I attempted to sit up, but my body was too weak to perform even this simple motion. I was seized by a violent coughing fit.

"What are you doing?" Once the coughing subsided, I saw the girl diligently wiping her eyes.

"Nothing…" Her voice was choked with emotion. "I’m just so relieved. I thought… I thought you were dead…”

"Why are you here?" I asked in a faint voice. It was puzzling; she should have been at the foot of the mountain or en route there. How did she find me? And how could such a small girl drag me down from such a high peak? Although I wasn't heavy, I surely exceeded her capacity to move me.

"There's no particular reason…" She averted her gaze. "I was just worried. I didn’t know how Raith would treat you, so I followed… I have this, and I thought I might be able to help a little!" She pulled out a slender necklace. Despite its delicate size, I could clearly sense the magic imbued in it. Judging by the symbols, it was a flight necklace! "This was a gift from my grandfather… I never imagined you would defeat him and his army… You are truly the strongest mage I have ever seen…”

"Mage…" I suddenly recalled my own identity. My eyes…

My face was now bare, and the girl could certainly see the eerie red light emanating from my eyes! Regardless of whether I was a mage or not, anyone could deduce my nature from those sinister, malevolent red glows, and she would be no exception!

"Aren’t you afraid of me?" I asked her.

"Afraid?" She looked at me with wide, confused eyes. "Why should I be afraid? You may seem fierce on the outside, but… but…”

"I am also a necromancer, just like Raith!" I said softly.

"But you're a good person! You saved me and defeated Raith… Does it matter whether you're a necromancer or not? As long as you're a good person, that’s what matters… Necromancers can be good or bad too!"

Such an innocent girl! How could there possibly be a “good” necromancer in this world? Just as there are no vegetarian tigers, every necromancer is steeped in sin, the only difference being the amount of blood on their hands!

I sighed gently and turned my face slightly away.

"Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. Let this… let this be our secret, okay?" She looked at me with hopeful eyes!

"If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as a yes!" The girl said, and just as I was about to respond, another violent bout of coughing interrupted me!

"Wait here, I’ll get help! Your injuries are severe; you shouldn’t move any further, or you might be in danger! You must wait for me to return!" She looked at me with visible concern.

"Don’t worry! I won’t die!" I told her. I noticed the redness in her hands as she took out the necklace. It was only then I realized her face and hands were frostbitten and red, the wind on the peak was fierce, especially in such cold conditions.

The girl’s figure vanished from my view. I muttered a few words, and the mask and black glass shard reappeared in my hands! To prevent such situations, I had enchanted these items; uttering specific incantations would return them to me.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

As I slowly adjusted the mask and the shard, I glimpsed the collapsed mountain peak from the magical battle. I knew a young boy’s body was buried beneath that peak… Raith was dead; he could finally rest. Though just a child, he had been very brave… or perhaps very reckless.

Weariness washed over me, and my eyes closed. I was so tired… A short rest here should be fine! Even if I didn’t wake up, it wouldn’t matter…

…

Familiar green woods and a house nestled within… Where is this? Why does it seem so familiar? This stream, this path, the bushes on either side… and a solitary grave outside the woods… This is…

A boy sits among the bookshelves in the study, reading a book… That back is so familiar… Who is that? The reader turns unintentionally… It’s… it’s me!!!

The door to the room opens, and an elderly figure enters.

"Why aren’t you out playing? Such wonderful weather is rare! Oh, and a minstrel has just arrived in the village; everyone is listening to his songs…”

“No, Master, thank you! I have a more pressing task! I want to ask about this spell—are there improvements to be made in the potion ingredients…?”

The old mage lowered his head and explained my questions in detail, pointing out errors in my reasoning!

I returned the book to its place and pulled another from the immense bookshelf. At that moment, I seemed to hear a sigh from the master! I turned around and saw the master leaving. Perhaps I had heard wrong! But matters of spring, minstrels, and girls were of no concern; the flame within me still burned fiercely, growing ever more intense with the passing years. My heart had no room for anything else!

…

This is… the Tower of the Sage? The place where I underwent mage qualification… The figure accompanying the master out of the tower is… me!!

I had achieved mage status, a notable accomplishment for my age, causing even the judges to be astonished by my youth and power!

The master walked beside me, giving final instructions, knowing I would not remain by his side.

“Be cautious in the future, avoid taking unnecessary risks…” I listened absentmindedly, considering his words as mere chatter. Honestly, I had just learned that the master was a renowned mage, one of the few grandmasters recognized by the Tower of the Sage! Yet, his guidance felt no different from that of an overly worried old man!

“I understand. I’ll take care of myself! Don’t worry, Master! I’ll visit you when I can!”

“Remember, always consider the consequences before acting. There are few second chances in this world! And if you tire of the outside world, come back. The door to my house will always be open to you!”

“Thank you, Master!”

I had endured the torment of that flame for long enough; I could wait no longer! I had spent fifteen years studying magic, and now I should have the strength to fulfill my vow!

…

Cold raindrops struck me, hitting my face, but I could no longer feel them! My partially burnt clothes were caked with mud. Everyone who passed by me gave me a second glance before hastening away!

I had been defeated!

I could not forget the old man’s parting words, “For your age, you’re quite good, but you still need to work harder. In another twenty years, I might not be a match for you!” But more than that, I could not forget his tone of victorious condescension—a strong man’s pity for the weak. I did not need pity!

Fifteen years, a full fifteen years. I had forsaken all entertainment and rest, dedicating every moment, except for eating, sleeping, and seeing my mother, to learning magic! I had never once slacked off! Through winters so cold my feet lost feeling and summers so hot even cicadas could not sing, I had never shirked! Reading, learning magic, reading, learning magic—repeatedly! I thought I was powerful enough, that I had the strength to realize my vow, but reality cruelly shattered my illusions.

No matter how hard I tried or how talented I was, I had only studied magic for fifteen years and was merely twenty-three. My power could not compete with that of the elderly grandmasters! Did my fifteen years of effort amount to nothing? I could not forget the servant’s dismissive remark as he left, “With such skills, you dare challenge the court magicians?” So contemptuous, so belittling, it was like a dagger to my heart, salt rubbed in the wound!

Now, I could do nothing, nothing at all! I was just a powerless wastrel! I yearned for power, to pull me from this abyss of weakness, and I would accept any form of power!