A Certain Magical Index Mage from the Start in Type-Moon

Atalanta looked at the man before her and sighed. He clearly looked young, even younger than she was, yet that sigh carried the weary air of an old man who had traveled for a long time without ever finding the truth he sought.

But this handsome, youthful "old man" quickly put away that dejected helplessness and instead flashed a bright, sunny smile.

"I'll teach you two different kinds of magic. One for dealing with the mind and curses, and another that offers more comprehensive control over the water element."

"Water-element magic? But didn't we agree yesterday... what would I have to pay extra?"

Mephistopheles shook his head. "Don't worry. Someone paid for you."

"Someone paid for me?" Atalanta grew even more puzzled. Mephistopheles merely smiled. "Who did you tell about this? That person paid the price."

Atalanta opened her mouth. There were only two people she had told: Diana and Artemis. But Diana had only learned about it vaguely and did not even know that the person teaching her magic was Mephistopheles...

As for Lady Artemis, could she have come down personally and paid the price for her?!

But how... how could that be possible?! This... this really...

Thinking of what Artemis had said to her, Atalanta actually began to feel that it might truly be possible.

But if that were the case, what exactly had Lady Artemis given up? She must have given him some sort of treasure.

The more Atalanta thought about it, the more serious she became.

"This is Lady Artemis's payment. I have to work hard!"

The girl thought this as though she were a child studying diligently to repay her parents.

Seeing the girl suddenly become serious, Mephistopheles laughed inwardly and began teaching her the magic he intended to teach: fully simplified modern magic based on Golden Dawn magecraft.

He had no desire for Atalanta to study original magecraft. One mistake could damage her brain!

Graduation

Within the palace, the beautiful queen, Hypsipyle, newly married, asked Jason, "My dear Jason, are you leaving?"

With her delicate heart, she could sense Jason's hesitation. It had made him seem unhappy these past few days, as if he were hiding something in his heart yet unwilling to tell her.

Hypsipyle knew Jason feared she would not be able to bear it, but as a woman who had shouldered the responsibilities of a queen from an early age, she had her own resolve.

So she was the one who raised the subject first.

Jason remained silent. He liked Hypsipyle very much. He felt that this girl was truly wonderful—considerate and gentle—and he had been very happy here.

"Beautiful Queen, I nearly fell here. Honestly, I would gladly fall into your embrace," Jason said cautiously after thinking for a moment.

He was considering how to keep the person before him from becoming too sad, because he knew very well that once he truly told her he was leaving, no matter how strong she was, she would certainly be deeply hurt.

"But I can't. Just as I said from the very beginning, I have my own goal. I have to keep moving forward for it... and..." Jason sighed. "Lately, I've kept dreaming of strange things."

"Strange dreams?" Hypsipyle asked. She was indeed saddened, but hearing Jason's words now, she was willing to let him go. More importantly, she was worried about his dreams.

Dreams were mysterious. They could bring revelations!

That was why she asked him so anxiously.

Hypsipyle was worried about Jason. If a dream could make Jason so unhappy, then it might not be a good one.

"I dreamed of a mysterious god. It was a distant pair of twin stars, an existence called Guiding Light. It told me not to forget my purpose... I also dreamed of my father, of the promise I made with my uncle back then. Everything was telling me that I should not stay here. I should continue onward..."

"Jason, this is a revelation from the gods. You should set out again and fulfill your goal. But if you still remember me in the future, then come back after you achieve it. You can govern this place and lead its people!"

As Hypsipyle spoke, her cheeks reddened again. She had finally said what she had wanted to say for so many days but had never dared to voice.

"You can truly become the king here, inherit my father's position, Jason!"

Jason's eyes widened. He had never expected Hypsipyle to say such a thing. But the king of this country had merely left. If he returned, then surely he would have to relinquish the position again!

"I acknowledge you. You have sufficient courage, exceptional wisdom, and you truly can lead everyone well. That is why I acknowledge you as this land's king, and I will marry you and become your wife."

Hypsipyle's voice was utterly resolute.

"Not only I, but my people will acknowledge you as well. Everyone will recognize you as this land's king, Jason!

"Some of those heroes may return, while others may choose never to come back. But the descendants they leave behind will bring boys to this place once more. Under your leadership, I believe this place will return to what it once was!"

Looking at the beautiful and understanding Hypsipyle, Jason could barely stop himself from embracing her. Yet Hypsipyle gently stopped him and said again, "But you truly must leave, Jason. Go fulfill your dream. I will wait for you!"

Yes, he should fulfill his dream. But at least he could stay for today. Tomorrow—once tomorrow came—he would truly have to leave this place!

