Chapter 64

It burns.

Ah, everything is burning.

The precious house my Master entrusted to me—the place that was my home—is burning away.

When did it happen…? Truly, when did it start…?

Had it been building up inside me this much, all this time?

It is a black-and-red emotion, bubbling and frothing, screaming from the depths to be let out.

Viscous like sludge, seething at the bottom of my heart, a fuel that grew far too dense from being suppressed and suppressed again.

—Mad love and jealousy.

It began with a single spark.

A magical spark from the One Who Steals the Fire Principle, meant to birth a new world.

That spark incinerated everything stored in my heart, transforming it into a hellfire that filled my soul. The karmic flames burn through my emotions, illuminating them, stripping them bare.

It casts a vivid shadow upon my heart—the shadow of what I truly desire. It projects the daily life of a certain ■■ like a shadow play.

Yes.

I was supposed to want to return there.

I only wanted to go back.

To that happy place.

To my homeland.

To the past.

To those wonderful days.

I wanted to reclaim the peace of those days. Because, back then, everyone was happy.

■ was there, ■ was there, ■ was there; there were friends, and there was my clan.

The frontier of Fania.

There wasn’t a single interesting thing there. The countryside of all countrysides.

Working the fields, hunting, helping with chores—every day was busy. But everyone was smiling. Everyone was certainly smiling back then…

And then, that place was destroyed by my “eyes”…

These “eyes” see the true essence of things. It’s not about finding, or seeing through, or looking—I simply see.

That’s why, even during farm work, my eyes would immediately catch on fundamental flaws that needed improvement, and my hands would stop. When hunting, I found I couldn’t stick to traditional methods. When doing chores, I’d realize that these weren’t tasks I should be doing.

I was scolded every time.

It feels a little nostalgic now.

I feel like ■■ used to look at me and gently reason with me. They praised me, saying, “You have a better eye for things than the other children.” They taught me about my skill, telling me, “Those ‘eyes’ are a gift from heaven,” and I have a faint memory of them asking me, “Use that power to find what is best for the village.”

Just a faint memory.

By now, I can’t even remember ■■’s face.

Where did it all go wrong?

Was it when the unsettling rumors started spreading through the village? When the war began? No, was the turning point when the army began its stationing in the village? When I started speaking up to the military commander? When I started saying I could win the battle? When I—

No.

That’s not it.

That process doesn’t matter.

Because of my “eyes,” I know that isn’t the issue.

In the end, no matter what happened, my village was destined to perish. Long before the army arrived, the fate of everything was sealed. Ultimately, the village simply had “poor geography.” It was that simple.

And I can’t help but see it.

The destruction of the village was fate. It’s true that my “eyes” accelerated it. But I can see that the root cause was something else entirely.

Even if my wish were granted and I returned to those wonderful days, we would only follow the same path again. A clan with rare black hair and black eyes living in such a tiny village was destined to be wiped out in this era. That is all there is to it…

“—That’s why I don’t actually want to go back to the past.”

To those words, the One Who Steals the Fire Principle replied sadly.

“I suppose that’s true…”

Then, what is it I want to do?

What is my wish?

What is it I desire?

Inside my heart, I look at the shadow play born of the flames. I look once more at the world reflecting my soul.

My homeland isn’t there—not a single trace of those nostalgic things remains. Such things burned away long ago, leaving only ash.

■, ■, ■… they’ve become ash, and I can’t remember them…

That’s right.

Because of the “price”…

They were burned away as the price.

I remember that. Even though they were so precious, I sacrificed them.

So, now, only one silhouette remains. A person with the same black hair and black eyes as my clan. He is the only one left. The person who, from the moment we met, has never stopped creating a sediment at the very bottom of my heart.

—And now, finally, that person appeared.

The One Who Steals the Fire Principle whispered to me sadly, “Come, let us make sure.”

