Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins

T/N: Re-edited 9/3/24.

At the same time, I turned my steps.

“Damn it.”

One time may be a coincidence, but two times is inevitable. That we met twice in such a short span in this unnecessarily large city was not enough; our eyes also met twice.

“You really were targeting me. Dang…”

His holding a book or newspaper was clearly just a disguise. He would have glanced around when lifting his head if he was truly focused on reading…

…instead of looking straight at me.

Now, I could be sure… That old man… He must be a bounty hunter after the 200-pound bounty on me as a wizard.

Step. Step. Stride.

I gradually increased my pace.

Acting casually may no longer make sense, but running would only draw more attention amidst this crowd.

Calming the chill running through my body, I scanned the area.

What would be the fastest detour?

‘Okay, I’ll go through the bakery alleyway. Bread is good. I quite like it, too.’

Thump.

Something lands on my shoulder.

Rough and warm.

Just like a human hand.

“Huh?”

Creak. Creak.

Stiffly turning my frozen neck, a shadow is cast over my face from a figure that wasn’t there just seconds ago.

A bear-like build. Hands that could crush my skull. An air of dignity that not even his antiquated coat, hat, and cane could conceal.

The bounty hunter was standing right there.

“Pleased to meet you, kid. I’m Benjamin—” 

“Go away!”

Did he really think I’d be caught so easily?

I quickly crouched, shrugging off the restraint on my shoulder, and kicked backward viciously from that position.

My target was the ultimate weak spot that could bring down even a bear.

Wham!

A clean sound rang out on impact.

“…Ughhhhh…”

It was highly effective.

His face contorted grotesquely, and he immediately folded his legs to slump down, his whole body trembling faintly.

As expected. Whether bear or monster, a well-placed kick finishes them. 

The more you’ve been hit in the groin, the better you know how to strike it. You become very familiar with where to land a kick for excruciating pain.

Having accurately struck the crown jewels, he wouldn’t be able to move a muscle for at least three minutes.

“Don’t try to catch people for money.”

Seizing this chance, I fired off that warning before dashing toward the neighboring district. 

I still had yet to earn today’s bread money.

His legs were still wobbling.

Despite living a robust life free of arthritis for 60 years, a single moment of inattention had allowed that unexpected blow to land.

The result was miserable. He slumped in the street for five minutes before hobbling to a bench.

The snickering sounds from all around were nothing compared to the excruciating pain.

Benjamin Oslo thought to himself:

‘That brat.’

“Don’t try to rationalize it. Who’s the one loudly proclaiming justice daily, only to get cheap-shotted by a teenager?”

“Dorothy… Quiet down…”

“I’m aware.”

Dorothy gave a slight nod before gently sitting beside the old man. 

Both the old man and Dorothy were dressed casually. However, Dorothy’s expression suggested her outfit didn’t quite suit her.

For Dorothy Oslo, an officer of the Frauvian Federal Army, her uniform was her casual wear.

Like ink calligraphy on a fresh sheet of paper, her pale skin, dark eyes, and sleek black hair made her look striking. 

Fellow officers often remarked about Dorothy: ‘An ice queen,’ ‘An automata,’ ‘…though you don’t take after your father at all.’

She usually ignored that last one.

Mechanically dusting off her clothes, Dorothy looked up.

“Mr. Oslo. You lost him, but will you continue the pursuit?” 

“Call me father, and I’ll answer.”

“Good day to you.”

“Hey…”

As Dorothy truly made to leave, Benjamin hurriedly stopped her, heedless of the lingering ache between his legs.

The aftereffects were kicking in.

“Ughhhh…”

“…”

“Don’t give me that pitying look.”

“I said nothing.”

T/N: See an image of Dorothy in the Illustrations Drive, linked at the pinned comment on the homepage of this novel.

For an instant, Dorothy’s gaze was like looking upon filth. Still, her expression returned to its usual impassiveness in the blink of an eye.

Sometimes, Benjamin found his daughter’s inner thoughts challenging to discern.

He thinks this is how my daughter should be.

Setting that aside, a more pressing matter was at hand. Adjusting his seated posture, he answered the question:

“Pursue him? Of course. I must pursue.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It seems there’s been a misunderstanding.”

Benjamin recalled the recent incident.

Fear was evident in the boy’s eyes as he said that.

Not terror, but fear – like rust creeping over a copper dome, the result of prolonged cold and hunger until it became routine.

Benjamin recognized that look well.

That’s why he could see it.

The pervading quick-wittedness buried underneath layers of fear.

He needed to clear up the misunderstanding. 

Dorothy slowly nodded her head.

“Then I shall assist you, Mr. Oslo.”

“You really won’t call me father, will you?”

“……”

“Is that the same look you give your superiors in the army?”

“……”

Ultimately, no answer came as Dorothy Oslo gracefully rose from the bench.

The can feels light. 

