Chương 84: Chapter 53:”The Arrow of Light [Arllivine]”

I ran through the streets of Sacris with Milia. We headed towards the Orclock side, the opposite direction from where Edel was. On the way, I transformed into a woman in a place where no one could see. I couldn't meet them as a man, after all. Families that have passed down Lost Magic for generations are often upper class. Milia's family home, the Lemak family, is no exception and is located in the Noble District, just like the Ozbein family that burned down.

However, while the Ozbein family was one of the top prestigious families in Sacris, the Lemak family is at best a lower-class noble family. They lived in a completely different section within the Noble District, and apparently had almost no interaction. Even if lower-class, Milia is a splendid young lady. Naturally, her treatment is different from commoners in various ways. But she wanted to spend her time at school without showing that off, so she wore normal clothes and lived in the dormitory.

Well, I've heard such things, but this is actually my first time going to her house. Or rather, I had never even entered the Noble District. It would be dangerous for me, who has no family register or anything, to enter such a place without permission. If I were questioned by the police, I would be suspected and caught. I'm really glad that Sacris Magic Academy is an open place that doesn't question status or background at all.

Once you step into the Noble District, the quality of the streets improves, and the design of the magic lamps illuminating the night changes to something stylish. So, you can tell at a glance that you have entered the district. This also serves to keep commoners away. Around us, stone buildings that were beautiful and harmonious, like Renaissance architecture, stood in rows. The paved roads were firmly surfaced so that carts pulled by Dozus could pass easily.

By the way, a Dozu is a creature in the position of a horse in this world. It looks like a cross between a black bull and a black horse divided by two. It has horns and a cow-like face, but its body is sleek like a black horse. Maybe a bit hard to imagine. And in a very few houses, there were even the latest Magic Cars fueled by Magic Element. Even though cars and railways are just beginning to appear, card keys and massage chairs are already common in the dorms.

From my perspective, I get a very disjointed impression. In reality, it must be in the midst of civilization blossoming. In another hundred or two hundred years, even excluding Edel, this world will surely catch up to Earth's modern level. No, rather, it might even surpass it partially. It was a magic civilization that made me feel such powerful potential. Eventually, Milia stopped, saying, "Here it is." Compared to the surroundings, it is slightly small and the decorations are modest.

Still, from a commoner's perspective, a sufficiently magnificent house was there. In front, there is a modest gate about the height of a person. There was a round mark with an open blue flower drawn on it, probably the Lemak family crest. Guided inside, we entered. The entrance was covered with a beautiful carpet, again based on blue. There is little wasted space, and a magnificent staircase is visible immediately. From upstairs, a young woman wearing a maid outfit came down in a trot.

She has glossy red hair slightly tinged with black tied back. Milia whispered softly to me.

"That's the maid, Seanne. Our house isn't very big, so she's the only maid." Soon, Seanne-san came before us. She bowed deeply and welcomed us politely.

"Welcome home, Milia-sama."

"I'm home, Seanne."

"Pardon the intrusion." Raising her head, Seanne-san glanced at me and said.

"Is this person a friend of yours?"

"Yes. I've told you about her several times. This is Yu Hoshimi." Then, her face suddenly brightened up.

"Ah! So you are that Hoshimi-sama!" I haven't been called with "-sama" much, so I feel a little ticklish. Well, I know it's professional etiquette. Even so, "that"... I wonder how Milia talks about me. Ignoring my suspicion as if it were a gentle breeze, Milia proceeded with the arrangements briskly.

"We don't have much time, but let's go greet Mother first."

"Ah, yeah. That's right."

"Seanne. Can you guide us?"

"Certainly." Guided by Seanne-san, Milia and I walked down the corridor. On the way, I was captivated by the beautiful paintings hanging on the wall. While walking, Seanne-san spoke to me in a low voice.

"Milia-sama became poor at interacting with people after losing her relatives and father when she was young."

"It seems so." Being withdrawn. Not being able to speak well. There was such a time.

"But now, she has become very cheerful. It is thanks to you and Luckin-sama. Milia-sama's mother, Terelia-sama, was also very pleased." Come to think of it, Milia said so herself before. Her father died of illness eight years ago, and now her mother is the head of the family. While thinking it's embarrassing to be thanked face-to-face, I honestly replied in a low voice what I thought.

"Is that so? But it's probably mainly thanks to Alice, not me." It was none other than Alice who dragged Milia around in front of people and completely changed her. I just interacted with her normally as a friend. I didn't do anything special. Then, even in a low voice, it seemed Milia heard it firmly. She smiled and said. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Fufu. You don't have to be humble. I was able to change thanks to you and Alice, both of you."

"Really? Did I do anything?"

