Reincarnated as a Genius Mage-Chapter 35: Ludia

"So, you said you all were gonna do what to her?"

The one who seems to be their leader walks toward me. His eyes stare down at me, and his long beard touches my head.

But I’m calm.

"Look at this little brat," he scoffs, "you wanna act tough?"

I’m still calm.

With a sneer, he turns his neck back— facing the other four guys. They’re laughing their asses out; pointing at me, and calling me a squirt.

My breathing smoothens steadily

And he turns to face me again. This time, he crouches, resting his sword on his shoulder, and his eyes lock with mine.

"Hey, kid." He says. And as he speaks, I scrunch my nose. His breath stinks. Like rotten fish.

"Do you think you’re a hero?"

My breathing is still moving steadily, but my fists clench involuntarily. I wonder why.

Calm. Chill. Steady. Cool.

My eyes flicker— scanning all of them one last time.

I’ve confirmed it now. They really have no rings around them. They’re just manaless pieces of— "Get off my face." I speak, my voice calm and compoed.

"He sounds so cute!" One of the clowns at the back shouts as they burst into laughter.

And the annoying fact about this is that— he’s right. I do sound cute. But I swallow that writhing annoyance, flushing it down my stomach.

"Or else what?" The boss says as he draws his stinking breath nearer to my nose.

And a cool exhale leaves my nose, "I’ve had enough of this."

Slam!

With adequate strength— I slam my fist under his jaw; an uppercut. And he falls back— the back of his head hits the ground and he quivers slightly, almost writhing in pain.

"Nng!"

Then; as if he suddenly remembers he has a sword— he grips it tightly with his right hand, and his left hand carress his jaw as he slowly stands up.

"Boy’s got a good punch to him, I’ll give him that." He speaks as he spits out red liquid— blood, and a few teeth.

"Um, boss.. I don’t think that’s the strength of a kid. It’s unnatural."

I had planned to settle this ’reasonably’. But these ruffians have forced me to take action. And now, I won’t hold back now.

But I wonder... should I just torch them with flames, and be done with them. Or should knock them out cold, and leave? Hmmm.

I’m still standing. My gaze steady as I stare into the distance. Dressed in my calm visage.

Then my eyes descend on the boss. freeweɓnovel~cѳm

His eyes are narrowed. And in them— I see the embarrassment. He frowns, anger from humiliation present on his face.

"Change of plan boys. That kid— I’ll kill him. You guys, go ransack their wagon, and make sure to take the girl." He orders them calmly— his index finger pointing toward the direction of Jennette and our wagon.

My bag is in that wagon.

Although there’s no money there; there are still things that are important in it— my artifacts. I can’t let them get stolen by these.. things.

With the ground slightly cracking beneath my feet— I leap— rushing toward him with great speed. And I grab his head tightly with my right hand. My grip pressing at his skull. And I swing my leg back— pushing it forward with great strength and speed that collides with his jaw.

Crack!

"Umph." he grunts and staggers a little— disoriented from my hit.

But I don’t let him fall— and my legs tap the ground lightly— pushing me up again; my grip still locked on his skull.

Blood trickles out of his mouth and down his bloodied lips. A sight that quickly evade my mind as my feet land on the ground with momentum— my hands dragging his head down with me. And I ram it on the ground.

His forehead dig into the soil.

And he collapses there, unable to move.

His sword by his side— he didn’t even get to use it.

"You’re lucky I’ve not yet warmed up to the idea of killing people." I mutter. The slight pain from my fist’s collision with his jaw still present.

I turn— eyes flashing to the direction where Jennette stands. I crouch— the sole of my feet itch as I prepare to run toward her, and defend her while shooting some fireballs or something at the fools looking to rob us.

But she stands there. Her wide smile widening as she sights me. "You’re so strong!" She yells— loud enough for her voice to echo.

Her smile, it’s awfully chilling, because.. she’s calmly standing over the limp body of an unconscious man— her legs pressing on his back. And the other two, they’re.. They’re on the ground.. I don’t know if they’re passed out, or passed on.

I almost forgot... she’s not a damsel in distress, she’s a second circle mage.

I laugh at myself— how could I forget. And then I take clean strides, heading toward her.

