Ken yo, kaku katariki – 61

#04 – Magus

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“Ms. Aize?”

I had been guided to a room in the guild. It seemed like a guest room, and there was a girl there who was biting a cookie. She looked up upon hearing her name.
She had brown skin and beautiful silver hair. Ms. Aize Lilieth. My student.

“Why are you here?”

There was a gulf between the guild and the military academy.
Not so much a psychological one, but a political one. And there were plenty of students who aspired to become a Hunter. However, there was almost no reason for them to visit the guild.

She stuffed the rest of the cookie into her mouth, chewed and swallowed. Then she picked up her cup of tea from the desk and drank before opening her mouth.

“I came because I needed to talk to you, teacher. And Iria told me you’d be here.”

“Couldn’t it have waited until tomorrow?”

“Yes. But I also had business here.”

I sat down on the sofa that was facing her. She answered while picking up another cookie. So you’re still going to eat…

“…And what business is that?”

“Mmm. It’s about my training regimen.”

“Oh?”

“I think the thing I need to work on now is magic arts.”

…I see. Magic arts.
This was one subject where I had nothing to offer.
I was a complete amateur.

“Did you ask Teacher Hazel about it?”

“Yes. But she said that I should learn from a professional, if I wanted something closer to real combat.”

There was a magic instructor at the academy. Hazel Reverta.
However, she was more of a researcher. And was not well suited for actual combat training.

“That’s quite a problem. I can’t teach you magic. I’m the one who wants to learn it.”

I had discussed it with the Count, but the Twin Moon Festival, the Irovale, was approaching. And so all of the magicians were out.
After all, this was an important occasion for them, due to the Magic Exhibition.

“Hmm… That is why I thought the guild would be perfect.”

“Perfect?”

“The guild is all about real combat training. Surely there will be a capable magician here.”

Indeed. I thought with a nod.
However, there was a problem when it came to academy students learning from Hunters…

“As long as it is done quietly.”

“…Is that really something you should say in front of a teacher?”

“Please overlook it.”

Hmm…

“In that case, why don’t you confide in Mr. Sylt?”

Said the receptionist as she entered the room with another plate of cookies.
She smiled and picked up the empty plates and cups.

“He has a lot of connections. Perhaps he knows someone who is a magician and not related to the guild.”

Really? That’s impressive.
I turned to look at Ms. Aize…but she was already picking up the cookie and throwing them into her mouth.

“…Thank you. I will ask him about it. Also…thank you for these.”

“Not at all.”

The woman held a hand to her cheek and looked at Ms. Aize with a motherly smile.
After that, Ms. Aize finished everything that was on the plate.

Later, we thanked the woman, left the room and headed to the lobby. In a corner, I saw Mr. Sylt. He was holding a cup of coffee in one hand and speaking to some Hunters.

“…So that is how it is.”

“…I see. In that case, personnel will be…”

I heard their voices. Mr. Sylt and the two others seemed to be having a serious conversation.

As he crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes, deep in thought, Mr. Sylt suddenly noticed us and turned his face.

“Ah, hello there. Are you finished talking?”

“Yes. Thank you for allowing us to use the room.”

“No, it’s nothing. It hardly ever gets any use.”

Mr. Sylt said, and then he glanced over to the Hunter next to him.
I had not seen him before. But he looked quite young.

“Well, I will be going then. Please say hello to Mr. Grafios for me.”

“Aye. Say hello for me as well.”

“Yes.”

I wondered what that was about as they left. But then Mr. Sylt turned back to us.

“So. You look like you might have business with me as well?”

He was always so perceptive. I chuckled, and then explained what we had discussed.

“A magician… No, a Magus.”

“Magus?”

I looked at him questioningly. And then Ms. Aize whispered from behind, ‘an important magician.’

“Well, there isn’t an actual official distinction.”

Mr. Sylt admitted, and then he explained.

According to him, Magus was an old magician rank.
There had been at least seven different levels at one time.
And a Magus was the highest one, and it gave one the authority to train other magicians.
However, there was no ranking system now. But magicians were able to train other magicians were still called Magus.

“It is no easy thing, teaching others magic arts. After all, there are things you can’t see and have to rely on senses.”

“…By the way, how did you learn it, Ms. Aize?”

“I’ve always been able to use it.”

Huh? What?

“With magic arts, a big part of it is an innate gift. Though, that is more magic than magic arts.”

“What? Is there a difference?”

“There is. But I suppose you should ask her about it.”

“Her?”

Mr. Sylt nodded.

“I will introduce you. By far, the best Magus that I know of.”

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