"Yes. You did countless things for me." She smiled brightly with a wonderful smile. Terelia-san seemed to be in her private room. When we entered the room, she smiled brightly and welcomed us warmly. Like Milia, she has silky silver hair and is a youthful and beautiful person. The atmosphere is exactly the same between mother and daughter. A big difference from me and my mom. After finishing the guidance, Seanne-san whispered something to Terelia-san. And saying "I will bring Yuuf," she walked away quickly.

Yuuf is a drink with a color like black tea. Actually, it tastes like tea, but it has a unique flavor with a slight spiciness. By the way, since the pronunciation of the last 'f' is weak, I sometimes mistake it for my name being called. I once accidentally replied and was laughed at by Milia and Alice... Well, let's put that aside.

"Welcome home, Milia."

"I'm home, Mother." After exchanging brief greetings, Terelia-san turned to me and assessed me. She floated a suggestive smile that I have often seen on someone next to me.

"You must be Yu-chan." I didn't expect to be called with "-chan" suddenly. Although bewildered, I nodded anyway.

"Yes."

"Thank you for always being good to Milia."

"No. I'm the one who is always treated well by Milia."

"Fufu. You don't have to be humble with such a straight face." She walked up to me while smiling strangely. Without stopping, disregarding personal space, she approached until we were within reach of each other. Even though she is a relative of my best friend, tension wrapped my body. What does she intend to do? Then suddenly, she poked the tip of my chest with her finger.

"Hya!" A ticklish yet pleasant sensation made me let out a strange voice involuntarily. I flinched. Seeing me like that, she started laughing happily.

"Oh my. You really are weak here. Making such a cute voice." Suddenly my face becomes hot. Naturally, very few people know that this place is sensitive. When I took a bath with Alice for the first time, she teased me thoroughly. First she knew. Eventually, it seems she told Milia. As part of skinship, I started to be poked by Milia too. Honestly, the sensitivity of this body is abnormal. To the extent that I feel it almost anywhere I'm touched.

Amused by my reaction, the two of them often joined together to tease me. Embarrassing memories revive. Being groped all over my body in the bath. Being mumbled in bed. This and that. Various things... The fact that this person knows a part of such a secret means... What the hell are you talking about! Milia! When I glared at her, the culprit turned her face away innocently. This girl...!

"Mm-hm. Just as I heard, you're a very interesting child. Indeed worth teasing." Saying so, Terelia-san with a mischievous smile completely overlaps with Milia when she does that. It was the moment Milia's roots were revealed. Like mother, like daughter.

"Mother. This isn't the time to be doing such carefree things." Milia admonished her mother with lovely dead-fish eyes. Receiving that, Terelia-san finally tightened her expression too.

"Yes. I know. I heard a big earth tremor and woke up too—that is the legendary Edel, isn't it?"

"Yes. The purpose of the masked group was the resurrection of Edel." Then, Terelia-san looked down with a face hiding sorrow, saying "I see..." But when she raised her face immediately, her eyes seemed to be filled with determination.

"I know what business Milia and Yu-chan came for." She took out four old books from the shelf next to her. They were Light Magic Tomes. And she tells us with the dignity of a family head.

"All of the Light Magic passed down in our Lemak family is written in them. Take them." I was surprised by her quick understanding. I understood that she had been caring about her daughter's movements that much in places we didn't know. Gratitude immediately came out of my mouth as words.

"Thank you very much!"

"Mother. Thank you...!" Terelia-san nodded satisfactorily, and then showed a face worrying about us as a mother.

"Unfortunately, I, who have no talent for magic, cannot directly help you. But I'll be praying for your safety here." And she hugged both of us tightly.

"Milia, Yu-chan. Be sure to come back safely. I'll prepare a celebration party and wait for you."""Yes."" When leaving the room, Milia turned back and said powerfully.

"I'm off, Mother."

"Take care, Milia." Terelia-san also sent us off powerfully. On the way back, we bumped into Seanne-san carrying Yuuf. She was terribly surprised.

"Are you leaving already!?"

"Yes. We really have to hurry."

"I'm sorry even though you prepared it. Please save the Yuuf for next time. We'll come with everyone next time!" Seanne-san, who seemed to have guessed the circumstances, made a bright smile and said.

"Understood. When you come next time, I'll make you an exceptionally delicious one. Please take care."

"Yes!"

"We're off!" We left the Lemak house and hurried back to the dojo. When we returned to the dojo, Argus was training magic outside. Probably assuming a battle against Clam. Noticing me and Milia, he interrupted his training and welcomed us.

"Yo. Welcome back."

"I'm back."

"I'm back."

"Do you know where everyone else went?"

