WETRIED TRANSLATIONS

Wizard of the Abyss

[Translator – Aren]

Chapter 28 - Growth (3)

"I still don’t really understand why you want to take my daughter as your disciple.”

Aletus led me to their castle’s basement. 

Yes, it really was a castle. When I looked down through the window, I saw the infirmary I had been recovering in probably had been on the third floor.

And if their storeroom was down here, then this place had to be some sort of castle.

...I even saw a small stable built on the second floor on our way down. Wasn’t that as nonsensical as building a parking lot on the second floor?

I tried to keep those doubts to myself and answered calmly.

"It’s for my own benefit- So you want to know what kind of Abyss I fell into? The Abyssal Sea.”

"...The Abyssal Sea? You mean the deepest parts of the ocean?” 

"Yes. At this rate, I’ll be crushed, drowned, or frozen to death. Want to feel it?”

I held out my hand. Aletus just blinked, seeming confused, before cautiously grabbing it.

"Ugh, it really is cold.”

"The rest of it torments me just as much. My burden… or so it’s called apparently. Helping Lady Elisia fully control her abilities isn’t just for her sake. Her magic might be able to save me as well.”

"..." 

Aletus, looking slightly shocked at my words, dismissed the guards standing before the storeroom. 

As he stepped toward the doors, they automatically opened. It seemed that there was some sort of detection spell cast on it.

"You—you seem completely unbothered by these things.”

“Of course, they bother me. It’s miserable and painful. And really hard to accept as well.”

"Yet none of that is showing in your tone. How old are you?”

"10. Probably. I’m not quite sure since I’m an orphan. But I only had my Soul Fever recently, so I should be around that age.”

"..." 

"However, more than the pain, what I feel is anger and resentment. If crying and whining won’t solve it, then I do what needs to be done. I can still curse the heavens after grabbing onto every rope that’s been thrown down to me.” 

"An orphan, huh…” 

Aletus shook his head as he opened the last door. 

"You’re far too greedy. The heavens won’t throw you down any ropes.” 

"..Why?” 

"Because you already have been given a sturdy one. The dignity and composure to plan your next moves even while faced with your own death. If I had met you under other circumstances, I would have believed that you’re the Emperor’s hidden child.”

Was that a compliment or something? 

While I was staring quite sullenly at Aletus, I sensed something strange from beyond the open door. 

"...?" 

My Tide Sense felt kind of hazy. I could sense something was inside the glass displays ahead, but my currents couldn't reach it as if they were deflected. 

Just what was this place? At first I thought this was some sort of museum. 

There were various treasures being displayed behind thick glass after all.

Then I thought that this might be a clothing store or something, since a lot of the displays were filled with clothing. 

I naturally didn’t really have much interest in clothing, so I immediately turned my attention to the grimoires stacked carelessly in the shelves next to them, asking offhandedly while skimming through them. 

"I get the grimoires, but what’s with all those clothes?” 

"...If any other mage heard you say that, they’d probably be appalled.” 

"?" 

Aletus cleared his throat a few times before he began his explanation.

"What do you think is the one thing every wizard must always carry?” 

"Grimoires? I don’t really know about anything else.” 

Oh, Aquatic Linguistics? This one looks quite interesting. I should probably ask Dercia to teach me this once I become her disciple.

And that one… looks pretty complex, I don’t know. I could use it to bait Dercia though. 

"It’s a robe. A wizard’s robe isn’t just mere clothing. It’s an arcane artifact that more or less defines a wizard. Anyone can tell exactly who you are just by looking at them.” 

"But aren’t they just clothing?” 

"That’s not it. Come here.”

Aletus opened up one of the display cases, pulled out a white and gold robe, far too ornate for my tastes, and handed it to me. 

"Try this on.” 

"Yes." 

I guess there was no harm to it, so I put it on and looked at myself in the mirror.

It really was far too flashy for me, like I thought. What was I supposed to do now? The answer soon came from Aletus. 

"Try to manifest your magic.” 

I slowly started to summon some wind. 

And then I instantly realized what he had meant. 

"Oho…” 

It felt different. The wind spread far smoother throughout the room, costing me much less mana. 

