Genius 39

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Chapter 39. Form Of Desire

Rose, the master of Hermes, also known as Roselia Kirsch von Eustia.

Born as royalty, she was a magician who was anticipated by all for her future. Because she inherited three incredibly powerful Bloodline Magics, surpassing even Sara, she possessed the 'Triple Aptitude.' A Bloodline magician with triple aptitude is the only one from the royal family in the kingdom's entire history, aside from her, if we were to trace back to the first generation of royalty.

She got hailed as the return of a legend, surrounded by rumors—but she left the capital.

Her perspective on magic was too unorthodox for the kingdom.

Well, in reality.

Even her disciple, Hermes, could say he knew nothing more. In fact, it was news to him that Jurgen knew Rose and, they were somewhat close by his tone alone.

She remained as enigmatic as ever. Despite being a generation older than Hermes and the others, her physical age was odd. She looked like a woman in her 20s at most, and it was a mystery that she hadn't changed during the 5 years Hermes was with her.

And—though she would be angry if she heard this—her mental age didn't seem to match Jurgen's either.

But regardless of that, Hermes truly respected Rose from the bottom of his heart.

"From my master, I learned so many things—"

Hermes tried to speak, reflecting on that, but he had to interrupt because Katia, once again, clung to him trembling suddenly.

"Uh, K-Katia-sama."

"I-It's so noisy! It's only natural to be scared when you're suddenly brought to a place like this for no reason!"

Well, that's true.

They were currently far above the forest, at an altitude where the tents below looked like tiny dots.

"Sorry, sorry. But it's not for no reason. There's something I really wanted to show you. Here, let go."

"I-Is it really okay...?"

"It's okay. As long as we're holding hands, we won't fall, and even if we do, we can pick ourselves up immediately."

He slowly released Katia's trembling body, still with her eyes closed.

"I-I didn't mean to ask you to close your eyes... but it's okay, open them."

Holding onto his hand tightly, Katia timidly relaxed the tension in her eyelids.

With trembling, she gradually opened her eyes, revealing her purple irises.

There was the sky.

What could be seen on the western horizon was a jet-black sky that gently swallowed everything.

Together with the faint starlight, it invited everything to a gentle tranquility and slumber with its soothing colors.

Extending gradually from there to the opposite side, a deep navy that seemed to suck everything in. After passing through the vivid green visible only at this time, it reached a brilliant orange that warmed even the depths of the heart.

On the eastern horizon was a pure white sky that illuminated and shone upon everything.

It was the light of dawn, the symbol of the beginning. The color of the sun that watches over the world.

The night was at the end of the west, morning at the end of the east.

It was the end and the beginning of the world. A miracle permitted only before dawn. The primal gradient is painted on the canvas of the gods.

...All the colors of the sky were there.

"............"

Incredibly magnificent, incredibly pure.

And incredibly beautiful scenery.

"From my master, I truly learned many things."

In this moment, in this place, a scene that could only be seen here. As Katia was absorbed in watching, Hermes began to speak gently.

"How to use magic. The principles underlying magic. And the truth of magic."

Magic is not a gift of nature but the fruit of effort. Based on this principle, he learned magical theory and analyzed all magic using the [Emerald Tablet] which embodies this principle.

"And then, you see, you begin to see. How this magic was created, and for what purpose. And in the end—you understand. At the root of magic, it's still about feelings and wishes."

"...Wishes."

"Yes. Someone wishes for something, but it doesn't reach them as it is. They put in the effort to bridge that gap, to desperately build it up—until finally, it becomes a fragment of a wish star that does reach them. That's what magic is."

Therefore, all magic carries the wishes of its creator.

That's why he learns. To regain the feelings he lost once, and to create his own magic.

"So, I have one question."

Looking up, he asked.

"This magic. The magic of flying through the sky, [Hraesvelgr]. What do you think the developer of this magic wished for when they created it?"

"Eh—"

Asked, Katia pondered.

In the context of fighting with magic, the usefulness of being able to fly through the sky is immeasurable. 

No, it wouldn't be limited to just magic.

Attacking from a place where the opponent's attacks can't reach, it's one of the truths of victory in battle. This magic, which ignores the rule that everything must fall to the ground, is one of its ultimate forms.

In fact, the 'witch of the sky' Rose was said to have dominated the sky with this magic, flying around freely, and even with the combination of Bloodline Magic that made you want to question which god she was with, she controlled the sky by summoning 'rain of light'.

Furthermore, she had another ace up her sleeve, the strongest bloodline magic, which is why it's not unreasonable that she got expelled for being too extraordinary.

So, the developer of this magic—

"...No."

Thinking that far, Katia shook her head.

She already knew. The person who created this magic didn't consider such 'extra' things.

"Yes. The wish imbued in this magic was—"

Realizing what Katia had come to, Hermes told her.

"—To fly in the sky. That's all it was."

"......"

"Just that, but it was a pure and insanely strong wish. Analyzing this magic, I could clearly feel the creator's feelings."

He didn't mean to ridicule.

After seeing something like this, he couldn't bring himself to think that way.

"Katia-sama. I understand very well how painful it is for you now, unable to reach the ideals you once held onto."

And he finally delved into the heart of the matter.

"It'll probably keep haunting you as long as you keep pursuing it. To put it mildly, I think it's hell. But you know,"

Hermes paused, spreading his arms against the backdrop of the sky before Katia.

"When you overcome everything, your wish reaches the stars and takes shape. The scenery you see from there is this beautiful."

"...Ah."

"I want to see that. I want to see what you create when you reach there. That's why I don't want you to give up, Katia."

It's okay to hesitate.

It's important to stop and think sometimes.

But he didn't want her to lose the will to move forward. Because—

"From the day you encouraged me in front of the prison, I've been a fan of your way of being."

"!"

Straightforward words. Katia, who accepted them with a slightly blushing face, thought for a while and looked at the sky again.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah. It really is."

"I wonder if I can create something as beautiful."

"You can. Because I'm here."

After affirming his statement, she showed a surprised expression at him before smiling, looking somewhat perplexed yet relieved.

"I understand. I'll let myself get persuaded by you. I'll try a little harder. But in return,"

Continuing, she looked at him with a shy but teasing gaze.

"You have to take responsibility. You'll stay with me until the end, won't you?"

"Of course. I'll accompany you to the end of hell if I have to."

Turning away with a sigh at his response, she returned to her usual demeanor.

He felt relieved. It was all okay now.

And at the same time—

Click.

He felt like something fell into place in his head.

"Ah."

Without forgetting that sensation, he hurriedly told her.

"Katia. Sorry, one more thing. Could you activate your magic now? Right here, right now."

"Huh, w-what?"

"What—um, never mind. I understand."

Though confused by the sudden request, Katia, perhaps overwhelmed by his urgency, approached closer than necessary.

Following his instructions, Katia activated her bloodline magic in the middle of the sky.

Observing carefully for a few seconds, Hermes nodded with conviction. The insight he had just now was correct.

"I finally understand now, Katia. The true worth of your magic—[Soteira Trivia]. The wish behind it, and its true purpose."

Katia widened her eyes.

As expected. Until now, Katia had been handling [Soteira Trivia] fatally wrong.

Once she understood and improved it, she would evolve dramatically. To a level befitting a magician of the ducal house—or perhaps even surpassing that framework.

Once he understood that, he had to teach her immediately. Hermes descended to the ground with Katia.

First, he would teach her what he had just learned, then practice it.

And then, they would confront it. The prince who was still chasing after them, directly denied him.

Because he had realized, painfully, throughout this journey that running away was no longer an option.

With determination, he and she took another step forward.