True Magician

Chapter 75

An unknown place.

The caravan, with the surviving villagers and me, was moving leisurely toward some town. Sitting beside the coachman, who was the same man and whose name I still didn't know, my eyes studied the scenery of the new unknown world.

Sometimes we came across small groups of people on the way: sometimes traders, sometimes just travelers. The villagers would exchange a few words or questions with them, and then each of them would continue on their way. Of course, there were also attacks by bandits who saw the caravan without adequate security, but they were dealt with either by myself or my traveling companions.

After the incident, they realized that they had to rely on themselves, and so during breaks and stops they began to train with weapons that I created with the help of 1st magic. At first, and even now, they are having a hard time fighting. Their movements are careless and inept, their attention is unfocused, and uncertainty lingers in their eyes every now and then. But they definitely have a burning desire to get better, which shows in their persistence during training.

As it was explained to me, the city we are currently heading to is called 'Rondel' and holds the title of 'City of Sages'. There, the study of magical arts and the learning of magical secrets is flourishing. Local mages come there to take a kind of exam for the title of 'Sage', and to receive it, they must show their knowledge of magic and their ability to use it. A rather mundane concept, referencing the ranking system in an adventurer's guild in some typical isekai, to be honest.

I glanced at the wagons and wondered.

Strange.

These residents have survived the crisis but still wish to live separately, rebuilding the village. And their purpose in visiting Rondel is to resupply, nothing more. Wouldn't it be safer to settle there or any other city with walls and guards? At least, that's what I would have done. Though I wanted to question them about the reason for their decision, and my conscience was nagging at my ears, I held back.

It was their choice. Their own and based on something. And I, though I can convince them with just one word, I have no right to do so. Everyone chooses their own destiny, even if that choice might bite your head off.

While the tedious philosophical pondering was going on in my head, I felt a movement in my pocket. After a couple seconds, a palm-sized Tia appeared out of it, who looked like she had just woken up.

- "Aaaaaa~" she sang out, wiping her sleepy eyes with her hands, and then leaned on the edge of her pocket.

- "Good morning, Tia," he smiled and stroked her head, "Did you sleep well?"

She didn't answer, just yawned sweetly and closed her eyes again. Tia looked content, so I saw no point in doing anything to her. Let her sleep on.

- "Oh, is that a fairy?" said the man beside me, "No, she has horns. Who's that, God?"

- "I thought I said we could communicate on a 'you' basis, right? Besides, I introduced myself, for that matter," I sighed tiredly, "This is Tia, the spirit that keeps me company. Sweetheart, isn't it?"

- "I can't afford to address you on a first name or a first name alone, god. It's too complicated for me. And I apologize for not introducing myself, you can call me Anma," he said with an apologetic look on his face and continued nostalgically, "And yes, she is sweet. Reminds me of the times when my daughters were still tiny messengers of destruction."

And then Anma froze and looked at Tia sticking out of my pocket.

He looked genuinely surprised. Or rather, dumbfounded, as if he couldn't believe what he'd heard and seen.