Not only did the spell's efficiency increase, but I was able to control it far more intricately and precisely than before.

I immediately put the grimoire aside and took off the robe and handed it back to Aletus.

"Can I try all of them on? Actually, how does this work?”

"Take a closer look at the robe.” 

Hearing those words, I examined the robe more closely. I didn’t really notice it at first glance, but I could tell that there was something strange about the threads that made up the robe.

"Each individual thread is engraved, designed to each function as an artifact.” 

"...What does that mean?” 

"They’re inscribed threads. One thread carries restorative enchantments, one holds efficiency increasing enchantments, and one holds mana affinity enchantments… These robes are masterpieces that are woven together by such inscribed threads, connecting them precisely to channel all those effects.”

"Wow." 

That was all I could say. 

Artifacts, inscribed thread, enchanted robes… While I didn’t quite understand all of it, I was very certain that it was the product of insane amounts of labor.

"They must be incredibly expensive.” 

"You can’t buy them with any money in the world. The robe you’re holding right now took ten years to make. Selling it could buy you a whole mansion.” 

"...." 

I folded it as carefully as I could. 

"I’m not sure I can accept something like this.”

"You saved my daughter. Not only that, you also vowed to save her once more by becoming her teacher. Don’t let it burden you.” 

"In that case, I’ll accept.” 

Honestly, I didn’t have the slightest intentions of refusing. I mean, I probably wouldn’t get another opportunity to get these kinds of things so easily anymore after this. 

After trying on every robe I could find in this place, I found one that I quite liked. A crimson robe. Wearing it, I could feel my mana efficiency and physical strength rise.

"Hmm, a fine choice. Wearing this, even a child could muster an adult’s strength.” 

Since Aletus said such things, it must be quite expensive. 

I really needed strength to practice Body Reinforcement, and more importantly, the more expensive something was the better. But the moment I was about to settle on it, another robe caught my eyes.

"What about that one?” 

A rather shabby garment sitting in a dusty display case, set apart from the others in the corner of the storehouse.

Unlike the other robes, which were rather thick and made with extravagant inscribed thread, this was so incredibly thin that it almost didn’t seem different from ordinary fabric.

It also wasn’t as flashy and ornate. It was just a plain, black robe accompanied by a worn, tattered gray cloak. It was noticeably different from all the other robes here.

Aletus shrugged and answered my question. 

"It’s more of a relic, really.”

"??" 

"They say it belonged to the first wizard. While it is made using inscribed thread, it lacks any additional functions. In fact, most who have worn it reported that it actually interferes with their magic. It’s not even certain that it really has such origins…”

"Hmm… May I try it on?” 

"Of course, go ahead.” 

This robe, no, calling it a robe was rather strange, since it was just some regular shirts and trousers, was quite elastic so that it even fit me, albeit with some drag.

Just as Aletus had said, nothing really happened when I tried casting magic.

"..." 

But I could tell. Something was definitely different. 

"Is there anything I could try my magic on?” 

"It won’t make much of a difference, but try it on that.” 

Aletus pointed towards a nearby chair. 

I immediately tried to crush it using water pressure.

"....Ugh." 

The pressure immediately pressed down on my body. 

Pain lanced through me. My wounds from last time hadn’t even fully healed yet and yet I was doing this again, so they started to ache and sting. 

But— 

Craaack...! 

"Hmm?" 

The wooden chair buckled before collapsing. 

Aletus took in that sight with surprise written on his expression. 

"Is this the magic of your inner world? Although you showed me before, it truly is fascinating seeing you use spells without the use of mana…” 

"...Yes." 

I took a deep breath and looked toward the crushed chair. 

I had managed to exert that much force, and yet, I hadn’t felt nearly as much pressure as I should have. 

My heart pounded wildly.

"I’ll take this one.” 

"What? Wait, are you sure? It won’t be of much use.” 

"But it’s quite useful." 

I looked at the shabby robes, a deep smile creeping across my face. 

"To me at least." 

These clothes lightened the burden. 

...A treasure I didn’t even dare to hope for practically fell into my lap. 

