64 63. Maria Distras.txt (1/2)

It burns.

Oh, everything is burning.

The precious home that was entrusted to me by the master, the place where I belonged, is burning.

When did ....... Really, when did .......

When did it accumulate so much .......

It's a bobbing, bubbling, red-black emotion that screams out to get me out of here.

Sticky like sludge, simmering in the depths of your mind, fuel that is too dense to be suppressed and repressed.

-- mad love and jealousy.

It all started as one spark.

A magical spark that would give birth to a new world by the one who stole the reason for the fire.

That spark burned everything in your heart and turned it into a flame that filled your heart.

The flame burns, illuminates and exposes emotions.

The shadow of the thing I am really seeking is clearly reflected in my heart.

The daily life of a certain ■■ was reflected in my mind like a shadowgraph.

Yes, that's right.

I should have wanted to go back there.

I just want to go back.

To the place where I was happy.

Home.

To the past.

To those wonderful days.

I wanted to make peace with those days.

Because everyone was happy there.

And then there was ■, and then there was ■, and then there were friends, and then there was the family.

The frontier of Fania.

Not a single interesting thing.

The countryside in the country.

I was busy working in the fields, hunting, helping with the housework.

But everyone was laughing.

Everyone was laughing, I'm sure. ......

And that place was destroyed by my 'eyes' .......

This 'eye' sees the essence of things.

It doesn't find it, or see it, or see it - it sees it.

So, when you're doing wild work, you immediately stop looking at the fundamental improvements and your hands stop working. If you hunt, you can't use traditional methods. If I was doing housework, I would feel like it wasn't my place to do it.

Every time I did, I got angry.

I miss it a bit.

I feel like ■■ saw me like that and gently admonished me (・・・・). He praised me, saying, ”You have a better eye for seeing than the other kids. I have a faint memory of him telling me about my skills, saying, ”Your 'eyes' are a gift from heaven,” and asking me to ”use your power to find something that would benefit the village.

I have a vague recollection of being asked to ”find something for the village with that power.

Nowadays, I can't even remember the face of that ■■.

Where did it all go wrong?

Since the rumors began to circulate in the village that were disturbing?　Since the war?　No, the decisive factor was when the army started to station itself in the village?　From the moment I mentioned it to the military commander?　From the moment I said I could win the fight?　I'll do the fighting...

It's not.

That's not true.

That process doesn't matter.

It's the 'eyes' that tell you that it doesn't matter.

After all, no matter what, my village would have been destroyed. Long before the army came, the fate of the whole thing was already set in stone. After all, that village was in a bad 'location'. Such a simple thing.

It makes sense to me.

The destruction of the village was fated. I am sure that my ”eyes” accelerated the process. But the true cause appears to me to be otherwise.

Even if I were to return to those wonderful days as I had hoped, I would only suffer the same fate again.

A clan of rare dark-haired, black-eyed people living in such a small village - a clan with rare black hair and black eyes - was surely doomed to perish in this era. That's all there is to it. ......

''--That's why I don't want to go back to the past.

The one who steals the reason for the fire returns his voice with a sad smile.

'I'm sure it does: ......'

Then what do I want to do?

What do I want?

What do I want?

In my mind, I see a shadow puppet born of fire.

I look again at the world that reflected my heart.

There is no such thing as a hometown - there is not a single thing I miss.

Those things have long since burned to residue.

■, ■, ■, I can't remember what it was like to be a piece of residue .......

That's right.

At 'cost' .......

Burned out at a cost (・・・・・・・・).

I remember that.

It was very important to me, but I sacrificed it.

So, there is only one human figure left.

Someone with the same dark hair and black eyes as my family.

That person is the only one left.

The person who had been creating stagnation in the depths of my heart ever since I met him.

--and now, finally, that person appears.

The one who steals the reason for the fire whispers to me sadly, ”Now, let's see,” he whispers to me.

The master of the lie, Christ Eurasia, emerges from under the hill.

A gentle man chosen by the 'eye' to take the place of ■■.

And he is too precious to be captured by ”eyes”.

The hero among heroes--.

--my love.

The destination of the burning fire.

My master has finally come home to me.

◆◆◆◆◆

The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire is not just interested in love (・・・・・・・・・・).

It was three days before the Nativity that my love affair nearly morphed into a twisted one, and I met the condition - the one that steals the reason for the fire - in the true sense of the word.

Then the Master and Mr. Rustyala invited me to the festival, and we met again when we were making the rounds of an unreplaceable event.

On the way back, we were alone.

That was the true beginning--.

”-- wonderful!　You're amazing!　Oh, what a tease!　Maria!

Mr. Arti, the one who steals the reason for the fire, described my love as ”wonderful”.

'Teasing?　Isn't that the wrong word for foolishness?

