Volume 1: Enrollment at Magias Academy of Magical Arts
Chapter 13: If That Will Satisfy You
Several days had passed since Fily proved compatible with my magic swords.
Her synchronization rate, unstable at first, was steadily rising.
Once it reached my own level and I analyzed the magical interaction between blade and wielder, I could determine exactly what she and I had in common.
Today was the trial run for Filiestra Number Five.
I’d achieved a production speed that even I had never reached before.
“Fily. Please.”
“All right.”
Her long, slender hand grasped the magic sword.
The moment it did, Fily’s body shuddered as though struck by electricity.
“How is it?”
“…I can’t open my hand.”
Excellent.
The boundary between wielder and magic sword had grown extremely thin.
To her, it probably felt as though her arm had lengthened.
The measuring instruments showed good numbers.
If they remained stable after use, then perhaps I truly had—
“Do it.”
Fily silently nodded and swung the magic sword horizontally at the target.
Whoosh.
That was the only sound.
There was no noise of blade meeting target, only the sword cutting the wind.
The target, adjusted to the hardness of stone, separated into upper and lower halves as though a seam had always existed between them.
“Good. A success.”
“Th-That’s incredible…”
Fily’s surprise was understandable.
This was a Walker magic sword.
Wielder and blade resonated, multiplying the user’s power.
Sometimes, the process even produced a unique ability.
That was probably why Mercedes, despite her absolute confidence in her own skill, had become obsessed with obtaining one.
When I wielded Filiestra Number Five, it only converted mana into light waves to extend the blade’s reach and increase its sharpness.
But when Fily, its owner, swung it, the effect developed into the power to disregard hardness to a certain extent.
The result was possible only because I’d used the magical aptitudes Fily gave me as a reference and finished the weapon as a custom-made blade exclusively for her.
More specifically, the sword supported and expanded one of her medical spells, Incision (Dissect), to produce what we’d just witnessed.
Why could Fily, rather than me, use my magic swords so perfectly?
Once I analyzed all the data, I would surely find the answer.
“So this is one of Walker’s magic swords…”
Fily returned the sword to the stand and stared at her trembling hand.
Apparently, she still wasn’t completely used to the sensation.
“I understand why Miss Meltzeria wants one… Walker, um, who are you?”
“My master taught me Refinement.
“If you think my swords are impressive, it’s thanks to him.”
“Was he a member of your family?”
“Yes. He’s dead now.”
“…I see.”
Fily lowered her eyes slightly.
We should return to the topic.
“In any case, the experiment is complete for now.
“It was a short period, but you helped enormously. Thank you, Fily.”
“You’re welcome. I enjoyed it too.
“I hope your research goes well.”
“Thank you.
“If you’re willing, may I continue forging swords for you?”
“Yes, of course. If I’m suitable.”
Over the last few days, my magic swords had revealed a new possibility.
Combining this with the knowledge taught in Magias’s lectures would give me even more options.
There was a mountain of work ahead, but first I needed a break.
Even I had to rest occasionally.
After resting, I’d return to the magic swords.
“What are you doing?”
The instant I heard that voice, a chill ran down my spine.
I didn’t need to turn around.
I’d heard it only a few days ago.
Polite and elegant, yet accurately caressing nothing but my most vulnerable points.
Fily’s eyes widened when she saw the person behind me.
“…Miss Meltzeria.”
“Good day, Miss Addison.”
“Why are you here…?”
“Professor Blanchard asked me to check the equipment.
“But I’m surprised to find you alone with that man.”
“…We’re conducting an experiment together.”
“I see. And—”
A footstep approached from behind.
Even that sound seemed to contain quiet fury.
“Walker. Did you forge that? For that woman? I believe that’s what I heard.”
Mercedes leaned in from the side and looked into my face.
Only her lips barely maintained the shape of courtesy.
Her pupils were dilated.
She had caught me in the worst possible way.
I’d chosen the back of an unused warehouse specifically to prevent this.
Why was she here, of all places?
She’d clearly heard our conversation, so I couldn’t explain my way out of the situation.
At the very least, I lacked the skill to handle this gracefully.
“You told me the other day that you couldn’t forge one.
“Not that you wouldn’t, but that you couldn’t.
“Did you mean that you couldn’t forge one for me?”
“No…”
“If you hate me so much, you should’ve said so honestly instead of telling a ridiculous lie.