* * * 

When I returned to the infirmary, Elisia, who had been waiting there quietly, suddenly jumped to her feet. 

"Wow, Jern, you’re wearing a robe… huh?”

Then her eyes went wide. 

First, because the robe I was wearing was anything but normal. 

Second, because of the dozens of books I had stacked on my head, balancing them perfectly. 

"Wh-what’s all that?” 

It seemed like the second thing was more shocking to her judging by her voice.

Aletus sighed. 

"Well, I did tell you that you could take as many things as you can carry, but… you could just leave them here. Do you really think I wouldn’t support my daughter’s teacher?”

"I appreciate the sentiment, but these are bargaining chips.” 

"?" 

There was no way that Dercia had seen the tomes stored here in the library.

Thanks to my training with Body Enhancement, this weight also didn’t pose a problem to me. Before I left with Elisia I first asked for Aletus’ permission for a certain matter. 

"Lord Aletus, would it be alright to take Elisia to the capital’s library?” 

"As part of your teachings? Well, even if I allow it, I doubt you’d be welcome there.” 

"Pardon?"

"You may not have heard… but a certain old monster recently occupied the capital’s library.” 

"Old monster?” 

Could this be about the person I was thinking of? 

Seriously? Wearing a dumbfounded expression, I waited for him to continue. Aletus looked just as confused as he opened his mouth once more.

"I’m talking about the elven mage Dercia… She’s quite eccentric and volatile. It’s best not to provoke her unnecessarily. I can’t even tell you why she holed herself up in that particular library.”

"..." 

I struggled to suppress a laugh. 

Well, since she was an elf, calling her an old monster might actually be quite fitting.

"I want to go there to meet her.” 

"...?" 

"Don’t worry. I know her. I bet she probably occupied the library because she’s waiting for me.” 

"??" 

Despite looking quite bewildered, Aletus gave me his permission, so we headed to the library.

Naturally, I was allowed to borrow one of their carriages. 

Before I left, however, Aletus gave me one last reminder.

"Next week, several nobles will come to visit to express their gratitude to you. You must be at the estate at that time.” 

"...Am I allowed to stay at the estate?” 

"I’ll make sure you’re given the finest room. Remember, from today on, you are one of us.”

"I’ll keep that in mind.” 

That wasn’t such a bad feeling. I should probably tell the director that I’ve finally made it.

On our way to the library, Elisia sat next to me in the carriage, beaming from ear to ear.

There was still something I needed to tell her. 

"Ahem, Elisia.” 

"Yes!" 

I intentionally spoke informally, but she didn’t show any aversion to it.

But I had to push even further. I put on a very stern expression before addressing her again.

"From today on, I’m your teacher. You need to respect me, meaning you have to use formal speech…”

"Yes! Teacher! I will do that!” 

That answer shot out of her mouth so quickly that I couldn’t help but feel a bit taken aback. 

"...I’m a commoner though. Don’t you feel weird about it?” 

"What does that matter?” 

Elisia blurted out quite the shocking statement, acting as if I had just asked the dumbest question. 

"Jern, you became my teacher to help me, right?” 

"Yes. But it’s also for my own sake. You need to grow so that I…” 

"Then I’ll work even harder!”

Looking at those sparkling, innocent eyes made me sigh. 

As long as she followed along, I guess it should be fine. 

The moment we arrived at the library, I strode right in. 

Clang—! 

And of course, Dercia was right in the center.

The suffocating aura and the dark circles under the elf’s eyes were the same as ever.

"Hic..." 

Elisia slightly flinched when her eyes fell on her, quickly hiding behind me.

Well, she was quite intimidating after all.

"..." 

Hearing the tiny sound, Dercia reacted slightly, glancing over from her book—

"What is it?” 

Before looking right back at it, seemingly uninterested. 

So that was how she wanted to play it? 

Well, I actually had something prepared for just this moment. 

I approached her with the brightest smile I could muster. 

I’d held back that line for such a long time, and now I could finally say it.

"Hello, Mother.” 

"...Cough!” 

Dercia’s expression was, how should I put it? 

Even better than I had expected.

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