My Life as a Mage in Another World

Chapter 7

 My walk back to Hawkstead with Reina was filled with silence and awkwardness. I didn't ask a single question to Reina because I knew it was best to keep my mouth shut. Reina didn't say a single word along the way either, she watched her own feet as she walked keeping her face hidden from view. When we reached Hawkstead I turned to her and said "Goodbye."

 My words reached deaf ears until Reina said in a near whisper "Goodbye."

 I was about to enter my horse stall when Greg approached me. "What happened to that girl?" he asked.

 "I don't know." I said in a dull tone. Greg seemed skeptical he noticed my serious expression.

 "Kyou-" he tried to talk.

 "I'd like to be left alone." I declared. Greg paused and his eyebrows raised.

 Greg obeyed my wish and left me with my thoughts. Of course my mind never found ease as I searched for answers in my mind. Was this what Sophie meant? "Do you think Reina has been acting strange lately?" those words became fresh in my mind. I was completely blinded by my own goals that I was unable to notice Reina's mental state deteriorating right in front of my eyes.

 I had always thought of Reina as a symbol of strength. I had put her much higher than myself and others because I thought of her as the best. Her beauty, her power, and her kindness were they only illusions? Or was it just me not be perceptive enough?

 Either way i'd rather think about something else. The next day Reina didn't show up for my training. Instead, I returned to The Capital to pick up some some spell books. Even if Reina isn't around that doesn't mean I can start to grow weak. I reckon I could the woman I met my second day in this world might have some spell books.

 I returned to the old brick building where the magic shop was located and as far as I could tell the place looked the exact same. I approached the shop keeper.

 "My, it has been a while since I've seen you." said the shopkeeper.

 "Now that I think about I don't know your name." I said.

 "My name is Iris." Iris said.

 "Well, Iris i'm looking for some spell books. More specifically dark spells where are they?" I asked.

 Her store was messy and both times I had entered into Iris's shop I always had to step over something. Not to mention her shelves weren't organized either so looking for something specific was a nightmare. 

 "How odd. It is rare for a human to be born with a Dark affinity. Well anyways they're over there." Iris said pointing over to the left side of the store.

 I walked over  to where Iris had pointed out to me her dark purple eyes watching me. A collection of dusty and torn books were lined up on the shelf and Iris walked up next to me. 

 "This might be something you will like." Iris said grabbing a black stained book from the shelf.

 "This book contains the spell Black Inferno." Iris said.

 She handed the book to me and realized this one of the spells Hollowblood had used when fighting Corvus. I thought about when I had been cursed by Hollowblood. My anger flooded in again. I'll but this book just so I can burn him into ash with his own magic. 

 "Here's another though it's a Light spell, useful nonetheless." Iris said handing me another book.

 This book was navy blue and had a tear along the spine. 

 "It might be a Light spell but it's not complex at all so you shouldn't have any trouble learning it." Iris told me.

 "What spell can this one teach me?" I questioned.