"So, let's get straight to the point."
"Did you do it?"
The room went quiet after the investigator asked his sudden question. On the outside, Rynan looked calm enough for someone in his situation. But inside his head, he was already freaking out. His mind was going crazy with panic and fear.
―Shiiiit! What do I do!? Do I just tell the truth!? I just killed someone! That's life in prison for sure!
The investigator moved to sit in the chair next to Rynan's bed. It was the same chair where Emi had been sitting just minutes ago. The seat was still warm from her body heat. He looked at Rynan with eyes that seemed to see right through him.
"I know you did it to protect yourself. Anyone would do the same thing in your place. Just tell me the truth." His voice got softer this time. "Did you do it?"
This time the man's tone was completely different. It was gentle and kind, like he really wanted to help. The hard edge from before was gone now. It made Rynan feel like maybe he could trust this guy.
―It's better if I tell him the truth right now. Fighting about it won't help me at all.
Rynan breathed in deep and tried to calm his racing heart. The air felt heavy in his chest. His hands were shaking under the hospital blanket. The words felt stuck in his throat like they didn't want to come out.
"Y-yes, it was me."
The investigator's eyes went wide like someone had just hit him. He looked down at his hands and blinked a few times. His mouth opened but no words came out. Rynan just stared at him, confused about why the man looked so shocked.
―This kid... did all that...? Those guys were B4 rank fighters. They're strong enough to kill a High-Orc on their own.
The investigator's thoughts were spinning out of control. His hands started shaking as the truth hit him hard. If this boy could beat B4 ranked guys, then he was sitting next to someone really dangerous. The kid looked so small and hurt in that hospital bed.
―S-so if this kid wanted to... He could kill me right here! Right now!
The investigator reached down for his water bottle on the floor. His hands were shaking so bad he could barely hold it right. The plastic made loud sounds as he tried to drink. Some water spilled down his chin because his hands wouldn't stay still.
He put the bottle back down on the floor with a soft sound. His breathing was still messed up as he looked back at Rynan. The next question felt scary to ask. But he had to know the answer.
"How did you do it..?"
There it was. The question Rynan had been scared of the most. His stomach felt like it dropped to the floor. He had no answer because he really didn't know what happened. The whole thing felt like a bad dream that wouldn't end.
"I-I don't know... I have never used magic in my whole life!"
―Please believe me! I'm telling the truth! I really don't know what happened!
Rynan's thoughts were screaming inside his head. His heart was beating so fast and loud he thought the investigator might hear it. He really hoped this man would believe what he was saying. He wasn't lying at all.
―So that's why he has no mana in his body. I thought I was going crazy when I couldn't feel any magic from him.
"I believe you, but I have to ask something." The investigator spoke slowly and carefully. He leaned forward a little bit. His eyes were serious but not mean.
"Try using the magic you used to kill― I mean, um, defeat those men."
―Damn it, I knew he would ask this. There's no way out of this now.
Rynan sighed in his head, feeling trapped like a mouse in a corner. He had no choice but to do what the man asked. But not here in this small hospital room. Too many people could get hurt if something went wrong.
"I will, but take me outside."
"'Kay."
<-<-<-<-<-<-༒︎->->->->->->
Behind the hospital was a huge patch of grass that went on forever. It was just pure, flat grass that looked like a green carpet. This place was already outside of Lagunna city, so it was perfect for magic practice. Nobody would get hurt if something went wrong here.
"Woaaaahh..."
Rynan's mouth dropped open as he looked around the massive field. He had never been to this place before or even knew it existed. The grass felt soft under his feet and the air smelled fresh and clean. It was like stepping into a completely different world from the busy city.
―Hah, he really is just a kid. No doubt about it. Such an innocent one too.
The investigator let out a small laugh after seeing this side of Rynan. He felt way more relaxed now, like he was talking to a normal person instead of a killer. The boy's wonder and amazement made him seem so young and harmless. It was hard to believe this kid could hurt anyone.
"Come to think of it, Mr. Investigator, what is your name?"
"Oh. Sorry about that, I'm Zhan. I'm second to the highest rank of Lagunna's Crime Investigation Guild." He stood up straighter as he spoke. "Second Chief in Command, to be exact."
―You didn't have to introduce yourself like I'm some kind of high-ranking noble or something. But I guess that's just how he talks to everyone.
Rynan scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward about the formal introduction. Still, he had to admit it sounded pretty cool. The title had a nice ring to it that made Zhan seem really important.
―But that does sound really cool though.
"I'm Rynan, just a regular commoner!"
"Well, I already know who you are, but okay." Zhan smiled a little at the boy's simple introduction.
After all the small talk, both of them finally got serious and ready for the big moment. The air felt tense now, like something big was about to happen. Rynan's hands felt sweaty and his heart started beating faster. This was the moment of truth.
―I wonder what kind of magic he used to beat those guys. Must be something really strong.
Zhan sat down on the soft grass and rested his chin on his hand. He had the perfect view from here, like watching a show from the best seat in the house. In front of Rynan was a wooden training dummy that looked pretty beat up. It was the kind used for sword practice and magic training.
Rynan took a deep breath and tried to slow down his racing heart. He was about to use the same magic that killed another human being. Someone just like him who had family and friends. The thought made his stomach feel sick and heavy.
Rynan held out his right hand toward the dummy. His mind focused completely on the target in front of him. Everything else in the world seemed to fade away until only the dummy existed. When he felt ready, he let the magic flow out of him.
'Shwng!' That was the sound his magic made when it left his body.
"Rynan!" Zhan jumped to his feet, not sure what had just happened.
"What happened?" Rynan asked, confused by Zhan's reaction.
"..." Zhan's eyes went wide as he realized what he was seeing.
Fear and shock hit him like a punch to the gut. His legs gave out and he fell backward onto the grass like a bug that just saw a dragon. His whole body was shaking and he couldn't catch his breath.
The wooden dummy's head was cut off clean as a whistle. But that wasn't the scary part - the trees behind it were gone. The hills in the distance were completely flattened like someone had erased them. The sound of crashing, rumbling, and crackling filled the air after Rynan's attack.
―T-THIS KID IS A FUCKING MONSTER! MY GUT FEELING WAS RIGHT! HE COULD HAVE KILLED ME BACK IN THAT HOSPITAL ROOM IF HE WANTED TO!
"I-I d-did t-that..?" Rynan pointed at the destruction with a shaking finger.
His legs were wobbling so bad he could barely stand up. Even he had no idea he could do something this crazy. All those dreams about becoming the strongest mage didn't seem so impossible anymore. Maybe they weren't just dreams after all.
His dream of becoming the strongest mage was right there in front of him.
"W-WH-W-W-WHAAAT THE FUUCK HAPPENED HEREE!?"
A woman's voice screamed from behind Zhan. It sounded panicked and scared, like she had just seen a ghost. Both Rynan and Zhan turned around to see who was yelling. Now they had an even bigger problem on their hands.
It was Tarnillya, Head of the Royal Guards.