'No, no, no, you're teasingly adorable. You're never stupid. You're a normal girl with normal thoughts and feelings. It's a pity that they are so bad. When you're dealing with that Rustyala, everyone has a bad minute.

Yeah. Everyone has a bad minute. That's how perfect he is. It's like a 'make-believe' beautiful, perfect, ......

I let out a deep sigh and despair at the current strength gap.

''Hmph, 'made up'? It's an odd thing to say. It's true, she's a foul 'make-believe'.

'I resent God. Why didn't you make me a little taller ....... If I had a good style like Mr. Rastiara's, and even my hair was smooth, and I had a good look in my eyes, maybe my master would have turned on me a bit. ......

'I think Maria has a certain charm about her, though.

'Haha, what do you find attractive about me?　They are tiny, flat-chested, and childlike. In addition, her hair is shaggy and her eyes are bad. She's not at all attractive as a woman.

As I listed my features, I felt my mood sinking into the mire.

My feet naturally felt heavy as I continued on my way home.

'I don't think so, though,'

''Even if that's not the case ...... Above all, I am not qualified to stand next to my master. What the master wants is strength to help you explore the labyrinth. I don't have enough strength ....... My strength is .......

'Hmm ....... Strengthkai .......

I remember what happened a few days ago.

Instead of being useful in the labyrinth, I could only drag my feet. I would never be able to find my place in the labyrinth again.

However, it helped that at that time, Lastiara-san said, in a roundabout way, that she would support me in my love life, ”From the edge, don't die, don't fall apart.

'Eye' and 'eyes' met, no doubt about it.

But it's not a good start.

I don't have a single excuse to get close to my master. 'I want you to cook every day in this house,' he said, and although he managed to come back from his despair, the future is still bleak.

'Huh. ......'

Don't be so downhearted. It makes me sad.

S-Sorry. ......

Arti-san is peeking at me with a really sad face.

I'm sorry and force my darkened expression back up.

''No, you don't have to apologize. It was more than that, it was power. What you lacked was...''

'Oh, yes. I can't be of any use to my master without strength.

I have a hand in that. I have a way to make you stronger.

'What?　Oh, really?!

Shouting out, I crowd Mr. Alty.

'Yeah, of course I do. I'm always on the side of a girl in love with an unrequited love.

How does that work?

I will teach you magic. As an expert (professional) in flame magic, I will elevate your flame magic to the best it can be.

”Teach magic, ......?

I've heard from my master that Arti-san is a professional in fire magic.

His words don't seem to lie.

''The means are a bit heavy-handed, though.

Pushy?

Ah, forcefulness is forcefulness. After all, you're going to drink the blood filled with my magic formula directly from it.

Blood. Do you drink that blood ......?

I've never heard of it.

I can understand if it's about drinking magic stones carved with a magic formula, but I've never heard of drinking blood. I don't think you'll be able to acquire magic even if you do that.

''It's understandable that you're wondering. I've heard that this method is a (・・・・・・・) method that doesn't exist in this era. But I assure you. I guarantee it as the highest peak fire wizard. This will make you close to being a supreme flame wizard.

Arti-san looks at me with serious eyes.

''But even if you drink blood, there's no way you can inherit the magic formula ......

It's a little known fact. ─ It's a little known fact that drinking blood and drinking magical stones are the same thing after all. It's clear that the magic stone is much easier to remember. It can be learned by anyone with the right attributes. But the mechanism is the same. Of course, the requirements for learning magic with blood are very narrow. Very, very, very narrow. That's why this technique isn't widespread and no one knows about it.

Arti-san knows a lot about magic. Although it's a bit bizarre, I'm sure he has a deeper insight than Mr. Flanlure, who attends the academy.

''Do I meet that requirement ......?

Yeah, I do. Fortunately or unfortunately, it's perfect. A perfect affinity, I'd say.

What the hell are the terms of ......?

'Hmmm, it's really a secret: ....... Since you're Maria, of all people, I'll tell you a few things. The point is the commonality between the blood giver and the drinker. Me and Maria have the same problems and similar personalities. We are also very close in life. It's really close. And that's the important thing.

'Well, uh, ....... Does that mean that Alty-san has a love ...... that can't be fulfilled either?

Hmmm, yeah. I'm like you.

It shocks me.

Somewhere, I thought I was the only one who had this problem. But I'm surprised to find an unexpected companion.

'That's why you care so much for me,'

And the question in the corner of my mind is resolved.

I've always been suspicious of your bizarrely high regard for me. However, if there was such a camaraderie, then it's understandable.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

'That's how it is. Anyway, you'll know all about it when you drink my blood. What do you think, would you like to drink it?

Mr. Arti smiles and nods.