My Master, who tells the lie that is Christ Eurasia, appears from the bottom of the hill. The kind person my “eyes” chose to be the replacement for ■■. And a person so precious that even my “eyes” cannot fully grasp his worth.

A hero among heroes—

—My beloved.

The destination of these burning flames. My Master has finally come home to me.

---

The One Who Steals the Fire Principle has no interest in mere romance.

It was three days before the Holy Birth Festival that my love began to transform into something distorted, fulfilling the conditions—and I met the One Who Steals the Fire Principle in the truest sense.

And then, while I was invited to the festival by Master and Lastiara, wandering through those unchanging festivities, we met again. On the way back, we were left alone together.

That was the true beginning—

“—Wonderful! You are wonderful! Ah, how heart-wrenching! Maria!”

Alti, the One Who Steals the Fire Principle, described my love as “wonderful.”

“Heart-wrenching? Don’t you mean foolish?”

“No, no, you are heart-wrenching and adorable. You are by no means foolish. You are a normal girl, harboring normal feelings. The only pity is the choice of opponent. When the opponent is that Lastiara, anyone would have bad odds.”

“You’re right. Anyone would have bad odds. She is that perfect. She’s so beautiful and flawless, she’s like a ‘fabrication’…”

I let out a deep sigh, despairing at the current gap in our strength.

“Heh, a ‘fabrication,’ is it? That’s a fitting way to put it. Indeed, she is an unfair ‘fabrication.’”

“I resent God. Why couldn’t He have made me a little taller…? If I had a great figure like Lastiara, with silky hair and better-looking eyes, maybe Master would look my way at least a little…”

“I think you have your own charms, Maria.”

“Haha, where is the charm in me? I’m tiny, flat-chested, and look like a child. Plus, my hair is a mess and I have scary eyes. I have zero charm as a woman.”

As I listed my features, I felt my mood sinking into a quagmire. Naturally, my feet felt heavier as I walked home.

“I don’t think that’s true, though.”

“Even if it isn’t… above all, I don’t have the right to stand by Master’s side. What Master wants is the strength to be useful in Labyrinth exploration. I lack the power… the power…”

“Hmm… Power, is it…”

I remember what happened a few days ago. Far from being useful in the Labyrinth, I could do nothing but hold them back. I will likely never be able to find a place for myself in the Labyrinth again.

However, back then, Lastiara told me—indirectly, of course—that she would support my love “as long as I didn’t die or lose my mind.” It was a small mercy. Our “eyes” met, so there was no doubt about it.

But the start is not promising. I don’t have a single excuse to get close to Master. Although I managed to come back from despair when he told me, “I want you to cook for me every day in this house,” the road ahead is still dark.

“Sigh…”

“Don’t look so depressed. It makes me sad, too.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

Alti was watching me with a truly sad expression. Feeling guilty, I forced my darkened expression back into something more composed.

“No, there’s no need to apologize. More importantly, it was power, wasn’t it? The thing you lack.”

“Ah, yes. Without power, I can’t be of use to Master.”

“Regarding that, I have a way. A way to make you strong.”

“Eh? R-really?!”

I raised my voice and pressed closer to Alti.

“Yes, of course. I am always an ally to girls suffering from unrequited love.”

“What kind of way is it?!”

“I will teach you magic. As a professional of flame magic, I will sublimate your flame magic into something supreme.”

“Teach me… magic…?”

I had heard from Master that Alti was a pro at flame magic. There seemed to be no lie in her words.

“The method is a bit… forceful, though.”

“Forceful?”

“Yes, very forceful. After all, you will be directly drinking my blood, which is packed with magical formulas.”

“Blood? You want me to drink… that blood…?”

This was something I had never heard of. I could understand swallowing a magic stone engraved with formulas, but I had never heard of drinking blood. I couldn’t imagine how doing such a thing would allow me to learn magic.

