If two wizards were playing a game of tag, who would have the advantage—the pursuer or the one being chased?
The answer would be the one being pursued. In a wizard-versus-wizard mirror match, even the slightest bit of preparation time could tip the scales in favor of the defender.
The one being chased had several options. He could choose the battlefield, attempt to evade his pursuer, or—
“Halt.
“H-Halt⋯⋯!”
I skidded to a stop and hurled a stone at the corner wall.
Woong—! Booom-!
A hidden magic circle flashed red before erupting in a scatter of flames. The opposing wall exploded, leaving behind a gaping hole.
Sweeping my cloak to disperse the black smoke, I started running once again.
“How did he set up magic traps in such a short time⋯⋯.”“He must have realized early on that he was being tracked—and he’s not the type to just run. He’s aggressive. He might even launch a counterattack while on the move, so be careful.”
Gulp .
I heard Selvier swallow hard.
She seemed quite nervous, but I wasn’t worried about her freezing up in combat or holding me back. She was a hardworking wizard with sharp instincts.
If I created an opening for her, she would more than hold her own.
“⋯⋯Professor, aren’t you nervous?”
“Me? Not really.”
There was no reason to be nervous at all.
I was confident in both winning and escaping. Even in the worst-case scenario, I could still make it out alive. How could I feel nervous when the equation for victory was right in front of me?
After disarming two more magic traps, we finally caught up with our target.
K something stood in a small clearing, waiting.
His hair was disheveled and his beard scruffy. The Red Magic Tower robe he wore was in tatters, frayed at the edges. If he crouched on a street corner with his eyes hidden, someone might have even mistaken him for a beggar.
Yes, his eyes. His eyes burned with some kind of strange, fervent desire.
“Are you wizards from the Red Tower? Have you come to kill me?”
“⋯⋯Yes. I am Selvier, a wizard of the Red Magic Tower, and I’ve come to execute you.”
“The same goes for me. I hear you’ve done plenty of wicked things, huh? Karma has a way of catching up to everyone eventually. For you, that time is now.”
“Heu⋯⋯.”
Swiiish.
Something octahedral flickered around him before vanishing. I recognized the sensation immediately. It felt oddly familiar—like looking at a piece of myself.
That was it.
One of my modules scattered across the world.
Judging by how it orbited around K something, it seemed it was currently recognizing him as its master.
That was actually good news.
After all, what would happen if an artifact he relied on was suddenly hacked and stabbed him in the back? A betrayal at the perfect moment—it would certainly make for an effective surprise attack.
Carefully, I wiggled my fingers, sending a subtle signal. A quiet command to the module. Your true master has arrived, so stop this inappropriate affair and return to me.
[External administrator code confirmed. Connecting⋯⋯.]
While I whispered to the module, K something spoke to Selvier, his voice tinged with nostalgia.
“⋯⋯How is the Red Tower Master? I hope they aren’t ill. Are they still as beautiful and noble as ever?”
“What? Why are you suddenly asking that⋯⋯? You were expelled.”
“It wasn’t exile. I only sought to become someone worthy of the Red Tower Master. But those who knew nothing grew envious of my efforts… and kicked me out with false accusations.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! The records are clear and it was verified—you ambushed and murdered your fellow wizards!”
K something fell silent for a moment before muttering, as if recalling the past.
“⋯⋯They stood in my way, blind to their own insignificance. I only ever said that people could be burned for power. It wouldn’t even violate Imperial Law if I bought worthless slaves in bulk to use as fuel.”
“That’s human sacrifice! You were openly planning to use black magic?!”
“It’s different. Completely different. I don’t touch their souls.”
“What kind of nonsense are you⋯⋯.”
Selvier flinched, as if his words alone were enough to make her recoil.
Using people as fuel was already far beyond normal. He was no different from a Dark Wizard.
Though, clearly, he didn’t see it that way.
Now, I could guess why K something had burned down the Dark Wizard’s base and stolen my fragment. The city was in a completely ignorant state due to the module’s power.
