WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

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◈ The Inept Mage’s Infinite Regression

Chapter 62

Combat magic did not refer to a specific school of magic, so there was no such thing as a “combat school.” The Combat Magic Society in Yurmus was a small club of students rather than an actual association of active combat mages precisely because such an organization would have had little significance to real combat mages. While the Combat Magic Society served as a place of training for the few students at the Magic Academy who aspired to become combat mages, it held no meaning for those already established as combat mages.

In theory, most any spell could be used in combat. A dazzling swarm of lights could block an enemy’s vision. A spell that created oil could make foes slip. A spell that grew flowers and foliage could hide someone for an ambush. Whether it was a one-on-one duel or a large-scale war, if it involved combat, most any magic used could be termed combat magic. Krapomus Cluve, an archmage as well as a combat mage, once defined combat magic as “any magic used with the intent to kill.” Thus, combat mages each possessed their own style and approach, a fact Ethan had clearly seen with his own eyes.

About a dozen people entered the command tent, but four stood out in particular.

The first, of course, was Rivielton Fabier. At a glance, he was rather bear-like in stature, resembling a heavily built light-armored knight. But everyone who recognized his name knew he was the “Hero of the Great Wall.” Having witnessed Rivielton’s abilities several times, Ethan felt reassured. Here, Rivielton looked different in two respects: He now wore iron armor, including a breastplate, and he had a greatsword slung at an angle across his back. At school, Rivielton sometimes carried a longsword or nothing at all, depending on the place, but Ethan had never seen him with a greatsword. Now, he was truly armed for war.

Next was a woman in her late twenties with an androgynous appearance. Her short, platinum-blond hair was neatly kept, and she wore glasses. Over a pair of white trousers, she had on a light-gray coat that reached her waist, and her boots rose up to her knees. Ethan recognized her as Wica Byutlas, a combat mage from an alchemist family.

The Byutlas family had a major trade relationship with Charasen, and Wica served as the commander of the “Byutlas Guard,” formed to showcase the family’s alchemical prowess to the outside world. The Byutlas family had rediscovered and improved upon “cannons,” an ancient weapon thought lost to history, and they deployed an alchemist unit that used “hand cannons.” Though Wica was not the head of her family, she held an effectively equivalent position in external affairs because she commanded the Byutlas Guard. Ethan wanted to find a chance to speak with her, hoping to apply his “Metallurgy” skill in some way.

After Wica, the next to greet Osmal was a plump middle-aged man with an eyepatch over his left eye and a prosthetic automaton leg on his right side. Ethan learned his name after they exchanged introductions: Admoel Bold, nicknamed the “Siege Mage.” Since there was no official subschool for “siege magic” either, “Siege Mage” was a title that applied only to Admoel.

He had lived as a mercenary combat mage since he was a child, gradually earning renown on numerous battlefields. Now in his early fifties, he was regarded as a master of siege magic who had managed to survive the battlefield for decades. Rather than invent new spells, Admoel focused on casting existing spells more efficiently and quickly. It was said he could cast most siege spells in half the time it took an ordinary mage.

Lastly, there was a young woman with a black cloak draped around her entire body, revealing only her head. She wore her short hair in rough waves, and she looked only three or four years older than Ethan. Most striking were her bright yellow eyes, slitted vertically like a reptile’s—so-called “abnormal eyes.” Plenty of mages did magical research on their own bodies when necessary, but her pupils reminded Ethan of something he had seen before. It took him a moment, but he realized they were exactly like a dragon’s.

Her name was Laken Lagina. The Lagina family was known for many things: recently emerging as one of the “five distinguished houses,” specializing in transformation magic, and further, willingly modifying themselves in pursuit of even greater power. When Laken opened her mouth to speak, all of her front teeth were pointed like fangs. The Lagina family lived deep in the southern mountains, isolated from the outside world. Within the family, anyone considered skilled was required to leave the domain to undergo “training” and make a name for themselves. Given her age, it appeared that Laken, too, was in the midst of such training.

It wasn’t common for so many combat mages to gather for a single battle. Many combat mages were nobles or renowned mercenaries, so bringing them into a war required considerable influence and capital. However, the devastation caused by the Undying King was so severe—and anxiety about that devastation was spreading to neighboring lands—that an allied force had finally formed, pulling together a group of famous combat mages who could mobilize on short notice in eastern Damarth. Rivielton in particular had worked hard to assemble this allied force and gather combat mages, and he seemed personally acquainted with many of them.

Still, Osmal couldn’t look at everything optimistically. As the commander who had faced off against the Undying King the longest, it was his job to scrutinize any uncertainties. Once the greetings were finished, Osmal gathered a few members of the command staff and the key combat mages to begin a strategy meeting.