“It’s only natural for you to have doubts. Apparently, this method doesn’t exist in this era. But I guarantee it. As a top-tier flame mage, I guarantee it. With this, you will draw closer to being a top-tier flame mage yourself.”

Alti stared at me with serious eyes.

“But even if I drink blood, there’s no way I could inherit formulas…”

“It’s not a very well-known fact. Drinking blood and swallowing a magic stone are, in the end, the same thing. It’s true that magic stones have been refined to make them easier to learn from. With those, anyone can learn as long as their affinity matches. But the mechanism is the same. Of course, the conditions for learning magic through blood are very narrow. Truly, very, very narrow. That’s why this method hasn’t spread; nobody knows it.”

Alti was well-versed in magic. Even if she said somewhat eccentric things, it was certain that her knowledge was deeper than that of Franleure, who attended the academy.

“Do I clear those conditions…?”

“Yes, you do. Fortunately or unfortunately, it’s perfect. I could even call it perfect compatibility.”

“Just what kind of conditions…?”

“Hmm, it’s actually a secret… but since it’s none other than Maria, I’ll tell you just a little. Essentially, it’s the commonality between the one giving the blood and the one drinking it. Alti and Maria share the same troubles and have similar personalities. Our lives are also similar. Very similar. That is what’s important.”

“E-err… does that mean Alti also has an unrequited love…?”

“Heh, that’s right. I’m just like you.”

That gave me a shock. Somewhere inside, I had thought I was the only one with such troubles. To find an unexpected comrade made me startle.

“So that’s why you care about me so much.”

And so, the doubt that had been in the back of my mind was resolved. I had previously thought it suspicious how she favored me to an unnatural degree. But if there was such a sense of camaraderie, I could accept it. My “eyes” also confirmed that Alti was well-disposed toward me.

“That’s exactly it. At any rate, if you drink my blood, you’ll understand everything. Well, then? Will you drink?”

Alti nodded with a smile. She held out her arm and asked if I would drink the blood.

I hesitated. I wasn’t worrying about the possibility of a lie or the risks. I was worried about whether I would be a burden to Alti. She always seemed to be in a hurry, and it felt wrong to have her do this much for me without any compensation.

“Is… is it really okay? Isn’t magic something very precious to a mage—not something you should just give away to others so easily?”

“I don’t mind. I want to be of help to Maria.”

It was an immediate answer. Without hesitation, Alti said she wanted to be my strength.

“T-then, I’ll drink… If I can obtain power that way, I’ll drink.”

I responded. Seeing my unhesitating answer, Alti gave a thin smile.

“Heh. A good answer.”

Alti scratched open her wrist, letting the blood drip. I was surprised by the merciless act of self-harm, but it seemed such a thing was no problem for a veteran mage. I steeled my resolve and brought my mouth close to Alti’s wrist.

The blood spilled, falling onto my tongue. It tangled with my tongue, passed down my throat, and seeped into my body. The taste of iron spread through my mouth, bringing the reality of having drunk someone else’s blood home to me.

At the same time, I felt something hot welling up from the pit of my stomach. It was as if the mana in my body was startled, as if my blood was racing—the sensation of having obtained something new.

Simultaneously, my spirits began to soar.

“With this, all the flame magic I possess has been memorized into your blood.”

Seeing my state, Alti nodded.

“W-with just that, everything…?”

It was anticlimactic. It felt easier than when I had swallowed the magic stone.

“That said, you won’t be able to use it right away. It takes time to acclimate. If you suddenly used high-ranking magic, the burden would be terrifying. First, why don’t we practice a few simple ones for combat…?”

Looking at my surprised face, Alti gave a thin smile and produced a small flame from her palm.

It was chantless fire.

However, I didn’t think a flame like that would pass for a weapon in the Labyrinth. I felt a surge of impatience. No matter how many options I had for flame magic, it meant nothing if they didn’t work against the monsters from the 20th floor onward. My only reason for wanting power was to keep up with Master.

