The Excommunicated Saint Wants to Lose

“Try again.”
“Understood.”

Selen imbued her sword with aura and swung it.

The blade advancing with a smooth trajectory.
It’s different from before when it was just for show.
Plain without any technique, but heavy.

The imbued aura ripples with a platinum color.
The scale has decreased, but it’s rather more suitable for cutting.

The attack method to finish off the enemy in one go remains unchanged.
A slash aimed at the neck.
Simple but threatening.

It was different from when she fought the Excommunicated Saint in every aspect.
Selen’s swordsmanship and aura, rebuilt from the basics, had made meaningful progress.

“It needs to be sharper.”

But there was still a long way to go.
Selen realized her shortcomings anew as she saw her blade blocked by Giff’s bare palm.

“This is aura stage 1.”
“You mean you just gathered mana in your hand?”
“That’s right. In fact, it’s not even at a stage that can be called ‘aura’.”

Giff firmly grasped the blade.
Yet, as if he wasn’t injured at all, no blood flowed.

“When the difference in level is large, this much is enough.”

Indeed, it was an unrivaled aura control ability.

“When will I be able to do that?”
“With your talent, it shouldn’t take too long. Just keep working hard.”

Giff said this as he sat down on a flat rock.
It was a silent instruction to take a rest.

Selen sat on the grass, inwardly pleased.
Then she immediately carefully examined her sword.

‘How can it be so beautiful…’

A longsword bought with almost all her money.
It was a new weapon she bought because swords made with holy power weren’t suitable for aura generation training.

Although she came from a wealthy family, it was the first time she had spent such a large sum.
So she naturally became attached to it.

She gave it a name and diligently maintained it every day.
She somewhat understood the true meaning behind the saying to treat a sword like a lover.

“Stop staring at the sword and just rest.”
“Ah, yes.”

Selen stretched out her body.
Only then did the delayed fatigue rush in.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m tired…”

The journey to meet the sage was not smooth, with rough terrain and many monsters.
Moreover, she had to combine aura training with it.
It was a schedule that would inevitably exhaust her by evening.

“When you meet the sage, ask them to teach you recovery magic.”
“I’ll do that.”

If only the stamina issue is resolved, the efficiency of effort and will would increase several times.
The speed of development would greatly accelerate.

As a result, she came to look forward to meeting the sage.
As she knew nothing yet, curiosity naturally bloomed in abundance.

She wanted to ask the goddess directly, but unfortunately, only the saint could communicate directly with her.

“Do you know what kind of person the sage is?”

So Selen asked Giff, an experienced adventurer.
They say veteran adventurers could work as information brokers just from the stories they pick up here and there.

“I do know one thing. I had a conversation with a magician from the Purple Magic Tower when carrying out a request last time.”

Selen immediately perked up her ears and listened intently.

“This sage is a unique individual.”

No further words came even though she waited quietly.

“Is that all?”
“The Purple Magic Tower is keeping their identity tightly under wraps. This much is high-grade information.”

In the end, the only new information gained was the adjective ‘unique’.
Nothing had really changed.

“I guess I’ll have to see for myself.”
“Isn’t it more exciting to meet without knowing?”
“That’s true.”

Hopefully, they’ll be a good person.
There was no need to worry since the goddess wouldn’t make a wrong choice.

“Now let’s start again.”

Selen stood up and took her stance.
Right now, training was more important than the sage.

“So you’re the new magician who’s come in?”

A middle-aged man asked, narrowing his eyes.
The vice tower master, was it?
He seemed to find me suspicious just by looking.

“That’s right. I started working as the Tower Master’s secretary from yesterday.”

At times like this, I had to be brazen.

“I’m ‘Eria’, a magician from a branch office.”

A disguised identity to stay at the Purple Magic Tower.
It was the result of accepting Riella’s suggestion.

“Which branch did you come from?”
“I came from the Serda branch.”
“I’ll have to check that.”

Measures have already been taken.
The Serda branch head was someone who understood implications well.

“And why are you wearing a robe indoors?”
“Is there a problem?”
“I think it would be faster to find parts that aren’t problematic.”

The vice tower master openly showed his suspicious gaze.

“The Tower Master, who went out to confront the Excommunicated Saint, suddenly brought in a magician as a secretary. Don’t you think it’s too unnatural?”

It was indeed sloppy.
Though better than the unauthorized entry plan I had in mind.

“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m curious about your and the Tower Master’s intentions, Excommunicated Saint.”

It was an accurate deduction.

“Riella says to keep your mouth shut if you don’t want the magic research budget cut.”

But wisdom was meaningless in the face of power that held capital.

“…What kind of relationship do you have with the Tower Master?”
“Let’s say I have leverage over her.”

I told a white lie for Riella’s honor.
This way, even if things go wrong later, it can be roughly smoothed over.

“Good work.”

Leaving behind the frozen vice tower master, I took the stairs going up.

Annoyingly, I have to climb quite high.
While they pursued convenience through magic in other areas, only the stairs remained old-fashioned.

