The Elestar: Zero

"Then… please, teach me the sword and fire magic you used.

As I mentioned that, Master Valorant gave me a thoughtful look. It was as if he didn't quite grasp exactly what I was saying — as if he was measuring what my words really meant.

"What, so you can be like me?" he finally asked.

"I can give you all the money I have if you like. I need to just get strong."

He chose to ignore my last remark — acting as if he didn't hear me. It was becoming evident — he wouldn't be easily persuaded.

[How can I get the old man to teach me?]

I observed him throughout the day.

And then I had a weird realization:

Yesterday's wounds were beginning to heal already way too quickly.

The deep hound bites now appeared to be only scratches.

The signs of having been stoned were already becoming bruises that faded to a light red color.

It had to be his doing.

He must have used magic to cure me.

I tried again later on when we were sitting down to a meal.

"Why do you not inherently want to teach me?"

"Why should I?"

"You're right. You don't owe me anything."

It was true. He was under no duty to help me.

In fact, I owed him. Not the other way around.

"I don't instruct Elestar techniques to anyone I do not know.

"Elestar…?" I repeated. "What's that?"

"The sort of mage," he said shortly.

"Can you explain it better?"

"If you've finished eating, go to bed. The quicker you get better, the quicker you can go home."

So that was it— He didn't want me here. And I needed to persuade him to train me fast or he'd cast me out as soon as I was healed.

If I could learn magic… Demons were no problem for me to take out of this world.

Hmmm… perhaps he had some sort of insight into demons. Sometimes he seemed the sort who did.

"Can I ask another question?"

"What now? If you're going to ask me to teach you again, just save it. I already told you no."

He expected me to ask again. It made sense—anyone would have.

But I shook my head.

"No … I'm not going to ask you to do that. I just have a separate question."

I was looking him right in the eye, not smiling.

"Why did that demon chase me? Why me?"

[This kid asks me if I don't know who he is… is he teasing me?]

[No… he's not mocking me. He's genuinely confused.]

"Fine," he sighed. "I'll answer. But sit still and listen."

"The demon came after you because your mana is completely in disorder and overflowing. Demons are drawn to mana. That's why it followed you."

"Are there strong casters in your ancestry?"

"No... My mother never said anything like that."

"Interesting… The flow of mana from your body is abnormal. Demons are unable to survive without mana—just like humans can't without food or water. Your mana is strong. Too strong."

"That type of mana only occurs generally in a high noble family or powerful magical bloodline. — But you are not of the nobility. And you say the family has no mages… So where did it come from?"

I fell silent.

[So all of this happened… because of me. It's all my fault. If I had stayed in the house that night… it wouldn't have happened.']

I couldn't stand the pain in my chest.

Having my mother die so that I could live... Guilt was an inadequate word for it.

Master Valorant saw my face and made an effort to comfort me.

"Your mother's death isn't your fault. It was the demon's."

Those meant to appease my heart— But all they did was exacerbate the pain.

Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.

"It was my fault. If I hadn't stepped outside… If I hadn't left her alone —... maybe she'd still be alive."

"My mother is dead because I was stupid. Because of me. And I did nothing but stand by when she was in pain. I had no strength. I couldn't do anything…"

"You want to know what her last words were?"

"Do whatever it takes to stay alive!' "

She shouted those words through the agony of death.

And I… I just ran away."

"You shouldn't blame yourself, it is not going to change the past," he said.

"Exactly. That's why I swore to myself— I will stay alive. I will make certain her sacrifice was not in vain."

"And I didn't stop there, I also found out…"

"The moment that devil was standing over me with that spear? I understood something."

"In this world, just surviving isn't good enough. You can't always run. You have to be strong."

"I learned... you can't live running away. That's why I begged you. Please… teach me magic!"

Master Valorant went quiet.

He appeared as though he'd had one of his painful memories. His expression shifted — as if an old wound had been ripped open anew.

"You finished talking?" he finally said, "Go to sleep. You'll only get yourself into a worse condition."

[So … he didn't hear my words after all. I wondered if they might change his mind. Assuming I have to go in a bit here.]

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm sorry if I was getting in the way."

I went to bed. Valorant sat at the desk, thinking.

Dawn broke. I was asleep and something that was both cold and heavy suddenly splattered over me—as if an entire riverload had been dumped upon my chest.

I screamed.

"H-hey! What was that?!"

I looked around, heart pounding.

There stood Master Valorant.

Holding an empty bucket.

"What… what was that for?!"

He stared at me silently. I had no understanding of what was going on.

"At last, your morning training has started," he said. "You go get dressed and you meet me outside."

Then… He walked out of the cabin.