Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle

163 – The Two Young Heroes

It’s dark outside the window.

The lights in the room have already been turned off.

However, there was something faintly glowing.

It was the glow of the terminal’s LCD. On the screen was the clear video of Mr. Fenix and his comrades when they tackled the ninth Stratum.

It was the uncut version, given to me by them.

The place I’m in seemed similar to… an inn’s office. It’s a bit of a mess, but I’m not particularly dissatisfied with it.

Anyway, most of the time we would only be sleeping. Since we are pretty busy even when we are not participating in a Raid Battle.

By paying for the three Magic Stones needed to activate the terminal, we were given permission to use it at any time during our stay.

It seems that unless you’re staying at a high-class inn, they won’t have a terminal in each room.

「Is that…Spatial Mobility?」

Earth, water, fire, wind, these are the four major elements. There are corresponding spirits for each of the attributes. A long time ago, Elemental Magic remade the spirit’s magic so that it could be used by humans.

But of course, these are not the only magic in the world.

We, Normals, have no particular weaknesses, but we also have no particular strengths. As a race, that’s just how we are.

In order to win the war as this kind of race, we borrowed the power of the Four Great Spirits, and even now the most commonly used magic is from these four categories.

I think that even ordinary people can use Water Magic to wet the palm of their hands or Fire Magic to make fire on the tip of their nails as long as they work on it hard enough. However, Elemental Magic is a technique for people with high versatility.　

Still, there is a lot of magic that doesn’t require that.

Some are race-specific, some are person-specific, and some have very strict requirements for learning.

『Spatial Mobility』is person-specific. Agares can use this magic not because he is a Majin, neither is it because of his lineage, but because he is Agares. Occasionally, there are those with that kind of magic.　

Of course, that does not mean that he is the only one in the world that can use that magic. There are other people that can use『Spatial Mobility』and they too can use that magic because they are them. It doesn’t matter who their parents are or what their race is. In other words, the so-called talent.

Of course, that just means that they have the right to use it.

It’s the same as the body or any other magic. In order to make it work the way you want it to, it is essential to put in a lot of effort.

「…Almost perfect.」

The Agares on the screen is teleporting around to wherever he wants to go even when his vision is obstructed. He must have good spatial awareness.

His timing is also good. Those who have convenient magic tend to be self-conceited and uselessly try to flaunt it, but as expected of the one entrusted with the position of one of the Big Four of the Demon King Castle. 

The ability of his horns is probably good as well. When it comes to the magic of moving a human-sized object to another location, the amount of Magical Energy consumed is enormous.

This is also the reason why Recording Stones for the use of teleportation are generally not used.

If it is not a Dungeon Core, it cannot cover the Magical Energy needed for its activation.

「His subordinates are also Majin, so it should be hard to do…」

It is said that a Demon King corresponds to a Hero, but this is only the rough explanation.

Majin corresponds to the Heroes who do not have a contract with a Spirit.

The Demon King corresponds to the Heroes who have a contract with a Spirit.

This is still closer to the actual situation. Even though this might also seem to be a little lacking in explanation, but it’s just an image.

In other words, just by being born into the Majin race, they are already equivalent to the Heroes, which is a Job that can only be acquired by a small number of selected humans.

In addition, they once had many Demons under their control.

It’s no wonder they can wage war against humans, who greatly outnumber them. Since their individual strength is extraordinary.

「Well, it doesn’t matter.」

It doesn’t matter who the opponent is.

A Hero is one who can win against any opponent.

It is natural to work hard in order to win.

Even if talented people continue to work hard painstakingly every day, if they fight against each other, only one side will win.

I’m going to do whatever I can to be on the winning side.

When I tried to replay the video once again inside my head, I heard a sound.

「I don’t like the idea of a Hero trespassing. This is a staff room-like place, right?」

I called out to the figure.

The one who appeared is Ewan.

The Gale Hero. 13 years old. He has a contract with a Wind Spirit and if I’m not mistaken he previously said that he had graduated from the Training Institution in second place.

He has a leaf-like hair color and looks like an intelligent person.

「I heard from the innkeeper that this was the place. There was also a magical signature.」

「Hmm. So what do you want from me?」

Ewan slowly approached. Then, he glanced at the screen.

