SSMDTSKKYIKSSKS – Chapter 1. [Interlude 7]

Chapter 1. [Interlude 7]
“Flying Things”

 

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[So. Why do we have to be here?]

[I don’t know if you ask me. I don’t know, but since it’s Lieutenant General Lambert, he must have an agenda.]

[…… I know the military unleashed a stupid magic trick, but why is it here?]

In a crowded area near the High School of Magic, a boy from the dragon tribe and a red-haired young man was having such an exchange while leaning their backs against the wall of a building.

Ludio had only one task for them. He wanted them to keep an eye on the High School of Magic.

However, the High School of Magic is closed. Perhaps it is closed temporarily, or perhaps there is no staff to be seen.

This shouldn’t do anything even if forbidden techniques were used, but what is that half-elf lieutenant general thinking? Julian says, not amused.

[I thought he said to those beasts to don’t die. And since he told it to us too, I wondered what the hell he’s going to make us do. …… We’ve been on watch here for a few hours and nothing’s happened. Boring.]

[It would be best if nothing happened. If something should happen to Her Majesty the Queen, who should have been here by now, it would be more than a matter of diplomatic relations.]

[He told them not to come, but they came, so they got what they deserved. If they want me to escort them, let me do it.]

[…… you, who’ll go to the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. His dignity is in question.]

[Well, then..]

Silver eyes glared at Keith, but he stood with his eyes closed and did not move an inch.

His earnestness was so dampened that Julian asked him a question.

[Hey, I’ve been wondering what’s with that very big sword?]

In Keith’s hand was a sword so large that it reached from the ground to his chest. He thrust the tip of the sword into the ground, seemingly ready for action at a moment’s notice if anything happens.

[I’m not sure what to call it. This is the holy sword ‘Fire Giza’. It is an heirloom of my family, made by a master Dwarf craftsman. Once held, it can dramatically strengthen its owner’s magical power and unleash tremendous magic.]

[I see. As a mage, it is an indispensable weapon for you.]

[The name means “fang of flame” in the ancient language of the dwarves, and as the name implies, it is specialized in the art of flame technique. I am skilled in the use of flames, but I am not good at other techniques. That is why I have this holy sword to maximize the effectiveness of the techniques I am good at. Well, I have hardly ever wielded it before.]

[You have to have talent or you’re going to struggle.]

Keith grunts at Julian’s relentless words.

But soon after, the dragon boy continued.

[I only have a talent for magic. I’m a little better at handling them than other dragons. I can’t blow people away with my bare hands as you guys can, and I can’t swing a big sword around and slash at them.]

[You may be small in stature, but with some training, you will soon be able to master martial arts and swordsmanship.]

[It’s useless, that sort of thing.]

The boy continues with a sigh of

[I just can’t keep my strength up. No matter how hard I try, neither muscle strength nor stamina improves. It’s the evil of a dragon disguised as a human being.]

[What do you mean?]

[The pure-blooded dragon tribe shows its true value when it assumes its true form. However, once they leave the land of Zenan, they cannot maintain their dragon form for long. That is why they disguise themselves as humans. No matter how hard they try in their temporary form, it doesn’t matter.]

[…… You may indeed have a point. What’s the harm in just learning the skills?]

[I don’t care. Our job as magicians is to shoot magic from a distance. If we are approached at close range, we can’t win against those who are good at what they do. If that’s the case, it’s better to take your “area of expertise” to the extreme, isn’t it? It’s the same logic as what you just said.]

[You mean you’re going to follow the path of magic?]

[Yes, yes. It’s the same with those beasts. They are trying very hard to master martial arts. Each special student has his or her strengths and weaknesses. …… Well, there’s one weird guy in the mix, but he’s the exception.]

Keith made a sullen face when he realized it was about Theodore.

[I wonder what his power is.]

[I don’t get it. Not only is he good at swordsmanship, martial arts, and magic. He also knows ancient languages. I honestly don’t get it. I think he might be a monster or something.]

[Theodore and I had hand-to-hand combat, but I’m no match for him. I’ve learned from many great swordsmen and sword saints, but I don’t know if there was anyone stronger than Theodore.]

[The magic skill seemed to be better than Lieutenant General Lambert’s, though. I doubt that, too, given the way he was so comfortable with ….…]

[I don’t want to believe …… that someone who has just entered military school is better than Lieutenant General Lambert who is one of the five great heroes.]

[I honestly haven’t ever done that before.]

[What?]

[I had a feeling that even if I devoted my whole life to magic, I wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to that guy. It was just a gut feeling. …… Don’t tell that guy, okay?]

Keith nodded, though it didn’t seem like the line of a confident boy.

Through his training with Theodore, he had the same thought. No matter what he did, he would never be able to win against the man.

Who is that elusive man? Could he be the reincarnation of a hero who lived 500 years ago?

While thinking about it, a jolt ran through his entire body.

If you look, Julian has a similar reaction and immediately turns his attention to the High School of Magic.

Instantly, they felt an explosion of blood-red magical power pierces the heavens.

[…… what the hell is that?]

[What’s up with that white-winged monster? It’s finally time for us to come in.]

It was a dragon boy pretending to be relaxed, but his expression was hard.

Keith gripped the hilt of his holy sword Fire Giza and thrust the tip of the sword into the cobblestone pavement as if to inspire himself.

Magic gushes from the holy sword, which easily pierces through the hardness of the sword, enveloping Keith’s entire body.

A huge, intricately patterned magic circle appears in the sky above.

And when there is a short pause,

From within the magic circle, monsters with white wings on their backs sprang out en masse.

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