“I-I’m sorry! If possible, please let me practice powerful offensive magic… something that works even against the giant monsters in the deep floors!”

I raised my voice, begging for stronger magic. Alti accepted my plea with a gentle air.

“Heh. In a hurry, are we?”

“If I don’t hurry, I feel like I won’t make it in time for anything. That’s just how it feels.”

It was a vague feeling, but a strong one. Simply put, the gap in intimacy between Master and Lastiara was widening by the day… but above all, my “eyes” were screaming at me that “time is running out.”

“However, reckless use of magic requires a corresponding ‘price.’ Magic is a technique built upon the spirit. To push yourself recklessly with magic is nothing less than exhausting your own soul.”

“…I don’t care. Please.”

Alti questioned my resolve with serious eyes, as if issuing a threat. Of course, I didn’t hesitate. A convenient offer to gain power in exchange for a sacrifice was right in front of me. There was no way I wouldn’t dive in. Until now, I couldn’t have gained power no matter what I sacrificed…

“…Ah, just as I thought.”

Alti murmured softly. Those words weren’t meant for me; it seemed like something she was saying to herself. Before I could ask what she meant, her forceful response cut me off.

“Fine resolve, Maria. Then, it will be a bit of a burden, but shall I teach you flame magic that works even on the 30th floor? The firepower-specialized Midgardsblaze, and the melee-exclusive Flame Flamberge. Both are incredibly powerful, but they are difficult spells to control. I want you to train with a focused mind.”

As she spoke, Alti produced a serpent of fire from her palm without a chant. Seeing that sinister flame, I gasped and nodded.

---

Thus, we diverted from the path home and moved to a vacant lot on the outskirts of town. First, Alti taught me the basics and the knacks of flame magic. During the process, I naturally began calling her “Master.” She had said she wanted to be called that when we were alone. I had no objection; in truth, she was exactly that—a master.

Within a few hours, I had mastered both Midgardsblaze and Flame Flamberge. Unlike her, I required a long chant, but to acquire high-level magic in such a short time was a speed that would normally be unthinkable.

“—To be able to use such amazing magic already…”

I couldn’t believe the fire serpent I had created. This serpent of flame, possessing terrifying killing intent, swam freely around me.

“It’s thanks to the great compatibility between me and you, Maria. Now, let’s see… let’s also arrange your specialty, Firefly. That’s a spell that becomes monstrous depending on how you use it.”

As it was getting late, the rest was just light practice. However, thanks to the guidance of a master like Alti, my magical options continued to increase. When she left, I bowed deeply and thanked her.

“—Thank you very much, Master Alti!!”

“No, there’s no need for thanks. I’m doing this because I want to.”

“No, I will definitely repay this debt someday! Thanks to you, I feel like I can finally be of use to Master. Now I don’t have to give up—”

“Heh, you really do love Christ, don’t you, Maria? But please, don’t overdo it. The chants I taught you for flame magic are all special. Using them frequently will increase the heat of your emotions. I made them specifically for you, the kind that ‘burns current love using the past as fuel,’ but I still wouldn’t recommend overusing them.”

“It’s fine. If it just increases the heat of my love, I actually welcome it.”

“Still, be careful not to get burned.”

“Yes!”

With the tangible sensation of power in my heart, I replied to Alti with a smile. For some reason, she watched me sadly before finally leaving with a smile of her own. I also headed home. That day, my step was lighter than it had ever been.

---

The next day.

To get straight to the point, I still couldn’t keep up with the Labyrinth exploration. It was only natural. Even as I grew stronger, those two grew stronger at an even faster pace.

However, there was a sense of progress. I didn’t feel the same despair as before. Even Lastiara, who was supporting me, told me “next time.” Left alone in the house, I analyzed what I lacked.

First, the sustainment capability Lastiara mentioned. There was no doubt I lacked that. And the lack of self-defense that Master worried about was also a problem. Unless I solved these two, I had no future.