“Why couldn’t you tell me?”
“I’m sorry, Mercedes. First, let’s talk—”
“What’s different?
“Why can you forge for Miss Addison, but not for me?”
“Wait, Miss Meltzeria. Walker did this for your—”
“Be quiet.”
This was terrible.
Yet it was a situation I could’ve prevented.
If I truly wanted to hide from Mercedes, I should’ve conducted the experiment off campus, despite the additional time and effort, rather than behind an abandoned warehouse.
Or I should’ve properly explained matters to her and gained her understanding before experimenting.
Our previous encounter had shaken me so badly that I failed to arrange the details.
What had been a successful result minutes ago had transformed into undeniable evidence against me.
“………”
Mercedes silently stared for some time at the immaculate sword in Fily’s hands.
“…This is the first time in my life anyone has mocked me so completely.”
Mercedes, who always wore a relaxed smile, glared at me as though chewing something bitter.
It was also the first time in my life that anyone had directed such concentrated disgust at me.
“Fine. I’ll never depend on you again.
“Go back to the countryside and make farm tools.”
“…I was wrong. Let me explain properly.”
“No. I cannot endure this humiliation.
“Brendan Walker, enter the Freshman Tournament.
“Before the public, I’ll break your garbage and drag the Walker name through the dirt.”
“I apologize for treating you lightly in the end.
“But first, listen to me.”
“If necessary, I can appeal directly to Lord Van Walker for a holy sword.
“You betrayed me after I invoked the Meltzeria name.
“You’ll at least introduce me to him, won’t you?”
As Mercedes pushed the conversation ahead however she pleased, something began to seep from the bottom of my own heart.
“…I said listen to me.”
“Though if his apprentice is this pathetic, his own skill can’t amount to much.
“Even so, he must be better than you.
“You need only tell me where he is. Surely even a useless man like you can manage that?”
“…………”
“Tell me. Where is he now?
“I confirmed he was seen alive in Decol City four months ago.
“I’ll meet him directly and explain how you betrayed someone’s trust.
“Come now. Tell me where Van Walker is.”
“He’s dead.”
“What?”
“Grandpa died last month.
“He isn’t anywhere anymore.”
Mercedes’s lips trembled slightly.
She seemed to want to say something, but couldn’t move them any further.
“I’ll enter the Freshman Tournament.
“If that will satisfy you.”
“…Wait—”
“But don’t involve Fily any further.
“She knew nothing and only cooperated with me.”
I turned my back toward no particular destination.
I simply wanted to escape this place.
I wanted to run away and be alone.
Being with another person had become painful.
“Walker, wait! Let’s explain together. I’m sure Miss Meltzeria will—”
“Sorry.”
I’d truly wanted to explain properly and apologize.
But I was afraid of any further conflict, so I ran.
I’d never known that facing someone could be so frightening.
In the end, I’d enraged Mercedes and dragged Fily into the problem too.
What was this result supposed to be?
If things were going to end this way, I should never have entertained the possibility that I might forge a sword for someone else.
◇
Mercedes could only stand motionless and watch Brendan’s shrinking figure.
“Walker… hadn’t given up on your request.”
Filiestra, standing directly beside her, squeezed out the words.
Her expression showed her exhaustion, but Mercedes answered with her dignity intact.
“…Will you join that man in making excuses?”
“Walker’s magic swords don’t work for anyone except Walker.”
“Don’t tell such a childish lie. You just—”
“I was the only exception.”
For some reason, Filiestra seemed determined to convey at least that much.
She interrupted Mercedes with a forcefulness unlike her usual demeanor.
“He thought that if we discovered why I could use them, someday he might be able to forge one for you too…”
“…………”
“I apologize as well.
“I’m sorry.
“So please, speak with Walker once more.”
Then Filiestra left as well.
Did that woman intend to follow Brendan and comfort him?
No.
It no longer mattered.
Brendan Walker had been forging magic swords for Mercedes Meltzeria.
After organizing what she’d heard, that was what it meant.
Then what did that make Mercedes?
She’d insulted a deceased man she respected.
She’d abused a classmate without knowing the circumstances.
With her own hands, she’d shattered a possibility that might have existed for her sake.
Even after all that, Mercedes Meltzeria kept her back perfectly straight.
What, exactly, did that make her?
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