Chapter 87 - The Test

Azriel fiddled with the pamphlet in her hand. Rhema, who was watching her, asked quietly. “Are you interested in the ruins?”

“Yes, a little bit,” she answered.

Rhema Reshith was a wizard who had been living since ancient times. She needed to learn about the ancient times in order to find out what he was hiding. The information about the magic civilization was very little. So, the ancient ruins were a very good lead.

Rhema knew what was on Azriel’s mind. From the beginning, she had never hidden her intent to find out about his secrets. He did not want to stop her from finding out the secrets on her own, though he could not answer her on his own.

‘Why,’ He asked himself. He would have stopped her if it was in the past.

“Maybe that means I’m the most suitable person among all the people who have been born so far.”

“The most suitable person who can achieve the impossible thing you said.”

Those were the words that Azriel once said to him.

‘Am I expecting something from her now?’ he stopped thinking at this point. It seemed that he should not think more. He impulsively spoke. “Then, let’s make that your test.”

“What? What test?” Azriel asked.

“Azriel, you are still a magician. Those ruins seem appropriate to test if you’ve become a real wizard after learning magic.”

“…!”

“Your test will be contracting with a familiar spirit in the ruins and bringing it with you.”

“Can I enter the ruins? You said you made a landslide to bury it on purpose.”

“If it’s you—”

Rhema knew what was inside those ruins. There was something that should not be known more than artificial familiar spirits, so he buried it. He was unsure if she could discover it or she would pass by it, not recognizing it. It was also unclear whether she would reach the truth or would not find out anything at last. It was also unknown what would happen once she reached there. This was also a test for him. He faintly smiled.

“If it’s you who’s become a wizard, you can enter it.”

Azriel intuitively realized that she received his permission, a permission allowing her to approach the secret that Rhema was trying to hide.

‘If I become a wizard…,’ she looked down at her hands. Her hands, that had been chapped, were recovering quickly after meeting Rhema. She had no idea what the spirit put in the food, but she was gaining weight and her skin was becoming softer. Her hair, which Blanchet complained about its coarseness, was also getting better. The promise magic that Rhema casted was not visible anymore as it had been smeared on them. However, the stars floating above her hands were visible.

“Azriel, I hope you don’t touch mana until you realize what that means.”

“…For yourself.”

Remembering what Rhema had said, Azriel clasped her both hands.

“By the way, Rhema,” she called.

“Yes,” Rhema answered her.

“What is the circumstance when you have to kill me?”

“…”

“You said that there is a scenario where you don’t have to kill me. Then what is the circumstance that you have to kill me?”

Rhema’s face turned a little pale. He shut his mouth and stopped breathing. Azriel saw his eyelashes casting shade on his face. His grey eyes were darkened.

“Is it something you cannot say?”

“…Azriel,” he let out his breath in length that had been paused and moved lips hesitantly before he could whisper. It was a small voice as if he was worried that the birds would hear him. “I’m not allowed to talk about it.”

He had said something similar several times before. He could not answer her and did not say it, but…

“It must be okay if I figure it out,” she said.

Rhema did not agree but also did not disagree with her.

“About what your duty is, why you want me to leave you, and what the circumstances are that you have to kill me,” Azriel looked up at him intently. “It is forbidden for you to say it directly, but it doesn’t matter if I find out about it on my own, does it?”

Instead of answering, he closed his eyes softly. The closed lids slightly trembled. What could be binding that sublime wizard? Azriel opened her mouth. “I want to ask a favor, Rhema.”

He opened his eyes. The grey eyes that were darker than usual slowly moved and gazed at her. “Tell me, whatever that is.”

“After I become a wizard… of course, I’ll try not to do that…,” she took a deep breath and continued. “But if there’s a circumstance that you have to kill me by any chance—”

“Azriel,” Rhema interrupted.

“Then please kill me at once so that I wouldn’t feel any pain,” she asked at last.

“…”

“Can you do that for me?” she asked.

Rhema sat there for a long time like a statue. After blinking in a slow manner, he answered quietly. “I will do as you said.”

“Thank you,” Azriel smiled widely. For the first time, she thought that she was lucky that she did not have any family.

*

Then, three years passed.

<To be continued in Volume 2>