“More power… I have to practice my magic more…”

Wiping away sweat, I went outside and resumed my magical training. I felt like I was going to collapse from the previous Labyrinth trip, but I couldn’t afford to complain. If I got better at controlling my magic, I could adjust the firepower and save mana. If my casting speed increased, I’d have no openings. The more I practiced, the more I could resolve these issues.

I practiced magic until I was on the verge of fainting, and instead of resting my body, I did the housework. I continued this cycle over and over.

In my hazy consciousness, I felt as if various things were being lost. Yet, in inverse proportion, it was certain that my magical proficiency was increasing. If it was for Master’s sake, it wasn’t painful in the slightest. I repeated flame magic endlessly, paying an irreversible price. Somehow, it felt almost pleasant.

---

Then, at one point while I was resting and cooking, the two of them returned. Apparently, there was a problem deep in the Labyrinth. Since it involved fire and heat, the talk turned to relying on Alti. Truthfully, I wanted to go along too.

But I endured it and spent my time practicing magic at the house. Afterward, however, I felt Master was acting strangely when he returned. Whenever I tried to make eye contact, he would look away with perfect timing. I felt like his face was flushed. He had been like this ever since meeting Alti. Perhaps Alti had played some unnecessary matchmaker.

I confirmed with my “eyes” that Master was embarrassed. I felt like I had found a human emotion in Master for the first time in a while. It made me so happy that I didn’t press him for answers. Just watching him was enough to satisfy me.

That night, in my bed, I smiled at all the hope Alti had given me. I decided in my heart to wake up early tomorrow and practice magic again. I felt like the wind was strangely noisy, but it was a day I was able to sleep with a peaceful heart.

The following day.

I woke up early and polished my magic. By the time the two of them woke up, I began preparing breakfast. Even while cooking, I did not neglect my magic practice. I cooked using my own flames. If I misadjusted the heat, the frying pan would easily melt, so I cultivated concentration and composure within that slight tension.

As I was doing so, the flames deformed against my will. Panicking, I poured in mana to suppress them—but the flames took the shape of a mouth and began to speak.

“Maria, wait. It’s me. Alti.”

“Huh? A-Alti?”

It was a sight I had seen before. It was the same as when the flames spoke when I went to the 10th floor with Master.

“Sorry to startle you. But this is faster. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“I see. This is convenient, Master. So, what is it?”

“I’ll teach you this eventually. But this time, I thought I’d teach you a different spell.”

“Eh, you’re going to teach me again?”

My voice naturally got louder. Alti seemed like a busy person. I had braced myself for a long wait before seeing her again. But unexpectedly, it seemed she was going to teach me the next spell so soon.

“Yes, Christ and the others asked me. I’m going to teach you magic to remove lava from the Labyrinth.”

“Lava…?”

The fact that Master had asked her was on my mind, but so was the situation where lava had to be removed.

“The 24th floor is a lava zone. This magic is useful for passing through there. If you learn it, you can be of use in the Labyrinth.”

“I see…”

In truth, I had wanted a new offensive spell. Even if I learned magic to remove lava here, my turn would only come on that 24th floor. Without magic that works universally, I wouldn’t be able to follow them.

“Heh. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you all sorts of other spells too. Let’s see… let’s meet at that tavern where we first met during lunch today.”

“Ah, yes, understood.”

Sensing my true feelings, Alti laughed and promised to pass on other magic. As the conversation ended, the flames returned to their original shape. I smiled and resumed cooking. If I kept gaining magic like this, I might be able to establish a role for myself in the Labyrinth. With that hope, I prepared the meal.

That day, Master and Lastiara had breakfast and headed for the Labyrinth—but they returned almost immediately, cutting the exploration short. Lastiara said little and headed back to her family home in Huzya.

Only a dejected Master remained in the house. It was a chance for just the two of us to do many things. However, I couldn’t break my promise to Alti. Looking at it long-term, magical training was absolutely necessary. I couldn’t let myself be swept away by temporary pleasure here.

