Chapter 71

“So, you finally came.”

A voice called from behind me. I spun around and found Aliénor standing there.

“Once the sun rises, our paths will diverge. I couldn’t just leave our score unsettled.”

“Wait, you’re not planning to demand a final duel or something, are you…?”

It sounded like a hassle, but I had a hunch that’s where this was headed; after all, there was no one else around.

This wasn’t an official trainees’ event—Aliénor must have arranged it herself. I suspected the “No Familiars” rule was meant to keep Cerulia away.

Aliénor pointed a finger sharply at me.

“Listen well, Franz! Even after you return to the Royal Capital, hone your skills more than ever and become a Great Mage. Do it so you won’t bring shame upon me, Aliénor’s worthy rival!”

Wait, is this…?

If I translated her “tsundere” speech, it might mean she’s really cheering me on—basically telling me to do my best back in the Capital, right?

“I, too, shall devote my heart and soul to ensuring my prestigious house does not die out. My parents were saying things like, ‘Perhaps the era of the rural Black Mage will end with our generation,’ or ‘Maybe you should learn White Magic and join some corporation,’ but I will not allow it!”

In plain terms: she’s going to keep the family Black Magic business alive back home.

“I shall keep practicing in the Morco Forest! I have no intention of simply surrendering to the city! In fact, I’ll make it so that customers from the city have to travel all the way to my workshop in the middle of nowhere! I’ll sell Black Magic goods that can only be bought by coming to the countryside!”

This was Aliénor’s brand of resolve.

Running a local Black Magic business will be tough, but Aliénor intended to fight tooth and nail.

At that point, Aliénor averted her gaze from me.

“To be honest… because training wasn’t going well, I thought—just a tiny bit, no bigger than a flea’s foot—that maybe I should change professions. But I feel you taught me there is a way of life unique to a rural Black Mage… W-well, I arrived at that through my own intellect, so don’t expect me to thank you…”

Hey, that’s basically the same as saying thank you!

“If I use Black Magic to capture mountain beasts… hunters are dwindling, so that might be viable. From gathered beasts I can make Black Magic products—gallbladders and the like…”

“I’m really glad it looks like you’ve discovered a new business opportunity.”

Running a private business requires creativity and initiative—it’s a struggle. I’m a corporate employee, after all.

“It’s not as if I’m obligated to seek your concern… but I felt I should at least tell you. Whether you take this as my gratitude or not is entirely up to you!”

Even in the night, I could see her face was bright red.

How tsundere can one person be? Wouldn’t it be faster to just say ‘thank you’?

“I get it. I’ll interpret it however I like.”

“I see. Yes… I suppose so…”

Aliénor stepped closer—one, then two steps. Was she going to shake my hand?

“Well then, let us begin the Sabbat.”

“Huh? I thought the Sabbat was over with that talk?”

I’d thought it was just a Black Magic name for an orienteering-style event.

“When one speaks of a Sabbat, one must… offer a night of carnal desire…”

Aliénor leaned her body against mine.

Oh. So it’s that…

“As befits Black Mages, we must lose ourselves in depravity… Of course, there is no ‘love’ or anything like that involved. In fact, indulging in depravity in a place devoid of love is the ultimate blasphemy against White Magic and the God they worship…”

“I… understand the intent…”

Aliénor’s body trembled; I shouldn’t tease her too much.

“First, stroke my hair… Slowly… and gently… Atmosphere is vital for these matters, after all…”

After that, for a long time, we engaged in “blasphemous” acts.

We’re Black Mages—this was part of the job.

Doing this behind the training facility was risky—if we were caught we’d be stuck writing apology letters forever. A complaint reaching the company would disgrace the President, so I tried to be careful—until I forgot about it.

“Phew… I suppose that is sufficient for a Sabbat.”

As dawn began to break, Aliénor finally spoke.

With a composed expression, she began to get dressed.

It would be awkward to stare, so I averted my eyes and started putting on my own clothes.

“Hey, Aliénor, could you give me your contact info? You know, it’s good to have connections with the people in your training group…”

If I didn’t give a reason, it would sound like I had ulterior motives…

“I’m only going to say this once… It’s the Morco Forest in Shizuogu County. If you go about a hundred and fifty ‘kiro’ west of the Capital, you’ll reach Hoody County. Go another thirty ‘kiro’ north from there and you’re in Shizuogu… There’s a carriage to Morco Forest from the county capital three times a day. Once you reach the final stop, everyone knows where the Carlyle Black Magic Shop is…”

She gave me a much more detailed explanation than I expected. I had a feeling I ought to visit her again.

“Give me your location as well… I’ll need it for when I send you cursed items.”

I gave her my address.

“Until we meet again, my worthy rival!”

With a quick wave of her hand, Aliénor departed.

In more ways than one, it had been a long day.

●

Afterward, I quietly returned to my room.

I climbed into the bed next to Cerulia.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” she asked nonchalantly.

“Uh, yeah, well… So you knew…”

“Master, your ‘points’ were quite high today. Sneaking out on the final day—even as a Succubus, I’m impressed! You truly are my Master!”

Being praised felt strange, but…