Glimmer in the Night

Night fell.

On the streets of Oysast, shop lights began to illuminate the streets one by one.

The bruises on Lichta's face had faded. He put down the magical tool in his hand and clapped his hands.

"Alright."

The old woman who had been waiting quietly nearby squinted and leaned closer to examine the magical artifact that had regained its stable glow—an old-fashioned lamp.

"It's really lit up... so fast."

"I told you, it would be fixed soon." Lichta said calmly, handing the lamp back to her and starting to tidy up the countertop.

The old woman carried a lantern and walked to the shop entrance. Lichta saw her off and also walked to the shop entrance.

But she didn't leave immediately. She slowly took something out of her old cloth bag and placed it in Lichta's hand.

It was a hard candy wrapped in a simple candy wrapper.

"Thank you so much all this time." The old woman turned around and waved her hand. "Here, take this."

Lichta's gaze fell on the candy in her hand.

The cool night breeze carried the scattered sounds from the street into the shop.

"Hey, grandma," he said to the old woman's retreating figure, "I'm a grown man now, why would I need something like this?"

The old woman didn't turn around, but continued waving her hand, her figure slowly disappearing into the dimness of the street.

"To someone my age, you're still a child." Her voice drifted back on the wind. "You really liked that candy, didn't you?"

Lichta stood in the doorway and looked at the candy in her hand.

The candy wrapper is the most ordinary kind, and it looks very small in the palm of your hand.

"... Really."

He muttered something under his breath, unwrapped the candy, and popped it into his mouth.

The sweetness melts on the tip of the tongue; it's a very simple, somewhat outdated fruit candy flavor.

He smacked his lips, preparing to turn around and close the door.

Just then, footsteps came from the alley entrance.

And there were familiar voices.

"--That's why I still can't forget the taste of that restaurant..."

Lichta leaned against the doorframe, watching the two approach.

Duncan walked ahead, now dressed in a clean mage's robe. The bruises on his face had faded, leaving only faint marks. Behind him, Laufen looked much the same, since she hadn't been throwing punches. She carried a wooden basket on her elbow, which seemed to contain dozens of donuts.

"I'm sorry," Lichta said first, her voice flat, "We're already closed."

He raised his finger and pointed to the almost invisible wounds on his face.

"Because I got dragged into a fight by some crazy old man, I had to go to church for treatment and it cost me a lot of money. I can't afford not to rest and recover properly."

Duncan walked to the store entrance and calmly replied, "That was a disaster, Lichta."

Don't worry about who caused this disaster.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the work light still on behind Lichta.

"How about we at least have a meal together? We do have a restaurant in mind, but Laufen and I are completely unfamiliar with this area."

Lichta didn't reply, her gaze fixed on the basket in Laufen's hand.

"So, Laufen, why are you with Duncan?" he asked, then pointed to the basket. "And what's that?"

Laufen hid the basket behind his back, his face expressionless, but his tone carried a hint of possessiveness.

"The old man bought it for me," she said. "I'm not giving it to you."

Lichta's gaze shifted between the two.

"Hey, are you his granddaughter? It really is." He sighed, turned as if to go back into the shop, "Never mind, please go back. The first round of the exam is over; we're no longer teammates."

Duncan's voice came from behind, with a hint of persuasion.

"You really haven't learned how to deal with people, Lichta. If you want to survive as a mage, you should try to curry favor with me, the Chief Court Mage. It will definitely benefit you in the future."

Lichta didn't stop.

"Restaurants are everywhere," he remarked.

A brief silence.

Then, Duncan's voice rang out again, lower and slower than before.

"... Sigh. My wife and I haven't seen each other for decades. There was a restaurant we went to together back in Oysast, and I still can't forget the taste, but I can't find it now..."

Lichta stopped in her tracks as she was about to close the door.

He stood with his back to the street for a few seconds, the sweetness of the fruit candy still lingering in his mouth.

Then he turned around, his face still bearing that listless expression.

"You're treating, aren't you?" he said.

Duncan's expression remained unchanged, but he glanced at Laufen with a hint of smugness.

"Of course." He nodded. "I've already said it, currying favor with me will definitely bring benefits."

In another part of the city, in a quiet alley.

The moonlight, cut into a narrow strip by the high walls, fell on the damp stone pavement. The distant clamor of the main street drifted here, leaving only a faint background noise.

Footsteps echoed in the alley.

Lanto walked ahead, his steps steady. Ubel appeared a few steps behind him, her green ponytail swaying gently with her steps.

"Glasses Guy," Ubel said, his voice carrying clearly through the alley.

Lanto adjusted his glasses and turned around.

"... Ubel," he replied.

"This can be considered our 'first' meeting, right?" Ubel asked in a light tone. "You really aren't a clone in the city."

"If you want to chat, please do so as we walk." Lanto turned his head.

"It's not impossible..." Ubel smiled.

"So, when you fought Wirbel, the magic you used could instantly cut down trees several meters thick. Why didn't you use it in the initial close combat? His staff or his body could be sliced open, right?" Lanto continued walking.

"Hmm... you actually saw it?" Ubel seemed a little surprised, then chuckled, "You really have eyes in all directions."

She paused, her voice tinged with a hint of teasing.

"That's so cruel. Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm a pacifist. Besides..."

The moment she finished speaking, Lanto stopped in his tracks.

It wasn't that he wanted to stop.

His body felt as if it were bound by invisible shackles, unable to move even his fingertips. The flow of magic also became sluggish, as if he were sinking into a sticky swamp.

The magical chains binding the surrounding area were exactly the same as the "Gaze Restraint Magic" used by Wirbel before.

"Wirbel, being such a straightforward person, is easy to understand." Ubel walked to his side, tilting his head to look at him, his face bearing that usual enigmatic smile. "The magic each person excels in is closely related to their experiences, personality..."

She stretched out her finger and casually drew a line in the air.

"And I, as long as I 'resonate' with someone, that is, understand their thoughts, I can use their magic. I don't need to know the principles of magic, as long as I understand that person... that is my talent."

Her gaze fell on Lanto's face, filled with inquiry.

"Glasses Guy, your clone should be a perfect clone with similar functions to your original body, right? And you don't seem to have much magic power... This magic is really useful."

She leaned closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret.

Can you tell me about your past? What are you thinking about? Tell me.

Lanto remained silent for a moment.

"I see." He finally spoke, his voice calm. "You're the type who can use magic by intuition. To use magic without knowing its principles..."

He paused for a moment, his tone carrying a clear hint of indifference.

"I hate this mindless approach."

Ubel blinked.

You didn't answer my question.

"Didn't I say?" Lanto said, still unable to move, but his voice was steady. "I hate it. So no comment."

He paused, then added.

"Kill me if you want. But you'll never have the chance to empathize with me."

Ubel looked at him, his smile deepening.

She snapped her fingers lightly.

The restraints were instantly released.

Lanto swayed almost imperceptibly, then returned to normal. He didn't move immediately, but merely rotated his wrist, as if to confirm his freedom.

"How could that be?" Ubel said casually. "I've already said I'm a pacifist. And..."

She watched as Lanto turned and continued walking towards the other end of the alley.

Even if you say that, I still know you a little better, don't I?

"Really?" His voice came back, devoid of emotion. "Then perhaps you can resonate with me now."

Ubel stood there, watching his retreating figure, his smile unchanged.

"Almost there."

Lanto didn't turn around; he simply raised his hand and waved casually, as if saying goodbye or shooing someone away.

Don't follow me.

Ubel strode along, following at a leisurely pace, his voice tinged with amusement.

"I like."