I left Master and met up with Alti. She was sitting in the same seat as before. And there was a stranger, a man, sitting there as well.

“Hey, Maria. Over here.”

“Ah, yes.”

I took a seat, led by Alti. Then I bowed to the tall man with the sharp, refined features. Was he an acquaintance of Alti’s? Seeing the doubt in my eyes, Alti told me about him.

“Oh, don’t mind this guy. He’ll be gone soon. Well, he’s an old friend, I guess.”

“Haha, ‘old friend,’ huh? True enough. Don’t mind me, little lady. I’ll be making my exit soon.”

The man stood up and left, just as he said. After he left, I realized: I had met that man before. With the power of my “eyes,” I matched his features with a man I had met in the past during that brief moment.

If I recall correctly, when Master bought me out of slavery, that man was in the same place. I didn’t know the details, but he must be an acquaintance of Master’s as well. I regretted not giving a more proper greeting. But my “eyes” denied it. They advised me that it was best to avoid getting involved with that man as much as possible.

“Well then, let’s eat something first. It’s lunchtime, after all.”

Saying so, Alti handed me the menu. Then, as if nothing had happened, we began our lunch. During lunch, Alti asked about me as if it were small talk.

“How have things been lately? Any progress?”

“No, not much has changed… but thanks to the magic you taught me, I’ve become able to defeat strong monsters.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“With my mana capacity, I run out of breath quickly. In the end, the Labyrinth is just Master and Lastiara alone. It’s not easy.”

I reported my current flaws while stirring the soup on the table.

“I see… I’m rooting for you, Maria, so that’s truly sad…”

“…But someday, I’ll become like Lastiara. Even if it’s impossible now, someday…!!”

I spoke of my enthusiasm positively. However, Alti’s face remained downcast as she listened.

“Someday, huh…”

Alti had a sad expression, as if reminiscing about something.

“W-what’s wrong?”

“No, it’s that ‘someday’ that’s the problem. From what I heard earlier, it seems the relationship between Christ and Lastiara is about to change abruptly…”

“Abruptly?”

It was true that those two were acting strange today. But Master being flustered was a regular occurrence… and that said, Lastiara didn’t seem mentally disturbed. I confirmed it with my “eyes,” so there was no mistake.

“Heh. Just as you think, Maria, those two aren’t trying to change. They think they’re fine as they are. That’s how they are. But it seems their surroundings won’t allow it… It looks like we have to hurry with various things.”

Surroundings. As far as I knew, Master’s surroundings were just the people at the tavern where he worked. I cast my “eyes” on the tavern staff to check. It didn’t seem Alti was talking about the people here.

That left Lastiara’s surroundings. In other words, the knights we encountered in the Labyrinth. Certainly, those people possessed a troublesome quality that could force the relationship between those two forward.

“Those knights…? L-let’s hurry! Please teach me magic!”

“Heh, no hesitation, I see. Mastering even higher-level magic will affect your body. Even so?”

“Of course.”

“Then let’s change locations.”

We finished our meal and moved to a vacant lot with few people. It was a meadow far from the city. Wald had many lands that hadn’t been fully developed. In a place like this, there were few prying eyes.

There, Alti’s expression turned serious, and she gave a sharp first statement.

“Now then, from the look of it… Maria, you’ve been overdoing it. Repeatedly firing magic in actual combat. And with your own unique training, your body is a mess.”

But the atmosphere wasn’t one of accusation. It felt more like a confirmation. For a mage of Alti’s caliber, she could see through it at a glance. I nodded honestly.

“Yes…”

“Hmm… as expected, I suppose. I have to say, you’re just like me.”

Saying so, Alti’s expression softened, and she laughed nostalgically.

“Just like you, Alti?”

“Yes, exactly. That’s why I understand your current symptoms well.”

