0.
If one were to trace the reasons for the strained relationship between knights and wizards in this Empire, one would find hundreds, even thousands, of causes.
Yet the most decisive factor remained the academy.
“It is said that few wizards who enter the academy actually like knights, isn’t it?”
As Baron Ibil Shen remarked, wizards typically begin to cultivate their disdain for knights upon entering the academy.
“They’re constantly fighting each other in there. And it’s always the wizards who get provoked first.”
“They do seem a bit… easy to push around.”
Yes. Easy to push around.
It was a strange thing.
Wizards being easy to push around?
Naturally, wizards were considered precious talents. For one thing, they were rare.
While their abilities varied widely, the mere fact that they could wield magic already guaranteed them preferential treatment.
The problem was that it still fell short of the respect afforded to knights.
‘They can breathe fire from their hands? Freeze ice with a touch? How can such extraordinary individuals be treated worse than knights whose only skill is to swing a sword?’
This question naturally arose, and Lancel himself had shared this sentiment before learning the truth. Why, exactly?
There were three main reasons for this disparity.
First:
“As you know, Sir Lancel, most wizards are commoners.”
“That’s definitely the decisive factor.”
Indeed. The issue of social status.
Since magical talent wasn’t hereditary, the vast majority of wizards were inevitably commoners, given the Empire’s demographic structure.
Even if one were to later be recognized for their talent and granted the title of baronet or baron, they could never shake the perception of being a commoner of humble origins. At least, that was the case in the eyes of the knights who were born nobles.
Second:
“It’s rare to find a wizard with the physical prowess to excel in battle, you know.”
“That’s because it’s a profession that requires extensive study. They spend so much time at their desks that they barely have time for exercise.”
“Exactly. The last wizard I saw had a belly bulging out so far, I thought he’d soon find it easier to roll around than walk.”
Wizards were generally perceived as scholars.
Too many of them lacked the strength to wear heavy armor, ride warhorses, or run across the battlefield.
“No wonder wizards are like this.”
“How far did that wizard run before collapsing?”
“Tsk, it’s like they have no muscle at all.”
Each time the mockery of a knight reached the ears of a wizard, their face would flush to a bright crimson. But what could the wizard do?
The battlefield was a merciless environment for those who couldn’t march or sprint.
Even knights who had trained their entire lives would find their breath coming in ragged gasps after just five minutes of running through the ankle-deep mud.
How much worse, then, for the wizards? After just a few steps, their vision would inevitably blur.
For an empire built on plunder and conquest since its inception, the scarcity of wizards who excelled on the battlefield was a critical problem. It left them speechless when the knights taunted, “So, how many war heroes do you guys have?”
Third:
“More than anything, most wizards fall short of my expectations. Every time I see them, I can’t help but wonder, ‘is that really a wizard?’ There are far too many who make me question their legitimacy.”
“Well, even if they only manage to light a candle-sized flame, they’re still wizards, after all. They just end up looking a bit deflated.”
“Deflated? More like completely drained, Sir Lancel! I went through hell just to see that damn magic trick! All I got was a pathetic trickle of water from that wizard’s fan. Honestly, what a joke!”
“…To produce even that much in a place with no water…”
This was a common issue caused by the vast disparity in skill among wizards.
The truth was, most wizards were weaklings who would crumble against even a common street thug. Exceptional monsters like the Third Prince were rare exceptions.
‘Hmm. Looking at the results, it’s true that the knights always start things.’
Indeed.
Whether it was due to their social status, physical prowess, or the wizards’ underwhelming magical abilities, it was always the knights who initiated the conflict.
This was precisely why young, naive apprentice wizards developed an aversion to knights the moment they entered the academy.
“Commoner!”
“Weakling!”
“Trash!”
Even Lancel, had he been in their position, would have harbored resentment.
But now, there was an exception.
“…I just hate knights.”
Already, her hatred for knights had reached a boiling point, her face twisted with spite.
This was Marigold, a 16-year-old who hadn’t even enrolled in the academy yet.
“So, honestly, I don’t like you either.”
“……”
That day, Lancel’s world crumbled.
1.
Though it wasn’t a new occurrence, Lancel had wasted roughly a year in this iteration before finally meeting Marigold.
It seemed that anyone who arrived in the capital through the conventional route was destined to break out in hives, because Lancel always encountered the fellow in the most unexpected places.
“Get ready, Sir Lancel. We’re going to see it together.”
“Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I mentioned it this morning, Baron Zenith is going to show us something at the palace.”
“I was only pretending to listen, so I didn’t catch that.”
“Well, at least you’re honest, Sir Lancel.”
Lancel wasn’t exactly thrilled, but he had no choice but to prepare for the outing. Hesti, who had been eavesdropping, was practically vibrating with excitement and clearly wanted to come along.
“Is this wizard, Zenith, the same person as ‘Zenith of the Scorching Wind’?”
“That’s one of his titles. Do you know him?”
“Of course.”
Lancel leaned back slightly, Hesti’s eyes were gleaming as she approached with determined strides.
“I heard he’s the one who builds flying machines.”
“Yet he fails every time.”
“Still, I think it’s amazing. If humans could fly, even someone like me might one day get to ride in one.”
“I doubt you’ll live to see that day.”
“Please refrain from making such dream-crushing remarks, Young Master.”
