Chapter 3 – Magic Supremacy
“It’s a little small, but please, come in.”
“Sorry to intrude.”
I was led by Luna into a room in a building in a back alley.
There were hardly any furnishings inside, and it felt quite sparse.
“I’ll make some tea. Please wait a moment.”
“I appreciate it.”
Sitting on a chair and waiting for a little while, Luna brought me some tea.
“Here you are. It’s not very expensive,”
“No, the price isn’t the issue. It’s the fact that Luna is serving it that matters.”
“Ah, thank you very much.”
Luna’s ears turned a slight crimson and busily touched her hair.
Deciding to try the tea of this country right away, I took a sip.
“Delicious. It has a unique aroma from the leaves.”
“This is black tea. Is this your first time drinking it?”
“Yeah. But it really is good.”
“Fufu. I’m glad if you like it,”
She said with a smile, bringing a hand to her mouth.
“May I ask you a question?”
“Yes. What is it?”
I inquired about something that was bothering me.
“What is ‘Magia Heim’?”
“It refers to the world of magic supremacy. This kingdom is the leader of that world.”
“…I see. That makes sense,” I said, understanding at last.
Is this what they call Magia Heim , the World of magic supremacy?
One of my doubts was cleared.
“By the way… Ayame-san, you’re a swordsman, right?”
“Exactly.”
“This society is very strict for swordsmen. Especially in this kingdom.”
“No problem. No matter the adversity, I will overcome it.”
Even if swordsmen are treated coldly, my way of being would not change.
Simply, I will follow my Bushidō.
“Luna, I have no way to earn a living. I intend to stay in this kingdom for a while, but is there any work you know of? Ideally something where my sword skills would be useful.”
“In that case, I recommend becoming an adventurer. Should we go to the guild? You can handle the procedures there.”
“Thank you. Then, I’ll go.”
“Understood… If Ayame-san is okay with that,.”
We left the house and headed to what I assumed was the adventurers’ guild.
“Oh, wow. That’s huge. And there are so many people.”
Huge numbers of people came in and out of the massive building, moving busily nonstop.
“Ayame-san, you can do the paperwork here at the reception desk.”
“Got it.”
Luna guided me to the reception desk.
“I want to become an adventurer. Is that possible?”
“Yes. Anyone can become an adventurer,”
“That’s helpful,.”
The receptionist smiled warmly and responded.
“However, you’re not a magician, are you?”
“Yeah, I can’t use magic or anything.”
“Is it okay to register as a swordsman then?”
“Yes, please.”
“Then I’ll issue your adventurer card. Also, please place your hand on this crystal.”
“What’s this?”
“It measures your magical power. Officially, you’ll start at the lowest rank, F-rank, but if your magic power is high, your rank might be a bit higher.”
“Understood.”
I placed my hand on the crystal, but there was no particular reaction.
“No reaction, huh?”
“Is that a problem?”
“N-no…! But if that’s the case, it would be very difficult to succeed as an adventurer…”
The receptionist also looked quite uncomfortable, with a very awkward expression.
Although I don’t have magical power or anything like that—probably the source of a magician’s power—I can sense that my willpower still dwells within me.
Maybe it’s because the form doesn’t match that it’s become unmeasurable.
“Haha! A swordsman these days! And no magical power either!”
“Slung around your waist like that, you look pathetic.”
“Why’s an endangered species like you even here?”
I quickly understood that I was being spoken about behind my back.
I see. So this is how a swordsman is treated.
“Sorry. I have one question.”
“Huh? What is it?”
A group of three gathers around while I show up. I had something I genuinely wanted to ask.
“Is magic or whatever it is really that superior?”
“Huh? Are you mocking me?”
“No, it’s just a pure question.”
“Ha. Well, I’ll show you—fireball!”
He points his right hand at me, and as he chants “fireball,” energy concentrates in his palm, from which a flame erupts.
“Oh! Amazing! Is this magic?!”
I casually wave away the fireball headed toward me with my right hand.