“Symptoms? Have I… contracted some kind of illness?”

I was startled by the word “symptoms.” If it were a contagious disease, I wouldn’t be able to stay with Master.

“No, it’s not an illness. I told you before, didn’t I? If you overwork your spirit with magic, there’s a corresponding ‘price.’ Right now, you’ve taken more damage to your spirit than you realize.”

“Eh, is that so…?”

Even hearing about spiritual damage, it didn’t feel real. If anything, I felt better because I had more hope than before.

“In my case, I overworked myself so much that I even developed memory loss. How about it? Does anything come to mind? If there’s anything you can’t remember, I want you to tell me early on.”

Memory loss? There shouldn’t be… anything.

“N-no, nothing so far…”

“Using high-level flame magic can sometimes burn up old memories without you noticing. Since you’re using magic beyond your capacity, that danger is always haunting you.”

“Burning… old memories…”

“Burning the past to make the present blaze. That is the essence of flame magic. The chants I taught you include those kinds of formulas.”

Memories are something that will be lost eventually anyway. I didn’t recoil from burning them. From the moment I heard it “overworks the spirit,” I had already steeled myself for that level of sacrifice.

“I don’t care. To gain power, I don’t need the past…!!”

Hearing that, Alti laughed sadly again.

“Heh, I suppose so… Yes, I suppose so…”

While laughing, Alti scratched her wrist open, just like before. I grasped her intent and brought my lips close to her wrist.

---

And that day, I learned not only magic but also the origins of chants. The relationship between chants and magic is deep; the effect of magic changes depending on the words chanted.

Generally, it is thought that MP is consumed to use magic. However, Alti, with her deep knowledge of magic, taught me other methods as well.

Methods to fire magic without MP. Chants that use memories as a price. Chants that use emotions as a price. Chants that use life as a price. I acquired various “chants.”

If I utilize this correctly, I won’t run out of breath even if I fire them in rapid succession.

I can feel my understanding of magic deepening; I can feel myself growing stronger.

However, as I chanted, I also felt precious things peeling away from my heart and falling into the void. Alti is teaching me this, knowing full well what it entails.

I, too, am prepared.

I would rather die than be separated from my Master.

Rather die…

With that thought, I—

Heat pooled in my head, making me dizzy. Before I knew it, the volume of my feelings seemed to have swollen. I understand now that the true nature of this is flame magic.

Among the many types of recitations, there is a “Chant” that takes emotion as a “Price.” That must be what is padding out my feelings.

A “Price” is not just about loss. It also encompasses amplification.

I felt a chill at the fact that my very existence was being rewritten by magic. A physiological loathing took hold; I could tell my body was screaming in protest.

But I didn’t care.

If my feelings were being lost, it would have been one thing, but if they were increasing, I welcomed it.

Alti had selected these specific chants to teach me. She was supporting my love with everything she had. These were the “Chants” and the “Prices” for that purpose. Without a hint of anxiety, I continued to practice my magic.

The heat built. It caused the emotions within me to boil. The emotions turned into something thick and slushy, and eventually—

“Let’s call it a day.”

Alti was looking down at me. It seemed I had collapsed at some point during the repeated training. Wiping away my sweat, I stood up.

“I… I can still go…”

“Yes, I know. But Christ will be heading home soon. Go back and greet him at the house.”

Alti seemed to have a grasp on Master’s movements. I remembered hearing that she could extend her senses anywhere there was a flame. What an enviable ability. Since she had said it was an innate ability rather than magic, I was curious about Alti’s true identity.

But I wouldn’t pry. Whoever she was, Alti was Alti, and she was my ally. My “eyes” told me so as well.

“Understood. Thank you for today.”

“No, it’s fine. In the end, this is all for my sake as well.”

“For your sake, Alti?”