“Ah, sorry.”
‘It’s not impossible,’ Lancel thought. ‘If civilization advances just one more step…’
With that thought, he climbed into the carriage.
The sun-drenched fields were already crowded with idle nobles.
“Please step back; you might get burned if you stand too close. We won’t compensate you later if you complain about your hair being singed.”
============
—August 2, 818 of the Imperial Calendar. Weather: Exceptionally clear.
—Event triggered! “Assistant at the Airship Presentation.”
※ I gained access to the Imperial Court through a part-time job at the academy! Assisting my Master with his presentation is a joy, but the sight of so many arrogant knights is making my blood boil!
============
It was there that Lancel met Marigold.
The 16-year-old Marigold, with a sullen expression and a voice devoid of warmth, was handing out fans, one by one, to the assembled nobles.
“Are you… Baron Zenith’s disciple?”
As Lancel accepted the fan, he addressed her.
He never imagined she would choose the path of a wizard, let alone become a disciple of Baron Zenith, a renowned and powerful mage.
Marigold gazed at Lancel for a moment in silence.
“Ahem.”
A small, awkward cough.
She quickly averted her eyes and replied, “The hot air might burn your face. Use the fan to shield yourself. I won’t compensate you if your eyebrows get singed.”
That was all she said.
Marigold turned sharply and hurried away to another noble, her footsteps light and quick.
‘How cold,’ Lancel thought.
“Please take your seats, everyone.”
Moments later, an elderly wizard with snow-white hair emerged.
Despite his frail frame, his eyes burned with undiminished vitality—it was Zenith.
“Let’s begin the demonstration immediately.”
A massive object was unveiled in the fields of the Imperial Palace.
“Mary, show them what you’ve got.”
“Yes, Master.”
Marigold, her short stature forcing her to stand on her tiptoes, pulled away the concealing cloth to reveal a scaled-down airship.
“Ooh!”
“What is that thing?”
“There’s a balloon-like thing attached to the hull.”
Excited murmurs erupted from the crowd.
“The device I will demonstrate for you today is an airship that flies using hot air magic. One day, over a hundred people will be able to board this vessel and soar through the skies.”
“It can fly without wings?”
“Exactly. If you’re impressed, I urge you to invest generously in my research. I shall launch it right now.”
Zenith approached the airship and quietly closed his eyes.
“Rise.”
A faint magical aura began to emanate from his entire body. The airship slowly began to ascend into the air.
“It’s flying!”
“Ooh!”
Marigold’s smug expression, which had momentarily puffed up with pride, quickly vanished.
Pop!
The balloon attached to the airship suddenly tore open, and flames erupted around it.
“Master!”
“Damn it…!”
The airship, which had risen over ten meters, began to shake violently before plummeting back to the ground. The entire fuselage was engulfed in flames in an instant.
“It’s coming this way!”
“Get out of the way!”
Lancel swiftly pulled Baron Ibil Shen and Hesti up, bringing them to safety.
KABOOM!
As the airship exploded and crashed, a shockwave of scorching air erupted outward. In an instant, the arena descended into chaos.
“Aaaah! My clothes!”
“My hair! My hair! What little I had left!”
“Ugh! It’s so hot!”
The Baron Zenith.
Marigold was among the disciples of that senile old wizard, who would later be derisively called a quack.
Lancel felt his drowsiness vanish instantly.
‘Is this the Archmage Marigold route?’
Archmage Marigold was considered a major route among the standard paths.
Warrior Marigold, Knight Marigold, Ronin Marigold, Mercenary Commander Marigold, Battle Commander Marigold—she surpassed nearly every combat-related profession… This meant that she was truly on one of the main routes in the game.
The peaks were beyond comparison.
As an archmage, Marigold’s power, measured in raw force, might have made her the greatest being in this land. After all, why else would she be called a wizard?
In previous iterations, Marigold had shown no magical talent whatsoever.
But this time was different. She had become a wizard’s apprentice, proving she possessed magical aptitude.
Lancel was already satisfied just knowing this fact.
.
.
.
“Magic! I love it, love it, love it!”
“Mary, you rascal! What kind of manners are you showing our esteemed guest?”
“Eeek!”
Marigold yelped as Zenith smacked her on the head.
“My apprentice is still a bit immature, Sir Lancel. Please forgive her.”
“……”
“I just hate knights.”
“I don’t like you either.”
Recalling Marigold’s merciless hatred of knights, Lancel struggled to regain his composure.
“Hurry and bring us tea, you rascal.”
“Hmph.”
Marigold clutched her head and stomped away.
Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Lancel finally managed to speak, barely holding onto his sanity.
“Still, you’ve managed to find a child with magical talent. To be Baron Zenith’s disciple at such a young age—the future of Blazing Gale Academy looks bright.”
Baron Zenith chuckled softly before speaking.
“While Mary is indeed my disciple, I didn’t take her in because of any magical talent.”
“Huh?”
Baron Zenith stroked his beard and continued, “She’s more like a servant I took in out of pity. She’s so eager to learn magic that I’ve been teaching her a little, but naturally, without any talent, she can’t even handle basic spells. Strange, isn’t it? Just think of it as an old man’s hobby.”
“…Ah.”
Just like that, it was already over for Marigold.