No one would care if dozens—or even hundreds—of people were burned as sacrifices. It was a feast, served on a silver platter.
And K something had been waiting for the perfect moment to begin the slaughter.
Whooooosh—!!
Fire erupted violently around K something, then rapidly converged into a single point, shifting and twisting as it took form. A pointed snout, rows of teeth, an elongated body—until the flames fully solidified into a massive, living serpent.
“Metamorphosis(羽化) -『Flame Serpent of Courtship(求愛炎巳)』.”
The serpent’s head was as large as a person, and its coiled body easily exceeded ten meters in length. Though it left a trail of soot in its wake, the fire did not spread—the flames were pure, condensed energy.
So this was how he wielded such precise control over fire.
“I’ve nurtured my flames relentlessly while working as a mercenary. I will devour and grow until this serpent becomes the sun itself—and then, I shall offer that sun to the Red Tower Master⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
The flicker of longing in K something’s eyes was deeply unsettling. Everything he had done, every action, every crime, had been in pursuit of the Red Tower Master’s approval—only to be cast aside in the end.
[Connection complete.]
Good, the communication had linked at just the right moment.
Hey module. Hit K something with a mental attack. I’ll follow up with the flame harpoon hidden in my sleeve!
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]
“⋯⋯⋯⋯?”
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]
You bastard, you’ve got to be kidding me.
[Connection session has expired. Please re-authenticate your accredited certificate.]
It was slacking off. Now, of all times!
No—wait. Could it be…?
A memory flashed through my mind. That one time when the 『Psychopath Module』 had activated after the news of Pink-Haired Lesbian’s coma, forcing me to manually shut it down.
Was it still holding a grudge over that⋯⋯? And now that it had gained independence from me, it was getting revenge at the worst possible moment?
“You crazy—whatever TV bastard!”
“⋯⋯You’re loud. And speaking nonsense. I’ll turn you to firewood first.”
K something raised a finger and pointed it at me.
Whoosh, hisssssss—!!
The massive Flame Serpent surged forward, scattering soot across the ground as it lunged.
Dodging too early would be pointless. I had to move at the exact moment its trajectory became locked in.
Right… now⋯⋯!
“『Propulsion』.”
Before I could launch myself, the Flame Serpent’s entire body ignited with a violent burst of fire, accelerating like a rocket.
I also accelerated using mana, but I couldn’t avoid it completely—
Schzzzzz──!!
“Keuaaaack-!”
“P-Professor?!”
My left arm was instantly incinerated, torn away and reduced to ashes.
I hit the ground hard, rolling in agony as the pain flooded my senses. The overwhelming shock left me momentarily defenseless. Losing a limb meant a drastic drop in my ability to form hand seals or draw magic circles.
Without a way to cast spells, I was as good as neutralized.
⋯⋯Or he so thought!
My arm wasn’t burned. It was completely fine. Before the Flame Serpent could bite it off, I had ‘stored’ it inward.
I wasn’t human anymore—I was an information lifeform. Just like how a cat could retract its claws, I had evaded the attack by converting my arm into data and pulling it into my torso.
And, naturally, I had set up a deception. Wasn’t acting my specialty?
Judging by his reaction, it worked.
I mean, who in their right mind would think, “This guy must have the ability to store his own limbs, I should be careful.”
This was practically a free surprise attack ticket.
Now it’s your turn, Selvier! I’ll land an unexpected blow, so if you could just distra⋯⋯!
“Ah, aheu⋯⋯.”
Ah.
My acting even broke Selvier’s mental state.
Yuna or Yuri would have caught on immediately. They knew how I fought, how I operated. They would have understood my intent in an instant.
But Selvier didn’t know this me.
She only knew the past me.
That difference in perception had led to a miscalculation. I made a mistake.
Fine. Time to change the plan. If she was already shaken—
“⋯⋯Selvier, run! I will be fine!”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯!!”
I needed to push her further.
Take it all in. I would become the heroine in distress.
If this triggered Selvier’s Metamorphosis right here, right now⋯⋯!
This battle would be ours.
This wasn’t a gamble.
