Chapter 39: A Peculiar Mage and a Mysterious Artifact

“Open wide.”
“Ahh—”
“Nothing seems out of the ordinary.”

Evrys looked up at the girl – or was she a woman? – examining her mouth.

She had vibrant red hair, and thankfully, her breath didn’t smell.

The hand that had shaken Evrys’s had been distinctly male, though not particularly large.

It had returned to its normal, smaller size after they separated.

The girl, seemingly recovered from the shock.

Resumed her open observation of Evrys, though she refrained from touching her.

The girl hummed thoughtfully, scrutinizing Evrys as if with a magnifying glass.

After a moment of contemplation, she nodded decisively.

Then reached into her robe, retrieving a fist-sized orb.

It was a crude-looking thing, completely transparent, with a shimmering heat haze swirling at its center.

The girl presented the orb on her outstretched palm.

“Try holding this.”
“What is it?”
“A magical tool.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“Even I wouldn’t do something like that to someone the Duke and Princess are protecting.”

‘Protecting…’

‘Not entirely inaccurate.’

Despite the girl’s impertinent tone.

Evrys was intrigued.

She took the orb.

She wasn’t entirely convinced the mage was a girl.

Up close, the orb had a faint blue tint.

Aside from the shimmering blue haze at its core, it was unremarkable.

It reminded Evrys of a snow globe.

“Interesting.”
“What is?”
“Now, squeeze it tightly.”
“…It’ll break.”
“That’s fine. It’s meant to be used that way.”
“Hmm.”

Evrys decided to test it properly.

She tightened her grip.

The orb cracked, as if about to shatter.

‘I hope this doesn’t explode in my hand…’

As the cracks spread across its surface.

The blue haze intensified.

Then the orb crumbled into dust and vanished.

Nothing happened to Evrys.

The girl stroked her chin, a look of fascination on her face.

“Interesting… indeed.”

‘Share your insights, why don’t you?’

Evrys glared at the girl.

Catching her eye, the girl gave an embarrassed chuckle.

“I got a little carried away.”
“Whatever. So, what did you find out?”

The girl grinned mischievously.

“A lady never reveals her secrets.”

Evrys reached for the girl’s face.

The girl recoiled in mock horror.

“Persistent women aren’t very popular, you know.”

“Whatever.”

Evrys hadn’t actually intended to touch her face.

She suspected it would have transformed like the hand.

“Ahem, anyway.”

The girl cleared her throat.

And produced another orb, identical to the first.

“Do you know what this magical tool is?”
“No.”
“It’s a Transformation Orb.”
“Transformation?”
“Normally, when it breaks, you’re supposed to briefly turn into a rat—”
“…You gave me something dangerous?”
“It’s not a real transformation. That’s beyond human capabilities.”

The girl waved her hand dismissively.

“So, your appearance isn’t real either?”
“Well, no.”
“Why are you disguised as a child?”

The girl’s smile was enigmatic.

“I changed my appearance to match yours. It seems it wasn’t necessary.”
“What?”

Evrys felt a bead of sweat trickle down her back.

‘Did she realize I’m not the real Evrys?’

“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Hmm… really? Well, if I had known you were such a straightforward person, I wouldn’t have bothered.”
“…Is that all?”

The girl nodded.

‘Despite her childish behavior, she’s surprisingly considerate…’

‘Or is she just manipulative?’

‘At least she doesn’t know the truth.’

“So, the name you gave earlier was fake too?”
“Of course.”

‘So brazen.’

“Who are you, really?”
“Knowing that would be dangerous for you.”

Evrys’s hand twitched.

“…Don’t even think about touching me. Or I won’t tell you what I found out.”
“You’re making a big deal out of something you should tell me anyway.”
“You’re not wrong.”

The girl pocketed the orb and sat on the windowsill.

Evrys doubted she was actually a girl.

