The Master of Language - T.M.L Chapter 27 (Part 1):

The forty-day voyage went smoothly.

The weather was always clear, and we didn’t encounter any particularly high waves.

Speria claimed it was thanks to her.

“Being high-level means having greater influence. What I want happens more easily, and what I dislike is less likely to occur. Simply put, you could say my luck improves.”

When learning magic, there are moments when you wonder just how much you should believe.

Now was undoubtedly one of those times.

“No way, is that even possible?”

“Why not? Then is this possible?”

She waved her left hand. A small spark appeared and disappeared in the middle of the cabin.

“You’ve learned a bit about fire, so you should understand. What are the chances of a fire naturally igniting like that in this room?”

I answered in a low voice.

“Infinitesimally low.”

“But it happened, didn’t it?”

“Well, that’s because you did it with magic, right?”

“So? What’s the difference?”

“……”

“Which is more likely: avoiding bad weather every day for forty days of sailing, or a spark appearing in this room?”

I understand what she means.

But I replied curtly.

“If you put it that way, the chances of encountering typhoons every day are also low. Why does it always work in your favor?”

“It’s not always like that, Ran. Have you forgotten the basics of magic?”

Magic always comes with a price.

That’s why magicians must pay it in advance or at least be prepared to pay it.

“Then why do you say you’re lucky?”

Speria just smiled enigmatically as she left the cabin.

“Looks like we’ve arrived. Let’s go, Ran.”

We went down to the dock, and Count Furst followed shortly after.

We had arrived at Sangria Port, the largest port city in Baritone, which had grown significantly due to the pioneering projects.

The overall appearance wasn’t much different from Marshal Harbor, but it seemed about ten times larger in size and area.

Count Furst was discussing work with various people, including the captain and the dock manager, while watching the cargo being moved.

As I waited for him, Speria tapped my shoulder from behind.

“Well, I’ll be going now, Ran.”

“Oh, you’re leaving already?”

Speria wore a regretful expression.

“Yeah. I think I’ll have to go right away. I sneaked out, you know. I’ve been away for nearly four or five months, so everyone’s probably wondering. It’s the first time this has happened.”

There was a hint of anxiety in her low voice.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

Speria nodded, trying to look composed. But her expression was unusually gloomy.

“You don’t seem fine.”

“Huh? No. I’m really okay.”

“If you were really okay, you’d say something like, ‘Are you kidding? Hmph. Am I going to die or something?'”

“……”

She hesitated, saying nothing.

It seems like just yesterday she engulfed an entire cabin in flames, and now this is the first time I’ve seen her like this.

“What is it? Tell me.”

Speria shook her head.

“It’s nothing. You know that egg I gave you?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m not forcing you or anything, but if you ever think about getting a familiar, try talking to that egg. Got it?”

“What?”

“Anyway. Just remember that. I’ll be going now.”

“Speria. Wait, what does that…”

As I reached out my hand, her body instantly turned into a flame and disappeared.

As I looked around with a dazed expression, the civilians didn’t seem to have seen the flame, all going about their business.

“Talking like it’s her last words. Is it really something dangerous?”

But at my level, I can’t follow her, let alone help her.

“Master said I don’t have the qualifications to even talk to it. You won’t go off and die somewhere, right?”

I put my left hand inside the robe I was wearing.

The warm egg was in my hand.

But I quickly withdrew my hand.

There’s no guarantee there aren’t any mages among these many people.

And there’s no rule saying there can’t be someone of a higher level than me.

If I act carelessly…

“I’d end up like Keren.”

Keren always looked down on me, the apprentice.

On the other hand, Master was cautious even with me, his disciple.

It’s obvious which mindset is more correct.

Just then, Count approached me and said,

“Ran. It’s time to go. By the way, where did Lady Speria go?”

Huh?

Why is he suddenly looking for Speria?

I shook my head.

“She’s already left.”

“Hmm. Well, she didn’t seem like the type of woman to say goodbye.”

Woman?

She’s 14 years old.

Actually, since I won’t be meeting her again anyway, there’s no need to explain.

“Count. Where are we heading now?”

Count Furst raised his hand and patted my head.

“First, let’s go to my house.”

* * *

We rode in an incredibly luxurious carriage for about an hour. Then we arrived at a massive mansion.

Twenty minutes of that hour were spent traveling from the mansion’s gate to the mansion itself.

As I got out of the carriage, I said,

“Your house is enormous.”

Count Furst looked at his garden through the window and said,

“Originally, this Sangria region was barren land. Nothing grew well no matter what was planted, so villages of twenty or thirty people were scattered here and there. Because of this, the Furst family owned a wider territory than any other noble, but the number of people in the territory was not even 10% of what it is now.”

“Really? When did it develop like this?”

“Since it became the center of the port and industry. My grandfather planted the seeds, my father nurtured them well. I am reaping the harvest.”

Boasting is human nature.

Did Count Furst’s icy heart melt now that he’s home?

His voice was tinged with pride.

“…”

His usual cold tone now feels more like an act.

The Count soon smiled brightly and looked at me.

“So you need to protect me well. I have many soldiers, but we’re not well-prepared for magic. There are treasures passed down, but they’re no match for a living mage.”

I rested my chin on my hand and said indifferently,

“Count, you clearly said you had settled all debts with me. Now, I will protect your safety, but beyond that, I will act for my own studies and purposes.”

“I know. I don’t expect more than that. Just protect me when I need it. Frenche can send another mage.”

High-level mages don’t often involve themselves in human affairs, but there are cases like Keren, so the Count seemed concerned.

The carriage stopped in front of the massive mansion.

Dangun

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