Chapter 47: The King and the Sage
After leaving the Beastman village, the group continued to advance northwest.
During this time, Norn and Eric's magic improved rapidly; they could already skillfully use the Light Arrow spell, but they had not yet learned the most advanced Tracking Magic and Light Column Magic.
The progress was remarkable, weeks of practice condensed into fluid motion and confident casting.
However, at this very moment, the two made opposite decisions.
"Norn, have you really made up your mind?"
Kurtz asked seriously, looking at Norn in front of him.
Just now, Norn stated that he would no longer learn more advanced magic.
"Yes, I have made up my mind."
The certainty in his voice was absolute, though Kurtz could see the struggle it had cost him to reach this decision.
"May I ask why?"
Kurtz felt a bit puzzled.
In his opinion, Norn completely possessed the potential to become a powerful mage. The natural aptitude was there, the dedication unquestionable, the intelligence sharp enough to grasp complex magical theory.
However, this stage might take decades, which might not be much for long-lived races like elves, but for humans, it could be a lifetime.
But this effort was worth it.
The sudden appearance of a powerful mage among weak humans would surely leave a deep mark on this mythical era. One legendary figure could change an entire race's trajectory.
"This doesn't sound like a decision you would make."
After this period of adventure, Kurtz had thought he understood Norn well enough. The man who'd risked everything for his village, who'd thrown himself at a dragon with nothing but a sword, this didn't match.
He was somewhat like himself, considering the humans of this world. Both outsiders in their way, both carrying burdens larger than themselves.
But he was not himself, because he was not as thoughtful as the other party.
The two of them would ultimately achieve different outcomes.
Just like a king and a sage walking together.
Norn, standing before him, possessed the potential to be a king, which could be seen from how he managed his village in an orderly manner.
Leadership came naturally to him; people listened when he spoke, followed when he led.
"Our human lives are too short; I don't have the luxury of so much time to become stronger."
Norn's voice carried a weight that spoke of sleepless nights spent wrestling with this decision.
"Rather than making a name for myself, I want the human race to be known by more people, instead of being gawked at like in that Beastman village before."
The memory of curious eyes and pointed stares still stung, not from malice, but from the reminder of humanity's insignificance in this vast world.
"Everyone cannot learn advanced magic, so I only need to refine basic magic and then let more people learn these spells."
Kurtz laughed.
Not mockingly, but simply because he wanted to laugh. The sound held admiration, frustration, and something more profound, recognition of a kindred spirit choosing a different path.
"Then, if there are humans with sufficient magical talent like you, would you only teach them the most basic magic?"
"If humans only knew the most basic magic, they would only go from being a weak race to a noteworthy one, which wouldn't change the current situation at all, wouldn't it?"
"If you don't possess sufficient powerful military strength, then how would you resist the oppression and even bullying from other races?"
Each question hit like hammer blows, driven by genuine concern rather than mere argument.
"Norn, I'm sorry, I cannot agree with your idea."
"If you want to prove yourself, then defeat me, defy the will I impose on you, and then walk your own path!"
Kurtz had his selfish motives.
He hoped Norn could become even stronger. The potential was there; it would be tragic to see it wasted on noble intentions alone.
Not everyone can make basic magic work wonders; this isn't the future, basic magic is just basic magic, without many variations.
With the same philosophy as his own and this powerful strength, the two of them would be better able to help the humans of this era.
But Norn was now saying he wanted to give up on becoming a powerful mage, which Kurtz could not allow, and for this, he did not hesitate to use a firm tone.
Anyone with eyes could see that Norn's chances of defeating Kurtz were minuscule.
Because Kurtz was stronger than him, stronger than everyone in this team except Serie.
The gap was evident to everyone present, an insurmountable gulf of power and knowledge.
He only lacked the accumulation of magical power and combat experience, but even Serie found that Kurtz was gradually getting stronger, even having the potential to surpass her.
So, regarding Kurtz's demand, Norn knew it was an impossible feat to achieve.
Since that was the case, he decided to persuade the other party.