“Nothing happened when you touched the orb, right?”
“Right.”
“Or when you broke it.”
“Yes.”
“Judging by the way it dissolved, the magical tool itself works. But it seems your body… interferes with its effects.”
“Interferes?”
“Interferes is an understatement… it completely negates them.”

‘Like some kind of magic immunity?’

“That would explain the warp accident. We could run more tests to be sure, but…”

The girl looked at Evrys with pleading eyes.

But Evrys wasn’t interested in further experimentation.

“I’ll pass.”
“That’s a shame.”

The girl clicked her tongue in disappointment.

Then slapped her palm with her fist, a sudden grin spreading across her face.

“How about you let me cast a spell on you?”
“Why would I do that?”
“It’s your chance to contribute to the advancement of magic!”
“How about I punch you in the face instead?”
“I’d rather not.”

A voice called out for the girl from the distance.

“It seems they’re looking for you.”
“Has it been that long already?”

The girl stretched, interlocking her fingers.

Then began rummaging through her robe.

“Where did I put it…?”

The old man’s voice grew closer.

The girl’s rummaging intensified.

Various trinkets tumbled out of her robe, scattering across the floor.

‘What is she looking for?’

Finally, she seemed to have found it.

She wiped the sweat from her brow and smiled.

“Ah, there it is.”

She pulled out a pendant-like object and tossed it to Evrys.

It was engraved with a unique symbol.

A swirling, star-like pattern.

“What is this?”
“My mark. Show it to anyone at the mage tower if you change your mind.”
“I doubt that will happen.”
“Suit yourself.”

Evrys tried to return the pendant, but the girl shook her head.

“I’m curious about you, magically speaking. But I also genuinely like you. Come find me if you need anything.”

The girl made a circle with her thumb and forefinger.

“But it’ll cost you.”
“Sexually?”
“That’s not what I meant! Just a few simple experiments—”
“I’ll think about it. But first…”

Evrys gestured to the mess on the floor.

‘Where did she even pull all that stuff from?’

‘Is that magic, too?’

“Shouldn’t you clean this up before you go?”
“Heh.”

The girl chuckled.

Then snapped her fingers.

A faint light emanated from her fingertips.

The scattered objects floated into the air.

Then, one by one, they flew back into her robe.

“Woah…”

The floor was clear in seconds.

“I’ll be going then. I hope we meet again.”
“We’ll see.”

The girl turned to leave, then glanced back over her shoulder.

“It’s best to keep this a secret. You’re… rather noticeable. In more ways than one.”
“Should I silence you, then?”
“Wow, you’re ruthless. That’s no way to treat someone who just gave you advice.”
“How am I supposed to trust a complete stranger?”
“How about a Mana Oath?”
“Fine.”
“Really?”
“Just go.”
“So, we’re friends now?”
“…”

Evrys glared at her.

The girl just laughed and disappeared from view.

‘Who is she?’

Evrys had initially assumed she was the Tower Master.

But she didn’t recall any mention of the Tower Master having such… peculiar hobbies.

‘A Tower Master who enjoys disguising herself as a child?’

‘How embarrassing.’

And the Mana Oath…

‘Breaking that would be fatal.’

‘She’s crazy.’

Despite the girl’s strange behavior.

Evrys felt a sense of camaraderie.

Perhaps because they were both hiding their true selves.

‘She lulled me into a false sense of security with her appearance and friendly demeanor.’

Evrys felt a strange sense of defeat.

Ever since she met Amelia.

Strange things seemed to be drawn to her like iron filings to a magnet.

‘Maybe Amelia was right…’

But it didn’t change anything.

Evrys didn’t belong here.

She had to go back.

She shook her head, dispelling the depressing thoughts.

She looked down at the pendant in her hand.

The metal felt cool against her skin.

‘I doubt I’ll ever use this…’

‘But it can’t hurt to keep it.’

Twirling the string between her fingers.

Evrys walked back inside.

‘She said to keep it a secret…’

‘But I should probably tell Iris.’

There was one thing Evrys regretted.

She had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to use a warp gate again.

Not as long as she was in this world.