Magic that’s specific to me as an individual? In all likelihood, that meant that the one type of magic I could wield was the one I’d used to wipe my own memory. I hadn’t used it even once since I became myself, of course.
“But the thing is,” Balrog continued, “even if you lump both types of mages together, they say that only about twenty percent of the people in this country can use magic at all. And that’s in spite of the fact that the magical arts are vital to the people’s day-to-day lifestyles on a fundamental level!”
As a result, those who were born with the ability to use magic were granted an automatic ticket to a privileged life. It was a story I heard time and time again on my travels, like it or not. I’d had more than my fair share of troubles with the magical class, as well.
“That’s why I want to make magical tools,” he concluded. “I want to let the people who can’t use magic have access to something close to that sort of power.”
“That’s a pretty admirable goal.”
“You’re giving me too much credit. It’s not like I’m not planning on getting anything out of it. I wanna make a profit! I want people to respect me, and I wanna live a life of luxury!” Balrog looked a bit bashful as he lapsed into self-deprecation. I hadn’t been trying to flatter him, though. I was genuinely impressed. After a moment of silence, he spoke up once more. “Hey, Koh. Would you mind meeting up with my sister some time?”
“Your sister?”
“Yeah. I told her a bit about you, and I guess she wants to meet you in person now. I was wondering if you’d want to come visit my village after you’re all healed up?”
“The village you live in...” I was midway through my own Hero’s journey. My companions would be worried about me after my sudden disappearance...maybe. Or maybe not, honestly. Our relationship had always been a bit distant, and I’d never really had any problem with that. They might actually feel more comfortable without me around.
But even without taking all that into consideration, the simple fact of the matter was that I was intrigued by Balrog’s village and his family. It wasn’t an ominous, foreboding interest, either, but more of a sense of curiosity. The sensation welling up within me was new—I’d never taken an interest in anything like that before.
“All right, sounds good. I’ll go.”
“Really? You’re sure?”
“Yeah. I can’t exactly climb my way back to the top of that cliff.” I stood up from the bed as I spoke, and Balrog’s eyes widened.
“Whoa! Are you okay?!”
“I’m fine. No issues.”
“You fell off a cliff! Barely three days ago! Didn’t some of your bones break? I’m pretty sure they did!”
“I got better.”
“You got...? Koh. Are you sure you’re human?”
“As far as I’m aware.” Though I healed substantially faster than the average person, thanks to my power as a Hero, falling off a cliff’s a big deal. I wasn’t fully recovered yet, but I could walk without any particular difficulty. If anything, staying cooped up in bed would be the bigger problem—I’d feel like I was losing my edge.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, considering you survived a fall like that in the first place... Guess that settles it then. Wanna head out right away?”
“Don’t you have research to do?”
“Yeah, but I can only actually work on the thing I’m doing now for a couple hours early in the morning. I make my observations, write up my findings, and then I’m basically free for the rest of the day.” That left me with no particular reason to turn him down. I waited for Balrog to pack up his stuff, then set off, following him through the valley. I’d lost the majority of my own supplies, and my sword had snapped just above the hilt. As a natural result, I was unusually unburdened.
“Should I carry some of your stuff, Balrog?”
“It’s not that heavy. You really think I’d shove my baggage off on an injured person?”
“I’d probably have an easier time with it than you. You’re built like a twig.”
“Ha ha, ouch! I guess you did say you’re a monster hunter, right?”
“Yeah.” I’d almost forgotten, but I’d said that was my line of work at one point while Balrog was telling me his life’s story. I figured that calling myself a “monster hunter” would raise fewer questions than if I went with “adventurer” or “bodyguard.” My physical aptitude was just about the only thing I could pride myself on, so it might’ve actually been a good fit for me.
“Guess that’d explain why you’re so confident,” Balrog replied with a mischievous grin. He looked like a problem child who’d just thought up a fabulous new prank. “In that case, I think I have a favor to ask after all, if you’re feeling up to it.”
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
We passed through a cave formed by a crack in the valley’s wall, emerging into a forest on the other side. Balrog’s village was apparently just beyond. As the trees thinned around us, we entered a vast area of cultivated land with a paved road running between the fields. Balrog had described his village as being in the middle of nowhere, but it seemed they still had a decent enough trade passing through to merit that sort of infrastructure.
“A peddler comes through every week to buy up all the crops and goods we produce here,” Balrog explained in a somewhat bored tone. “We make trips to a bigger city that’s nearby every once in a while, and I really do mean a while. As in, barely ever. Anyway, we’ve gotta do something about that before anything else. Where would she be around this time of day...? Ah, found her! Heeey, Lyra!”
Balrog shouted out into the field, and one of the villagers working it glanced up at us. She was a red-haired girl who looked to be about the same age as we were. “Huh? You’re back early today, Balrog... Kyaaaahhhhhhhhh?!”