Chapter 7 : Childhood (7)

The name of the village I lived in was ‘South Clamp Wood.’

It meant a village nestled in the forest south of Baron Clamp’s territory, a place of modest size with only a few hundred residents.

What was the defining trait of such a small village?

Rumors spread fast.

“She’s a witch.”

“She’s a monster.”

I nodded at the nickname that had evolved from “goddess guiding adventurers” to “monster.”

Since I had gone from goddess to monster, the next logical step would be demon god.

The God of Magic. 

Just hearing it gave me chills. 

I really hoped they’d start calling me that.

“You little brats.”

Someone stopped the kids. 

A blond gang leader of the alleys—his name was Je… 

Je…

Who was he again?

Oh, right. 

Jerry.

Jerry scolded his friends, asking, “Would you like it if someone called you shorties?” but that was a flawed analogy.

Because, compared to Jerry, the kids were small, but they were actually above average height.

So, even if someone called them that, they wouldn’t really care.

But then again, I didn’t care about being called a monster or a witch either.

Turns out, that was an accurate comparison after all.

As expected of Jerry.

I entered the bakery.

The bakery owner, who had been arranging the shelves, flinched when he saw me.

Even with my hood up, he reacted that way.

Anyone who had worn a hood before would know—it wasn’t a mask. It couldn’t completely cover one’s face.

No matter how deeply I pulled it down, parts of my face were always visible, so people always flinched when they saw me.

If they had seen me often, they would have gotten used to it and not reacted like that. 

But I had only been like this for a week. 

A week wasn’t enough time for people to adjust.

“I’ll have the usual.”

“…Alright.”

After purchasing my bread, I left the store, lantern in hand.

I walked through the streets.

A clear sky, fresh air, and clean streets formed a perfect harmony.

I felt like lying down on a hill and taking a nap, but unfortunately, someone was waiting for me. 

I couldn’t go anywhere until I had fed Kelton properly.

So, should I prepare a meal for Kelton and then go out for a walk together?

That seemed like a good idea. 

Lately, Kelton had been in a bad mood, so he needed some fresh air.

I turned towards home.

“Hey!”

I stopped at the voice calling from behind.

When I turned, I saw a blond boy—no, now more of a young man—enter my view.

Clink. 

I shook my lantern and slowly opened my mouth.

“Sir Jerry. 

What is it?”

“…My name’s not Jerry.”

I had made a mistake. 

It wasn’t Jerry. 

It was…

Right, that name.

“Sir Jed. 

What brings you here?”

“My name is Jess.”

So it was Jess. 

Close enough.

I memorized it.

“Sir Jess. 

What brings you here?”

“Uh… 

Don’t mind what the kids were saying. 

I won’t let them do it again.”

“It’s fine.”

Calling someone by a nickname wasn’t a crime punishable by death. 

It would be cruel to punish them too harshly.

I whispered calmly.

“The kids don’t mean any harm. 

Don’t be too harsh on them. 

They’re just a little thoughtless, but they’re kind and innocent.”

“Why are you saying that?”

Jess looked slightly dumbfounded.

I won.

So, does that make me the gang leader of this village now?

Bring them all here—those under you and those above you.

“Is that all?”

I wanted to get back quickly to prepare Kelton’s meal, so if he was done, I hoped to leave.

Jess fidgeted, hesitating, before finally speaking as if he had made up his mind.

“I’ve seen you around for a while, but we haven’t even introduced ourselves. 

I wanted to get to know you.”

“I see.”

“As I said, my name is Jess. 

You’re Ruina, right?”

“I’m Ruina.”

I extended my free hand towards Jess.

Jess also reached out, but when he saw the burn scars covering my hand, he flinched ever so slightly.

Suddenly, a fun thought crossed my mind.

“In the end, you’re just like everyone else. 

You must think I look horrifying. 

You probably called me a witch, a monster, in your mind. 

Giving hope only to snatch it away—that’s the greatest gift a human can offer.”

“No, I—”

“I’m joking.”

I grasped Jess’s hand and shook it up and down.

“Let’s get along from now on.”

Leaving behind a stunned Jess, I returned home.

As soon as I arrived, I hummed a tune while preparing a meal.

“Hm-hm.”

“…”

“Hm-hm-hm.”

“Hmph… 

Kelton, get a grip. 

How long are you going to stay like this?”

“Sigh.”

Kelton let out a deep sigh.

For the first time in almost a week, he placed his pipe between his lips and spoke in a low voice.

“My only disciple burned their face and body to a crisp. 

What kind of master wouldn’t be troubled by that?”

“But I reached the Third Rank, didn’t I?”

“That’s the problem! Why does advancing require such an insane method?”

Kelton exhaled a long puff of smoke.

He stared blankly at the smoke dispersing toward the ceiling, then muttered quietly.

“What’s the point of advancing if it costs you your whole body?”

“Isn’t it a bargain, though? 