“I couldn’t reach it, but seeing you reach it sets my mind at ease. Yes, it clears my heart… For that purpose, I am using you, Maria…”

Alti answered with a self-deprecating laugh. I could see a shadow of self-punishment in her manner. I didn’t want to see my benefactor make such a face, so I tried to encourage her. I stated clearly that she was a wonderful person, and that I was the one who was ugly.

Yes. I was the only one who was filthy…

“Heh, I see… Thank you, Maria…”

Hearing this, Alti’s eyes widened, her cheeks softened—and looking somewhere far away, she thanked me. I could see various emotions crisscrossing within her heart, but even my “eyes” could not grasp the full picture.

“Alti…?”

Bewildered by those emotions, I called her name.

“Truly, thank you, Maria. See you later.”

Shaking off the mood, Alti left. She set her clothes ablaze, turned into fire, and vanished in an instant. Watching her go, I felt a hazy restlessness. However, in order not to waste the information she had given me about Master returning home, I had no choice but to hurry back.

I returned to the house—to my sanctuary. And, just as Alti’s information had suggested, as I was preparing the food, Master returned alone.

But something was wrong.

Master’s demeanor had reverted to how it had been once before. It was the exact same expression he had when he had found me in the slave market. Like a lost child wandering all alone.

I felt something starting to crumble. Worried, I stepped toward him quickly.

“Master, what’s wrong…?”

Master’s gaze wandered, and he spun his words hesitantly. He told me Lastiara had asked to play together at the festival.

He lied to me with a strained voice.

My “eyes” knew it instantly. I felt my bubbling heart turning into a raging storm. Clenching my back teeth, I desperately steadied my emotions.

“…Yes. That sounds good.”

I nodded. I knew he lied, but looking at the utterly exhausted Master, I couldn’t say anything more. Master walked slowly toward his room. Watching his back as if staring it down, I murmured to myself.

“—So I’m not even worth confiding in, am I?”

The usual feeling of being left behind intensified. Clenching my fists, I returned to the kitchen. I finished the cooking quickly, set the food aside for Master, and went outside alone.

I walked toward a deserted area and practiced my magic. A raging fire, as if reflecting my own heart, danced through the sky. Again, and again, and again, I layered the “Chants.”

It was true that the more I chanted, the more power surged within me. It felt far too good. My body screamed; my heart broke.

My control over the flames improved at a terrifying speed. I reached the point where I could obtain the effects of a “Chant” without even speaking. I produced flames chantlessly and manipulated them with very little mana.

I just needed to use my useless emotions as fuel. If I sacrificed memories and mementos like Alti, I could mold as much magic as I wanted.

I made several serpents of Midgardsblaze dance. Letting a smile slip at the fact that I could activate maximum magic with minimum mana, I released the spell.

If only I had power, Master wouldn’t have to lie to me. I would be able to walk by Master’s side, just like Lastiara…!!

For that, I could sacrifice anything. As long as this power and these feelings remained, it was enough.

“He… heh. Hehehe, ahahaha—”

I laughed. I could feel myself getting closer to happiness.

“—Eh?”

I startled myself at the black emotion that was born within me. Suddenly, a black, hot emotion had surged up. I immediately shook my head. I thought something as if I wanted Lastiara to disappear.

I extinguished all my flame magic and cooled my brain in the night breeze. It seemed my composure was slipping. Staggering, I returned to the house and collapsed onto the bed.

I fell asleep in an instant, sleeping as if running away from something. I slept believing that when tomorrow came, everything would be the same as always.

—But.

“…Then, will Christ save me?”

The next morning, I overheard Master and Lastiara talking. Lastiara was pleading with Master. She was as beautiful and tragic as the heroine of a story—and it was a cowardly conversation.

“You said you’d support me… You said you’d just watch… Why…”

In the hallway outside the room, those words escaped me. Leaning against the door that separated those two worlds, I shed a single tear.

The single tear spilled from my cheek, and before it could hit the floor, it turned into flame and vanished. The color of that flame burned red—and black.