39 Chapter 39 ~ A Rather Short Conversation - Filler Chapter (1/2)

A while had already passed since Vlad and Alicia had decided to move forward in the maze-like dungeon.

Vlad-had removed his magic 'Flash' as the dungeon suddenly had provided its own light.

Vlad had guessed that the light was the work of the dungeon boss. In the game, dungeon bosses can control the dungeon just by themselves - from influencing its structure to creating the monsters that will live and guard each floor.

Low-level and mid-level dungeons were always controlled by NPCs, usually, monster type NPCs that are very high-leveled. They are considered as the 'bosses' of the dungeons and they have advance A.Is that can command low-leveled A.I NPCs. They can also adapt to the players that enter their dungeons and make their own strategies to defeat them.

With Vlad's Echolocation skill, he can map all the areas in the dungeon, including the hidden ones that were supposed to be untrackable without the use of proper items. This skill also allows him to see through everything when he focuses all his senses. This was the very first skill Vlad had mastered using in this world.

The only time when this skill had failed him was when he tried to track this dungeon. It seems like the dungeon has been shielded with a spell that blocks tracking magic such as his own Echolocation. He was only able to use it when he was actually inside the dungeon itself.

Realizing this, and seeing how big, detailed, and how well the boss or bosses can control the dungeon they're currently in, Vlad was in the conclusion that the dungeon must be a mid-level dungeon, if not, high-level.

He thinks that if that is so, then there can be some unexpected scenarios that he will be put on to.

[ Umm... Vlad-san... Can you tell me what's Caiden's current situation...? ] Alicia asked with a very worried face.

[ Hmm... He's... He's currently fighting against five Antlions. ]

[ Five Antlions...!? ]

[ Un. Don't worry, it seems he's doing well dealing with them. ]

( It's just as expected. Now that Caiden's level had improved a little since that time when I challenged him, dealing with five Antlions wouldn't be much of a problem for him... That's if they won't suddenly multiple that is. )

Antlions also exist in the game Vlad had played. They're common monsters found in mid and high leveled dungeons. Vlad knows the basics of how they act and how they work as a colony type monsters, and so he knows that Caiden's situation might suddenly become dangerous. If Caiden lets one of them wails and calls the others, he's finished.

But of course, Vlad did not tell that to Alicia to not make her any more worried.

[ Vlad-san... I've been wanting to ask since earlier... But what kind of magic do you use... You told us that you're a mage, but I have never seen a mage that uses some kind of magic that lets them see through walls... ]

[ Is that so...? I'm just an ordinary mage... Don't think of me any further than that. About the magic I used... It's a secret. ]

( Calling Echolocation 'magic' had really helped me a lot. )

The difference between 'skill' and 'magic'. Reading the books of this world, particularly ones that focus on magic, he realized that 'skills' does not exist in this world. Even power-ups are considered as magic in this world when in the game, it was not.

In the game, there's a clear and obvious difference between the two, specifically, magic uses elements to work, such as fire, earth, wind, lighting, water, light, etc. While 'skills' on the other hand are passive; often just used for power-ups, tracking, and support.

Echolocation is one of Vlad's race skills, which his race was already provided with. He told Alicia that it was his 'magic' as to not confuse her what was 'skills' if he says so otherwise.

[ Still... I have never seen such magic... Even the magic you've used earlier, 'Flash' was it? I have never seen such magic that can light up an entire floor of a dungeon... ]

[ Is that so...? ]

[ That was why... Can you tell me how did you learn those magic? What kind of mage are you? ]

[ Hmm... I don't have any obligation to answer that... ]

[ ... ] Alicia turned silent after Vlad's answer.

Of course, Vlad was only avoiding answering her question because he can't answer them.

[ Vlad-san... If I say I want to be your student, will you accept...? ] she said, stopping her feet from walking and stood only straight beside Vlad.

( ... ) Vlad was stunned.

[ Huh...? ] escaped Vlad's mouth slowly, mixed with annoyance and confusion.

With this reaction from Vlad, Alicia turned serious, her face frowned and she bit her lip hard.

[ I... I want to be the strongest and greatest mage there is... I actually thought that I will be able to achieve that dream only a few years from now... but seeing and meeting you, I realized that there's no way for me to achieve that dream... that is if I won't be able to surpass you. ]

[ ... ]

[ I was the top student when I graduated from the academy. I didn't even fight a single battle for the kingdom yet when I was recruited as one of the hero's companions. I recognize my self as a prodigy, and so as everybody else. I thought I was easily going to be the best. ]

After those words, she turned her head to Vlad's face and said:

[ I don't think any experienced mage will be able to help me surpass you, other than you teaching me yourself. ]