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“Hmm…”

Leonis gazed up at the distant snowy mountains and began his first aid. He had to scratch away at the burned area where his melted skin had fused with his robe.

Sweat dripped from Leonis’s face as he endured excruciating pain. As blood mixed with sweat, he wrapped himself in a pristine white bandage.

If he hadn’t lost his belongings, he would have poured a potion over his wounds for healing, but that was impossible now.

Leonis sighed with relief as he delicately touched the relatively uninjured area around his eyes. Having lost his belongings, it would be wise to head to the temple in the large city for treatment. However, Leonis didn’t do that.

He needed to report this situation to the Mage Tower quickly rather than heal himself.

Leonis walked endlessly. Even with the red-stained bandages wrapped around his arms and forehead, he did not stop.

Eventually, he arrived at an old farmhouse standing alone in a desolate area. Due to the prolonged cold weather, it was a place not used by anyone anymore.

He headed toward a small shed at the back and pulled on a slightly jutting stone fragment.

As he did, a sound like “grrrggg-” came from the ground, revealing a secret passage that had been hidden. It was a safe house for wizards. In this manner, there were numerous safe houses available for wizards who suffered serious injuries during missions.

Leonis walked down a long staircase until he reached the end. There he found a small room to lay his body down, a change of clothes, potions for healing his wounds, and some gold coins.

He hurriedly treated his wounds while taking out a small tablet resting on the table.

It was a magical tool called ‘Telekation’ that allowed for long-distance messaging. Although it could only be used one way, it was a good tool for wizards who had to find a safe house to inform the Mage Tower of their situation.

Despite its high cost and being single-use, Leonis began to roll a pen over the tablet without hesitation.

Access Level: Rank 1

Author: Battle Mage Leonis

Rank: Imperial

Encounter and confrontation with target ‘Seris’ in the snowy mountains of the Karma Empire Kashpa. Severe injuries require recuperation.

The target ‘Seris’ is presumed to be an external wizard who has established her own unique magic system.

It appears her magic and combat style are similar to those of the Battle Mage faction, raising suspicions of knowledge leakage from that faction.

The strong heat ray magic she fires from her mouth possesses enough power to melt everything in a straight line. Caution is advised.

Her physical abilities are surprisingly good for a small girl. The defense provided by her mana shield is comparable to the walls of the Mage Tower.

After she began using magic, Seris exhibited unusual physical changes. Simultaneously, considering her enhanced physical abilities, she is deemed a beastman rather than human.

Conclusion

Requesting additional support for the capture of the beastwoman Seris and verification of the Blue Veil’s status.

*

My body, which had felt sore, quickly recovered after a day. My physical abilities had improved, boosting my recovery rate as well.

I began to leave the Karma Empire riding a Nightmare. I couldn’t leisurely wander around the Karma Empire while being pursued by a wizard who had revealed himself.

Spreading out a map on the Nightmare and looking around, I discovered a place I had yet to visit.

The land of artisans, Raoum.

Geographically situated just above the royal kingdom, it is a place where one can naturally arrive after bypassing the borders of the Karma Empire.

With the speed of the Nightmare, if I rode without resting, I could reach it within a week. I pulled the reins of the Nightmare and headed towards the border.

As expected, the road to Raoum was bustling with people. Adventurers escorted a long lineup of merchants, moving together.

Mixing in among them, I was able to overhear quite a few conversations. It was said that the goods from Raoum were of excellent quality and sold at high prices abroad, and that a massive dungeon had recently been discovered within an abandoned mine.

Rumors swirled about undead creatures like skeletons, zombies, and death knights appearing inside the dungeon. Of course, since this information had not been confirmed, no adventurers took the rumor seriously.

Moreover, it was said that the discovered dungeon was managed separately by the country, making it nearly impossible for ordinary adventurers to approach.

The white snow spread around began melting, revealing fields brimming with fresh greenery. The refreshing breeze rustled the grass, creating waves of green.

However, this lush forest only lasted a moment. After another day or two of galloping, I found a desolate plain unfolding before me. Towering rocky mountains devoid of any vegetation reminded me of the savage land, Greenfall.

I opened the adventurer’s guidebook to see the description of Raoum.

Raoum

Once a country covered in lush green forests, it was left barren after losing its land’s vitality due to dark mages.

However, those who made their homes here did not abandon their land. Through endless effort, they ultimately found a solution, and that was the vast mines that now make up Raoum.

