Chapter 8

“Miss Mirabel, your control over magic has improved significantly since yesterday. What happened?”

“……”

Mirabel was unable to answer Colton’s question and kept her mouth shut tightly.

After receiving the staff as a gift yesterday, Mirabel had looked like someone facing a malevolent god, but now her expression was cryptic.

It seemed her feelings had changed. Though the source of her power was unsatisfactory, using it had brought her immense joy.

‘Of course. What kind of item is that?’

Game items typically come with their own specifications.

Stat boosts are standard, and there are also special effects, just like the Taosol. There are items that can raise specs or suppress the debuffs of slaves.

Such items are divided into tiers, ranging from Normal, Rare, Epic, Unique, to Legendary. The Celestial Oath, of course, belongs to the Legendary tier.

As for a staff, it inherently includes effects like an increase in the amount of magic and a drastic enhancement in magical performance, among other deceptive effects.

If one had to pick the most notable effect among those, it would be the transformation of magical properties.

The previous master, Inaxia, was the son of a sage and a high elf. It seemed like he would have been revered based on his appearance, but that was far from the truth. He was scorned for the sole reason that he was half-elf.

These days, it’s less so, but in the past, the mainstream belief was that ‘being born of a human and a monkey is not much different.’

Because of this, Inaxia cut off his long ears, dyed his blonde hair, and masked the natural scent of the forest with a strong perfume.

However, the inherent magical properties of elves could not be changed, leading him to spend decades contemplating and ultimately modifying the Celestial Oath, which was his mother’s legacy.

He cast spells to make the magical properties within him feel different. He thoroughly concealed the fact that he was a half-elf.

‘And that effect is useful for Mirabel too.’

Witch Mirabel.

It could reduce the dissonance of magic felt by others and lessen the lingering traces of a witch detected by clerics.

It was truly a piece of equipment just for Mirabel.

Perhaps in Mirabel’s mind, angels and demons were waging a battle. ‘Should I like it or not?’

That was the narrative.

Whoosh.

While lost in thought, a burning light poured forth. A small fireball floated gently in front of Mirabel’s staff.

“Wow, already able to create a fireball… I was skeptical, but I didn’t expect it to be this impressive. You continually exceed expectations every time we have lessons.”

It was understood that to learn magic typically required good nutrition from infancy and at least a year of private tutoring from a court magic teacher.

However, it had only been barely a week.

This included the time Mirabel was taking to learn magic.

After all, life does seem to favor lineage. The thought of some incompetent manga artist crossed my mind.

Blushing from the praise, Mirabel hid her face by pressing it against the staff. In place of her, I wore a proud expression. It meant that my care had worked that well.

Mirabel glanced at me.

Haha, thanks are in order. You are a lucky charm who will bring about gifts far greater than this.

“If you’ve already come this far, you should be able to learn more advanced magic.”

It would be akin to an elementary student learning high school coursework in just a week.

“Well, please do your best. I’ll step out for a bit of a walk.”

The magic unfolding before me was wonderfully circus-like, but Mirabel was still a budding witch. Repeating the same spells monotonously could only lead to boredom.

I stretched and exited the training ground.

***

Even after Carami left the magic training area, the magic training continued unabated. The passion for learning showed no signs of waning.

Teach one thing, and Mirabel would grasp a hundred. Whether it was magic manipulation or spell crafting, it was hard to find something she couldn’t do.

Thanks to this, Colton was experiencing the joy of teaching in full measure. Mirabel, too, felt the same way.

I had heard that studying was boring, but it was anything but. From understanding knowledge to incorporating it as one’s own, every process was enjoyable.

Whether a mage or a witch, they are largely similar. Their roots lie in a thirst for knowledge, obsessed with the study of magic, making the two equally mad.

Vrrrmm.

The Celestial Oath reacted to Mirabel’s magic and emitted light. The atmosphere rippled, and a blade of wind formed and shot forth. The practice dummy was cut cleanly in half with a crunching sound.

Colton clapped his hands together excitedly.

“The wind attribute magic is quite crisp as well. I can’t even count how many times I’ve said this, but every time it’s breathtaking. It’s praise that’s well deserved. If other mages saw this, they wouldn’t be envious; they’d be in awe.”

“Th-thank you.”

Overwhelmed by the incessant praise, Mirabel didn’t know where to put herself. Embarrassed, she twisted her body and buried her face in her staff.

After engaging in magic energetically, Mirabel took a break.

Her magic hadn’t shown any signs of dwindling, thanks to both her innate reserves and wearing the Celestial Oath. However, every time she cast a spell, it consumed a portion of her mental energy.