I didn’t end up crippled or anything, just a bit singed on the outside. 

Getting to the Third Rank for that price is a great deal.”

“Sigh.”

Kelton sighed again.

Honestly, I understood what he was saying.

I glanced at the mirror.

Reflected back at me was the typical appearance of a severe burn survivor—someone who had endured full-body burns.

Anyone with a face like this would struggle through life, but for women, it was even worse.

That was why Kelton kept sighing.

But that was only from the perspective of ordinary people.

From my point of view, a life without magic was far more unbearable.

Besides, I wasn’t actually a woman to begin with. 

A man resided inside this body, so I wasn’t about to obsess over something as trivial as beauty.

I could give it up anytime.

For magic, I would sacrifice anything.

“At this rate, you’ll end up leaving before me.”

“Dying is not an option. 

It would be too unfair to die without mastering all magic.”

“Yeah. 

That’s what I thought.”

Tap. 

Kelton tapped out the ashes from his pipe and put it out.

As if knowing that the meal was ready.

I placed a bowl of vegetable stew and some bread in front of him.

Then I scooped up my portion of the stew and took a bite.

The subtle sweetness of the vegetables gently warmed my body.

A perfect balance.

An ideal meal to rejuvenate one’s energy.

“It’s delicious.”

“And healthy, too.”

After finishing my meal and washing the dishes, I approached Kelton and asked,

“Since we’ve eaten, how about going on a walk?”

“Not today.”

“Why not?”

“The village chief asked me for a favor.”

“Again? 

You’ve been doing that a lot lately. 

You never used to. 

Is there some reason?”

“Come with me.”

Without further explanation, Kelton led me into the nearby forest.

I had explained this many times before, but there weren’t many monsters in this village’s forest.

The worst we had were small groups of goblins, which even the village militia could handle.

Yet the village chief had asked Kelton to clear out the goblins.

The reasoning was probably to prevent unexpected accidents, but something about it didn’t sit right with me.

Hiring a Fourth Rank mage just because of potential accidents in a medieval fantasy setting?

That didn’t add up.

“Kelton, be honest. 

You asked the chief for something, didn’t you? 

And in return, you agreed to clear out the goblins.”

“There are goblins ahead.”

Kelton pointed, and when I turned, I saw several goblins emerging from the trees.

Five of them.

That would have been a challenge in the past, but not anymore.

I opened my lantern.

Whoosh. 

A flame ignited inside.

After reaching the First Rank, I had learned to distribute my magic power evenly. 

My efficiency has improved.

Upon reaching the Second Rank, my repeated actions began influencing my magic.

Because I used magic inside my lantern every day, my mana consumption for that action specifically had decreased.

And when I finally reached the Third Rank—

I gained the ability to impose restrictions.

A condition: Magic must only be cast within the lantern.

Through repetition and oath, my Flame Arrows shot into the air and split into five separate streaks.

Five crimson trails pierced the goblins’ heads.

Thud.

Their brains melted, and they collapsed to the ground.

A clean fight.

Click. I closed my lantern and smiled as I met Kelton’s gaze.

I spoke.

“What do you think? 

Doesn’t this power seem beyond what a Third Rank mage should be capable of?”

“It’s impressive.”

“Worth the sacrifice, right?”

“There are still more goblins left. 

We should keep moving.”

It was obvious he was avoiding the conversation, but I didn’t press him on it.

Everyone had topics they wanted to avoid.

Still—

“At this rate, using pure elemental magic might be fine, but applied magic is going to be a hassle. What do I do about that?”

“You’re the one who imposed the rule that magic must be cast within the lantern.”

“Half of that wasn’t my choice—it was practically forced onto me. 

If I had known my magic would develop this way, I would have carried something more convenient, like a glove.”

But if I had done that, my rank might not have advanced.

A difficult dilemma.

The lantern was inconvenient, but it also had its advantages.

Kreeeek!

Another goblin lunged at me, and I incinerated it before continuing.

“Are we heading home after this?”

“Yes. 

Let’s go on that walk, too.”

“That’s why I like you, Kelton.”

On a day like this, staying indoors was practically a crime.

A walk was the right choice.

“Don’t hum a tune while burning monsters. 

It gives people the wrong idea.”

“Hmph, hmph.”

“…Fine.”

Looking at the clouds, I could tell that tomorrow’s weather would be just as nice.

Maybe I should grill some meat outside tomorrow.

Yeah.

Let’s keep going like this.

Just like this, all the way.

Two more years passed after I reached the Third Rank.

At last, I turned seventeen.

I had left home at ten, which meant I had spent seven years as a mage’s apprentice.

For me, those seven years had been a preparation period.

A time to get ready to start my real life.

Seventeen was the perfect age to call the beginning of one’s life.

Cough, cough.

But for someone else, those seven years might have meant the opposite.

I looked down at Kelton, lying in bed.

Seven years.

That was—

Plenty of time for a person to prepare for their end.