"Alice went to take care of some bird called Aln or something. Inea is as she said herself. Karla is probably running around the town by now." And he showed interest in the Light Magic Tomes I was holding.

"Was it [Arllivine]? Let me see it a bit."

"Yeah. Sure." When I handed them over, he sat down on the spot and started reading. He was looking at the first three books with a cool face, flipping through them with momentum. But when he entered the last fourth book, for some reason, his face suddenly became grim. The speed of flipping the book slowed down rapidly, and finally, his hand stopped. He flipped to the back all at once to check something, then thrust the book back at me with a frown.

"It's strange for me to say this, but this one is terribly difficult. One whole book is dedicated just to [Arllivine]."

"What!?" One whole book!? It's no less than two hundred pages. Is it that difficult of a magic!? Then, surprisingly, that genius Argus waved the white flag.

"I thought I'd learn it too if possible, but I'll pass. Of course, I think I can master it without problems if I take time. But I don't have time to say such leisurely things."

"I see." Argus has other things to do, after all.

"You should learn this one after all. You're better at reading books than me, right?" Certainly, I've been good at learning things by reading books since long ago. Thanks to that, I haven't had much trouble studying, and I think I learned things considerably fast even after coming here. But this time, it's magic that even Argus has to give up learning immediately. Can I do it? No, I have no choice but to do it. There isn't much time left.

"Yeah. Got it." I grabbed the fourth book and entered the dojo. Without glancing around, I read intently. Then, perhaps my desperate thoughts transferred, the contents entered my head smoothly as if the book was teaching me. Fortunately, time seemed to have passed without incident. I finally finished reading the difficult book of no less than two hundred pages in one breath. I can't believe it myself, but I did it. My head, used forcibly, was exhausted, but there was a refreshing sense of accomplishment.

"Finished!" Let's try it immediately. When I went outside, the sun had not only risen but was already tilting and starting to set. It seems I've been staring at the book for more than half a day. I concentrated my mind and took in Magic Element into my whole body to the fullest. And imagine. The correct image in the way according to the book. My left hand is wrapped in a crackling yellow light aura. At the same time, my right hand created a bow of light. Holding the bow, I attach my left hand to its curve.

Then, from there, the tip of a light arrow appears. As I pull my left hand, the arrow is gradually generated and extends. Just when it hit the string, the arrow was completed. Pulling it further, the bow bends strongly. The muscles of my slender arms also tense up to the limit. Now the preparation is complete. The target is the sky. The arrow of light that pierces time. [Arllivine] In an instant, the released arrow of light—left sound behind. While roaring Kiiiin, it pierces straight into the heavens.

And in just a few moments, the arrow disappeared into the emerald sky, and nothing could be seen at all. It was an overwhelming speed far exceeding any magic I have learned so far. Even I, who shot it, was surprised and my eyes almost popped out. Although it seems the magic itself didn't reach the speed of light. Still, it was clear that powerful light power was put into this magic. With this, it might work. It might even be able to defeat time!

"Yay! I did it!" Just as I made a guts pose. Suddenly, my knees buckled. Huh? Strange. I can't put strength into my body well. I collapsed as is and ended up sitting like a girl. No way. Something like this... Don't tell me. When I checked my remaining magic power by thinking, I understood the cause immediately. Just one shot took about 80% of my total magic power! It seems my body couldn't keep up with the sudden use of Magic Element, and my strength drained away. I was appalled. What a thing. It's too harsh.

I have to decide it with absolutely one shot. If I miss, not only is there no next time, but I can't even move properly. It's the end of everything. Moreover, this magic is terribly fast, but conversely, that's its only merit. The trajectory is straight and cannot be corrected, and since it's an arrow, it's relatively thin. If I enter the motion of releasing it, and time is stopped at a point where I can no longer turn back. Just by him shifting slightly from the line of fire, it will be easily dodged.

The preparation motion is conspicuous too. If I don't catch him off guard well, it probably won't hit. I racked my brains deeply. I have to think of a proper strategy. Let's ask Inea-sensei more and think together with everyone.

"Yuuuuuuuuu!"

"Ah. Alice!" There, Alice came running towards me while waving her hand.

"You finally came out. Everyone is already gathered separately at the training grounds of the Magic Academy and the Swordsmanship School!"

"They gathered there."

"Yeah. At first, I thought about gathering here as you said, Yu, but we couldn't fit at all. There's already an amazing number of people!" Seeing her rattling on excitedly, I felt happy as if that excitement transferred to me. I see. So many people gathered for the crisis of this town. To fight. To protect this town.

"Come quickly!"

"Yeah. I'm going now!" Managing to raise my body somehow, I headed to the Magic Academy with Alice.