Chapter 14
"Can I ask just one thing?"
"...If it's just one, alright."
Ethan organized what he knew about Bien.
Being the year's top student, one could tell how intelligent Bien was. Although his brilliance was overshadowed by the genius Arka Wiz Charasen in the year above, the number of talented individuals gathered at Yurmus Magic School was by no means small.
<But the user...>
<Yes. It's the privilege of nobility. What are you gonna do?>
<Thank you for resolving my question.>
<That's why they take your admission fee and then kick you out.>
And Bien uses magic involving crystals. Since gems are materials that react easily to magic, it's not particularly special. The fact that he can shoot them strongly enough to kill someone already means he can 'do his share' on the battlefield, so if he becomes a combat mage, he would be able to earn a proportional wage.
Wearing glasses could be considered unusual. Ethan didn't know about the 'Palmaize' family, but he had enough culture to infer their financial status or degree of wealth from the person's words, demeanor, and the fabric, decorations, and accessories of their clothes. Bien's meticulous and practical attitude, and the signs of mending at the edges of his clothes, made Ethan feel that he wasn't well-off. On the other hand, glasses, even if worn out of necessity, are quite expensive accessories, making them particularly noticeable.
And for some reason, he is a member affiliated with the Imperial Imperial Inquisition. He seems to have some relationship with Vine, but the details are unknown.
<You don't know much.>
<There's one more thing.>
<What is it?>
Ethan said to Demi.
<He doesn't seem to like the work he's doing.>
Ethan began his counterattack.
"It seems you don't particularly like this work, so why are you doing it?"
For Bien, it was no different from Ethan probing him without any basis.
Bien adjusted his glasses and said.
"Did I ever say such a thing?"
"By your expression, it looks that way. So, is it work you like?"
"When it comes to work, my feelings aren't important."
"I answered your questions sincerely, but you're avoiding answering."
Bien sighed.
"Yes. I don't like it. Is that a sufficient answer?"
"That's not an answer to my question."
"...That's not something to say to someone you've only talked to for the first time today."
"How can I hear that story?"
Bien shook his head.
"I don't think that will happen for you. Please leave."
"Alright."
Ethan obediently left Bien's dormitory room.
<User, it seems you haven't gained anything.>
<I have.>
<In what way?>
<That he doesn't want to talk about why he doesn't like this work.>
<Is confirming the lack of possibility also a gain?>
<That means it's an important story to Bien, doesn't it?>
Ethan pulled the trigger against his temple before Demi could complain further.
∞
"Can I ask just one thing?"
"...If it's just one, alright."
Ethan asked.
"Do you have any hobbies?"
"I have no aptitude for such noble activities."
"...Okay."
∞
"Can I ask just one thing?"
"...If it's just one, alright."
Ethan asked.
"Do you have a favorite book?"
"'Shapeshifting' by Ku Remigio Schers."
"...Really? That's a textbook for the Ancient Magic lecture."
"I like the book I read last the most."
"...Okay."
∞
"Can I ask just one thing?"
"...If it's just one, alright."
Ethan asked.
"What's your favorite food?"
"...Suddenly?"
"You said you'd answer if it's just one?"
Bien's lips twitched as if to say something, then he was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I like wontons."
Ethan was bewildered by the food he was hearing for the first time in his life and asked again.
"...What's that?"
"You said just one question?"
"Okay. You said wontons, right? I'll be back."
"Excuse me?"
∞
"Can I ask just one thing?"
"...If it's just one, alright."
Ethan asked.
"What kind of food are wontons?"
"...Huh?"
It was the second time Ethan had seen Bien's flustered expression. Having talked extensively about Black Magic and Mazok, it was understandable he would be flustered by a question about whether he knew how to make wontons.
Ethan looked up at the ceiling as if remembering something and said.
