Chapter 6: Seth  

The mages of the Mage Tower scoured the mountain for half a day.  

Yet, they found nothing particularly suspicious.  

Only faint traces of unidentified mana lingered.  

There was no tangible evidence to confirm the presence of a chimera.  

The deeper parts of the forest yielded the same result.  

Talos speculated that “it” had already left the mountain.  

The vast and sprawling Levies Mountain Range has far more prey than this small mountain.  

A starving creature would have no reason to descend to the villa, nor would it linger in a mountain devoid of food.

Naturally, this was unwelcome news to the people at the villa.  

The search was called off, and the group returned to the mansion, but the Mage Tower party was not warmly received.  

Knight Andy, who had hoped they would bring back a corpse, openly expressed his dissatisfaction.  

This led to a clash with the elder mages, but for Rita, it was of little concern.  

She was far more preoccupied with the black mana she had glimpsed in the mountain and the figure sneaking glances at them from the second floor of the staircase.  

A young man with pink hair and timid green eyes.  

It was unmistakably Alois Gradius.  

Alois was spying on the corridor where the mages and the knight were arguing.  

“Isn’t that him? The second son of the ducal family. They say he’s sickly—guess it’s true,” 

Blena remarked, glancing curiously toward the staircase.  

Rita, however, gave a small scoff at the word “sickly.”  

Due to past events, nobles harbored a deep-seated prejudice that “mages are lowly and sinister.”  

As a result, they considered it shameful for a mage to be born into their family.  

Alois Gradius was one such case.  

The duke, concerned about the family’s reputation among nobles, had skillfully packaged it as an illness.  

Perhaps because he was self-studying magic, Alois was intently observing the Mage Tower’s guests.  

His eyes sparkled so brightly that even the elder mages, embroiled in their argument with the knight, were momentarily speechless.  

“Hmph. Some Tower Master. Can’t even track down a single chimera. Utterly pathetic,” 

Knight Andy muttered, aware of Alois’s presence, before reluctantly turning away.  

His persistent arrogance sparked fiery outrage from the elder mages, Blena, and Seth.  

While their voices rose, Rita stole a glance at the hiding Alois.  

Their eyes met, and Alois gave a bright smile.  

It was the kind of demeanor one might show when greeting a welcome guest.  

For Rita, who had only ever received cold or uncomfortable looks from Alois, this was an entirely unfamiliar gaze.  

Was that guy always this cheerful? 

He was always timid, withdrawn, and couldn’t even meet my eyes. 

This is… unexpected.  

Rita found herself unable to look away from Alois for a long time.  

***

That night, past midnight, Rita sprang into action.  

They must be asleep by now, right?  

Rita waved her hand in front of Blena’s sleeping face.  

Thankfully, there was no reaction.  

Relieved, Rita grabbed her staff and quietly slipped out of the room.  

Evading the patrolling knights was a simple task for a first-class mage.  

Soon, Rita reached the darkened garden and deftly climbed over the stone wall.  

She then bolted toward the mountain.  

“Creation drawn from dreams.”  

Upon reaching the mountain’s base, Rita closed her eyes and focused on her visualization.  

Sturdy four legs, a flowing mane, a secure saddle and stirrups, and tough reins.  

The mana gathered in her hands gradually spread like clouds, forming the shape of a large, sleek horse as she envisioned.  

The translucent blue horse snorted and trotted elegantly, as lifelike as a real animal.  

Satisfied, Rita patted its neck and swiftly mounted it.  

A mage’s summoned creature.  

Its duration and appearance depend on the mage’s mana reserves and visualization skill, with versatility varying by form.  

However, summoning consumes significant mana, so mages like Rita, who use it for transportation, are exceedingly rare.  

I need to reach Aide Hill just before dawn, no matter what. 

After scouting the area, if there’s no issue, I’ll head straight back to the Mage Tower.  

Rita nodded to herself, calculating her escape route.  

What could possibly go wrong?  

At that moment, Rita’s plan seemed flawless.  