Perhaps they didn’t want to lose the identity of being a ‘tower’?
Whatever the reason, the fact that it was inconvenient remained unchanged.
-They could make it so everyone could move between floors with spatial movement magic. I’m telling you, magicians have a strange side to them, don’t they?
“Indeed.”
While moderately entertaining the Sun Catcher’s chatter, I arrived in front of an iron door painted purple.
The Tower Master’s room.
I opened the door wide without hesitation.
“I’m here.”
“Mm.”
An indifferent response flew over.
Riella was focusing on her work without even looking at me.
“Are you busy?”
“Did you bring the documents I asked for?”
“I brought them all.”
“Put them down.”
“……”
She’s really treating me like a secretary.
I can’t hold up a busy person and argue, so I put the stack of papers I was holding on the work desk.
“What should I do now?”
“Sit and rest until I’m done.”
Looking at the high stack of documents, it doesn’t seem like she’ll finish anytime soon.
As instructed, I sat in a chair by the window and looked outside.
Today was cloudy with lots of clouds.
Maybe because there was no sunlight, I felt somewhat lonely for no reason.
-It’s expected to rain today. Don’t go out and stay inside.
“I have to anyway.”
I glanced over.
Riella’s back as she focused on work.
Her enthusiasm made me feel sorry to disturb her.
Still, I had to say what needed to be said.
Watching for the right timing, I quietly opened my mouth.
“When can we start the sage’s mental education?”
“Ah, right.”
Riella finally raised her head and looked at me.
“What should we do? I’ll be busy for the next few days.”
“Do you have that much work?”
“Don’t even mention it.”

From her posture of leaning back in the chair, I could guess how tired she was.

“You used a lot of mana to attack me, right? It’s because of that.”
“Why does that matter?”
“There’s a recent imperial decree. You need prior permission to use large amounts of mana.”

I roughly understood the circumstances.

“Is it to prevent large-scale disturbances?”
“Probably. But since we violated that…”
It seemed difficult to get help for the time being.
“You’re going to have a hard time?”
“…It’s because you invaded.”
“You brought it on yourself.”
Who told her to fire high-powered magic like ‘Great Annihilation’ recklessly?
It was clearly self-inflicted.
“Besides, I’m a victim too.”
“What kind of victim?”
“My robe. It didn’t even leave a trace because of the bombardment.”
“I gave you our tower’s robe. You’re wearing it well now.”
The tower robe.
It was the symbol of magicians belonging to the Purple Magic Tower.
It’s light and has functions like storing magic circles or mana, so it’s very useful.
It was a robe that turned my previous robe into mere rags.
But value isn’t formed simply by function and convenience.
“That robe was bought for me by Erin.”
“Ah…”
“She gave it to me as a gift, saying I should cover up because she found it uncomfortable how people stared at my face.”
That’s why I stubbornly wore the robe even in times when my infamy wasn’t known.
It was a precious treasure that I hardly ever took off except when fighting.

Now it’s turned to dust and buried on Mount Elpub.
“I’m sorry…”
“If you’re sorry, finish quickly and make some time. When do you think you can?”
“Three days later. That’s the best I can do.”

I’m already bored after one day, and now three days?
I already felt overwhelmed.

“Don’t you have anything to do in the meantime?”
“I do have something.”
Riella snapped her fingers and light leaked from her robe.
“What is it?”
“I made it so it leads to my personal space.”
“You want me to go there and rest?”
The sound of snapping fingers rang out again and a photo flew into my hand.
Glancing at it, I saw a small puppy.
Golden fur and a small body.
It seemed it hadn’t been born too long ago.
“It’s Woof-woof. Cute, isn’t it?”
“It is, but… why this?”
“It’s in my personal space. Go and take care of it.”
In other words, she meant for me to look after the dog.
“It’s shy, so be careful.”
“…Alright.”

I should have just pushed through with my way instead of yielding.
It was regret that came too late.

A platform next to a mountain cabin built beside a valley.
The sound of water trickling like background music is comforting.

The sky is high without a single cloud, and warm sunlight shines down.
It’s suitable weather for lying down and resting quietly.

-To think this is all fake! You really are amazing!
“That’s right.”

This was the valley Riella used as her personal space.
A scenic view created by magic.
This is why it’s called a power that creates wondrous miracles.

I heard she applied the illusion magic she used on me.
I have no idea about the principles, but it was clearly an amazing level.
If I could stay in this environment, even the role of dog sitter wouldn’t be bad.
Since being excommunicated, I’ve always spent time in uncomfortable places.
-But how long is that kid going to stay like that?
“Who knows.”

Woof-woof, the puppy Riella entrusted to me, was hiding behind a tree, avoiding my eyes.
It seemed to be wary of strangers.

-Could it be that it’s scared of you, Clitia-nim?
“Me?”

I’ve never been told I have a scary impression before.
I’ve heard endlessly that I don’t live up to my looks, though.

“Isn’t my appearance fine, even if my personality isn’t?”
-Not your looks. Your atmosphere might feel a bit… very frightening.

Is that so?
Just as I can’t easily sense the smell I give off, the same goes for my atmosphere.

-Try approaching with a smile.
“Will that ease its wariness?”
-Of course!

Since we have to stay together for three days, it’s better to become friends quickly.
Following the Sun Catcher’s advice, I approached Woof-woof with a bright smile.

-Oh dear…

For some reason, Woof-woof trembled in fear when it faced me.

-Clitia-nim, that’s not a smile, it’s death.
“I did my best.”
-You need to smile with goodwill.

Suddenly, I wondered why I was doing this.

“She told me to take care of it, not become friends with it.”
-Are those two different?
“They are.”

There’s no reason to forcibly become friends with something that’s scared of me in the first place.
Backing off at this point was the right thing for both of us.

Just as I finished rationalizing and turned around.
A strong impact hit the nape of my neck.

-Grrrr….

Teeth digging into flesh.
Woof-woof was growling and biting my neck.
Having transformed into a tiger-like size.

“That hurts.”

When I met its eyes nonchalantly, I felt it flinch.

“So you’re a monster, huh?”

I surrounded my elbow with aura and struck its head.
Woof-woof rolled on the ground and collapsed helplessly.

“I was just interested in communicating with monsters.”

I found something to focus on for three days.
At least it wouldn’t be boring.

“W-wait a moment.”

A desperate voice flowed from Woof-woof’s mouth.

“You can talk too?”

Ignoring that, I coated both my fists with aura.

“Even better. Shall we have some communication?”

First, it was time for a lesson in manners.