Chapter 148 – The Mysterious Alya
While petting Hippolius and the wolf cubs, I looked towards Boeboe.
“Bubobo.”
“You should eat more.”
Boeboe was on Gisela’s lap, and being fed some meat.
As Boeboe was also dirty, Gisela was covered in mud.
However, she did not care at all.
As I watched them, I noticed that Alya was staring at them as well, from under her cowl.
There was something very intense and passionate about her gaze.
“Hmm.”
Well, Gisela a hero who had accomplished much, and many Adventurers idolized her.
Especially those who were younger, and became Adventurers after she defeated the Demon King ten years ago.
The expedition team was mostly filled with veterans with a lot of experience.
Including Alya, there were only about three people who had been Adventurers for less than ten years.
And Alya was the youngest.
As I thought of such things, Alya noticed by gaze, and walked towards me.
“Mr. Theo. Should I dry the courtyard?”
Apparently, she thought that I was trying to tell her to dry it.
“No, it will dry naturally if you just leave it.”
“But…”
“Kyuo?”
“Wuff?”
Alya looked at my lap, where I held the dirtied Hippolius and wolf cubs.
“Well, I can wash my clothes later. Besides, you just used some powerful magic. It’s best that you get some rest.”
“I’m fine. More than fine.”
“Oh? That’s impressive.
If that was true, she must have an immense amount of magic energy.
Even for a demon magician.
I had met demon magicians during the battle against the Demon King a decade ago, and she would rank high among them.
“Because I hadn’t used magic recently. I’m getting slow. I want to use it if possible. And show Fio as well.”
As she had decided to teach Fio, it was understandable that she would want to show her a lot of magic.
It would be educational for her.
“I see. In that case… I will ask you to do it.”
“Yes.”
“But only if it really is nothing.”
It was a sunny day in the summer.
And so the ground would likely dry in a few hours.
“I know.”
Alya walked to the center of the courtyard.
“It looks like she’s going to dry the puddles.”
“With fire magic?”
“No, probably wind magic.”
The Adventurers ate their food and watched with great interest.
Her rain magic earlier had been so brilliant.
And so all eyes were on her now.
“Mr. Theo. Mr. Theo.”
“Bubui.”
“What is it?”
Gisela walked towards me while holding Boeboe.
“I only saw the last part of the rain magic earlier. But it was amazing.”
“Yes, it was.”
“Who do you think is more powerful, Lilia or Alya?”
Gisela asked in a whisper as she moved close to my face.
This was a rather delicate matter amongst magicians and Adventurers.
I was a little surprised that Gisela understood that.
She had clearly grown during the past ten years.
“Indeed…”
I muttered.
Lilia was a comrade who had defeated the Demon King with us.
At the time, she was the greatest magician and called a Sage.
“I think Lilia is still stronger.”
“I see. So that is your opinion, Mr. Theo.”
“You don’t agree, Gisela?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I see.”
I was not a professional when it came to magic.
And so it was difficult for me to determine such a thing.
That being said, Lilia was older. She was in her late twenties now.
Even though she was still young, she clearly had a lot more experience than Alya.
Besides, the world was peaceful now, so young Adventurers did not fight as much as before.
“Back then, our party fought against so many powerful enemies.”
There were times when we had to fight for days without even being able to rest or sleep.
And more than once, our party was nearly wiped out.
On the old continent, our party had more experience than anyone else.
“Even if their magic was almost the same, Lilia would win if they actually fought.”
“That’s true.”
“Besides, I still think Lilia is better in terms of magic skills.”
Lilia would be able to make it rain as well.
“Still, I feel like Alya has something.”
As Gisela continued to whisper in my ear, it was a little awkward.
But it could not be helped, as we did not want to be overheard.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. But I had a similar feeling a long time ago… Like she is hiding something unknown…”
“Hmm? I cannot tell.”
“Neither can I. Maybe I forgot, or it’s a mistake. I don’t know.”
Gisela watched Alya with a serious expression, which was not like her.
“In that case, we cannot say who would win.”
“Hmm.”
“Even though I still think it’s Lilia.”
Apparently, Gisela sensed something immeasurable within Alya.
But I didn’t sense it at all.
There was no doubt that she was a brilliant magician. But I didn’t think it was immeasurable.
Still, I was curious now, and continued to watch Alya thoughtfully.
Thanks for the treat.