Reincarnated as a Genius Mage-Chapter 47: Introspection

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(Spade POV)

I’m standing at the entrance of my office. My head is low, and my eyes are scanning the wound on my right palm.

My palm is shredded, blood and blisters caused by the impact of the last wind arrow he shot before he collapsed. I caught it, barely..

It was fast, very fast. That speed.. it’s not something a third circle should possess.

I didn’t.. I didn’t plan to fight seriously at all. He triggered something in me.. something that I’ve been trying to digest for so long.

Those flames of his. They’re just like his.. like that man. The lost, but possibly dead Flameworth.. Calesandar..

I shouldn’t have.. I shouldn’t have let my emotions get the best of me.

And as I gazed into his red eyes.. those fiery red eyes that reminds me of Him— I saw.. I saw spite.

His style of combat.. wild, unpredictable. It surpassed the level of a normal third circle mage— one who’s still supposed to be getting used to casting spells without chanting.

And, just like Calesandar Ron Flameworth— the last known dual affinity mage who had an affinity with both Water and Fire... Blank— Blank has an affinity with air and fire.

This.. this is good news. And I wonder.. should i inform the guidmaster? This Blank.. he has potential.

But no. I won’t tell that old man yet. I’ll watch Blank on my own.

Guilt slowly rise from inside my stomach— threatening to tug at my throat.

My breathing is slightly disheveled; It’s because my heart which had been dormant.. is finally pumping for the first time in ages.

It was a good fight. But next time, I hope I can fight with him as equals. As a fellow fourth circle.

I wipe off the water rushing out of my eyes. My eyes are watering because of that move he pulled.. "It hurts."

I push my door open.

I’ll have to get a potion from the alchemist.

But still, the last move— the one where he shot that wind arrow toward my forehead before he collapsed— it keeps replaying in my mind.

Not many can last ten minutes in a fight against me.

A small smile plays on my lips.

I’ll remember your name..

"Blank."

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(Charles POV)

I’m lying on my bed— the soft foam’s massaging my aching back.

My eyes are focused on the ceiling.. but my mind wanders far from it.

This is the choice I made. The way I chose to live this life. To find a way to go back.

It means I’d have to keep fighting people like this. I’d have to keep struggling.

But I’d do it. Because it’s the only way.

And how do I get stronger?

By gaining more experience. Advancing, climbing, ascending my circles.

So from now on, my mind is set. My plan is laid out. It’s simple— what I have to do.

A sigh leaves my mouth.

Note to self; never make the first move again. Ever. I’ll let them attack first. To study their pattern. To weigh their strength... it’s not like that’d have made any difference in that duel. But still.

Losing.. losing isn’t a bad thing. No, it’s not terrible. What’s terrible is— not learning from your loss.

And I’m not that kind of person. If I was the type who never learned from their own loss and mistakes.. then, I’d have never grown to the level I did back on earth.

"How are you feeling now?" Jennette asks, snapping me from my daze of thoughts.

A small cough clears my throat, then I sit up on my bed— facing her— she’s lying down on her own bed, her head on her folded arms.

"I’m doing better now." I reply.

She chuckles, "that’s good. But you should get used to things like this. Because, from now on.. you’re a mercenary. That’s how they.." ... "that’s how mercenaries live."

I nod, "I know."

"Mn, get some sleep. It’s night."

And she says that, I turn to look outside the window. And indeed it’s night, the cleaved moon is up— showering its majestic light.

***

It’s morning. And as I woke up, took a shower and ate— all the fatigue I felt yesterday melted.

I don’t know if it’s thanks to my insane healing speed, or.. yeah, it’s thanks to my insane healing speed.

I woke up fairly early. Jennette’s still asleep. Or maybe pretending to be asleep, but it doesn’t matter.

I’m descending the steps leading downstairs— to the bar in the inn.

I’m dressed in my red robes, and my bag’s slung on my shoulder. It contains my two artifacts, and my black, blank mask that I’ll wear as soon as I leave the inn.

Downstairs— there’s nobody here, it’s empty. It must be because it’s still early.

The only person present in the room is the waitress— she’s arranging the place, and sweeping with a broom. The cluster of blue light is revolving around her— she has affinity to the water element. But she’s not a mage.

And I deactivate the ’sight’ with my will. I only found out after I woke up yesterday that I can activate and deactivate this sight. It’s quite convenient, not having to see mana everywhere all the time. I wonder why I hadn’t tried to will it, and deactivate it before.

As I walk past her— our eyes meet briefly, and I nod at her in greeting, and she nods back at me too.

And I step out of the inn.

***

In the mercenary guild’s lobby— I walk in, my mask already hanging on my face, and my back is straight.

It’s quite filled up today.

"Is that the one?"