「Are you researching the ninth Stratum…?」

「Yeah. We’ve already watched this together, but this is more of a hobby. It’s interesting.」

「I see.」

「Yeah. It’s like when you read a book, there are things that you don’t notice when you only read it for the first time, but when you read it for the second and third time you can notice it. There are quite a lot of things you can discover only when you repeatedly watch or read something.」

「During training, there are times when I can suddenly do something I couldn’t do before, as if I had jumped a level. Is it something similar to that?」

「Well, I’m not sure. But I understand what you’re talking about. Those times when you couldn’t do it no matter how much you tried, but then suddenly you could do it. Isn’t there times when you can just master it after that and times when you fail when you try to do it again?」

「…There is. When that happens, I desperately try to remember the feeling I had when I was able to do it.」

「Yeah, yeah.」

I chuckled. That’s enough small talk for now.

「So, don’t you have something that you want to ask?」

Ewan was silent for a while. Then, he said.

「I’m also aware that I’m not doing a very good job.」

「I’m not so sure about that. You haven’t made any mistakes. It’s just that the opponent is strong.」

Ewan is not weak. On the contrary, he’s strong.

Compared to others of his age, he is one step ahead of them. Probably.

The honor students of the Institution have good skills.

For example, the Frost Hero Bella had so many variations of Ice Magic that she could play an active role immediately after joining Mr. Fenix’s party.

There were some misjudgments and carelessness, but that will change as she gains more experience.

The same goes for Ewan. It’s true that he was made to leave the field once and although he often falls into a pinch, his magic skills are solid.

Also, in terms of power, he’s probably better than me.

Well, there is a big difference between Magic and Spirit Magic, but a Spirit is also part of his own strength.

「Do you remember what I said to you before it started?」

……I don’t remember.

No, when I think about it for a moment, I feel like he did say something to me.

Ah, that’s right. He said that he doesn’t like me or something along that line.

Since, even though I could have made a contract with one of the Four Great Spirits, I didn’t do it.

「Ah, yeah, but I don’t really mind that.」

I didn’t even remember it until just now.

「No, I’m the one who minds. In the end, you did a great job once the battle started, on the contrary… I think I’m the one dragging the team down.」

「Umm… I don’t know if that is something that you should say to me though. Anyway, are you planning to tell everyone about this?」

「None of them are blaming me.」

「That’s because your mistakes were due to inexperience and the one who brought you into the party was Old Man Air, right? If you were at fault, then that would mean that he’s also at fault. But everyone is a newcomer at first. So, in the end, no one is at fault. Isn’t that the reason?」

「But you’re…」

You’re being kind of bothersome, Ewan.

It was easier to deal with you when you were a little snarky like before.

「You know, umm. Yeah. You probably started training after your Job was identified, right?」

「Eh? Yes. I think there are more people like that.」

Even if they vaguely understand their own Aptitude, the foundation for it is not clear until they find out what their Job is.

That’s why the training for each occupation is usually done after the Job is identified.

「I’ve been using magic since I was 4 years old, so I have 6 years of experience. I’ve spent more time with magic than you, who has been in the Training Institution for 3 years. As for Fran, she has continuously stayed together with me and she’s also a Destroyer. You don’t need to compare yourself to us.」

We grew up in different circumstances.

It’s not that he’s inferior to me, it’s just that I’ve been living while wholly focusing on being a Hero from the beginning.

「Oh… I see. Um, I actually came here because I have a request.」

「A request?」

「I should have said it earlier, but my stupid pride got in the way…」

「You don’t need to beat around the bush.」

「S-sorry, can you please teach me your methods? What should I do to make quick decisions just like the first-class Adventurers?」

Ewan bowed his head.

To a younger, cheeky Hero that he disliked.

There is only one reason.

Because he wants to win.

Ahh, damn.

That’s why I’m not good at handling him

In the truest sense, Ewan is one of my comrades now.

「Of course, I’m aware that it’s not going to happen overnight. Even the things that I need to be prepared and be aware of–」

「It’s fine already, I understand. Just bring that chair here and sit down.」

「…! Ah, yes. Thank you…!」

「My method isn’t particularly difficult. It’s just a hassle to do.」

「What do you mean?」

「I just watch the opponents and remember it. Then, I’ll create a list of plans like when the opponent makes a move like this, then I’ll do this. I also make a list of all the things the opponent can do and think about what they might do and the countermeasures.」

「…I-I see?」

「For example…」

We watched the Clear video side by side.

I think it was slightly more fun than doing it alone, probably.

Well, I might just be mistaken.