"Are those the bandits you talked about?" I ask, my eyes and voice layered with curiosity.

"Yes. But that’s not how they usually act, they first of all ask ’politely’ for money. And if you don’t give them money— violence follows. But these guys.. they just went straight to the violence part, like they were ordered or something. Or they just assumed that we had tons of cash in our wagon."

I’m not surprised in the slightest, they do look stupid.

"They said we smell like money."

She scoffs. "Must be you, maybe you give off the ’young master of a rich aristocratic family’ scent." She says. Her tone building in sarcasm.

"Haha. Very funny." I reply plainly.

And then I walk toward the wagon, and enter it. "Let’s get out of here already." I exclaim softly.

"Are you with the book? The one with the breathing technique?" Her voice calm but brotherly.

I nod. "It’s in my robe."

She jumps— butt landing on the back of the horse. "To Ludia."

"Finally." I chuckle.

******

The rest of the journey was pretty smooth. No sudden monster attacks. Just a straight road, some pee breaks, and food breaks in random taverns on the road.

It seems Alexander informed Jennette of my leave pretty early, because she came prepared. She even brought money— something that I never thought of.

Now... After two more days of traveling; We have arrived at Ludia.

"Wonderful." I exclaim as the city gates enlarge in my view the closer our wagon gets to it.

"Wonderful indeed." Jennette’s voice is low, uncheerful, and carries a subtle hint of sadness. And her grip on the reins of the horse tightens.

Perhaps seeing the city gates evoked some sort of the memories of her past. And maybe this city holds as many memories for her as it does expectations for me.

But I decide not to pry, or even comfort her. I’m too busy admiring the view of the gate.

The smell of leather, dust and... Spice? Permeates through the gates— from the city.

A massive stone gate is erect, stopping travelers from entering. And solid walls loom high.

The walls are rimmed with guard towers, and there; various guards hold onto their spears— eyes flashing with distrust as they stare down at the people passing.

Clang!

The gate opens slowly and mechanically, and our creaking wooden wagon rolls toward it.

Various people are aiming to pass through the gate— to the City, with us.

Bald men dressed like monks ride on wagons like ours. And carriages of noblemen, wagons stacked with food, and a lot more pass through the gate.

"Are you a diviner? A merchant, mercenary or a wandering mage?" One of the guards at the gate asks Jennette.

She gives a small smile, and her lips part— about to utter something, but I stick my head out of the wagon.

"We’re merchants. We came to this city to start and run a business." My childlike voice rings out.

The guard— dressed with armor and a helmet on his head that only reveal his eyes; examines me, his eyes narrowed.

Jennette turns to face me, her face twists. Showing— ’We never discussed this.’

Actually, it was all part of my plan. I planned to start a business here in Ludia. And run it by day. Where would I get the capital to start the business from?

By becoming a mercenary and slowly gathering money. Now that Jennette’s in the picture of the plan.. it’s going to be easier for me.

Wealth is a necessary key that unlocks the door to my next plan.

After examining me with what I assume is a glare, the guard says, "you may go in."

Jennette nods, and rides the wagon past the gates of the city and inside the city.

I’m in the wagon, feeling the occasional bumps as usual. But something keeps weirding me out.

Those guards at the guard towers, and even the ones that came to meet us. The mana around them— it’s pure, and of no color— elementless. And then again; it’s not shaped like a ring, and neither is it a cluster.

Instead, it’s shaped like a ball, the size of a ping pong— revolving around them like a moon. And all the guards have two.

I’m trying to figure out what this means. I’ve never seen something like that before. It’s the first time. They have no affinities, and the thing revolving around them isn’t a circle. What even is that?

Is it a thing that’s unique with... People that master mana in a different way? I have read about it in textbooks in the Flameworths training center’s library. They master mana in different ways.. but they’ve never said the way in which they master them.

"You’re deep in thought.. again. Raise your head, and come take a look at the city, breathe the air too. We’re now in the city of beginnings."

She’s right.

I lift my head— halting my thoughts, and I stride toward Jennette; eager to take a look at the city.

And my eyes widen slightly as I take in the sight. "So this is Ludia."

The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel