Transmigrated to a Dark Fantasy World of SSS-Rank: King of the Void-Chapter 13: Confused Feelings

Mitsuki dropped to his knees.

His heart pounded wildly in his chest, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

’I think... I need a break.’

However, the tattoo on his arm displayed a message.

[ You participated in the defeat of an E-Rank Cinder Titan. ]

[ Your Stats have increased. ]

[ Thanks to your brief training, the seal on the skill "Prana Perception" has been broken. ]

[ You have obtained the skill "Prana Perception Lv. 1." ]

’Prana? That’s pretty convenient, but... a seal was broken? What does that mean?’

Suppressing the fear lingering in his heart, he stared silently at the tattoo.

’I obtained Fireball after using it for the first time, but it didn’t mention anything about a seal back then. Is this related to what happened in the castle? How did I escape from the Black Knight in the first place?’

He stood up, brushing off his clothes.

’Maybe escape isn’t the right word. How did I defeat him?’

The titles, items, and new skills he had suddenly obtained were not a gift.

’Master of Cinder... That must have been his title.’

Obvious as it was, somehow he had managed to steal a few things from that specter. On the other hand, he couldn’t deny how absurdly convenient all of this was. The benefits of a monster’s abilities—one that could one-shot you—were simply too great.

Before he could dwell on it any longer, he looked toward the girls. Jeanne was climbing across the colossus’s chest while Ellegaard watched in silence.

’I almost forgot... My pathetic Fireball was trash compared to the insanity those two pulled off in three seconds. Is it really fair to meet beings this powerful at the very start of my adventure? This makes no sense!’

He approached them, wanting to learn more about what had just happened.

When he reached Ellegaard’s side, he tried to speak—but once again, his social anxiety stopped him. It was easier when they took the initiative.

Fortunately, the annoyed elf spoke first.

"That was just one of my most basic spells. There was no way I’d waste that much mana using my strongest magic on such a tiny titan. In any case, that was merely a small demonstration of what arcane magic can achieve."

"Yeah. It was terrifyingly amazing," Mitsuki replied.

In front of them, Jeanne was tearing apart the titan’s chest with her sword.

Ellegaard snorted with an arrogant smile.

"That’s why you should pay attention in my lessons. People would kill to learn what I know, so you should be grateful I’m teaching you for free."

"Yeah. I know," Mitsuki said, though internally he thought the complete opposite.

’With that attitude, it’s hard to feel grateful. At least she doesn’t seem intentionally mean, which keeps me from hating her. She’s also really cute...’

He nodded to himself as if he understood the complexities of women.

’Well, a character like her—cute, tsundere, flat-chested, strong personality—is always nice to look at, but not so nice to deal with in real life...’

In the end, adoring her and being annoyed by her went hand in hand.

"I found the fragments!" Jeanne shouted, lifting an irregular black stone with purple streaks about the size of an apple.

Ellegaard raised her staff—and bonked Mitsuki on the head again.

Bonk.

’Ow! What was that for?!’ he thought, unintentionally meeting Ellegaard’s eyes.

His breath caught in his throat as he realized something...

The elf smiled calmly and said, "It’s time to collect your reward, novice mage. If you don’t hurry, I won’t give you anything."

Then she leaped powerfully toward Jeanne.

Mitsuki touched his head in confusion. Though it was too late to look away, after locking eyes with her, he pressed a hand against his chest, feeling a strange ache that didn’t quite hurt...

His long hair covered most of his face, hiding his unreadable expression.

’I’m really pathetic... I can’t feel like this after knowing her for just two days.’

Even if the emotion was confusing, Mitsuki understood exactly what it was.

Being a hikikomori was finally catching up to him.

He shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside, and walked toward the titan.

’There’ll be time later to drill my brain with those thoughts. Today, I want to make money.’

He looked up at the girls waiting above. Moving to the side of the colossus’s arm, he stepped into a crack between wood and stone and began climbing.

After a few seconds, his hand reached the top. He dragged himself over the edge until he reached Jeanne’s feet, then collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.

"Looks like you need a bit more exercise, Mitsuki. After this, want to train with me?" Jeanne said, placing the mana fragment beside his head.

"He’s already under my tutelage, child. Don’t try to steal my student," Ellegaard shot back, pulling out a much larger fragment—almost the size of her head.

"Come on, Ellegaard. We’ve only known Mitsuki for a little over two days, and you already want him all to yourself? I suppose since he’s the first man who isn’t afraid of you, you want to keep him for the rest of your life."

The elf’s face twisted in fury. She was about to shout, but realizing she would fall right into the princess’s trap, she sighed and calmed herself.

"I don’t know where you come up with such nonsense."

’At this point, my view of this blonde has changed quite a bit. She can be a little sadistic when teasing Ellegaard,’ Mitsuki thought from the ground while Jeanne searched for new ways to annoy the elf. ’On the other hand, I’d like to train my body, but after obtaining Prana Perception, I want to continue with magic.’

It was the best decision for now. From his perspective, magic seemed like a faster path than physical training. While physical strength was important, someone as weak as Mitsuki needed a quick way to defend himself.

With that in mind, he said, "Magic... I want to keep practicing magic. I’ll leave physical training for later."

Ellegaard quickly masked her expression upon hearing that. Jeanne smiled—she was the only one who noticed.

There was no doubt about it. These two—Mitsuki and Ellegaard—were complete airheads.

Standing up and pocketing his fragment, Mitsuki looked out at the landscape below.

"And, well... I think you overdid it a little..."

The forest in front of them was completely devastated.

Suddenly, Ellegaard jumped down.

"I’ll handle it."

After landing, the elf raised her staff. Her gray eyes shimmered silver as the prana in the air danced like the wind. Her black robe whipped violently from the fluctuation of magic.

’She never stops amazing me. It’s one ridiculous spell after another.’

Mitsuki smiled faintly, almost proudly. He really liked her magic.

Jeanne, pretending she hadn’t noticed his expression, said, "Pay close attention. You’re witnessing one of the most renowned mages in this land."

"I knew you two weren’t normal," Mitsuki said dryly.

’I guess Jeanne really is a princess. I thought it was some kind of nickname because of how Ellegaard said it, but I was wrong.’

His heart beat warmly as the forest before them began restoring itself, as if time had reversed.

It was a magnificent sight.

’Yeah... these confused feelings. I need to understand them better.’

He had hidden in the darkness for a long time.

And now, he was finally stepping into the light.