Ch. 122

Voices change when one becomes an adult, and appearances can be altered with magic.

If he recognized me first, that would be the most certain proof—but he might not acknowledge it because he’s required to hide his identity during the [Path of Trial].

Either way, it didn’t seem like I’d find any answers like this. Ash couldn’t give them, and I couldn’t ask outright.

That would definitely be a violation of the rules.

“Impressive…”

“Not that much.”

“You have quite an eye for detail.”

“Well, I’m from Dmitri, the land of knights. Just looking at someone’s physique is enough to tell if they’re a skilled swordsman or not. It’s basic stuff.”

“Still… you don’t seem like someone ordinary.”

Lox’s gaze as he looked at me grew heavy and subdued.

In that quiet moment, we both realized that we were educated—perhaps equally so, or maybe even more.

If I dug further, it would only make him more guarded, so I decided to stop here.

To change the mood, I laughed out loud and swirled my glass. The crimson fruit wine shimmered inside, nearly spilling over the rim.

“Feels good to eat my fill. I think I’ll be able to sleep comfortably tonight.”

“Yes…”

“So, what are you all planning to do tomorrow?”

Ash was still deep in thought, staying silent. Chad, on the other hand, was eating non-stop.

Only Lox, cautiously watching the mood, answered me politely.

“Nothing urgent. Someone from our group in another country is supposed to send a message here. We plan to leave once it arrives. Probably within three to four days.”

“Then you’ll need to go to the Mage Tower?”

“That’s right.”

This world didn’t have many communication methods, so it was a hassle for travelers to exchange messages.

Usually, they’d choose a city with a Mage Tower and send a message there. The other party would then receive it by matching the time, but that method was expensive and difficult to synchronize.

If the timing was off, waiting several days was common.

“I happen to have business at the Mage Tower tomorrow. Want me to check it for you?”

“That would be appreciated, but…?”

“In exchange, will you watch the kid?”

“…”

“What? Got a problem with that?”

“Feels like I’m being shortchanged.”

“That’s just your imagination.”

Lox, who spoke politely with formal speech, seemed like a decent guy. Good thing.

“Surely you’re not going to act like you didn’t just eat a ton, right?”

Why are you making that face like you fell into a trap?

Lox finally smacked Chad’s back.

Probably telling him to stop eating. But Chad, even as he got hit, kept eating unfazed and even gave a thumbs up like he was saying, ‘Leave the kid to me,’ which made me think I’d have to buy him another meal tomorrow.

Muscle-heads are surprisingly kind, you know?

—

Back in the room, I locked the door and sat quietly next to the sleeping Annie.

I lay straight on the soft bed, closed my eyes, and called out to Rai in my mind.

Hoping it would reach him sincerely.

[Rai.]

When I closed my eyes, I could feel myself more clearly. What I wanted to do became just as vivid.

What I wanted now was to send my voice to my spirit.

[Can you hear me? Rai.]

He should be in the stable attached to the inn, no more than 100 meters away—well within our range of communication.

We could now talk to each other and share intent even from much farther than before. Within a small village, we could talk from anywhere.

But Rai wasn’t answering. He was probably sulking. My brows furrowed instinctively.

[Rai, unless you really want to sleep in the stable tonight, you’d better answer.]

[Sniff sniff!]

[Don’t cry. Speak clearly.]

[You know everything! I can’t take it anymore! It’s filthy here! Disgusting! Master, you’re so mean! Hrrrng.]

What a ridiculous little guy. He couldn’t stand filth but didn’t even know what pain was.

[Be quiet. No one’s around, right? Transform into a snake and climb up to the second floor of the inn.]

[Right now?]

[Yes. It’s time to snoop.]

Even without closing my eyes, I could communicate with him, but this way helped me focus, so the conversation was clearer.

[I’m still sulking, you know.]

[That’s your own problem.]

[You’re so cruel… heartless!]

[Want me to make you turn into a rat instead?]

[…You only brought that up to threaten me, didn’t you? You meant it from the start!]

Rai hated turning into a rat more than becoming an ogre.

He said it lacked dignity or something? The rat form was originally meant for spying, but he never used it.

[Then hurry up and move.]

[Tsk. Isn’t it normal to comfort a sulking spirit? Do you even love me? You’ve fallen out of love, haven’t you?!]

[Are you rebelling now? I’ve never seen a spirit sulk like you.]

[Master, you’ve gotten so cold lately! You used to be at least a little sweet… No, wait. Come to think of it, you’ve always had a nasty temper. I admire the consistency.]

[Sigh. Now I kind of want a pet rat. What do you think?]

[Pfft! You know snakes are the best for spying! You know that, Master! I’m going now.]

Who’s the one always provoking me?

—

[You said he’s the long-haired guy with glasses, right?]

