> Kira PoV

“I’ll be going then, later Kira.”

“Be careful Ellie!”

Ellie leaves the inn with a wave of her hand. She’s going to handle the second box alone since it’s probably in the castle. The sun's going to set in about an hour, but she said it will take a while. I guess it's good she's being careful.

I walk over to the bar where Kelly is nursing a mug, but she seems displeased.

“What’s wrong Kelly?”

“I’ll tell ya what’s wrong, the ale here is terrible! Yeah you heard me!”

Well yeah, it’s an inn. The food and drinks here aren’t exactly for connoisseurs. Also, don't shout at the innkeeper, they'll kick us out if you make a mess. Kelly probably wants to go out and get hammered, but Ellie insisted we stick together.

Come to think of it, Kelly said she used to live here. And I'm curious about Hell since it's my first visit. So let's consider this as a chance to bond as comrades and ask her to show me the good bars and pubs around here.

It's not because I instantly felt lonely when Ellie left. This and that are completely unrelated.

I go upstairs and change into my [Troll Leather] armor. I’m also taking my staff and gauntlet. Knowing Kelly, a brawl is bound to break out so I'm going in armed.

Even if I won't use it, I get paranoid when I leave [Tranquility] behind. Having this staff really brings me peace of mind.

The gauntlet itself is a bit creepy since it’s a shiny black material. It fits perfectly over my right hand and goes halfway up to the elbow.

Since it’s an invocation tool, it looks different from a normal gauntlet. The fingertips are long and pointy, almost like claws. There's also some ominous-looking ridges and carvings here and there. These are important to properly guide the spells.

I dislike the intimidating look, but it can't be helped. I come back downstairs and see Kelly’s still in a bad mood.

“Sup, Red? Heading out?”

“Yeah, I want to check out the pubs and bars around here, want to show me around?”

“Do I ever! Trust me Red, this won't be a night you'll ever forget! Or remember. Depends on how much fun we have."

As we head out the door, I drop by where our cart is parked and pick up a dirty leather bag.

"What're you doing with that?"

“I have to drop by the Adventurer’s Guild first.”

"The Guild huh? I've never been inside you know. That lot won’t let me in since they think mercenaries take their jobs. It’s actually the other way around most of the time, you know?”

“That so? We don't get a lot of mercenaries in Runetap, I had no idea. Well, I'm your employer so there won't be a problem if you just follow me inside for a bit."

I fling the bag over my shoulder and we head out.

It’s just some monster subjugation trophies we picked up on the trip. Our finances have been a bit stretched ever since that completely unreasonable poop tor- I mean, High Dragon incident, so we need to be more prudent with our earnings for a while.

* * *

We enter the Adventurer’s Guild. It’s pretty much exactly like the one in Runetap. Must be regulations. It’s good though, I know where everything is immediately.

I walk over to the counter. Kelly’s tagging along throwing mean looks all around. I guess she really doesn’t get along with adventurers. When I reach the receptionist, a kind-looking motherly woman, she calls out to me.

“Good day. First time in Hell?”

“Good day, yes that’s right.”

“Are you two already registered with the guild.”

“I am, my friend here is just accompanying me.”

“Alright, then how can the guild help you today?

“I’d like to turn in subjugation trophies.”

“Understood, please pass me the trophies and your card.”

I do as instructed. She takes the leather bag and passes it back to her colleagues. Then she looks at the card and lets out a surprised yell.

“Oh my! So young and already Rank B!? And you’re also a [Sage]?! That’s quite impressive, miss Quasse!”

“Miss receptionist, please refrain from shouting so loud. Also, it's Mrs.”

“My apologies, Mrs Quasse.”

She hands me back my card with a superficial apology. She just shouted out private information about a guild member - a clear violation of guild policy. Kelly nudges me from behind and whispers-

“Hey, Red.”

“I know.”

I curtly reply back. That was definitely an act. At her age though, that’s not going to fool anyone. She let that information out on purpose, probably someone troublesome will show up while they “inexplicably” delay my payment.

I turn back to Kelly and whisper mischievously.

“So Kelly, want to know what’s going to happen?”

“Sure.”

“A noble brat called the [Black Sage] is going to show up, call me a fraud and challenge me to a duel.”

* * *

“You there! Yes you! You’re the upstart girl that’s been going about besmirching the noble title of [Sage], right?! The great me known as the [Black Sage] hereby declares you a sham and a fraud! I challenge you to a duel with our titles on the line!”

A black-haired black-eyed man wearing a luxurious-looking dark purple robe barges into the guild and waves a stick at me.

“Wow Red, that’s amazing! I didn't know you could see the future!”

Kelly muttered with wide eyes. It's an educated guess, really. Ever since Ellie told me this guy was in town I had a feeling he'd raise a fuss over nothing.

“Sure, in front of the guild or in the back?”

I accept casually like I’m ordering lunch at the inn.

It's not like I'm taking it out on him since Ellie isn't here and I feel annoyed. This and that are completely unrelated.

“... uh… y-yes. That is, in front, of course! I want everyone in Hell to witness your pathetic defeat!”

We walk outside and the peanut gallery follows.

This is the first time I've met this guy, but as expected, the "Black" referred to his hair and eyes which are typical of nobles. My guess is Papa bought him everything, even hired others to do accompany him on his commissions so he can raise his rank.

Titles however are strictly regulated. It's not something his Papa can just buy, so that means his [Black Sage] isn't just for show.

A guild official walks out of the building and confirms the rules. It's a regulated duel between adventurers so oversight is important. Duels are simple - we keep going until one side gives up or is knocked out.