"Yeah, it’s him, the third circle mage who fought with Spade."

"That shrimp?"

"That ’shrimp’ will probably defeat you. Steer clear."

It’s something I’m used to now— gossips, whispers.

But I’m not used to being talked about in goodwill. Back in the Flameworths mansion; they only ever insulted me. That’s until I started showing tremendous results.

But well, I don’t care about all these people.. they’re like buzzing bees.

The receptionist— Mira. She has a professional look on her face as she stares at me.

"Welcome, Mercenary Blank." she greets.

And I nod, offering her no reply.

I take out my license from my pocket, and I ask her, "what am I supposed to do next?"

She smiles as she nods, "well, as a mercenary— you have to complete tasks.. they’re like missions, and various tasks have various ranks—:from F rank to S rank.

And that’s the only way to rank up as a mercenary too— by completing tasks. And how to complete tasks? See that board over there?" She points her index finger toward a large wooden board hanging on the wall at the far end of the room where various mercenaries gather.

"That’s where the tasks are pasted. You complete a task, you earn money. And you complete a specific amount of tasks? You rank up." Her fingers lightly, and rhythmically tap on her wooden desk as she speaks calmly.

I see. That’s the only way to rank up huh.

"And! There are ’commissions’ too. Those only start coming once you’re above E rank though.. people like Nobles, merchants, rich people, and all sorts— they can commission you and other mercenaries at a price.

And your pay would vary— depending on what they need you for. You might be needed in territorial wars, normal escort missions, and the rest."

Okay, I’ve digested the information well now. I just have to start grinding— to get enough money to start the business I have in mind.

"I understand.. but, I want to tell you something.." I speak, my voice calm, and my eyes locked into hers.

Her brows curve up as she hears me. And then she nods, "go ahead."

"I would only complete these ’tasks’ at night." I declare. My voice is firm, and never faltering.

She tilts her head, "I’m confused. Why?"

"I have my reasons."

"Well, you can complete the tasks at whatever time you want to. But when you start taking commissions. That’s if you choose to, you’ll have to do them on the terms of the one who commissions you. Meaning, you might not be able to compl—"

"I understand. That’ll be enough for now."

Immediately I speak, I turn to head to the direction of the wooden board. To view the various tasks pasted there.

"Then why did you come so early if you’re planning to take tasks at night? I mean, the only reason there are people here at this time is because mercenaries are.. hard workers."

A smile almost tugs at my lips. But I don’t turn back. I only wave my hand, dismissing her question, as I continue walking forward.

To be honest, I don’t know why I woke up so early myself. I guess I was just over excited to become a mercenary..? But now that I think about it.. what am I going to spend my time doing before night time?

Well, I can use the training grounds. I’m a mercenary now.

As I reach the area where people are gathered— viewing the board and picking their tasks, I.. I can’t even see because their tall heights obstruct my vision, and I’m just standing here awkwardly.

Their smells are killing my nose. And, worse of all, they’re all large. Some aren’t even fully clothed. And the women, they’re few.

But one person suddenly turns back— staring down at me. He’s a handsome young man, probably in his twenties. The air around him is fierce. His hair’s blonde, and his eyes lock with mine. Light green eyes tinged with spots of blue.. what an eye color.

As he looks down at me, his lips stretch wide with an amused grin. "Everyone. It’s the one, the guy who fought against Spade and lasted ten minutes." As he says this, every mercenary staring at the board turns their neck back— their gazes piercing me.

"Really? This lad with a small physique?"

"You don’t say... to think that there’s someone capable of doing that. What circle is he?"

"Third I think."

They keep muttering and talking to themselves, their eyes never leaving my body.

A sigh leaves my mouth.

But one thing happens— they all make way for me to walk through.

"C’mon lad, it’s your first task right? Go, pick a task that matches your rank. Nobody obstruct him!" the blonde mercenary yells out to the others.

"Indeed. Go, let us bare witness to a potential legend selecting his first task." Another mercenary speaks up. It’s a feminine voice, but I don’t see her face.

I walk toward the board immediately— sparing no time.

"You joke too much Leliana. What do you mean by potential legend haha."

I’m viewing the various papers pasted on the board now. On all of them, there’re different tasks, with different ranks.

Hmm, this one fits.

"You never know, Legends aren’t born after all. They’re forged with blood and sweat."

Keep your bullshit to yourself, these people.

"Isn’t that right, Blank?" the woman asks me. And I turn my neck to look at her face.

But I don’t reply, and I just walk off.

"It seems he has chosen his first task.""

"He’s kinda rude though, not even talking or responding to us."

"Yeah like I....."

"You know..."

Their voices fade away as I slowly make my way toward the training grounds.

It’s been a while since I last trained. I’ve chosen my task. And at night, I’ll make my move.

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