If you don't want to just drift through life, you have to go through time.

Retracing the path of the heroes to the north would probably be a rather tedious and boring, yet meaningful, endeavor.

"Speaking of which, a question suddenly came to mind."

"What's wrong, Shutalk? You can't just start your journey and say you want to go home to your mother."

"No, that's not true!"

Shutark expressed his dissatisfaction with Frilian's words, then paused, as if somewhat puzzled, and asked, "What I want to ask is, back then Frilian told me to buy myself 30 seconds while fighting the dragon, so why didn't you hide and charge up for 30 seconds before ambushing and killing the dragon instantly?"

"...Ah!" x3

"You didn't expect this, did you?"

Well...

The solution that the three mages hadn't come up with was exposed by a seemingly simple-minded and stubborn warrior, leaving them somewhat humiliated.

Frillie immediately replied, "It's to test you, Hugh Tarrk!"

"Yes, it's a lie." Shutark wasn't fooled.

have to say.

Even Truman hadn't expected this.

Although the dragon enjoys collecting items with high magical power and is very sensitive to magical energy, he can still use stealth magic with Frilian to minimize his presence. Making a move then wouldn't be out of the question. No, rather, it would be better to make a move then.

"As expected of Hugh Tarker, he brought a new tactical plan as soon as he joined the team."

"Really? I don't think I did anything remarkable. It's not that you just didn't think of it."

"puff!"

Truman choked and slapped Hugh Talke hard on the back, making him wince in pain.

"You should at least consider the atmosphere. Always arguing won't make you popular."

"I...I understand."

It's unclear whether he's even aware of this. Is it really true, as Truman thought, that all warriors are straightforward and honest?

"Speaking of which," Frilian looked at Philon and asked, "How is it? Does it look like it's been penetrated?"

The spellbook she took from the dragon's nest possessed the ability to see through objects, a spell she had longed for. It was unclear why she wanted this spellbook, but considering that Frilian was even interested in potions that could erase clothes, it wasn't suspicious.

"...It seems like we've managed to get through, but this magic isn't that interesting."

"Sorry, my body doesn't look that interesting."

This is the second time.

Although Frilian has lived for over a thousand years, she is still not as good as Philon in terms of figure, which is something she cannot let go of.

Then, Philon handed the magic book to Truman.

"……May I?"

Truman never expected Philon would give him the magic book.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't interested in clairvoyance magic, but with two women in the team, he couldn't very well ask to learn it, as it would easily lead to misunderstandings and disdain.

Besides, it's not a big deal if he can't learn X-ray vision... Truman always used this excuse to comfort himself.

And now-

"Lord Truman is also very interested in this magic, isn't he? Please."

"But if I learn it, won't Frilian and Philon worry that I'll use magic for bad things?"

"Does Lord Truman know how?"

"No, that won't happen."

"That's fine then. I trust Mr. Truman."

Philon showed him absolute trust.

"Me too," Frillian chimed in. "I trust Truman's character. Of course, it doesn't matter if I'm being watched; I don't care."

"...Me too," Philon said inexplicably.

It feels good to be trusted, but isn't there something off about what you two are saying?

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

We can't exactly stage a scene of three refusals and three offers; pushing and shoving back and forth would seem too fake.

Truman began to study magic in detail.

"Hmm, I see, I see..."

The magic's effect is to see through things, but it's not just clothing; it can see through thinner areas as well. While it doesn't work on things like rocks or trees, though—

Truman looked at Hugh Talke.

"So small."

"—You're not little anymore!!"

He was somewhat stressed.

The clothes are indeed see-through.

Thankfully, Shutark was there; otherwise, the experiment with this magic would have been unexpectedly awkward. Or perhaps it would be better if Shutark hadn't been there?

"Um……"

"What's wrong, Truman?"

"I was wondering if this magic could only see through clothes. Wouldn't it be even more powerful if it could see inside the body? Actually, I know a magician who can see magical energy. As a Crimson Demon, she has very special eyes. If she could see the magical energy in a person and cut it off, then the magic couldn't be activated..."

"That's quite an amazing idea."

If this could actually be done, it would be a fatal blow to magicians.

After all, magic requires the flow of magical energy. Only by flowing along a prescribed path can a magic circle be drawn, thus enabling the successful activation of magic.

However, if the magic power is suppressed in advance, the magic cannot be activated smoothly, which is a nemesis for magicians.

"But it's probably going to be difficult."

"Difficulty is what sparks interest, isn't it?"

"yes."

Frillie recalled that Truman had even been able to develop resurrection magic, so she figured that clairvoyance magic might not be impossible either.

Furthermore, humans possess a powerful learning ability. They can even break through and develop defensive magic within a few years of developing murderous magic, so they can certainly do the same with this magic.

"Then let's think of a solution."

"That's great, I'm motivated now too."

The two discussed magic, but it turned out to be unexpectedly profound and imaginative, so Philon and Shutark couldn't get a word in edgewise. After all, one had only just entered the world of magic, and the other was a pure warrior.

"Hey Philon, do they often do this?... Philon?" Shutark called out to Philon when he saw her lost in thought.

"Hmm." Philon glanced at him and said, "Lady Frillian and Lord Truman are quite obsessed with magic. Although Lord Truman doesn't have a deep understanding of magic, he can always inspire Lady Frillian from a novel perspective, and the two of them often discuss things related to magic."

"is that so?"

"Don't worry. They may be discussing things, but they'll still be on their way."

"I didn't mean to rush you."

That's what Hugh Tarker said.

Then, he thought of something and asked, "Philan, if I also wanted to learn that magic, would you agree?"

"Lord Shutark, firstly, I must correct you, whether you learn that magic is your own choice, and I have no right to interfere. Secondly, I must remind you that you are a warrior."

"No, I just wanted to know if you would agree."

"Won't."

"That's a pretty straightforward answer!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: I'll give you a spoiler first, this magic will play a crucial role in the Golden City arc.