I had observed her growth from the very beginning. I was 90% certain.
She was already at the threshold.
Absorb the emotions. Face yourself.
And bloom!
===============================================================
Past and present overlapped in Selvier’s vision.
He had always stood in front of her.
When the village adults beat her. When she was nearly sold off.
Even now.
“⋯⋯You’re annoyingly fast, even with a missing arm.”
“No, you’re just slow! You couldn’t even finish off one exhausted mage even with such a powerful Metamorphosis—no wonder you were expelled from the Red Tower!”
“I’ll roast you slowly until you die.”
A desperate battle.
Each time the Crazy Wizard fired Flame Harpoons from his sleeve, the Flame Serpent lashed its tail to shield its master. Weaker flames were swallowed by stronger ones, leaving no trace behind.
And when the serpent coiled and lunged, jaws gaping wide, Crazy Wizard barely dodged by throwing himself out of the way.
Kravellin Render’s Metamorphosis was a perfect fusion of offense and defense. Its ability to absorb Fire Magic made him a direct counter to Red Tower wizards.
Even so—
Her childhood friend was still fighting, even with one arm gone.
“Get away from him⋯⋯! 『Fierce Breath of the Fire Spirit』!”
Selvier unleashed a relentless barrage of Fire Magic, but the Flame Serpent obliterated everything with a single writhing motion. Effortlessly.
“『Flame Spear』, 『Spiral Explosion』⋯⋯!!”
She poured every last drop of her mana into her attacks, every ounce of effort she had accumulated until now—
But nothing reached him.
The situation only grew worse.
Her hands trembled.
If the magic she had spent her entire life mastering didn’t work—what else could she do?
What could she do…?
Fear welled up inside her.
Would she lose her childhood friend again? She had just found him. Until she could meet with her sun from her memories⋯⋯ she was so close to that.
Woooosh──!!
“Keueuck⋯⋯?!”
“How long do you intend to struggle? You’re not even trying to run. Is it to protect that woman? Then… will you give up if I turn her to ash first?”
Kravellin Render’s gaze turned to Selvier. And in the next instant, the Flame Serpent lunged at her, jaws wide open.
She couldn’t read its trajectory. Though it moved in a straight line, its body undulated like waves, shifting unpredictably. Even if she dodged, it would simply correct its course.
The heat. The crushing pressure.
Her childhood friend had been dodging this the entire time?
He was a monster.
Just before she was about to be swallowed—
Boom!
“—Selvier!”
Gagagagagack-!
Her childhood friend crashed into her like a missile, rolling across the ground while shielding her with his body. The Flame Serpent scraped past them, searing the earth. Even from a distance, the sheer heat made their skin burn.
Had he used Explosion Magic as propulsion to fling himself toward her?
Even with his body battered, drenched in blood and sweat—he forced out a small, tired smile.
“⋯⋯Leave this to me. Go. I’ll draw his attention—I have a plan.”
“What about, what about you⋯⋯?!”
“If you run first, I’ll find my own way out. Do you trust me?”
Liar.
If such a method existed, he would have used it already.
Yet, despite everything, he forced himself to his feet. Deliberately, he stepped forward and fired magic to keep the enemy’s focus on him. His back looked… fragile. As if it might vanish like a mirage.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Even in this dangerous situation, her heart pounded.
And then—Selvier finally understood. Even if he had lost his memories, the things she loved about him had never changed.
He had always been himself.
The one who had been looking away—was Selvier.
The one who stubbornly refused to accept him as her childhood friend—was Selvier.
Was it greed?
Was the reason why Selvier wanted to restore his memories not because she wanted her childhood friend back⋯⋯ but because she wanted him to look at her?
Because there were two rivals—two people who stood too far ahead for her to ever reach—Had she wanted to stand beside him, even if it meant clinging to memories?
Because she didn’t want to remain just a student to him?
Had she been waiting, refusing to accept reality, until he became her ‘childhood friend’ again?
“⋯⋯How pathetic.”
It was pathetic.