Killing your opponent is no different from murder, but this guy's face clearly says something like "accidents happen and I'll be forgiven no matter what."

Each of us assumes our starting position as instructed by the official. We're facing each other with about 10 paces between us.

Blackie readies his stick. Wait that's a staff? The quality is so low it looks like it would snap the instant I touch it, yet his robe is that fancy? Is Hell full of idiots or something?

I left my own staff with Kelly since I did promise Nano not to use it on small fry. The gauntlet should be enough for this.

"Then, start!"

The official sets us of.

“---- [Fireball]”

His spell flies at me, but I just calmly get out of its way. What is this guy doing, not even goblins will get hit by a [Fireball] that slow! He points his staff directly at my head!

“-- [Lesser Beam]”

“Hut!”

I roll under his spell using a trick Kelly taught me. Read your opponent's body, discern their aim and even the instantaneous [Beam] spells can be dodged. It's easy to do against mages since their tools direct the spell and the incantation can be used for the timing. Kelly says she uses this method against swords and axes, but that level's out of my reach.

“Why you!”

He gets agitated and starts firing more and more [Lesser Beam] spells, but all of them are dodged. Compared to Ellie’s passionate charge, this guy is nothing.

Why am I comparing my wife's affections to a dangerous spell? No, Ellie's onslaught can be dangerous in its own way.

He keeps firing spells at me. He’s still a [Sage], so all the elements come at me. Wind blades, icicles, fire bolts, ground spikes. I dodge a good amount and block the rest with [Barrier]. I haven’t made an attack yet.

Oh, he’s finally bringing out a big one. That stance is for a lightning spell. Probably of the [Thunder] series. I reach upwards with my gauntlet and prepare a defense.

"---- [High Thunder]"

“---- [Electric Hold]”

The [High Thunder] comes down on me at the same time that I activate my counter-spell. Since [Hold] spells trap magic-based attacks of the same element, the spell doesn't hit me. Instead it coils itself around the ball of mana floating above my palm.

Essentially, I just caught a lightning bolt. Blackie is left stupefied, like he though I was only good at running. In my eyes, he's just bad at aiming.

I lower my hand and point the mass of mana in it directly at him. Give it a new direction and-

"- [Impact]"

A shockwave travels through the air.

"--- [Barrier]"

My opponent had recovered from his shock and brings up a barrier, but it cracks and shatters almost instantly. He's flung back, falls on his butt and drops his staff.

“-- [Firebolt]"

Now that he's disarmed, I turn his staff into ashes. Blackie falls into despair and starts crawling away from me. However, he's not knocked out and has not surrendered. Therefore, the duel is still going.

"--- [Earth Bind]"

Stone shackles appear and restrain his hands and feet to the ground. Like this he's helplessly locked into a precarious position with his back against the ground. I point a finger at his chest.

“-- [Lesser Beam]"

"Waah!"

I don't know why he's screaming. His robe is excellent at repelling magic, it brilliantly absorbed the beam spell. There's a black burn mark on the surface, but it didn't reach his skin.

“-- [Lesser Beam] -- [Lesser Beam] -- [Lesser Beam] -- [Lesser Beam] --[Firebolt]"

Preparations complete, now for the final blow. I raise my hand and-

"I surrender!"

""""WHAAAAT?""""

-concede the duel, much to the surprise of the spectators.

* * *

After the crowd disperses I finally receive my subjugation reward and leave the guild with Kelly.

"Hey Red, are you really alright with what you did?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

I think it went perfectly, I wonder why Kelly has doubts.

"Why'd you give up your [Red Sage] that easily?! Ellie will never accept that!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Didn't that guy spout something like 'fight me with our titles on the line' while challenging you?"

Ah I see, she's not a guild member so she hasn't realized it yet.

"As if the Guild would accept that. Blackie back there was just being a drama queen."

Losing a title over a quarrel, what sort of childish organization would allow that? The only way titles are taken away in the first place are through expulsion from the guild.

"Then his title was never in danger either? Wasn't the whole fight completely pointless?"

"That's right."

"So why'd you accept the duel if you were just going to surrender anyw-"

Kelly freezes mid-sentence. Her face turns into a wide grin. Looks like she's catching on.

Looking at it objectively, he won a duel without suffering an injury. Any adventurer would be proud with this result.

Of course there's the fact that he never landed a blow, his weapon was destroyed, his expensive robe had the word 'PIG' burned into the chest area and he's now sporting a reverse-mohawk, courtesy of a well-placed fire spell.

Surely the rumor mill is running wild at this point. His life in Hell will become what I've lived with for years.

"Hah. HAHAHAHAHAHA! That's brilliant! Red, I underestimated you! The look on his face was perfect, too! Hahahaha!"

"Huhuhu, that's right. Since you understand, I'll let you buy me a drink!"

"Now we're talking! Leave it to me, I know where they serve the best ale in town!"

"I'm counting on you!"

Still, I need to properly thank Nano and Ellie for their guidance. Before I realized, I grew overly reliant on the raw power I could bring out from my staff. The name [Tranquility] ended up being ironic.

Before I met Nano and Ellie, I had trouble controlling the amount of mana. Once I got [Tranquility] I started going overboard with it and my skill at directing and molding mana suffered. If I was the same as I was back then, Blackie probably wouldn't have left the duel with all his limbs attached.

So by making me use a gauntlet, it wasn't to keep me from running wild. It was to help me run wild in the right direction. How come Nano's so smart even though he's a disembodied voice? It honestly annoys me a bit.

Well, that's all for later. Right now I'm dying for a drink by now, so let's get smashed for once!

It's not because Ellie still isn't here and I want to drown my sorrows in alcohol.

This and that are completely unrelated.