"I am not giving up on the idea of becoming stronger, Mr. Kurtz. I will still choose the path of a warrior, you know; my magical talent is not as outstanding as Eric's. Perhaps changing paths would open up new horizons."
"Oh, I see, I understand, so you are going to betray me, betray this noble profession of a mage, to become a warrior full of useless muscles?~"
Kurtz spoke in a strange tone that made Norn want to laugh, but he managed to hold it back. The theatrical indignation was so over-the-top it had to be intentional.
He just mused to himself that if Kraft heard this, he would definitely show Kurtz what a warrior's stats truly meant. The Elf warrior would probably demonstrate with his fists, too.
Mage? Just a squishy!
Norn took a deep breath and looked directly into Kurtz's eyes: "Mr. Kurtz, I am not betraying the mage profession, but rather I want more people to become mages."
Human strength has its limits.
Becoming a qualified warrior is not difficult, but becoming a powerful mage requires time's accumulation. The harsh reality shaped all their choices.
This does not mean that warriors are inferior to mages.
It's just that mages' magical power continuously grows with time, allowing them to use more and more powerful magic.
However, humans' physical quality determines warriors' upper limit, and clearly, Norn's talent is evident; he cannot become a stat monster like a certain Blue Horse. Some ceilings were immutable, no matter the effort applied.
"As for advanced magic, Eric is still here; his talent is better than mine, and he will definitely become a powerful mage."
"Alas, placing hope on others is not a wise move."
"But they are not others, they are my good friends and companions, aren't they?"
The simple statement carried profound trust, the kind that moved mountains and changed destinies.
At this point, Kurtz also understood Norn's thoughts.
The other party did not want to put all his energy into becoming a powerful mage, but rather hoped to delve into the most basic magic, so that humans could better learn magic.
It was a matter of democratization versus specialization, both valid approaches with different costs.
He had indeed overlooked this point.
Now that he thought about it, the other party seemed to have been aiming for this goal ever since he started making magic books.
He came prepared. Every action, every question, every careful note-taking, all of it had been building toward this moment.
First, create a magic book belonging to humans, then delve into and refine their basic magic, and then improve the magic book, so that people can better become mages.
And for those who wish to proceed, it depends on whether they can comprehend the two sentences at the beginning of the book.
Magic is not merely learning but innovation.
Failure is the mother of success.
Even if they don't understand, there's still the advanced magic Eric learned as a fallback, multiple paths to the same destination.
"It seems you and Eric have made your own choices."
"Yes, he will continue down the path of a mage."
"Alas, when children grow up, they eventually have their own lives."
"Mr. Kurtz, please don't use such strange metaphors." Norn maintained a polite smile, though his eyes showed genuine affection beneath the exasperation.
"Just call me Kurtz, I understand what you mean."
'Indeed, Kurtz was someone of his kind.'
Norn thought to himself.
Only then could he understand his meaning so quickly. They were both leaders in their own way, both carrying the weight of their people's future.
Honestly, Norn even felt his request was a bit ungrateful; someone was willing to teach him magic unconditionally, and he said he wasn't going to learn it, which was completely disrespectful to the other party.
But fortunately, Kurtz was a good person. Understanding radiated from him like warmth from a fire.
Before Norn could finish his thoughts, the "good person" Kurtz, in his words, gave him another shocker.
"In that case, Norn, let's create a country for humans!"
Norn: ????
The proposal hung in the air like a lightning bolt, so unexpected it took several heartbeats for anyone to process what had just been said. A country, not a village, not a tribe, but an actual nation where humans could stand as equals among the other races.
Serie, who had been quietly listening to their philosophical debate, raised an eyebrow. Even she hadn't seen this turn coming.
Eric's mouth fell open, a half-formed Light Arrow dissolving in his palm as his concentration shattered completely.
Somo hefted his axe and grinned.
"Now that sounds like a dwarf-sized idea! Though I suppose humans will need all the help they can get."
The silence that followed was pregnant with possibility and terror in equal measure, the kind of silence that preceded either genius or madness, and sometimes both.
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