"You learned quite well. You actually mastered all the rituals related to the four elements." Mephistopheles watched Atalanta diligently trace a magic circle with her hand and then use it to cast magic, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

"This feeling of refining magical energy... it really is strange. I never used magical energy like this before." As Atalanta spoke, she used the concept of water within the magic circle to draw forth the power of water before her.

Mephistopheles was not having her use the power of angels here. Instead, he had connected the concept of water to the authorities of Atalanta's mother, Clymene, and her grandfather, Oceanus.

Both of those gods possessed concepts related to water and the sea. Through the connection of her own bloodline, combined with the symbols of the water element, Atalanta quickly mastered the process of using water-element magic.

It was somewhat opportunistic, but it was convenient and quick. More importantly, it was very easy to learn.

After all, Atalanta herself was the greatest conceptual existence in this magic ritual. It was because of her bloodline that she could so easily learn this modified magic.

However, after gathering water elements with magical energy, turning them into ice blades, and firing them forward at tremendous speed to leave the ground ahead riddled with craters, Atalanta asked worriedly.

"I've been studying hard these past few days. This magic obviously uses my mother's and grandfather's power. Although we are related by blood, I was never granted any power. Does this count as stealing divine power? Would it even be blasphemy?"

"Of course not!" Mephistopheles immediately refuted her. "What you are borrowing is merely an imitation. It has nothing to do with your mother or grandfather. This magic only makes use of the concept of water contained within the divine authorities brought by your mother's and grandfather's bloodlines, then connects it to another god."

"Another god?"

Mephistopheles smiled faintly. "Another Oceanus. It has nothing to do with your grandfather, merely a purely conceptual existence that does not exist in this world. Use this power without worry. It will never come to trouble you."

Seeing Mephistopheles speak with such certainty, Atalanta finally relaxed. She was happy to gain power, but if it were an act of blasphemy, she would rather not have it.

After having Atalanta perform several more operations with the water element, Mephistopheles found that although she used magic brutally for attack and was rather unskilled in healing and other areas, this high-intensity barrage of magical bullets was already comparable in some ways to the strongest mages of the Age of Gods.

Feeling that level of power, Mephistopheles could only sigh inwardly that bloodlines truly were cheating in some cases. She had only studied for a few days, yet she could already display such outrageous destructive force.

"Of course. Although modern magecraft found many substitutes with the help of Golden Dawn, and even roadside stones can be used to cast magic, in ancient times one would seek out spiritually potent things to cast magic. Atalanta's own bloodline is the most spiritually potent thing there is."

Thinking silently to himself, Mephistopheles stopped her and told her to quit tormenting the poor beach and its poor crabs.

Then Mephistopheles took out a sheet of paper and a pen and handed them to her. "Come on, it's time for the written test. Let's see how you answer."

Atalanta looked at the questions and fell into deep thought.

First question: What is a curse? Is it magic? Where do curses originate? Discuss in one hundred to three hundred words.

It was a very professional question.

She looked at the second question.

After answering the first question, how can one safely place a curse on another person? If someone places a curse on you, how should you defend yourself?

Yes, there were only two questions, but those two questions plunged Atalanta into complete contemplation.

If it had been the Atalanta of the past, she would surely have given simple answers based on her own understanding—or rather, what she believed.

But after studying under Mephistopheles for several days, especially with curses as her main focus, she knew she had to address these questions properly.

She had every reason to believe that even if the gods themselves cursed Mephistopheles, he could remain completely unaffected and perhaps even make the one who cursed him suffer instead.

Mephistopheles's mastery of curses was terrifyingly profound!

So after carefully considering her answers and confirming that there were no problems with her thoughts, Atalanta wrote them down and handed the paper to Mephistopheles.

She was somewhat nervous. In particular, as she watched Mephistopheles stare silently at the paper, she felt like a criminal awaiting judgment.

However, when Mephistopheles smiled, Atalanta finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her entire body relaxed.

"Not bad, Miss Atalanta. Your answers are not perfect, but you passed. Well, I mean you passed by my standards—enough for you to use them properly in actual combat.

"Especially regarding how to place a curse on someone else, your answer was very good. You truly remembered what I told you.

"Cursing someone is a common magical method, but personally placing the curse is very foolish. That is because our means of defending against curses mainly involve countering them. Once a curse is countered, it returns along its original path, and the caster suffers instead.

"But there is far too much malice in this world. As long as people exist, as long as self-awareness exists, malice exists. That malice becomes entangled with itself. We only need to guide a portion of it and place it upon the target."

As Mephistopheles said this, he raised his hand, removed the necklace he always wore from his neck, and personally tied it around hers.