⋯⋯If they could meet again, there were so many things she wanted to do.
She had waited for so long.
For ten years, she had lived like a sunflower, always yearning for the light.
She wanted to talk about old memories from their hometown, to proudly share how hard she had worked to find him, to hear his praise. To ask him to pat her head. To hold hands.
And when the golden hues of sunset faded into a sky full of stars, she would finally put into words the feelings she had been unable to express back then. She would let them ride the wind, hoping they would reach him at last.
Maybe then, she could fill the unshakable loneliness that had clung to her for so long.
But because of her own selfishness—because she hesitated, because she clung to the past—
Was he going to die before she could even tell him?
No.
She refused to accept that ending.
Even if he never remembered her, even if her feelings remained unrequited—
That was a hundred, a thousand times better than losing him forever.
Because in truth, what Selvier truly wished for was──
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Drop. Driip.
She thought the wetness on her cheeks were tears.
But it was rain.
Regret, was late.
Regret always came too late.
Selvier rose to her feet, staggering.
She had to do something. Anything.
And at that final moment—
The shape of her heart became clear.
What she had always admired about her childhood friend was—
He had always helped others.
But no one had ever helped him.
So⋯⋯.
She would be the one.
Selvier wanted to become the sun that illuminated his path.
So—
===============================================================
Driiiip. Swaaaaa ──!
Rain poured from the heavens, drumming violently against the earth. Droplets struck the Flame Serpent’s body, evaporating instantly into steam. Rising back to the sky.
But the serpent showed no signs of weakening even when it was drenched in the fierce rain.
I let out a deep sigh. It seemed like we would have to scrap the plan.
Originally, I had planned to retrieve the data fragment orbiting K something. Now, I was considering forcing it to self-destruct instead. That would definitely create an opening to escape.
If only it had returned to me when I had asked nicely. Just as I staggered, pretending to fumble while inputting the ‘Hey Siri, self-destruct’ command—
Driip, drop.
Selvier stepped forward through the rain.
Slowly.
There was no hesitation in her stride. No fear in her eyes.
She met my gaze, inhaled deeply, and said—
“If I said I would burn only for you… would that sound strange?”
“⋯⋯It’s a little sudden, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy. It’s always a grateful thing when someone wants to help you, isn’t it?”
“I’m glad. That you think so.”
Then⋯⋯ had she finally bloomed?
I hid my secretly pounding heart as I studied her expression. She had a look of quiet pride on her face, like a younger sister showing off high test scores to an older brother.
“I don’t need Kravellin Render or the 『Gate of Advancement』 anymore. I don’t need to cling to such trivial means—because I’m already confirmed as the Red Tower Master’s disciple. And—“
“And?”
“I don’t need the Wish Ticket anymore either.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯?”
I blinked, caught off guard.
Had she just abandoned her lifelong goal?
Had she undergone some dark evolution instead of Metamorphosis? No, her expression wasn’t that gloomy⋯⋯?
While I stood there with a question mark on my face, Selvier protectively moved in front of me.
And then—proudly, boldly—she declared.
“For taking my childhood friend’s arm… I shall return that pain tenfold, Kravellin Render.”
“You, who could do nothing but cower in the corner while your companion was getting hurt—what can you possibly do now? I’m really curious.”
“⋯⋯I’m the one protecting this time. So just watch from there… Brother.”
Bzzzzz—
A brilliant glow erupted from her body.
Light and fire intertwined, spiraling upward.
A beam of radiance shot from her chest, linking directly to my heart.
I could feel her emotions. It seemed like she wanted to protect me. Somehow, I found that sentiment incredibly admirable—and I couldn’t help but smile.
I understood instinctively.
Selvier’s Metamorphosis was one born for me.
Its ability was immensely powerful, but with a singular condition—
It could only activate when I was nearby. Was this how she was expressing her desire to stay next to her childhood friend?
Selvier’s entire being blazed like the sun. And there was a radiant halo above her head.
That form strongly resembled an angel. Therefore—
Metamorphosis(羽化), 『Flame Angel(焰天使)』.
***
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