figure caught the attention of passersby with a single glance, slowly opened her mouth to Riley.

With a very bright smile.

“……You just saw death, didn’t you?”

“…….”

I regarded the magician who spoke in such a manner.

On her hand, the same inverted pentagram symbol was engraved as on Riley’s.

[…….]

Ah, I see.

She’s also a Selection Test applicant.

What’s more, she had already passed the first examination.

[Look out, Riley.]

“…….”

[Be careful.]

I warned Riley.

What could the magician’s intent be for openly radiating killing intent toward Riley?

It’s straightforward.

She was merely testing her skills upon encountering another applicant like herself.

[Looks like the administrator’s warning to avoid clashes went in one ear and out the other.]

If it were any other magician…

Well, if you took it as mere curiosity leading to rudeness, it’d be fine.

However, this one is different.

Because she’s a brutal killer.

Even if bandits had struck first, that would not justify her actions.

The site of grotesquely mutilated corpses. If it were for self-defense, there are cleaner methods to deal with bandits.

That horrific scene could only be described as the remnants of a madwoman who relished in murder.

After all, no sane person uses magic as a weapon of murder.

Especially one who suddenly radiates killing intent upon first meeting.

So I can guarantee.

We should stay far away from her.

[Riley, be cautious of that one.]

“……”

[She seems to be a truly malevolent murderer.]

*

“Is it delicious? Isn’t it?”

“Uh-huh, yeah, it’s delicious.”

“I knew it. This is the best restaurant in Wilhelm. Even the tower masters of the Five Great Towers come here to eat after overseeing the Selection Test.”

“Um, uh, that….”

“Ah, you don’t have to answer. Just eat and enjoy. I’ll pay for everything.”

After swallowing her food, Riley replied.

“……Really? You’re going to pay for everything?”

“Of course. I committed a breach, so I should repay you, right? Eat to your heart’s content.”

Riley smiled gleefully.

‘I like this person.’

[…….]

‘There are no bad people among those who treat you to delicious food.’

No.

Hey.

Don’t get too close.