The fireball dissipates into nothingness, with sparks of flame fluttering down.
“Huh?”
“Thank you. That was very helpful.”
“Ah, y-yeah…”
I quickly return to the reception girl and resume the paperwork.
“Sorry. I was away for a moment.”
“No, it’s fine. Could it be that you can neutralize magic?”
“Huh? No, I just paid it out normally.”
“I see… this way…”
The receptionist looks quite surprised.
“All right, here is your Adventurer’s Card.”
“Thank you.”
I receive the adventurer’s card from her. My name and rank are written on it.
“You can accept quests from the quest board over there, explore, defeat monsters, and gather materials. Your rank will increase according to your contributions.”
“I understand.”
“Then, I wish you good luck.”
That concludes the procedures. It was surprisingly simple.
“Ayame-san. Looks like everything went smoothly.”
“Yeah. The process was straightforward and saved me some trouble.”
“Adventurers are always recruiting new members, after all. And it’s dangerous work too.”
“I see.”
As the two of us are talking, suddenly the guild starts to stir with noise.
“Hey.”
“That’s…”
“They said he’s already an A-rank.”
“As expected from someone from a prestigious background. He’s aiming to join the Mage Corps, I bet?”
“Seems like it. As I thought, his talent is different from ours.”
A man comes walking in with people behind him. Not just his appearance, but his aura as well.
He pushes back his bright red hair and has a very well-structured face.
That man approaches directly, somehow heading toward us.
“Luna. Have you considered the matter I told you about?”
“Carter-sama…”
“Call me Erik. We’re supposed to be close, aren’t we?”
“Erik-sama… well, I’m still thinking about it.”
From an outsider’s perspective, we overhear their conversation, but Luna looks frightened.
Her gaze is unfocused, and unconsciously, she is curling up her body.
I decided to offer a helping hand.
“I’m sorry. Do you have something to say to her?”
“What’s your name? Ah, a swordsman?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hahaha! It’s been a while since I’ve seen a swordsman! Are you here to become an adventurer by any chance?”
“Exactly so.”
His tone, gaze, and expression all clearly showed he was looking down on me.
“I feel sorry for trash swordsmen with no magic power and no talent who misunderstand and try to become adventurers. But I’ll tell you this for your own good—stop it. A swordsman cannot succeed as an adventurer.”
“That’s for me to decide. However, I appreciate the warning.”
“You… Do you even know who I am and are still talking to me like that?”
“I’m sorry. I just arrived in the kingdom and am not familiar with the current situation.”
“Ku… Kuheheh! Let me show you what happens if you defy me, the Count’s family.”
Eric smoothly raised his right hand. This gesture signified activating magic.
“Please stop! Ayame-san is still unfamiliar with this country! I apologize sincerely—please, I beg you…!”
Luna stepped in between us and bowed her head deeply.
“Then, you agree to the matter I mentioned earlier? If so, I’ll let this go.”
“That’s…”
I don’t understand what they’re talking about, but I can’t afford to trouble Luna.
“I won’t ask for forgiveness. You may indeed be a talented person, but is it in a magician’s nature to oppress others?”
“Huh? You really seem eager to die, don’t you?”
Earlier, he had been holding back, but now Eric concentrated his magical power in his right hand and activated a spell.
“──Lightning Spear”
What appeared was a spear of lightning. It shot out instantly, aiming to pierce my face— but I drew my sword and sliced it apart.
“Nullified? It’s some sort of special magic tool. Where did you get that?”
“Eric-sama. I suppose things are starting to become quite the commotion.”
“Tch. Fine. Luna, wait until we meet again. And you—”
“Ayame.”
“Ayame. Remember this. As a noble duty of the aristocracy, I will, in time, give you proper education.”
With that, Eric and the others left.
“Luna, let’s go.”
“Ah…”
I took her hand and headed outside the guild.
This situation seems to be more serious than I thought.
I hope I can be of even a little help, so I decide to ask Luna about the situation.