Raoum’s mines, Dwarven Breath, are abundant in mineral deposits…

The immigration procedures to Raoum required a long wait. Of course, this time too, I could pass through immediately by handing over a bribe.

Had I waited for the regular procedures, I would have had to wait another day to get through. Those without spare change naturally opted to wait.

The Nightmare’s enormous size and my petite frame always drew attention. I had gotten used to the gazes of those around me, but the occasional provocations were quite bothersome.

Most of the thugs who approached trying to be savvy found themselves with broken ribs thanks to the Nightmare’s kicks.

After passing through the borders of Raoum and riding for about two days, I encountered a massive castle wall. Given its shiny appearance, it was clear that the wall was constructed from special minerals rather than ordinary stone.

“Stop!”

“Hold on!”

The massive form of the Nightmare often caused misunderstandings. Especially, the guards at the city entrance misinterpreted it frequently.

The Nightmare was accustomed to this situation and knew how to get in without issues.

It blinked its large eyes, appearing innocently, as if to say it was just an ordinary harmless horse.

Of course, it wouldn’t look that way to the guards. After explaining that the Nightmare was a Hairan breed horse, I was finally able to pass through the castle gate.

Contrary to the desolate environment, the country of Raoum was extremely vibrant. Gleaming buildings made from abundant minerals reflected sunlight, revealing an impressive presence, while the clanging of metal being forged and the hot wind filled the air.

To operate as an adventurer here, I would need to be issued a new rank badge. After finding a suitable inn, I tried to put the Nightmare in the stable, but it began resisting fiercely.

Whoosh-!

It seemed the recent incident with Leonis was still weighing on its mind. But what could I do? I couldn’t traipse around all day with this massive creature.

“Just wait quietly, and I’ll play with you at night.”

Phew—

Only then did the Nightmare nod its head and head toward the stable, puffing up proudly as it watched the ordinary horses of other guests.

Having exited the stable, I immediately made my way to the Swordsmanship Guild. Heading to the reception desk to undergo the assessment, the receptionist appeared oblivious to my presence.

I knocked on the reception desk and called out to him.

“Hello.”

“Huh?”

The receptionist, who had been sorting papers, looked down at me. Scratching his head with the pen he was holding, he asked me.

“What do you need?”

“I’d like to get my rank badge issued.”

“Rank badge? Do you have a badge used in another country?”

I nodded and pulled out the rank badge issued by the Karma Empire.

“Silver…?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Um, no problem, I suppose. So you want to get your rank badge, huh?”

“Yes.”

“Silver rank?”

“No.”

“Um, then is it bronze rank?”

“No, I want to take the test for gold rank.”

At my answer, the receptionist’s expression twisted. He then asked me once more.

“What rank did you say?”

“Gold rank. As long as I pay the testing fee, isn’t it open to anyone?”

“Well… that’s not wrong…”

“How much is the testing fee?”

“Twenty gold. Can you actually pay that?”

I nodded at the receptionist’s question and handed over the gold. Since my finances were still ample, I could afford that amount easily.

“Eh… just to let you know, if you fail the test, I won’t return this money.”

“I know.”

“Hmm…”

The receptionist tilted his head at my response. He took a small wooden token from his drawer and handed it to me.

“Take this token and head up to the third floor.”

Following the receptionist’s instructions, I went up to the third floor and found a girl sitting on a fluffy sofa, munching on snacks.

She looked slightly taller than me, about 150cm in height.

The moment I recognized her, she seemed to recognize me back. The girl brushed aside her pale pink hair and asked me a question.

“What’s up?”

“Um, I came to take the test…”

“The test…? Can you hand over your confirmation token for a sec?”

Confirmation token?

I took out the wooden token I had received from the receptionist. The girl’s face scrunched up.

“Did you apply for the wrong thing?”

“No, I’m right.”

The girl sprang up at my answer. She then lifted a dark greatsword that was decorated on the wall.

It was an extraordinary display of strength for such a small girl. As I stared blankly at her, she spoke.

“Just to ask… are you a half-breed?”

“Yes…?”

“I’m asking if you have any dwarven ancestors.”

“Oh, um, no… I’m just…”

“Oh, well, that’s fine.”

The girl’s face dimmed with disappointment at my answer. But it only lasted a moment.

She shouldering the large greatsword, she walked over to me and said.

“What are you waiting for? Aren’t you taking the test?”

 

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