Since Ash didn’t have any noticeable features, I told Rai to look for Lox instead. People who wore glasses in this world were rare.

[Did you find him? He should be on the second floor. I don’t know the room number, though.]

[Yes, I think so. He’s got glasses and a necklace.]

[A necklace?]

I didn’t know what they did when I wasn’t around, but Rai was very good at spying. And since he wasn’t a living being, it was hard to notice his presence.

Even if he had a spirit inside him, it was technically a lifeless form—metal, to be precise.

[One of them has a strange necklace.]

[Is it the brown-haired guy?]

[Yes. Just the two of them in the room.]

I tried to recall whether Ash had been wearing a necklace.

What came to mind first was his firm build in that dark blue leather shirt, then the solid waistline where the black belt rested.

He had broad, sturdy shoulders—that guy had a good body, for sure.

As I mentally retraced the parts I’d ogled earlier, I finally remembered the bone-carved necklace shaped like a sword that he wore.

Necklaces shaped like swords, meant to bring good luck, were commonly worn by men regardless of status.

[That necklace…]

[It’s enchanted. Probably a transformation spell.]

[Oh ho.]

Our Rai was pretty good at detecting magic. The odds of Ash being Ash just went up.

[Are you sure?]

[Of course! Ever since I ate the Dragon Heart, I’m super confident when it comes to sensing magic energy!]

I briefly opened my eyes and looked at the ceiling.

I had figured that if Ash had changed his face, it was probably through magic. Most likely using a magical item rather than casting the spell himself.

A swordsman could only use magic that way.

My guess was spot on—not that surprising.

I rested my chin on my knees and closed my eyes again.

[Get closer. Tell me everything you sense.]

[I’ll try to approach as close as I can!]

Rai had always been sensitive to magical energy. He was far more useful and reliable than I was as a Spirit Mage.

[Looks like partial polymorph.]

[Partial… Well, of course. Fully transforming like Magi would be too much for a human.]

[It only affects the face… No other magical energy detected.]

So the necklace only changes his face. That means if I take it off, I’ll see his real one. How do I get it off, though? Not that I need to—I’m already almost sure, but I’m still curious.

[Are they talking about me in there?]

[They’re having a serious conversation.]

[Listen in and tell me everything.]

[Um… They’re talking about some suspicious woman. One of them said, ‘She might be a spy… maybe she approached you because she knows your identity.’]

Just as I thought—Lox was a prince’s attendant. Both assistant and monitor.

To make sure the prince didn’t break the rules, or that no one discovered the trial and endangered the prince’s safety while he was out in the world—that was his job.

[That was the guy with glasses, right?]

[Yup. And the necklace guy said, ‘Seeing her with the child, I doubt that’s the case’… He’s kind of defending her. Is this about you, Master?]

[Yeah. Keep going.]

[A big guy just walked in, and they stopped talking.]

Must be Chad. His identity must be a secret from him too.

The core of the [Path of Trial] was to see how well a prince could gather great companions while hiding his identity.

The real test was whether a prince could form a strong team of Guardians through charisma alone.

After traveling the continent for a set time and gathering Guardians, the princes would return to the palace.

Only then could they reveal their identities to their companions.

And the trial didn’t end there. The Guardians would then fight in [duels], putting everything on the line. There was no better way to prove one’s strength in all of history.

After that, it was simple.

The prince whose Guardians won the duel would become the Crown Prince.

[The big guy just started talking about food again. And he just bragged about taking a huge dump…]

[Ugh. Gross.]

[He’s talking about eating and pooping at the same time! What a stomach of steel!]

[…Okay, that’s enough. Come back to me.]

The spying ended there. I flopped back onto the bed, crossed my legs, and fell into thought.

There was no more room for doubt. Everything matched perfectly like puzzle pieces.

That ordinary-looking man was definitely Ash—and he had an attendant with him.

“Wait, does that mean Chad is his Guardian?”

Instead of marveling or feeling happy that I’d miraculously met Ash, I suddenly felt worried. And I wasn’t even the kind to worry about others.

“Is this… okay?”

I didn’t know when the trial began, but he was supposed to gather companions within the time limit… and he only had one. And it was Chad!

Ash, are you sure you’re going to pass the [Path of Trial] like this?

“Oh, right. He said he’s waiting for another companion. So that makes two? Attendants don’t count as Guardians…”

How many is he supposed to gather?

Was it five?

How much time does he have left?

Muttering to myself, I eventually clutched my head in frustration.

This won’t do. I really shouldn’t have slacked off in school—there’s so much I don’t know.

I’ll have to visit the Mage Tower at dawn. And I need to contact Drike. If it’s the Headmaster, he’ll definitely know the details.

I want to know! Everything about the [Path of Trial]!