The Master of Language - T.M.L Chapter 24 (Part 1):

“You fool! Did you think you could escape from me?”

Keren’s eyes, emerging from the flames, were tinged with anger. However, with his hair completely wet and plastered to his face, and dark circles under his eyes, he also looked quite exhausted.

I struggled to control the flames with my staff. As I did so, the flames flickered, causing Keren’s face to appear and disappear repeatedly.

Count Furst spoke.

“It’s that mage from earlier.”

“He seems to know our location because of this fire. He’ll follow us to the end. I think we need to go to Master right away. I can’t extinguish this with my power alone.”

The Count wore a serious expression.

“I understand. Let’s depart immediately.”

We left the New Continent Company building. As we exited, we saw numerous bodies of soldiers and natives strewn about haphazardly.

At this point, the five kidnapped children were no longer the main issue.

“With so many dead, why did they withdraw so easily?”

“The natives don’t quibble over deaths in battle. They make a vow before engaging in combat. They swear not to blame anyone even if they die.”

“……”

“In their lawless, barbaric society, they wouldn’t have survived if not for such a culture of vows.”

Count Furst explained in a calm voice.

I suddenly became curious.

How could he remain so composed when all the soldiers were dead and the company could no longer be maintained?

When we reached the main gate, Oshalo was waiting for us. Krom’s body was nowhere to be seen, likely handed over to Legless Monkey.

Count Furst took out a small stone from his pocket. It was a butterfly-shaped piece. As he rubbed it, a purple light emerged, and the form of a butterfly rose up and began to fly in one direction.

He must have always used this to find the cabin.

We followed the purple butterfly into the forest. However, even as we did so, flames kept shooting up, often burning trees, and I had to exert myself each time to control them.

If we were to encounter Keren in a place like this, we’d be reduced to ashes without even putting up a fight.

I gradually came to a halt.

“Ran? What’s wrong?”

There was solemnity in Count Furst’s eyes, but his overall expression was incredibly calm.

Right, I need to stay calm.

“I’ll go to the coast. You go to Master. Please go and call Master while I buy time.”

“What are you saying all of a sudden?”

“Please, Count. If we continue like this, that fire mage will definitely catch up. There’s no time to explain.”

Count Furst hesitated for a moment, looking at me with uncertain eyes, but soon slowly walked over and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Your resolve is firm.”

“Yes.”

“With this, consider the debt for saving your life fully repaid. You no longer owe me anything, Ran.”

“……”

“Then, make sure you stay alive. I’ll bring your Master as quickly as possible.”

After saying that, Count Furst began to run, following the purple butterfly.

Oshalo, who was standing beside me, watched me for a while before turning away without saying a word.

He probably didn’t know what to say.

I took a deep breath.

I couldn’t be certain, but if Keren had been in the sea, he wouldn’t have been able to perform that fire magic that revealed his face in the flames just now.

Fire magic is incompatible with seawater, after all.

He probably arrived at Marshal Harbor by some means, which is why he could confirm my location through that fire magic.

And if he’s already arrived at Marshal Harbor at that speed, he’ll catch up even quicker in a forest like this.

Moreover, fire magic becomes even more powerful in the forest.

Encountering him in the forest would mean instant incineration.

I started to quickly walk towards the direction where I could smell the sea.

Keren had been sailing for over a month. He couldn’t even summon his familiar. He performed tremendous fire magic, but that’s why he’ll be even more exhausted.

So, at the coast, I might be able to hold him off somewhat.

Besides, I have his robe in my hands.

I quickly put on Keren’s robe that I had been holding.

It’s better for me to wear it than to leave it somewhere for him to reclaim.

The key question is, how long do I have to hold out before Master Abana arrives?

I already knew the answer to that.

She won’t come.

Master Abana doesn’t fully trust Speria yet. Therefore, she can’t send her away, nor can she leave the castle herself.

And sending Psyche is even more out of the question. After all, Psyche’s safety is the most important thing to Master Abana.

That’s why she took me as a disciple in the first place.

In the end, I have to overcome this.

I have to break through this situation alone.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

II began to walk quickly toward the coast. The forest ended, and a steep cliff appeared.

Standing at the edge of the cliff and looking down, there was nothing but pitch-black darkness where light couldn’t reach. It seems incredibly deep.

I looked at my left hand.

If I don’t do something about this big fire, I won’t even be able to take out my magic book.

But if I simply relinquish control and abandon it, Keren could reclaim it and gain power from it. Then I’d have no chance at all.

At that moment, a bright flame rose from far away in the forest. And at an astonishing speed, it arrived in front of me in an instant.

“So here you are, you little rat!”

Keren was enveloped by three fireballs. One was above his head, and the other two supported his body beneath his feet.

That’s how he was able to move at such an incredible speed.

I didn’t know fire magic could be applied like that.

The more you know about magic, the more mysterious it becomes.

Dangun

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