The gesture left Atalanta standing frozen. She did not even dare move, only asking helplessly, "W-What is this for?"

"A small gift for you, or rather, the final content of these lessons."

After fastening the necklace, Mephistopheles immediately took a step back.

"From now on, do not let it leave your body. Keep wearing it. If you truly understand what I taught you, then you can understand what it is."

Hearing that, Atalanta forcefully suppressed her uneasy, racing heart and carefully shifted her attention to the necklace.

A strange eye, yet one containing special magical power. This was a consecrated tool—or rather, a Mystic Code!

And Atalanta, who had spent the past few days studying curses, immediately recognized what it was.

"The Eye of Horus?!"

It was said to have some relation to the gods of Egypt, yet it had no true connection to them. It was a powerful Noble Phantasm created entirely through the magical system controlled by Mephistopheles, representing divine protection!

Naturally, it could protect its wearer from curses and other harm, even restoring the body, mind, and more. This was absolutely an incredibly precious treasure!

"This... this is far too valuable!" Atalanta could not help saying.

However, Mephistopheles shook his head.

"It is not that valuable. In fact, I can make it myself. And the longer you wear it, the more powerful it becomes. So remember what I said: never take it off!"

Seeing Atalanta still wanted to say something, Mephistopheles brought up someone capable of silencing her objections. "Don't worry. Artemis has already paid the price, so you may have this treasure."

This time, he did not conceal the identity involved. Upon hearing Artemis's name, Atalanta finally confirmed her guess.

Mephistopheles truly had a connection with Artemis!

And judging from the situation, their relationship seemed even friendlier than she had imagined!

So what kind of person was Mephistopheles? Why did he have such close relationships with all the gods?!

"You and I can be considered master and apprentice, so I suppose it is fine to tell you." After considering it, Mephistopheles smiled. "I am Mephistopheles. That is my true name. But I also have a magical name, a name I chose on my path of pursuing magic to clarify my heart: Veritas000, meaning one who seeks truth!"

It was a strange name, but it had its own meaning. A special name represented a special goal, and this peculiar act made Atalanta once again feel the unwavering conviction with which this mysterious man pursued his path.

During these past few days of contact, Atalanta had found him learned, humorous, and genuinely capable. Now, she felt his strength even more deeply.

"What an amazing man. No wonder even Lady Artemis befriended him. What a pity—there probably are not many men like him in this world. From my own perspective, this is the first time in my life that I have met a man like this..."

Thinking silently to herself, Atalanta could not help wanting to sigh. Smiling, she bowed to Mephistopheles.

Then she said sincerely, "Thank you, Teacher."

It was the first time she had ever spoken so sincerely to a man!

Another World

Although Jason had prepared to set out the next day, a small incident still occurred that morning.

Perhaps tired of watching these people sing and dance on the island every day, completely forgetting their mission, Heracles charged straight into the place where everyone had gathered and loudly berated them.

"How disgraceful!" Heracles did not conceal anything or soften his words. His roar was loud enough to deafen everyone present!

"I actually sailed on the same ship as you lot. It's utterly shameful!!"

Some wanted to refute him, but no one dared stand up directly. They all knew Heracles's strength, and he did not pause before continuing.

"Is this the noble goal you were willing to risk your lives to pursue? Is this why you left your homes and abandoned your families? Where have the dreams burning in your hearts gone? What will people say when they learn that we fled from the difficulties and dangers before us to enjoy comfort here?"

Heracles's words thundered through the area as he began calling people out one by one.

"Jason, what will people say if they learn that you abandoned your promise to accomplish the world's most impossible noble undertaking?

"Theseus, the great hero who once braved danger to kill the Minotaur and save the children of Athens—why have you now fallen so low?

"Idas, you once defied a god alone without hesitation. Yet you have become like this. What do you think people will say about you now?"

Heracles's words left those famous heroes unable to offer any rebuttal. Heracles merely sneered.

"Fine, then let me tell you. People will say that you have all disgraced the title of hero! They will say that when faced with danger, you cowered like dogs! Now, you have finally revealed your true faces!"

They could no longer bear hearing this, but at that moment, Hypsipyle stood up.

"Great hero Heracles, please do not insult my man Jason like this. He has not truly become lost in indulgence. In fact, today's meal is our last. He told me yesterday that he would depart today!"

Jason took Hypsipyle's hand and stood. He looked somewhat embarrassed as he faced Heracles, but then he smiled, as though Heracles's furious rebuke had meant nothing.

"Heracles, I keep my word. I will fulfill everything I told you back then. So I will set out. Before you shame us all to death, every one of us will depart together!"