Chapter 6 : Shadows of the Inquisition

[I was thrown off when the Merchant said they didn’t sell swordsmanship skills.]

Ethan had hoped for a skill that, while not magical, could stand against a puppet.
But according to Demi, swordsmanship in Terra was practiced by few, and the odds of getting it through a lottery were slim.
Reluctantly, he chose the Merchant’s recommended ‘Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.’
It turned out to be a better choice than expected.

[If I can make it a bare-handed fight, I win.]

The ‘takedown’ to bring an opponent down resembled war-wrestling taught to knights, but the ‘ground techniques’ afterward were different.
Controlling and breaking joints gave an edge in unarmed combat.
As far as Ethan knew, once an opponent was down, people stabbed with a blade or bashed with a rock—not grappled like snakes.

[The trick is getting them down.]

If he could disarm a sword-wielding opponent, even without jiu-jitsu, the fight would be even.
If that were easy, armed soldiers wouldn’t be so feared on battlefields.
Ethan had to rely on ingenuity.

[Managed it somehow.]

Ethan drew his dagger and stabbed the automaton’s side and neck as it tried to push him off.
Each strike slowed its movements until it finally went still.

He retrieved the dagger, dusted himself off, and stood.

Linav clapped for Ethan.

“Well done, boy.”

“Thank you.”

“But joining the Combat Magic Society will be tough.”

Ethan looked at her, unimpressed.

“What?”

Linav avoided his gaze, seeming awkward.

“It’s just… no student has ever joined after defeating an automaton bare-handed. Not in the society’s history, or any other magic society, as far as I know.”

“Then why make me fight?”

“Formally, we can’t deny a membership application. Plus, you’re Bjorn’s friend, right? Had to humor a cute junior’s request.”

Bjorn shot Linav a complicated look.

“Don’t drag me into this. You should’ve explained.”

“Well, there’s no exact rule. But even if you joined, there’s nothing for you to do. Your alchemy was neat, but unless it’s a renowned family formula or a hand-cannon, that trick won’t cut it…”

“Fine by me. I prefer Ethan not joining.”

“Hey, there’s a limit to shamelessness.”

As Ethan approached Bjorn, applause echoed from the second-floor railing of the Combat Magic Society’s workshop.

“Impressive, Ethan.”

The three turned toward the railing.
A burly man with a gray beard stood there—Professor Riverton Fabier, Ethan’s Basic Magic Practice instructor.

Ethan stammered, surprised.

“Professor?”

Riverton vaulted the railing with one hand, landing lightly from a three-meter drop without bending his knees.

Linav explained to Ethan.

“Professor Riverton is the Combat Magic Society’s advisor. He specialized in combat magic.”

Riverton pointed at the hem of Ethan’s coat, slashed by the automaton.

“Where’d you learn to use a coat like that?”

“Not to brag, but I roamed Charasen’s back alleys as a kid. You carry a dueling sword in one hand, and the other holds a coat, shield, or scabbard. Picked it up then.”

“Oh? So you can use a dueling sword?”

“Yes. A little.”

Dueling swords, or rapiers, were lighter and narrower than standard longswords, suited for one-handed thrusting, ideal for tight alleys.

“Your magic was impressive. Practical.”

“Thank you.”

“And the bare-handed fighting—I’m curious. Where’d you learn that?”

Ethan dodged.

“From Charasen’s troublemakers.”

“Hm, gang fighting techniques? I hear Charasen’s streets are run by gangs.”

Gangs were criminal organizations profiting through various crimes.
Even Yurmuth had thief gangs raising abandoned or orphaned kids to beg or pickpocket.

“Something like that.”

Riverton nodded at Ethan’s answer.

“Linav.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Admit Ethan.”

“But there’s no precedent. The society focuses on combat techniques, which require basic combat magic. Some alchemy students join, but they’ve already learned family combat techniques…”

“I’ll mentor Ethan myself, so don’t worry.”

“What? …Oh. Understood.”

Linav nodded, fetched the membership paperwork, and handed it to Ethan.

Signing, Ethan said to Riverton.

“But, like the senior said, isn’t my joining problematic?”

“So? You don’t want to?”