***

It happened while she was galloping, tightly gripping the reins.  

Rita suddenly sensed an unfamiliar mana behind her and halted abruptly.  

“What’s that? A chimera, or…?”  

She quickly dispelled her summon and hid behind a large tree, peering toward the rear.  

Whatever it is, it’s definitely following me.  

The faint mana was growing closer.  

Rita’s eyes narrowed sharply.  

It wasn’t the same mana she had sensed during the day.  

This felt closer to something natural.  

It’s not like a beast’s mana. 

Could there really be a chimera here?  

Puzzled but alert, Rita launched an immediate attack as the mana drew near.  

“Piercing Flame!”  

Her staff transformed into a blazing spear, aimed to choke the life out of her pursuer.  

Just as the deadly flames were about to pierce the target’s throat, Rita caught sight of an unexpected face and hurriedly withdrew her weapon.  

A man with long red hair.  

There was only one person she knew who fit that description.  

“Seth?”  

Her question made Seth’s eyes waver.  

Swept up by the powerful mana and slammed into a tree, Seth’s pale face contorted with displeasure.  

***

“What the hell, you…”  

The searing heat on his neck, as if it could burn him alive, was less terrifying than the cold, indifferent look in Rita’s eyes.  

Seth was shaken by her unhesitating attempt to kill him.  

Moreover, the Rita he faced had the eyes of someone who had taken lives before.  

Having lost his family to bandits in the past, Seth knew those eyes all too well.  

“Seth? Why are you here?”  

Startled, Rita quickly retracted her staff.  

As the flames fully dissipated, Seth clutched his stinging neck and scowled.  

“…You’re awfully bold for someone sneaking around suspiciously.”  

His sharp, icy retort made Rita press her forehead in frustration.  

Damn it. 

I was so careful, but of all people, Seth had to catch me.  

Trying to stay calm and sound natural, she offered an excuse.  

“It’s nothing. I went for a walk and got lost…”  

“You got lost right after climbing the wall? And then summoned a creature? With the mansion right behind you?”  

Under Seth’s piercing gaze, Rita subtly averted her eyes.  

She needed a plausible excuse to satisfy him.  

“Actually, I was curious about the chimera from earlier. So I came out to investigate alone.”  

“If that’s the case, I’ll join you.”  

Seth stepped away from the tree, straightening his clothes, and added to the flustered Rita, 

“Since you came out secretly, you’ll face discipline. To make up for it, you’d better catch something.”  

It was a logical choice from Seth’s perspective, but it was troublesome for Rita.  

She had anticipated his stubborn personality to some extent, but she couldn’t think of a way to shake him off.  

“Then, Seth, you check that side. I’ll take this one.”  

Pointing in the opposite direction, Rita hoped to separate from him.  

Seth nodded silently, and just as Rita sighed in relief at his cooperation—  

“What are you two doing out here?”  

Rita whipped her head around to see Blena approaching. 

Her face paled.  

“Blena? Why are you here…?”  

Blena trotted over and pointed at Seth matter-of-factly.  

“I saw you sneaking out and wondered where you were going, so I went to the window. Then I saw Seth climbing out of his window in the next room. When I saw you heading into the mountain, he jumped down and chased after you. So I got worried and followed.”  

Still chattering as usual, Blena grinned cheekily.  

Her claim of being “worried” was obviously a lie.  

A second-class mage worrying about a first-class mage was absurdly meddlesome.  

She had clearly followed them out of curiosity.  

Rita, of course, saw right through her.  

Letting out a heavy sigh, Rita racked her brain but found no solution.  

In the end, she nodded weakly.  

“Fine, Blena. That works out. You take that side, then. The three of us can cover the mountain more efficiently and save time.”  

Rita forced a smile as she looked at the two.  

Seth seemed to agree, but Blena pouted.  

“What? You and Seth are first-class, and I’m just second-class. How am I supposed to wander this mountain alone, especially at night?”  

“A second-class mage who could level a mountain if she wanted to shouldn’t say that.”  