"There was a time when a guest from the far East visited the mansion. They didn't stay long, but they were someone who cooked their own food by borrowing the kitchen, saying the Charasen regional food didn't suit their palate. My father told me not to bother the guest and stopped me from entering the kitchen, but I tended not to listen to my father. The guest recognized me and shared the food they made with me, who was looking with curious eyes. They even showed me how to eat it. You pick up a dumpling and gently tear the skin with chopsticks, then drink the broth first. It was the middle of winter, and thanks to that, my body warmed up. After that, you break open the fully cooked dumpling and eat it. I remember the flavor of the soft-chewing cooked meat and vegetables was good. And before your mouth cools down, you scoop up another spoonful of the broth.... 그때는 그게 뭔지 몰랐는데 완탕이라는 음식이라더라고. 혹시 알아?"
Bien, who had been staring blankly with his mouth open, realized belatedly that Ethan had finished speaking.
"I know it well. The food I like most is wonton."
"The way to make it?"
"My mother always made it, so I don't know very well. I could probably imitate it roughly. I helped with making the dumplings on the side."
"The East is very far from here, though. Even if it were the border of the Empire, the Empire is a very large country."
The Arnesia Empire encompasses the entire East, meaning Yumaha, and extends to the West. The races and cultural spheres within the Empire are not unified or harmonious. Only the Emperor's power binds together the communities within the Empire's borders.
Bien offered Ethan the chair in front of his desk.
"...Would you like to sit?"
Bien offering a chair was also a first for Ethan. Ethan sat down in the chair, hoping not to look too excited. Bien sat on his bed.
"The Empire is a very large country. The world is called Damarat Yumaha. Divided into the Western world Damarat and the Eastern world Yumaha. Although they say the Empire governs Yumaha, the perception of Yumaha among Damarat people is somewhat narrow. Even in Damarat, there are only four or five different languages, and you can understand them to some extent if you listen, but in the Empire, dozens of languages are spoken in each region. Among them, there is a place called Rainin. It is my hometown, located in the northwest of the Empire. It's a barren land where you can barely till the soil to grow wheat, but that's about it. If the farming fails for just one year, people starve to death in every household. They say there are no uninhabited lands under the blessing of Heisa, but Rainin is not a place fit for people to live. Nevertheless, the reason people live in Rainin is that it was a place of exile in Yumaha for a very long time."
"Place of exile?"
"In Yumaha, there is a punishment where people who commit crimes are sent to live in a distant foreign land. Usually, they are sent to islands, but in areas that don't border the sea or a lake, criminals were sent to Rainin. Rainin was the farthest place where people could live, and the mountainous terrain on the way was rugged, making it difficult to come and go easily. Many criminals lived and died in Rainin, and in the process, left behind descendants. Those from Rainin are known as descendants of criminals in Yumaha. Even if they are very strong and intelligent, it is difficult to pass the imperial exams if they are from Rainin. There is only one thing that people living here can rely on."
Ethan felt he knew the answer but let Bien speak.
"Mages."
"Mages."
Bien nodded.
"In any country, even an empire, talents like mages are rare and precious. If just one mage emerges from a family and starts receiving a salary, their household prospers. Even just knowing how to use magic allows one to work for the government, and merely being recognized as a mage grants a position of rank 8. In Damarat terms, that's about the level of a Baronet."
"So you decided to become a mage and came here?"
"No. The talent for magic doesn't appear suddenly. It is filtered out from those who have studied and trained sufficiently. That's why mages in Damarat are generally nobles. They have the environment for it. Even the wealthiest family in Rainin doesn't have that capability. They are constantly extorted by officials from other regions, who ask if they've accumulated wealth through crime."
"Then how did you become a mage?"
Bien, who had been speaking at length in response to Ethan's question, was silent for a moment.
Bien soon met Ethan's eyes as if he had made a decision.
At that moment, a Quest Completion window appeared at the corner of Ethan's eye.
['Quest: Progress your relationship with Bien Palmaize (D)' Success!.]
[Reward: Experience Points 12]
[Reward: D-rank Lottery Coupon]
Bien said.
"I was a slave. The slave system is prevalent in Rainin, and when famine comes, parents sell their children. Vine bought me to perform magic experiments that couldn't be done in Damarat."