Colton approached Mirabel, who was resting and drinking water, wearing an overtly serious expression.

“Miss Mirabel, is it true that Carami is a slave trader?”

“Yes, but why do you ask?”

“As I thought….”

Colton nodded to himself as if he had suspected something.

“Why, what is it…?”

“The talent within you, Miss Mirabel, is something that could shake the world, yet you are bound to a mere slave under such a man. It’s truly a pity. Even if you put in the effort to become a great mage, you would only become his tool.”

Colton sighed deeply at the disheartening reality.

Mirabel tilted her head slightly as she observed his reaction. She’d never even dreamed of becoming a great mage, so she couldn’t empathize with his statement of pity.

At that moment, Colton looked at Mirabel with grave determination.

“Miss Mirabel, if you desire it, I will entirely assist you in breaking free from your status as a slave.”

“Y-yes…?”

“I sensed that a contract was made with your soul. Isn’t that right?”

Mirabel nodded.

“That is quite a malicious method. A slave bound with their soul cannot find freedom even in death. It means becoming an eternal slave. Such practices are typically reserved for monstrous criminals or prisoners of war, yet they have done this to you, Miss Mirabel.”

“Is that so…?”

“The fortunate thing is that he is ignorant of magic. A mage of your caliber should be able to free your soul’s shackles by yourself. Of course, since you’re still inexperienced, it will take time.”

Lengthening his explanation, Colton raised his head confidently.

“But do not worry. I will assist you. We will break the chains of your soul, and you will become a great mage under my teachings!”

Mirabel listened to Colton’s words and pondered deeply.

The fact that it was possible to break the chains of her soul meant that she could become free from being a slave, right?

‘But… does that matter?’

After all, she had already been discarded.

She had no home to return to.

Life, a mere stone, rolled about haphazardly until it fell into an abyss untouched by light. Even if the stone gained arms and legs, could it really climb back up to the light?

Mirabel shook her head internally. She was sure that such a day would never come.

If her current life felt difficult, she might consider it, but it wasn’t particularly so.

It had been tough when she had just become a slave, but now she was eating better than when she was with her family and experiencing things she couldn’t in the small village.

The mage robe… initially it was incredibly shameful, but as she got used to it, it wasn’t too bad. The material was soft and even pretty. Though it was a bit short.

Of course, she didn’t think Carami was a good person. Known as the Slave Death God, he was a malevolent figure responsible for the deaths of countless slaves.

‘Though it seems a bit different from the rumors.’

In any case, Mirabel had no longing for freedom.

“Killing him would… no. Doing so may even solidify the shackles. It seems we should pursue breaking the magic instead….”

Unaware of the thoughts swirling in Mirabel’s mind, Colton pondered seriously.

***

Since Mirabel began to learn magic, convenience had greatly increased in various aspects.

Heavy objects were moved with telekinesis, and when the weather turned chilly, warmth was provided; a shout of “Mizu” would fill a cup with water.

Staring intently at the water in the cup, she thought.

‘Since magic is like blood, is this like Mirabel’s bodily fluid?’

Engaged in an epic debate in her mind, she took a sip. It felt somehow sweeter than ordinary water.

In a fantasy world, where mages are actively favored, she felt the need for them quite acutely. They truly are versatile; a living toolbox.

If she parted from Mirabel now, the reverse perception would hit her like a wave.

I need to exercise some restraint.

“Miss Mirabel, won’t you tire yourself by using magic continuously?”

“I’m just a little tired… I started learning magic late, so the guild leader said I should constantly enhance my skill level. He also mentioned that I have plenty of magic, so there’s no problem even if I waste it.”

“In that case, I have no reason to stop you.”

Mirabel’s speed of acquiring magic was far faster than I had anticipated.

While talent played a significant role, it was also due to Mirabel’s budding interest in magic. When she used magic, the lifeless look in her eyes sparkled like stars.

It was undeniable that she was a witch through and through.

‘How lovely.’

When playing the game, seeing stats increase or a status screen change was nothing more than, ‘Oh, so that’s how it is.’ But witnessing it directly felt entirely different. It was evident that her condition was visibly improving.

‘With this, I can accelerate the plans.’

Mirabel’s complete liberation.

In other terms, there was magic she had to learn to see the true ending.

Such knowledge cannot be obtained through ordinary means; dungeons must be traversed. Previously, it was sufficient to endlessly explore dungeons until I acquired them, but now I would have to go directly.

I should set a date soon.

A month passed since we arrived in Livria on that fateful day.

“Colton, we’re ready to leave now.”

Interpreting that means.

Thanks for the sweet time.

Adios.