“It’s good we have so many combat mages, but we don’t have enough soldiers to protect them. Cora’s walls are high, and to breach them, we’ll need siege equipment.”

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In standard tactics, each combat mage was escorted by at least one knight or ten soldiers. When a combat mage had to undertake a special, high-risk mission, the escort might be several times greater. Excluding the 20 or so Byutlas Guards that Wica had brought, they’d still need at least one knight for each of the 16 mages. Now that Eurogia had declared its involvement, Osmal also had to guard against additional threats from enemy mages.

Rivielton, representing the combat mages, said, “Count Saikal, if you don’t mind, I’d like to suggest something. I propose we divide the combat mage unit into two groups.”

“How exactly?”

“One group will form a ‘siege team’ led by Mr. Admoel and Lady Wica. Any commander who sees Mr. Admoel on the field will consider him a serious threat. With the Byutlas Guard alone, they have enough manpower to protect Mr. Admoel, so the rest will form an ‘infiltration team.’ ”

“An infiltration team? Cora’s walls are tall, and it has many watchtowers. The security is strict. The only unguarded side is the eastern cliff face. It might be easy for you, Sir Fabier, but can the other mages manage? I’m no expert in magic, but I know that not all so-called high-level mages can use flight magic.”

Rivielton smiled.

“I can scale a cliff, but I don’t know flight magic either. Mages all have different interests, and even a single spell can take a long time to master. And yes, flight magic is so difficult that not everyone learns it. However, there is a mage among us who can get all the others up that cliff.”

“Please explain in more detail.”

Rivielton outlined the gist of his plan. Osmal then discussed it with the other commanders, while Rivielton contributed from a mage’s perspective. Detailed guidelines were decided, and in the end, they accepted Rivielton’s proposal.

As Osmal had said, Ethan and Boen were also assigned to that infiltration team. Some pointed out that, being only academy students, they lacked the experience and depth of magical knowledge compared to the other combat mages, and thus they might not be very helpful—or worse, might even create additional risk. However, thanks to Rivielton’s firm support, they were included in the end.

After the meeting, Ethan asked Rivielton, “Do you really need me that badly?”

“Few mages survive a demon attack on the Mage Court and come back stronger,” Rivielton replied. “You did it in your fight with Jimonail as well, if I recall. And if you managed to go toe-to-toe with one of the Undying King’s knights, that’s proof enough.”

Ethan couldn’t deny that. He pointed to Boen, who had quietly drained his teacup as he listened.

“What about Boen?”

At the sudden remark, Boen almost choked. Rivielton chuckled. “He’s an excellent combat mage as well. Didn’t you learn that in your training?”

“Indeed. I was joking.” Rivielton placed his hand around Ethan’s wrist. “Speaking of which, you haven’t been slacking on your breathing and swordsmanship practice, have you? Let’s check the progress you’ve made.”

Ethan just stared as Rivielton closed his eyes. Ethan felt a faint wave of energy sweep through his body as Rivielton gauged how much internal power Ethan had built up.

Ethan silently waited, somewhat hopeful. Rivielton opened his eyes.

“Excellent. Even during the semester, I sensed you had some talent, Ethan. Have you been through something recently?”

“Nobody’s ever told me I have ‘talent.’ It would be nice if it were true.”

Rivielton started to respond, then stopped and waved his hand dismissively. He knew Ethan was a dark mage, though he wasn’t entirely sure of the details. He at least grasped that Ethan’s dark magic played some part in his growth, though, so he said, “It’s your power, however you came by it.”

“Even if it’s not a righteous power?”

“Then you just use it righteously.”

Leaving Ethan briefly dumbfounded, Rivielton stood up.

∞

A blizzard was still raging, but several combat mages skilled at forecasting the weather declared that it would stop by midday.

Following Rivielton’s plan, those on the infiltration team boarded wagons. Their first goal was to pose as merchants, slip past the enemy’s notice, and arrive beneath the cliff just before Osmal’s army attacked Cora. Ethan was going to drive the carriage, but another combat mage insisted that he looked too young and too important to be handling the reins and urged him instead to ride inside. Ethan was caught off guard and climbed into the carriage, where he found a barely clothed woman staring blankly at him: Laken Lagina.

“What the—who are you?”

“Uh, s-sorry.” Ethan started to step back out, but Laken grabbed him by the collar.

“Hey, hold up. The wagon’s already moving. You’re gonna roll right off.”

“That might be preferable.”

Laken smirked. “You’re funny. Just sit. Let’s ride together.”

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