I pulled Ashley’s hand as we continued to run. I focused on the map and saw there were no lights chasing us from behind. I slowed down and was about to ask Ashley what we should do next, but I saw she was blushing. She walked beside me, looking down, letting me lead her by the hand. I realized I had been holding her hand this whole time and released it.
“Ah, I’m sorry. It was an emergency, so I just...”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind,” she said.
We decided to have dinner and looked for somewhere good to go. I wanted Italian, but I couldn’t afford it after today’s shopping. Perhaps there weren’t any Italian restaurants, anyway. Finding nothing suitable, we decided to go back to the White Flower Pavilion of the Labyrinth.
We ate in the dining room without saying a word. I knew from previous meals that she didn’t like to talk while eating, but this felt different.
After finishing the meal, we relaxed while drinking fruit water. That was when Ashley brought up a new topic.
“Schwarz, I have something I need to tell you.”
“Sure. What is it?”
“It’s about what they were calling you back there: ‘Dud’ means someone who can’t use magic.”
“Can’t use magic?”
“Yes, it refers to the rare person who is born unable to cultivate magic within their bodies. They also can’t absorb magic from outside. They have a magical deficiency and lack all skills related to magic. Here, magic resides not just in all living things, but all things that exist. Magic power is in the air, the stones on the road, and even within this table. I don’t know where you are from, Schwarz, but in the Kurtmelga Kingdom, magic is used everywhere, including to operate various tools. But duds can’t utilize any of it. I know you have combat power, but living here is, well, very tough without magic.”
Ashley looked down. She was right about me not being born into this world—I just fell into it through VMB’s power. I lacked magical ability, and this made me a complete anomaly in this world. Maybe it would never accept me.
At least Ashley, of course, had undoubtedly accepted me. I had come to understand that well over the past few days and felt comfortable enough to open up a little to her.
“Ashley, do you remember when you helped me with my registration? You asked if my name was just ‘Schwarz’?”
“Oh? Yes, I remember.”
“My name isn’t just ‘Schwarz.’ It’s actually ‘Schwarz Powder.’”
“Schwarz Powder... Powder...”
“Even though I have a surname, I’m neither noble nor royalty. And we, the Powder family, cannot use magic. I’ve lived a life completely without it. It wasn’t needed in the kind of place I lived in. But I don’t think I’ll have trouble living here. I have this...”
I pulled out the Five-seveN from the shoulder holster with the safety still on. I placed it on the table and continued talking. “This is a gun. I have a few others like it, and they are collectively called ‘arms.’ I would guess probably only my family possesses these. As long as I have them, I have the power to fight and live here without magic. I’ll be okay.”
“Arms? I’ve never heard of such things. Can I touch it?”
“Yeah, go ahead. It’s safe.”
Ashley hesitantly touched the Five-seveN on the table. She tried to lift it, but as soon as she did, it turned into particles of light and disappeared.
What?! What does that mean?
“Is this perhaps a bloodline skill?!” she asked.
Bloodline skill? Did she misunderstand something? Maybe I can use this as cover.
“Yes, it’s a bloodline skill called ‘Arms.’ I probably don’t have magic because of it.”
“Amazing! I’ve heard that very few families possess bloodline skills within the Orland continent. Even in the Kurtmelga Kingdom, only the royal family has one. Are you sure you’re not royalty?”
“I’m sure. I have no country or village to return to.” I didn’t want to believe that, though.
“Really? I’m sorry, but I’m a bit relieved. I’ve heard that duds have hard lives. I’m sure you’ll be okay, Schwarz. Besides, I can help you with whatever you need. Ask me anything.”
“Thank you, Ashley. But you’ve already done so much for me. I’m very grateful.”
I managed to cover up my tracks well, and our conversation seemed to have quelled her anxiety. Even if it was all a lie, I couldn’t bear to see Ashley look so troubled. Why was that?
Well, I wasn’t entirely lying. Now I could disguise my VMB power as a bloodline skill in the future.
Time seemed to fly by once we finished eating, and everyone had left the dining room. It was probably a good time to call it an evening.
“We’ve talked quite a bit, haven’t we? Let me escort you to the dormitory.”
“Thank you.”
Walking Ashley to the guild staff dormitory, I enjoyed the leisurely post-dinner stroll, and she taught me basic information that all adventurers should know.