Published at 18th of October 2020 04:54:04 PM
Chapter 30: I Mean No Harm
Thankfully, Calian reached Teinansha Street before sunrise . However, he was certainly not in his best state . He had walked into the street practically lying down on Raven’s back .
A few people—they must have either woken up early or not slept at all—were walking on the street in their mage’s robes . Those who saw the suspicious person who was shriveled up on the back of a black horse flinched and backed away . Every time this happened, Raven’s hooves clacked on the pavement with a subtle sense of pride . He must have been reminded of attracting everybody’s attention during the march .
Calian, who was still lying down on Raven’s back, mumbled in defeat . “This isn’t the good kind of attention . Stop being so proud of it . It’s actually embarrassing me . ”
After finishing everything that he needed to do, all the exhaustion and pain hit Calian at once . He had gathered what little mana he had to use his aura . Even though he took his medicine, he was at his limit . He was left with no other choice but to use Raven’s back as a bed . It was a good thing that Raven was so smart . If he hadn’t returned to the Royal Road by himself, they wouldn’t have made it back on time .
Not long after, they arrived at the Mages’ Union headquarters that Alan had mentioned . When Calian stumbled into the building, the mages joyously greeted him . Euria, the leader of the Mages’ Union, came down herself and showed Calian into a room on the fourth floor .
It was a small study that could also be used to welcome guests . All kinds of books about magic filled the bookshelves that lined the walls . A knife ornament on the desk caught Calian’s eyes . It was oddly similar to the one that Calian had .
Alan was sitting on the couch . He was waiting for Calian without sleeping . Calian was so glad to see Alan after his long night and had to swallow his tears of gratefulness .
“Teacher . ”
Alan gaped as he stared at Calian’s worn-out appearance . “Did you get into a fight? Where in the world did you lose all your clothes?”
Calian laughed . “I didn’t get into a fight . About my clothes… it’s a long story . ”
He had only put up a front to threaten the men at the gambling grounds, and technically didn’t get into a fight . Alan scrunched up his nose, presumably from the foul smell of the gambling grounds that had oozed into Calian’s clothes . He snapped his finger . A fresh gust of air surrounded Calian and he instantly felt refreshed . Calian was overjoyed to know that it was cleaning magic .
“Thank you,” said Calian as he plopped onto the couch across Alan .
Alan closed the book that he was holding . “Did you finish everything that you needed to do?”
“Yes, for now . I think I’d have to come back out again in about a month . ”
Alan nodded . He would be willing to bring Calian outside next month as well .
Alan let go of his book in the air . To Calian’s surprise, the book fluttered away like a bird and nested itself into the bookshelf .
Alan saw Calian marveling at the book and explained, “A spell has been cast on the building . It allows you to move objects where you wish . Mages are very inactive creatures, you see . ”
“That’s quite something . ”
“Yes, even though it was probably more trouble to cast a spell on the whole building . That’s just what mages do, so don’t worry about it . ”
Calian laughed . He glanced at the object that had caught his eye earlier .
“But that knife isn’t something that mages don’t really use . ” commented Calian .
Alan followed Calian’s gaze and stared at the knife for a little too long .
“You’re right . There’s… a knife,” he said in a strangely unsettling voice .
Alan smiled bitterly . Calian turned towards Alan, slightly confused .
Although the object was sitting there like it was nothing, Euria held this treasure more valuable than her life . It was none other than Sispanian’s own creation . It was a magic device that warned of someone’s hidden weapon in the form of a desk ornament .
In other words, the fact that there was a knife ornament on the desk signified that Calian currently had a knife hidden away .
“It’s something that shouldn’t be there . ” Alan’s eyes sunk . “When people age, many things are supposed to change… but it seems that curiosity still thrives in me . ”
Calian’s face filled with confusion once again . Instead of explaining any further, Alan prepared his mana .
“As I have just told you, the objects in this room can move according to my will . All I need is to know how to connect my will to them, so there’s nothing difficult about it,” Alan continued .
Calian still couldn’t understand why Alan was saying all this . He was about to suggest that Alan slept a little, but could not get the words out .
“I wish people’s minds worked the same way—easily moved and understood . ”
Calian couldn’t get the words out because he saw the knife ornament slowly being lifted of the desk .
“But that is the one thing that can never be done . ”
The blade, which was sharper than needed be for an ornament, slowly turned towards Calian .
Calian narrowed his eyes . “Teacher—”
“If this is my only way of opening your mind, so be it . ”
Calian thought it was a joke . However, Alan didn’t stop .
— fwoosh!
The knife flew into Calian’s neck . Calian’s hand moved instinctively .
— clang!
The deafening sound of two blades striking each other rang throughout the study .
Complete silence settled in .
Alan stared .
He stared at the knife that was in Calian’s hand, the knife that was deflected into the wall—
And at Calian’s eyes that were as sharp as the knife’s blade .
Calian stared at Alan without a word, and Alan gazed back in silence .
It was Alan who broke the silence first .
“Please explain . ”
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