“No, it’s not that. Just wondering if there’s another reason…”

“I’ve got plans. I’ll tell you later.”

Riverton gave a warm smile.
Meanwhile, Bjorn glared at Ethan with mild displeasure.

Finishing the signature, Ethan realized something.

[Wait, this…]

That evening, Ethan met Bjorn in the dormitory courtyard.

“Why’d you call me?”

Bjorn adjusted his glasses.

“I underestimated you.”

“A compliment?”

“In a way. My miscalculation, too.”

“So we’re done?”

As Ethan turned to leave, a sharp sound rang out.

Three crystals floated above Bjorn’s head, likely his magic.
Ethan had seen Bjorn attempt magic before killing him once, but this was his first clear view.
The elongated, opaque octahedrons resembled raw gemstones, their sharpened tips hinting at their purpose.

“Planning to kill me?”

Bjorn said.

“What you saw isn’t trivial. My life’s on the line. So is yours for knowing it.”

“If I die, the information I know goes to someone else.”

“I’ve confirmed you don’t have close ties to anyone. You’re not that friendly with your sister. And the evidence isn’t there anymore. You don’t think just seeing it makes you a threat, do you?”

Ethan gave a wry smile.

“But a witness is a threat?”

“There’s no guarantee you won’t blab. Being suspected is trouble enough.”

Ethan pointed out.

“There’s more evidence, isn’t there? Start investigating, and you can’t hide it.”

Bjorn said flatly.

“Think what you want.”

“Maybe others are involved.”

“That all you’ve got to say?”

Ethan shrugged.

“I know you won’t kill me. You want something from me. That’s why I’m still alive. My turn—what’s your deal?”

From the forest’s shadows, a white-robed mage with a white staff at waist height stepped out.

“Sharp student, Ethan Dora Charasen.”

Ethan returned the name.

“Vain Wiz Dekarun.”

“Call me ‘Professor.’ Typical Dora.”

Vain clicked his tongue.

“The deal’s with me, not Bjorn.”

“Is it?”

“And I won’t ask you anything. I know how to get answers without questions.”

Vain’s specialty was mental magic.
He wasn’t bluffing.

Vain extended a hand toward Ethan.

“Come here, Ethan. Don’t resist, and it’ll be painless.”

Ethan said.

“Are you with the Inquisition Bureau too, Vain?”

“What if I am?”

“Why act as the Empire’s spy?”

“You don’t need to know.”

But Vain added, intrigued.

“Strictly speaking, I’m not an inquisitor. Whether it’s the Inquisition, the imperial army, or the Demon King’s castle, they’re all just the Emperor’s hounds. My interests align with the Empire’s in some ways, and we cooperate. Not everyone accepts the greater cause, though.”

As Ethan reached into his chest, one of Bjorn’s crystals shot into the ground at his feet.

–Thud!

Bjorn said.

“No funny moves.”

Ethan had realized this might happen when joining the Combat Magic Society.

[I had a quest to build a relationship with Bjorn.]

[But you didn’t complete it.]

[You don’t just get rewards for succeeding. Failing gives information too.]

Ethan said.

“Is this a funny move?”

He reached into his chest and rolled.
He dodged the first crystal, but the second aimed for his head.
It never hit.

–Clang!

A massive figure deflected the crystal with a sword.

Vain named him.

“…Riverton!”

Riverton raised his longsword with both hands.

“Stop there, Vain.”

“What’s it going to be?”

“I’m not keen on combat magic, but I can take down a half-baked mage like you. …Bjorn, get ready.”

At that, Bjorn withdrew his hand from Ethan.
The crystals embedded in the ground returned, floating above his head.

“You don’t think a single longsword can block this magic.”

Riverton scoffed.

“Vain, you think I came alone? …Ethan.”

Ethan pulled something from his chest, drawing tense stares from Vain and Bjorn.
But it was just a trick-like popper.
Having seen or heard of it, Bjorn and Vain watched impassively as Ethan set it off.

–Pop!

“As expected, a pathetic trick.”

Riverton said.

“I don’t think so.”

Vain slowly shifted his gaze to the dormitory and school rooftops.
Under the two moons, the silhouettes of mages exuded presence.

They were Yurmuth Magic Academy’s professors.