The coin purse with 21 shillings used to jingle. But this dull thudding sound – what does it mean?

Taking out a single coin from the can emitting that pitiful metallic noise, it instantly goes quiet. 

The meaning behind that was impossible to miss.

Five o’clock in the afternoon.

Current earnings:

One shilling.

“Tch.”

Licking my parched lips, I looked up at the sky. A bitter taste filled my mouth despite having not eaten anything.

“I was mistaken…”

A miscalculation.

Heading to the neighboring district wasn’t such a good choice after all.

Evading Remy’s gang and the old man was fine, but it took me far from the Federal Army barracks. 

The lively chatter between officers and families. Their carefree spending. The vibrant colors and elegant poise – landscapes devoid of Frauvia’s usual vigor felt utterly desolate.

Five years ago.

Streets that seemed transplanted directly from that time when the whole country was filled with refugee caravans. 

Dead streets.

People with hollow, dazed eyes filled every corner. What they gave beggars was neither pity nor coins but pure indifference.

In hindsight, the passerby who tossed me a single coin was almost saintly.

“Spare a coin for the poor—”

No matter how loudly I called out, not a single person spared me a glance. Even though there were homeless people, I could see why no beggar was there.

Sensing the futility, I eventually left before sundown. 

Another ordeal was beginning.

Which route should I take? I needed to go under the bridge to avoid Remy and his gang.

But it was evening; perhaps their guard would be down? That’s what I hoped, but something felt off when I left the neighboring district. 

My suspicions turned to certainty near the shopping district.

“Remy. The sun’s starting to set.”

“So what if it is?”   

“!” 

I immediately stopped and crouched low upon hearing the voices.

Two men. 

Those guys.

They were on the main road, but fortunately, I was still in the alleyway.  

Concealed in the shadows without risk of detection, I pricked up my ears. By concentrating, their words became clearer:

“Well, I was thinking we could stop patrolling now?” 

“Heh.”

“If he hasn’t shown up all day, maybe he didn’t even come out? We’ll search again tomorrow.”

“…You joking?”

Thwack! 

The sound of flesh striking flesh. 

I jolted in surprise. It seemed Remy had raised his hand against his own man.

He’s really gone that far.

Whether his victim groaned in pain or not, Remy raised his voice:

“Does sleep come easy after getting played by some street rat? This fucking parasite… The money in that can be for your food and clothes. Is this affecting just you now? You gonna shut your trap after taking my handouts all this time?”

“……”

“Enough. If you’re going to keep being useless, then get lost. What? I said, get lost.”

“S-Sorry.”

“Sorry, my ass!”

*SLAM*

Remy slammed his fist against the wall as he shouted.

“Hurry up and patrol the shopping district. We gotta catch that brat and rough him up to get that 50-pound bounty!”

Soon, the stomping footsteps grew more distant. Based on the direction, it seemed they were headed towards the bank.

Though the conversation ended, the voice carried on.

“Damn, brat.”

“All he can do is pick on helpless kids and people from the slums. Disgusting brat.”

“……”

“Not like I’m any different.”

“So fucking pathetic…”

After mumbling to himself for a while, the other guy eventually started plodding away.

It seemed he resignedly planned to patrol the shopping district per Remy’s orders.

“……”

My head started pounding.

With that attitude, I could believe Remy would have shift rotations to keep patrols running through the night.

Which means…

“If I don’t want to starve, I have to turn myself in.”

Having directly incurred the boss’s wrath, the patrols won’t stop anytime soon.

But I can’t go far away. I’m bound to return to the barracks area – it’s the only place people readily spare a coin for a loaf of bread.

He surely thinks they’ll catch me eventually if they keep this up.

Of course, I can’t exactly call Remy a brilliant strategist – he’s just consumed by anger.

“……”

However… 

The problem is his method is quite effective.  

He’s the gang leader, but I’m alone.

He’s a grizzled veteran of the streets, while I’m still relatively new. 

He roams, extracting money, while I can only sit and wait for someone’s charity.

The odds are overwhelmingly stacked against me.

Even though they left, I felt strangely afraid to go out into the main road. I gazed up at the sky from the alleyway.

The three-story buildings lined up with plenty of railings and rooftops – so many places to get a foothold.

If I could just freely traverse up there, escaping Remy would be child’s play. 

“…Wait a minute.”

Suddenly, it hit me.

I took the magic book from my pocket and flipped it open, the pleasant scent of books tickling my nose.

Quickly turning to the page I had folded over, there was a phrase I still couldn’t decipher:

『λευιτατιον』

The spell for flying.

“…Heh. Hehehehehe.” 

A dry laugh escaped me. Who would have thought magic could be the solution to this hopeless situation?

Ah, yes.

I want to learn more.

To fulfill that dream, I needed to stay focused. Moving deeper into the alleyway, I plopped down on the ground.

So I resolved: 

I won’t return to my home under the bridge until I master this spell.