“The point is the chimera, Rita. This is a mountain where an unidentified chimera might be lurking!”  

“But you’re second-class. A chimera should be—”  

“Oh, we’re wasting time! Let’s just deal with this together!”  

Blena was relentless.  

Rita pressed her forehead again.  

Blena’s personality was such that once something piqued her interest, she’d cling to it and meddle to the end.  

In a bind, Rita glanced at Seth for help.  

But Seth turned his head, clearly uninterested.  

Feeling Blena’s silent pressure, Rita fidgeted with the teleportation stone in her pocket.  

“Blena, please. Can’t you just go back to the mansion?”  

“No way. And it’s scary to go back alone.”  

“Then use my teleportation stone…”  

“No way. I’m not going back alone.”  

“Then go back with Seth…”  

“What? I can’t leave you out here alone!”  

“I’m first-class. I’ll be fine on my own…”  

“First-class or not, you don’t have combat experience!”  

“Well, that’s…”  

Rita couldn’t admit she’d spent a year in the subjugation force. 

Her words caught in her throat, and she nodded resignedly.  

“…Fine. Then, Seth, I’ll go with Blena. You take that side.”  

She pointed in the opposite direction again.  

But Seth stopped abruptly and said something absurd.  

“I think it’s better if we all stick together.”  

“What…?”  

“Blena’s second-class. You’re first-class. But neither of you has fought a chimera before. It’s better if I, someone who knows how to fight, stay with you.”  

“I… understand. That makes sense, but actually, I…”  

Rita couldn’t bring herself to say she knew how to fight, and her words faltered again.  

This is bad. 

I need to get to Aide Hill before sunrise.  

Blena alone would’ve been manageable, but Seth’s inflexible stubbornness made this the worst-case scenario.  

Should I just give up?  

In this hopeless situation, Rita briefly considered abandoning her plan.  

But if not today, she wouldn’t have another chance to go to the northern edge for a long time.  

Moreover, the black mana she’d sensed earlier needed to be investigated as soon as possible.  

Forcing an artificial smile, Rita relented.  

“Alright. Let’s move together, then.”  

With a strained expression, she summoned her creature again.  

Blena, grinning ear to ear, began her own visualization.  

***

Meanwhile, Seth stole a glance at Rita’s summon.  

Though they were all horses, Rita’s was so lifelike and intricately crafted that it seemed almost real.  

Such a level of manifestation was rare even among elder mages, leaving Seth puzzled.  

When did Rita grow this much?  

As Rita took the lead without hesitation, Blena raised her hand excitedly.  

“Wait, Rita. Why are you acting like you’re in charge?”  

“Then, Blena, you take the lead…”  

“I’d love to, but I’m second-class. And honestly, Seth seems more reliable than you.”  

“Then Seth can lead.”  

“No way,” Seth said, turning his head.  

Rita stared at Blena, who made a reluctant face but eventually nodded.  

“Well, you’re not a bad fit either. But if a fight breaks out, I’m sticking with Seth. He’s gone out to hunt chimeras a few times, so he’s got more real combat experience, right, Seth?”  

Seth nodded as if it were obvious.  

Compared to Rita, who was holed up in the Mage Tower with research, he, who had tracked and fought chimeras, was clearly more experienced.  

Feeling triumphant, Seth glanced at Rita.  

He expected her to bristle or at least look annoyed.  

But, surprisingly, Rita seemed indifferent and focused on taking the lead.  

Seth, who had subtly tried to provoke her, was the one left flustered.  

Is Rita really as strange as the others say? 

Or has she just matured?  

Unlike before, Rita no longer fixated on Talos.  

She didn’t dismiss or act arrogantly toward her peers either.  

Like an enlightened sage, Rita was calm and serene.  

Her once-empty gray eyes now shimmered with clarity and coldness.  

What is Rita looking at now? 

What lies within those cold gray eyes?  

Seth’s gaze, which had always followed Talos, began to linger on Rita.