Then he holds out his arm as it is and asks me if I want to drink the blood.

I am troubled.

Not that I'm worried about the possibility or risk of falsehood.

I'm worried that I won't bother Alty-san.

She always seemed to be in a hurry, and I didn't feel comfortable asking her to go this far without a price.

'Ho, are you sure you don't mind?　Magic is so important to wizards that it's not something you can share with others so easily, is it?

'I don't mind. I want to help you, Maria.

The answer was immediate.

Without hesitation, Mr. Arti said he wanted to help me.

'Nah, then I'll drink ....... If that will give you the power, I will drink.

To that I respond.

Seeing me answer without hesitation, Arti-san smiles thinly.

''Hmph. That's a good answer.''

Arti-san scratched his wrist and dripped blood.

Although I was surprised by the relentless self-harm, it seems that a skilled wizard would have no problem with this. I willfully put my mouth close to Mr. Alti's wrist.

Blood spills out and falls onto my tongue.

It tangles around my tongue, passes down my throat, and seeps into my body. The taste of iron spreads in my mouth and I feel the realization that I've drunk someone else's blood.

At the same time, I felt something hot surging up from the bottom of my stomach.

It was like the magic inside my body surprised me, my blood rushed, and I felt like I had acquired something new.

At the same time, my mood is uplifted.

''Now, all of the fire magic I possess has been memorized in your blood.

Alty nodded when he saw me.

'This is all there is to ......?

It was quick and easy.

It feels easier than when I drank the magic stone.

''But I can't use it right away, though. It will take some time to get used to it. If you suddenly use a high-level magic, the burden will be terrifying. Let's practice some of the easy combat ones first: ......

Seeing my surprise, Arti-san smiles thinly and emits a small flame from his palm.

It's an unchanted flame.

However, I don't think it's a flame that would work in the labyrinth.

I'm more than a little impatient.

Even if I have more options for flame magic, it's useless if it doesn't work against the monsters after the 20th layer.

The reason I want the power is all to keep up with my master.

''S-sorry!　If you can, but please let me practice powerful attack magic: ....... Something that will work against the giant monsters of the labyrinth depths!

He raises his voice and wishes for stronger magic.

However, Arti-san softly accepts it.

''Hmph. Are you still in a hurry?''

'If we don't hurry, we won't get everything done in time. I feel like that.

Vaguely, I think so.

It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your friends and family.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for. Magic is a skill that is built on spirit. To be reckless with that magic is to abuse the spirit.

...... okay. Please.

Mr. Arti questions my decision with a serious look, as if he were threatening me. Of course, there is no hesitation on my part. There's a convenient story in front of me about gaining power at the expense of something. How could I not jump into it?

Until now, I couldn't get the power no matter what I sacrificed for .......

...... Oh, I knew it.

In response, Arti-san muttered quietly. It wasn't a word spoken to me.

It was as if Arti-san had spoken to himself.

I was going to ask her what she meant, but was interrupted by Arti-san's powerful response.

''I'm ready for you, Maria. Now, it's a bit of a burden, but shall I teach you a fire magic that works even at the 30th layer? The fire-specialized flame, Midgals Blaze, and the proximity-only flame, Flame Flamberge. Both of these spells are extremely powerful, but difficult to control. I want you to cultivate them with an open mind.

As he said that, Arti-san produced a flaming snake from one hand with no chanting.

Looking at that disastrous flame, I nodded under my breath.

-- Thus, we turn off the road home and move to a clearing on the outskirts of town.

First, we are taught the basics of magic, the nuts and bolts of fire magic by Arti-san.

Along the way, I naturally began to call Arti-san my master. When Arti-san was alone with me, he wanted to be called that. I wasn't afraid to call her Master either. In fact, she's a master herself.

Within a few hours, I had mastered both 《Midgals Blaze》 and 《Flame Flamberge》. Unlike Arti-san, it required a long chant, but mastering a high-level magic in such a short period of time was a speed that would normally be unthinkable.

''--To be able to use such amazing magic already: ......

I couldn't believe the flaming snake I had created.

A flaming snake with terrifying killing power, swimming around me at will.

''It's because of the chemistry between me and Maria, isn't it? As for the rest, yes, you're right: ....... Let's arrange your signature 《Firefly》 as well. That's a magic that can be transformed depending on how you use it.

It was getting late at night, so the rest of the practice was just to flush it out.

However, thanks to the guidance of Arti-san, who was a master, my magic options would increase further.

When Arti-san left, I bowed my head widely and thanked her.

''--Thank you very much!　Master Arti!

No, don't thank me. It's just something I like doing.

No, I'll definitely pay you back someday!　Thanks to you, I can help my master. You don't have to give up now--

'Hmmm, you really like Christ, Mary, don't you? But don't just take it easy. All the chanting I taught you for fire magic is special. The more you use them, the more emotional heat you'll get. For Maria-chan, I only used the 'fuel from the past, burn the love of the present' kind, but I still don't recommend it.

'It's all right. I'd rather have the heat of love rise, than have it rise.

But you still have to be careful not to burn yourself, okay?

Yes!

I reply to Mr. Alty with a smile, with a sure hand of power in my heart.

Mr. Arti-san looks at it sadly for some reason, and finally laughs and leaves.

I go home too.

My footsteps were lighter than ever that day.

◆◆◆◆◆ ...

The next day.

As it turned out, I still couldn't keep up with the exploration in the labyrinth.

It was only natural. Even though I was getting stronger, the two of us were getting stronger even faster than that.

However, there was a response. I didn't feel as desperate as before.

Rastiara-san, who was supporting me, also said ”again”.

I analyzed what I was missing in the house I was left alone in.

First, Lastiara-san told me about my ability to take over. There is no doubt that this is lacking. And the lack of self-defense ability that the master is concerned about is also a problem.

If I don't solve these two, I have no future.

More power ....... You need to practice your magic ......--

I wipe the sweat off my face as I walk out of the house to resume my magical training.

I almost collapsed during the labyrinthine exploration earlier, but I can't afford to be weak.

If I can control my magic better, I can adjust my firepower and save my magic power. If the speed of magic activation increases, there will be no more gaps. The more you practice, the more challenges you'll face.

I would practice my magic until just before I passed out, and instead of resting my body, I would do my chores.

I kept repeating the process.

In my fuzzy consciousness, I felt like I was losing a lot of things. However, I was also sure that my magical refinement was increasing in inverse proportion to that.

For the sake of my master, it wasn't the least bit painful.

I would repeat the fire magic endlessly, paying an irreparable price. It was also somewhat comforting.

--and on the way. I was resting while cooking when they returned.

Apparently, there was a problem deep in the labyrinth.

Since the problem was related to the fire and heat, we were talking about relying on Arti-san. If it were true, I'd like to go with you.

But I held it back and spent my time practicing magic at home.

But afterwards, I feel like Master was acting strangely when he returned.

When I tried to make eye contact with him, he would look away at the perfect time.

I think his face is flushed somehow. It's been like this ever since I've met Alty-san. Maybe Arti-san has been unnecessarily cautious.

I use my 'eyes' to confirm that Master is embarrassed. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I've found Master's human-like emotions.

I'm happy about that, and I didn't imitate asking Master a deep question.

I was content to just stare at it.

That night, I laughed under the covers and said that Alty-san had given me a lot of hope.

I made up my mind to get up early tomorrow and practice my magic again.

It was a day when I was able to sleep peacefully, although I felt the wind was strangely noisy (・・・・・・・・).

Plus the next day.

I woke up early in the morning and honed in on the magic.

By the time they're up, I start preparing breakfast.

I don't neglect practicing my magic even when I'm cooking.

He uses his own flame to cook with his own flame.

If I don't adjust the fire power correctly, the pan can easily melt, so I develop concentration and equanimity at the same time with a bit of tension.

As I did so, the flames transformed against my will. I impatiently tried to suppress the flames with my magic power - but the flames started to speak, imitating a mouth.

'Maria, wait. It's me. It's Arti.

Huh?　Ah, Mr. Alty?

One day, I've seen this scene before.

It was the same one that the flames were talking about when Master and I went to the tenth level of the labyrinth.

'I'm sorry to have startled you. But it was faster this way. I need to talk to Maria for a moment.

I see. This is handy, Master. So what's the story?

'I'll teach you this one in time. But this time I'm going to teach you a different kind of magic.

'Oh, you're going to teach me again?'

My voice naturally grew louder.

Mr. Arti is a busy man. I was prepared to wait a long time before I could see him next. But unexpectedly, he seems to be teaching me the next magic so soon.

'Oh, Christ and the others asked me to do it. I've been asked to teach you the magic to remove the lava from the labyrinth.

Lava? ......?

I'm concerned about the fact that the master asked me to do this, but I'm also concerned about the situation of having to remove the lava.

'There are 24 layers of lava. It would be useful to have this magic to get through there. If you remember, it could be useful in the labyrinth.

I see. ......

I actually wanted a new attack magic.

Even if I learn magic to remove the lava here, I'm only in those 24 layers. If I don't have universally applicable magic, I can't keep up with it.

''Hmph. Don't worry, I'll teach you all sorts of other magic too. That's right: ...... Let's meet at the tavern where we first met for lunch today.

Oh, yes, I understand.

Sensing my true intentions, Arti laughs and promises to impart other magic to me.

The shape of the flame returns to its original shape as the conversation ends.